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As the pandemic continues to affect our lives, most professionals keep working from home through video. However, video conferences are often labeled as unproductive as people tend to lose focus with delays between sending and receiving messages. According to research by German academics, even a delay of 1.2 seconds on conferencing systems can make people lose attention. Improving the quality of your audio setup can prevent disruption and make the entire experience much more fruitful. You can invest in a good quality speakerphone, which serves as a portable microphone and speaker specially designed for communication.
The Telehealth.org team has tested out multiple speakerphones to choose the top 3 available in the market. This article covers all key aspects you can consider while buying your new speakerphone.
Should I Buy a Microphone and Speaker or a Speakerphone?
There are two options to consider while planning to improve the audio quality in your home office setup. You can either buy a separate microphone and speaker or opt for a speakerphone. A high-quality USB microphone and Bluetooth speaker can be connected to a laptop for clear and crisp audio. These devices can significantly enhance the user experience during Zoom meetings. The setup is versatile and offers greater usability and options to consumers. However, there are a few downsides as well. High-end microphones and speakers tend to be expensive, which can increase the total cost. Users may also have to compromise on the portability of the setup.
On the other hand, if you are going for a speakerphone, you can expect exceptional sound quality at a nominal price. The small and compact shape makes it portable and easy to carry around while traveling. Although the speakerphone is flawless at what it does, it lacks versatility as its use is limited to audio and video calls. In conclusion, the speakerphone is an excellent choice for video calls and conferences. But if you are looking for a multipurpose setup, you can consider purchasing a microphone and speakers.
Best Portable Speakerphone in 2021
Best Bluetooth Speakerphone
Jabra is one of the leading brands of audio equipment. They have a wide variety of products ranging from earbuds to headsets. Their speakerphone, the Jabra 710, is on our list as the best Bluetooth speakerphone in 2021.
The Jabra 710 has a cylindrical shape. The device is only 5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches in thickness, making it extremely compact. It also comes with a carrying case making it portable and travel-friendly. The control buttons are situated on the outer part, and these buttons can be used to carry out several functions such as adjusting volume. The speakerphone is also praised for its connectivity. It configures and connects instantly to both Windows and Mac through Bluetooth.
The Jabra 710 also comes with a USB cable wrapped around its outer edge. The Jabra 710 features an omnidirectional microphone that can be used by six people simultaneously and records crisp and high-definition audio. Moreover, the speaker provides immersive sound for improved audio quality. The full-duplex mic system allows you to talk and hear simultaneously, providing a more natural experience. The Jabra 710 is undoubtedly the best speakerphone available in the market in 2021.
Best Conference Speakerphone
The Telehealth.org team has ranked the Anker PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone as the best conference speakerphone. It has a combination of six microphones which are arranged all around the center of the speakerphone. This ensures that the speakerphone picks up voice from the entire conference room. Moreover, Anker’s custom algorithm allows noise reduction and echo cancellation. Thus, PowerConf records high-quality audio irrespective of the environment. The speakers installed in the device are of exceptional quality too.
Similar to the Jabra 710, the PowerConf has excellent connectivity. The speakerphone comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB cable, both of which can be used to connect it to computers. The compact shape and battery capacity of 6700 mAH make it a perfect travel companion. The speakerphone can even be used as a power bank to charge other devices. Although the overall build quality of the PoweConf is exceptional, some users have faced issues with the volume buttons on the speakerphone. In conclusion, the Anker PowerConf can be your best option if you are looking for a conference speakerphone at a reasonable price tag.
Budget Bluetooth Speakerphone
The Jabra 510 has a clear and crisp sound quality. You can perform several functions with just a click of a button which makes it convenient to use. The speakerphone has an omnidirectional microphone that can be used in conferences with up to 4 people and records high-definition audio with minimal background noise.
The Jabra 510 is easy to set up and can be suitable for users that are not tech-savvy. You can connect the speakerphone to computers via Bluetooth or USB cable. It is also compatible with most video conferencing applications. The slim, compact shape of the speakerphone and the traveling case makes it a perfect choice for users who travel frequently. Jabra has also updated the software upon customer request, which makes it possible for the device to be connected to mobile phones and tablets as well. Though, some users have expressed concerns over Bluetooth connectivity. To sum up, the Jabra 510 provides great value for money, and it is a good choice if you are looking for a high-end speakerphone without leaving a dent in your pocket.
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Is the Jabra good for a hybrid classroom on Zoom. 6 people around a table with 1 or 2 on Zoom.
Barbara, The best way to get a reliable technical response about Jabra is to write to Jabra directly. As with most other telehealth and technology issues, I strongly encourage you to go straight to the source and not trust anyone else.
Are these devices compatible with iPads?
Hiedi, Thank you for your inquiry. You may want to look at the side of your iPad to see if there are any “ports” to use for attaching peripherals. Different iPads may have different functionalities, but most of them have two ports: a port for the charger and a headphone jack. Depending on the age of your iPad, and the type of speakerphone that you buy, there may be an adapter that you can purchase from Apple to connect the two. You may want to call your Apple dealer to determine your best option.