Especially if you're on a tight budget. In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions that come up when someone is trying to choose the perfect set of headphones under 300 for their office environment.
What's more important: sound quality or noise-canceling? What features should I look for in an office headphone? These are just a few examples of questions we'll cover.
What to Consider in Buying the Best Headphones for the Office Environment
Wireless or Wired
The first question you must ask yourself is whether your employees will be using wireless headphones or wired. Often, the difference between these two types of headsets lies in their portability and connection source.
Wired
If you’re looking for a simple and hassle-free choice, wired headphones are the way to go. They don’t require any additional equipment or software to operate and they typically offer better sound quality than wireless ones. On top of that, there aren't many issues with interference so it’s unlikely that your employees will need to keep taking them off due to static. They are also typically less expensive than their wireless counterparts, but they do come with a wire which can be annoying if you don’t have enough space at each workplace.
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Wireless
Wireless headphones are great for people who need the flexibility of moving around while listening to music or taking a call. However, wireless headphones will require charging which may not be an option if you’re on a deadline or in between meetings. Sometimes they also have problems pairing with devices or can be difficult to hear over background noise.
Connect With Different Devices
Look for headphones that can connect to different devices with a standard audio jack like laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
In today’s world of multiple gadgets being used in the office, you need those sorts of features so as not to have to buy two sets of earphones just because one device is incompatible with another pair.
Comfortable Wearing
The comfortable wearing method is very important for those who will use headphones all day. If the earbuds are not comfortable enough, they may even cause headaches and pain in the ears or on top of your head after a few hours of usage. It’s good to check whether the headset model you choose can be worn with glasses and if it’s possible to adjust the distance between earphones.
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The Earcups and Ear Cushions
The earcups and ear cushions on headphones are some of the most important features you want to look at when choosing a set for your office. Many times, companies will provide basic old earbuds as an option for their employees and those can cause additional discomfort over extended periods.
Why Are the Ear Cushions important?
The right material will help to keep your employees more comfortable for longer periods. This is especially true if they spend many hours in front of a computer or on the phone each day. In addition, some materials can be sanitized and others can't. This is a consideration in public places like hospitals and restaurants where you will want to ensure that the cushions are easy to sanitize when necessary between users.
If you choose earbuds or small pads, consider memory foam as it has been shown to help with noise reduction while remaining comfortable for long periods.
Unified Communications
Unified communications and collaboration (UCC) are hot these days. Even those companies that aren’t interested in UCC as a whole may be looking for ways to incorporate it into their business, and one of the most common methods is through headphone use.
Employee headphones can help your employees stay connected and productive while they work on projects or collaborate with other employees.
Related: Buy Wireless Headphones
The correct type of headphones can also reduce distractions, increase the likelihood that your employees will remain focused on their work, and avoid interruptions.
Microsoft Skype for Business (MS)
Microsoft Skype for Business (MS) is a great tool for employees to use, but it comes with its own set of problems. One big issue is that most people don’t have noise-canceling headphones which are needed when using Skype in an office environment. This leads many users to be forced to type up messages or wait until they can leave their desks before speaking over the phone.
This is a problem that can be easily fixed with the right headphones, and we’ll go over three different types here: Active Noise Canceling (ANC), noise-isolating, and open ear monitors. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks depending on what you plan to use them for in an office environment.
Active Noise Canceling headphones are great for canceling out background noise when you want to focus on what somebody is saying.
Noise-Isolating headphones do not cancel all of the outside noise, but they provide some relief by blocking it out and letting users hear more clearly with their ears instead of through speakers.
Open ear monitors are not meant to block out large amounts of background noise, but they do provide some privacy by opening up the ear so others will hear less of what you’re saying.
Microphone
The microphone is an important part of the headphones for office use. If you are giving a presentation, or making conference calls you need to have perfect audio quality so that your listener can hear everything clearly and understand it well. This is where microphones come in handy as they give clear sound without any kind of noise. They are also helpful when you want to record the audio.
It is important to choose headphones that come with an omnidirectional microphone. This type of microphone can pick sound from all around them without being too sensitive or aggressive in doing so.
