Headsets VS Handsets: which is best for your office phone?

Should you be using a headset or a handset for your office phones?

3 minute read

The big phone analogue switch-off is coming and your business is looking for a new phone solution such as IP phones or a cloud solution. When looking and comparing quotes you may find you still have questions regarding performance, ease of use, and cost. Follow us as we explore the pros and cons of using both handsets and headsets in the office.

The pros and cons of handsets

The call quality is consistent since handsets offer a wider band of audio signal than headsets, so you hear the full spectrum of the human voice.

A handset is also a dedicated device. For example, if your laptop is updating or needs a restart and you need to use the phone you will always have a handset available to you as you wouldn’t be able to use the headset during an update.

Handsets are a lot easier to clean than a headsets.

With handsets you don’t need to change any settings or plugin a USB which can sometimes affect the audio quality with headsets.

The pros and cons of Headsets

Headsets often have a noise-cancelling mic so that the caller can focus on you and not the noises around you.

Headsets are also mobile so you can wear them while walking around your office if needed or if you are working from home, a coffee shop, or a train having a headset also comes in handy.

Most headsets will have a hang-up and pick-up button on the side so you can easily pick up your calls with no delays. With this being said a few headset's pickup and end-call buttons are not always effective with the USB making the call sound crackly.

Most headsets come with a USB which does take up a slot in your laptop which may not always be ideal if you don’t have a doc or if you are on the go with lots to plug in.

Your hands are free, so you can type, take notes, or handle documents during a call.

Common venders

Before we get into the vendors It is also important to know the different types of headsets available. Here is an overview of a few different types of headsets that you can buy and which are best for different scenarios.

Over-ear headsets: These headsets have larger ear cups that fully cover both ears. They are more comfortable for long wear (for example if you are on calls all day.) They usually have bigger drivers, which can provide a better and louder sound.
On-ear headsets: These headsets have smaller ear cups that rest on the ears. They are more portable than over-ear headsets and can be more comfortable for people who wear glasses. These can come with one ear cup or both ear cups.
In-ear headsets: These headsets fit inside the ear canal. They are best for outdoor use however, they are still a good option for the office and offer great portability.
Bone conduction headsets: These headsets use bone conduction technology to deliver sound to the inner ear. These are great for people with hearing loss or who need to be aware of their surroundings while on call.
Noise-cancelling headsets: These headsets use active noise-canceling technology to reduce ambient noise. These are perfect for use in noisy environments such as busy offices or coffee shops.
Gaming headsets: These headsets are designed specifically for gaming and often feature a built-in microphone. They are not as good in the office for calls since a lot of them do not have a pickup button for easy access to answering calls.
Wireless headsets: These headsets connect to your device via Bluetooth or other wireless technology. These are perfect for anyone who is on the move while on a call or for use out of the office such as on a train or in a coffee shop. (most newer makes of headsets are wireless.)

A few common vendors for your phone solutions are:

Yealink, Fanvil, cisco, Polycom, Plantronics, and Jabra. We have created a table highlighting which brands are selling headsets and handsets and the overall cost of each company.

The comparison

We have created an easy-to-follow table including all the main pros and cons of using both the headset and the handset.

The conclusion

The choice between headsets and handsets ultimately comes down to the nature of your business, and the needs of your employees. If your business is focused on providing frequent calls with clients such as in sales or a law firm, then it would make the most sense to your VoIP system with a headset or a decked-based solution (which allows you to use a headset and handset interchangeably.) The headset is also great for hands-free working while on a call!However, a handset is best for call quality and allows you to hear the full spectrum of the human voice. They are also great for an easy clean and set up. They won't take up any extra space in your laptop and require less of a setup process compared to headsets.We hope this information has given you a better insight into which phone solution is best for you and your company. If you are looking to switch phone solutions don’t hesitate to contact Liberate IT for more information on how we can help your business.