Do you use a wireless headset with Microsoft Teams?

August 30, 2021 11:41 AM

I've been looking for a wireless headset that is compatible with Microsoft Teams. Details inside.

Must have:
Wireless
Works with Windows 10 on a PC
Works with Microsoft Teams meetings
Not big over-the-ear can headphones - I have TMJ and can't stand the pressure on my jaw joint.
So it needs to be On-ear or In-ear
Prefer one ear only, but I can live with it on both.

Bonus:
I would love to find one with a mute button on the headset.

I've read tons of articles and reviews, but it's hard to tell what is ad copy and what is a true review. They often don't mention the Mute function either. Many articles have talked about great headsets that work with a cellphone, or with various apps on a PC, but they don't work with Teams on a PC which is what I need.

I've purchased several already and I keep having issues: Bluetooth won't connect after a while, call quality is bad. Both of those issues have happened after I did a test meeting to check it out, then when I used it on the next scheduled meeting it doesn't work. So I am asking if anyone has a personal recommendation that you are using. Thanks.

posted by CathyG to Computers & Internet (16 answers total)

You've just described my Plantronics D100. Works well enough for me.
posted by bfranklin at 11:52 AM on August 30, 2021

I have a Plantronics Voyager Legend that I use with Teams on Windows 10. It works mostly fine, I believe there is a mute button on the headset, but I don't use it as I feel like I would forget whether or not I muted myself. I don't know if its an issue with the headset or my bluetooth adapter, but I'll occasionally have to reinstall the bluetooth device to get it to connect. Its mildly annoying, but not enough that I've looked for anything better.
posted by bajema at 11:54 AM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

I can’t find the exact one, but I had a headset like this (but for one ear) when I was contact tracing and I loved it. The microphone was very directed and filtered out pretty much all background noise. Because it was for one ear you could flip of over the mic and switch ears throughout the day.

There may be better fit for you but having used even a low quality version I would highly recommend jabra.
posted by raccoon409 at 11:55 AM on August 30, 2021

I have used Logitech H800 headsets for years. They are on-the ear and comfortable enough to wear all day. They connect via a usb receiver and will also connect via Bluetooth. I really like this feature as I can use the same headset on my computer and phone via switch on the headset to choose dongle or Bluetooth.
posted by tman99 at 12:13 PM on August 30, 2021

Most Bluetooth on-ear headsets should work fine - I've had Skullcandy and Sony, both worked with Teams (and other things) on Windows 10. Given your TMJ, I'd say first find a headset that is comfortable for you. Almost all bluetooth headsets have a built in mic these days
posted by TimHare at 12:26 PM on August 30, 2021

I have a Jabra headset, but they also make on-ear and in-ear, as well as one-ear rigs for call center operators.

The "Evolve 75" headset I use has a USB dongle to get around Buetooth's duplexing shortfalls, so the sound is very good.

I use them -- on a MacBook Pro, even -- with Teams all the time, and it's a great combination; same with my iPhone. Also with Zoom, also with playing music. These big cans hold a lot of battery, but reviews of their smaller devices praise the runtime.

The Wirecutter has a lot of good things to say about their whole product line: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/search/?s=Jabra
posted by wenestvedt at 12:31 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

I've had Skullcandy and Sony, both worked with Teams (and other things) on Windows 10. Given your TMJ, I'd say first find a headset that is comfortable for you.
posted by TimHare at 12:37 PM on August 30, 2021

I've used Apple AirPods (both standard and Pro) on my Dell Win10 business laptop with Teams and never had a problem. Bluetooth pairing and reconnection seemed to be a bit smoother than other BT headsets I've used in the past.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:42 PM on August 30, 2021

I spend a significant amount of my day on Teams calls on a Windows 10 laptop and just wanted something inexpensive and one-eared (work won't pay for it and I hate dual-ear headsets, something about not being able to hear myself talk throws me off). I ended up getting this trucker headset. Have been using it for a bit over a year and haven't had any issues. I can't speak to the TMJ, but the main pressure point seems to be on the non-speaker side (the part that rests above your ear against your skull), might be far enough above your jaw to avoid issues.
posted by photo guy at 12:49 PM on August 30, 2021

Sorry, didn't notice that the one I bought isn't sold anymore! Here's one that looks identical, probably the same product.
posted by photo guy at 12:52 PM on August 30, 2021

I have a jabra Engage 65. it works just fine with both webex and MS teams.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 1:11 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

I use a bone conduction headset because I can't stand prolonged pressure on or in my ear. The one I use is here. I've had no trouble using it with Teams or Zoom, and I can keep it connected all day without dropping the connection. My colleagues have confirmed there's no problem with the microphone, unlike with my previous wired headset that always had people complaining that I was staticky.
posted by buildmyworld at 1:12 PM on August 30, 2021

I have not had good luck with Bluetooth for meeting style headsets. Switching to a non bluetooth style connection (the buzzword you'll probably see is "2.4 Ghz" connection ) worked well for me. This style tends to be less laggy than Bluetooth as well, which is nice.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 1:59 PM on August 30, 2021

I also have a Jabra Engage 65. Can confirm that it works fine with Teams on Windows 10, has a mute (and other control) buttons on the headset. Mine is one sided, on ear. The base is wired to the computer, but the headset itself is wireless.
posted by natabat at 5:54 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

I've used the Plantronics Voyager Legend for 2 years with Zoom, Skype, and Teams via wireless USB dongle on my computer (and with my personal Android phone via Bluetooth), and it has never let me down. Excellent sound, good noise-cancelling microphone, everybody tells me I come through clearly, works all day on a full charge, has a mute button on the headpiece.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:13 PM on August 30, 2021

Note that MS Teams enforced a new ‘Teams certified’ standard which unilaterally disabled hardware mute buttons on older headsets. So whatever you buy, if you want it to continue working with Teams medium/long term, make sure it is ‘Teams certified’.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:22 AM on August 31, 2021