When choosing a Poly headset for your office, understanding the differences between models designed for PC and phone connections is crucial for optimizing your work environment. Poly headsets offer versatility, with some models built to seamlessly switch between computers and mobile devices, while others focus on specific platforms. Key features, like noise-canceling microphones, wireless connectivity, and ergonomic design, further enhance productivity by providing clear communication and all-day comfort.
In this post, we'll break down these differences, explain the features you should consider, and help you decide which Poly headset is the best fit for your needs.
- Wearing Style
- Connectivity
- Microsoft Teams Certifications
- Soundguard and Soundguard Digital
- Poly Office vs UC Headsets
Wearing Style
Poly headsets are available in either Mono or Stereo wearing styles. Either style is up to the user but one style might be better suited depending on what you hope to get out of your listening experience.
Mono
Mono headsets only have one earpiece that covers one ear instead of two. This is great for those who prefer to leave one ear open. This style is great if you want to still be able to wear your team or the world around you while on calls.
Stereo
Stereo wearing styles are those who want a richer more immersive experience. This style is great if you want to tune out the world around you and be distraction-free during your work day.
Connectivity
Wired
Wired headsets are great for those who are desk-based. Wired headsets are plug and play typically via the USB so all you have to do to set up is plug it into your device. Wired headsets also don’t require batteries.
A downside of wired headsets is durability. The wires after extended use can become broken or frayed causing the headset to fail. Extra precautions should be used to not pull or swing the wires.
Popular wired headsets include the Poly Blackwire and Poly Encorepro series.
Wireless
Wireless headsets are great for users wanting the freedom to get up from their desk when communicating without being tied down by wires.
Some downsides associated with wireless headsets are
- Setup: Wireless headsets need to be paired to your computer or phone which requires more than just plugging it in.
- Battery Life: Wireless headsets are powered via batteries and frequent charging is required. Though some can last through the day you should remember to keep your headset charged.
- Range: Wireless headsets can only go so far away from the device it's connected to before it affects connection and sound quality. The further you go away from the device the more sound can become distorted or dropped completely.
Popular wireless headsets include the Poly Voyager and Poly Savi series.
What is Microsoft Teams Certified
Poly headsets can be certified for Microsoft Teams. This means that the headsets have passed certification tests to be used with Microsoft Teams without additional configuration. Some benefits to using devices that have this certification are
- Call Control: A dedicated Microsoft Teams button is on the in-line call control.
- Audio Quality: Headsets that are teams certified won’t have echo, distortion, or glitches so your voice is clear during meetings.
- Auto Audio Selection: Your headset will automatically be the default audio when joining a team meeting.
Microsoft Teams Certified devices ensure your meetings have the best security, audio, and video quality.
Soundguard and Soundguard Digital
Poly headsets have hearing protection Soundguard and Soundguard Digital which vary between series.
Soundguard offers acoustic limiting for sounds exceeding 118 dBA.
Soundguard Digital offers all the benefits of SoundGuard but with anti-startle protection to detect and eliminate sudden increases in sound and time-weighted average control to prevent average daily sound exposure from exceeding 85 dBA.
Poly Office vs UC Headsets
Poly UC headsets are designed to be used with a computer or mobile device like a smartphone. A USB is used to pair the headset to a computer via Bluetooth. Bluetooth is also used to connect to a smartphone just without the USB.
Poly Office headsets are designed to be used with a desk phone. If you need a headset that works with a desk phone and a computer, the Office 2-Way Base headsets will work with both.
Series Comparison: Savi vs Voyager vs Blackwire vs Encorepro
Now, we're going to discuss the differences between each Poly headset series.
- Wired USB
- Bluetooth
- DECT
- Customer Service
Poly Wired USB Headsets
USB corded headsets are plug and play meaning you just plug them into your phone or computer and you’re ready to go. These headsets have either a USB-A or a USB-C plug. Unlike other headsets in this series that are wireless, wired USB headsets don’t give you the freedom to roam around. Poly has a line of wired USB headsets known as the Blackwire series.
Blackwire headsets have in-line call control buttons that let you answer/end calls, mute, change volume, and control the active noise cancelation.
Poly Series: Blackwire
Blackwire 8225
The Blackwire 8225 headset is recommended for office professionals looking for a premium solution. It’s over the head and is only available in stereo. It features noise cancelation with Acoustic Fence Technology to ensure your voice is the only thing heard and not background noise. It also has an online indicator that alerts others when you are on a call, keeping you distraction-free. This headset has Soundguard Digital to protect your hearing. Lastly, the Blackwire 8225 has a dedicated Microsoft Teams button on the call control to quickly access your teams.
Blackwire 5200
The Blackwire 5200 headset is an over-the-head available in either monaural (Blackwire 5210) or stereo wearing styles. It features a noise-canceling microphone and Soundguard Digital hearing protection.
Blackwire 3300
The Blackwire 3300 headset is great for those with large enterprise deployments. It is available in either stereo or monaural wearing styles and can be standard or Microsoft teams certified (with microsoft teams button on the call control. It features a noise-canceling boom microphone and Soundguard hearing protection. While this headset offers connection via USB-A and USB-C, the Blackwire 3315 and 3325 series has a 3.5mm plug for connection to other audio types.
Blackwire 3200
The Blackwire 3200 is great for users transitioning to PC telephony. It connects to both a PC via USB/USB-C and a smartphone or tablet via a 3.5mm plug. This headset comes in standard or Skype for Business certified versions. Its got Soundguard hearing protection and noise canceling microphone. The call control includes basic PC call answer/end, mute, volume +/-
Poly Bluetooth Headsets
Bluetooth headsets allow you to move around more freely while on calls. These headsets wireless sync with your phone or computer so you can communicate without being tied down. Poly offers a line of Bluetooth headsets and earbuds called the Voyager series. This series headsets features clear audio and active noise canceling (ANC) so you can listen and hear in noisy environments.
Poly Series: Voyager
Voyager Surround Series
This boom-less over-the-ear design has 6 microphones and adaptive active noise canceling for clear audio during calls and music. It also has touch controls on the headset that let you mute yourself or play or pause music.
The battery life lasts around 12 hours of talk time and 24 hours of listening time so you're good for a full day of use. You can recharge the headset via a USB cable or you can dock your headset on the NFC charge stand with a charge status LED indicator (only on the Surround 85 UC)
The Voyager Surround headset is comfortable to wear all day with improved ear cushions and an ergonomic headband to reduce pressure on the head.
Voyager Free 60 Series
The Poly Free 60 are wireless Bluetooth earbuds with three microphones and WindSmart Technology makes conversations outdoors clearer. These earbuds are comfortable for all day use making them versatile so you can wear them during and outside of work.
Even though Poly has made advancements to comfort with these earbuds, since they do go inside the ear, people may often experience discomfort after long wear. If you do experience this, maybe over-the-ear headsets might be a better fit.
The Free 60 series has a charge cases that recharge earbuds when not in use. The Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds have a touchscreen charge case let you control the earbuds by muting, charge status, and more right on the case. The others in the series have a basic charge case that doesn’t let you control.
You can expect around 16.5 hours of talk time (5.5 hours plus extra 11 hours with the charging case).
Voyager Free 20
The Free 20 are wireless earbuds with a slightly different design than the Free 60 earbuds. The Free 20 earbuds have a more discreet and tailored fit compared to the earbud-style
of the Free 60.
Similar to the Free 60, the Free 20 also has three noise-canceling mics and active noise-canceling. While it does not have the WindSmart Technology for clearer audio outdoors, the third mic does activate in windy conditions for less background noise.
Lastly, these earbuds also come with a charging case and provide about 8 hours of listening time.
Voyager Focus 2 UC
The Voyager Focus 2 headset is recommended for professionals on calls all day in noisy office or home environments and looking for something premium. This headset offers Bluetooth v5.1 and has all the audio performance technology including Advanced Digital Hybrid Active Noise Canceling, Acoustic Fence Technology and Soundguard Digital. You can also expect to get around 19 hours of battery life.
Voyager Focus 4300
The Focus 4300 headset is recommended for professionals who prefer freedom of hands free calls all day at home or in office. This uses Bluetooth V5.2 the next version up from the Voyager Focus 2. You can expect to receive up to 24 hours of talk time.
Voyager Focus 5200
The Focus 5200 is a mono bluetooth headset with a small mic. The headset sits in one ear, unlike other earbuds in this series. This headset has four mics and WindSmart Technology to reduce background noise even outdoors.
This earset has smart sensor technology that automatically knows if it's being worn or not and directing your calls to where you want. The earset will also announce the names of incoming callers and waits for you to say “Answer” or “Ignore”. It also warns you if you start talking while the call is muted.
You can expect up to 7 hours of talk time and 9 days of standby time with a recharge time of about 1.6 hours via the micro-USB-A.
Poly DECT Headsets
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication. DECT phone systems are wireless and incorporate a base station and a headset. The headsets communicate through the base station meaning the phone sends information to the base then sends it to the headset. Poly DECT headsets are wireless and let you conference up to 4 headsets to a single base.
Lastly, DECT operates on the 1.9 GHz frequency band rather than other technologies such as Wi-Fi. This makes DECT headsets a better choice because they are less likely to be affected by other devices such as routers, printers, and TV’s. This makes for better communication quality and stability.
If you value mobility in the office and want better connection quality, DECT is a great choice for its reliable range and connection.
Poly Series: Savi
Savi 8200 Office Series
The Savi 8200 office headsets are recommended for professionals using a variety of desk phones, smartphones, and PC communication. Its got both DECT and Bluetooth V4.2.
This headset comes in an over-the-head in either mono or stereo, and convertible for those who want to convert the headset to wear multiple ways.
Savi 8200 UC Series
The Savi UC series is recommended for remote workers who work between the office and home looking for a portable solution. Its to be used with just PCs and has DECT. Unlike the 8200 Office series, this series headset does not have bluetooth.
This headset comes in an over-the-head in either mono or stereo, and convertible for those who want to convert the headset to wear multiple ways.
Savi 7300 Office Series
The Savi 7300 office headsets are recommended for professionals using both a desk phone and PC communication. It uses DECT with 256-AES encryption for the best security.
This headset has noise canceling with acoustic fence technology and meets Microsoft Teams Open Office requirements.
Savi 7200 Office Series
The Savi 7200 office series headsets are recommended for fixed based users looking for wireless freedom in the office or home. This headset works with desk phones only and comes in over the head either mono or stereo.
Unlike all the other headsets in the Savi series, the Savi 7200 only comes with standard call control and does not come in a Microsoft Teams certified version.
Savi 7400 Office Series
The Savi 7400 Office Series headsets connect to deskphones, PC, and mobile. This series headset is designed for the modern office with enhanced density performance, security features, and multi-device connectivity.
Unlike other Savi series headsets, the base has a color display, selector buttons, scroll wheel, and a back button.
DECT vs Bluetooth
Compared to Bluetooth, DECT offers a better range. For example, the range of a DECT headset can be around 330 feet while Bluetooth only ranges about 33 feet depending on class. DECT is also better than Bluetooth because it offers better sound quality, security, and stability.
Poly Customer Service Headsets
Poly offers a line of headsets dedicated to customer service, called EncorePro. These headsets provide features such as a noise-canceling mic to ensure call clarity so customers can hear you even in loud call centers. Another great feature in all Encorepro series models include soundguard (QD Models) and soundgurad digital (USB models), for acoustic hearing protection.
These headsets connect to a PC or desk phone via USB-C/ USB-A.
Poly Headset Series: Encorepro
Overall Best: Encorepro 700
The Encorepro 700 series has a telescopic noise-canceling microphone ensuring customers get a better call quality and experience. It’s also great for all-day comfort with its ultra-lightweight headband and ear cushions. This headset is available in USB or Quick Disconnect (QD) models.
Because of its improved design and noise-canceling microphone, this makes it the overall best in the EncorePro series.
Middle of the Road: Encorepro 500
The Encorepro 500 series is a step down from the Encorepro 700. This headset has some of the same features as the 700 including a noise-canceling mic for superior audio quality, except it's not telescopic.
This headset also has a comfortable lightweight adjustable headband and ear cushions.
Most Affordable: Encorepro 300
If you are on a budget but still looking for a great customer service headset, the Encorepro 300 is a good option. It connects to a PC or desk phone with Poly audio processors or cables, and PC via USB. It offers Soundguard and Soundguard Digital and has a noise-canceling microphone.
What's Next
Hopefully this blog post helped you understand the differences of the Poly headsets and helped narrow down your decision. If you still need help or are looking to purchase a headset, we at First Source Wireless, are here to help.
We are an authrozied dealer of Poly headsets. Reach out or shop with us!
