Headsets are one of the cheapest items an IT team buys and one of the most complained about. Get it wrong and you hear about it on every call. The good news is that choosing well comes down to a handful of decisions, and most of them can be made once for the whole company.
MS or UC: the label that confuses everyone
Many business headsets come in two versions with the same hardware:
- MS (Microsoft Teams) versions are certified for Teams and usually have a dedicated Teams button that opens the app, joins meetings and shows notifications.
- UC versions are optimised for other platforms such as Zoom, Webex and softphones, and work with any app that uses the computer's audio.
Both work for ordinary calls on any platform. If your company runs on Microsoft Teams, buy MS versions; otherwise buy UC. You can see the pairing in our ranges, for example the Jabra Evolve2 65 MS and Evolve2 65 UC.
Wired, Bluetooth or DECT?
| Type | Strengths | Watch out for | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired USB | Cheapest, no battery, no pairing | Tied to the desk | Contact centres, hot desks, fixed workstations |
| Bluetooth with USB dongle | Works with laptop and mobile phone; moves between office and home | Shorter range; office Bluetooth can get crowded | Most hybrid knowledge workers |
| DECT | Longer range, dedicated radio band, high user density | Usually desk-only base; no direct phone pairing | Busy open-plan floors, people who walk while on calls |
Always use the USB dongle that comes with a Bluetooth business headset rather than the laptop's built-in Bluetooth. The dongle is tuned for call quality, keeps the connection stable, and lets IT manage firmware.
Noise cancellation: two different things
"Noise cancelling" can mean two separate features:
- Microphone noise reduction filters background sound so the other side hears your voice, not the office. This matters most for call quality.
- Active noise cancellation (ANC) in the ear cups reduces what you hear, which helps concentration on a noisy floor.
For open-plan offices, a boom microphone almost always outperforms microphones built into the ear cups or earbuds. Choose earbuds such as the Poly Voyager Free 60 for people who are mainly mobile, and a boom headset for people who spend most of the day on calls.
Mono or stereo?
Mono, with one ear cup, lets people stay aware of the room, which suits reception and front-desk roles. Stereo is better for focus and for anyone who listens to training videos or music between calls. Most knowledge workers prefer stereo.
Standardise and manage the fleet
Picking two or three approved models makes support, spares and procurement much simpler. Jabra Direct and Jabra Plus, Poly Lens and Logitech Sync let IT push firmware updates and settings and check usage across the fleet. Those are good reasons to buy within one vendor's family.
A typical shortlist:
- Everyday calls, hot desks: a wired USB stereo headset such as the Jabra Evolve2 30.
- Hybrid workers in noisy offices: a Bluetooth headset with ANC and dongle such as the Jabra Evolve2 65.
- Heavy call users, contact centres: the Jabra Engage series.
Frequently asked questions
Will an MS headset work with Zoom?
Yes. Audio works with any app. Only the Teams-specific button and notifications are Teams-only.
How long do wireless headset batteries last?
Many business models offer a full day or more of talk time per charge. Over two to three years, battery capacity declines, so factor replacement into the budget for heavy users.
Should we buy USB-A or USB-C?
Buy whichever matches the company's standard laptops and docks. Many current business laptops have only USB-C, while older docks and desktops have USB-A. Adapters work but are easily lost.
Browse all wireless and wired headsets for business from Jabra, Poly, Logitech and EPOS, with local Singapore warranty.
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Researched and verified by the SourceIT team for Singapore buyers.
