Whether or not it's legal in your state to hold a handset while driving, we can all agree that doing so isn't too smart. But the alternative—relying on your phone's chintzy speakerphone—isn't much better: Sound quality on your end is awful, and the same goes for the person on the other end. Similarly, unless you're sitting at your desk and focusing entirely on your phone, chances are you'd rather have both of your hands free during calls.
The solution is a headset or speakerphone. The former offers an earpiece and the latter a speaker, so you can better hear your calls, plus a microphone so other people can hear you better. Provided you find a Bluetooth headset that feels comfortable and secure in your ear—or looped around it—you'll appreciate a headset's versatility: It's typically lightweight, ultraportable, and convenient to use while bopping around the office, visiting clients, commuting, racing through airports, attending conferences, and so on. If it feels like you live in your car, a Bluetooth speakerphone specifically designed for in-car calls might be an even better choice, thanks to convenient mounting options and bigger buttons that are easier to access while driving.
The ubiquity of Bluetooth means that you're spoiled by options these days, with a large number of monaural (mono) headsets and car speakerphones on the market. To help you find the solution that's perfect for you, here's our buying guide: what to look for when shopping, information about the different types, and specific recommendations.
What to look for when shopping
Given how easy it is to connect a Bluetooth headset or speakerphone to your phone—iPhone, Android, Windows, whatever—and that most of these accessories work similarly, you might be tempted to just buy the model that looks the best, or that sells for the lowest price. But as with headphones, the relatively simple functionality of a Bluetooth headset or speakerphone belies the myriad differences in quality, functionality, and features you can get. With that in mind, here are some tips for shopping for a Bluetooth headset or car speakerphone.
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