The Best Bluetooth Headsets of 2021

Having a good Bluetooth headset is essential whether you’re working from home, taking calls on the road, or playing a few rounds of Fortnite with your friends. Of course, the type of headset you require is determined by how you intend to use it. Online gamers require outstanding sound quality and a good microphone. Given that they may be using the headset for several hours at a time, home workers will most likely prioritise comfort.

A tiny model with effective noise-cancelling is best for individuals searching for a hands-free option to take phone conversations on the go. There are hundreds of models available, but some are far superior to others. These are our top selections for the best Bluetooth headsets of 2021, based on features, pricing, performance, and comfort.

1. Best Bluetooth Headset: BlueParrott M300-XT

Looking for a diverse and cost-effective option? For most uses, the BlueParrot M300-XT is the best Bluetooth headset. Its tiny on-ear form makes it ideal for use while out and about, while also remaining comfortable enough to wear for lengthy periods of time at work or at home. It’s also fairly tough, having an IP54 rating that means it can withstand a little sweat, dirt, or dust without giving up the ghost.

With a battery life of up to 14 hours, you can use it for several days before needing to charge it. The battery life in this example pertains to active conversation time, so if you’re not continuously on the phone, it’ll likely last much longer in the real world. This is thanks in part to the usage of Bluetooth 5.1, which uses significantly less energy than previous versions.

The M300-XT offers a good balance between price and performance. Most people won’t break the cash, but it doesn’t feel or sound like a cheap Bluetooth headset. Both incoming and outgoing audio quality are outstanding on this model. It offers excellent noise cancellation, with two noise-cancelling microphones that may reduce background noise by up to 80%.

This, paired with the M300-XT’s long battery life, makes it the finest Bluetooth headset for truckers and anyone who operate outside of a quiet office setting. The headset has a single configurable button that can be programmed to enable quick access to features like mute, speed dial, and more. The free BlueParrot app on your mobile device can be used to change the settings.

The only true drawback to this model is that after a few hours, it can feel a little heavy. It’s actually quite light, weighing only 0.7 ounces, but the single-ear design doesn’t provide much support, putting the full weight on your ear. The B250-XTS variant offers an over-the-head design at a similar price range if you prefer a more uniform weight distribution.

Pros

Effective background noise suppression
Good battery life
Quality audio, both incoming and outgoing
Some dust and water resistance
Up to 300 ft range

Cons

Single-ear design can feel heavy after a while

2. Best Bluetooth Headset for Phone Calls: Plantronics Voyager 5200

The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a good all-around headset that also happens to be one of the best Bluetooth headsets for phone calls, thanks to its unique wind-cancelling technology. The Voyager 5200, like our top pick, is an on-ear model with a rather modest design. It connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as your smartphone or computer, and has a practical range of close to a hundred feet.

You can check the battery life, change the ringtone, and locate down a misplaced headset using the helpful companion app. The device’s unique noise-cancelling technology helps lessen sound interference caused by wind in outgoing audio, which is a highlight.

While many Bluetooth headsets feature noise-cancelling capabilities, the Voyager’s is designed to reduce wind, traffic, and other background noise, making it a better choice for taking calls outside. The consequence of that clever noise suppression is that it cuts into battery life: the runtime is roughly half that of the BlueParrot model above.

With roughly seven hours of talk time, practically everyone can go through a full workday while using it, but you’ll have to charge it more frequently in the end. Given this, a charging case, a cheap backup battery alternative that delivers two additional full charges while also serving as a desktop docking station and a protective travel case, may be worth picking up.

Pros

Compact design
Wind cancelling tech for outdoor use
~100ft Bluetooth range

Cons

Noise cancellation means lower battery life

3. Best Bluetooth Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Most large manufacturers prefer more stable connectivity methods, so good Bluetooth gaming headsets are rare. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is a terrific high-end alternative for gamers, with two connection methods to choose from: wireless lossless audio through a specialised base station (more on this below) or Bluetooth 4.1.

This device has excellent sound quality. You get superb surround-sound performance that feels really immersive thanks to DTS’ “Headphone:X v2.0” technology. The Arctis Pro Wireless’s high-quality drivers produce a frequency range of 10Hz to 40kHz, which is well above the range of typical human hearing on both the high and low end.

The headset includes a transmitter base station that uses the 2.4GHz wireless band to deliver ultra-low latency wireless audio with a range of up to 40 feet. Simply put, you’ll hear high-quality wireless audio with no discernible lag. The base station accepts a wide range of devices, including Playstation, Xbox (with certain limits), and anything that uses a normal 3.5mm audio wire.

It also includes optical and analogue outputs, so you may use it to power amps, speakers, and your headset. The headphones come with two batteries, one of which may be charged in the base station while the other is in use. One battery will last for 20+ hours, and taking them out simply takes a few seconds, so you won’t be left waiting for the headset to charge.

The Arctis Pro does, in fact, have Bluetooth. It can connect to almost any Bluetooth-enabled device, including mobile devices, however PCs and gaming consoles can be a little finicky. Unfortunately, Bluetooth headset problems are prevalent, which is why most gamers choose to use other wireless technologies (or opt for wired options).

So, given that the Bluetooth connectivity isn’t great, why is this our recommendation for the best Bluetooth gaming headset? Because it gives you a Bluetooth-like experience (wireless communication with a 40-foot range) without the slowness and connectivity difficulties that afflict many Bluetooth gaming headphones.

It does, after all, have Bluetooth; you’re just better off using the wireless transmitter box whenever possible. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless isn’t a cheap headset, but it’s well worth the investment for hardcore gamers.

Pros

Connect via wireless base station or Bluetooth
ClearCast microphone includes background noise cancellation
Impressive frequency range
Swappable batteries

Cons

Pricey
Bluetooth can be buggy on some devices

4. Best Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headset: BlueParrott B450-XT

The BlueParrot B450-XT Bluetooth headset is ideal for use in noisy situations such as offices and call centres. It has a long battery life (up to 24 hours of talk time), so depending on your usage, it might easily last a full work week. You can keep your discussion continuing when you go to the break room for a coffee because the wireless range is up to 300 feet.

The noise cancellation feature of the B450-XT is meant to cancel up to 96 percent of background noise. This is on the audio end of the conversation, so the person you’re speaking with shouldn’t be bothered by your loud surroundings. However, because this headset only has one ear cup, it is less effective at suppressing background noise for the user.

If you want both, an upgrade like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro (shown above) or the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC (shown below) is the way to go. With a sturdy over-the-head design, padded headband, and cushioned earcups, this headset is exceptionally comfy. With a sturdy design and IP54-rated dust and moisture protection, it should last for a long time.

The only true disadvantage is that, as previously stated, the headset only has one earpiece. This is the recommended design in most cases since it allows you to be aware of your surroundings while chatting on the phone; nevertheless, it is not great for listening to music or playing games. The S450-XT from BlueParrot or the Plantronics model below are also good options if you prefer headphone-style headsets.

Pros

Excellent background noise reduction
Up to 24 hours of talk time on one charge
Wireless range of up to 300 feet
Durable, comfortable construction

Cons

Incoming audio on one ear only

5. Best Bluetooth Headset for Working from Home: Plantronics Voyager Focus UC

Do you want to work from home? The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC headset is a fantastic choice. It’s lightweight, offers outstanding speech quality, and can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. It’s also compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other remote-working tools. This is a headphone-style headset, which means the music is delivered to both ears.

While you’re in the workplace or out on a walk, this can be a liability, but it’s ideal when you’re working from home. This set is ideal for accepting phone calls, listening to music, and even casual gaming after a long day at work. If you have children or other household distractions, active noise cancellation (ANC) technology will help you concentrate, while noise-cancelling microphones will minimise background noise levels.

Your coworkers will be grateful! The set’s durability is one of its drawbacks. A number of the components are made of plastic, which can grow brittle over time. We had hoped for a higher build quality given the relatively high pricing.