Poll: Wireless headset or wired?

By | October 13, 2011, 7:15am PDT

Summary: I am looking for a good headset to use with my phones and tablets. Please vote in the poll for your preferred type of accessory to help me in my decision.

Not that long ago I was one of those people you see with a Bluetooth headset stuck in one ear, seemingly talking to myself when a call came in. I then got some wireless headphones that worked with my phones and were better for listening to music. The  in-ear headset was relegated to the gadget drawer.

The wireless headset is getting dated and is too large for me to use on the go, which defeats the purpose of having a mobile accessory. I am thinking of getting either a Bluetooth headset or a more modern set of headphones that can be used with my phones and tablets.

I am opening the decision process to the floor. Please indicate your preference in the poll below, and if you currently use a wired or wireless accessory indicate what you use in the comments along with how you like it.

Poll

Wired phone/tablet headset or wireless?

Image credit: Flickr user david_terrar

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Topics

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long.

Disclosure

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has no affiliations or relationships that need to be disclosed.

Biography

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long. Prior to joining ZDNet, James was the Founding Editor of jkOnTheRun, a CNET Top 100 Tech Blog that was acquired by GigaOM in 2008 and is now part of that prestigious tech network. James' writing has appeared in many print publications: Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, Information Week and Laptop Magazine to name a few. James' coverage of the mobile technology sector has regularly appeared in the New York Times, Salon.com and CNN/ Fortune online. Not just a writer, James has filmed numerous video reviews and how-tos that have garnered well over a million viewers. He has appeared on local news segments and been interviewed by the Associated Press on mobile technology topics. Additionally, James has been podcasting about mobile technology for years.

Related Discussions on TechRepublic

Did you know you can take part in these discussions with your ZDNet membership?
11
Comments

Join the conversation!

Just In

RE: Poll: Wireless headset or wired?
wholesaleonline 10th Nov
A good post. Buy kobe 24 beats headphones at wholesale price from us.
0 Votes
+ -
Depends
facebook@... 13th Oct
I use Microsoft Lync on one device. A modest wired headset provides the clarity and tonal quality that the average wireless headsets do not. That, and I do not have to fuss with batteries.

However, if you are using the headset across multiple devices, wireless may be the way to go.
0 Votes
+ -
Bluetooth Headset, or speaker
RossNWirth 13th Oct
I use the Jawbone Icon. It's nice because it can pair with multiple devices... in theory. On my PC I have to have the bluetooth window open for it to stay paired, not sure if this is a PC driver, or Bluetooth issue, should try it with the MBAir. I use it for phone calls on my cell, Lync (Office Communicator) calls on the PC, it does a good job, the noise cancellation is pretty good I guess, never get complaints
0 Votes
+ -
Test 2, No youtube video
guihombre Updated - 13th Oct
Second test on deleted comments, so it's not article specific, is it a youtube link ban or a general ban.

// edit, OK I see, Test1 and Test 3 were removed

My comment was auto removed because I posted a youtube link to a Sony Ericcson Ray review. It's not specific to the article (I posted it originally on the Meego article to point out they can't compete), it's not a blanked ban, because this post appeared, it's the youtube video link.

Interesting, why the ban on posting youtube links?
0 Votes
+ -
Motorola bluetooth headset
steveholt68 13th Oct
I wanted a bluetooth headset to travel with and workout with, because I am tired of earbuds and wires. I got the Motorola S10-HD bluetooth behind-the-head headset. I love it. The controls are on the sides of the headset and I can answer calls with it. The voice quality for calls isn't nearly as nice as my Plantronics Pro, but I use it mainly for listening to music on my 2 android tablets and my android phone.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Poll: Wireless headset or wired?
iPhoneDude777 13th Oct
I like wired headsets because of iPod controls. iPhone headsets are cheap and I don't want to worry about batteries or charging additional devices.
0 Votes
+ -
I use all of the above and find that they all fill a different function/need. In the car the bluetooth in ear headset is perfect for taking or making calls, and perfect for dialing in to meetings while on the road. I've expiermented with all of my headsets and prefer that the most for in the car. At work I still prefer a set of wired over the ear padded headphones for listening to music while I work. At home I use a hybrid for calls and for listening to music. It's a bluetooth fob that wired earphones can plug into, and a set of earbuds with a short wire came with the fob. The bluetooth fob is great at home because it lets me chose which earphones I use, it has the mic on the fob so I can use it for calls and it sounds great. The fob also can rewind, fast forward, or pause my music. The other nice feature of it is that I can plug simple/small speakers up to it if they support the 3.5 mm jack, and it makes my speakers wireless. I do this out on my patio and it works great. Anyway, if I had to chose just one it would be my bluetooth stereo fob as it would serve all my needs.
0 Votes
+ -
You just ordered an iPhone 4S with the new Bluetooth 4.0 protocol.

I'm not sure if any wireless headsets support this version yet. If you could find one that did, I would recommend you purchase that one.

If you can't find a headset supporting Bluetooth 4.0, than I would recommend the pricy Bose Bluetooth in-ear wireless headset. You can't go wrong with Bose.
0 Votes
+ -
Connection Problem
manolakinevi 13th Oct
canada goose

canada goose outlet

canada goose trillium

canada goose expedition parka

canada goose

canada goose clearance

canada goose for sale

canada goose sale

canada goose down parka

canada goose parka







Sorry! There seems to be a problem connecting to our database. Please give us a few minutes to remedy the problem. Thank you.


To verify the site status ... Click here



Other About blog

About cheap-canada-gooses.org blog
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Poll: Wireless headset or wired?
Imrhien Updated - 13th Oct
I prefer wired, for reasons of interference (don't want devices to be affected by other wireless devices) and health (wireless tech still isn't proven not to have negative health effects, and a headset is a little too close to the brain for me!).

I know it's not directly related to the topic (as this headset is for computers only as it uses USB), the Logitech G35 is the best headset I have ever used hands-down. 7.1 sound so nice it puts my surround sound system to shame. Configurable buttons (I've got mine set to back, play/pause and forward), volume roller on the unit, voice changer, a mic boom that can be slid conveniently out of the way (and mutes automatically when you do so).
0 Votes
+ -
I use the Plantronics Voyager Pro 2 for all audio speech applications. Its an over-ear/in-ear solution and it works seamlessly across all my devices including iPhone, Macbook Air (great for Skype) and Android Phone (HTC Desire) and Android tablet (Samsung Tab) It has a great battery life and can be charged from a USB port if needed.
Its one of the few bluetooth ear solution that has a proper boom mike with great noise cancellation as well. It looks the business.
The main selling point for me however is comfort, as I struggled to find a bluetooth solution that I could wear comfortably with glasses. The Plantronics works a treat.
I go wired for music (cheap and cheerful ear-buds) but I have Bose noise cancelling for flights (QC15's) - and until you try them you really dont know just how good they are!
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Poll: Wireless headset or wired?
wholesaleonline 10th Nov
A good post. Buy kobe 24 beats headphones at wholesale price from us.

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
ie8 fix