Bluetooth Headset Review

Comparing Bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology; in headsets, it allows for hands-free cell phone operation. Most Bluetooth headsets have a single earpiece, but some models have two, letting you stream stereo sound wirelessly from a cell phone that has music-playback capability. Oftentimes you can toggle between music playback and phone calls. With more states banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving, Bluetooth headsets are one way to comply.

CNET has the most expansive collection of Bluetooth headset reviews. Editors review new headsets as they are released, even though a discontinued model may occasionally pop up in their roundups. While PCMag.com's Bluetooth headset coverage isn't nearly as extensive, editors do a great job of testing these units and comparing models. PC World recently did a few round-ups of new mono and stereo Bluetooth headsets, and their ratings combined with pros and cons lists make it easy to compare models. ConsumerReports.org ratings are fair, but there is little discussion and the latest update includes many discontinued models.

Apple iPhone owners have long been able to use Bluetooth headsets from companies like Plantronics and Aliph for phone calls, but Apple recently released a long-awaited upgrade to their iPhone and iPod touch software that includes Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support. A2DP allows music to be transmitted wirelessly from a phone to a Bluetooth headset. The iPhone 3.0 software upgrade (Free for iPhone; *Est. $10 for iPod touch) means that owners of the iPhone 3GS (*Est. $200 and up with contract), iPhone 3G (*Est. $100 and up with contract) and second-generation iPod touch (*Est. $300 for 16 GB) can listen to their music wirelessly using a stereo Bluetooth headset.

Dan Frakes of Macworld tests this capability with an iPhone 3G and iPod touch (see the Useful Links section) and is generally pleased with the results, though there are some inconveniences. Most notably, there's no support for Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), which allows you to take advantage of the controls on the Bluetooth device. Right now, you can only use the play/pause button on stereo Bluetooth headsets; everything else will need to be controlled from the iPhone or iPod.