How to Choose a Bluetooth Headset
You might think that choosing a Bluetooth headset is pretty straight forward. Well, if you thought that, you are mistaken. There are lots of things to consider when buying a Bluetooth headset. It hasmany features and lots of specs to take in consideration and every one of them is important.
1. Call Quality
This is probably the most important aspect you will look for in a Bluetooth Headset. The call quality reflects not only how well you hear the person you are talking to, but also how well she hears you. So this aspect has to be looked at from two angles. On your side, the sound has to be clear, crisp and not to have interference with other devices. Also, any noise you hear might be a sign of poor sound quality. At the other end, the sound must be also clear and crisp. This is best with Bluetooth headsets that have more than one microphone. They work by listening to both your voice and the background noise, and then filtering out the noise, so that the other person will hear you and not what is around you. If you are in the market for a Bluetooth Headset, look for one that offers great sound quality, both ways. Search online first to see some examples of good headsets.
2. Noise Cancelation
Noise cancellation affects the sound quality we talked about earlier. This regards how well the headset can cancel outside noise, letting you hear quality sound in your Bluetooth headset. Normally, earbud headsets offer great noise cancellation, but there are other types that do a good job as well. This is up to you which level of outside noise you are comfortable with and what type of Bluetooth headset suits you the best.
3. Battery Power
Depending on how much you talk on your phone, Bluetooth headsets can last from as little as 2 hours and up to 10 hours of talk time. Although for those who last longer you might sacrifice style, because they are bigger to accommodate more powerful batteries. If you use the Bluetooth headset with a smartphone, than something lasting approximately 5 hours will do fine. Most smartphones have less than 10 hours talk time in them, so it won’t be such a problem. But this aspect depends on how much you talk, so think carefully before buying one.
4. Type and Comfort
Bluetooth headsets come in a few forms:
Earbud headsets Earhook headsets (earpiece) Single ear headsets (or Mono) – both earbuds and earpiece Stereo Headsets – both earbuds and earpiece
Depending on what you are used to and what style you want, you can find the best one suited for you. Keep in mind that Earbuds have better noise cancellation, are easier to put on and if you wear glasses, they don’t seem uncomfortable. On the other hand, for those who don’t like the feel of earbuds, earpiece is the solution. They “hook” themselves on to your year and have a canal that goes in your year. These are more comfortable in my opinion, but they sometimes lack the noise cancellation I want. Also, if you drive or ride and you do your talking on the road, a stereo headset might not be such a good idea. try looking for a mono one. On the other hand, if you want the best noise cancellation or if you listen to music, the stereo headset will offer the best results.
5. Compatibility and Technology
This aspect is of utmost importance. Some Bluetooth headsets cannot be paired with some phones, and vice versa. So check on the manufacturer’s website for a list of compatible devices, both for the headset and for the phone. You don’t want to buy one and find out that it isn’t compatible with your phone. Also, Bluetooth technology has advanced in the near past, now it’s up to Bluetooth version 4.0, so look carefully at what your phone supports and what the Bluetooth Headset works on, either 2.1 or 3.0.
6. Features and Prices
Some Bluetooth headsets come with a few extras. These might be in the form of apps on your smartphone that can read SMS messages when you receive them or Bluetooth transmitters for PC that let you listen to music. Depending on what you need, you can find Bluetooth headsets that offer lots of features, but at a cost. Some Bluetooth headsets can set you back $100, the ones which have longer battery life and premium design and quality, but at an average of $50 you can pick up great Bluetooth headsets that offer excellent quality and nice pack of features. To give you an idea on what Bluetooth Headsets are out there, check our list below to see if you find something that suits you.
Top 10 Bluetooth Headsets
- Samsung Modus 3500 HM3500
- Blueant Q2
- Novero Tour
- Samsung HM3700
- Motorola CommandOne
- LG Tone HBS-700
- Bose® Bluetooth® headset Series 2
- Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd
- Plantronics Voyager Pro UC
- Jawbone Era Now you have all the information you need to get out there and buy the perfect Bluetooth Headset for you. Keep in mind the different aspects of buying one and you will definitely find a great one. Also, before you go to the nearest tech shop, search the internet for a few models and read a few reviews. It’s always better to be informed on what you are about to buy than to believe the manufacturer or the salesman.
