How to Rate Bluetooth Headsets

Once deemed a technology of the future, Bluetooth has become the industry standard for short-distance communications networking. Like WiFi, Bluetooth uses radio waves to connect devices wirelessly. Unlike WiFi, however, Bluetooth only works over small distances. This reduces the amount of electronics it needs to run, making more practical for use with cell phones and other small devices.

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want a headset with or without a boom. This thin stick extends from the earpiece and contains the unit's microphone. The main downside to booms is that they they're a bit unwieldy.

2. Emphasize the headset's fit. Unless you're extremely picky about the sound quality of your calls, the best-fitting headset's the one to buy.

3. Make sure your headset's compatible with whichever version of Bluetooth your other devices use. The newest version, Bluetooth 2.1, is backward compatible with all earlier versions.

4. Look for headsets with noise-canceling technology if you frequently make calls from noisy environments. Products like the Aliph Jawbone filter out background sounds to give you clear, crisp sound quality during your calls.

5. Test the headset and see how easy its buttons are to use. Bluetooth headsets are supposed to make calling easier, but they'll cause problems if you have trouble working the buttons.

6. Pay for the features you want. Products like the Jabra BT8040 offer just about every feature available in current headsets, while those like the SoundID SM100 offer a simpler set of features, focusing instead on sound quality and ease of use.

7. Choose a headset that offers stereo sound, if you're uncomfortable with mono sound. The Plantronics Voyager 855's a good set that uses an extra earbud to deliver sound to both your ears.