A headset can be the perfect supplement to your home office, but finding the one that best suits your needs isn’t always easy. The countless brands and models you can find online are often difficult to sift through.
But as luck would have it, we at Headsets.com know a thing or two about what makes a good remote work headset. As you look for the best devices for your work from home setup, we’ll be here to help you consider all the right criteria.
Potential headsets for the home office
When you approach the headset buying process with those criteria at the front of your mind, finding the best headset for working from home will seem far less daunting. But we want to eliminate as much hassle as possible.
We’ve put together a list of five different models you can find on Headsets.com. They have a wide range of configurations, abilities, and prices. Check out the evaluations below each product to see how they stack up against other models and the headset you need:
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Configuration: single-ear, over-the-head, wireless
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Key functionality: noise cancellation in microphone, UniBase merging technology, remote answering
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Compatibility: universal
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Quality assurance: 5-year full replacement warranty
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Configuration: dual-ear, over-the-head, corded
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Key functionality: noise cancellation in microphone
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Compatibility: desk phone
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Quality assurance: 2-year full replacement warranty
Leitner® LH275 Wireless Headset
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Configuration: dual-ear, over-the-head, wireless
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Key functionality: noise cancellation in microphone, UniBase merging technology, remote answering
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Compatibility: desk phone, computer
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Quality assurance: 5-year full replacement warranty
Leitner® LH570 Wireless Headset
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Configuration: single-ear, over-the-head, wireless
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Key functionality: integrated FocusLight activity indicator, automatic pairing, ultra noise-cancellation in microphone, UniBase merging technology, remote answering
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Compatibility: desk phone, computer
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USB-C charging port in the headset itself for easy charging outside of base
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Quality assurance: 5-year full replacement warranty
Sennheiser OfficeRunner® Wireless Headset Essential Bundle
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Configuration: single-ear, convertible, wireless
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Key functionality: noise cancellation in microphone, call merging, remote answering, convertibility
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Compatibility: desk phone, computer
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Quality assurance: 3-year full replacement warranty
Jabra Evolve2 40 UC Dual-Ear USB Headset
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Configuration: dual-ear, over-the-head, corded
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Key functionality: noise cancellation in microphone, remote answering, USB connectivity
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Compatibility: computer, select phones
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Quality assurance: 2-year full replacement warranty
Here's what to look for in a work-from-home headset
If you want to do your own headset research, understanding the ins and outs of any given headset isn’t always easy. There’s usually plenty of information there, but making sense of it can be a tall order. Product descriptions get too specific, reviews are too vague, and you might be left just as confused as you were when you first clicked on the product.
Luckily, there is a much simpler way to evaluate the devices you’re looking at. If you approach your search with some clear goals and considerations in mind, you’re sure to know exactly which headset for working from home is right for you. Just refer to this handy list we put together:
Configuration:
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Single- or Dual-ear: This one is fairly self-explanatory. It’s referring to whether your work-at-home headset goes on one or both of your ears. You may also see them referred to as "monaural" and "binaural", respectively.
Many remote workers prefer the latter configuration. Since you’re not doing much in-person communication with your team, the full sound immersion of a dual-ear headset might be preferable. But if you need to have conversations with family or roommates while taking calls, it may be a good idea to keep an ear open. In that case, single-ear models would be more suitable to your needs.
When choosing the best headset for working from home, consider how many of your daily conversations are in person vs. over the desk phone or even softphone.
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On-the-ear or Over-the-head: On-the-ear headsets are comparable to everyday earbuds in terms of look and feel. They go just inside the ear canal, creating a seal that over-the-head models do not have. The seal typically leads to a cleaner, crisper sound. Because of the way these headsets sit, they have the potential to feel uncomfortable after prolonged all-day wear.
If you’re already an earbuds-in-all-day type of person, and you’re hoping to block some household commotion out, an on-the-ear headset might be a good fit. However, if you’d feel more comfortable with some cushioned earpieces, go for an over-the-head model. It's your home office setup, so set it up the way you want!
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Wired or Wireless: There is a distinct advantage to each of these options. Corded headsets are wonderful options for those of us who struggle to remember to charge our devices. The cable that connects the headset to your phone or computer provides power and ensures that your device won’t die on you mid-call.
A wireless headset is great because of the freedom it allows. Without a cable, you can go get that third cup o’ joe without missing a call. To find the best headset for the home office, ask yourself if you’re more concerned about an uncharged headset or lack of mobility.
Functionality:
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Noise cancellation in microphone: One complication that comes with working from home is the noise that your housemates - human or animal - make throughout the day. If loud people or pets are a concern, look for a headset that will reduce background noise for the person on the other end of the call. A headset listing will usually specify this capability in the description of the microphone.
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Call merging: If you want to use your headset with multiple devices, call merging is important. Let’s say you started a call on your laptop, but someone else gives you a ring on your desk phone. You want to add that desk phone caller to the existing call. Rather than hanging up and coordinating a new call, you could use call merging technologies to seamlessly add that incoming call to the existing one.
Depending on the headset you’re looking at, this capability will be denoted in different ways. A Jabra headset will have “multipoint” technology, and a Leitner one employs UniBase. No matter what it’s called, it’s worth considering if you’d like to streamline your conference calls.
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Remote Answering: Answer your calls on the go with remote answering. This feature means that you don’t need to be at your workstation in order to answer and end calls. It’s great for the worker who’s trying to get his or her steps in. Remote answering can be achieved via lifter or electronic hookswitch (or EHS), and it’ll only work if your work-from-home headset is wireless. Think about how important mobility is to you throughout the workday when deciding if this feature is a must-have.
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USB Connectivity: Let’s say you use your personal laptop for remote work, and you want your headset to connect easily. Figuring out 3.5mm jacks or wireless pairing sounds pretty confusing. You consider looking for a USB headset that can connect to your computer via one of its USB ports. It’s easy, it’s familiar, and you’ll have the satisfaction of feeling like your own IT technician.
Compatibility:
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Devices: There are three types of devices with which you can use your work-at-home headset: desk phones, computers, and mobile devices, such as cell phones or tablets. Some headsets only work with one of those device types, and some work with all three.
Some headsets, especially corded ones, are technically compatible with multiple types of devices, but changing which device you’re connected to can be a process. However, many corded headsets, such as Leitner's wired headset line, can have the connection swapped out by changing the Quick Disconnect (QD) cord. Know which devices you want to work with and, if there are multiple, be sure to assess the ease of switching from one device to another.
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Hardware: A lot of the headsets you find nowadays have near-universal compatibility with telephones, which means you’re probably in good shape when it comes to connecting your desk phone to your headset. However, always check compatibility specifications to be doubly sure your devices will connect.
Headsets tend to have far better compatibility with corded phones than with cordless ones. Generally, if your corded phone has a right-side dial pad and a left-side handset receiver, your headset should connect a-ok.
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Software: Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams have become integral to many home workers’ days. Check to see if the headset you’re looking at is compatible with the apps you use for working at home. Some devices are officially certified by certain apps. Others aren’t but function with them just as well.
Not all headsets work well with softphones; some won’t recognize when you’re starting and ending calls within an app rather than on a physical device (like a desk phone). Be sure to pick a work-from-home headset that allows for full functionality with your work apps. Yet again, whether wireless or corded, a USB headset will often work best.
Quality Assurance:
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Evaluating quality: The price of your home office headset is certainly an important factor; everyone’s got a budget, and everyone likes to save money when they can. But make sure that the headset you’re getting doesn’t save you money for the wrong reasons.
While a $75 headset might appear to have the same basic functionality as a $300 one, there very well might be a catch. A less expensive headset often means a far shorter lifespan. You might invest $75 upfront, but if your headset only lasts a year, the initial money saved depletes every time you purchase a replacement.
One way to evaluate a headset’s longevity is to investigate its warranty. It’s generally pretty telling of the expected lifespan. A headset you find for $75 seems appealing on the surface, but if it’s backed by a 30-day warranty, approach with caution. Companies promise warranties that correlate with their confidence in the product. Do a little digging to figure out if the price you’re paying comes with compromises.
You’ll love your headset. We promise.
We’ve given you some concrete considerations to keep in mind when you’re on the hunt for a headset for your home office, but it’s still hard to know what’s best if you haven’t given it a try for yourself. Here at Headsets.com, every headset you buy comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
If your headset falls short of your expectations, let us know! We’ll work with you to find a headset that you love, or we’ll help set you up with a return and refund. We don’t take our Customer satisfaction lightly. It’s our mission to provide you with the perfect device and outstanding service.
We're here when you need us
If you want to talk about assessing your needs, finding the best work-from-home headset, or evaluating different models, our Headset Advisors are more than happy to talk. Just call 1-800-HEADSETS (432-3738) or email info@headsets.com.
