A growing number of us are on Zoom meetings or online collaboration platforms or phone calls for a substantial portion of our day (for many of us this is due to the pandemic). With both hands free we can type or shift through papers, and with BT connectivity we’re untethered and free to move about. While the Best Bluetooth Headsets buyer’s guide includes the Plantronics Voyager Legend Wireless Bluetooth Headset (rated No. 2 and given the ‘Honorable Mention’ award), the Plantronics Voyager 5200 however is not that one –this is a different model number from the same maker.
Why We Like It – Plantronics Voyager 5200
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is an ear-hook style wireless earphone that can be worn without discomfort for prolonged periods and is well suited for on-the-go users handling calls in a variety of situations and environments that can be noisy.
- Long Range
- Voice Commands
- Noise cancellation
- Ear Hook may interfere with glasses
- High Price
Performance
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is well suited for those who are on-the-go, and who may need to be talking on the phone or online at any given moment in their busy lives. It provides excellent noise cancellation for call clarity when background sounds become loud, allowing those on the other end to hear and understand precisely what it is you’re saying (although sometimes your voice can sound robotic due to the noise cancelling software that features what Plantronics calls ‘windsmart technology’ to block wind noise, traffic noise, etc.). The 5200 has voice commands built-in, announcing incoming calls and letting you tell the 5200 if you want to answer or ignore the call. You can even dictate text messages, although the 5200 cannot read text messages that are sent to you. If you have a personal phone and a work phone, the 5200 can be paired to both, so you can handle calls on either phone with this single Bluetooth headset. Alternatively, pair the 5200 to your phone and to your laptop and use this single BT headset to communicate by phone or through whatever collaboration software you’re using online. A USB-A dongle is included in the event your laptop or desktop doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth (or doesn’t support a compatible BT version). The range of the 5200 is 60’ according to Plantronics, who also claim the 5200 provides 7 hours of battery life (assumed to mean ‘talk time’). Your real-world experience may vary. Recharge the battery with the included micro-USB cable and carrying case with an integrated stand. A downloadable Plantronics Hub app (available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android) adds useful capabilities –like ‘find my headset. If you want a much sleeker and water-resistant bluetooth headset then you need to read our Plantronics Voyager review.
Design
The design of the Plantronics Voyager 5200 has a single earbud driver with an ear-hook containing an integrated battery. It’s an in-ear design similar to Apple Airpods, the No. 1 pick in the Buyer’s Guide. The design is very similar to other single ear headsets like the ICOMTOFIT Bluetooth Headset. The ear hook battery on the 5200 is a little bigger than other similar products which may make it somewhat challenging to put it on your ear at first…easier after you get the hang of it. And the larger size of the 5200 ear hook battery may interfere with some eye glasses, depending upon the style of the glasses ‘temple tips’ (the part that goes over your ears). The 5200 is made of lightweight materials, and has a very sleek and modern look. Some customer comments find fault with the overall finish, but it is quality made and certainly comfortable to wear. The boom microphone is hung from the earbud and can be flipped up away from your mouth. Touch controls for plus/minus volume, call answer/end, and on/off are located at various places on the earpiece, all are convenient and easy to operate. A charging case (usually bundled with the 5200 or otherwise available separately) acts as both a carrying case and as a docking stand for the headset, charging the 5200 and keeping it handy and at the ready. When you put on the headset an auto-on auto-pair voice prompt tells you that you’re connected and how much battery life remains. Additional battery management info and other capabilities are added with a download of the Plantronics Hub app (installed on the smartphone or computer to which you’re pairing the 5200). If you’d prefer a much bigger headset then go through our Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC review.
Value
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a good choice for individuals who spend lots of time on the phone or in online conversation, and need to communicate despite noisy environments. The price of the 5200 is not cheap, but then again if a good Bluetooth headset is important to your productivity then the 5200 is probably worth the money. If your headset needs are more-or-less about occasional use and convenience, then maybe look at the FimiTech Wireless Bluetooth Headset, which is significantly less expensive.
Plantronics Voyager 5200 Wrap Up
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a fine Bluetooth headset for heavy use both indoors and outdoors. It features excellent call clarity that minimizes background noise, as well as being offered by a manufacturer who is well known and respected.
