The Basics

If you've had your eyes on people's ears lately, you might have noticed that most business people have easier access to their telephones. This is due to the recent advancements in wireless headsets. Whereas previous models offered spotty connections and flimsy designs, the new breed of Bluetooth headsets are ensuring that consumers never have to hold their phones again. That said, there are a lot of products on the market with vastly different features. This article will give you a little background information on the technology these headsets employ, and will discuss some features that should be important to you.

Bluetooth technology allows for radio communication between numerous peripherals including PCs, printers, stereos, PDAs, and mobile phones. In recent years, it has also become the predominant technology for wireless headsets. The first step for hands-free calling is that your cellular phone must be paired with the headset.  This establishes a continuous connection between the two devices and permits uninterrupted communication as well as immediate notification for incoming calls. Because it uses radio transmissions, Bluetooth is preferable to infrared communication because you don't have to worry about line-of-sight. As long as two Bluetooth products are within 30 feet of each other, they should be able to talk. Despite this continuous communication, one of the many advantages of Bluetooth is the surprisingly small amount of energy (battery power) that is required. The other main advantage is that the technology can be employed for a very small price tag.

When it comes to mobile headsets, most people will choose a wireless product to provide freedom and to eliminate annoying tangles. But as more and more products become Bluetooth-enabled, the advantages are becoming more varied and seamless. For instance, some of the products listed later allow you to listen to music on your phone through your wireless headset. When a call comes in, songs will be paused until your call is finished. Unfortunately, due to the trendiness of such features, manufacturers are often encouraged to value design over performance, but a space-age look and stereo transmissions mean little if the headset delivers lousy sound. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when looking to buy a wireless headset.

How to Shop

One of the most important features is microphone performance. Many microphones do not have good noise-canceling properties. If you are walking outside on a breezy day, callers will hear nothing but feedback. The same goes for noisy work environments. A boom often improves performance because it places the microphone closer to your mouth, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Many models that employ excellent noise-canceling microphones can deliver sound that is far superior to units that have the microphone right in front of your lips. And, obviously, if you can avoid a boom mic, you can have easy access to business calls while avoiding the look of a fast-food employee.

Another important consideration is comfort. Only models that provide a snug and lightweight fit will let you forget you are wearing the headset. There are many ways that manufacturers address the problem of comfort, and which type of headset you prefer will largely be a matter of preference. But there are a few things that generally work better: If a headset has only one speaker, it is generally best if there is an ear gel that inserts into your ear canal. Not only does this block out ambient noise, but it also provides a snugger fit. Simple earhooks often aren't good for people that move around a lot. Another very important consideration is how easily the buttons can be accessed. If you're on a call with someone who speaks quietly, you don't want to have to take off the unit to find the volume buttons.

The first problem you will encounter if you bought a poor headset is the inability to pair your product with your phone. Unfortunately, there are many headsets on the market that can take three or four attempts before your phone recognizes the Bluetooth signal. And if you must constantly re-pair your phone with your headset, you'll create a lot of hassle for yourself while missing important calls.

Another very important consideration is battery life. A wireless headset isn’t much good if you have to recharge it throughout the day. Even among the best headsets, you'll find talk times that range anywhere from 3 to 10 hours before recharging is required. For the most part, lithium-ion batteries provide the charge with the best longevity.

Technology is yet another concern. As of the beginning of 2007, Bluetooth 2.0 is the predominant standard. Bluetooth 2.0 generally has triple the transfer speed of Bluetooth 1.0 (around 3.0Mbps compared to less than 1Mbps). Bluetooth 2.0 will work with older products, although it will operate at the diminished speed. Additionally, one of the newest features of Bluetooth transmissions is the ability to transmit signals in stereo. This is especially good for people who use their phones for music.

A lot of headsets offer additional features of convenience. Some allow you to voice dial (assuming your phone supports the service), some have headset locators, some let you listen to music in stereo, and some allow you to reject calls without pulling out your phone. With such variations in comfort, design, price, technology, features, and performance, there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a wireless headset. But if you do a little research and read a few reviews, you should be able to find the product that perfectly fits your needs.