Headsets are available in many different designs. The classic headset consists of a headset with two earpieces and a microphone on the end of a bracket, which is positioned near the mouth. This variant allows for stereo audio playback. However, when both ears are covered the ability to hear ambient noise is very limited. The ear pieces are attached to a headband or neckband.
Although headsets with only one earpiece and microphone on a bracket allow only for mono audio, they make it easier to hear what is going on in the nearby environment.
The most compact designs have in-ear headphones with a microphone attached by a cable or a wireless headset, with a speaker and microphone combination fastened directly by an ear loop.
In telephony, both wireless and wired headsets are used. Wired headsets can be fitted with various different connectors. In addition to RJ-9 or RJ-11 connections, they often come with manufacturer-specific connectors. Functions or the electrical characteristics, such as the impedance, can vary greatly. With mobile phones there are headphones that have a microphone and connector cable that are usually connected via a jack plug to the device, allowing them to be used as a headset. There is often a volume control attached to the cable.
Wireless headsets are powered by batteries, which may be rechargeable, and communicate with a base station or directly with the telephone via radio. A wireless connection to a mobile phone or smartphone is usually managed via the Bluetooth standard. Headsets that communicate with a telephone or headset base via the DECT standard are also available.
Professional solutions, whether wired or wireless, usually allow you to mute the microphone with the press of a button. Important criteria when choosing a headset include the voice quality, the capacity of the battery and the maximum talk and standby times.