Do you want the best headset? 
The pandemic of 2020 caused a significant uptick in the usage of wired and wireless headsets for use with computers. Very abruptly, many of us found ourselves suddenly working from home without advance notice, and in many cases, without the technology tools needed.
In order to stay connected with team members, we all saw use of applications like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and other video conferencing applications.
We also saw an increase in Softphone use too. The migration away from traditional desk phones to Softphones was underway prior to the pandemic, but the pandemic caused it to increase even faster.
One of the things that Softphones and video conferencing have in common is the need for a good quality headset while using them.
You can get a cheap headset for your computer just about anywhere. But, is that really the best approach?
- How much value do you place on your phone calls?
- How much value do you place on sounding professional on your video conferencing calls?
- Does the image you convey to your customers matter?
- Do you care if your callers hear all the typical home noises (children, dogs, doorbells, lawnmowers ets) while you’re on a call with them?
- Does it matter if you can’t move freely around your work environment?
- Are you fine if your cheap wireless headset only gives you a few hours of talk time?
Questions like these need to be answered when making a buying decision for a new headset.
You of course don’t want to break your bank account when buying one, but at the same time, you don’t want to be so thrifty minded that you compromise on quality and features.
In this blog, I’m going to share with you the best wireless headset for conference calls here in 2021. I’ve taken several things into account before arriving at my decision. Several of these factors are the same ones that you might consider before pulling the trigger on a new wireless headset.
Before I get into the details of my headset selection for 2021, I’d like to let you know that we recorded a Youtube video you can watch here. Not only will you get the opportunity to see the product I recommend, but you’ll also be able to hear how it sounds, and how it performs when it’s confronted with office noise and our signature blender test.
Lastly, you’ll see me walk and talk while testing it for wireless range. So make sure to check it out, and if you do, don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a comment. We read all the comments, and we appreciate them all.
Important factors to consider before making your decision.
Microphone sound quality
You always want to sound good, right? Projecting a professional sound is part of shaping your image, and selecting a headset that sounds good should be high on your list.
Battery
Having a decent amount of battery life should be a strong consideration as well. Ideally, you should have a full days charge available, and not a headset that only gives you part of a days use.
Background noise suppression
We all work in different environments. Sometimes we’re in an office setting, while other times we might be working from home, or even in our car or the local coffee shop. With that in mind, you want a headset that can handle noise so it doesn’t end up on your call. This is a feature that’s often overlooked, but can’t be overstated as to its importance. And, if Active Noise Cancellation is part of the package, all the better.
Wireless talk range
A good wireless headset isn’t worth much if it only allows you a short amount of wireless range. You’ll likely feel unsatisfied if you’re restricted in this way. You’ll always find that you need to go “just a little bit further” and without a doubt, the thought that you can’t have enough wireless range rings true for a lot of people.
Comfort
You can have great wireless range, long talk time, stellar noise suppression and more, but if the headset makes you scream out with pain every time you put it on, there’s no reason to consider it. Comfort matters.
Especially if you’re a power user and you’re on calls throughout the day that sees you logging 8 hours of business activities while using a headset. Many headsets can feel comfortable for short bursts, but how those same headsets feel for extended periods of time can help to change your opinion on them.
Price & warranty
Having a good warranty is important because it gives you peace of mind knowing that if anything happens to your wireless headset, it’s covered under the warranty.
When it comes to warranties, longer is always better. And of course you can’t ignore the elephant in the room either. The elephant here of course is the price.
We all want to feel like we’re receiving good value for the money we spend, and for buyers who are purchasing for a team, you want to make sure that you’re not only getting good value, but a price that’s within the budget.
With these as a few of the parameters for considering a headset to tout as the best for conference calls, here’s the model I selected, and in so stating, I’ll also say why I chose this particular model.
Our choice for the best headset for conference calls for 2021 is…
(I think this is where you’d normally insert a drum roll).
Yealink WH66 Wireless Headset
If you’re wondering why I selected a Yealink wireless headset for the best headset for conference calls over more well known brands like Plantronics (now Poly), or Jabra, what follows is my reasoning.
Noise cancellation
The Yealink WH66 reduces unwanted background noise better than any other headset I’ve tested to date. We put it up against the titans of the industry, and it still came out on top.
Yealink has engineered noise reducing technology into the WH66 referred to as Acoustic Shield. The sole purpose of Acoustic Shield is to remove unwanted noise at a higher level over standard noise cancelling headset microphones.
This means that if you work in a noisy office, or if you’re working from home with kids and dogs making noise, the Yealink WH66 will filter out more of that noise over its rivals. So, when Fido is barking at the neighbors cat, you can have confidence knowing that your callers won’t hear all the noise. Clear calls, and peace of mind assured.
Wireless range
We test a lot of headsets, believe me. I have yet to test one that goes as far as the Yealink WH66. This is a DECT 6.0 wireless headset, and when compared to others that operate off of Bluetooth, you’re going to leave them in the dust, literally. A Bluetooth headset on the best of days can only squeeze out about 75 feet of wireless range. The Yealink WH66, by comparison, will easily double that and more.
If you want or need the most wireless freedom, you won’t find another headset that will give you as much as the Yealink WH66. I think most would agree that having more wireless range is always better than having less.
Comfort
The weight of the WH66 places it among the lighter headband styled headsets. Being light goes a long way towards aiding comfort, which is important for anyone who wears a headset for long periods of time. Weight is a contributing factor for sure, but having comfortable ear pads helps too, and those found on the WH66 are soft against the ear.
Battery
The WH66 duo model has a projected battery life of up to 14 hours, and a recharge time of 2.5 hours. By wireless DECT headset standards, this 14 hours of talk time is robust, and will easily get you through even the busiest of days. In fact, you may be able to skip charging it for a day or two if your use isn’t heavy.
If you do find that the battery is dying on you in the middle of a call, the WH66 has a built-in speakerphone that activates once the headset is docked. Having a speakerphone built into the headset base is very unusual, and in the right situation, it can be very beneficial.
4 inch touchscreen
The Yealink WH66 has a very nice 4 inch touchscreen. Although I’ve tested and used headsets in the past that had a touchscreen, none have operated as well as the Yealink WH66. It’s quick to respond to the touch without lag, and the navigation and menu is very intuitive, and easy.
In general, touchscreens on wireless headsets are unusual, and I really like how this one looks and operates. To me, it seems that this is the type of product that others will be measured against in the near future.
Conclusion
The Yealink WH66 is chalked full of features. To me, these serve as icing on the cake. Take for example, the fact that the WH66 has a 2 port USB 3.0 hub. You can use this port for several things including charging a phone for example.
But, if you don’t want to charge your phone via USB, the Yealink WH66 offers an optional wireless phone charger. This is a module that plugs in adjacent to the touch screen. Simply drop your phone onto the wireless charger while you work, and when you step away, you have a fully charged phone. Or, you can use your phone as a conference device.
Not only can you connect to a desk phone via USB, but you can connect via Bluetooth. You can also connect to a mobile phone via Bluetooth as well.
If there was one thing that I’d like to see improved on the WH66 it would be the voice volume. To me, this is an area that could benefit from some attention. This isn’t to say that the WH66 is inadequate when it comes to being heard.
What I am saying is that the WH66 volume could be increased a bit in order to make it easier for callers to hear. This may be a feature that’s regulated in the base station. But if not, then Yealink has a little more fine tuning to do.
When I stop to consider all the great points of the WH66, collectively, they far over compensate for a slightly quiet microphone. Even with that as my one bone of contention, the Yealink WH66 is very deserving of my pick for the best headset for conference calls for 2021.
Watch my video here and tell me what you think by leaving a comment. We read them all, and appreciate your input.
For those of you who don’t know who Headset Advisor is, we’re a family run company that was started in 1994, by the founder and CEO, Doug Merritt. We test, review and provide headsets, conference phones and webcams by all the leading manufacturers. Make sure to check out our Youtube channel, Headset Advisor, and we’d be happy if you’d consider being a subscriber.
