Five Best iPhone Bluetooth headsets
88
If you don’t mind looking like a pretentious wanker and annoying the life out of everyone in earshot, a Bluetooth headset is a must-have accessory for your Apple iPhone.
After exhaustive research, hundreds of hours spent people watching and consulting with my local iPhone “specialist,” this is the definitive list of iPhone Bluetooth headsets – the best of the best of the best. There are hundreds of the things available and just sifting through the sales pitches is enough to make you want to vomit. Motorola pitch one of theirs as, “Design perfection - the ultimate in style, comfort and convenience.” Sheesh ! The only thing I can think of that was design perfection is Audrey Hepburn, but they have to say something I suppose.
I have tried all these and I would say that they are noise reducing – not noise eliminating. For the most part, they pick up extraneous sounds and do a better job of eliminating sounds that come from the side rather than above, in front of or underneath them.
Just remember to take it off when you are having lunch at your local wine bar – it doesn’t look anywhere near as cool as you think it does.
Number One – The Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield
According to the manufacturers, this particular headset comes with an “Advanced, military-grade noise-canceling system which continuously adapts to your environment.” So maybe this particular model will be useful in the wine bar, who knows? Especially if the wine bar is in Detroit.
For once, I am not offended by the way a gadget looks and if I was buying a Bluetooth headset, I would probably allow myself to be persuaded to buy this one just because it was originally developed for DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to create a communication headset that would pick up voice in hostile environments. How could you resist? Bring on the explosions and sound of machine-gun-fire. Available in red, black or grey – disappointingly no khaki camouflage available. Maybe next year.
Heavily discounted to about $85 which tells me it was seriously overpriced in the first place. Issues as usual are the proprietary accessories - lose the cable and you are looking at a new headset.
|
Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset (Red)
Price: $79.99
List Price: $149.99 |
Plantronics Discovery 655
Once again heavily discounted to the point where this one is an extremely good buy. Definitely NOT worth $150 which is the RRP, but not you can buy them for about $65 – a good deal, I think. Not as “Cool” looking as the Jawbone and the usual sales pitch that describes it as, “the optimal road-warrior conversation piece!,” exclamation mark included. As if anyone wants to talk about your Bluetooth headset.
Plantronics do a couple of Bluetooth headsets and this is the top of their range. The Voyager 510 is also worth considering and at about $15 cheaper is a good budget headset.
The Discovery is small and almost guaranteed to get lost, but has a variety of charging options.
|
Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaged]
Price: $52.95
List Price: $149.95 |
|
Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology [Retail Packaged]
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $99.95 |
Latte Raspberry Mocha from DSP technology
The name alone is actually enough for me. This one is Bluetooth v.2.0 so has a better than average battery life – the makers claim 7 hours talk time and 170 hours standby, but then they are also claiming crystal clear sound and while it may be better than average, crystal it’s not.
It actually doesn’t sound too bad and the earpiece can be bent to fit your ear shape. As with all these, pretty heavily discounted, so for around $40, you are not going to kill yourself when you lose it.
|
Latte Communications BLT-LTMOCHARED Bluetooth Headset - Noise Reduction (Raspberry Mocha)
Price: $34.00
List Price: $59.00 |
Sony Ericsson HBH-PV705
One thing I like about this is that it sensibly comes with a strap, so you can look slightly less un-cool by hanging it around your neck when not using it.
Considering the light weight, it has a good sound quality. Not as heavily discounted as the others, but it wasn’t stupidly overpriced in the first place. Good battery life and the reputation of Sony Ericsson behind it. Available for around $43 – another good buy.
Solid, less likely to get lost. Worth the money.
|
Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-PV705, Silver
Price: $49.95
|
Limitations
All of these headsets are limited by the fact that they just do not work as well as a wired headset and have limited battery life. Also, considering they are supposed to be wireless, you need a surprising amount of cables to charge them. The latest one from Apple requires ridiculous trouble to charge through either the iPhone or a dock. These are as good as it gets just yet and to my mind, these are all disposable. They are flimsy, will get lost easily and present a real challenge as to what to do with them when you are not on the phone. The whole point of the iPhone is supposed to be the fact that it’s all in one, and carrying a bag full of bits and pieces around makes no sense.
|
|
Apple Iphone BRAND NEW 16GB UNLOCKED ANY GSM!! 1.1.4
Current Bid: $660.00
|
|
|
*BRAND NEW* - Apple iPhone 8GB 1.1.4 Unlocked ANY GSM
Current Bid: $485.00
|
|
|
UNLOCKED Apple iPhone 8GB JAILBROKEN any GSM SIM 1.1.4
Current Bid: $355.00
|
|
|
UNLOCKED Apple iPhone 8GB JAILBROKEN any GSM SIM 1.1.4
Current Bid: $350.00
|
|
|
Apple iPod touch 16 GB with Software Upgrade
Price: $345.00
List Price: $399.99 |
|
Apple Iphone Screen LCD Protector Film Guard Sold By Topdeals888
Price: $0.01
List Price: $19.99 |
|
iPhone: The Missing Manual
Price: $16.49
List Price: $24.99 |
|
Apple iPhone Soft Polycarbonate Slim fit Case -5 Color Options (Cozip Brand) Made in Korea (Black)
Price: $10.99
List Price: $39.99 |
More iPhone Accessories
- Five Best iPhone Cases
The best iPhone Cases - Five Best iPhone Earphones
The best iPhone Earphones
Share it! — Rate it: up down [flag this hub]
Comments
LOL - I agree. What makes me laugh is when they wear them while they are at the grocery store or in a restaurant.
Very true! :) I've often done double-takes when I walked past someone using one of these because I thought they were talking to theirself. LOL! And yet...here I am, shopping around for the best one so I can buy myself and my husband one. :)
LOL - They are useful, but they also look a little silly. Oh well - you can't have everything:)
lol, in the UK we call them Tommy tankers!;)
Yeah, I figured my American readers might not get that word :)
i can not see me buying one tomorrow.
Thank you.
Thanks for the referral
LOL - Me either. My pleasure. :)
Some of the designs are spectacular. I love the looks of some of them.
Thanks Rudra - You changed your picture. Is this you?
Thanks Mark and my profile, let me know what you think.
Will do.
I agree people look and sound strange with these on.
...but if they want to buy them then good luck to you.
(Not to them!)
GerryM
LOL _ yes they do. My main issue with them is that they are just about disposable. None of the cables work with anything else - they are very flimsy and easily lost. But they are useful if you are driving or can't be bothered to hold a phone to your ear :)
I've also done double takes thinking people were talking to themselves...But they do come in useful at times. I work PT as a Toll Collector (not right now though because I'm out on maternity) and of course you have certain people that always seem to call you when you're working (like your mom and other family and friends) and act like they forgot, even though you have the same schedule every week. Anyway, it makes it a little easier to not have to fumble with answering or holding a phone when trying to count change or give directions. Or as mentioned....driving. Other than that, I still think Bluetooths are overpriced.
The best Bluetooth headset is one that's been stomped into the ground and lit on fire.
You don't like them then ?
I think lighting it on fire is overkill, just stomping it into the ground should do the trick.
hehe. I am pretty sure they will all get lost or broken without outside assistance.
Hi Mark!!
GREAT Hub!!
I could hardly wait to get my BlueTooth and then was so disappointed I took it back!!
I screen my calls so there is no way to know who is on the other end accept to look at the screen!! By that time, the BlueTooth is useless!!
Thanks for the GREAT info however!! You're the BEST!!
Blessings, Earth Angel!!
My pleasure - Thanks for the compliments.
Makes me think of going shopping today.. Thanks for the info
Hmmm I don't even have a bluetooth phone, but yes they would be useful when driving as it's now 3 points on your licence in the UK plus a fine.
If I did ever get one though, I would try to conceal it under my hair, and definitely not wear shades, or I might end up looking like the guy in your photo at the top.
LOL - too true. I hope he doesn't sue. :)
Mark, your research is very thorough. I wonder how you keep track of so many products..
Good post..
Mark, people do a doubletake when they see me walking down the street or driving in the car because I AM talking to myself. I wasn't aware that was a problem. ;)
I guess I don't need a Bluetooth anytime soon, eh?
Very nice hub. I have not personally tried a bluetooth headset because, to be honest, I do not care to talk on the phone. I do, however, think they look cool.
Hi Mark,
Please tell me, how you multi task with your work and being a king in HUBPAGES, your comment is greatly appreciated.
Best introductory paragraph ever ;-)
I can see why headsets can be useful, but there's not much more annoying than being surrounded by a crowd of people seemingly talking in to thin air. Are they talking to you? Should you respond?
Gah!
LOL Thanks. They are annoying.
Where most of these seem to come up short is the fact that the iPhone is a great iPod, and the stereo sound is a great part of the iPhone experience. I'd love to see a stereo version, but candidly most folks are using Bluetooth just for the phone, which is almost secondary to me.
really sir i like them i was thinking of buying them
this hub help me alot thanku sir such a nice hub


















Stacie Naczelnik says:
6 months ago
I'm sure they are convenient for people to use, but I'm so annoyed with my co-workers who use them...you neve know when they are talking to you, themselves, or someone on their stupid little Bluetooth thing. Plus, they look like some futuristic warrior fighing on Mars with that thing sticking out of their head.