Best Headsets for Calls and Video Chats
Check out a review of three devices that help you do business on the go.
Courtesy Companies
Left to right: Sennheiser VMX 200-II, Plantronics Voyager Legend UC, Jabra Supreme UC.
These days, more people are conducting business calls on a variety of mobile devices. We tested three headsets that let you make calls or hold video chats on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. (All the units are black and silver; we added the color.) Here's how they stacked up.
Jabra Supreme UC *
This 0.64-ounce, thumb-size headset, which features a 2-inch-long boom mike, can be paired with up to eight Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It also comes with a USB key for use with a desktop computer or older laptop. You can sync it with two devices simultaneously; you just press a button to switch between them. During our test, the headset slipped on easily and fit comfortably. A noise-canceling feature removed background interference during Skype and iPhone calls, though we heard some voice distortion. A fully charged battery is good for six hours of talk time. Cost: $149
Sennheiser VMX 200-II **
This discreet 0.35-ounce headset, which measures just 1 inch long, lasts for an impressive 10 hours on a full charge. During our test, call quality was excellent, beating out the other two headsets here. The headset can be paired with two Bluetooth devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Unlike the other models we tested, it cannot be paired with desktop or laptop computers that don't have Bluetooth capability. Cost: $150
Plantronics Voyager Legend UC ***
Our top pick, the 0.63-ounce Legend can be paired with up to eight devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, via Bluetooth or a USB adapter. You can use the Legend with two devices at the same time by pressing a button to switch between them. The thumb-size headset, which features a 2-inch-long boom mike, stayed firmly in place. Call quality was excellent on an iPhone and Skype. Another plus: The Legend comes with a case that can double its battery life to 14 hours. Cost: $200
