VoIP Phone Headset Vs Handset

VoIP technology allows calls to be made over a broadband connection. VoIP phone systems are gaining popularity amongst businesses of all sizes, primarily due to the cost savings that can be made using this technology. When implementing a VoIP phone system in your business, you have the option of either using VoIP handsets or making and receiving calls directly through the computer using a headset. In this article, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you decide which is the best way forward for your business.

VoIP Headset

Most people will be familiar with headsets; they are essentially a pair of headphones with a microphone attached and are often used in call centres for easy, hands-free communication. Used as an alternative to a handset, headsets are plugged into a computer and used in conjunction with VoIP software that has been installed in order to make and receive voice calls. Headsets are a great option if your staff are on the phone for long periods of time as they prevent them from having to physically hold the handset for the duration of a call. They are also good in settings where it is useful to be able to use your hands while talking on the phone, such as in call centres where agents need to type up notes or assist the caller using applications on the computer or requires access to websites. However, you would need to have the use of speakerphone for some conference calls and in this case a headset would be unsuitable. Having said this, it is often possible to use the speakerphone feature directly through the speakers on a computer, in which case you would not necessarily need to invest in handsets.

VoIP Handset

A VoIP handset, although specifically designed to be used with a VoIP phone system, is essentially the same in functionality as a ‘normal’ phone. Similarly to a traditional phone, a VoIP phone will be plugged in and calls are made in exactly the same way – dialling numbers, listening for dial tones etc. Consequently, virtually no additional staff training is required when you switch to VoIP phones. Many people would not even notice or think about the fact that they are using VoIP. There are many different VoIP phones available nowadays, from a selection of manufacturers. Some phones can even be adapted to support VoIP calls using an analogue telephone adapter (ATA). This is worth looking into if you are keen to save on the cost of hardware or smooth the transition to VoIP for your staff. One of the main benefits of using VoIP handsets is that it can be easier to transition your employees over to VoIP, as they will barely notice the difference providing that you are either using the same phones or choose ones with similar functions to your existing handsets.

Whether you decide to go for VoIP headsets or VoIP handsets ultimately depends on personal preference and what best suits the needs of your organisation. Generally speaking, headsets are a better option for call centre environments where agents spend long periods of time handling calls and need their hands free for other tasks. Clearly, call centres have always made use of handsets but with VoIP the actual phones themselves are no longer required, as calls can be made directly through the computer. Consequently, you could save money on hardware costs.