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The best Bluetooth headset
By Marianne Schultz and Daniel Varghese This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full bluetooth headset guide here. After 80-plus hours of researching headsets and testing more than 18 models over the past few years, including testing three new models over 20 hours for the latest update, we've determined that the Plantronics Voyager 5200 is the best mono Bluetooth headset for making and taking calls, whether you're in a quiet office or a noisy coffee shop. The Voyager 5200 offers the most comfortable and secure fit and the best dedicated call-management controls of the headsets we tested. It also has better mic quality than stock earbuds or most Bluetooth earbuds, plus battery life that can last most of a workday. In our tests, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 provided the most consistently clear incoming and outgoing audio in a variety of settings. Its earhook design sometimes requires two hands to put on, but it's easily adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day; its earpiece also provides a secure seal for optimal sound quality, and its battery gives you about 5 hours, 40 minutes of talk time. It's the complete package, unlike any other model we tested. The Voyager 5200 also has all of the software features that have made Plantronics headsets some of our favorites throughout the years, such as the capability to accept and reject calls with your voice. We recommend the Plantronics Voyager 3200 only if the Voyager 5200 is not available, or if the idea of possibly having to use two hands to put the 5200 on is a dealbreaker for you. The Voyager 3200 has a more conventional in-ear design that doesn't fit as securely as our top pick. Its audio—both incoming and outgoing—isn't as consistently good as that of our top pick, but the sound is clear enough in quieter environments. And although this model has longer battery life, it's only by 20 minutes or so. The Jabra Talk 2 isn't nearly as comfortable as our top picks, and its incoming audio quality isn't as good, but it's acceptable on both counts if you're on a budget. It also gives you much better mic quality for calls than you'd get from stereo Bluetooth earbuds that cost roughly $100. In our battery test, it offered almost 7 hours of talk time, lasting over an hour longer than our top pick.
Wirecutter07.27.2018
BlueAnt's Q3 Bluetooth headset hands-on
We saw the 3rd generation BlueAnt Q3 press release that it was set to launch at CES and indeed it did. The headset is mostly exactly what was expected, very light and well put together. Notable physical features include the main action button, a volume rocker and a bright red power button on the underside. Charging is accomplished via a USB port in the back and as an update, BlueAnt told us that even if the box lists six hours as the devices talk time it is actually seven. Peek at the gallery of this little earpiece after the break.
Sean Cooper01.08.2013
BlueAnt announces Q3 Bluetooth headset
BlueAnt offers up its 3rd iteration of the Q-series of bluetooth headsets at CES 2013: say hello to the BlueAnt Q3. Packed in the new Q3's curvier shell are all the niceties of a modern Bluetooth headset including Siri support, Google Voice actions -- using free downloadable app -- wind noise protection up to 22mph, wideband audio and the promise of 7 hours talk and 100 hours standby time. Like the Q1 and Q2 before it, the Q3 will launch shortly after its launch here at CES but unlike them the introductory price of the headset will be $30 less at $99. Look for the BlueAnt Q3 to begin shipping in either black or platinum in March this year.
Sean Cooper01.08.2013
IRL: Klipsch Image X7i, Razer BlackShark and BlueAnt's Embrace headphones
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Just call this IRL: the headphone edition. This week, it's all about audio -- everything from a gaming headset to in-ears to a pair of leather-cushioned cans. Read on to find out what we're using, and how it's working out for us
Engadget12.02.2012
BlueAnt branches out from Bluetooth, puts its wired Embrace headphones up for pre-order (updated)
We suppose it's not every company that can stake their reputations on Bluetooth headsets alone. BlueAnt, a brand best known for its voice-controlled earpieces, is getting ready to ship a headset of the wired persuasion. What you see up there is the Embrace, a pair of comfy-looking on-ear headphones with leather pads, an integrated mic, and iPhone-compatible controls that let you make calls and play, pause, and skip audio tracks. It has a 6936-inch cable, and comes with a handy OMTP adapter and faux-leather storage case, but mostly, we have a sweet spot for headsets that fold flat. The company doesn't expect them to ship for a few weeks, which gives you a bit of time to start saving up the requisite $199. Update: BlueAnt has gotten in touch with us to let us know it mistakenly distributed some incorrect specs. The length of the cable is 36-- not 69 -- inches.
Dana Wollman07.06.2011
BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth headset enables noise-free calls during Usain Bolt's sprints
It's not guaranteed to make you any smarter, but having such an intelligent little bird upside your ear may at least give you a minor boost in confidence. A full 1.5 years after the original Q1 made its debut, BlueAnt is introducing its Q2 Smart Bluetooth Headset. Aside from being able to cancel out noise while traveling at up to 22mph (read: Usain Bolt's average walking speed), the Q2 also touts a fully integrated text-to-speech feature that belts out news, weather, sports and the latest gossip from Microsoft's Bing 411. And if you just so happen to use a smartphone with Android 2.0 or newer, it'll actually read your text messages and emails aloud without you having to fish your handset out of your britches. It's available now at AT&T stores for $129, and just in case you're wondering, you can freak mall walkers out for five solid hours without needing a recharge. Not that we'd encourage such behavior. [Original image courtesy of Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]
Darren Murph07.30.2010
BlueAnt intros rugged T1 Bluetooth headset, sophisticated Android app
BlueAnt's been slinking along in the shadows of the (thankfully) dwindling Bluetooth headset market for years now, and aside from that one voice-controlled V1 that popped two years ago, we haven't seen much from the outfit that really got our juices flowing. Until today, naturally. The rugged, May-bound T1 headset ($79.99) doesn't look drastically different (or smaller) than the aforesaid V1, but it's the firm's first to feature Wind Armour Technology -- something that's engineered to "deliver clear audio in wind speeds up to 22mph." It's also built to withstand the occasional drop and bout with dust / moisture, and in case that's not enough, it'll also audibly announce who's calling so long as they're in your address book. As you'd expect, A2DP streaming audio is fully supported, as is multipoint (which allows it to remain connected to two phones at once and respond to whichever rings first). In related news, the company also announced its new Q1 app for Android (due April 1st), which helps Q1 headset users by reading text messages aloud to you via a presumably flawed text-to-speech system. Hit up the source links for the fully skinny on each, or just hop on past the break for a pair of superbly informative videos. %Gallery-88732%
Darren Murph03.23.2010
BluAnt Wireless' S1 speakerphone reviewed, is well liked
BluAnt, maker of many fine Bluetooth accessories launched the S1in the recent past and CNET's taken some moments to review it. Sure, we've seen gazillions of speakerphones that attach to the visor in your car but this one adds a fairly low price -- roughly $69 -- A2DP support for streaming your tunes, voice answering, and multipoint connectivity to the mix. CNET liked the price, tiny size, and the call quality, but were down on the volume rocker's stiffness, and the fact that S1 doesn't announce the incoming caller's info. We're all for music streaming and answering a call by speaking to it, but if you drive a convertible, you may want to look for something in the higher end that'll handle all the wind noise.
Sean Cooper07.02.2009
BlueAnt Wireless Q1 hands-on
While at Digital Experience show last night we bumped into an unreleased Bluetooth headset at the BlueAnt booth named the Q1. The Q1 features active noise cancellation in both hard and software enabling it to filter out wind noise up to 10mph. Set to launch in mid-March - Q1 in Q1, get it? -- this year for $129, the tiny Q1 features multipoint connectivity, can pair with up to 8 devices, 4 hour talk and 200 hour standby, and a soft and fuzzy feeling-inspiring 2 year warranty. We're sold on the device's finish, but note that the final earpiece's action button won't be what you see above.%Gallery-41113%
Sean Cooper01.08.2009
BlueAnt launches Bluetooth stereo speakers and speakerphone
BlueAnt thought CES would be decent place to show off some new goodies and we tend to agree with them. First up -- and pictured on left -- is the BlueAnt SuperTooth 3 speakerphone, designed to park on your desk or hang from your car's sun visor for true mobile joy. The device can store pairing info for up to 8 handsets, is touted as having 15 hours of talk time, and even features echo and noise cancellation to drown out road noise. The other treat announced today is the M1 Bluetooth Stereo Speakers which will work with your Bluetooth-enabled set and BlueAnt was even thoughtful enough to include a 3.5mm jack for any other music device. The decidedly retro studio monitor speakers are powered by a rechargeable battery which gets up to 10 hours of musical joy out of a single charge. Go CES, go BlueAnt.[Via MobileBurn]
Sean Cooper01.06.2008
BlueAnt unveils voice-controlled V1 Bluetooth headset
Anyone who's used the stylish, compact, voice-isolating Z9 Bluetooth headset from BlueAnt knows that while the unit itself performs satisfactorily, remembering the thousand-and-one unintuitive button combinations (three-second push to end a call?) can be a real pain in the ass. Well thankfully for fans of that somewhat flawed product, the Australian manufacturer will be back as CES with yet another dual-mic model, the V1, which drops the Z9's awkward input method in favor of almost complete voice control. The so-called BlueGenie Voice User Interface promises to operate the full suite of headset functions with the use of but a single activation button, which -- if it can actually work in real-world situations -- should definitely help give this new model a leg (or six -- ha) up on the competition. Stay tuned to our CES coverage for more details, along with pricing and release info.
Evan Blass01.03.2008
BlueAnt launches voice isolating Z9 Bluetooth headset
It sure took long enough, but at long last BlueAnt is finally releasing its Z9 Bluetooth headset. The final version weighs in at 0.35-ounces, measures 1.5-inches in length, boasts a glossy, translucent finish, and most importantly, touts a two-level approach to noise cancellation. The firm's patented Voice Isolation technology "separates the voice signal from all background noise" in order to nix surrounding wind and ambient chatter from conversations, and can be utilized in Standard or Max modes depending on how raucous things are around you. Notably, the headset also sports dual microphones, supports on-the-fly device switching, lasts through 5.5-hours of yapping, and even offers upgradeable firmware via USB. So, for those who have managed to hold off till now, the Z9 can finally wrap itself around your ear for $99.95.
Darren Murph07.30.2007
BlueAnt Supertooth Light Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone
The options for an in-car handsfree kit are darn near limitless, but for those not so keen on hardwiring a module into your car's stereo or fiddling with those dodgy FM transmitters, BlueAnt is offering up a swank alternative. The Supertooth Light Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone boasts a built-in speaker / microphone that neatly rides along on your vehicle's sun visor, allowing you to transport your handsfree device from one vehicle to another without dismantling a mess of wires. Additionally, it features Clear Voice Capture (CVC), DSP, and echo-reduction capabilities, and it can even adjust volume levels on the fly depending on ambient noise. You'll also have no trouble pairing up to five different phones, utilizing voice dial activation / redial, and talking for up to 15 hours straight without recharging the battery. So if you're interested in a more mobile solution to yapping in handsfree fashion, you can pick up BlueAnt's latest for $99.
Darren Murph04.02.2007
BlueAnt Wireless intros V12 LCD Bluetooth headset
Another day, another donut Bluetooth headset announcement. The BlueAnt Wireless V12 LCD Bluetooth headset, brings little new to a marketplace positively brimming with like devices. If there is one thing we know, it's the age-old trick to help a product stand out: simply place several cool backlit ants on it -- but sadly, that wasn't in the cards this lap 'round the track. What BlueAnt Wireless did get right, however, is to pack a barge-load of features into this 16 gram, 2.3 inch long set. Featuring call display with 10 number redial, vibrating alert, 12 hour talk time, and 300 hour standby (the site labels this as 15 days – apparently the days are shorter in Australia). Throw in ambient noise reduction, and the stylin' brushed aluminum finish rounds out what we would expect to see at the $99.00 price point. Best feature? The magic words 'V12' are on the headset, baby! Anything with V12 in it, or on it, is fine by us.[Via PHONE Magazine]
Sean Cooper02.14.2007
BlueAnt intros Z9 Bluetooth headset
You've got a smorgasbord of options when it comes to adding a dash of public humiliation to your ear, but BlueAnt's Z9 Bluetooth headset sports a feature set that has the ability to make fashion become second priority. While it doesn't look much different than similar alternatives, the Z9 packs dual microphones (in case you talk out of both sides of your mouth), DSP, echo / noise cancelling, automatic gain adjustment, a built-in clip for times when not looking so technologically inclined would be in your best interest, and on-the-fly switching between devices. Moreover, it supports USB firmware upgrades and boasts a seven hour talk time (180 hours in standby). Although BlueAnt isn't disclosing its pricetag just yet, we do know that it'll be on display at next year's CES, so keep an eye out for some hands-on action when January rolls around.[Via SlashPhone]
Darren Murph11.18.2006