Do you want the best headset? 
This blog is designed for those who are looking for a wired USB headset for their own personal use, or for those looking for a cost effective headset solution for a team.
The truth is, headsets are being used with computers at a very high rate. This usage rate was accelerated with the Covid pandemic when so many people were displaced from their normal work environments and ended up in a home office.
Since then though, many have been filtering their way back into offices, but many have remained working remotely. For either, the headset I’ll be discussing in this blog, is a good, and very practical solution for those wanting a professional sounding headset that’s comfortable, reliable and affordable.
Jabra Evolve 20 Review Video
If you’re still reading this blog, then let’s find out what this new Jabra Evolve 20 wired USB headset is all about.
Choices
First off, I like the fact that you have some options. By that I mean you can get:
- Mono (single ear) or duo (double ear) versions. So if you want to hear what’s going on around you, then the mono model would be best. On the other hand, if you want to help block out background noise, and enhance your concentration, then the duo model would be the way to go.
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USB A, or USB C variants. A lot of computers today are coming with USB C ports rather than the more familiar, albeit older, USB A port. With the Jabra Evolve 20 you have your choice of a headset that has either connector. This way, you’ll know that when your new headset arrives, it’ll work great with your computer.
- The Evolve 20 also comes in the UC or Teams variant. If the communication platform you use is 100% Microsoft Teams, then the Teams version would be your best headset choice. However, if you use a combination of Microsoft Teams, Zoom or other communication applications, then the UC version would be ideal.
What’s not to like about having choices, right? Fortunately you have several with the Evolve 20.
You won’t break the bank
The Jabra Evolve 20 was designed to be an affordable USB wired headset. Although it may lack a feature or two that are found on more expensive models, don’t think this is a cheaply built, questionable quality headset because it isn’t.
Depending on whether you decide on a mono or duo model, you can expect it to run around $50.00 to $60.00. Yes, you can find “cheaper” USB headsets out there. But, the appeal of that cheap price fades very quickly when you find that you’re replacing it in a year or two.
So much for saving a few dollars. The other thing about buying cheap headsets is it’s often hard to get any meaningful support once you receive the headset. In many cases, the company that provides it is most interested in making a sale, and less interested in your satisfaction.
Whether you work solo from home, or in a larger office among many coworkers, having good support matters.
Although the Jabra Evolve 20 comes with an attractive price, you might be interested to know how you can lower that price even more. If so, make sure to continue reading this blog because I’ll be giving you a couple of great tips on saving some money on this headset.
Inline controls
Most USB wired headsets provide an inline controller. The Jabra Evolve 20, like others, has one. So, what can you do with this inline controller? Here are the buttons you’ll find on the Evolve 20 controller:
- Volume up, Volume down (this regulates how loud you hear your callers)
- Mute on, Mute off (this turns on/off your microphone)
- Answer/End calls (if you’re using one of the many compatible communication applications like Teams, Zoom, RingCentral, Dialpad etc), then you’ll be able to take a call, and end it, directly from the inline controller rather than mousing your way through a program on your computer. It’s far more convenient, and faster too. And when business comes knocking, you don’t have time to waste.
Comfort
If you work in a call center, or if you spend your day at home on calls, then the matter of comfort really plays a role. Nobody wants to end their day with aches and pains caused by an uncomfortable headset. Fortunately, you won’t have that kind of painful experience with the Jabra Evolve 20.
First off, these headsets (mono and duo) are very lightweight and comfortable. The mono version weighs a mere 3.6 ounces, and the duo model weighs just 4.6.
That makes them among the lightest professional grade headsets on the market. Given a choice between a headset that’s heavier, or one that’s lighter, lighter wins out consistently.
And, I have to say, we test a lot of headsets, and some have weighed as much as 10 ounces which helps to underscore how much lighter these headsets are.
The ear cushions have enough padding to make it soft and comfortable. Unlike some models that cut corners on the padding allowing you to feel the hard plastic speaker housing, the Evolve 20 gives you enough cushion so your ears are comfortable even for long periods of time.
You can also adjust the headband so that the ear speakers can be properly positioned and aligned to your ears. It can be frustrating to wear a headset that has limitations of adjustment on this.
You end up finding yourself trying to find a good fit that never seems to happen which causes you to adapt to the headset, rather than the headset adapting to you. Fortunately, that limitation isn’t what you get with the Evolve 20.
The sound of silence
Unquestionably, comfort is important if you plan on using a headset for long periods of time. But every bit as important is how the headset sounds. A comfortable headset that sounds bad doesn’t really provide you with much value.
With that in mind, how does this Evolve 20 sound? I’m glad you asked.
We tested the microphone on the Evolve 20 for:
- Voice sound quality in a quiet environment
- Voice quality when noise was present
- Noise reduction with dogs barking noise
- Noise reduction with office noise
- Noise reduction with a loud blender 2-3 feet away running on high
So how did this new headset perform? Honestly, it did far better than I would have expected. The microphone has a nice professional sound quality overall, which is what you need, but it also did an amazing job at reducing those annoying noises.
The barking dogs, office noises and blender sounds were all highly reduced which is no simple feat. This is particularly impressive given this headset’s price point. We’ve tested countless headsets in this same way, and models that cost two to three times more didn’t do as well as this headset did.
By any measurement that’s impressive. So, if you work in an environment where noise is a regular thing, then this is a headset you should consider if eliminating it is something you want.
Software
It’s becoming common for headset manufacturers to provide downloadable software for the purpose of updating headset firmware, as well as adjusting the headset for personalization of features.
The Jabra Evolve 20 has the Jabra Direct and Jabra Express software for performing headset adjustments. So whether you’re looking for the latest firmware release, or if you’re wanting to set up your headset the way you like, then through this software you’ll be able to accomplish that.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this headset is it’s a great value if you’re looking for a comfortable headset that sounds good and is affordable. It does a wonderful job of removing unwanted background noise, it has a nice 2-year warranty, has a built-in busy light so those around you will know when you’re on a call.
You’ll also get hearing protection through Jabra’s feature called PeakStop, and the microphone employs wideband audio for good sound quality.
So if your budget has limits, and you’re looking for a high performing professional headset, you really should check this headset out. Yes, it lacks the Active Noise Cancellation feature, but at $50.00, you really shouldn’t expect it. All in all, for the price of this headset, you get a lot for your money.
Care to save some money?
Speaking of money, how would you like to save some on an Evolve 20? Earlier in this blog I mentioned that I’d share a couple of tips on how you can lower the price on an Evolve 20. Well, we’re at that point in this blog where I’ll explain what I mean.
If this headset has you looking for your credit card because it’s exactly what you’re looking for, then hold on a second while I explain a couple of things.
First, if you’re replacing an old headset, or your team’s headsets, what’s the fate of the old headset(s) that are being replaced?
- Relegated to the deep recesses of a desk drawer?
- Put into a box that ends up in the far corner of a storeroom?
- Comingled with other headsets and electronics destined for recycling?
- Or….God forbid, it/they get tossed out into the trash (hey, you wouldn’t do that would you?)
Why not trade them in for cash or credit? Getting a bit of cash sure beats watching them collect dust.
