As a remote worker, having a good headset will block out background noise and make the work area quiet. Most have a built-in microphone with clear audio, which is a necessity during meetings and business calls. A headset that pairs with your phone or computer allows you to switch back and forth between devices.
When working from home, choosing the best headphones or headset to fit your needs will make a difference as you work. Whether you are looking for the best noise-canceling product or just one with exceptional sound quality or comfort, don’t skimp on what you want in a product.
Having a quality headset is essential to have a home office set up to ensure productivity.
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Why Are Headsets Useful When You Work From Home?
There are at least five benefits to wearing a headset when working.
1. Active Noise Cancellation
Also known as ANC, a noise cancellation system removes any unwanted background noise. This can make it easier for you to hear what you need to hear while blocking out anything you don’t.
2. Call Quality
Call quality ranks very high when choosing what you want in a pair of headphones for work. Employees expect their reps to provide an excellent user experience that involves them clearly hearing what the customer is saying and responding to their questions.
3. Comfort
It is all too common. People try to juggle typing on the computer and a phone call simultaneously by balancing the phone cradled between the shoulder and ear, and the phone slips, causing an unprofessional break in the conversation. A significant benefit of an office headset that takes calls is you no longer have to figure out how to handle a phone call because you are hands-free.
4. Sound Quality
Between the noise canceling portion reducing the ambient noise and having the person speaking directly into your ear, you will find excellent sound makes it easier to focus on your work.
5. Wireless Freedom
Wireless headsets offer you the freedom to move around. A Bluetooth headset allows you to move without troublesome wires getting in your way as you navigate your workspace.
Is There A Headset That Does Not Use Bluetooth?
Bluetooth headphones use a short-range radio system to send and receive messages. All Bluetooth headsets are wireless headsets, but not all wireless headsets are Bluetooth. Other wireless headset models use different methods of transmitting sound, including radio waves, infrared, internal memory, or KleerNet.
Of course, there are also corded headsets; however, when connected to your computer, you lose a lot of convenience and flexibility.
The 5 Best Headsets For Remote Work
1. Apple AirPods
For someone looking for headphones that can be used for work or personal use, such as working out, the AirPods earbuds are a popular choice. Although you can get these for as low as $99, the best-quality AirPods retail for closer to $250.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45
Bose is a big name in speakers and quality headphones. Regularly priced at $329, these over-ear headphones are an excellent purchase. These are versatile because you can choose between noise canceling and “aware” settings if you need to hear what is going on around you. With 24-hour battery life, these are favored by many. Ranked high also for comfort, what more can you ask for?
3. Plantronics Voyager
This headset gets great ratings from those who purchased it from Amazon. Moderately priced at around $150, this single-ear headset has features that include: noise cancellation, a microphone, and a Bluetooth connection.
4. Poly Voyager Focus UC
Wireless headphones that come with a charging stand, the Poly Voyager Focus UCs boast outstanding sound quality for a price of $249. Touted as perfect for working from home, they claim to be the best-sounding as they are also great at canceling the background noise of a busy household. This headset has a boom microphone that mutes the mic when you flip it up.
5. Sennheiser Momentum 4
Another high-quality headset for your home office is the Sennheiser. Ranked high by consumers for blocking out ambient noise, quality sound, comfort, and compatibility, this noise-canceling headset is top-notch for less than $300.
How to Pick Which Headphone Is Best For Office Work?
What should you look for when considering the best headsets for working from home?
- Audio Quality: While some people are not terribly picky about audio quality, others have stricter requirements. If you plan to also use your headphones for listening to music, consider finding a headset with the best audio quality.
- Charge Time: As you contemplate your purchase, ask yourself how long you need your headphones to hold a charge. Do you have long meetings or conference calls? What kind of talk time do you need in headphones?
- Comfort: Try the headphones on to be sure you find them comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Look for a headphone cushion (or earbud style) or headband if there is one. Ask yourself if you could use this for hours, day after day. One popular comfort feature offered by quality headsets is memory foam ear pads.
- Corded or Wireless: Although you might assume everyone wants a wireless headset, some people prefer one with a cord. The Jabra Evolve2 is a corded headset that delivers excellent quality at a great price.
- Mic Style: Most people want a headset with a microphone for taking phone calls or listening to Zoom or other virtual meetings. Do you want headphones with a microphone attached, or do you prefer a separate microphone? There are many styles of microphones, including a ball type or boom mic, which are stand-alone devices separate from your headset.
- Ear-piece Style: As for style, should you prefer the in-ear style (an earbud) or an over-the-ear headphone? Would you like a set with two ear cups or one? Does your headset need a microphone? What type of headband do you prefer? You may need an adjustable headband for the best fit.
- Mute Button: There are headphones with a microphone mute button which is particularly handy when working from home. It allows you to make comments to others that your client or coworkers cannot hear.
- Noise Cancelling Technology: A noise-canceling microphone blocks out ambient noise when you are speaking and eliminates background noise that might interfere with your hearing well.
- Wireless: Although some people don’t mind using a wired headset, most prefer wireless. Wireless gives you the ability to move around without the constraints of wire. Find out what the wireless range is before purchasing if you want to be able to talk away from your desk.
Which Headsets Best Meet Your Requirements?
What Are The Best Lightweight Headsets?
LEVN Bluetooth 5.0 headset runs just around $100. These lightweight headphones have long battery life, are noise canceling, and support many types of connections. At this price point, they are certainly worth a try.
What Headset Does Not Pick Up Background Noise?
Bose is the big winner when looking at ratings for noise cancelation and blocking out background noise. The Bose 700 at a $350 price point or the sound bar version, which retails for closer to $1,200, are the top picks for exceptional sound and noise cancellation. Loyal Bose customers will tell you they are the best wireless headphones in the business.
Which Headset Is Best For Online Meetings?
The best headset for meetings is the Jabra Elite, and it comes in many different styles. You can get these in an earbud or also in an over-the-ear headphone. While the earbuds are relatively inexpensive at around $99, the over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones cost closer to $250.
What Headset Is Best For Listening To Music?
When looking at ratings for music, Bose is the big winner in this category too. Either the Bose 700 ($350) or the sound bar version, which retails for closer to $800 offer exceptional sound and noise cancellation.
Sony gets excellent reviews if you love your bass and want a quality product. Sony WH-1000xm4 or WH-1000XM5 both give you a lot of bang for your buck.
