Many states are making it illegal to drive when using a cell phone unless you are wearing a hands free headset. As of right now, you can either get a wired headset, or a wireless Bluetooth headset. Each type has its own distinct advantages, but in this buying guide only wired headsets will be covered. Compatibility: You want to make sure that the headset is compatible with your cell phone. Often times it will connect through your cell phones headphone or mini USB jack. Make sure that the headphone jack on your phone is the same size of the headsets input. For example, normal stereo headphone jacks are 3. 5mm, but many cell phones use a 2. 5mm headphone jack instead. If you get a headset that works with 3. 5mm but your cell phone only takes 2. 5mm, you wont be able to connect without getting an additional adapter. Microphone: It might be of importance to you for the microphone to work well in noisy environments. Check to see if the headset’s microphone has noise-canceling capabilities so that the person on the other end only hears you, not your surroundings. Comfort: A headset with fantastic features that isn’t comfortable won’t do you much, because you’ll never want to wear it. The comfort level of headsets is more a matter of personal preference; but having an thought of the type of design you want can certainly help. Some models even come with ear gels in an attempt to increase the level comfort you experience. Make sure the headset is lightweight and is capable of being attached to your head securely, so it doesn’t fall off every time you go. Wire Length: Consider the length of the wire that is attached to the headset. If the wire is too small, it may require you to hold the cell phone closer to your head, which defeats the whole purpose. Make sure the wire is long enough so you can set your cell phone down and still have the headset on your head securely and comfortably. In-Line Volume Control: You may want a headset in which you can control the volume from the headset itself, instead of controlling it with your phone. This isn’t a necessity, but could be a feature that is vital to you. Features: Some headsets can transmit in stereo, allowing you to play music on the headset as well as for talking to others. This could be fantastic if you are looking for headphones as well as a headset. Note that with this feature the cost associated with it goes up. Other features include buttons to pick up a phone call, to reject a call, to place a person on hold, or even to switch to the other line. Definitions: Noise-Canceling Microphone: A microphone that is designed to cancel surrounding noise so that it is not broadcasted or recorded. USB (Universal Serial Bus): Connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of electronic devices.

Headphones can offer you many solutions to your audio world. They allow you to listen to your favorite music privately, without disturbing anyone. They let you watch TV late at night without keeping anyone awake. They can even reduce the amount of outside noise with select models. So obviously there are many reasons to own headphones. The problem is there are as many models available as there are reasons to get them. So when it comes down to making a purchasing choice, you must reckon about what you will be using the headphones for. Below you’ll find a list of things that our product specialists recommend our customers to look for when buying headphones. Jack Compatibility: Make sure that the headphones you plot on purchasing will work with whatever you intend to use them with. For example, if the headphones you buy come with a 3. 5mm mini plug but the stereo you plot on using requires a full sized output, your headphones wouldn’t work. Of course, you can buy an adapter for this type of situation, which often isn’t too expensive. Comfort: Since you might be listening to your headphones for long periods of time, it is vital that you find the style that is most comfortable for you. You might want one that fits directly into your ears, one that goes over your head, or one that goes behind the neck so you can preserve your hairstyle. Note that listening to loud music with headphones for prolonged periods of times can lead to hearing loss. Sealed or Open Design: If one of your main reasons for getting headphones is so that you don’t disturb those around you, consider getting headphones with a sealed design, as less sound will slip out. This is due in part to the fact that the headphones “seal” around your ears, keeping more of the sound waves in the headphone cups compared to the open design. Wire Length: You’ll despise your headphones if it requires you to stay abnormally close to whichever device you plot on using them with. In order to prevent this, check to see how long the wire is on the headphones so you won’t have to keep your device too close. If you can’t find headphones that have a wire long enough for your needs, consider getting wireless headphones, which can give you more range than wired headphones. Outside Noise: If you plot on using your headphones in noisy and distracting areas, consider getting noise-canceling headphones. These work with small microphones, which pick up the noises outside and then play a signal that cancels them out. This lets you listen to your music in peace, without any annoying outside noise.