AirPods & Laptop Mic vs Headset for Zoom Calls

Boom or bust

Are those AirPods or Laptop mics the best when busting out your sales calls? Is there a better, and affordable alternative that can help deliver better results? 

My take is if you're using AirPods, or your computer mic and speakers for your sales calls, stop doing that immediately!

In this blog, I'll cover some of the reasons why using AirPods, or your computer mic and speakers are a really bad idea. And, I'll share with you some affordable solutions that will have you sounding far more professional in the process. 

Rather watch than read?

If you're like a lot of other people, you probably prefer to consume your content visually, rather than slogging your way through endless text. If that sounds about right, then check out our video below.

You'll get specific reasons not to use those devices for yoiur calls, and you'll also get some audio and video comparisons, so you can decide for yourself if you agree with me, or not. Either way, well worth a watch.

Apple Fanboys, I get it

I know a lot of people are HUGE fans of Apple products. In fact, their dedication to the brand is so intense, that they sometimes lose sight of simple truths about the shortcomings of any device with an Apple logo. 

No knock on you guys, because I too own many different Apple devices, and I think they're fantastic. But, with that said, they're not perfect. One area in particular, is sound quality as it relates to using AirPods on business calls. That's where I draw the line.

AirPods and computer mics don't cut it (noise)

If Sales is your profession, and you find yourself routinely on sales calls, using AirPods or computer microphones simply falls short in professional quality.

When it comes to AirPods, the voice audio quality is decent enough, and I might even go so far as to say, good enough to use on business calls. But voice audio quality is only half of the sound quality equation. 

Noise, the ultimate disruptor

So there you are, wearing your AirPods, on an important sales call, when noise in your background intensifies. That can be dogs barking if you work from home, or coworkers celebrating a big deal just closed if you're working in an office. Whatever noise you deal with, AirPods aren't removing it.

Your callers, just like you, are hearing it all. So being honest here, is that helping or hindering your concentration, your customer concentration, and the flow of your call? Say what you will, but the facts say it's highly disruptive. To learn more about how noise affects us, check out this article by Resonics, titled "12 Ways Noise Affects Worker Well-being And Productivity"

So when you use AirPods, or your computer mic for calls, your callers are hearing the sounds going on in your background. That's because both do a poor job at removing noise. It wouldn't be far from the truth to say that both don't remove noise at all, and that's not what you want when you're trying to keep a customer engaged, and hearing your message.

Not enough talk time

AirPods are limited in the amount of talk time they provide. Generation 3, for example, only give you up to 4 hours of talk time before needing to be recharged. If you're someone who spends a lot of time on sales calls, that's not enough battery to get you through a busy day.

Yes, you can recharge over a lunch break, or during regular breaks, but that's one more thing you have to do, and if you forget, you won't have use of your AirPods at all. Not ideal.

Privacy matters

If you're using computer speakers as a component of your audio solution, that's not a good idea. You don't want those around you to hear your conversations, especially if they involve confidential information such as in finance, or healthcare environments.

Going the distance, or not

Wireless range is another limiting factor when using these approaches, with AirPods you only get 30-60 feet, according to Apple. And that's assuming you have no obstacles to degrade the signal, and cause the range to be less.

Longer wireless range means you have a wider, usable footprint which allows you to do more things. Conversely, a narrower footprint, like with the AirPods, limits where you can go, and what you can do. The Apple AirPods, compared to business grade headsets, is very limited when it comes to wireless range.

Typical Bluetooth headsets that are designed for business use will give you up to 100 feet of wireless range, with others that can stretch as far as 500+ feet. Compare that to AirPods 30-60 feet, with actual usable range being less, and it's easy to see which gives you more flexibility. One more point to help strengthen the argument against using Airpods for business calls.

Integration, or the lack thereof

One of the many benefits of using a business grade headset is it's designed to integrate with the leading UC software. That means you can do things like:

These are things you can't do when you use AirPods, or your Laptop.

Customers find enormous value in the many different features that Jabra products offer. Whether it's longer range or talk time, the more professiional sound, the better concentration through Active Noise Cancellation or the multi-device connectivity, Jabra products help to make you sound better, look better, and get more done.

So what are some better solutions?

The truth is, there are many solutions that would easily outperform using AirPods for your sales calls, and business meetings. Here are a few Jabra solutions that jump out to me:

Jabra Evolve2 55.

This is a unique wireless headset that's available in mono or stereo configurations, and includes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). ANC gives you control over the distracting noise from your environment. One of the things that makes this headset unique is it offers ANC even in the mono configuration, which is uncommon.

Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex.

This is perhaps my most favorite of all wireless headsets. It has a smaller, compact, yet very modern design, and it features a great sounding, noise canceling microphone, and includes Active Noise Cancellation. The design is not only modern and sleek, but it collapses which makes it easier to transport. Up to 20 hours of talk time which blows the AirPods talk time away.

Jabra Engage 55.

This is a perfect headset for anyone who wants more wireless range, as it provides up to 300 feet. This is a DECT headset, and not Bluetooth, and connects only to a computer. And because it uses DECT technology, calls are more secure. In fact, it's military grade security that makes the engage 55 able to be used in environments that deal with personal information like in finance, or healthcare. Available in three configurations:

Maybe a wired headset is your preference

If a wireless headset isn't what you're looking for, or not in the budget, you can still take advantage of the benefits business headsets offer. Here's a good one you should consider.

Jabra Evolve2 50 . 

This is a very good choice for anyone who needs great sound, excellent noise reduction, and a simple, plug and play headset for computer, and mobile phone. This is a highly unusual headset in that it provides Bluetooth connectivity through a wired, USB headset. 

Whether you prefer a wired, or wireless headset, you'll find significant improvement to the sound quality of your calls, wireless range, and talk time when using any of these high quallity Jabra headsets. With that said, besides how you sound, what about how you look? You can't overlook the shortcomings of using the integrated laptop webcam when on your video calls.

A picture is worth a thousand words

It's widely known that the speakers and cameras found in most computers, are sub-par. And if your calls are important, why would you use devices that don't allow you to look, and sound your best?  Understandable if the better solutions were out of reach financially, but that's simply not the case.

Case in point is the Jabra Panacast 20 webcam. 

This is a small, compact, and affordable high quality webcam that helps to keep you looking sharp on your video calls.

The Panacast 20 uses powerful onboard AI and a premium 13-megapixel camera to deliver a real-time 4K Ultra-HD image that’s sharp and crystal-clear, with virtually no latency.

So you can start that big presentation knowing you (and whatever you’re presenting) will look your best. And isn't that better than using a low-end integrated laptop camera? Check out the differences between using a laptop camera, and the Panacast 20 in our review video above. 

So if you want to sound your best, stop using AirPods or computer based audio immediately, and wrap your ears around the incredible sound you get from a new Jabra wired, or wireless headset. You'll sound more professional, and your customers will thank you for giving them a quieter, more focused call. 

And to make the experience complete, tie it together with a Jabra webcam, like the Panacast 20 to look and sound your very best.Quality comes in all forms, and when using Jabra headsets and webcams, you're assured of quality throughout.

Like saving money?

Loaded question, right?  Of course you do, we all do. So save some of your hard earned money, or the companies budget by using coupon code BLOG when checking out on our website, which is headsetadvisor.com.

Mention coupon code BLOG to get a nice discount on your order, and yes, where you buy matters.

Headset Advisor gives you more

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Don't settle for second rate service when a better option is available to you. Let our Advisors, and support team give you the service you deserve.