If you’re looking for a great way to stay connected while on the go, then you need a Bluetooth headset. These tiny devices allow you to talk on the phone without having to hold it up to your ear, which can be a huge relief if you’re trying to multitask. Plus, they come in handy for listening to music or taking calls while driving.
There are a lot of different Bluetooth headsets on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you? Keep reading for information about the best Bluetooth headsets available today.
What is a Bluetooth headset?
Bluetooth headsets are lightweight, unobtrusive, and allow the freedom and mobility that old traditional headsets do not allow. Most Bluetooth headphones come with noise cancellation features and even multi-device pairing in some cases.
Why choose a Bluetooth headset?
Bluetooth headsets allow the freedom and mobility that traditional headsets do not allow. The device connects by Bluetooth pairing instead of by cord which allows the user to move around freely without having to worry about getting tangled or being tied down by the old cords. Most Bluetooth headphones come with noise cancellation features and even multi-device pairing in some cases.
The 6 Best Bluetooth Headphones
- Jabra Evolve2 75 PC (Best Bluetooth Headset for the Office)
- Bose QuietComfort 45 (The Best Noise-Cancelling Headset)
- Poly Voyager Focus UC (Best Travel Headset)
- Shockz OpenRun Pro (Best Bone Conduction Headset)
- Plantronics Voyager 5200 (Best Mono Bluetooth Headset)
- Sony WH -1000XM5 (Best Headset for Music)
1. Best Bluetooth Headset for the Office
Jabra Evolve2 75
The Jabra Evolve2 is a great option for Bluetooth headsets that you can have for your home or office. These on-ear headphones come with extra soft cushions for maximum comfort all day long. Not only are the Jabra Evolve2 wireless headphones comfortable, but they are also incredibly practical for someone on the phone all day with a battery life of up to 36 hours.
The Jabra Evolve2 is the perfect option for anyone who works in a busy office as it comes with intelligent noise control and active noise cancellation. The Evolve2 blocks out ambient noise while allowing the option of the adjustable advanced ANC, which will allow users to let outside noise in with HearThrough Technology. This headset can also be optimized for MS teams. With the use of advanced 8-microphone technology, these Bluetooth headphones offer clear calls and fantastic microphone quality no matter your environment.
Another perk to the Jabra Evolve2 headsets is that they come with a variety of charging and compatibility options to ensure you get the best experience. The Evolve2 can be customized to be MS Teams compatible or UC compatible and users can select to have a charging stand or just a charging cord. Charging stands/ cords come in both USB-A and USB-C. Most Bluetooth headsets do not offer this variety and quality.
A Jabra Evolve2 that is optimized for Teams can be found for $240 or less.
- EASY CONNECTIVITY ANYWHERE: Stay connected on the go with the simplest setup across laptops and smartphones, the Evolve2 75 headset is perfect for flexible working
- PROFESSIONAL CALLS EVERYWHERE: Enjoy excellent call quality in any environment with 8 advanced microphones that ensure you’re always heard; Ideal to use in open offices as this Jabra headset meets Microsoft’s Open Office requirements
- CONTROL THE BACKGROUND YOUR WAY: Advanced Active Noise Cancellation and HearThrough technology in these wireless headphones let you block out or let in sounds as needed
- INSTANT TEAM COLLABORATION: Certified for Microsoft Teams, these over-ear noise cancelling headphones ensure efficient and smooth communication with your team
- ONLINE MEETINGS THAT JUST WORK: This Jabra wireless headset works with all leading online meeting platforms and certified for Microsoft Teams, Avaya and Cisco
2. Best Noise-Cancelling Headset
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort headphones are designed with noise cancelling and comfort in mind. These Bose noise-canceling headphones have a Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet, making this a perfect option for anyone moving around the office a lot. Not only is the range impressive but so is their battery life.
A fully charged set of the Bose QuietComfort headphones can last up to 24 hours. A quick fifteen-minute charge can allow a battery life of up to 3 hours. This headset also comes with a wire that allows users to easily use the headset in wired mode if the batteries are dead. Another perk of the Bose QuietComfort headset is that they allow users to adjust EQ settings to fit their needs. So if you prefer more or less bass or treble, you can adjust these settings to fit your needs perfectly.
While the Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling headset is a sophisticated piece of equipment, these features come at a cost. Bose headphones in general are more expensive, but this pair generally runs just a little under $350 before tax.
Another downside to these headphones is that they do not have great compatibility with Skype for Business. The headphones may have trouble connecting or not connect at all to Skype business so be sure that your headphones will support any business apps you use regularly.
- NOISE CANCELLING WIRELESS HEADPHONES: The perfect balance of quiet, comfort, and sound. Bose uses tiny mics to measure, compare, and react to outside noise, cancelling it with opposite signals. Bluetooth range-up to 9 m (30 feet).
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO: The TriPort acoustic architecture offers depth and fullness. Volume-optimized Active EQ maintains balanced performance at any volume, so bass stays consistent when turned down and the music remains clear when turned up.
- QUIET AND AWARE MODES: Choose Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, or Aware Mode to bring the outside into the around ear headphones and hear your environment and your music at the same time.
- UP TO 22 HOURS BATTERY LIFE: Enjoy 22 hours of battery life from a single charge. A quick 15-minute charge offers 3 hours when you’re on the go, or plug in the included audio cable to listen for even longer in wired mode.
- PERSONALIZE YOUR AUDIO: Adjustable EQ allows you to set the bass, mid-range, and treble levels to your personal preferences or select one of several preset options.
3. Best Travel Headset
Poly Voyager Focus UC
The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC is one of the best Bluetooth headsets for both in-office use and on the go. Not only does it have a sleek design, but it is also built to be used across multiple devices and business applications.
The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC series are stereo headphones that can be used with Mac, PC, and mobile devices, and are designed to work with Microsoft Teams and Zoom. These headphones have active noise canceling and excellent audio quality, making them a great Bluetooth headset for busy offices that may have a lot of background noise.
The battery life on the Plantronics Voyager Focus is up to 12 hours, which is perfect for 8-9 work-hour days. Another benefit of this headset is that it is easily compact and can be folded into a travel bag for workers on the go.
- CLEAR AUDIO QUALITY: Stay focused and undistracted with your headset’s sophisticated Active Noise Canceling (ANC) and immersive stereo sound. Pro-grade triple-mics and noise-canceling technology block out background noise so callers hear only you.
- CONNECTIVITY & MOBILITY: Wirelessly connect to a computer and move freely throughout your home or office with up to a 98 ft (30 m) range and up to 12 hours of talk time with the included BT700 USB-A Bluetooth adapter, and/or connect to mobile using Bluetooth 4.0.
- INTUITIVELY DESIGNED: Enjoy a simpler workday with such user-friendly features as a dedicated mute button, voice alerts for mute or connection status, and convenient charging with the included magnetic desktop charging stand.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: This lightweight over-the-head stereo headset sports an adjustable headband, designed to fit your head perfectly and provide all-day comfort.
- DESIGNED FOR HYBRID WORKING: Ideal for professionals who need to be on calls at home, in the office, or while traveling.
4. Best Bone Conduction Headset
Shokz OpenRun Pro
Shoks is a Bluetooth headset that uses bone conduction, which means that instead of relying on pushing sound through the ear canal, the sound travels through the bone of the head and jawline. This causes the sound to reach the inner ear but bypasses the eardrum. The science behind how these headphones function is similar to how we are able to hear our own voices when speaking. Because of how the sound travels, this style of Bluetooth headset is perfect for anyone who has hearing loss and can be used with hearing aids as opposed to in-ear headsets.
The Shokz Bluetooth headphones have great sound quality and excellent battery life that lasts up to 10 hours. These headphones were designed with comfort in mind with their secure and flexible headband. The Shokz are a great option for anyone who doesn’t like headphones ear gels that go inside the ear canal or over-the-ear headphones. Another benefit is that these headphones run much cheaper than other Bluetooth headphones.
- Open-Ear Comfort – OpenRun Pro features our best fit yet. Avoid the discomfort of in-ear headphones with our bud-free design. These headphones stay put during any workout. Includes Shokz headband
- Safety & Connection – OpenRun Pro ensures you enjoy your favorite audio with awareness of your environment for improved connection and safety compared to traditional earbuds or over-ear headphones
- Premium Sound Quality – Experience premium audio delivered through your cheekbone with our 9th bone conduction technology. Engineered with Shokz TurboPitch technology, OpenRun Pro headset features our best listening experience with clear sound, powerful volume, and a rich bass
- Secure Fit – A lightweight, wraparound titanium frame keeps your wireless headphones stable and in place during intense training
- 10 Hours of Music & Calls – Enjoy ten continuous hours of music, calls and podcasts with our Bluetooth headphones. OpenRun Pro also features a 5-minute quick charge for up to 1.5 hours of battery life
5. Best Mono Bluetooth Headset
Plantronics Voyager 5200
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 mono Bluetooth headset is an excellent option for in the office or on the go. While you may not have a lot of noise-canceling features that are seen with dual Bluetooth headsets, this option is great for anyone who is conducting phone calls but still needs to be tuned in to their surroundings.
This in-ear headphone has a wireless range of up to 98 ft and the battery life lasts for up to 7 hours of talking time. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 has Bluetooth connectivity that is compatible with Android, iPhone, and Amazon Alexa devices. Another benefit of the Plantronics voyager 5200 mono Bluetooth headset is that it was designed with comfort in mind, with interchangeable ear gels and an over-the-ear hook to ensure that no matter the ear shape, the device stays on and is comfortable for hours.
The Microphone quality is fantastic as well. The Voyager 5200 comes with a boom microphone so the sound quality of your mic is focused in the direction of your voice. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a great mono headset that comes with good microphone quality and excellent call quality. The only drawback to this Bluetooth headset is that is geared more to be used with cell phones and mobile devices, so it only covers one ear. Because these Bluetooth headphones are geared more towards business use, they tend to be a bit pricier. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 can be found on Amazon for over $200.
- ✅ Bundle Of 4 Plantronics Items: Plantronics Voyager 5200 UC Bluetooth Headset, Plantronics Charging Case, Plantronics USB Dongle and Bonus Wall Charger.
- ✅ Range Of 30 meters/98 feet – Plantronics Smart sensors answer calls by simply putting on the Plantronics Voyager 5200-UC headset and transfer calls between mobile phone and headset.
- ✅ Up To 7 Hours of Talk Time – For all day usage, 9 days of standby – up to 7 days standby time when connected to the Plantronics BT600 USB Bluetooth dongle adapter. The Bluetooth dongle allows for optimized audio when using a PC/MAC.
- ✅ Upgraded Plantronics Microphone – 4 Noise-cancelling layers for ultimate protection against wind noise. The Plantronics Voyager 5200-UC is designed with latest noise canceling technology to allow you to be heard better then previous generation bluetooth headsets.
- ✅ Plantronics Compatibility: 100% to be compatible with RingCentral’s Desktop and Mobile app. When using the free “Plantronics Hub” app you can customize multiple features. RingCentral calls can be answered/disconnected with the Plantronics Voyager 5200-UC when using the Windows Desktop version of RingCentral. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 UC is also compatible with other PC and Smartphone apps for communications (ie Cisco Jabber, Pandora, Mitel MiVoice, Webex, GoToMeeting, Skype, Dragon, etc)
6. Best Headset for Music
Sony WH -1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000Xm5 is the best Bluetooth headset on the market when it comes to listening to music. These over-ear headphones come with both active noise canceling and advanced ambient sound control, which lets you choose how much or how little noise you would like to let in. The Sony WH 1000XM5 has better sound quality than some other headsets that are listed and is not only perfect for listening to music, but great for phone calls as well. Another factor that makes the Sony WH series a great option is the fantastic battery life. This Bluetooth headset can last up to 30 hours with a fast charging time of 3 and 1/2 hours.
The Sony WH 100XM5 also has excellent Mic quality. This Bluetooth headset uses 4 beam-forming microphones that allow for excellent voice quality for phone calls. This headset is one of the best out there, but having great sound, excellent noise cancellation, and high voice quality also means that you are going to be paying a decent amount for these. The Sony WH-1000XM5 can run over $300. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles and are willing to sacrifice audio quality, you may want to consider one of our cheaper headsets.
However, if fantastic voice quality, unmatched sound quality, and excellent noise reduction are a must for you, then these Bluetooth headphones are the way to go.
- NOISE CANCELLATION: Immerse yourself in the world of music with these noise cancelling headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5. They come equipped with an advanced noise cancellation feature, powered by two processors controlling eight microphones. Experience the magic of noise cancelling headphones bluetooth technology, ensuring an uninterrupted listening experience free from external disturbances. This unique, distraction-free listening experience sets the Sony WH-1000XM5 apart from other headphones in the market.
- HANDS-FREE CALLING: Step into the future of communication with the Sony WH-1000XM5, a pair of over-ear headphones that make crystal clear hands-free calling a reality. They come equipped with four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. These over ear headphones ensure your voice is heard clearly, even in noisy environments. This feature is a boon for professionals and individuals who value clear, crisp communication.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Say goodbye to battery anxiety with the Sony WH-1000XM5, a wireless headset that offers up to 30 hours of playback time on a single charge. These head phones also feature a quick charging option that provides 3 hours of playback with just a 3-minute charge, ensuring uninterrupted music enjoyment. (USB Type-C Cable included)
- COMFORT & STYLE: Experience the perfect blend of comfort and style with the Sony WH-1000XM5’s lightweight design and soft fit leather. These headphones are designed for maximum comfort, allowing you to wear them for extended periods without any discomfort. Sound quality and comfort go hand in hand with these headphones, making them an ideal choice for music lovers.
- TOUCH CONTROLS: Take control of your music with the Sony WH-1000XM5’s intuitive touch controls. With a simple touch, you can pause, play, skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls. This feature makes the Sony WH-1000XM5 a must-have for those who value convenience and control.
What to look for when buying headphones
When buying Bluetooth headsets, you want to make sure you take the time to research all the options and find out what best suits your needs. Some of the main factors that should be taken into consideration are as follows:
Battery life
Battery life is incredibly important when selecting your Bluetooth headset. If you are going to be using your headset for long phone calls, music, or even both, it is important that you pay attention to how long the battery will last on your headset. On average, a Bluetooth headset should last from 6 to 8 hours.
Comfort level
Comfort is another important factor when selecting a headset. You want to make sure that your ear cups and headbands fit comfortably, especially if you intend to use the headset for phone calls all day. Wireless earbuds such as the Samsung Galaxy buds or the Google Pixel Buds may be cheaper or fit better in small ears, but they are often uncomfortable when worn for long hours or may even fall out. You will want to find a headset that is lightweight, padded, and fits your ears comfortably.
Bluetooth range
If you are intending to move around a lot, you want to ensure that your headset has a large range for wireless. Nothing is worse than having a call drop or dealing with the speaker’s voice cutting out during phone calls. To prevent this headache, it is best to make sure that you are getting a headset with a Bluetooth range that will support your everyday needs.
Sound Quality
Obviously, having good sound or call quality is a must with any headset. If you intend to use your headset for phone calls, you are going to want a headset with decent sound quality. But if you intend to use your headset for music or audio-visual editing, you will want a headset that offers better audio quality.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is a big factor when choosing a headset, whether it is for true wireless earbuds or over-the-ear headphones. Noise cancellation is a must if you work in loud environments. Most competing headsets have some form of noise reduction to ensure that you can hear your music or phone calls. Other Bluetooth headsets can aid in reducing background noise but can allow for ambient noise to come through. This allows you to hear well but still be aware of your surroundings.
Mic Quality
Mic quality is an important factor to anyone interested in using their Bluetooth headset for voice recording or calls. If you really want high sound quality for your recordings, you will probably want to make sure your Bluetooth headset has a boom mic to mitigate the background noise. A boom mic is one that is on the end of a stick such as the ones seen on the headset that fold down towards the mouth. We do not see many boom mics on Bluetooth headphones, but some do still have them. Most of the best Bluetooth headsets use internal microphones that are built into the headset as opposed to being on a stick.
A boom mic focuses on one sound in a pointed direction, which allows it to mitigate some background noise. Of course, if you would like to have a better microphone than the one that comes with your Bluetooth headphones, you can always purchase a boom mic externally.
Cost
Cost is definitely a big factor when selecting your headset. A lot of Bluetooth headsets can be pricy, so you want to make sure that you are only paying for what you need and not all the extra features.
These are just some of the main factors that will help you find the best Bluetooth headset for your needs. Different features may be more important to others, so make sure to do your own research and read reviews to find out which headset best suits you.
Recap and Further Reading
When looking for a Bluetooth headset, there are several factors that you should consider. This includes sound quality, noise cancellation, mic quality, Bluetooth range, and cost. It is best to make sure that your headset is lightweight and fits your ears comfortably if you intend on using it all day long. Additionally, it may be best to invest in a higher-end headset if you plan to use it for music or audio-visual editing.
If you need more information on Bluetooth headsets, be sure to read the reviews and do your research before making a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluetooth headphones work with any phone?
Yes, most Bluetooth headphones will work with any phone that has Bluetooth capabilities. However, it is best to check the specifications of your headset before purchasing it to be sure it will connect to your specific device.
Are expensive Bluetooth headsets better?
The quality of a Bluetooth headset does not necessarily correlate with its price tag. More expensive headsets may have features such as noise canceling, but it is best to read reviews and do your own research before investing in a higher-end headset.
Are Bluetooth headphones suitable for gaming?
Yes, Bluetooth headphones are often used for gaming. Some of the best Bluetooth headsets for gaming will come with special features such as noise cancellation, mic quality, and comfort. It is best to read reviews and do your own research before investing in a headset for gaming.
Do Bluetooth headsets require batteries?
Most Bluetooth headsets use rechargeable batteries while some may require disposable ones. Deciding which kind to get depends on your preferences and intended use