Millions of users rely on Microsoft Teams to make calls, chat with colleagues, communicate with customers, and collaborate on files. Teams now has 270 million monthly active users. For power users of the platform, the hardware gear you use with Teams is as important as the platform itself. By combining Teams with the best UC headsets in the market, users can maximize the capabilities of Microsoft’s flagship collaboration tool and enjoy a crystal-clear audio experience during calls. Particularly during WFH, the right headset can improve focus, cancel ambient noise, and move seamlessly from music to meetings so that users can stay productive across the day.

Let’s look at the top eight headsets for Microsoft Teams, designed for unified communications (UC). Factoring in UC needs, they support long hours of calling, teamwork, and both internal and customer-facing communication.

1.  Jabra Evolve2 75

The Evolve2 75 is the latest product in Jabra’s premium category Evolve series. It is specifically designed to support hybrid work use cases and has active noise cancellation (ANC) that works in every noisy environment, whether around your pets at home or on a busy contact center floor. The ANC is now 26 percent more effective at noise cancellation than the previous Jabra evolve model. The device has a hideaway microphone arm with a mute and auto-answer button built-in for easy access. Its ear cushions will reduce the pressure on the user’s ears and ensure adequate ventilation throughout the day, ideal for long hours of use. The headset is priced at $384.

2. Yealink WH66

This Microsoft Teams-certified DECT headset is purpose-built for unified communications. It includes a built-in UC workstation where users can dock the headphones and also manage calls across all connected devices. The UC headset uses Yealink’s proprietary Acoustic Shield Technology to block background noise and relay the speaker’s voice over the phone with maximum clarity. As a result, the Yealink WH66 is useful for customer communication in contact centers, providing callers with high-quality audio experiences even on a noisy floor. The device is available in three variants – binaural, monaural, and convertible, starting at approximately $305.

3. EPOS Adapt 260

EPOS’ UC headset falls in the mid-market segment. It is an all-rounder, designed for hybrid work, seamless location switching, contact center use, and daily productivity. It is a lightweight headset with stereo sound to help the wearer focus. It also includes a microphone with a foldable boom arm to give users greater control during conversations. It can connect with up to two devices simultaneously, and is optimized for unified communications. This UC headset is available in binaural and monaural variants with different USB and Bluetooth connectivity options, starting at approximately $126.

4. Poly Savi 7310

This high-end Microsoft Teams headset from Poly is specifically designed for private conversations and use cases in financial services, healthcare, government, and contact centers. All calls conducted through the Savi 7310 are secured using 256-bit AES encryption, which offers military-grade protection. Companies that need to provide unified communication support to business leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders handling customer data can rely on this Poly headset. It has noise-canceling microphones powered by the company’s Acoustic Fence technology to keep conversations private. Pricing starts at approximately $257 (monaural and binaural options available).

5. Bose Canceling Headphones Headphones 700 UC

This UC headset from Bose features a powerful noise cancelation capability, with 11 different levels of cancellation. Users can choose precisely what they want to hear and what they want to block out from their surroundings, helping in-person collaboration even while wearing the headset. The device has an adaptive microphone, which can isolate the user’s voice and provide clear audio, almost as if the user was in an isolated meeting space. You can connect the Bose 700 UC to a device of your choice using the plug-and-play wireless USB connector, making it easier to jump from one device to another. It is available in black and silver variants, both priced at $449.

6. Jabra Stealth UC MS

This is a Bluetooth mono headset from Jabra that users can wear on one ear, discreetly tucked away due to its ultra-portability and lightweight design. It connects with smartphones using near-field communication (NFC), which can be activated simply by tapping the two devices together. Jabra Stealth UC MS is designed for unified communication and can activate Siri or Google Now to complete productivity tasks. The headset provides up to 6 hours of talk time on a single charge, suitable for a regular workday. Pricing starts at $174.

7. Surface Headphones 2+

This Microsoft Teams headset has many built-in features to make the Teams calling experience more intuitive. You can answer calls, adjust the call volume, mute, and unmute yourself directly from the headsets’ touch controls. There is a four-microphone array on each earcup (instead of a foldable boom arm) to capture the user’s voice while blocking background sounds. Users can customize the degree of noise cancellation with 13 different ANC levels, and the soft earcups can be rotated up to 180 degrees for maximum comfort. Pricing starts at $299.

8. ADAPT 560 by Sennheiser and EPOS

The ADAPT 560 is a UC-optimized headset that can connect to softphones and mobile devices simultaneously. It has a foldable boom arm that can be hidden when not in use and four ANC microphones to reduce interference from background noise. It is an on-ear headset with plush earcups for sound isolation and all-day comfort. Users can connect it to a mobile or PC workstation using a USB dongle. Pricing starts at approximately $267.

Microsoft Teams is a powerful tool for business telephony. A 2021 report by Forrester found that Teams Calling can generate 132 percent ROI for enterprises, with around $22.7 million in benefits. A UC headset certified for Teams use will enhance the tool’s calling capabilities and help organizations generate more value.

 



from UC Today https://ift.tt/w1dEWOA