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- Best Bluetooth Headset For Mac
- Best Bluetooth Headset For Mac
- Best Bluetooth Headset For Dragon Dictate For Mac
- Best Bluetooth Headset For Mac
The Rundown
The Jabra Supreme UC communicates with your Mac via a USB dongle that plugs into the computer and broadcasts a Bluetooth signal to the wireless headset. If you’re looking for true immersion, you’re going to need the best gaming headset. Read on to find the best PC gaming headsets of 2018. Like 7.1 surround and Bluetooth connectivity, you.
- Best Overall:Plantronics Voyager 5200 at Amazon
“Ups the ante with four microphones to offer unparalleled call quality.” - Best Value, Best Warranty: Plantronics Voyager Legend at Amazon
“This headset is reasonably priced and features smart-sensor technology.” - Best for Comfort:Plantronics Voyager Focus UC at Amazon
“Ideal for extended wearing with soft, padded over-ear earpieces.” - Best Budget: Mpow Pro Trucker at Amazon
“It enables crystal-clear calling even in noisy environments.” - Runner-Up, Overall: Sennheiser Presence-UC at Amazon
“Speak Focus technology eliminates most background noise.” - Runner-Up, Best for Comfort: Samsung Level U Pro at Amazon
“Far more comfortable than the always-in-your-ear standard.” - Best Design:LG Tone Free Headset at Amazon
“You can get really powerful music playback too.” - Best Hands-Free:BlueParrott B550-XT at Walmart
'A 100-percent voice-controlled headset with quick access to your phone’s voice assistant.' - Best Multipurpose: Huawei TalkBand B5 at NewEgg
“Shifting from watch to Bluetooth earpiece only takes a single push of a button.” - Best Compact:Jabra Stealth Bluetooth at Amazon
“The sound is surprisingly clear given the size.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Plantronics Voyager 5200
4
With most Bluetooth headsets, you’ll get two or three microphones, but the 5200 ups the ante with four microphones to offer unparalleled call quality. Its noise cancelation paired with Plantronics’ proprietary WindSmart technology mute distracting background sounds. And it also has smart-sensor technology and voice recognition that automatically answers (or ignores) calls. It pairs to multiple devices via NFC or Bluetooth and you can dictate text messages, though it won’t read incoming texts to you.
It features the familiar over-the-ear design of previous Voyager models, but the 5200 has a slightly shorter ear hook, so prepare for it to fit a bit differently than the Legend, if that’s what you’re used to. (Note that like headphones, Bluetooth headsets are one technology you’ll likely want to try on before buying as the devices fit every individual differently.) Plantronics claims up to seven hours of talk time, though when put to the test, the 5200 delivers closer to six — which is still a respectable spec.
If you have an existing Voyager model, it’s probably not worth the price to upgrade, but if you’re new to the market and looking for a Bluetooth headset with remarkably clear call quality, the 5200 is a winner.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best Plantronics headphones.
Best Value, Best Warranty: Plantronics Voyager Legend
3.3
Plantronics Voyager Legend headset design, although on the bulky side, slips comfortably over the ear. Most of the controls are located behind the ear, and the unit is built in such a way that it doesn’t interfere with the wearing of glasses as some other models do. Controls include a volume rocker switch, power on/off button, and call button.
This headset is reasonably priced and features smart-sensor technology, which can answer calls automatically when you place the headset on your ear or automatically output audio via your phone when you put the headset down. The Legend also features voice recognition. For example, just say ‘Answer’ or ‘Ignore’ when a call comes in, and the Legend will be your personal assistant.
The crystal-clear sound is aided by noise-cancelling technology. The patented triple-mic reduction of background noise and wind works up to 80 decibels. The battery lasts for up to seven hours of talk time, which is considerable; in addition, the full recharge time is a just 1.5 hours. Best music recording apps for mac. And there’s no need to worry about the headset getting wet, as its P2i nano-coated for advanced water resistance (and even sweat-resistant).
Plantronics offers superior product support: The headset includes a one-year warranty, and the support page offers extensive resources for solving any issue.
Take a peek at some of the other best headphones under $100 you can buy.
Best for Comfort: Plantronics Voyager Focus UC
4.5
The Platronics Voyager Focus looks noticeably different than the other headsets on this list. In fact, it looks more like traditional headphones. But this pair is built with comfort in mind. Ideal for office use and extended wearing, the Voyager Focus has soft, padded over-ear earpieces that won’t drive you mad to get them to sit comfortably. It also has a thin boom mic that extends out, and can be swiveled away when not in use. If you need to drown out noisy office chatter, you can activate the noise-canceling feature, which works a bit better than others on this list considering the over-ear form factor.
When you're not using the headset, you can place the headset on its standing charge dock or juice it up via USB. It works seamlessly across Bluetooth-enabled devices and smart sensors answer calls automatically when you put on the headset. Likewise, you can mute by taking off the headset. On the downside, this is a Bluetooth-only set and some may miss the wired option, but it will certainly provide unrivaled comfort.
Best Budget: Mpow Pro Trucker Bluetooth Headset
4.2
This Mpow Bluetooth headset does one thing and it does it right: calling. While it doesn’t support listening to music, it enables crystal-clear calling even in noisy environments. Its 4X noise-canceling microphone blocks out background noise and it’s also adjustable, so it will pick up your voice accurately. It pairs easily with up to two Bluetooth devices at once and callers can roam up to 30 feet before the connection starts to fizzle. The battery guarantees 12 hours of talk time or 200 hours of standby, plus it charges up via MicroUSB in just two hours.
The design is fairly old-school, but comfortable nevertheless, and a great option for those who don’t want an in-ear design.
Runner-Up, Overall: Sennheiser Presence-UC
The Presence-UC features superior sound thanks to their proprietary HD Voice Clarity Technology. This high-definition audio technology makes the call as clear as possible, not only on the wearer’s side but on both sides of the connection.
The Presence has three microphones, rather than the usual two. The triple mics help to eliminate background noise. Sennheiser goes further than most Bluetooth headset manufacturers with Sennheiser Speak Focus technology, which eliminates most background noise, and WindSafe, which acts to eliminate wind sounds from a call. On top of all this, the ActiveGard feature will detect and eliminate sounds and noises that may be dangerous to the ear due to their high decibels or pitch.
This Sennheiser headset also features a high-quality detachable ear hook for extra convenience. Its battery generally lasts for eight to ten hours – the longest on our list – thanks to its support for Bluetooth 4.0 LE. If superior audio technology and sparkling sound is what attracts you to a Bluetooth headset, the Sennheiser Presence-UC is the top-quality choice.
Runner-Up, Best for Comfort: Samsung Level U Pro
Samsung’s Level U Pro might not look like your traditional Bluetooth headset, but that’s exactly the point. The addition of flexible urethane joints and a lightweight, ergonomic design make it fit comfortably around your neck. When a call comes in, the 6.4-ounce headset vibrates alerting you to the incoming call and allows you to place the headset in your ears and answer. Sure, it’s an unusual style, but far more comfortable than the always-in-your-ear standard Bluetooth look that has existed for years.
The Level U Pro connects to any Bluetooth-compatible smartphone or tablet and pulls double duty as a musical headset as well. A set of buttons on the right side of the neckband allows for pausing and playing music, answering and ending calls, skipping tracks and lowering the volume.
The 13mm dynamic and 13mm Piezo speakers deliver high-quality and clear sound, as well as microphone noise reduction and echo cancellation. The U Pro is rated for nine hours of music playback and nine hours of talk time at moderate volume levels, which is fairly average at this price point.
Best Design: LG Tone Free Headset
LG took a crack at the “true wireless” earbud concept with the LG Tone Free headphones, and for the most part, they’ve done a really nice job. The LG Tone line features a few different versions of the “around your neck” headphone bar that contains buds meant for running, but only the Tone Free set actually removes the wire altogether. The two buds are worn independently of the band, and you pop them right back into the band for both safe storage and as a dock for charging them. These headphones support all four Bluetooth connectivity formats: Advanced Audio Distribution, Audio/Video Remote, Handsfree, and Headset. So, not only can you make and receive calls seamlessly on these buds, but you can get really powerful music playback, too. That playback is powered by LG’s impressive Advanced Armature Speakers, which offer mind-blowing sound quality for buds that only weigh 0.2 ounces each. LG has rounded out the package with text read-back features and the ability to auto-reconnect just in case your Bluetooth drops. But features aside, the design alone on these is probably enough to sell you on making them your main Bluetooth accessory.
Best Hands-Free: BlueParrott B550-XT
BlueParrott headsets are a popular pick for truck drivers or other jobs that involve long travel, loud environments, and working with your hands. That also makes the B550-XT a great choice for anyone who could benefit from its useful features and performance. It bills itself as the world’s first 100-percent voice-controlled headset, and it does have a decent range of commands and quick access to your phone’s voice assistant.
More impressive, though, is the B550-XT’s sound quality. Its mic provides excellent audio clarity even with noisy surroundings, and it boasts 96-percent background noise cancellation. The large, cushioned earpad helps block out noise too, as adds some much-needed comfort to a device that you're probably wearing all day. The B550-XT’s battery is also listed with a talk time of 24 hours.
Best Multipurpose: Huawei TalkBand B5
It’s a wristwatch, it’s a Bluetooth earpiece, it’s both. Combining the best of two worlds, the Huawei TalkBand B5 is a truly versatile piece of equipment. Shifting from wristwatch to Bluetooth earpiece only takes a single push of a button. Once on your ear, a triple-core audio chipset enables clear calls in HD audio while dual-mic noise canceling helps reduce any unwanted background noise. Featuring a Bluetooth range of 30 feet, the TalkBand fits well within the average range of today’s wireless earpieces.
Fortunately, Bluetooth calls aren’t the only highlight of the wristwatch. Doubling as a fitness band, the B5 adds a slew of features that help keep it on your wrist daily. The usual fitness tracker specs like recording steps, calories, and distance are all included. But the Talkband B5 takes it one step further by helping to build a running plan and suggesting recovery steps after a workout. Capable of tracking running, treadmill running, walking and riding, it also provides the opportunity to monitor sleep stages. Huawei TruRelax keeps an eye on heart rate trends for stress level management.
Best Compact: Jabra Stealth Bluetooth
The Jabra Stealth is lightweight (2.7 ounces), measures 4.3” x 2” x 7.2” and has a catchy red in-ear piece and corrugated silver casing design. This model is well-balanced and does not fall from the ear easily, staying in place for prolonged amounts of time to provide maximum comfort. The sound is surprisingly clear given the size, and the Noise Blackout dual-microphone technology allows for considerable reduction of background noise. A2DP is supported for music streaming. You can pair two devices to the headset concurrently, and there’s even support for NFC pairing.
If you’re always losing your Bluetooth headset, Jabra has you covered, with the Jabra Assist App. This mobile app allows you to find your Jabra Stealth using GPS. And unlike other models from Jabra, the Stealth has a physical mute button. While this model might not be the loudest in terms of overall sound, the battery has a reasonably long life (lasting for four to five hours).
Tested by
How We Tested
Best Bluetooth Headset For Mac
We bought four top-rated bluetooth headsets that our reviewers tested for 130 hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these headsets, from their sound quality to their design. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a Bluetooth Headset
Call quality -Call quality is one of the most important features of a Bluetooth headset because it’s likely the main reason you have one in the first place. In addition to high-quality speakers, look for a headset with multiple microphones — most have one or two, but a fancy headset will score you up to four.
Noise-canceling -To help deliver the best call quality, spring for a headset with advanced noise-canceling technology. In some sets, an additional microphone is even included to pick up background noise and block it out.
Design -Clear call quality is great, but if your Bluetooth headset is uncomfortable, you will spend more time fiddling with it than focusing on your call. There are a wide variety of designs available, ranging from a single over-ear piece to an around-the-neck style. Don’t overthink it — pick the one that feels most natural to you.
Test Results: Plantronics Voyager 5200 (Best Overall)
4
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Great call clarity
- Extensive battery life
Our testers liked this Bluetooth headset for its “top-notch” call quality and vocal clarity, as well as its effective noise cancellation. One of our reviewers also praised the “intuitive controls — from interesting call sensors to an adaptive mute button.” In terms of downsides, one of our reviewers found it bulky and couldn’t get it to sit well in his ears. One of our testers commented, “These aren't designed as headphones, and as such, they tend not to do great with bassy music.” Bottom line: “You’ll get a lot of premium features including solid call quality and good controls,” remarked one of our reviewers.
Test Results: Plantronics Voyager Legend (Best Value, Best Warranty)
3.3
What We Like
- Very clear sound
- Responds to voice commands
- Comes with a magnetic charger
What We Don’t Like
- Not comfortable
- Bad bass response
“With an impressive mic array system and solid noise reduction, your voice will be crystal clear with this headset,” revealed one of our testers. One of our reviewers was also pleasantly surprised at how much he liked the look of it: “The design—even though I wouldn't personally walk around with this in my ear outside of the house—was sleek.” However, one of our testers tried all the included earbuds but couldn’t find one with the ideal fit, so be aware that you may have to try this headset on before fully committing. The fit can also affect the bass response, cautioned one of our reviewers. However, based on the call quality and “some premium control features,” one of our testers felt the overall value outweighed the cons.
Test Results: Plantronics Voyager Focus UC (Best for Comfort)
4.5
What We Like
- Good sound qualityHow can the answer be improved? Notational Velocity is a simple note taking app for Mac that was created around taking super fast notes without ever having to take your hands off the keyboard. With shortcuts and ways to easily start new notes and link to others, it's one of the quickest options around, once you learn the shortcuts. Best sticky note app for mac.
- Easily connects to your device
- Comfortable
What We Don’t Like
- Charging station is bulky
- Battery life could be better
Comfort, ease of use, and high-quality sound were some of the things our testers loved about this headset. One of our reviewers said, “Memory foam padding in both the ear cups and the headband make for a really easy-to-wear construction.” Other highlights? “With an intuitive, adaptive mute button, automatic call sensors, and a twistable volume control, this headset leaves a lot of guesswork out of it,” noted one of our testers. There weren’t a lot of negatives, but one of our reviewers wished for a longer battery life: “Adding just a few more hours would have gone a long way toward making this headset truly worth the price,” he said. Overall? “If you are looking for a premium-priced headset, the Voyager Focus will definitely not disappoint,” one of our testers declared.
Test Results: Mpow Pro Truck Driver Bluetooth Headset (Best Budget)
4.2
What We Like
- Great price
- Good call clarity
- Impressive battery life
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly uncomfortable
- Not portable
“On price alone, these are a no-brainer,” raved one of our testers. Our reviewers were particularly impressed with the call clarity at this price point, as well as the battery life and features. One of our testers did note it was “difficult to wear these for long talking sessions,” however, because the set wasn’t very comfortable. Though one reviewer wished it were possible to fold the headset (to make it more portable), she would still recommend this model if you’re looking for a basic Bluetooth headset that does what it promises.
Shopping And Buying Tips For Webcam Headsets
There are many different kinds of Mac compatible mic headsets in the marketplace with various functions and widely differing levels of quality. Picking which headset to buy for your Apple voice and webcam video conferencing setup depends upon how long, where and when you'll make use of the headset during any given voice or video chat session.Headsets can utilized to conduct and manage Skype and FaceTime calls from your Mac, as well as enjoy streaming computer audio, iTunes music playback and for Apple dictation. A headset can be either wired or wireless and can vary greatly in size and shape. They may be lightweight (such as ear buds or single on-ear Bluetooth headsets) to larger over or behind the head headset designs. Most gamers and music lovers will prefer a stereo headset, but single-sided mono headsets for business use may be more practical and preferred in an office setting.
Recommended Mac USB Headsets
For simple plug-n-play convenience and full-fidelity sound reproduction, these Apple compatible USB headsets with microphone are ideal for use at your Macintosh desktop setup. Some feature long cords, often around 8-10 feet long to let you kick-back in your office chair or roam a bit even though you're still tethered to your computer.Creative Quality Headset | Dictation Headset w/Mic |
---|---|
Creative Labs Headset Adjustable Mic 30mm Drivers | Plantronics USB Stereo On-Ear Controls 40mm Drivers |
Best-Selling Headset | Great-Sounding Headset |
---|---|
Logitech Quality On-Ear Mute + Vol | USB Koss Headset Excellent Bass Response |
USB-C Headsets For Mac
A new generation of USB-C mic headset connectivity is needed for new iMac, Mac mini or MacBook models with Type-C Thunderbolt 3 ports (which are USB 3.1 compatible.) There are a few native USB-C headsets with mic reaching the market worth review. You can optionally use a rectangular USB-A to USB-C adapter to use conventional USB headsets with if needed.Native Type-C Interface
How Will You Use The Headset?
When considering which Apple compatible headset to purchase, first ascertain exactly what you primarily intend to utilize it for. Think about whether you'll be using your headset for pleasure or business, for gaming, for music playback, for Mac webcam conferencing, or for OSX speech recognition and Apple dictation. Headsets can be USB, USB-C, wired, wireless with a 2.4GHz RF transmitter, or via a Bluetooth connection to your Mac.Best Bluetooth Headset For Mac
Wireless Headsets For Webcam Chat On A Mac
RF Wireless | Combo Wireless |
---|---|
Plantronics Headset USB RF Transciever | Logitech Premium Headset RF AND Bluetooth |
Wireless headsets obviously provide the advantages of more mobility which Apple users increasingly prefer. RF models have higher-fidelity audio and a more reliable operating range up to 50 feet, while Bluetooth typically craps-out within 30 feet or less. Bluetooth headsets also compress the audio signal and make some tradeoffs in speech and music quality. That makes them 'okay' for casual video and voice chat, but less than optimal for speech recognition and Apple dictation where precise interpretation of the audio signal is required. Both types of wireless headsets incorporate rechargeable batteries that may recharged via USB or a dedicated AC power supply. One advantage of Bluetooth headsets is that they don't require a USB port and can be switched between multiple gadgets when needed, for example an iPhone, Mac laptop or desktop, a home stereo, or a video gaming console after being paired with each gadget.
If you intend to use your headset primarily for webcam video chat or Skype on a Mac, a hard-wired USB headset is typically the most reliable and highest fidelity headset to buy. After all, you're not likely to be wandering far from the external webcam or built-in Apple iSight's view. If you have the urge to roam, wireless is a better choice.
Headsets For Apple Dictation and Speech Recognition
Because accurate capture from a headset's built-in microphone is critical for speech recognition accuracy, a wired headset (either Analog or USB) or RF wireless headset is generally preferred over Bluetooth. There are some exceptions as some of the latest generation of Ultra-Wideband Bluetooth 4.0 headsets don't rely on heavy audio compression as in the past and perform better for Mac dictation and speech recognition.Headset Comfort And Convenience During Use
Comfort and wearability is also a consideration to take into account when buying a headset for Mac and iGadget use. Comfortable, pivoting ear pads and padding on the headband can make long sessions alot more enjoyable. Many quasi-portable headsets have folding headbands and ear-cups that pivot so they can lay flat when not in use: They're more convenient and less space-hogging for travel or storage. Wired or Bluetooth earbud headsets with Apple compatible microphone integrated into the cord are most portable of all.Headsets For Mac Music And Gaming Too
If you're leaning in your purchase a headset to primarily improve Apple iTunes music experience or for gaming needs, think about headsets that explicitly brag about deep bass and full-range 20Hz-20KHz response. These types of headsets have the tendency to feature big 40mm, 50mm or larger internal sound drivers for rich bass and hi-fi audio, and well-padded ear cups for enduring comfort and fully-immersive sound. Because gamers typically put on these headsets for long gaming sessions, these are typically wired to connect to a computer or console. RF-Wireless gaming headsets are also a popular choice. With the former, players don't need to futz batteries or deal with periodic recharging issues, with the latter they get some freedom to roam at a distance from their TV or Mac computer screen.Best Bluetooth Headset For Dragon Dictate For Mac
Consider Your Surrounding Environment
When deciding on your purchase of a headset, take into account the surrounding environment where you'll be using it. If it's a noisy environment, as in an office or a residence with roomies, in-ear or full-size earcups help block out ambient noise. Many lightweight headsets have open-air foam ear-coverings to also allow hearing what's going on around you - which can be important in a business environment. Some headsets feature noise-canceling mics, or ambient noise-cancellation to block unwanted enviromental sounds.Apple Headset Compatibility
Think about headset compatibility with Apple hardware when you're deciding to buy a headset. If the headset has a USB or USB-C plug, you're all set since OSX has standard USB audio drivers built into the OS. Some vendors like Logitech or Creative Labs MAY provide specific Apple support for sound control with SELECT models of higher end headsets. Sadly many of the more elaborate 5.1 surround-sound gaming headsets only work in 2.0 stereo mode when plugged into a Macintosh.Apple's use of non-standard signal voltages in analog microphones was problematic in the past. Another problem is most PC headsets have TWO separate 2 and 3-conductor 1/8' 3.5mm plugs: One for the microphone, the other for the stereo headset. Macs have a combined audio port. More recently Apple introduced a 4-conductor (4-Pole) TRRS audio jack that combines speaker and mic into one. Macs since 2010 and iPads, iPhones and iPod touch support the TRRS 4-pole plug CTIA standard, as do most cell-phone manufacturers as well.