Bluetooth for Your Ear

Aoife M. McEvoy

NEW Bluetooth headsets.

Bluetooth headsets are truly a matter of personal taste--especially if, like me, you're fussy about hanging contraptions from your ear. I found distinct design differences between Cardo Systems' $100 Allways, Logitech's $100 Mobile Bluetooth Headset (both shipping units), and GN Netcom's preproduction $299 GN 6110, which lets you field calls simultaneously from a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone and a standard phone.

My Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, a Sony Ericsson T610, easily recognized all three headsets, allowing me to handle calls while leaving the phone in my bag. Each headset attaches to your ear in a different way: The Logitech unit--the only one with a nice cushy ear pad--hooks around the ear with a clip. The Allways' earpiece goes into the ear held by an adjustable ear loop that didn't feel terribly secure (there's also a handy clip that lets you attach the Allways to your glasses). The GN 6110 sits flat against the ear, and despite a nonadjustable ear loop, it felt snug. The most comfortable? The Logitech.

On the buttons, the Allways' designers did the best job; to pick up or end a call, you tap a big, easy-to-locate button on the headset. Logitech's tiny on/off button is hard to find, while the GN 6110's sits in between two volume buttons--making it easy at first to accidentally end your call instead of altering the sound.

All three of the headsets offered good sound quality. Of the devices, I favored the comfy Logitech unit. If you wear glasses--and can ditch the awkward ear loop--the Allways is also a good option. The GN 6110, however, is a bit pricey unless you need access to two phones at once.

Allways

Cardo Systems

Excellent usability, but not very comfortable to wear. Price when reviewed: $100 Current prices (if available)

GN 6110

GN Netcom

Preproduction unit, not rated Compact headset includes great extra features, for a premium. Price when reviewed: $299 Current prices (if available)

Mobile Bluetooth Headset

Logitech

Comfort wins out over undersize buttons; the best unit here. Price when reviewed: $100 Current prices (if available)