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Choosing A Good Hands Free Headset

A good quality hands free headset is a must have cell phone accessory as states continue to pass hands free laws.  Corded headsets are the most economical solution but come in different styles with advantages and disadvantages.  Find the type of corded headset that best fits your needs.

As hands free laws continue to be passed throughout the United States, choosing a good Headset option becomes more important than ever.  A good hands free headset is becoming one the necessary cell phone accessories.  Headset options include both corded and cordless versions.    Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Corded headsets are the least expensive way to use a phone hands free.  These headsets require a port on the phone to plug into that may be a 2.5mm port, 3.5mm port or usb based port.  Corded headsets come in both stereo and mono versions dependant on what the phone capabilities are.

Corded headsets may include a boom microphone which curves around the cheek to sit in front of the mouth.  These boom microphones come in different sizes and lengths.  Some are large and provide great wind noise reduction; others have small and barely noticeable microphones.

The least expensive corded headsets will have a microphone built into the cord.  While these offer the least noticeable microphone, they also provide the worst quality microphones.  The hanging lapel microphones rarely do a good job with voice pickup and the user often has to hold the microphone in their hand up close to their mouth.

When choosing a corded headset comfort is the first and most important consideration.  Regardless of how good the sound quality is, if the headset is uncomfortable to wear it will provide little or no benefit.  Corded headsets come in three different styles – Earbud, over the ear, and over the head.

Earbud headsets have a small speaker that is placed within the ear itself.  The headset stays in the ear as a result of pressure against the inside of the ear.  These headsets can be very comfortable when designed correctly and a good unit will include multiple eargels for different shapes and sized of ears.  Poorly designed earbuds can become uncomfortable quickly which results in the earbud not being used for calls.

Over the ear headsets are designed with a single speaker that rests on the outside of the ear but has an earhook to keep the speaker in place.  A good over the ear headset will come with an earhook that can be adjusted or a variety of different sized earhooks.  The earhook and speaker should both provide a comfortable fit or else the headset will be of little use.

Microphone sound quality is another important factor when choosing an over the ear headset.  Boom microphones can provide exceptional sound quality when designed with high grade microphones.  Popular brands like Plantronics and Jabra put extensive research into designing good quality microphones.  Unlike lapel microphones, some boom microphones can be used with a windsock to dampen outside noise providing much higher quality sound for the person on the other end of the call.  Overall, the over the ear headset is a great option for those needing a corded headset and wanting good sound quality.  These types of headsets provide the best of both worlds.

Over the head headsets are designed with a headband that goes over the top of the head.  These types of headsets are the most secure and can come in a mono or stereo configuration.  The mono configuration has only a single speaker on the headband while the stereo has a speaker on each side of the headband.  This type of headset includes a boom microphone much like those found on the over the ear headsets.

If budget is the main concern, the earbud headsets are the best option, if sound quality and a secure headset are the most important factors, the over the ear or over the head headsets are the best options.  Whatever the case, finding a comfortable solution that provides the sound quality needed will allow the headset to actually be used rather than just another thing to clutter up the car.

About the Author

Craig King J.D. is the Executive VP of Discountcell Inc., a leading online retailer of cell phone accessories and cell phone signal boosters

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