SmallBizResource Blog -- Mobility

Bluetooth Headset Shopping Could Make You See Red

Posted by Gayle Kesten Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008, 04:42 PM ET

Even though I resemble a phone operator ready to take your order following one of those cheesy, but-wait-act-now TV commercials, it's a price I'm willing to pay for my beloved Bluetooth headset.

Especially because it came into my possession for free. A former co-worker who was clearing out her office before her last day nearly 18 months ago passed it along to me with a bagful of swag she had accumulated from various conferences. Lucky for me, the headset made nice with my cell phone from the get-go and has continued to do so ever since.

Given the ease of my experience, it came as a surprise to me that shopping for a headset isn't necessarily simple. It took bMighty's Fredric Paul weeks: "Stores won't let you try them on or test them, and many outlets won't take returns once you've used them," he says. "Reviews are equally problematic. There are plenty of professional reviews available online, but they're often incomplete, based on a short period of usage...Meanwhile, user reviews are often contradictory."

Now what? Paul's advice is to narrow your search based on headset features most important to you. "For me, that meant an affordable set with great sound quality -- incoming and outgoing -- enough volume to be usable in a noisy bar or car, and a secure, comfortable fit," he says.

To get a better sense of what's out there, click through this slideshow featuring the eight best Bluetooth headsets that take into accout what small companies want in terms of price, performance and style.

Hurry! Operators are standing by.

Mobility