Making the Best Bluetooth Headset Choice

Why Use a Bluetooth Headset

There are many reasons to use a Bluetooth headset:

Using a Bluetooth headset allows you to be hands free while you are talking on your cell phone so you don't have to worry about getting tangled up in cords.

If you are worried about radiation from your cell phone, a Bluetooth headset will greatly decrease that radiation.

Compatibility Issues

Bluetooth headsets are theoretically compatible with all Bluetooth enabled cell phones. We have noticed earlier incarnations of the iPhone to have problems with multi point headsets, but recent updates seem to have taken care of that. Read more about the iPhone with Bluetooth headsets.

What options are available?

Most Bluetooth headsets work on Headset and Hands Free Profiles (HSP & HFP). If your cell phone supports the A2DP profile, you can use an A2DP stereo headset to listen to your music in stereo through your cell phone and your Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth headsets come in many different wearing styles: over the ear, in the ear, and with or without boom microphones.

What should I look out for?

The two most important things to consider before purchasing a headset are the environment you will be using it in and what will be most comfortable for you.

If you are going to be using your headset in noisy environments you should consider purchasing a headset with some sort of noise suppression. The noise suppression will help filter out background noise so your callers can hear you clearly. Many different Bluetooth headset manufacturers have their own technology for noise suppression such as Aliph's NoiseAssassin for the Jawbone 2, and AudioIQ by Plantronics.

Boom microphones can also enhance the sound for your callers, but the headsets tend to be a little bulkier. Generally they will have a larger portion that rests behind the ear.

Ear bud style headsets tend to have better listening quality, but can be uncomfortable for people with small ear canals. A lot of these ear bud headsets have optional earloops that fit over your ears for a little more security.

Keep in mind that all headsets can take a little bit of time to get used to, but the headset you pick out should be something that you feel comfortable in and sounds good to you.