Call centres are hubs of communication, whether they’re used for sales or customer support, so it’s important for call centre agents to make a good first impression. Without the right hardware, however, customers can be left frustrated by poor sound quality and dropped phone calls. That harms a company’s profit margin.
The headset that suits one person may not suit another, but there are certain requirements every call centre headset should meet. That’s why RingCentral has put together this guide on the top 10 call center headsets. Best of all, every one of them works with our RingCentral Phone system.
Why are call centre headsets so important?
Call centre headsets let you talk to customers while you work, so they’re great for multitasking. Most high quality headsets also have noise cancelling technology to reduce background noise. This allows call centre agents to concentrate on their customers, which boosts productivity. After all, it’s hard to land a sale or solve an issue if you can’t hear what the customer is saying!
The right call centre headset keeps customers happy too. It means agents can quickly deal with queries and complaints, so customers aren’t left waiting. And happy customers are essential for your bottom line.
Things to consider before buying call centre headsets
There are several factors to consider before buying call center headsets, including:
Comfort
Call center agents wear their headsets for many hours, so they need to feel comfortable. You should choose a lightweight headset with a padded headband and soft ear cushions. Some headsets also have several wearing styles and an adjustable fit.
Noise cancellation
Noise cancelling headphones are vital in a call centre, but so far, only 33.8% of call centres have fully eliminated background noise from their phone calls. So, you need a headset with a noise cancelling microphone. That way, call centre agents can focus on customers, and customers can hear your agents.
Design
The two main headset designs are single ear (monaural) and dual ear (binaural). A monaural headset means agents can talk to each other without taking off their headsets, but a binaural headset has superior noise reduction and sound quality. It’s on you to decide which will work best in your call centre.
Durability
You also need a headset that’s durable. After all, call centre agents will put headsets through many hours of use. Plastic headsets are cheaper than steel ones, but they also don’t last as long. So, to maximise efficiency and keep employees happy, buy headsets that endure.
Technology
Call center headsets come with a range of technologies. There are different adapters to choose from, including USB and quick disconnect (QD). Many headsets can integrate with VoIP technology like softphones, and there are both corded and cordless varieties.
40.1% of call centres have now invested in cordless headsets. These allow employees to move away from their desks, so they’re more flexible. The downside is that wireless headsets need charging, so you must invest in one with good battery life.
Our top call centre headsets
Now, let’s look at our top 10 call centre headsets. These are the headsets that are best for use in call centres and suitable for the RingCentral phone system.
1. Mpow 071
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wired (USB, 3.5 mm jack)
- Price: £16.95
- Warranty: 45-day refund with a money-back guarantee
Why we love it
The Mpow 071 is a wired headset with all the features you need at an incredibly low price.
Why you need it
- Noise reduction sound card to eliminate background noise
- Playback option to check how you sound to customers
- Padded headband and ear pads for all-day comfort
Why you don’t need it
The plastic build means the 071 isn’t as durable as some call centre headsets.
2. Sennheiser SC60
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wired (USB or QD)
- Price: £36.00
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Sennheiser SC60 is a wired USB headset with a noise cancelling microphone. It’s rated 4.4/5 on Amazon, and Sennheiser’s HD voice clarity makes it ideal for busy call centres.
Why you need it
- Ultra light frame and comfortable ear cushions
- ActiveGard technology prevents acoustic injury
- Bendable microphone boom for optimal positioning
Why you don’t need it
The plastic build makes it flimsier than some options.
3. Jabra UC Voice 550
- Headset type: Mono
- Connection: Wired (USB)
- Price: £119.99
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Jabra UC Voice 550 is a corded headset designed for UC platforms and softphones. It’s plug and play ready, so you can start taking calls immediately, and the intuitive controls ensure a user-friendly experience.
Why you need it
- Noise reduction feature to reduce background noise
- Crystal clear wideband audio
- Leatherette ear pads and an adjustable frame ensures a comfortable fit
Why you don’t need it
The Jabra UC Voice 550 is for light to medium use, so may not be as durable as some headsets.
4. Jabra Evolve 40 Mono
- Headset type: Mono
- Connection: Wired (USB-A/ USB-C, 3.5 mm jack)
- Price: from £87.00
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Jabra Evolve 40 Mono is a phone headset that’s rated 4.5/5 on Amazon. It’s compatible with most UC systems, including Microsoft Teams, Yealink, Zoom, Avaya, and Cisco, and it’s easy to transfer calls from your PC to your mobile phone if you need to step out of the office.
Why you need it
- High quality HD audio
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Busy light to tell colleagues when you’re on a call
Why you don’t need it
The Jabra Evolve 40 is heavier than a lot of headsets.
5. Sennheiser CC 550 IP
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wired (USB, QD)
- Price: £131.99
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Sennheiser CC 550 IP is a telephone headset suitable for VoIP desk phones and softphones. It has extra-large ear pads for all-day comfort, while the ultra noise cancelling headphones ensure total concentration.
Why you need it
- High quality wideband audio
- Noise cancelling microphone
- Durable and comfortable for long days in the office
Why you don’t need it
This office headset only has a 0.8 metre cord, and there’s no built-in mute key or volume control.
6. Jabra Biz 2400 II
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wired (USB-A, QD, Bluetooth-enabled)
- Price: £175.19
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Jabra Biz 2400 II is a lightweight PC headset that’s configured for PC and IP desk phones. It’s certified Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams and comes with the Jabra PC suite for softphones.
Why you need it
- Three wearing styles
- Surgical steel frame and reinforced cord for added durability
- Noise cancelling headset with PeakStop acoustic protection
Why you don’t need it
The Jabra Biz 2400 II is a corded headset, so it may not suit every call center.
7. Logitech H800
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth, USB-A nano receiver)
- Price: £89.99
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Logitech H800 is a wireless headset with a 12 metre (39 foot) range. You can pair it with any Bluetooth-enabled device or insert the USB nano receiver into your computer.
Why you need it
- Full set of call controls, including volume control, mute, and call handling
- Microphone boom tucks inside the headband when not in use
- Laser-tuned drivers and built-in equaliser keep the audio crisp and clear
Why you don’t need it
The Logitech H800 only has six hours of talk time, which may not be enough for everyone.
8. Plantronics Voyager Focus UC B825 Headset
- Headset type: Duo
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth, USB receiver)
- Price: £261.95
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC is a Bluetooth headset with a wireless range of up to 30 metres (98 feet). It has voice alerts for caller ID, mute, and connection status. You can press the OpenMic button to hear what’s going on around you, and you can answer calls automatically just by putting it on.
Why you need it
- Active and passive noise cancelling technology
- Triple microphone and immersive stereo
- Plug and play ready
- Certified for Skype, Microsoft Teams, Avaya, Zoom, and Cisco
Why you don’t need it
Not all devices are Bluetooth-enabled.
9. Jabra Pro 930 Mono
- Headset type: Mono
- Connection: Wireless (DECT, USB-A receiver)
- Price: £165.59
- Warranty: 2 years
Why we love it
The Jabra Pro 930 Mono is a wireless headset designed for unified communications platforms. It has a range of up to 120 metres (395 feet), so it’s great for multitasking. It also has up to eight hours of battery life.
Why you need it
- Noise reduction speakers and a noise cancelling mic keep calls crystal clear
- HD voice and wideband audio
- Call controls include mute, volume control, and answering or ending calls
- Supports four-way conferencing
Why you don’t need it
The Jabra Pro 930 is a mono headset, so it may not suit large offices.
10. Sennheiser OfficeRunner
- Headset type: Mono
- Connection: Wireless (USB receiver)
- Price: $489.95 (£361.25 at current exchange rate)
- Warranty: 3 years
Why we love it
The Sennheiser OfficeRunner is compatible with VoIP phones, softphones, and leading UC platforms. It comes with 64-bit digital encryption to keep your calls safe, and you can pair up to four mics for conference calls and training.
Why you need it
- Wireless range of up to 122 metres (400 feet)
- Only takes an hour to charge, but has up to 12 hours of talk time
- Two wearing styles
- Noise cancelling mic
Why you don’t need it
The Sennheiser OfficeRunner is the most expensive option on our list. It also doesn’t come with a quick disconnect option.
Getting started with your ideal call centre headset
Once you’ve found your ideal headset, you can integrate it with RingCentral Phone. Simply plug in the headset and turn on headset support in the RingCentral desktop app. For Plantronics and Jabra headsets, you’ll also need to download their software. You can then enjoy the best of both worlds with a great call center headset and the RingCentral Phone system.
Originally published May 04, 2022, updated May 05, 2022
