In a world of remote working and ever-changing business landscapes, the headset has emerged as one of the most essential tools in the communication toolkit.
Today’s professional headsets aren’t just there to replace the phone handset. Though headsets can provide one of the most convenient ways to take and receive calls, they can also be an essential part of the collaboration experience, or merely a solution to help teams maintain focus.
The right headset ensures clear and cohesive conversations among call centre agents, office workers, and endless other members of the business landscape. Now that quality headsets are becoming less of an option in the marketplace, and more of a necessity, it’s time to get a deeper look at the potential of these amazing devices, and what they can offer.
What is a Headset?
Headsets, just like business phones, conference phones, and various other communication endpoints, have evolved drastically over the years. We’ve moved on from the days of heavy and uncomfortable devices that are awkward and complicated to use.
The demand for headsets to support the ever-evolving remote and on-the-go workforce means that vendors are increasingly producing more reliable and comfortable versions of this once-simple product. Today’s business users can access headsets that are binaural or monaural. Some headsets come with busy-lights built-in to reduce the risk of distractions, and headsets that can instantly connect with online collaboration tools.
According to Grandview research, the UC and Business Headset market will be worth $4,315.1 million by the end of 2025, and that number is still growing.
Headsets are now more versatile than they’ve ever been, designed in a range of shapes and sizes to encourage better comfort and performance for their users.
Today’s modern headsets come packed with new features and functionality that make them as convenient as possible to use. The versatility and feature-richness of modern headsets often make them an obvious alternative to the clunky desk phone handset. Today’s headsets feature things like:
- Noise cancellation and busy lights to improve concentration
- Comfortable designs intended to protect the health of the wearer
- Monaural or binaural options for those who want to stay connected to the world around them
- Wireless designs so that you don’t have to be connected to your desk
- Advanced microphones that enhance the quality of sound in any meeting
- Software advancements that allow users to access everything from collaboration tools to smart assistants and real-time translation.
Business Headset Trends
Inspired by the incredible headsets and listening devices now available in the consumer market, vendors in the business landscape are stepping up their game. Modern headsets are more comfortable than they’ve ever been, making them more appealing to call centre agents and other office workers who need to keep their headsets on all day.
What’s more, these devices also come with more features to boost the productivity and efficiency of the everyday worker too. Here are just some of the latest headset trends that are changing the landscape in 2020.
- Active Noise Cancellation: Whether you’re working remotely from a coffee shop, or you’re in a busy open office, the noise around you can be very distracting. That’s why today’s headset vendors are working hard to filter out any of that unnecessary noise with active noise cancellation. ANC headsets virtually eliminate all low-frequency sounds, so that users can focus on the conversation that they’re having.
- Integration with collaboration tools: Just as it’s possible to buy a deskphone that integrates seamlessly with your existing collaboration software, there’s now headsets that can provide a similar experience. These tools come with unique buttons that allow you to join a meeting in a matter of seconds. What’s more, many headsets also come with a busy light to show the people around you when you’re already in a meeting.
- Opportunities with AI: Artificial intelligence has the potential to update a wide range of features within the communication landscape. In the headset environment, artificial intelligence can provide real-time noise cancelling to improve the quality of a conversation. In the future, we could also discover opportunities in headsets that come enabled with smart assistants that allow us to control various aspects of a meeting or conversation with nothing but our voice.
- IoT: The internet of things could also have a part to play in the future of headsets. This technology will allow business users to stay connected to things like their computer and other devices from a distance so that they can set up meetings, or arrange calendar appointments using virtual assistants and voice commands.
- Voice biometrics: Biometrics in the world of voice has already had an impact on the phone market, by providing companies with ways to pinpoint potential signs of fraud in a conversation. In the years to come, we’ll likely see the same technology coming into headsets, to provide business leaders with more advanced layers of security.
Headset Vendors
Now that the marketplace for headsets and communication endpoints is becoming more complex, we’re seeing a great deal of growth and consolidation in the marketplace. Over the last couple of years, the UC marketplace has seen several audio and video manufacturers joining forces to provide more advanced communication systems and collaboration kits for employees.
Moving into the years ahead, it’s likely that the number of headset vendors available to explore in the marketplace will continue to evolve. Already, new challenger brands are making their way into the UC market, building devices that mimic the comfort and simplicity of the headsets and tools that we use in our consumer lives.
The headset vendors that are standing out in this current marketplace are the ones that can ensure ease of use and compatibility. This means that teams have the freedom to use their chosen headset with any selection of other communication tools that they may already have. What’s more, companies that are willing to partner with other market leaders on a more immersive headset experience will also be able to embrace a larger share of the market.
Here at UC Today, we offer a complete market guide, designed to give you an overview of the current landscape, and which headset vendors are leading the way for headsets and other endpoints. On the other hand, if you want to check out the companies that we believe are delivering the most innovation in this space, check out the UC Awards!
Headset Events
Events, conferences, and expos around the world have always been one of the best ways for companies and buyers to get an insight into the kind of technology that’s available. In the headset landscape, there are tons of events that explore all the unique facets of the A/V industry. Usually, these expos are an excellent opportunity to find out how things like active noise cancelling and smart assistants work in the latest tech.
Often, you’ll also be able to check out how headsets work with some of the software and tools that you already use. For instance, as companies continue to produce headsets that are specially certified for tools like Cisco Webex Teams and Microsoft Teams, there are more opportunities to upgrade your collaboration experience.
There’s nothing quite like visiting a unified communications or contact centre conference for yourself to check out what a headset will feel like for you and your team members, or how much of a difference it can make to background noise. However, if you just want to check out what’s going on in the market, and what the latest innovations look like, you can find plenty of details here on UC Today.
We’re always on-hand to report on some of the most amazing headset events in the UC marketplace, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the top tech.
Headset Reviews
Headsets for the modern business landscape come in a range of sizes and shapes designed to suit different needs. Knowing where you plan to use your headset, and what you need it for will help you to decide the kind of tech that’s right for you.
However, once you’ve decided what kind of headset you’re looking for, there’s still a lot of work to do in making sure that you get the best technology from the best vendor. That’s why UC Today is on-hand to do the hard work of testing and evaluating headsets on your behalf.
Our headset reviews will help you to plan your investments. We recommend keeping a few points in mind when you’re deciding on the perfect endpoints:
- Features: As mentioned above, today’s headsets are much more advanced than the devices we used to have ten years ago. Today’s employees can access everything from active noise cancelling to improve the quality of conversations, to AI integrations. Think about how your team members will be using your headsets, and what kind of features they’ll need to improve their productivity and performance.
- Usability: The best headsets are always the ones that feel great to wear and use. It’s important to choose a headset that’s going to be comfortable to wear for several hours every day. At the same time, you don’t want to have to spend weeks training your team on how to use a new piece of equipment. Pick a headset that’s intuitive and easy to use.
- Mobility: Are the employees using your headsets going to be constantly sitting at a desk where they can plug into a computer or desk phone? In today’s increasingly mobile world, it’s more likely that your team members are going to want the freedom to move while they talk. Wireless headsets that can continue to deliver excellent performance for hours at a time are often a great investment.
- Sound and voice quality: One of the most important considerations when buying any headset will be how you can ensure that you’re getting the right sound and voice quality. Voices should come through the speakers clearly, without any distortion. Additionally, noise-cancelling technology and voice enhancement features in the microphone will need to deliver excellent clarity in conversations.
Headset Comparisons
Sometimes, making the right decision for your business headset comes down to a final choice between two leading brands. When that’s the case, our UC Today comparisons can come in handy. We put the leading devices in the marketplace head to head, to help you make a more informed choice based on features and benefits.
Remember, when you’re comparing your headset choices, make sure that you think about not just what you need now, but what you need for the future too. A future-proof headset is something that can deliver the support that your employees need year after year. This could mean looking for a device that your vendor can update remotely with new software and firmware.
On the other hand, choosing a future proof headset could mean finding something that offers the latest features, like AI enhancements and noise cancelling. Here are some points to consider when you’re comparing your headset choices:
- Durability and comfort: The best headsets should walk the line between being durable enough to stand the test of time, and comfortable. You want your employees to be happy wearing their headsets for several hours each day. What’s more, because many of your team members will be using these devices regularly, they need to hold up to constant use.
- Wearing styles: Remember to double-check with the people who are going to be using these headsets in your team, what kind of style they like. Binaural and monaural headsets exist depending on your team’s preference. Other components can contribute to comfort, like in-ear or outer-ear headsets.
- Technology: Remember to make sure that the headsets you buy will work perfectly with the tools and tech that your teams already use. Additionally, it should be easy enough to roll out any firmware or software updates in the future too.
The UC Today Endpoints Smart Guide
Still need more guidance choosing the headsets that are right for your team? Check out the IP Endpoints & Accessories Smart Guide for a complete overview of everything you need to know about these crucial endpoints. Our smart guides cover all of the trending and crucial topics that you might need to consider when investing in new technology for your business.
Download your version today to learn all about the different kinds of headsets available in the market, and how they can support your team!
