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

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 Stereos and TV’s?

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.

The steps below assume that you have installed the software that came on the CD with your Bluetooth Dongle, not the generic Windows drivers, and that Skype is already installed on your PC running Windows XP SP2.

To determine which Bluetooth drivers you are using, you will need to access Device Manager. To do this, press the "Windows" and "Pause Break" keys on the keypad simultaneously. This will then open System Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, and then you will see a button to launch Device Manager – click it. This will then open a new window listing all devices connected to your computer. Towards the top of this list you will see Bluetooth Devices, click the plus sign to expand the list. The top line should say Bluetooth Enumerator, the second line will tell you which driver you are using and will be either Broadcom/Widcomm, Toshiba, or BlueSoleil. Make a note of your driver manufacturer and close all windows. If you see Microsoft listed, it means you have the generic Windows drivers installed, and probably won’t work with Skype unless you update the drivers. For information on how to do this, read our post on updating your Bluetooth drivers.

Please note that drivers are specific to the dongle you are using, and you can only use the driver manufacturer that is supplied with your dongle. You cannot, for example, use a Toshiba driver with a BlueSoleil supported dongle.

Broadcom / Widcomm – Skype Compatibility Rating 5/5

• If you have already paired your headset with your PC, delete the pairing.
• Right click the Bluetooth icon by the clock and select add a bluetooth device. This will then launch a wizard to guide you through the pairing process.
• The wizard will search for available devices, select the headset you want to use and click on next.
• The next screen will ask you to confirm the services you want to use. Mono Bluetooth Headsets will list only Hands-Free Unit, Stereo Bluetooth Headsets will also list Stereo Audio.
• Ensure all boxes are ticked and then click next.
• Click OK on the pop up and then click finish on the confirmation screen. You may then see a further pop up confirmation message. Click ok.
• The next screen will ask you to confirm the type of headset. Regardless of your headset, select personal handsfree device with no display.
• You will then be asked to confirm what applications the headset will primarily be used for. Make sure Skype is ticked – click next,
• Now switch over to Skype, you should see a pop up alert by the clock asking you to allow a program to access Skype, you need to allow this add on.
• Once you’ve allowed it you’ll see a message at top of the Skype window.
• Click on the BTSTAC~1.exe file name, then on the pop up screen make sure that the check box next to "allow this program to access Skype" is ticked,
• In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select "Bluetooth".
• Check the "Ring PC Speaker" box if you want incoming calls to ring through the PC speakers as well as ring in the Bluetooth Headset then click on save,
• Make a test call. There may be a brief delay when it connects initially, but you should then be able to hear and talk through your Bluetooth headset.

Toshiba Drivers – Skype Compatibility Rating 4/5

• If you have already paired your headset with your PC, delete the pairing. You can do this through the Toshiba Bluetooth Control panel.
• You’ll see the name of your Bluetooth headset, and three buttons underneath – new connection, detail and delete. Make sure the headset is disconnected and then click delete.
• Launch Skype.
• Go back to your Bluetooth control panel and click on new connection.
• On the wizard that appears, you need to select CUSTOM mode.
• Turn your headset on and put it into pairing mode then press next. Your PC will then search for Bluetooth devices in range, if it doesn’t find your headset on the first scan, click refresh to do another search.
• Select your headset from the list of discovered devices and click next.
• On the next screen you may be prompted to select the type of device you wish to connect. You should see two or three options – Audio Sink, Handsfree, Headset. (Audio Sink may only show up if you are using a stereo headset.)
  You need to select Handsfree on this screen and click next.
• You will now be prompted to enter Pin or Passkey, this can be found in your user guide.
• The next screen you see should ask you if you want to use this in cooperation with a VOIP application. You need to make sure that this box is ticked. If its not, you won’t be able to use it with Skype.
• On the final screen you will be given the option to rename your headset and place a shortcut to the connection on the desktop.
• Click finish.
• Now switch over to Skype, you should see a pop up alert by the clock asking you to allow a program to access Skype, you need to allow this add on.
• Once you’ve confirmed it you’ll see a brief confirmation message in the main Skype window.
• Click on this message and make sure that the check box next to "allow this program to access Skype" is ticked.
• In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select "Bluetooth wave" – Click on save.
• Make a test call. There may be a brief delay when it connects initially, but you should then be able to hear and talk through your Bluetooth headset.

BlueSoleil – Skype Compatibility Rating 2/5

BlueSoleil drivers aren’t the best for working with Skype. The latest version of the drivers, 5.0.5, doesn’t support VOIP services such as Skype unless you pay for an upgrade. You can download version 3.2.2.8 from the BlueSoleil web site which does support VOIP at no extra cost, but I found it to be more difficult to use than Toshiba and Broadcom. The following guide is based on Software version 3.2.2.8.

• Pair your Bluetooth Headset to your PC as normal and then launch Skype.
• To begin setting up Skype, click on Start -> All Programs -> IVT BlueSoleil -> BlueSoleil VOIP Plug In.
• After a few seconds you should see a pop up notification by the clock asking to allow access to Skype, you need to allow this add on.
• Once you’ve clicked on it you’ll see a message at top of the Skype window.
• Click on the .exe file name.
• On the pop up screen make sure that the check box next to "allow this program to access Skype" is ticked.
• Connect to headset, (either by pressing call button on headset, or by right clicking on the headset icon in the bluetooth control panel and selecting connect.)
• In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select "Bluetooth SCO" – Click on save.
• In some cases, "Bluetooth SCO" may not work, in which case set these to Bluetooth AV.
• Make a test call. BlueSoleil is a little slow, and you will find that your call initially is played through your PC, but will be transferred to the headset after a few seconds.