Bluetooth headsets

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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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Bluetooth headsets Ratings

Find out which Bluetooth headsets scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest bluetooth headset ratings

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.

Major brands include Jabra, Motorola, Nokia, Plantronics, and Sony Ericsson. You can buy a Bluetooth headset for as little as $30, but be prepared to pay more if you want a very small, inconspicuous model that fits into your ear. Prices for those petite performers are $100 or even more, about as much as you might pay for the phone.

More headsets are now stereo models designed for use with the rising number of cell phones that have built-in music players and Bluetooth stereo compatibility. Such headsets typically cost upward of $50--and many are $100 or more--more than you'll usually pay for a mono headset, which handles only phone calls. Stereo headsets have an earpiece for each ear. The earpieces are usually wired to each other or, with smaller models, to a small transmission unit that hangs around your neck or goes in a pocket. Music quality was generally adequate in our tests, but don't expect a Bluetooth headset to sound as good as the best wired ear buds for an MP3 player. Many are heavier than mono headsets.

Getting started | How to choose