Headsets Buyer's Guide

Headsets provide hands-free communications with professional audio quality. They can connect to your desktop phone, smartphone, computer, and more. Noise cancelling headsets provide crystal-clear audio, much better than the typical phone or computer provides. Office headsets come with productivity enhancing features like integrated call controls and on-call indicators.

Shopping for headsets can be confusing, what with compatibility, different connection options and wearing styles, and so on. In this guide, we go through all you need to know about office headsets, so you’ll know that you are buying the right headset for your needs.

What is an office headset?

A headset is a headphone with a microphone. It combines the private listening experience of headphones with improved voice reproduction and noise reduction, while keeping your hands free as you work.

Office headsets improve productivity and the work experience. They connect to a variety of business devices, like VoIP phones or laptops. They give you the option between mono and stereo sound and come in a variety of wearing styles. They might integrate seamlessly with business communications platforms like Microsoft Teams. We get into all this stuff — and much more — in this guide.

We specify “office headsets” to differentiatie what we’re talking about from gaming headsets or music headphones. Office headsets might be called “business headsets,” “VoIP phone headsets,” or many other names. You might see the terms “call center headsets” or “contact center headsets;” these are office headsets with features pertaining to those environments.

Most of the time, however, they’re just called headsets. So that’s what we use in this buyer’s guide. We cover headsets from the leading headset manufacturers, including:

• Jabra Headsets
• Logitech Headsets
• Poly (Plantronics) Headsets
• Yealink Headsets

A quick note: You can absolutely use your office headset for music, too. In fact, more and more headset manufacturers are emphasizing sound quality for media. If you want the best sound quality for music or movies, look for a headset with high-fidelity audio. We discuss hi-fi audio quality in detail below.

The First Question: Compatibility

Here’s the first question you need to ask when shopping for an office headset:

Is this headset compatible with my device(s) and service(s)?

For device compatibility, you want to make sure that the headset interfaces with the devices you want to work on: VoIP phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop, and so on. Do you need a USB dongle for Bluetooth connectivity? Does the DECT headset’s base station connect to multiple devices? What QD cable do you need for the RJ9 headset? If you’d like to know about using your headset with your smartphone, check out our blog, “Office Headsets for Hybrid Workers to Use with Smartphones.”

For service compatibility, you want to triple check that the headset is compatible with the communications platform you use for work: VoIP phone system, cloud phone service, softphone, video conferencing platform, unified communications platform, and so on. Some services, like Microsoft Teams, have certification programs that guarantee compatibility; others dont’t. We cover Microsoft Teams Certified headsets in detail below.

USB and Bluetooth headsets are compatible with basically every service. You can select them as audio peripherals on your devices. However, the headset still might not support every feature. It’s always best to check feature compatibility before you buy.

Many headset manufacturers provide updated compatibility guides. Jabra, Poly (Plantronics), and Yealink are three of the most popular office headset manufacturers. Here are links to their headset compatibility guides (external links):

• Jabra Headsets Compatibility Guide
• Poly (Plantronics) Headsets Compatibility Guide
• Yealink Headsets Compatibility Guide

What’s the difference between stereo headsets and mono headsets?

Headsets come in either stereo (binaural, two-ear) or mono (monaural, one-ear). Stereo headsets have two earphones while mono headsets have one. Which you prefer is a personal choice, but there are advantages to both styles.

What are the advantages of stereo headsets?

Stereo headsets have two earphones, which sit over, on, or in both your ears. Why would you choose a stereo headset?

• Noise cancellation. Because both your ears are covered by earphones, stereo headsets naturally offer better noise cancellation than mono headsets. If you want active noise cancellation (ANC), the headset will always be a stereo headset. We cover active noise cancellation below. Noise cancellation is one of the most desired features by workers today. It’s vital for workers in open-plan offices and for hybrid or remote workers who work in more casual environments or on-the-go.
• Improve focus. Because they block out more noise, stereo headsets can help you focus on your work better.
• Audio quality. Stereo headsets typically offer better audio quality than mono headsets: two is better than one. But manufacturers might also design stereo headsets for music and media in mind on top of business communications. Look for a headset with dynamic equalization (EQ), which adapts the audio quality for different applications.

What are the advantages of mono headsets?

Mono headsets have one earphone, which sits on or in either of your ears. Why would you choose a mono headset?

• Hear your environment. The primary advantage of a mono headset is that your free ear can hear what’s happening around you as you work, which can be really useful in the office.
• Hear yourself. Many people like having a free ear to let them hear how loud they’re talking. We’ve all had experiences with people talking too loudly when they’re listening to their headphones. A mono headset lets you hear yourself.
• Price. Mono headsets are typically less expensive than the equivalent stereo model in a given headset series. If, for example, you’re outfitting a call center, this can add up to real savings.

What types of wireless headsets are there?

Wireless Headsets or Cordless Headsets provide professional audio with the convenience of having no wires, so you can wander with your headset on and you never have to worry about the cable catching on anything.

There are two types of wireless office headsets:

• Bluetooth Headsets
• DECT Headsets

There are two features specific to wireless headsets that you should think about no matter which type you go with:

• Talk time. Talk time refers to how long the battery can last when used for communications. Make sure the headset can cover how long you’ll use it on a busy day.
• Wireless range. Wireless range or wander range refers to how far you can be away from the device you’re connected to while still having a stable connection. Manufacturers tend to list maximum possible range, so keep in mind that obstacles like walls significantly reduce wireless range.

Bluetooth Headsets

Bluetooth Headsets use the popular Bluetooth wireless protocol to connect to your devices.

Why use a Bluetooth headset? The biggest advantages are compatibility and versatility. Because Bluetooth is so widely supported, the headset will be compatible with a huge range of devices out of the box. This means you can likely use the same headset with your VoIP phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop, and more. Some Bluetooth headsets connect to more than one device at the same time, making them even more convenient. Because of their versatility, hybrid workers who work in multiple locations are particularly appreciative of Bluetooth headsets.

To use a Bluetooth headset with a VoIP phone, the phone must support Bluetooth. It might have a built-in Bluetooth radio or it might require a Bluetooth dongle, which plugs into one of the phone’s USB ports. Just because a phone has a USB port, however, doesn’t mean the phone supports a Bluetooth dongle. Check compatibility.

To use a Bluetooth headset with a computer, you’ll need a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into one of the computer’s USB ports.

Many Bluetooth headsets come with a USB dongle in the package. These dongles are also available separately. There are USB-A and USB-C variants to work with whichever port type your computer has.

DECT Headsets

DECT Headsets use the DECT protocol for wireless communications. DECT is a well-established protocol that offers several advantages over Bluetooth:

• Reduce spectrum density. Today, there are an enormous number of wireless devices in the office. Most of these devices use Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. DECT uses a separate section of the wireless spectrum from those two, which means DECT headsets don’t interfere with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices. The result is better connectivity for everyone.
• Extended wireless range. DECT offers a wireless range beyond what Bluetooth can offer. Some DECT headsets have wireless ranges of 600 feet line of sight — two football fields! Even in offices with walls, cubicles, and so on, DECT headsets provide the best wireless range for office headsets available today.
• Excellent security. DECT can provide exceptional communications security with advanced encryption and more. The new Poly Savi 7300 Office Series, for example, offers military-grade information security.

What types of wired headsets are there?

Wired Headsets or Corded Headsets connect to a device via a cable. They tend to be less expensive than wireless headsets. Wired connectivity can be more reliable and easier to setup than wireless connectivity, as anyone who’s had trouble with Bluetooth will know. There are three primary types of wired headsets:

• USB Headsets
• RJ9 Headsets
• 3.5 mm Headsets

USB Headsets

USB Headsets provide plug-and-play connectivity with computers and VoIP phones using either a USB-A or USB-C plug. They’re very easy to use, often have integrated call controls, and work with almost every communications service or system as an audio peripheral.

Many VoIP phones now have a dedicated USB port for a headset. Just because a VoIP phone has a USB port, however, doesn’t mean it supports a USB headset. Manufacturers will specify if the phone supports a USB headset or not. Make sure to check before buying.

They come with either USB-A or USB-C connectivity.

• USB-A is the familiar USB standard with the bigger, rectangular, non-reversible plug.
• USB-C is the newer USB standard with the smaller, pill-shaped, reversible plug.

Make sure you get a headset with the USB plug that fits your devices. Sidenote: a USB-C headset might work with your smartphone or tablet if the phone has a USB-C jack, like most Android phones.

RJ9 Headsets

RJ9 headsets use a traditional telephone style plug. The port on the phone might be called RJ9, 4P4C, RJ10, RJ22 or even just a “modular” jack. RJ9 is the most common label. Almost every VoIP phone has two RJ9 ports: one for the phone’s handset and one for a headset. These wired headsets are comparatively inexpensive and easy to use. They’re only used with desktop phones.

3.5 mm Headsets

Some headsets also offer plug-and-play 3.5 mm connectivity, which lets you use it with any smartphone, tablet or computer that has a standard 3.5 mm jack.

Typically, 3.5 mm headsets don’t only offer 3.5 mm connectivity. They offer USB and 3.5 mm connectivity. They’ll come with a USB cable that has an in-line call controller. The 3.5 mm plug inserts into this controller, so you can connect via USB. Or you can skip the USB cable and use the 3.5 mm headset directly with a device.

The primary advantages of 3.5 mm headsets are simplicity and compatibility. Plug-and-play, works with anything? Not a bad choice at all.

You might come across 2.5 mm headsets. Same deal as above, just with the smaller plug. Some wireless handsets still have 2.5 mm headset jacks. These are quite rare nowadays.

What headset features should I pay attention to?

Here are some of the most popular features that people look for with headsets:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Passive Noise Cancellation
• Noise Cancelling Microphone
• Hearing Protection Technology
• On-Call Indicator
• Integrated Call Controls
• High-Fidelity Audio
• Audio Pass-Through

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Active noise cancellation (ANC) means the headset actively filters out ambient and background noise to provide a cleaner listening experience. A headset with ANC uses microphones to sense ambient sound, then produces counter-sound that mask it. Think of it as audio camouflage. This masking effect means you hear less noise.

ANC is especially important for open office workers, because open-plan offices tend to be loud. Home-office workers with pets, children, or partners might find ANC necessary to focus on their work. And, of course, people on the go love active noise cancellation for airplanes, buses, public spaces, and so on.

Active noise cancellation headsets are by definition stereo headsets. There’s no point in cancelling noise for one ear when the other’s wide open. ANC is a premium feature, but one of the most desired by workers today. It makes a huge difference.

Noise Cancelling Microphone

Active noise cancellation typically refers to what you hear. But what about how you sound? Look for a noise cancelling microphone. We mention in the box above passive noise cancellation via a directional microphone. But headsets can do even more. Take, for example, Poly Acoustic Fence, which sets a virtual perimeter around you, eliminating background noise. It can lead to your voice sounding much better.

Hearing Protection Technology

If you’re on a headset all day long with the volume up for too long, hearing damage can become a real concern. Many headset manufacturers now offer volume-limiting features to protect your hearing. There are two primary types you should be aware of:

• Reduce average exposure. The headset system will take an average of the decibel level over a certain period of time and keep that time-weighted average below a certain threshold. This feature reduces long-term exposure to damaging noise. Usually, the limit’s in the 80 to 85 dBA range. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends a maximum of 85 dBA over an 8-hour workday.
• Limit sudden noises. The headset system automatically cuts off any noise above a certain decibel level, usually around 115 dB. This feature, which is often called “anti-startle” technology, reduces short-term exposure to damaging noise. Australia has a regulation that specifies a 102 dB maximum; if you see “G616” protection, it’s referring to this Australian regulation.

These features have many names. Jabra calls time-weighted average limitation IntelliTone and sudden noise limitation PeakStop. The two together are called SafeTone. Poly calls sudden noise limitation SoundGuard. They don’t have a specific name for time-weighted average limitation. SoundGuard DIGITAL is the two together. Often, you can set the levels of hearing protection in the headset’s management application.

On-Call Indicator

An on-call indicator is a light built into the headset to indicate the user’s status, that is, whether or not you’re busy. Often called a busy light or busylight, it lets coworkers know at a glance when you need to focus. Many offices find on-call indicators useful for reducing distractions.

Integrated Call Controls

Many headsets offer in-line call controls or call controls built into the headphones. Typical controls include volume up/down, answer/end call and mute. Microsoft Teams headsets have a dedicated button for launching the service to answer Teams calls and so on.

Integrated call controls streamline your communications experience. They’re a convenience that many workers appreciate. Note that just because your headset has call controls, however, it doesn’t mean that the controls will work with every platform. Look at the manufacturer’s compatibility charts to make sure.

High-Fidelity Audio

Why buy a headset for business and headphones for music when you can have one device for both? That’s the idea behind headsets offering hi-fi audio. The average human can perceive sounds between 20 Hz and 20 kHz on the audio spectrum. Human voices fall along a comparatively narrow band of this spectrum, so, for speech, a headset typically reproduces sound in that band.

We can hear music, however, across this entire spectrum. So hi-fi audio means the headset covers the whole range, giving you exceptional sound quality. The headset will sound as good for speech as it will for music. Some headsets offer a “music mode” or “media mode,” which means it will switch between optimizing sound quality for speech vs music. You may have to manually select hi-fi mode in the headset’s management application.

Audio Pass-Through

What if you want to hear what’s happening around you without taking off your headset? Some headsets offer audio pass-through, sometimes called transparency mode. Essentially, this technology does the opposite of active noise cancellation: it uses microphones to sense sound around you, then broadcasts that sound into your ears. The result is that you hear what’s happening around you without removing your headset. It’s a quality-of-life feature, one that many people like.

When would I want to use a headset?

Headsets are an increasingly popular choice for workers. There are many options with many different features. Here are some common scenarios where people use headsets and what features you should look for:

• Open Office Headsets
• Video Conferencing Headsets
• Microsoft Teams Headsets
• VoIP Phone Headsets
• Call Center Headsets
• Home Office Headsets
• Mobile Worker Headsets

Open Office Headsets

Open-plan offices are built for increased collaboration. While many workers appreciate the creativity and energy created by the looser atmosphere, there are two possible sources of friction: noise and privacy. If you want an open office headset, look for a stereo headset with good noise cancellation. To increase privacy, get a headset with an on-call indicator to let coworkers know when you need to focus or you’re on a call.

Video Conferencing Headsets

As more and more work is done over video conferencing, voice quality and background noise reduction have become very important. For a video conferencing headset, look for these features. A noise cancelling microphone in particular is highly useful. Integrated call controls make it easy to mute your microphone when you’re not speaking to help reduce noise.

Make sure your headset is compatible with your video conferencing service. USB headsets are compatible with pretty much every service, as are 3.5 mm headsets, but you’ll want to double check anyways.

VoIP Phone Headsets

VoIP phone headsets keep your hands free while you’re on a call. Many headsets support call control, so you can, for example, answer a call by just tapping a button on your headset.

You can use wired or wireless headsets with VoIP phones. Most phones have a dedicated RJ9 headset port in the back. Many now have USB ports that support USB headsets. If the phone has a USB port, you’ll want to make sure that port supports a USB headset, as not all of them do. Many phones support Bluetooth, either natively or by using a USB dongle. DECT headsets connect to a phone through their base stations. The base connects to the VoIP phone.

Call Center Headsets

Call centers require lots of headsets that are durable enough and comfortable enough for all-day use without breaking the bank. Simplicity is essential to reduce learning time and user error. Call center headsets are typically wired headsets for cost-savings. They should be lightweight, feature ear protection technology and versatile. Call controls on the headset or the headset’s cable can streamline the call agent’s workflow. On-call indicators let workers know when someone is a on a call, another convenient feature to look for.

Home Office Headsets

Headsets are excellent options for communications in your home office. If you have a noisy household with children, pets or partners, active noise cancellation (ANC) can be a big plus. USB headsets are simple to use and work with almost every softphone and unified communications platform. And let’s be honest: at home, you can listen to your music and podcasts all day long, if that’s the kind of worker you are. So go ahead, emphasize audio quality with your home office headset.

Mobile Worker Headsets

Mobile workers have specific needs that many headsets don’t need. Bluetooth headsets are convenient, because you don’t have to worry about wires catching on anything and you can use it just fine with your smartphone. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is highly prized, although many people prefer an ultra-lightweight and discreet earhook Bluetooth headset so you can always be connected. If you use your mobile worker headset outside often, look for weather resistance, so if you get caught in a rainstorm, your headset won’t be ruined.

What are the different headset wearing styles?

Headsets come in a number of different form-factors. Which one you go with is entirely a matter of personal opinion, although some do have certain advantages.

• Headband, Over-the-Head Headsets
• Earbuds, In-Ear Headsets
• Earhook, Over-the-Ear Headsets
• Neckband, Behind-the-Head Headsets
• Convertible Headsets

Headband, Over-the-Head Headsets

The headband is by far the most common form factor. And why not? They’re secure and allow you to have larger earcups and a longer microphone boom for better audio quality. Because of the larger earcups, you can have call controls on the headset itself.

Earbuds, In-Ear Headsets

Earbuds sit in your ears. They’re ultra-lightweight and convenient. They might not, however, have as good listening or microphone sound quality as other varieties, because of their size.

If you’re looking for AirPod-like earbuds that don’t have a cable between them, look for “true wireless earbuds.” It’s a bit clumsy, but that’s what the industry has settled on for now.

Earhook, Over-the-Ear Headsets

Earhooks fit over your ear, like the classic businessman Bluetooth headset. Earhook headsets are ultra-lightweight, monaural and, often, extremely portable.

Neckband, Behind-the-Head Headsets

There are a few headsets that come with a neckband, which means that the earphones are connected behind your head. Some people like neckbands because they don’t mess with your hair. If you have a large hairstyle, a neckband might be for you.

Convertible Headsets

When you see the term “convertible headset,” it means that the headset comes with a variety of wearing styles that you can select from and change between. A typical selection includes headband, earhook and neckband.

Headset Management Applications

Many headset manufacturers offer free applications for managing headsets on your computer. These apps let you customize features, update firmware and more. Here are links to the manufacturers’ websites to download their applications:

• Jabra Direct
• Plantronics (Poly) Hub
• Yealink USB Connect

What are the benefits of an office headset?

Here are 6 important reasons why headsets are so popular in offices today:

1. Hands-free communications. Headsets keep your hands free when you’re on a call: no need to awkwardly pinch the phone between your head and shoulder.
2. Improved voice reproduction. Compared with a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet, a headset provides better voice reproduction. This means your voice will sound fuller and more natural to the person you’re talking to. Improved voice reproduction has been shown to increase comprehension. It also presents you in a more positive light to your customers or clients, because you sound better.
3. Private audio. Most of us, when we’re working, aren’t by ourselves. In an office, on the road, in a café or at home, there’s almost always someone around. If everyone just broadcasted their calls publicly, it would be chaotic, not to mention that everyone would hear your conversation. Headsets give you privacy and reduce noise.
4. Mobile convenience. Rather than being tied to the desktop phone, a wireless headset lets you wander around while being ready for a call. And features like in-line or on-headset call controls make it even easier.
5. Portability. It’s much easier to carry around a USB or Bluetooth headset for business-class communications with your laptop or smartphone than it is to setup a desktop phone.
6. Versatility. On top of its business applications, you can use a headset for music and media, too. If you fly a lot, you can get a headset with active noise cancellation.

If you have any questions or for additional help, please contact us at 888.201.9056 or email us at service@ipphone-warehouse.com.