Look Ma, No Hands! Review of Hands-Free Devices

My experience with hands-free devices for my Blackberry hasn't been the greatest. I've had trouble with the sound quality on almost every one I've used. That being said, I must admit that I haven't exactly purchased high-end equipment either. If you're still walking around Bluetooth-less, then I've got a treat for you. With tons of devices to choose from that run the gamut on price points, I figured it would be prudent for me to review the best. Here's what I've uncovered about the big bad world of hands-free devices.

Aliph Jawbone 2

This one is definitely pricey at about $108, but better to spend the extra cash than go through two or three cheap Bluetooth headsets to no avail. It has 4 hours of talk time with 200 hours of standby time. Its sleek design is fashionable and more comfortable than previous models but one thing remains the same; the sound quality. The sound through this device is currently revered as the best by most reviewers on the web. The buttons (or lack thereof) are a little difficult to get used to simply because they're invisible, but reading the manual will help you with that. It comes complete with 4 leather wrapped ear hooks, 3 ear buds, and a wall and USB charger.

BlueAnt Supertooth

Well, I've got to the give BlueAnt folks credit for making a play on words like I did in my opening paragraph. The word Supertooth implies that it's far superior to your run of the mill Bluetooth, so let's roll with that. This particular model ranked very high among not only reviewers, but consumers as well. So what can you expect from this little speaker and mic? For starters, it has 15 hours of talk time and 800 hours of standby time. That's a huge increase from its competition, the Jawbone. It's also NOT a Bluetooth; it's actually a speakerphone that mounts on your car visor. It uses echo and noise suppression technology to make your conversations crystal clear. It also audibly reads your caller ID so that you can keep your eyes on the road. It typically retails for about $86.

BlueAnt Z9i

Okay okay, so you would rather have a Bluetooth than a speakerphone. Well, here you go. This model actually ranks a little lower among consumers, but is still highly touted by both consumers and reviewers. It actually uses the same echo and noise suppression technology and even adds a little wind reduction feature as well. In my opinion, the design is a little bulkier than others, but it's still comfortable. After all, it was the recipient of the CES 2007 Innovations Design & Engineering Award. It also comes with 2 interchangeable ear hooks, 2 ear buds, wall charger and USB charger and a shirt clip for storage when you're not using it. It has a fairly standard talk time of 5.5 hours and 200 hours standby. Get it for $67.

Jabra BT8040

While all of these hand free devices are pretty reasonably priced, I wanted to throw in a cheap alternative that doesn't sacrifice quality. The Jabra BT8040 has a great battery that allows you to talk up to 6 hours and a standby time of 200 hours. It also gives you 33 feet of space between the device and the receiver that allows you to talk and still have great reception, not to mention the ability to connect to 8 devices. It uses Digital Signal Processing to reduce background noise and automatically adjusts the volume. It comes with 3 gel ear buds for maximum comfort and is reasonably priced at $60.

While my experience with cheap Bluetooth headsets has been less than perfect, I didn't have this guide to follow when making my purchase decisions. It was my fault for not doing the research and in my attempt to help you all avoid the same mistakes, I think I've convinced myself to purchase one the great ones I've mentioned here. If you love your current hands-free set, let us know about it in the discussion. Pass your valuable information on to all of our members!