I ditched wired headphones about 5 years ago for Bluetooth headsets and never looked back. My criteria are that they had to be single earpieces with a built-in mic and range anywhere from $15-$30. Sound quality does not have to be great but somewhat acceptable. They’ve generally been good except for a few things, which I’ll point out. I’ll give you some recommendations and tips to help maximize the life of these economical alternatives.
The first one I got was a FIESAND Bluetooth Headset, and it lasted a little over a year before it stopped working. I wasn’t a huge fan of having the mic thing stick out, but I flipped that part up out of the way, and it never bothered me. A promising headset, but I wanted something that lasted longer. This was before AirPods came out, and there weren’t very many good options yet.
For my second, I wanted to give the little tiny bud-type earpieces a shot, and I had my eyes set on the GoNovate G8 Bluetooth Earpiece. This was so cool because you hardly noticed it, and it had a mic without having to have an extra piece stick out like a sore thumb as my previous one did. The problem with this was that it kept falling off my ear. Surprisingly the falls never damaged it, but I eventually lost it during one of my walks outside. It had served me well for 9 months and could have easily outlasted my previous headset. Tip, if you go for this model, take it off when you walk around; it just doesn’t stay in well enough to withstand movement.
For my third headset, it was clear that I needed one that wrapped around my ear. So I got the BlueFit Bluetooth Headset. The great thing about this version was that the mic didn’t protrude as much as my first headset did. This one lasted a year and a half and would have lasted longer had I not accidentally hooked it on my bag strap, causing the piece that wraps around the ear to break. Tip, despite how durable these headsets seem, take extra care carrying them around. I recommend using the provided case before you throw them in your bag.
For my fourth headset, I wanted to get the BlueFit again, but they no longer made that style, and the ones they do make have a huge mic arm attached to it, even longer than my FIESAND headset. After searching, I found the FLINEVE Bluetooth Headset. This headset had the earloop, which I like and nothing protruding for the mic. It’s a nice design and fits my price range; however, some flaws make it less durable than the BlueFit version. I dropped it once, and the housing that covers the internals located behind the earbud broke off. After close inspection, it’s held on pretty fragile by one screw. See the picture below.
I put it back together using superglue but eventually dropped it again from a higher height, and it came off again. This time the sound quality was bad, and it eventually stopped working. This headset lasted about a year and two months and came close to the BlueFit I liked so much. The only tip I have for this one is to try not to drop it, and just like the BlueFit, use the case before you throw it in your bag.
For my fifth headset, I went with an updated FLINEVE Bluetooth Headset. It has the same housing style, and the only thing different between this version and the previous one is that it uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology instead of 4.2. It has been serving me for 5 months and counting. I hope to get it to last me 1.5 to 2 years if I can be careful not to drop it and to remember to use the case whenever I carry it around. Tip, concerned that the fragile housing behind the earbud might snap off if it does take a fall, I went ahead and put superglue at the seams (see picture below) to help reinforce this part of the headset.
As much as I’d like to get AirPods, I can’t afford them. They seem to be well-made, and I have no doubt the sound quality blows my FLINEVE headset out of the water. Until one is given to me as a gift, I am pleased with my current headset, and I’m sure I can make it last for years. Remember to:
- Use the provided case before you throw them in your bag. Or, if your headset doesn’t come with a case, use something that can protect it.
- Like any device, try not to drop it.
- If your Bluetooth Headset has some fragile parts, as my FLINEVE does, consider supergluing specific areas to reinforce the housing. Just know that you most likely are voiding your warranty. I take no responsibility for what happens as a result. This is just what happened to work best for me.