Bluetooth headset buying guide

Editors note – Many of us have looked at a bluetooth headset and thought that looks nice, however it looks like all the rest of the headphones on offer! Cnet have compiled a list of bluetooth headphones that might be worth looking at, we like 90 percent of them and one we don’t agree with. We won’t prejudice your judgment by letting you know which one, you’ll have to guess.


A bad Bluetooth device will ruin even the most engaging gab session. That’s why it’s important to select the right headset, and this guide is here to help. If you need a great hands-free headset right now, definitely check out the Plantronics Voyager Legend. Not only is it lighter and smaller than most devices equipped with a big boom mic, the Legend delivers superb audio quality and has a design comfortable enough to wear with glasses. Another great option is the Jawbone Erawhich has ultra-advanced features such as a built-in accelerometer, powerful noise-canceling, and HD audio. On the other end of the size spectrum is the tiny Plantronics M55. Despite its small stature, the M55 offers voice prompts and vocal commands, plus a deep sleep function to conserve battery life. For more headset choices be sure to check out CNET’s list of our favorite Bluetooth headsets.


Three vital headset shopping tips

1. Decide how you’ll use it.

Bluetooth headsets come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and prices depending on where, when, and how they’re designed to be used. The first step is to decide under what conditions you’ll chat through your device. Placing calls from noisy work sites, bustling city streets and restaurants, while driving, or from within the hush of office cubicles, will all have a big impact on performance and ultimately what headset you choose.


The sporty Motorola S11-Flex HD is meant for exercise.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


2. Lock down the features you need.

Despite being highly portable devices, Bluetooth headsets are complex products with plenty of features. They’re capable of noise cancellation, voice commands for hands-free use, PC integration, or even stereo audio. Whatever your specific requirements are, draft a wish list of abilities and make sure the device you choose meets your needs.


With noise canceling, Denon’s Globe Cruisers appeal to frequent flyers.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


3. Find the right design for you.

No headset owner is exactly alike and neither are their ears, or even their aesthetic taste. Some headsets are comparatively big and bulky but place audio quality above all else. Other devices are built to be extremely comfortable and worn all day in an office environment. While a third sect of headset strives to be as unobtrusive as possible, boasting ultra-tiny designs that are hard to spot in public. Some devices are better than others at accommodating eyeglass wearers, a huge factor for four-eyed shoppers.



(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


Headset types






With its excellent call quality and comfort, the Voyager Legend is for pros, even those who wear glasses.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)




Unlike professional models which tend to be large, compact Bluetooth headsets are designed to be small enough to go practically unnoticed. They’re crafted for discreet calls when out and about. As a result, audio quality, battery life, and other features typically take a backseat to stealth.



Plantronics M55

The Plantronics M55 is very compact.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)








(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


Key features to consider

Dual microphones

Many of today’s premium headsets feature dual microphones to engage in active noise cancellation made to cut out ambient din such as street noise, highway drone, and wind. It’s an ability anyone from the most seasoned road warrior to casual chatterboxes taking that odd call in the car can appreciate. The Plantronics Voyager Legend goes one step further, squeezing in a triple mic arrangement.



HD audio

A number of Bluetooth headsets support what manufacturers refer to as HD audio or HD-quality sound. Essentially this means that an HD device can receive, transmit, and reproduce audio at the 16KHz frequency. That’s twice the signal bandwidth of the typical 8KHz headset, resulting in clearer, cleaner sound under ideal conditions.



Multipoint pairing

From tablets to phones and PCs, a huge array of mobile device types now integrate Bluetooth technology. As you can imagine, linking your headset to multiple gadgets simultaneously is not an uncommon situation. That’s where Multipoint comes in, a feature that allows headsets to connect to two phones at once and make calls on either device.



Voice prompts and commands

While modern smartphone operating systems have voice commands and search functions baked right in, sometimes relying on a headset’s internal voice features is more convenient. Voice prompts and voice commands, once the purview of premium Bluetooth products have trickled down to all but the most basic models. With a device boasting these abilities, you can answer or reject calls, initiate pairing, or get battery status, simply by speaking.



(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


Customizable fit

Just like hats, shoes, and other personal accessories, ears range greatly in size from person to person. That’s why a well-designed Bluetooth headset will provide a wide assortment of eartips or swappable earbuds to accommodate many different ear sizes and shapes. Additionally, some headsets are meant to rest outside the ear canal, others built to slide inside, while superior models offer a choice of both fit styles.



Near field communication




(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)


Bluetooth profiles explained

There are multiple versions of Bluetooth, and not all Bluetooth specifications are the same, so you might want to make sure your two chosen devices will work with each other. All of the newer Bluetooth versions are backward-compatible, however, so as long as you’re using the more basic Bluetooth features, you won’t have much to worry about. Check out the various profiles and their features in the chart below.


Specifications Bluetooth 1.1 Bluetooth 1.2 Bluetooth 2.0 Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR (enhanced data rate) Bluetooth 3.0 Bluetooth 4.0
Voice dialing Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Call mute Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Last-number redial Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Improved resistance to radio frequency interference No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
10-meter range Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
100-meter range No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fast transmission speeds No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lower power consumption No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Improved pairing (without a PIN) No No No Yes Yes Yes
Greater security No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bluetooth Low Energy No No No No No Yes
NFC support No No Yes Yes Yes Yes


A deeper dive on features




Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)




Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)




Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)




Hands-Free Profile (HFP)




Synchronization Profile (SYNC)




Object Exchange (OBEX) Protocol




SIM Access Profile (SAP)



Original source –