Bluetooth headsets

What's behind our bluetooth headset Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 25 models in bluetooth headsets to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based mainly on voice quality, ease of use, and talk time, with headphone performance also considered for stereo models.
Sound quality -- listening
Listening mainly reflects voice quality
Sound quality -- talking
talking, reflects what the other person hears. Tests were conducted in noisy and quiet environments. Loudness is also considered.
Sound quality -- headphones
Headphones score (for stereo models) is based mainly on judgments of music from a listening panel and frequency-response tests.
Ease of use
Ease of use mainly reflects daily use, wearing comfort, instruction manual clarity, and pairing ease.
Talk time
Talk time, rounded to the nearest quarter-hour, is how long a headset can handle calls on a fully charged battery.
Dimensions HxWxL
Dimensions (HxWxL) of headset are when unfolded, with the ear hook, to the nearest 10th of an inch.
Weight
Weight with battery to the nearest 10th of an ounce.

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Recommended bluetooth headsets

Recommended bluetooth headsets are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headset buying guide

To find the bluetooth headset that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Buying guide video

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy bluetooth headsets in a safe-shopping environment.

Learn more about our Price & Shop program

Using a Bluetooth headset is much more convenient than being tethered to a wired headset or fumbling for the phone when it rings. Paired with a cell phone that's Bluetooth compatible, as virtually all new models are, the headset allows you to make or receive calls without touching your phone. If you're looking for information about Bluetooth headsets, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ Bluetooth headset reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our Bluetooth headset buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and Bluetooth headset reviews to help you choose the best Bluetooth headset for your needs.

Ratings & recommended bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headsets (25)

Recommended models are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices among models, weigh performance, features, price, and attributes that matter to you, such as color, size, or style.

Bluetooth headset buying guide

Bluetooth, the technology that allows cell phones to be used with wireless headsets, continues to appear on more phones. Using a Bluetooth headset is much more convenient than being tethered to a wired headset or fumbling for the phone when it rings. Paired with a cell phone that's Bluetooth compatible, as virtually all new models are, the headset allows you to make or receive calls without touching your phone. The phone can be up to 30 feet away.

Getting started | How to choose