Corded headsets come in a variety of styles in two primary brands: GN Netcom and Plantronics. Although different brands feature somewhat different styles, each brand has an over-the-head style, an over-the-ear style, and an in-the-ear style. Personal preference is more a consideration in choosing a brand and style than any differences in the products. All commercial headsets feature a cord with a quick disconnect which allows you to unplug from the phone without having to completely remove the headset. Some headset and telephone combinations allow the headset to be plugged into a jack on the phone while other combinations require an amplifier box. While the amplifier box is more expensive, you generally benefit from greater flexibility in transmitter volume adjustments.
Before you purchase a headset, you should consider a "trial" to determine whether the headset is comfortable and whether using a headset is as convenient as you thought it would be.
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Cordless headsets come with the entire headset, transmitter, receiver, and battery fitting on the head. Range is generally limited to 50 - 100 feet with the type of office construction having a major impact on the range of the headset. Battery talk time is also a major consideration - more talk time means a larger battery and a heavier headset.
Before you purchase a cordless headset, consider how you are going to use it. Cordless headsets come with a handset lifter which allows you to answer an incoming call. But what do you do next? If all I have to do is talk and then hang up, cordless headsets are great! But if I have to put the caller on hold to answer another call or transfer the caller to an extension or voice mail, you're going to have to come back to the phone to push some buttons. Cordless headsets don't do buttons (or windows for that matter).
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