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Top Ten Bluetooth Headsets for your PC

Andy Simpson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:00:30 +0000

For a number of years now it has been possible to use a Bluetooth Headset with your phone and more recently we’ve seen the introduction of Bluetooth Headphones and Stereo Bluetooth headsets that allow us to listen to music and make calls on our phone without the need for wires, but what if we want the same amount of freedom when using other devices such as PC’s?

We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 Bluetooth Headsets and Bluetooth Headphones / Stereo Headsets.

i-Tech Arrow X:
A budget headset with some great features. The Arrow-X is a multipoint headset which means you can connect this to your PC and your phone at the same time. If a call comes in from either device, you can answer the call quickly and easily on the headset.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jabra BT2020:
The Jabra BT2020 is one of the most comfortable Bluetooth Headsets available. Its unique design means that the bulk of the headset is behind your ear.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jawbone 2:
Jawbone headsets are all about noise reduction. They were one of the first to develop noise cancelling headsets, and are perfect for use in noisy environments (busy offices, sports events etc..)

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Nokia BH-102:
Attractive, reliable, and easy to use. The Nokia BH-102 is a great starter headset. It has simple controls, upto ten hours talk time and weighs just 11g.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jabra BT530:
The Jabra BT530 is a compact headset with simple controls, noise cancellation and multipoint. The BT530 has upto 5.5 hours talktime and weighs just 10g.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Single earpiece only

Bluetooth Headphones & Stereo Headsets

Qstik EVO Q:
The Evo Q is a 2 in 1 Bluetooth Headset. Use it on its own as a standard Bluetooth Headset, or connect the stereo headphones to it to get a Stereo Bluetooth Headset. In addition to the Desk/Car holder, the Evo Q also includes a Bluetooth Dongle for your PC making it an ideal headset for VOIP.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Sony Ericsson IS-800:
The HBH-IS800 offers an extraordinary music experience – unique design,
essential function and high sound quality fused to create a sensational
stereo headphones.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio

Jabra BT3030:
Bluetooth just got cool thanks to the BT3030. Not only does it look good,
it sounds great. The Jabra BT3030 is a ‘dog tag’ style headset that lets you use any standard 3.5mm headphones with it.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Nokia BH-504:
A unique folding design with advanced audio and call features make this headset a great choice for music lovers. The Nokia BH-504 lets you control your phone calls and music from the buttons integrated into the headset.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Sony Ericsson DS-980 & DS-220:
Both of these headses are similar to the Jabra BT3030, but with a few significant differences. The DS-980 has noise cancellation and multipoint, where as the DS-220 lets you use any standard 3.5mm earphones, but doesn’t support multipoint.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

If you’ve not seen the headset here that’s right for you, why not take a look at our full range of Bluetooth Headsets

Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC

Andy Simpson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:55:07 +0000

The way that Bluetooth has been advertised is that it’s only for mobile phones – but this really isn’t the case. With more and more of us making calls using VOIP services such as Skype, the need for a wireless headets that you can use with your PC is just as strong as it is to have one for your phone. What you may not realise, is that the equipment you need for your PC, is in most cases, exactly the same as you need for your phone.

Will My Headset Work?

Apologies if this gets a bit technical, but there are a couple of things that you will need to check before you buy a new headset. All Bluetooth devices use ‘Bluetooth Profiles’ to talk to each other and it is important that both devices support the same profiles in order for them to work. The profiles supported by a particular headset will normally be listed in the product description and in the user manual.

For making standard voice calls, you will need a mono headset. These use the HSP (Headset Profile) and/or HFP (Hands Free Profile) in order to communicate.

HSP is the most commonly used profile and provides support for voice and mono music on Mobile Phones. Headsets that only support HSP are basic and are less likely to work with a computer.
HFP is a more advanced version of the Headset Profile, and can communicate with a greater range of Bluetooth Devices. Headsets with the HFP profile will support Voice Dialing, Last Number Redial, Call Transfer and Answer/End.

If you also want to listen to your music in stereo you will need to purchase a headset that supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). If you want to be able to control your music playback, your headset will also need to support AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile). You will need to make sure the device you’re connecting to also supports the A2DP and ARVCP, if it doesn’t you’ll only be able to make standard voice calls and listen to music in mono.

A2DP allows the headset to receive an audio stream from devices such as PC’s, MP3 players, TV’s & mobile phones.
AVRCP allows the headset to control the source of any audio/video playback. The headsets normally have Play/Pause, Fast Forward & Rewind buttons. This profile is normally only present on A2DP supported devices.

If you want to find out more about Bluetooth, we have put together a guide that explains more about Bluetooth and the different Bluetooth Profiles

Bluetooth Headsets & Computers

As long as your PC is Bluetooth enabled, all you need to do is pair your headset to your PC, and then tell your PC to use this headset as the microphone and speakers. If your PC isn’t Bluetooth enabled, then all you need to do is buy yourself a Bluetooth Dongle (these normally cost between £7 – £15). Once installed, this Bluetooth Dongle will allow your PC to communicate with other Bluetooth devices.

The settings for this do vary slightly depending on the configuration of your PC and the program that you’re using. If you’re setting your headset up to work with Skype, I’ve put a guide together on How to use your Bluetooth Headset with Skype.

Bluetooth Headsets with TV’s and Stereos

Currently there aren’t that many Bluetooth enabled TV’s and Stereos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a Bluetooth headset with them. You can make any TV or Stereo work with Bluetooth Headsets bu purchasing a Bluetooth Adapter that will plug into the headphone socket on your TV or Stereo and then stream the audio to a Bluetooth Headset. For the best sound quality I’d recommend using Bluetooth Headphones or a Stereo Bluetooth Headset rather than a mono headset.

Bluetooth Headsets with Multiple Devices

If you’re anything like me, you’re not going to want to have a different headset for each device in your home, so it’s worth looking for one that is Multipoint. As well as being able to pair with multiple devices, Multipoint headsets can be connected to 2 devices at the same time – great if you want to listen to the music off your PC and be able to answer calls on your mobile without having to change headset.

Choosing a Headset

To help you decide on a headset that works with your PC, I’ve put together a Top Ten headsets list. Five are standard Bluetooth Headsets for calling, and five are Stereo Headsets/Bluetooth Headphones that you can use for calling and listening to music.