GoJo Hands Free

The verdict:

The GoJo Hands Free seems promising as a simple solution to an old problem, but falls far short due to durability issues.

The pitch:

The only phone device that is truly hands-free!

Performance

Works on all phones and slips on in one second! Almost. The GoJo Hands Free headset is essentially a headband with a suction cup on one end to hold the user's phone. GoJo claims the headset "works on all phones and slips on in one second." Consumers don't always agree. We read more than a few complaints from users who experienced problems attaching their phones. "The Iphone [sic] won't stick to that tiny suction cup with or without that sticker," one Scambook.com reviewer says.

Overall, the GoJo receives poor performance reviews from multiple sources, including Amazon.com, where owners rate it only 2 stars out of 5 on average. Ricardo Bilton of ZDNet's The ToyBox blog called the GoJo "the worst gadget in the world."

Ease of Use

Simple and Smart. What could be wrong? The GoJo is pitched as a low-tech alternative to buying a pricey Bluetooth headset. Several consumers say the GoJo is uncomfortable and awkward; in particular, the strap is tight and too small for larger heads. Writing on FinePrintLargeFont.com, one owner complains that the curved end meant to rest against the user's head "dug in and gave me a headache." Another owner, writing at Amazon.com, says the GoJo is not ideal for use with long hair as the suction cup, which holds the phone, becomes tangled.

Several consumers say the phone's position limited its use. Users are unable to dial or access any additional features. In addition, "Jess" of smallprintlargefont.com complains the headset's awkward design may not be safe for all users: "Putting the GoJo Hands Free headset on is not easy to do while driving, and I do not advocate doing so."

Durability

One snap and it's done. While a few reviews praise the simple design of the GoJo, most complain of its durability -- nearly half of the Amazon.com reviewers say the unit broke within the first few uses. Other owners report no performance issues.

Customer Service

You pay for the "Buy 2, Get 2 Free." As with many As Seen On TV products, we read a number of complaints from owners who say they were charged hidden fees when they ordered from the GoJo website, sometimes totaling $50 or more. Others say they received (and were charged for) a second Gojo package. The online ordering process is particularly confusing, they say: You must enter your billing information first, then endure a barrage of additional ads before arriving at the order confirmation page -- without ever seeing an invoice or total.

The Gojo Hands Free headset is also sold in stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond (which is where we purchased ours for our video review). At retail, the Gojo can be had for about $10 -- and reputable stores will have a clear return policy.