Since I do all of my work by phone, I go through my headsets pretty quickly, like one every 2-3 years.  I also recommend that my clients purchase and use a good headset so they have their hands free to take notes during our coaching calls.  So I really like to have a cheap headset for myself and to suggest to clients, but one that does not sacrifice sound quality.  Read on, and click the Amazon link below if you want to buy it through my affiliate page.

 

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There are lots of headsets out there and I can't claim to have tried them all - just a few, and I have settled on this current model and don't intend to switch.  You can use the link below to find it cheap on Amazon.  That way you'll be set right away, then you can spend time testing out newer, fancier versions if you like.

 

Friends, family, and clients alike say this has the best sound quality.  Even when i'm out on my deck, they say that the sound of the fedex trucks roaring by is muted to a distant hum.  I can't believe it's true, the trucks are so loud on my end, but if they say so, I'm pleased!  Just in case, I also keep my finger near the mute button that i use a lot.

 

This model has an over the ear headband and a foam ear pad, plus a solid boom mic that switches over so you can use either ear.  I like solid booms because I end up constantly adjusting that flexible boom and making "crick, crick" noises in people's ears.

 

I also like that it has only one earpad and leaves my other ear clear.  The phone has a slider volume control on the cord and a mute button.  There is no mute "switch" - you have to keep the mute button pushed down the whole time you want it muted.  This doesn't trouble me because if I don't want to forget I'm on mute while talking to a class or a client.  If I want to go on mute for a while during a conference call, i can use the *6 or similar feature.

 

There is one negative feature I've noticed (what do you expect for 16 bucks!)  There's no volume control for your outgoing voice (just incoming) so if your caller can't hear you you have to yell.  I've only had trouble with that on a large bridge line.  I switched to a different free conference number and now it's fine. 

 

From some of the reviews on Amazon that it sounds like some people struggle with good sound quality, and that perhaps the headset needs to be a good fit with your phone.  My model is a Panasonic and I have it connected to a Panasonic 900 mHz (I know, ancient!) phone so maybe that's why it works great.  

 

The model # for my headset is Panasonic KX-TCA92.  It plugs into any cordless or mobile phone with a standard 2.5mm jack. It also folds into thirds so it's easy to store.  I've recommended it to several coaches, consultants, healers and clients and they all like it a lot.  Since it's pretty cheap, you could even send it as a welcome aboard gift to clients if you do most of your work by phone.

 

I got my first and second ones (I needed a new one after 2 years of heavy usage) at Best Buy but I think Office Max/Depot has them too.  

 

Hope you found this helpful!  And feel free to add your ideas and recommendations to our Member Forum.

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