Best Headsets For Dictation – Reviews And Buying Guide

Are you looking for the best headset for dictation? Then look no further! We have compiled some of the most popular headsets on the market today.

Woman using dictation headset

Many people find it easier to speak aloud and have a computer program type the words for them. Think admin staff or medical professionals. Now there are phenomenal headsets that can do the job. You may not want to sift through all the options to find the best headsets for dictation. 

Fortunately, we have compiled a guide for finding the right dictation headset for you. We’ve reviewed the five top-rated wired headsets for your needs.

Customer support employees and those who work in call centers often utilize headsets for simultaneously typing and talking. However, people also use headsets for dictation to write large chunks of text if they feel they can get their thoughts out by speaking aloud.

How To Choose A Headset For Dictation

There are many options for headsets you can utilize for dictation, but what sets the best ones apart from the rest? Generally, there are a few factors to look for in a USB headset.

Ability To Eliminate Background Noise

The last thing you want is background noise getting into your email reply or blog post. A headset that blocks out everything besides your words indicates it is high quality and beneficial.

Fantastic Sound Quality

The more muffled and unclear your voice is, the less likely the typed text will match what you stated. The increase in translation errors will be frustrating, to say the least! Therefore, good sound quality is a must-have.

Man using a headset on his Mac

Comfortable For All-day Wear

Most headsets come with ear cushions or protective foam around the ear portion to minimize discomfort. There is a big difference felt when you use headsets without them, so consider this factor.

Lightweight

In most cases, single-ear headsets feel lighter than dual-ear headsets. However, you may find a dual-ear headset that serves its purpose and is not too heavy for extended periods.

Built To Last

A headset that you have to replace frequently will not go down well. Most mainstream manufacturers do battle-test their hardware, so watch out for the knock-off brands. Remember to check the warranty period on the device as well.

Durability For Daily Use

You may not use your headset all day, but it should last that long regardless. A headset that dies or has problems a few hours into use will prevent you from working or finishing your leisure tasks at once.

You also want to consider whether or not you prefer a single or dual-ear headset, but both work for dictation. You may utilize a single-ear headset if you need to keep one ear available to listen. However, a dual-ear works best for effective dictation because you can stay focused and hear much better.

Woman holding speech bubble

Five Of The Best Headsets For Dictation

Our top picks for headsets for speech recognition must have good sound quality without muffling, static, or hard-to-hear noises. They also need to be comfortable.

LEITNER LH270 WIRELESS OFFICE HEADSET

This is one of the most popular headset models on the market today. Some perks include being from a small business and its ability to last for a long time, especially with constant customer support available.

The box includes the charging base, headset, power cord, RJ9 telephone cord, and USB cord. It weighs just two ounces and requires one Lithium-ion battery, which comes included with the set.

While it is a top choice for a headset, you may consider the Leitner LH270 expensive if you’re working to a budget, especially since there are some fantastic options with fewer perks, but for a much lower price.

However, no other option can boast such exceptional benefits and guarantees of customer support, replacement warranty, lifespan, and range. Most headsets range around 100-150 ft, while the Leitner offers 350 ft and more movement allowed than any other model. It also has CleanSound Technology.

Pros
  • The choice between dual-ear, on-ear, and single-ear
  • Five-year replacement warranty and unlimited support
  • Comfortable for all-day use and wear
  • Range up to 350 ft
  • Immediate replacement
  • Lifespan five times as long as other brands
  • CleanSound Technology
Cons
  • Pricey compared to the other options
  • Does not utilize Bluetooth

JABRA EVOLVE 65

The second option is one of the best headsets for dictation from the brand Jabra. There are three style options: Universal Communication (UC) optimized, UC optimized (standard), and Microsoft Teams optimized.

Furthermore, you can choose between a mono speaker, a mono speaker with a charging stand, and a stereo speaker. This allows you to customize the industry-leading headset for your needs. You never have to worry about a low or dead battery either.

The item weighs 9.1 oz and is fantastic for dictation because it can operate all day with crystal clear sound. It is a more affordable option but still ranks as one of the pricier options on this list. 

Jabra is well-known for its top-notch headsets that are compatible with virtually any communication software, and this headset is no exception.

Pros
  • Range up to 100 ft
  • The choice between mono or stereo speaker
  • Unique “Do Not Disturb” blue light signal for those around you prevents interruptions and keeps you focused on the call or task you’re performing.
  • All-day battery (14 hours talk time)
  • Can charge the headset while on calls
  • Connects via Bluetooth or USB cable
  • Plug and play for MS Teams or UC
  • Certified with numerous voice call services
Cons
  • Lower distance range than other headsets
  • Lifespan may not last as long as others

MKJ USB TELEPHONE HEADSET

This affordable headset works well for conference calls, online learning, Skype chats, voice chats, and gaming, but it also is a top choice for dictation. You can use this headset with Dragon software because it is perfect for recording your voice, running it through speech recognition, and outputting accurate text.

Overall, this option is beneficial and budget-friendly for some using it for dictation, voice calls, and more. However, it does not offer some of the benefits found with the more costly options.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Comfortable for all-day wear and sturdy cord
  • High-quality audio and volume control
  • Plug and play USB without software installation
  • Flexible boom and noise-canceling microphone
Cons
  • Some users reported crackled, muffled, or very low volume on voice calls

LOGITECH H390 WIRED HEADSET

Logitech is a leader in electronics, including headsets and headphones. The brand proves its unparalleled quality with this H390 headset, trusted for over ten years.

This headset can serve you well for clear speech-to-text recordings. It requires one Lithium-ion battery and has been a favorite headset of many since it first came out in 2007. Many things have changed since then, but the quality of this headset hasn’t, and it still serves as a dependable choice.

Pros
  • Budget Friendly
  • Padded and plush headband and earcups
  • Minimizes background noise for clear sound
  • Chromebook compatible
  • Plug and play USB connection
  • Volume control and muting without interruptions
  • Movable boom mic
Cons
  • Not all computer models may be compatible
  • Some users experienced discomfort while wearing

SONITUM HEADSET WITH MICROPHONE

The final option, but still one of the best headsets for dictation, is the Sonitum Headset with Microphone, the most affordable option out of the five we are reviewing. 

The small-business brand of Sonitum makes this headset that you can comfortably use for hours and many purposes. Dictation has never been so simple with this headset because you won’t catch any background noise in your audio, just your voice. 

You can speak for extended periods and have instant, accurate speech translations. A top-rated and thoroughly-reviewed headset and a reliable dictation program do the job.

This product is exceptional for the price and can even compete well with some of the more expensive options.

Pros
  • Most affordable option on our list
  • Computer, smartphone, and laptop-compatible
  • Noise-canceling technology
  • Clear sound and audio
  • 3.5mm jack connector for plug and play
  • Designed and made in the United States
  • Durable materials for long-lasting performance
  • Stylish black and bronze design
Cons
  • Some users’ experiences include difficulty hearing others on voice calls
  • Small ear cushions may be uncomfortable on large ears

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use A Bluetooth Headset With Dragon NaturallySpeaking?

Yes. You can use a Bluetooth headset with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and the combination is a great way to turn speech into text without staying wired to your computer. 

There are many options for compatible headsets that work with this speech recognition software.

What Kind Of Signal Is Used In Speech Recognition?

An acoustic signal works in speech recognition to translate spoken words into typed words. Since the goal is to be as precise and accurate as possible, it helps recognize specific statements or sounds that may sound similar such as want, wanted, wanton, or wait. 

Final Thoughts

Our number one choice for a dictation headset is the Leitner LH270 Wireless Office Headset.

There are many options for headsets if you’re using them for dictation, but not all work the same. We hope to have helped you determine the best headsets for dictation and critical factors to consider when shopping for your own set.