Are Wired or Wireless Headsets Better?
May 10, 2023
Wireless headsets vs wired headsets, the age old debate. There are many different types of headsets, but these are the two we always get asked about. Are wireless or wired headsets better is a question that has been asked since the dawn of headsets, with strong opinions on both sides, and to this day it has yet to be settled. That’s why we set out to answer this question once and for all by staging a final showdown between the dependable wired headset and the nomadic wireless headset. We’re going to break down the differences between them, the benefits of using them, and decide what’s better for you based on these differences.
Over the years we have formulated a highly scientific way to decide which type of headset is best for you based on your personal needs. We invite you to casually browse our collection of wired and wireless headsets, or (even better) call our headset experts on 1300 889 728 to find a pair that suits your needs. You came here to find out whether you should buy a wired or a wireless headset, but surely you also want to know what model of headset to buy, so we’re going to share with you the best wired and wireless headsets available in 2023 to make your decision easier. So grab your favourite drink and let’s dive straight into it.
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Wired Headsets
Wired headsets have been around for a very long time. So long that if you were alive to see the first wired headset you would be over 100 years old! They’ve been around this long and a go to choice for many people for a good reason. They are reliable, affordable and have great sound quality. If you don’t need to move around much and just need a solid headset to work from home or in the office, then a wired headset is a great choice and will save you money compared to buying a wireless headset.
Shop Our Range of Wired Headsets Today.
What are the benefits of Wired Headsets?
There are many benefits to using a wired headset over a wireless headset. For one, they are super straightforward to set up. You don’t have to worry about pairing them via Bluetooth, or remembering your dongle or base station, you simply plug them in and you are good to go. And you don’t have to charge them overnight either and you’ll never wake up to a dead battery. Wired headsets also usually cost less than their wireless counterparts, which is definitely a good reason to pick one up.
And if that wasn’t reason enough to go wired, wired headsets often have better audio quality too, as the audio passes through an analog connection, which has the benefit of carrying more data than a Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth technology is catching up though, and these days only audiophiles would be able to tell the difference. But if you are an audiophile, this is something you might want to consider when choosing between wired and wireless headsets.
Types of Wired Headsets
There are many different types of wired headsets available, ranging from their connection type, wearing style, and whether or not they feature passive or active noise cancelling. Some of the different connection types available are USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm.
USB-A headsets will connect to most computers, though USB-C is starting to become more mainstream on phones and computers. 3.5mm headsets are typically used for mobile phones but most modern smartphones are ditching the 3.5mm jack in favour of the USB-C connection. A lot of wired headsets these days feature a duo connection, with either 3.5mm and USB-A or 3.5mm and USB-C connection, so you can connect them to most devices without issue.
There are also a few distinct wearing styles available, you can choose from mono, stereo and over ear, while some headsets offer multiple wearing style configurations. Check out our Headset Buyer’s Guide if you want to learn about the different wearing styles in more detail.
What are the best Wired Headsets?
The best wired headsets in our opinion are the Poly Blackwire 5220, the Jabra Evolve 40 and the Jabra Biz 2300. All three headsets offer incredible audio quality, mic sound quality and comfort.
Poly Plantronics Blackwire 5220
34%
Off
RRP: $204
Now:
$134
inc GST
Save: $70
- WORKS WITH - PC (USB-A) + Mobile
- Folds flat with travel pouch
- Skype & MS Teams Certified
- Great for music and voice calls
The Poly Plantronics Blackwire 5220 is a stereo headset designed for use with mobile phones and computers, it also comes in a mono variant, as well as both USB A and USB C configurations. Both models feature a dual USB and 3.5mm connection so they are able to connect to mobile devices as well as computers. It features a noise cancelling mic so no one can hear any background noise craziness, as well as wideband audio so your voice sounds the best it can.
Jabra Evolve 40
From:
$108
inc GST
- Works With - Mobile phone/tablet + PC
- Popular headset
- Leatherette ear cushions
- In-line audio controls
The Jabra Evolve 40 is also designed for connecting to mobile phones and computers, however it also has stereo and mono versions. In addition it has USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm, and Microsoft Teams certified versions. The Teams certification just means it has a dedicated button for launching Microsoft Teams, but all versions of this headset will work with Teams, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or any other video conferencing software you might use. The Jabra Evolve 40 is a no nonsense wired headset and is so comfortable to wear you’ll never want to take it off!
Jabra Biz 2300
23%
Off
RRP: $169
Now:
$130
inc GST
Save: $39
- Designed for contact centres
- Air shock mic - reduces breathing noise
- Wideband audio
- Noise cancelling microphone
- Flexible microphone arm rotates 360
Lastly we have the Jabra Biz 2300, which is designed for use with desk phones and softphones. It has both stereo and mono versions as well as USB-A, USB-C and Microsoft Teams certified versions. This headset doesn’t have any 3.5mm connections, so it won’t connect to some mobile devices, unless yours happens to have a USB-C connection. The Jabra Biz 2300 features a noise cancelling mic and wideband audio just like the Poly Blackwire 5220, but for all you heavy breathers out there it also has an air shock mic that eliminates those annoying breathing noises while you’re on a call. Finally a headset that understands me! The Jabra Biz 2300 is designed specifically for contact centres that use softphones. If that’s the environment you work in then this is the headset for you.
Wireless Headsets
Wireless headsets are gaining popularity these days vs wired headsets and are the obvious choice if you like to take calls on the go and not be tethered to your computer or desk phone. Wireless offers you the most freedom of any headset type, but it comes at the cost of a higher price tag, more setup involved to get them paired to your computer or phone, and the need to keep them charged. But for those who like to be on the move, it’s a small price to pay for the freedom that wireless headsets offer.
Shop Our Range of Wireless Headsets Today.
What are the benefits of Wireless Headsets?
The most obvious benefit is there are no more annoying wires to worry about. Wireless headsets offer you the most freedom whether you’re at home or in the office. They allow you to take calls and meetings without needing to be tethered to your computer and if you have a Bluetooth headset you don’t have to worry about adaptors to connect your headset to different devices. You can switch from your computer to your mobile in seconds and can even take a meeting at the park for some quality outdoor time!
Types of Wireless Headsets
There are two main types of wireless headsets and they are Bluetooth and DECT. Both wireless options are great choices and which one you choose depends largely on your work situation.
The short and simple answer is if you are in a large office, get a DECT headset, but if you’re in a small office or working from home, get a Bluetooth headset. If you’re working from a fixed location and use a single desk phone or softphone, then DECT is the way to go. They require a dedicated base station to get their wireless connection, but offer the greatest wireless range, allowing for long trips around the office while maintaining a strong connection, and the call quality is generally higher and more stable. Compared to Bluetooth, DECT headsets are also less likely to cause interference issues with multiple devices in a busy office environment and they have much better security encryption.
If you work in a large office where interference with a number of headsets is an issue, or where security, connection range and call quality are a high priority, then a DECT headset is what you are looking for.
Shop Our Range of DECT Headsets Today.
If you’re hybrid or often on the road, then a Bluetooth headset would be the preferred choice, as Bluetooth headsets can maintain pairings to multiple devices, allowing you to seamlessly switch between your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Bluetooth headsets are also more portable as they don’t require a dedicated base station, and their limited range is less of an issue in practice since the devices they’re used with usually remain close to you during calls. However, they’re not as reliable as DECT headsets in a large office environment due to interference issues with multiple devices sharing the same Bluetooth frequency or physical objects blocking the signal.
If you work in a smaller office or you often work from home, then a Bluetooth headset is the preferred choice due to its flexibility and portability compared to a DECT headset.
Shop Our Range of Bluetooth Headsets Today.
Want to learn more about the differences between Bluetooth and DECT headsets? Check out our guide here!
What are the best Wireless Headsets?
The best wireless headsets in our opinion are the Jabra Evolve2 65, the Jabra Evolve 75 and the Jabra Engage 75. We picked these headsets because they offer the best combination of sound quality, comfort, features and price.
Jabra Evolve2 65
3%
Off
RRP: $454
Now:
$438
inc GST
Save: $16
- WORKS WITH - PC + MOBILE
- 360* Busylight
- Premium headset
The Jabra Evolve2 65 spoils you for choice as it comes in both stereo and mono versions, as well as USB-A, USB-C and Microsoft Teams certified versions. It also has a version with or without a charging stand and comes in two exciting colours: black and beige. Jabra went all out with this headset and believe us when we say it’s a premium headset. It has amazing sound quality, both for calls as well as for listening to music, and it’s super comfortable for long wearing sessions thanks to its memory foam headband and extra cushioning on the earcups. The Jabra Evolve2 65 features Passive Noise Cancelling due to the design of its ear cups that naturally block out sound and it also features a noise cancelling mic, so not only will you not hear your co-workers in the background, whoever is on the other end of the call won’t either. Lastly, the Evolve2 65 has a busy light on both the front and back of the earcup, so your colleagues in front AND behind can see if you’re busy or not!
Jabra Evolve 75
31%
Off
RRP: $499
Now:
$345
inc GST
Save: $154
- WORKS WITH - Mobile + PC
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Busy lights
- Wideband audio
- Use for work and play
The Jabra Evolve 75 is a pro Bluetooth headset that features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology, which blocks out more noise than Passive Noise Cancelling headsets such as the Jabra Evolve 65. If you want to learn more about the differences between Active and Passive Noise Cancelling, be sure to check out our Definitive Guide to Noise Cancelling Headsets. The Evolve 75 is an excellent Active Noise Cancelling headset that’s perfect for blocking out external noise and getting into the zone! Whether that’s in the office whilst you’re on an important call, or during your morning commute listening to your favourite tunes.
Jabra Engage 75
24%
Off
RRP: $659
Now:
$498
inc GST
Save: $161
- WORKS WITH - Desk Phone + PC + Mobile (2)
- Headband style - 2 earcups
- Easy Mute Buttons
- 13 hour talk time
The Jabra Engage 75 is a headset we recommend to clients all the time due to its amazing sound quality and extensive number of connections. The Engage 75 has two USB connections (one for a PC or Mac and another for a desk phone with a USB headset port), two concurrent Bluetooth connections (for mobiles and tablets) and of course, the standard RJ connection to a desk phone. That’s FIVE connections, so no matter what you want to connect it to it’ll do the job with ease. The Engage 75 also boasts impressive battery life, with up to 13 hours of talk time and 52 hours of standby, and it even has a fast charge feature where you can get 5 hours of talk time in just 30 minutes. This definitely comes in clutch on those days when you forgot to charge the headset overnight!
So What’s Better… Wireless or Wired Headsets?
So now we come to our verdict, which is better: wireless or wired headsets?
The truth is neither is better than the other as they both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your work situation.
If you are constantly on the move then a wireless headset is the best choice. But if you’re mostly working in an office or call centre environment then a DECT wireless headset is the best choice. Now if you’re working from home, in a small office, or often on the road, then a Bluetooth wireless headset is the best choice, but if you’re on a budget and don’t need to move around much, then a wired headset is the best choice for you.
If we had to pick a winner between wired and wireless headsets though, then we would have to give the edge to the wireless headset. There are many affordable wireless headset options, and the flexibility to take calls anywhere that wireless provides is worth the trade offs in our opinion.
? ? Winner: Wireless Headsets! ? ?
Still not sure? Check out our Headset Wizard!
If you're still not sure whether you want a wireless or wired headset, then check out our super handy Headset Finder on our site, which makes finding the right headset for you a breeze. Simply tell it whether you want a wireless or wired headset, the devices you'll connect to and your preferred wearing style. With a bit of magic our headset wizards will instantly conjure up a headset that gets our stamp of approval. So you can take out the guesswork and get on with your work!