When Apple removed the traditional 3mm headphone jack from its new iPhone models, it forced a lot of people to face a coming reality: Bluetooth headsets are the headphones of the future. Cables and connector ports are being exchanged for wireless connections and battery life. But not all Bluetooth headsets are created equal.
If you're looking for a good Bluetooth earpiece, trying to weed through all the models for the one to fit your needs can get a little overwhelming. Read on to learn about eleven of the top Bluetooth earpiece options available on the market right now.
Plantronics Voyager 5200
Plantronics sets the bar for other Bluetooth headsets with their Plantronics Voyager 5200. This headset features not two, not three, but four mics that aid in noise cancellation and sound clarity. The headset even comes with special wind cancellation technology to keep your audio crystal-clear when you're outside.
The most common criticism is related to the fit. The Voyager 5200 is heavy, weighing in at twenty grams, and can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. While it is completely reversible, some testers had a hard time getting it to sit comfortably in their ear.
But with a price tag of $89, it's hard to ask for more bang for your buck. The Voyager 5200 delivers excellent audio quality and boasts a robust six- to seven-hour battery life. In terms of over-ear Bluetooth headsets, it is leading the pack.
Mpow Pro Truck Driver
If you're on a budget and looking to get a good Bluetooth headset without breaking the bank, the Mpow Pro Truck Driver is an excellent choice. Available for just $20, the Pro Truck Driver has stellar audio quality and background noise cancellation. And if you can't stand in-ear headsets, this is a fantastic option.
It is true that as an over-ear headset, the Pro Truck Driver is bulkier and a little less subtle. But what it lacks in sleekness, it makes up for in battery life. The headset boasts a twelve-hour talk time and 200 hours of standby time.
For a headset that costs less than lunch at a nice restaurant, the Pro Truck Driver offers some great features. The headset is fully reversible, and it can pair with two devices simultaneously. The call quality is excellent, and at the end of the day, you'll have a solid Bluetooth headset for a bargain price.
Jabra Stealth
The Jabra Stealth earns that name and the stellar reputation that goes along with it. Weighing in at just eight ounces, the Stealth is one of the lightest headsets on the market today. Its sleek design includes a silver casing with black accents and a red in-ear piece.
If you're looking for a headset that can really crank up the volume, the Stealth is not for you. The headset puts out a maximum of 84 decibels, which, in fairness, is one decibel lower than the highest safe volume for long-term listening. The headset also doesn't come with a carrying case or charging block.
The Stealth also performed well in audio quality tests. The headset has enough battery life to last through six hours of talking time and ten days of standby, though setting it to a lower volume can help extend that battery life. Coming in at $65, the Stealth packs a lot of punch for a great price.
Motorola Boom 2+
The Motorola Boom 2+ offers a solid Bluetooth headset for a very reasonable price. You'll pay less than $40 for this headset, and while it doesn't offer a lot of fancy bells and whistles, it does get the job done. The design is comfortable to wear, and at nine grams, it's one of the lighter headsets available.
The biggest complaint testers had with the Boom 2+ was the volume. While having a headset blasting into your ear at 101 decibels isn't the healthiest idea, the Boom 2+'s 68 decibels are barely enough. Its audio tech can keep audio quality clear for the person on the other end of the line, but if you're in a loud place, you may not be able to hear the conversation.
That said, the Boom 2+ does have a great design and solid value for its price. The headset is dust- and water-resistant, so you won't have to worry about taking a call in the rain. Its nine-hour battery life and comfortable fit make this a good choice for someone looking for a basic Bluetooth headset on a budget.
Sennheiser Presence
If you're looking for a headset that can make it through a long day at the office with you, the Sennheiser Presence is your headset. The Presence boasts a ten-hour talk time and a hefty two weeks of standby time, and it charges in only an hour and a half. The design is sleek and unobtrusive, and using it is intuitive.
However, testers noted that the Presence can be uncomfortable to wear. The headset weighs in at 15 grams, and it seems to devote that weight to battery life rather than audio quality. The Presence maxes out at only 70 decibels, making it one of the quietest headsets on this list.
With a $130 price tag, the Presence is one of the more expensive models out there. And if you work in a quiet environment and want a long-lasting battery life, this can be a great choice. If you're looking for a more affordable headset that packs a lot of punch, you may be better off with a different option.
Jabra Steel
If you work outdoors, at a construction site, or anywhere else with a lot of background noise, the Jabra Steel is a headset that can keep up with you. It is dust- and water-resistant, and it can survive long drops. It comes with a five-year warranty, and it has aggressive noise-canceling technology.
The Steel does have a few drawbacks. If you have smaller ears, it may not be the most comfortable fit, and it can sometimes have a tinny audio quality. But if you're rough on your tech, the headsets rugged design is hard to beat.
The noise-canceling feature on the Steel is impressive to be sure. Although there are no volume buttons on the device, it does feature voice command capability that allows you to answer calls hands-free. At a $50 price tag, it's a solid headset for its cost.
Plantronics Explorer 500
The tiny Plantronics Explorer 500 is perfect for the Bluetooth headset user on the go. It weighs a little over seven grams, and it has a seven-hour talk time. The headset comes with three microphones to help combat ambient noise, and it has good voice quality.
The range on the Explorer 500 is decent, but not stellar. It allows you to wander about forty feet before the sound quality becomes compromised. And while the audio quality is good, again, it's nothing to write home about.
For $60, the Explorer 500 offers a good basic Bluetooth headset for an affordable price. It is light, easy to use, and offers a reasonable battery life. If you aren't looking for frills and gadgetry, the Plantronics Explorer 500 is a good choice for you.
BeatsX
Beats is, of course, widely known for their over-ear headphones that have gained so much popularity in the last several years. But their BeatsX earphones offer fantastic audio and a solid Bluetooth headset option. The earphones have a great wireless range and bring to bear all the stellar audio quality of any Beats product.
The collar band style of the BeatsX earphones is different than a traditional Bluetooth headset, so if you're looking for a simple, discreet headset, these may not be the right choice for you. The audio, while high-quality, is definitely sculpted. It's easy to leave these earphones on, and unfortunately, they will stay on until the battery life runs out.
But the audio performance of these earphones is hard to argue with. They come with different ear tip options to make sure you get the most comfortable fit for your ears. If you're willing to drop $150 on these, you can count on getting a stellar piece of tech.
JBL Reflect Mini
Much like the BeatsX, the JBL Reflect Mini is a collar band style earphone set that offers stellar audio quality. The sweat-proof design and multiple ear tip options make this a great choice for people who want a good Bluetooth headset for working out. These earphones even come equipped with a reflective strip for night runs (thus the name).
The Reflect Mini doesn't come with an automatic shutoff feature, so if you forget to turn them off, you can expect somewhat less than the marketed eight-hour battery life. These earphones also don't come with a carrying case, which you'll want if you plan to carry these around in a gym bag. And like the BeatsX, the Reflect Mini tends to sculpt sound, emphasizing bass, so if you prefer untouched audio, you may want to look elsewhere.
Overall, the Reflect Mini is a great set of Bluetooth earphones. Their $60 price tag is a great alternative to some more expensive models, and the comfort and audio quality they offer is excellent. Runners, gym rats, and the like will especially enjoy these earphones.
Samsung Gear IconX
The Samsung Gear IconX is a particularly cool piece of tech for anyone looking for a set of wireless earpods that offer good-quality audio. The IconX features two wireless earpods that can function independently - meaning if you have the right one in and the left one in the charging case, you can still enjoy full audio control. The earpods themselves have a five-hour battery life, and the charging case holds an additional ten hours of charge.
The IconX doesn't offer the traditional Bluetooth headset experience. If you want crystal-clear sound with noise reduction capability, you'd be better off with one of the previous headsets on this list. And in terms of battery life, the IconX is further down the totem pole.
But if you're looking for small, sleek, discreet earpods that deliver a good audio experience, the IconX is a good choice. Be prepared to drop some cash on them, though. These little guys carry a $130 price tag!
LG Tone Free Headset
The LG Tone Free headset offers a nice blending of the collar band style earphones and the independent earpod models. This headset features a band that you wear around your neck and two earpods which snap free of the band, freeing you up for full range of motion, while still maintaining all of the power of the earphones. The earpods snap back onto the band for storage.
Not only does the Tone Free handset blend two excellent headset styles, it also offers text read back features and an auto-connect Bluetooth setting. Each earbud has about three hours of talk time capability, which is low on the Bluetooth headset spectrum. They must be recharged on the neckband after that, which itself carries a little more than seven hours of charge time.
The neckband vibrates to alert you of calls, and it's nice not to have to search for a charging case or cable when your earpod runs out of power. If you're interested in a Bluetooth headset for exercising purposes, this may be a great choice for you. But while these are a little more affordable than some other models, they'll still run you a cool $100.
More Bluetooth Earpiece Reviews
Whether you're looking for a Bluetooth earpiece to keep you hands-free at work or in the car, or you want some earphones that aren't tied to your phone for exercise, there's a Bluetooth headset that can fit your needs. As technology continues to evolve. You can count on seeing longer battery life, smaller cases, and sleeker designs. Maybe someday we'll all have James Bond-style earpieces to accessorize our lives!
For more product reviews and information about the latest digital trends, visit the rest of our site.