Bluetooth headset guide: How to choose

Looking for the best Bluetooth headset to use on the daily commute or for the office? This guide makes choosing the best one for you a breeze.

A Bluetooth headset is a great option for people who need to stay connected on the go. Allowing users to take calls no matter where they are, the world is your office. However, with so many on the market promising different features, it can be difficult to decide on the perfect one for you. Here at Onedirect we understand this difficulty and have made a handy guide to choosing a Bluetooth headset. From what to consider, to our favorite headsets to buy, we cover it all! Meaning there´s no excuse not to grab your perfect headset today.

Features to look out for when choosing a Bluetooth headset

Noise cancellation

Our daily lives are filled with background noise that goes unnoticed- from traffic to other people’s conversations we are surrounded by noise. However, these background sounds can be a nightmare when making important telephone calls. Noise cancellation can make your life much easier, especially if you work in a loud office environment. Active noise cancellation detects ambient noise and counters it by omitting its own secondary sound. Equally important, Passive noise reduction is due to the physical design of the ear cup, and how it fits over the ear. Some of the top models also feature three microphones, which make them more effective in canceling out background noise, in turn giving you superior sound quality.

Mono, Stereo, and HD sound

Perhaps the most important feature to consider is sound quality. However many Bluetooth Headsets boast impressive sounds but don´t deliver on this. Mono headsets feature a single earpiece providing sound to one ear. This design works well on the commute, when you need to be aware of your surroundings, or in an office environment where you are interacting with other employees while needing to take calls.

If you need to be able to concentrate on your call and not be distracted, a headset with two earpieces and stereo sound will suit you best, providing you with good sound quality together with an immersive experience.

If you’re looking for a headset with the very best sound quality, you should be considering HD sound. HD sound headsets operate at 16 kHz, unlike the standard 8 kHz, giving you the highest possible audio quality.

Battery life

Battery life is another very important factor to consider when purchasing a headset. Although some users may be able to charge their headsets regularly if you are planning on using your headset on the move you should definitely look for a headset with longer battery life. Normally, the bulkier the headset, the longer the battery life. However, some of the high-end, sleeker, and more compact models have battery lives that give their bulky counterparts a run for their money. If you need long battery life, keep in mind that generally, headsets with a battery life of over 6 hours are the most suitable. In addition, some headsets provide portable charging ports which add all-important battery life on the go.

Comfort and design

Comfort and design are key considerations if you’re going to be using your headset regularly and for long periods. Some people favor over-ear headsets, while others find earbuds much more comfortable. It’s a personal choice. Have thought about if you’re more comfortable with a headset that sits snugly in your ear, one that rests on top of it, or has a headband. It’s important that you find the right fit for you. In terms of design, gone are the days of chunky and unwieldy headsets, most nowadays have a sleek design so that you don’t have to worry about looking unprofessional whilst wearing one.

Voice command

The voice command functionality has become increasingly important for people living busy lives. Most headsets allow the user to check battery life, answer and reject calls, and pair with their devices. Nowadays we can use the voice command functionality alongside features that are built into our smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices. This makes the headsets easier to use while driving, exercising, or working. If you plan to use it on the move, for example when you’re commuting, it’s an important consideration, and will make your life much simpler when you need to take a call!

Multi-point pairing

Multi-point pairing keeps all of your audio needs in one place. For example, if you’re playing music off your computer and your phone begins to ring, the headset will pause the music and receive the call instead. Multi-point also allows you to connect to more than one phone at a time, useful if you need to take calls from your mobile as well as from your desk phone. Most headsets either have simple multi-point or advanced multi-point. Both allow you to connect to two devices at a time, however, while simple multi-point drops the first call if you answer a second, advanced multi-point can put the first call on hold.

Bluetooth headsets recommendations

When you’re on your daily commute, the last thing you want to be worrying about is missing important calls. Using a headset with your mobile solves that problem. There is a large range on the market, with different wearing styles and functionalities. Here are the best Bluetooth headsets recommendations:

Plantronics Voyager Legend

3 noise-canceling microphones with Windsmart technology for crystal-clear conversations
Intuitive headset that knows when you are wearing it, without having to press any buttons
Announces caller ID
Bluetooth and Multipoint technology for wirelessly pairing 2 devices
Headset battery indicator on your iPhone or Android smartphone
Vocalyst service app included

EPOS | Sennheiser ADAPT Presence Grey Business

3 digital microphone system: Sennheiser Own-Voice-Detector, Speak Focus™ and Windsafe™
Compatibility with mobile phones
UC ooptimizedand Certified for Skype for Business
Talk time: up to 10 hours
CComfort-wearingstyles: padded ear hook and 4 ear sleeve sizes
Voice control
Intuitive on/off function with microphone boom arm

Jabra Stealth UC II

Lightweight headset with Noise blackout and HD audio
Voice Guidance and smartphone voice controls
Up to six hours of talk-time
Dedicated voice control button
Comfortable and small design
NFC for easy pairing
Power nap feature
Range of up to 30m

Bluetooth headsets for the office

In the office, you may still need to be on the move while taking calls. A Bluetooth headset is a great option because they allow you to be mobile and multi-task, helping you to increase your efficiency day-to-day. If you’re not sure which headset will be right for you, have a look at our recommendations: