Bluetooth wireless technology is designed for phones and other portable devices to link together with little to no work needed from the user. It does not need line of site positioning in order for it to work. It’s the best wireless method available, surpassing even infrared regarding usefulness and practicality. Picking the right Bluetooth phone headset sounds simple, but it comes with challenges unique to all headsets.
This technology makes cell phones more functional with the use of wireless earbud headsets, allowing for hands-free communication. It is especially important when operating a vehicle and in other instances where your hands are occupied. Your choices between earbuds, in-ear headphones, on-ear headphones and over-ear headphones come with advantages and disadvantages. Knowing your options helps you to pick the right type for your needs.
Insert Image
Benefits and Advantages of Bluetooth Technology
There are many advantages/benefits of using Bluetooth technology, and we will delve into them for a more detailed explanation.
Bluetooth Devices Are Wireless
Wireless Bluetooth devices eliminate the clutter and possible hazardous connections that wires entail, meaning that this technology is much safer. When traveling with your PDA, laptop, MP3 player and other devices, not having to carry all your cables around with you is a definite advantage.
Bluetooth Technology Is Inexpensive
Bluetooth is relatively inexpensive when compared to other types of wireless tech, and most companies can implement it, resulting in lower manufacturing costs. This then passes savings along to the consumer, making Bluetooth devices inexpensive, in general.
Bluetooth Is Automatic
Bluetooth doesn’t require setting up connections manually or pushing any buttons. When Bluetooth-enabled wireless devices get in range of each other, they automatically start communication. Once this communication begins, the devices set up “personal area networks.” The best part is that they deal with the entire process without human interference.
Interoperability
Because Bluetooth is a standardized wireless specification, a certain level of compatibility is guaranteed. This specification defines and uses different profiles, and each profile is specific to a certain function. An example of this is when a Bluetooth-enabled cellphone and a Bluetooth headset (with same profile) communicate with each other, they each understand without user interference, even if the devices are different makes and models.
Low Interference
Bluetooth devices avoid interference with other wireless devices by using spread-spectrum frequency hopping and low power signals.
Low Energy Consumption
Bluetooth uses low power signals, resulting in the technology requiring little energy, therefore using less battery and electrical power. This greatly benefits mobile devices since Bluetooth won’t drain the battery of the device
Sharing Voice/Data
Bluetooth allows compatible devices to share data and voice communication.
PAN (Instant Personal Area Network)
When a certain number of Bluetooth devices connect to each other within a proximity of 30 feet or less, they form a PAN or piconet. Multiple piconets can automatically be set up for a single room.
Ability to Upgrade
A development group has been given the task of working on Bluetooth version 2, which will offer new advantages and be backward compatible with the older version.
Long-Term Technology
Bluetooth technology is a universal wireless standard. Therefore, it will be around for years to come. When more devices use Bluetooth, manufacturers will increase the compatibility of their products.
What Is a Bluetooth Phone Headset?
A Bluetooth phone headset is a headset providing two-way communication to a cell phone by way of Bluetooth technology. Users of Bluetooth-enabled cell phones employ two different wireless technologies, Bluetooth between the cell phone and ear and then the cell phone carrier’s technology between the phone and cell tower.
Insert Image
Headphones with Bluetooth technology have a computer chip inside that allows the user to pair with the device you’re playing music on. They sound the same as normal headphones without the hassle of cords. The sound quality is generally the same, but some have complained about lag and delay in the transmission process.
This isn’t a major concern unless you are planning on mixing, producing, or recording music. They are more expensive than corded headphones, as the technology is still rather new, but the Bluetooth technology comes in all styles, including in-ear headphones, earbuds, over-ear headphones and on-ear headphones. The downside is that they will require charging.
Bluetooth Phone Headset Types
There are many types of Bluetooth phone headsets including earbuds, in-ear, on-ear and over-ear. We will explain these in more depth.
Earbuds
Insert Image
Earbuds are one of the more popular types and are often found packaged with smartphones and mp3 players. Their best advantage is portability, and some offer adjustable tips for fitting different ear canal sizes. The downside is that they can lead to pain and discomfort for those who have small ears or ears that aren’t shaped the same way as the tips require for fitting. Also, not everyone wants little plugs inside of their ears.
In-Ear
Insert Image
Unlike earbuds, which use fairly small drivers and sit loosely in your outer ears, in-ear-canal headphones use very small drivers and actually fit inside your ear canals. They use either rubber ear tips in various sizes or foam ear tips that expand and fit any size ear canal. This style is designed to seal the ear canals closed and blocking external noise. Think of them as a pair of earplugs.
On-Ear
Insert Image
On-the-ear headphones can be a good option because they allow the user to hear more sound than earbuds can provide by placing the speaker near your ear rather than inserting a smaller speaker in your ear. An added benefit to this type of headset is that they have cushy padding between your ear and the speaker. However, some don’t enjoy the tight fit needed to maintain the listening position. The downside is that they are not as effective when not directly sitting on the ear.
OVER-Ear
Insert Image
Over-the-ear headphones provide a better fit by positioning over the whole ear, and because they are bigger, they have more spacious casings, allowing for larger drivers resulting in better audio. The downside is their size because they take up more room on both your head and in your bag. Other factors for picking the right Bluetooth phone headset include the sound quality, battery life and extra features.
What to Look for in a Bluetooth Headset
There are some specific things you should look for when choosing a Bluetooth headset.
CALL QUALITY
The quality of the call is one of the more important features to look for in a Bluetooth headset since it’s probably the main reason you’re looking to get one. Along with high-quality speakers, you want a headset with multiple microphones.
Noise-Canceling Ability
The ability to pick up and cancel out background noise using the mic is an important feature, and having noise-canceling technology incorporated into the headset will deliver the best call quality.
Design
Having crystal-clear call quality is wonderful. However, if the headset isn’t comfortable, what’s the point? There are many available designs, ranging from one over-ear piece to the around the neck type.
Best Five Bluetooth Phone Headset Brands
For many folks, hands-free Bluetooth phone headsets seem unnecessary. However, if you make a ton of calls, they are literally game-changers. Finding a Bluetooth phone headset that is comfortable enough to wear all day with good audio quality isn’t easy with all the features and different functionalities. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best five for you.
Plantronics Voyager 5200
Most Bluetooth headsets give you two to three microphones, but the Plantronics Voyager 5200 gives you four, resulting in unparalleled quality. With Plantronics proprietary WindSmart technology, the noise cancellation feature mutes background sounds. Smart sensor technology with voice recognition automatically answers or ignores calls.
This headset pairs to multiple devices using Bluetooth or NFC and allows you to dictate text messages. However, it won’t read the incoming texts back to you. The design is over-the-ear, as with previous Voyager models, but this one has a shorter ear hook. The company claims that this headset will give you up to seven hours of talk-time, but when used, it is closer to the six-hour mark, which is still impressive.
Plantronics Voyager Legend
The Plantronic Voyager Legend has a bulky design that slips comfortably over your ear. The controls are behind the ear, and it’s built so that it doesn’t interfere with glasses like other models. The controls include power on/off, a volume rocker switch, and a call button. The Plantronic Voyager is priced reasonably with smart sensor technology that answers calls automatically when placed on your ear or auto output audio via your phone when you put the headset down.
This headset also features voice recognition, and the crystal-clear sounds are helped by noise canceling technology. The triple-mic reduction of background noise is patented and works up to 80 decibels. The battery lasts for seven hours of talk-time, and to fully recharge, the time-frame is only 1.5 hours. The Plantronic Voyager Legend is nano-coated with P2i for resistance to water and sweat so that you won’t have to worry about it getting wet.
Plantronics Focus UC
The Plantronics Focus UC headset looks more like traditional headphones and is built prioritizing comfort. Ideal for extended wear and office use, they come with soft padded over-the-ear earpieces that are easy to adjust so they sit comfortably. There is a thin boom mic extending out, but it can be swung to the side when not being used. To drown out noisy office chatter, it features a noise-canceling option you can activate, and it works better than some others considering the over-the-ear design. Charging takes place via USB or by using its standing charging dock.
Plantronics BackBeat Go 2
The Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 earbuds are extremely well built and come with a charging case. The sound quality is average, and they are both sweatproof and waterproof. They come with a few ear tip options, ensuring a good fit and that the battery lasts up to 14 hours. When charging is needed, the time-frame is only 20 minutes for one hour of battery life, which is convenient for people who travel for long periods of time.
Although the Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 earbuds are primarily for music, you get a control center on the connecting wire to take calls, skip tracks, and control the volume. There is also a built-in mic.
Mpow Pro Truck Driver Bluetooth Headset
The Mpow Pro Truck Driver Bluetooth headset doesn’t support music, but it was designed for doing just one thing and doing it very well, and that is calling. The calling is crystal-clear, even with environments that are noisy and the 4x noise-canceling mic blocks background noise. This option is also adjustable, enabling it to pick up your voice perfectly.
The headset pairs up with two Bluetooth devices at the same time, and callers have a roaming range of up to 30 ft. before the connection gets fuzzy. The battery life of the Mpow Pro Truck Driver Bluetooth headset guarantees 12 hours of talk time, or 200 hours if it is in standby mode and the charge takes just two hours and is done via Micro USB. The design is rather old-school, but it is comfortable and a good choice for those who don’t like the in-ear design.
Conclusion
There are many aspects to finding the right Bluetooth phone headset, and Plantronics has many that we liked. They also offer excellent support with a one-year warranty on their headsets and a support page that gives you numerous resources for solving any issue you may encounter.