Wireless Bluetooth headsets provide near-silent smartphone operation. It is now illegal in many countries to use cell phones while driving, and these devices offer a legal way to make calls and drive at the same time. They are also indispensable in the office or in other situations where you need to have both hands free during a telephone conversation.
Price and quality
The best Bluetooth headsets cost from 6 thousand rubles. However, you can find models that are cheaper, sometimes significantly. They provide decent voice quality, but have less functionality. These range from new entry-level headsets to older but still available retail models.
However, these days, even cheap devices often support features that not so long ago could only be found in the most expensive wirelessheadphones. For example, all of the products in this Bluetooth headset review can be controlled with both voice commands and physical controls. Most of them also offer multipoint connectivity, i.e. connect to two cell phones at the same time.
However, for example, the advanced A2DP audio distribution profile, which allows the headset to serve as a speaker for audio streaming, will still have to pay. This feature allows you to switch between music playback and phone calls, but most models are smart enough to automatically turn off music when a call comes in.
The sound quality of a smartphone's Bluetooth headset, while not bad, can't be compared to headphones specifically designed for audiophiles. If you're looking for top-notch sound and don't need a microphone, your best bet is to look for the right wireless headphones.
How to choose a Bluetooth headset?
According to users, the best models should have the following qualities.
- Clear sound. First of all, the headset should provide a normal conversation on the phone. The voices of the user and the interlocutor should sound loud and clear, without the metallic tint that cheap headphones sin. A Bluetooth headset should ideally filter out ambient noise such as wind or outside conversations.
- Convenience. Comfort is just as important as sound quality. The size, shape, and weight of the headset affect howcan be worn for a long time. It is also important that the earpiece is the right size, especially if it is an in-ear. Since it is usually impossible to try it on in advance, it is better to look for a model with a set of earbuds in different sizes.
- Long battery life. The best Bluetooth headsets allow you to make and receive calls throughout the day on a single charge. Select models include a stand-alone charger that allows you to charge your headphones on the go, extending the time between mains charges.
- Easy to use. The owner does not have to guess how to connect a Bluetooth headset. If commands or controls are difficult to use, many of the features of wireless headphones become useless. Buttons should be located where they are easy to find with one hand, but hard to hit by accident. Voice commands, if available, should be easy to remember and the device itself should interpret them accurately.
- Convenient charging. Some wireless headsets charge with a regular micro-USB cable, while others use non-standard connections. The latter are less convenient because you have to always carry them with you, especially if the battery life is relatively short. The length of the cable is also important as it determines where you can place the headphones while charging.
What to look out for?
Do you have to call in a busy environment? If the user is alone in his office, then noise suppression is not that important. But if you have to oftencall from the main streets or from the airport, the ability to filter background sounds is key. Note that headsets that work well in some situations will have trouble canceling out wind noise in a moving car. Therefore, those who often talk on the phone in the car should look for a headset that copes with this particular situation.
Does the user intend to listen to music? Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) technology allows you to stream audio from a mobile phone, smartphone, or music player to a wireless stereo headset. But before looking for a model that supports this feature, users are advised to make sure the phone is compatible.
Should an earpiece look stylish? Some of the best Bluetooth headsets provide comfort at the expense of looks. If the wearer needs to maintain an image, then experts recommend looking for small headphones with a stylish finish that look like a fashion accessory, and not an ugly growth on the head.
Do you have to go far from the phone? Headsets vary considerably in how far they allow you to move away from the source of the signal before the sound begins to distort. Some models limit the user to a radius of 4-5 m, while others allow you to retreat 15 m or more.
Buy Tactics
No matter how carefully a Bluetooth headset has been tested in a store, you cannot be sure thatthe user will feel after a whole day of making calls and listening to music. Therefore, before buying, experts recommend that you read the return policy to make sure that it is possible to return an unsuitable device. Some manufacturers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on items purchased through their websites.
Plantronics dominance
Until recently, there were 2 major players in the wireless headset market: Aliph Jawbone and Plantronics. The best choice was the 2014 Aliph Jawbone Era. However, its availability has recently become limited. Although it can be bought from the manufacturer, it's only in basic black, not the many chic colors that were once the main marketing differentiator of this model. Most retail sites do not offer this model at all.
Given this, Plantronics has become one of the most famous manufacturers of wireless headsets. She offers more than a dozen models, and her offerings receive consistently positive reviews from profile websites.
The best in the ranking of Bluetooth headsets users call Plantronic Voyager Edge (cost about 5 thousand rubles). This is the best choice for the reason that she is among the highest rated models. All users agree that the headset delivers top-notch call quality, clear voices, and blocks out background noise. The only thing she's not very good at handling is calls from a moving car, becausewind sound suppression is poor.
According to reviews, the Bluetooth headset is very convenient. It's incredibly small and light at just over 63mm long and weighs around 9g. Because the earpiece is not at the ear hole, it's harder to position correctly than in-ear models like the Jawbone Era.
Experts and owners find Voyager Edge very easy to use. Physical controls and voice commands are intuitive, and the headset pairs easily with two devices at the same time. Users respond differently to its range. If in some tests voice transmission becomes unstable already at a distance of 4.5 m and completely disappears at 7.5 m, then in others they speak of confident connection support at a distance of up to 15 m for calls and an impressive 26 m for music streaming via A2DP.
Edge battery lasts for 6 hours of talk time or 7 days of standby time. This is a good result, although not the best. However, the headset comes with a charging case that can give you up to 10 extra hours of talk time.
Quite a big difference in user reviews, possibly due to the fact that some suppliers sell "gray" models.
Plantronics Voyager Legend
The best Bluetooth headsets provide convenience, comfort, functionality and performance, but if the user is willing to make some modest concessions, they can save a little and find a good alternative at a more modestprice.
The older Plantronics Voyager Legend performs similarly to the Edge in professional tests and is just as popular with customers. It supports most Edge features, including voice commands, A2DP, and multipoint. But it is 17 g heavier, significantly larger and not as stylish. While the Edge is held in place by a tiny loop that rests under the ear cartilage, the Legend is equipped with an old-school connector that wraps around the entire ear. Therefore, the device is much more noticeable when worn. However, the larger loop provides ease of handling and most users find it comfortable to wear even with glasses.
In terms of performance, the Legend pretty much matches the Edge. The headset has issues with wind noise, but otherwise the sound transmission is excellent. In terms of battery life, the battery lasts longer. The battery provides up to 7 hours of talk time or 11 days of standby time.
On the other hand, unlike the Edge, the Legend does not have an offline charger, so when the battery runs out, the user must find a power outlet, which is sometimes difficult. To charge the Legend, a non-standard connector is used, with which many owners have problems. According to reviews, the magnet that is supposed to hold the cable sometimes does not do its job, so the headset does not always charge. Worse, the cable is only 30 cm long, so if there are no free sockets on the desktop, the earphone has toput on the floor. But if the user is willing to put up with these troubles, then he will get the same performance and comfort as with the Edge, but at a lower price.
Xiaomi Bluetooth Headset
The wireless headset design of this well-known Chinese company won the prestigious IF Design Award 2015. The manufacturer offers 3 types of silicone ear tips based on the analysis of 2000 ear shapes.
Xiaomi Bluetooth Headset measures 5.6 cm high and 1 cm in diameter, weighs 6.5 g, provides 5 hours of talk time and a week of standby time. The battery is fully charged within 2 hours.
Supports simultaneous wireless connection to 2 devices. For a clear and clear sound, a special speaker design is used, which improves the human voice and sound in general. Reducing the exhaust port to 3 mm improves the performance of the automatic noise reduction system.
Xiaomi Mi Headset with Bluetooth version 4.1 is compatible with 4G networks and does not cause mutual interference. The silicone microphone delivers much better sound than conventional models.
The device supports voice commands of the navigator. When the music is played loudly, navigation directions will be clearly audible.
Headset operating range is 10 m.
Plantronics Explorer 500
According to user reviews, the biggest drawback of Legend and Edgeis that they do not work well in a moving car or other places where strong wind noise is heard. If this problem occurs, then you should pay attention to the Plantronics Explorer 500. According to the owners, the headset surpasses all other models in this indicator, including those that cost 2-3 times more. It maintains a stable signal at a distance of 16m when making a voice call and 29m when streaming music. The battery lasts over 7 hours, beating the Edge by about an hour.
However, in other respects the Explorer 500 is not as impressive as other models from the same manufacturer. Voice quality is good, but not outstanding. Some background noises are heard, and some users complain that the volume of incoming calls is too low. The model supports only the most basic voice commands and does not come with a stand-alone charger. On the plus side, the Explorer 500 charges via microUSB, so you don't have to carry a custom cable around with you.
The headset is even smaller than the Edge and has the same type of headphone placement and loop. It is suitable for most users, but some complain that it is uncomfortable or even painful when worn for a long time. The offer of the model is slightly limited, but it can be purchased directly from the manufacturer.
Jabra Talk 2
The Jabra Talk 2 Bluetooth headset, while not having all the features of high-end models, provides the essentials:excellent sound at both ends of the communication line, comfortable design and sufficient operating range, allowing you to move away from your smartphone if necessary. One feature that has to be sacrificed is the ANC technology, although the device handles background noise well.
One charge is enough for 9 hours of talk time. In addition to features such as call answer and end, last number redial, volume change, mute and voice dialing, the Jabra Talk 2 Bluetooth headset offers communication with the Internet assistants Siri or Cortana.
Plantronics M55
Users on a tight budget should consider purchasing the Plantronics M55. This amazingly affordable headset supports many features, including A2DP, voice commands, and multipoint connectivity. And its battery life is hard to beat. According to user reviews, paired with the iPhone, the model provides 8.5 hours of talk time. In standby mode, it can last up to 16 days thanks to a special Deep Sleep mode that conserves battery life.
However, the performance of the M55 is not that impressive. Voices are clear in quiet situations, but a lot of background noise is heard on a busy street, according to reviews. Users love the M55's sound quality, compact size and amazing battery life. However, many are unhappy with the fact that the headset only comes with one earbud, so people with different ear sizes must order it separately. In addition, the owners call for a rather limited range of Bluetooth. But if necessaryto have a cheap and reliable device that will be used indoors, then the price of the M55 is 1850 rubles. hard to beat.
