Best Wireless Headset Microphones

Buying guide for Best wireless headset microphones

Whether your office is in your bedroom or a high-rise building, a certain amount of work must be accomplished each day. If that work involves phone calls, teleconferences, or virtual meetings, phone time can bring your productivity to a grinding halt.

However, if you have a wireless headset microphone, you can continue to get things done even while you're on hold or waiting for that salesman in Singapore to realize what time zone the meeting was in. A wireless headset microphone is a device that allows you to be hands-free on a phone call. It features either a single or a double earpiece, so you can listen, and a microphone, so you can talk. Your hands will be free so you can follow up on emails, type reports, or step away from your desk to refill your water bottle.

One of the biggest benefits of a wireless headset microphone is that it frees up your hands, so you can effortlessly multitask while on a call.

Key considerations

Since the primary function of a wireless headset microphone is to serve as a communication device, two key components are of concern to the consumer: the headphone and the microphone.

Headphones

Some wireless headset microphones are worn on one ear; others are worn over both ears. If you are in an environment with a good bit of background noise, a pair of over-ear headphones that block out ambient noise may be preferred. Whichever option you choose, you need to be able to clearly hear the person you are calling, so high-quality headphones are a must. This is especially true if you plan on listening to music when you are not on a call.

Microphone

The best microphone for your wireless setup will be an adjustable boom mic that you can maneuver into position close enough to your mouth so you can be easily understood. Additionally, if you share your work environment with a number of other people, you will want a microphone that doesn't pick up extraneous noise. It is also important to get a high-quality microphone so each and every word comes across clearly.

Other considerations

The three other areas to focus on when purchasing a wireless headset microphone are comfort, connectivity, and battery life.

Comfort

If your wireless headset microphone is uncomfortable, you won’t want to wear it all day at work. Worse, if it is too tight, you could get a headache, which could impair your productivity. Comfort isn’t a luxury option when it comes to wireless headset microphones, so seek out a lightweight model that is adjustable and padded in the areas where it makes contact with your head.

Connectivity

To minimize frustrations, not only should your wireless headset microphone be easy to connect to whatever device you are using (desk phone, computer, cell phone), but it should not require a complicated reconfiguring in the event of a dropped signal. Also, a wireless headset mic should have a decent range so you're not tethered to your desk all day long. A wireless headset microphone that can pair with two different devices is a plus because it will allow you to swap between devices as needed. This would come in handy if you like listening to music when you are not on a call, for instance, or if you need to switch from using your desk phone to using your cell phone.

Battery life

If you are so busy that you do not have time to charge your wireless headset while you are at work, you will need to look for a model that can last the entire work day. Otherwise, after five or six hours, your productivity may grind to a halt.

Wireless headset microphone prices

Inexpensive

If you're looking for a low-end model, be careful about accidentally purchasing a corded headset at the low-end of the market. You start to get adequate wireless headset microphones in the $40 to $100 range. The best models at this price point are lightweight and feature noise-canceling mic technology, but they usually offer less control than pricier models.

Mid-range

If you need exceptional, reliable equipment that isn't in the highest price tier, expect to pay $100 to $200. In this price bracket, you will get more than enough range for typical office use, built-in call control, and exceptional audio with a noise-canceling microphone.

Expensive

Moving beyond $200, you get into the high-end of wireless headset microphones. These reliable models are manufactured by name brand companies and feature greater-operating-distance headsets that work on computers as well as desk phones, hot-swappable batteries, and other options that vary by model and manufacturer.

Tips

• Wear it correctly. The biggest mistake is putting on a wireless headset microphone improperly so you cannot hear clearly. Take some time with a new headset to find the proper fit that optimizes your audio reception.
• Adjust your microphone position. The microphone needs to be placed near your mouth, usually about two finger-widths away to maximize audio quality.
• Check your charge. Always make sure your headset is fully charged at the beginning of your work day.
• Unmute when not on a call. Be sure your microphone is unmuted and your volume level is properly adjusted so you are prepared when a call comes through.
• Use the right connector. A charger base for a landline phone will not fit in a USB port. Make sure you have the right wireless headset microphone to match your office equipment.
• Don't mix and match. Use only the equipment that comes with your wireless headset microphone. Do not use a base from one company, a charger from another, and a headset from a third. Doing so can hamper the performance of your equipment.

Although using a wireless headset microphone gives you a great deal of flexibility and mobility, there are certain tasks, such as transferring calls, that you can only perform while at your desk phone or computer.

FAQ

Q. What exactly can I do with a wireless headset microphone?

A. That depends on the features of your model and any accessories you may have, such as an electronic hook switch or automatic handset lifter to answer desk phone calls remotely. Essentially, you can listen and talk hands-free on a wireless headset microphone. Hopefully, you will choose a model that allows you to adjust the volume and mute audio, as well. Depending on the model, you can also accept and end calls on the headset. Additionally, you may be able to switch between speaking on your headset and speaking on the connected handset (if you are using a desk phone).
 

Q. Is there anything I can't do with a wireless headset microphone?

A. A wireless headset microphone does not allow you to perform any of the tasks that you need to do at your computer or your desk phone. You cannot initiate a three-way call by patching someone in, you cannot send a call to another extension, and you cannot send a call to voicemail. You also cannot place a caller on hold to answer another call. A wireless headset microphone is simply a convenient device that allows you to move about the office so you can accomplish other tasks while you are on the phone.