Budget Bluetooth Headsets

Best Bluetooth headsets under $75

Not everyone can afford to plunk down more than $100 for top-of-the-line Bluetooth headsets such as the Plantronics Voyager Pro and Aliph Jawbone Prime. For the more budget-minded, there is a whole crop of headsets for $75 or less. Cheaper Bluetooth headsets tend to be short on features and more sensitive to the phone you're using. It's not uncommon to hear completely different reports on performance, depending on the quality of the Bluetooth transmitter within the phone. User reviews are the main source for feedback on budget Bluetooth headsets. There are also a number of Bluetooth headsets from last year that are still available. Purchasing an older model can give you the opportunity to get a good headset with generous features at a reduced price.

Given the stellar performance of the previous Jawbone and the high price of the new Jawbone Prime, the discontinued, but still available Jawbone Bluetooth headset is a pretty good deal as long as you don't often talk on the phone in windy environments -- a weakness with this model. Users point out that Aliph sells improved ear covers for its Bluetooth headset, which provide a better fit for optimal noise-canceling performance, at about $10 for a pack of three.

Another favorite Bluetooth headset among reviewers and users alike is the BlueAnt V1 (*Est. $75). It was advertised in late 2008 as the "world's first voice controlled Bluetooth headset," which means you can use voice commands such as "call home," "redial" and "answer" to activate the headset's functions. Most reviewers are impressed by how well this feature works, even in fairly noisy environments. At iLounge.com, a site that reviews accessories for the iPhone and iPod, Jeremy Horwitz notes that "you can tell the headset to isolate your voice more effectively to improve its recognition under [noisy] circumstances." Check BlueAnt's website before buying this Bluetooth headset to make sure your phone is compatible. Also be aware that if you use voice dialing on your cell phone, you'll need to bypass the V1's voice commands by saying "phone commands" every time you dial a number.

The BlueAnt V1 uses voice-isolation technology to filter out background noise. Though this works effectively, Nicole Lee of CNET, who gives the V1 Bluetooth headset an Editors' Choice award, writes that the noise-isolating feature "resulted in a more robotic sounding voice, but callers could still hear us just fine." Some reviewers are also concerned about the loose fit and say the ear hook is necessary in order to hold the headset in place. The package includes two types of hooks as well as several ear cover options, a USB-to-micro-USB cable, a micro-USB-to-mini-USB cable adapter, a car charger and a power adapter, making the V1 Bluetooth headset a great value.

Another model that gets consistently high ratings is the Plantronics Discovery 925 (*Est. $85). Unlike the bulky look of the Plantronics Voyager Pro, this less expensive Plantronics Bluetooth headset is fashionable, though the look is a matter of personal taste. Nicole Lee of CNET notes it "looks like a giant paper clip or hair pin" with a triangular boom microphone and a diamond-shaped multifunction button. It weighs a mere 0.28 ounces and delivers good noise cancelation, though reviewers say wind noise can be a problem.

If you want a good deal on a well-reviewed Bluetooth headset, the BlueAnt Z9i (*Est. $50) may be what you're looking for. Although its noise-isolation capabilities don't quite measure up to the BlueAnt V1, critics say it's sufficient for indoors and driving. It's a comfortable Bluetooth headset, though an earhook is necessary for stability; the Z9i only weighs 0.35 ounces. One nice feature with all BlueAnt headsets is that they're firmware-upgradeable, meaning that when new software becomes available, it can be uploaded to your headset to improve its performance and features. BlueAnt regularly issues updates for new features and bug fixes.

The cheapest Bluetooth headset we found that got reviewers' nod of approval is the Plantronics Explorer 220 (*Est. $30). The British consumer publication Which? magazine gives it their Best Buy award for impressive clarity, even in noisy environments. The Explorer 220 doesn't have noise-cancelation or voice-isolation capabilities, so background noise will filter through. For the most part, however, users report conversations are intelligible. The reviewers at Which? magazine and some owners say this isn't a comfortable Bluetooth headset for long conversations, but others report comfort level is fine. If you're just looking for a hands-free driving solution, the Plantronics Voyager 220 could be right for you, but make sure you can return it if it doesn't work with your phone or pinches your ear canal.

It's twice as expensive, but we also found good reviews for the Plantronics Voyager 520 (*Est. $60). Most reviewers are impressed with its noise-canceling microphone, though the windscreen advertised by Plantronics doesn't do much to block out the wind. The Voyager 520 is lightweight at 0.6 ounces, and most reviewers find it comfortable. The headset's earhook isn't removable or adjustable, though, so if it breaks, you might as well throw the unit in the trash. Reviewers and users are impressed with the Voyager 520 Bluetooth headset's long battery life, but range can be fussy, depending on the phone you have.