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If you rely on your phone and make dozens of calls every day, you probably know the value of a good Bluetooth headset.
Whether you take calls while in a car, at your desk, or on the go, it can be a life saviour, there is one problem, though. There are thousands of these products on the market. Each one is designed with a specific use case in mind and comes with unique features and designs.
How do you choose the one that’s reliable, and that’s going to serve you in the long term?
Best Bluetooth Headset 2023 Roundup
It may appear as an impossible choice to make. However, the Bluetooth headset is just a piece of technology. If you know what to look for, identifying the best one becomes a walk in a park.
Today we are going to help you learn what things to look for in a Bluetooth headset. We also reviewed hundreds of products to be able to identify the best ones.
Things to Look for in a Bluetooth Headset
We’ve already mentioned that a Bluetooth headset is a piece of technology. As such, it has outlined specifications. The specifications are a roadmap to the best Bluetooth headset. All you have to do is learn the signs and how to follow them.
Design
While design also refers to the look of the device, in this case, it refers to the build. You will be using the headset regularly, so it will be mounted on your ear for hours at a time. That’s why the design has to be sturdy and compact, yet the device has to remain light. You should be able to carry the device freely and enjoy it without experiencing any feelings of discomfort when on your ear.
Battery Life
Batter life is very important in these devices. A device that features all the best technologies but has a poor battery life is not the best one. Having to dismount it and plug it to be recharged over and over will soon prove daunting. That’s why you need to look for a device with a battery life that can at least sustain your day.
Charging Speed
If you spend hours on calls every day and travel a lot, you need a device capable of charging extremely fast. Micro USB enables fast charging speeds paired with an appropriate charger. However, if you want to experience ultra-fast charging speeds, headsets with USB Type-C connectors can deliver it to you.
Connectivity
Bluetooth headsets use Bluetooth connectivity protocol to pair with your smartphone. The protocol has gone a long way from its version 1.0 to version 5.1. When looking for a good headset, you need to make sure that it supports at least Bluetooth 4.0.
The latest version of the protocols ensures both fast and stable connection with your device. It is the only way to ensure your hands-free calls are as smooth as possible.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is the next item on my list. I personally favor it above anything else. If a device offers a hands-free but not hassle-free experience, it is simply not what I’m looking for. Ease of use refers to how easy it is to use the device. We are not all tech-savvy. Easy-to-use headsets deliver that hassle-free experience, which is more than welcome for average users.
Noise Cancelation
If you are using your headset on the go, the chances are that there will be a lot of unwanted external noise. Microphones on headsets are sensitive and will pick it up. It can significantly affect your experience, which is why a Bluetooth headset should at least have one noise canceling solution. The best ones feature Active Noise Cancelling.
Best Bluetooth Headsets 2023 Review Guide
After reviewing a ton of products, I’ve found out that the following Bluetooth headsets are the best ones.
1) JVC HAC300B
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Best Budget Bluetooth Headset 2023
The JVC Bluetooth headset HAC300B is an excellent pick if you want something as affordable as possible. Annoyingly it is not available on Amazon UK but it is on the US store and importing it is only $7.90. For UK buyers, I’d probably go with one of the Jabra Talk models.
It is compact and features a somewhat minimalistic look. It comes with a comfortable reversible ear hook meaning that you can wear it on either ear. It can be useful if you like to switch ears after you start feeling uncomfortable wearing a headset on one ear for hours.
The HAC300B comes with a powerful lithium-polymer battery. It can last for up to 20 hours while the device is in use and almost a month in standby mode. If you don’t particularly enjoy charging your devices, this device may be a good option. Charging it to full may take up to 3 hours if the battery was close to 0%.
JVC introduced Bluetooth 5.0 in HAC300B, which turned it into a powerful headset. It supports connection to a wide array of devices. It can be paired with two devices simultaneously, which expands its use case.
Thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, this headset can maintain a connection even when the paired device is 240 meters away. I find it very convenient as I tend to wander around while talking, often forgetting my phone on the desk.
JVC HAC300B is easy to use. You don’t have to be an IT guru to pair and use it with the devices you are comfortable with. Pairing it with two devices is also straightforward, and you can switch devices with a simple click of a button.
The Bluetooth 5.0 enables the device to capture and send high-definition audio. However, I found it lacking in the noise cancellation department. People had a hard time hearing me when I was stuck in traffic.
Pros:
- Affordable Bluetooth headset
- Great battery life
- Extremely long range
Cons:
- Poor noise cancelling
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2) Jabra Talk 45
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKSA H1 Bluetooth Headset with Microphone, ENC Noise... |
£39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Best Bluetooth Headset 2023
For the 2023 version of this list, I swapped out the Jabra Steel with the Jabra Talk 45. Jabra are one of the biggest companies specialising in headsets, and they have 10 headsets in the Talk range alone. They then have the Evolve2 headsets for office use, then the Jabra Steel and Jabra Style.
If you look at the Amazon reviews, the Jabra Talk 25 and 25E actually receive better reviews. They are cheaper and the Talk 25 has an 11 battery life so it could be worth it if you are on the phone literally all day.
I picked the Jabra Talk 45 because it has HD Voice and Jabra 2-microphone technology (vs one on the 25E). HD Voice automatically adjusts the volume to your environment, making sure that no matter where you are, you can hear above the noise around you. And with our 2-microphone technology, the person you’re talking to also experiences exceptional call quality.
Then, unlike the cheaper models, this has advanced Jabra noise cancellation which will significantly reduce the background noise around you, allowing you to experience noise-free calls even in loud environments. If I am on the phone a lot, this seems like an important feature.
Pros:
- Dual microphones and HD voice
- Active noise cancelling
Cons:
- Shorter battery life vs the cheaper Talk models
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3) Plantronics Voyager 5200
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantronics by Poly Voyager 5200 Wireless Headset -... |
£92.39 | Buy on Amazon |
Plantronics Voyager 5200 comes with a futuristic design intentionally resembling the communication devices from a Star Trek series.
It’s definitely one of the more robust earpieces I’ve tested. It consists of a piece that goes behind the ear and boomstick microphone. The two pieces are connected via over-the-ear arc, making this headset safe from falling off.
Given its size, I expected a solid battery life. However, the battery has a runtime of up to 7 hours or 9 days in standby mode. It takes up to 90 minutes to fully charge it via Micro USB connector.
I was able to pair Voyager 5200 via NFC and Bluetooth pairing. Both worked seamlessly. When it comes to the coverage, brace for another surprise. The interference became quite a problem even at distances of 9 meters. The headset supports pairing with multiple devices and built-in voice commands. You can use it to get directions or dictate and send messages.
Using the headset is easy. With a Plantronics Hub mobile app, you can check the battery life or locate your headset if you happen to displace it.
Voyager 5200 comes with both noise cancellation and wind protection. Both are very aggressive, and my voice appears unnatural.
Pros:
- Fits securely onto an ear
- Useful voice commands
- Can be used on both ears
Cons:
- Short battery life
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4) Sennheiser Presence UC ML
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser PRESENCE UC ml-auricolare Bluetooth | Buy on Amazon |
The Sennheiser Presence UC ML comes in a minimalistic design and features black and silver plastic. I enjoyed testing it, as the device is very comfortable and lightweight. It comes with three ear tips so that you can choose the one best for the ear canal, and the headset can be mounted on either ear.
Powering the device is also convenient. All I needed to do is slightly pull the slider out of the body. It felt natural.
Sennheiser Presence UC ML packs solid battery power. It can get you through 10 hours of calls or 14 days of standby. Sennheiser allows users to check the current battery level easily. Tap the multifunction button in idle mode, and the headset will read it out.
The charging speed is decent, considering the headset comes with a micro USB charging cable. Charging it from zero to full takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Sennheiser offers great connectivity with its Presence UC ML. The device features Bluetooth 4.0 and covers the range of 25 meters. It comes with multi-connectivity support. I found no problems switching between smartphones and tablets can come in particularly handy if you regularly switch your environments.
The installation and usage come as easy as they get. The pairing process was fast and easy – the device is clearly designed on the plug and play principle. This headset also comes with call notification. For instance, if you listen to music, it will give you a vocal prompt.
If you decide to take the call, it automatically mutes the music. The UC affix guarantees it works with major Unified Communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Mitel, Cisco, and more.
Presence UC ML features MEMs microphone. It uses 3 microphones to harness the beam-focusing technology when capturing your voice. During the test, my voice remained clear even while I was in busy environments. The noise-canceling is based on Sennheiser WindSafe technology that blocks sounds such as wind, thunder, and heavy rain.
Pros:
- Great background noise cancellation
- Multi-connectivity support for up to 8 devices
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
- Some consumers may find it pricey
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5) Jabra Evolve2 65
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jabra Evolve2 65 380c UC Stereo Headset Black 26599-989-999 | £159.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Best High-End Bluetooth Headset 2023
Jabra Evolve2 65 features a sleek and stylish design. This model is available in a mono design using USB-C or stereo with USB-A. With over 5000 reviews and a 4.4 rating on Amazon, it is one of the most popular and best-reviewed models available.
Due to its design and size, it is probably more suited for people taking calls indoors. Although bigger than its counterparts, Jabra Evolve2 65 is light and comfortable to wear. It features the lightweight premium material, comfy foam cushions, and an ergonomic design.
Evolve2 65 by Jabra delivers amazing battery life. The headset can be used for 37 hours before it needs to be recharged, and it supports ultra-fast charging. I could get 8 hours of use after keeping it only for 15 minutes connected to a charger.
It seamlessly works with Unified Communications platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Avaya, Mitel, and more.
Control buttons are intuitively laid out. It can be paired with multiple devices at the same time, which, in my opinion, increases its use cases in the business environment.
The quality of sound is outstanding and benefits from good passive noise isolation (even though it is on-ear vs over-ear). The headset features a 40mm speaker and 3-microphone call technology. The speaker is behind a noise-isolating foam.
Jabra has two models that sit about this, the Evolve2 75 and Evolve2 85. The Evolve2 75 is similar to the 65 but it adds 5 more microphones which enables it to have active noise cancellation. The Evolve2 85 then has two more microphones and an over-ear cup design. This should allow it to have outstanding noise cancellation, but if I needed to wear it all day I’d be concerned about getting hot ears.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Top-notch battery life
- Great audio and voice quality
Cons:
- No active noise cancelling
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Conclusion – Best Bluetooth Headset 2023
These 5 products emerged as the best Bluetooth headsets during testing.
However, if I had to pick one, the best of the best one, I would go with the headset by Jabra Talk 45. Personally, I think that this product offers everything you need in a headset. It features a minimalist and compact design and an excellent price point.
If I needed a headset to use in the office all day, I’d be tempted by the Evolve2 65.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
