Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jonathon, who's currently preparing for a summer of fun with top dropped. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm looking for a Bluetooth headset with the best noise reduction. I've got a convertible and would like to be able to have a conversation with the top down (at least around town, highway would be fantastic but probably unrealistic). So, any thoughts and / or suggestions?"

BT headsets have come a long way since we first posted a similar question in 2005, so we suspect the answers here will be quite a bit different. Do you have a particular earpiece that you enjoy while cruising under the open skies? Don't hold back on us, now.

[monstermaxx Posted Jan 29th 2010 12:12AM]

I have the Jawbone Prime. Sound quality is excellent. Battery life is horrible. Claims are 5 hours. I get about 1:15 tops. That's fully charged, off the charger it's dead in 1:15.

Yes, I did contact them about a replacement. Sent mine in. They did nothing for 3 weeks. Fortunatly I sent it registered signature required or I'd have been out the device. I had to prove to them they had received it. Once I did that it only took another ten days to get me a replacement.
Yes, the RMA was very clearly in the label.

Also, the connect process to the phone is a total PITA. Not talking pairing the device to a phone, talking every time it comes off the charger. You have to press and hold for 5-10 sec until the light comes on, then maybe it's connected, but maybe not. Very hit or miss.

Also, the ear hook is a poor design. Little flimsy plastic thing that sticks up. Put the device in your pocket a few times and it's broken off. Then there's the goofy ear thing which only works so-so.

So, excellent sound quality, terrible battery life, lousy connecting process, poor securing to your ear.

Also have a Motorola HS850, it does all the things the Jawbone does poorly very well, but has lousy sound quality.


Next...

[CZroe Posted Jan 29th 2010 12:14AM]

Parrot SK-4000 FTW, but you need a motorcycle helmet or something similar to mount it on. ;) I'm posting from a motorcycle meetup near mine at this very moment. Anyway, I've had people tell me that they thought I was at home while I had been talking to them a 90+ MPH. :D it does A2DP and even synced with my phonebook for voicedialing even on phones that don't support it (like my original iPhone 3G).

[snyperx Posted Jan 29th 2010 12:31AM]

I really like the Motorola Endeavor HX1 I think it is. WIth the true bone conducting, while it has to be seated right for it to work, it works amazingly well and cuts out all outside noise.

[allsighs Posted Jan 29th 2010 12:47AM]

BlueAnt V1. Great quality, lots of features (if you want them...not force-fed), affordable (but not cheap), and most importantly it is small. You will not look like one of the Borg or an old-fashioned douche-bag...

[genghiskhan Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:00AM]

I'm poor. All the headsets listed are too expensive for me, especially seeing how easy they are to lose because I hate wearing them when I'm not using them since they look so douchey, and they inevitably end up in a pocket from which they magically disappear.

Any have a good noise-cancelling headset that can be connected to at least 2 devices at once and costs less than $40?

[jjwatmyself Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:01AM]

Hands down, the Jawbone II is great. On a mobile or computer the noise canceling is very good. Either to filter out spikes from screaming kids or car radio noise it's very effective. It is all in the sensor that touches the skin and determines if you are talking that enable it to accomplish this amazing task. I don't believe there is such a thing as high def audio via BT, which is the only drawback of BT as a technology.

[Pencreus Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:20AM]

I've used quite a few over the years and i can say the ugliest one is also the best one: Plantronics PRO. It's the only one I've had where people tell me to GET ON my bluetooth instead of off it.

[MechEMark Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:30AM]

Jawbone Prime. Used for driving, as mandated by law, which I coincidentally am all for. Anyways, it works perfectly for me. I've even had music on while doing 80 on the freeway and people on the other end have said they wouldn't have known I was on a bluetooth if I hadn't asked how it sounded. All they could hear was my voice. It also has a good battery life, and is basically all I want out of a headset.

[pkicq Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:02AM]

I am using the official Sony PS3 bluetooth headset, I like it as the noise canceling is great.

[phingus Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:17AM]

i've given up. after a string of high end headsets [plantronics, jawbone, motorola] they just leave me cussing in the car.

[Ashkaan Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:54AM]

I can't believe only 1 other person mentioned it, but the Jabra BT 530 is the best.

My friend and I ordered 23 different bluetooth (blueteeth?) headsets to test, because we're very picky, and returned 22. Only 7 of those were up to quality standards as far as sound (on my end and my friends) and out of those I only found 2 comfortable and capable of withstanding me running (like to a cab or other possible situations).. that was the BT 530 and the Plantronics Voyager 510. The Plantronics was simply too big, so the BT 530 fit the bill.

It sounds really great, has more than decent range, its extremely comfortable for hours, has great battery life, and stays on my ear when I run.. It is simply the best.

[MBN Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:47PM]

@Ashkaan Are you and your friend seeing anyone for your mental disorder?

[cocopuffz Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:40AM]

BlueAnt V1. Voice control and excellent bg sound cancellation.

[goggl Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:44AM]

If you talk about quality there is only one option:
Nokia BH-905

http://reviews.cnet.com/headsets/nokia-bh-905/4505-13831_7-33772381.html

[Vitala Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:28AM]

Motorola H15. Crystal tolk + Dual microphone noise cancellation

[rashidm Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:54AM]

Hey, any feedback on Sennheiser's MM 450? it has active noise cancellation, BT (both standard and it's original to increase sound quality)

considering to buy

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headsets_mobile_music_502891

[Aphoid Posted Jan 29th 2010 11:14AM]

@rashidm I'm also interested in knowing about these. They are pretty expensive though...

[Sarcasme Posted Jan 29th 2010 5:04AM]

My fingers.

[Kazshini Posted Jan 29th 2010 5:07AM]

Plantronics Voyager Pro is by far the most comfortable BT headset I've ever used, and I've heard I sound great on it. The Jawbone II is also top notch (not as comfy as the Voyager Pro), and I just picked up the Jawbone ICON, haven't tried it yet.

[colinguinn Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:17AM]

I have tried many BT headsets and they all go back, and I stick with my wired headset from UME Voice called The Boom. But, I just got that Jawbone Icon and it not a complete piece of shit. I can actually hold a conversation while walking down the street in NYC. You may want to check it out.

[chewbach Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:29AM]

I've had the Voyager Pro for about a month now and love it. The noise cancellation is great, it's very comfortable, and it has plenty of volume. Before purchasing it, my greatest concern was the size/comfort level. Well, the reality is, it's incredibly comfortable and while it's a little larger than others (like the Jawbone), it's really a non-issue.

My previous two headsets were both Jawbones (the original and II). While the noise cancellation was fantastic, I had three ongoing problems:

- I had a hard time keeping the headset against my Jawbone. Thus, when it's not resting on your cheek/jawbone, it works very poorly. (This is a common complaint.)

- The volume wasn't loud enough for my personal preference. (Another common complaint.)

- It's easy to accidentally turn it on. I tend to put the headset in my pocket when I'm not using it. The way the on/off switch works, it's very easy to accidentally turn it on. There's nothing worse that answering your cell phone just to find out that it's broadcasting through your Bluetooth headset that's buried in your pocket somewhere....

[Addidis Posted Mar 19th 2010 12:32PM]

@chewbach

Sold one voyager if im remembering right its the one with the nice leather case for the unit. Never heard back from the gent who bought it. pleased to hear good reviews.

[kobioshi Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:50AM]

Sennheiser MM200. Great sound, stereo bluetooth. I don't even know if it is noise canceling but I cannot even hear myself cough when I am wearing them.

[Ntafy Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:18AM]

Jawbone Prime would be my choice (or any new Jawbone for that matter).
They work really well. I have a Prime and I can attest that it works miracles in noise cancellation.

[Southeast Jerome Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:35AM]

Jawbone Prime does not have a loud enough speaker for convertible driving, but the noise cancelation is excellent even at highway speeds with the top down. I'm told the new Jawbone Icon has a louder speaker, which I'm itching to try out.

[PetiePal Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:49AM]

I own:

-Plantronics Voyager 975
-Plantronics Voyager 925
-Plantronics Discovery 520
-Jawbone 2
-Built in Bluetooth in my Nissan Murano

I love the 975, however all bluetooth devices have trouble with wind sheer. The Jawbone has done well to isolate a lot of this simply because of its "Noise Assassin" filtering and the fact is picks up on the vibrations in your jaw to detect your voice etc. The built-in car bluetooth is my favorite though, even with all windows down people can here me going 80.

Just be careful if you do talk and drive it's still a distraction!

[andrus54 Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:54AM]

Jawbone 2 has been the best so far. best costumer service. using it in my vette all the time

[ehickcox Posted Jan 29th 2010 9:28AM]

Best headset to date for noise cancelling is the Jawbone Prime...a completely revamped noise canceling system from the Jawbone 2. I've used this headset in crowded airports,stores and even driving down the highway with windows down and radio on. With virtually no background noise to the person on the other end. Plantronics 975 is cool headset. I own that too...sound quality, noise reduction, and comfort are subpar. And Plantronics sound like garbage with iPhone.

[ddauber Posted Jan 29th 2010 10:43AM]

Have any of you tried the Etymotic Research EtyBlu?
Great Noise Isolation & Comfortable Fit!!

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/etyblu.aspx

[jsuggs Posted Jan 29th 2010 10:51AM]

First, thanks Engadget for putting my question out.
Second, thanks Engadget readers for all of the feedback.

Update: I've purchased a Jawbone Icon with the intention of trying it out and making a decision to see whether or not it is up to the task. However unfortunately it is snowing like crazy here in Nashville so that exercise is put on hold till it warms up a bit, haha. I'm also going to look into the 975 as well (maybe do a shootout?).

[Shawn Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:13PM]

@jsuggs try both out and let us know your results! It will certainly be interesting to see.

[jusmaxxin Posted Jan 29th 2010 11:42AM]

I recently bought the new Jawbone Icon headset. Hands down its been the best headset I've had. I can hear my callers very well and they don't even know I'm on a headset in the car. Also, I get insane distances before it disconnects from my Droid.

[MBN Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:53PM]

The Jawbone II is my favorite so far. It has to fit correctly and be seated correctly, or it won't work. People I know who hate them never got a good fit.

For me , it does everything well except handling wind noise. I hear the Jawbone Prime is good with wind so I think that's probably the best one, though I don't own it. I can't seem to lose or break my Jawbone II to justify the upgrade.

[willmitchell61 Posted Jan 29th 2010 6:03PM]

Didn't you guys just do an amazing review of Jawbone ICON?

I don't think it's even a question. They were the first headset to introduce noise cancelling in Bluetooth headsets and their latest is the highest rated from CNET ever.

[Shawn Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:11PM]

Get the cheapest headset you can find and just have both parties scream at each other. Very effective lol. In all seriousness, I've been very happy with my Plantronics Voyager 520. Older, but still extremely good. I use mine in a noisy data center and other end can hear me just fine and I can here them just fine. I would like to try out the Voyager Pro though. That should be even better.

[sejohannsenearthlinknet Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:02PM]

The absolute best I've used is a Scala Rider, but having to wear the motorcycle helmet probably would be a turn off for a convertible. Seriously they are amazing for bike riders. In my Miata I used a Parrot MiniKit Slim (http://www.parrot.net.nz/pmks.html) and it was pretty good. Just bought a Jabra Cruiser but don't have enough time on it to recommend it. It will connect (not just pair) with two devices at the same time, so if you have two phones, it will support both.

[theonestep4 Posted Jan 30th 2010 8:43PM]

Motorola HX1 Endeavor is better.

[Addidis Posted Mar 19th 2010 11:00AM]

Ok I sell these for a living.... The best are dependent on the enviroment you use it in. For instance if your in the car (around construction and lots and lots of background noise) or in an office . The two top of the line units (per customer feedback) are the Blue Ant and the jawbone. Heres a break down of each.
Blueant :
Best all around. Uses a 2 mic system one by your mouth, one by the back of your head. The back one is used to cancel noise, the front well you get the idea. Best customer feed back all around.
Jawbone:
Jawbone tech was actually developed by DARPA for use in tanks and the likes. The problem with them is supersonic noise that rattles your jaw is heard by the other side. customers who worked in offices seemed to like it, customers who drove allot returned it promptly and got a blueant. These units have no mic. They receive their input from vibrations in your jawbone. A semi driving by WILL be heard by the other side, A jack hammer makes it painfully clear DARPA kept the best tech for them selves. Awesome device if your primary use is not in a car .

[Addidis Posted Mar 19th 2010 11:02AM]

@Addidis
PS truck drivers , absolutely swear by parrot. They Refuse to buy any thing else. It slipped my mind because we stopped carrying them .

[reallyryan Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:24PM]

I've been researching this online for a few days... My budget is extremely limited for a bluetooth headset, so I've been trying to find some good inexpensive models. I found some good advice here on what to look out for: http://www.cheapism.com/cheap-bluetooth. The Samsung model seems like a good buy, does anyone have experience with it?