Recommend bluetooth headphones with microphone to make calls with Android phone

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timmmay

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#214288 5-May-2017 09:46

Can anyone recommend a good value headset for my Android phone? Main requirements:

Let me make calls without holding phone to my head. My cell is my main phone, and it's somewhat uncomfortable on longer calls, especially if I have to type or take notes
Two padded headphones, not in-ear, not single ear
Wireless / bluetooth
Connects to various Android phones (Huawei P9, Samsung S4, and Moto G v1 are the current set)
Ideally has a boom microphone for better voice quality
Not concerned about sound quality for music, just that I can hear people on phone calls
Good value - $50 would be my upper limit. I know you can get great ones for $300, but it's not worth it to me.

I'm fine with ebay/ali type products. For example I found this one on ebay, but no boom mic, so I wonder if call quality will be ok.

I have things like Beats by Dr Dre (review sample) and probably a dozen in-ear headphones which might have a microphone. I wonder if they'd work with the phone...

NOTE

Back when I first asked the question I was asking sub $50. Now I'm looking for sub $200 and locally sourced with fast delivery. Specs on this post below.

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#1776101 5-May-2017 10:10

Edit: I didn't read OP's post properly. I'm stupid.

You don't want much for sub $50!!!!

I bought these on a recommendation from GZ. I think I got them for sub $50, can't recall.

They're good, but they're hard to get in your ears properly to get a good bass sound. People also say that the voice quality from them is patchy at best.

Still, I think you'll be hard pressed to do better for less than $50!

timmmay

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#1776105 5-May-2017 10:16

It might not be possible for sub $50, but given the ones I already found are $23 and might do the job so I'm hopeful :) You can get some pretty amazing stuff cheap on ebay and such these days that's "good enough". Those ones you've recommend are in-ear, I'm not a huge fan of that style, especially for phone calls.

I don't need great sound quality, I just need clear speech. I have about 5 pairs of headphones and 10 pairs of in-ears for music.

muppet

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#1776107 5-May-2017 10:17

timmmay:

It might not be possible for sub $50, but given the ones I already found are $23 and might do the job so I'm hopeful :) You can get some pretty amazing stuff cheap on ebay and such these days that's "good enough". Those ones you've recommend are in-ear, I'm not a huge fan of that style, especially for phone calls.

I don't need great sound quality, I just need clear speech. I have about 5 pairs of headphones and 10 pairs of in-ears for music.

I'm very sorry, I'm obviously going blind as I didn't see you said "not in ear"

timmmay

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#1776111 5-May-2017 10:26

muppet:

I'm very sorry, I'm obviously going blind as I didn't see you said "not in ear"

You're acting like a bit of a muppet ;)

davidcole

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#1776136 5-May-2017 10:57

I use these, mostly for running, commuting. Don't take a lot of calls though, and no boom mike as you stated.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100-original-Suicen-SX-910A-bluetooth-stereo-headset-for-brand-mobile-phones-mp3-player-Use-for/328408_1880625800.html

Cheap is chips and on ear (which is my preference). The cheap as chips part is what I justify as getting rained on and sweated on, which me overrides any audio quality + mic quality.

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dinamochris

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#1776148 5-May-2017 11:13

timmmay:

Can anyone recommend a good value headset for my Android phone? Main requirements:

Let me make calls without holding phone to my head. My cell is my main phone, and it's somewhat uncomfortable on longer calls, especially if I have to type or take notes
Two padded headphones, not in-ear, not single ear
Wireless / bluetooth
Connects to various Android phones (Huawei P9, Samsung S4, and Moto G v1 are the current set)
Ideally has a boom microphone for better voice quality
Not concerned about sound quality for music, just that I can hear people on phone calls
Good value - $50 would be my upper limit. I know you can get great ones for $300, but it's not worth it to me.

I'm fine with ebay/ali type products. For example I found this one on ebay, but no boom mic, so I wonder if call quality will be ok.

I have things like Beats by Dr Dre (review sample) and probably a dozen in-ear headphones which might have a microphone. I wonder if they'd work with the phone...

I have those same ones Timmmay. They work well as bluetooth headphones and I have had no issues the times I have received a call whilst wearing them. My phone (s6) flips from music listening to phone call easily. They also have a function for re-dialling last number

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timmmay

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#1776152 5-May-2017 11:22

Thanks @dinamochris. How's the call quality, for you and the other person? Can you hear yeah other reasonably easily?

dinamochris

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#1776155 5-May-2017 11:30

timmmay:

Thanks @dinamochris. How's the call quality, for you and the other person? Can you hear yeah other reasonably easily?

If i'm being honest, I bought the headphones initially as bluetooth ones for music alone and it wasn't until I got a call come through while listening to music that I realised that they had that capability....

I have no issues hearing people, I haven't had any comments from people not being able to hear me. Not a definitive answer for you unfortunately, but I haven't been told it's crap sound

Hope this helps

mdf

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#1776158 5-May-2017 11:39

FWIW, I've found the mic design to hardly ever correlate with quality of the call. I bought a reasonable Logitech (I think - long gone) boom mic USB headset, and it was cr@p, whereas a pair of Jabra Halos have awesome call quality without a mic anywhere near my mouth. I think the quality of the mic and the processing makes much more of a difference than where the mic is located. I suspect that an on-ear mic has to work harder so is actually designed properly, whereas some think that sticking any old mic near your mouth is the same as engineering it well.

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#1776654 5-May-2017 21:23

I love my Plantronics backbeat bbfit headphones, but they don't really meet your requirements. I can't wear in-ear plugs.

timmmay

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#1901430 15-Nov-2017 19:59

Ok, now I'm looking for a bluetooth headset for work, that someone else is paying for. Can anyone recommend something suitable for occasional use (20 minutes a day), with a budget of say $200, sourced locally? Not in ear, on or around ear, with a boom mic. I can browser pbtech and read reviews, really just interested what people have found good.

I've used Plantronics wireless noise cancelling, they were great but $355 retail is too much.

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#1901449 15-Nov-2017 20:41

I'd be guessing, but over-ear with a boom mic, you'd be looking at gaming headsets. Or expensive for call centre type people that wear them all day.

Like @mdf said, a boom mic makes sweet FA of a difference. I've had Jabra, Plantronics, Sony, expensive and cheap, and multiple cheap brands. Boom mic made no difference on expensive and cheap brands.

Currently using Jabra, but in-ear, no boom and have no issues with calls. Halo Fusion. Great battery life too. Try the Jabra Evolve or Move.

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#1901456 15-Nov-2017 20:56

I’m hoping to buy the steel series artis(something) 7s. They’re about that price. They say mobile so I would assume Bluetooth? But that’s not what I’ve looked for. I just want wireless pc gaming headphones for Skype and music.

timmmay

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#1901465 15-Nov-2017 21:20

Ok, boom not important. Got it. This is just to make occasional calls to customers and have my hands free so I can type notes without hurting my neck. No desk phones where I am. Just want something moderate price that works, don't want to spend ages deciding.

There's a Logitech H800 for $129, but it's only average, with a few hours battery life. H600 is cheaper but worse. Plantronics BackBeat 505 is a good brand, reviews are ok.

blackjack17

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#1902461 15-Nov-2017 21:37

I have these mpow cheetah they are in ear but you don't have to push them in, you just lose the base. Due to the design they stay in.

Call quality is really good esp for $25 dollars.

edit. Just saw your comment regarding someone else paying for it

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