THE BEST BLUETOOTH HEADSETS OF 2019

The BlueParrot C400-XT is the most comfortable headset we tested. Not only is it really comfy, its sounds just as good at the Plantronics Voyager 5200. So, why didn’t it end up as our top pick? It’s comically large, that’s why. It looks like one of those headsets you’d see at a fast-food restaurant.

The fit of the headset is a little odd, as the ear pad is smaller than most on-ear headphones. The pad rests inside the circumference of the earlobe (almost in the ear canal but not quite), so it often feels like it’s not in deep enough. We found that we kept trying to adjust it.

If you’re working in an office environment where no one else will see you, then this is a solid buy. It’s as good as our top pick in this category.

The Jabra 35 maintained a rock-solid connection during our walking and driving tests. It didn’t cut out or distort during phone calls and podcasts, either. It’s also very quiet on both ends of the phone call. While we didn’t have any trouble understanding our caller, the other end reported some distortion.

Out of the four Jabra headsets we tested, the 35 was the only one that couldn’t connect to the Jabra Assist app. The model number just isn’t listed as a supported product. Despite this shortcoming, this is the best Jabra headset we tested.

The Jabra Talk 30 is the only headset to have the “right” kind of power switch. It includes a third position for Bluetooth pairing, making it really easy to pair. The only other button is one that controls the assistant.

Call quality is good, though our callers reported a tinny sound. The connection also breaks up a bit while driving, occasionally resulting in a static-filled connection approximately. The lack of volume control on the earpiece is another annoyance. When you’re driving or walking down the street, you don’t want to have to pull out your phone to adjust the volume every time.

The Jabra Talk 45 comes with NFC pairing, which is a nice little bonus. During our driving test, the earpiece maintained a steady connection, cutting out rarely. Between the small profile and good noise cancelation, it’s a pretty good headset. That said, it’s not a perfect product.

This headset requires both an ear hook and an ear tip. Without the hook, the headset just doesn’t feel secure. With the hook, the earpiece gets uncomfortable after only sixty minutes of wear. Unfortunately, the discomfort lingers long after you take it off.

The Jabra focuses on a higher range of frequencies, which makes everything sound tinny, high pitched, and hollow. During testing, our callers claimed we sounded loud and clear. On our end, we heard some speaker distortion even when the volume was set to 60%. Speaking of which, there are no volume controls on the earpiece.

The Jabra Talk 25 is a very small headset, so it’s lightweight and portable. However, that’s the only thing we like about it. Sound quality isn’t great, as our test callers reported a foggy and slightly distorted sound. The assistant button is also a little stiff, meaning you have to push down hard. As for comfort, it starts to get uncomfortable after seventy-five minutes of wear. It’s not the worst headset in the world, but it’s certainly not the best.

This Sony headset does a few things the rest do not. The button you use to answer calls also controls your phone’s media player. This allows you to freely navigate your playlist. It also charges via USB Type-C while the others rely on MicroUSB. That’s one less cable you have to pack.

As for the sound quality, it’s just OK. The headset sounds hollow with no bass to speak of and higher tones get lost. Our test caller said our voice sounded like we were talking through a tin can. It also had trouble maintaining a connection, as it cut out a lot while driving.

The user interface in the headset relies on a series of beeps and tones instead of words to describe what’s going on. It’s like having a conversation with a droid in a galaxy far, far away. Trying to interpret the electronic sounds is distracting and off-putting.

The Plantronics Voyager 3200 headset comes with a charging carrying case that feels strong and durable. The cool thing about this case is that it has a compartment for the earpiece on the exterior. The case even has a loop at the top if you want to secure it to a backpack. The loop is too small for something like a briefcase, though. The case also comes with a Bluetooth dongle for your computer.

As for the sound, it’s quite hollow even in the midrange frequencies. Our test callers report that the voice coming through sounds detached, cold, and robotic. I’m not sure about you, but I’d rather not sound like a robot. This is a mediocre offering from Plantronics with some flaws out of the gate.