Best Speakerphone in 2024 for Working From Home [CNET]
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Flagship Beyerdynamic speakerphone (Update: Out of stock)
Beyerdynamic Space Max
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What’s the best overall speakerphone?
If you are a work-from-home employee, you know how challenging it can be to take calls and attempt to jot down notes while being on the call. A speakerphone can help, but it could feel like you have to shout to be heard if the quality is bad. Your meeting scenario can be improved by the use of one of the best speakerphones for working from home. This allows you to be handsfree without having anything in your ears, and you can even have multiple people involved in the call if you’re looking more for a small office setting. We’ve found a variety that are a good quality speaker so you’re sure to find one that is the right size, shape and price for your needs.
It’s hard to pick one model as the best speakerphone overall, but certain models stand out from the pack, which is why they’re at the top of this list. These include the Jabra Speak2 55 and Speak2 75, as well as the Beyerdynamic Space Max and AnkerWork S600, the most recent addition to this list. We also like the EMeet Luna Plus as a value option.
Since 2020, I’ve spent hours evaluating dozens of speakerphones, and I’ve tested all the speakerphones on this list. I review how they perform as a speakerphone and also how they sound for music listening and what connectivity options they offer (and any other noteworthy special features). All of them include some sort of wired USB connection for Windows PCs and Macs, and many also have a Bluetooth option so you can connect wirelessly. Additionally, some include UC Bluetooth dongles that are compatible with the industry standard universal communication format. That USB dongle allows for a more reliable Bluetooth connection to computers. Like UC headsets, speakerphones with a UC Bluetooth option can cost a little more.
Since premium speakerphones can get pricey, I’ve also included some best budget speakerphones for those who want to spend less than $100 (or even less than $50). Almost all the speakerphones on this list are portable and easy to take with you so you can use them at home or on the go. We also have a list of the best headsets for working from home. Some people don’t like to wear anything on or in their ears. That’s where a good speakerphone can come in handy.
Best speakerphones of 2024
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Anker’s PowerConf S3 offers solid performance for the money, with six microphones arranged in a 360-degree array to pick up the voice of up to eight people in a room. This Bluetooth speakerphone charges and connects via USB-C to your computer, if you want to go the wired route, and easily connects to your cell phone and tablet via Bluetooth technology. With an integrated 6,700 mAh battery, you can also charge your devices with the speakerphone. Battery life is rated at 24 hours for call time.
The speaker performed well, with good clarity and similar sound quality to the Jabra Speak 510. (I didn’t compare it to the newer Jabra Speak2 55.) Jabra’s Speak 710 delivers a little fuller sound with a little more bass, but that speaker costs substantially more. This can also be used as a speaker for listening to music or watching movies, but Anker says it’s first and foremost a conference speakerphone. It is a significant step up from the built-in speakers on your smartphone or laptop, particularly in terms of loudness. Whether you’re in a large conference room or a smaller conference room, it can pick up voices anywhere for up to eight people. A carrying case is included.
Note that you can’t connect more than one Bluetooth device to this conference speaker simultaneously. It’s also worth noting Anker also makes the newer PowerConf S3. I have not tried that model but it seems very similar to this one with an updated design.
It’s unclear if you need the dongle because the speaker has an integrated USB-A or USB-C cord to plug directly into a computer and charge the device, but the dongle makes for easier pairing.
This has everything you want in a compact but portable speaker phone. Along with the USB-A connector, it has Bluetooth. A protective carrying case and lanyard are also included. There’s also a USB out port for charging a phone. Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours.
The performance was solid. I was able to stand up to about 7 or 8 feet away from the speaker and callers said they could hear me clearly. The speaker puts out a decent amount of sound, so volume wasn’t an issue. It’s also worth noting that the touch button with the rocket icon is programmable using the Plantronics Hub app: You can choose between play-pause music, last-number redial and voice assistant as well as hold/resume call. The Microsoft Teams-certified version adds a Teams button next to the rocket button. Regardless, any model works with Teams.
I played some music through the speaker and it sounds decent although not great for a compact Bluetooth speaker. As you might expect, it’s strongest in the midrange, where vocals live, so it does well with acoustic music.
The Sync 20 Plus version with a Bluetooth dongle lists for $200 but can be had for less. Poly also has the larger Poly Sync 40 for around $200 and the line-topping Sync 60 is around $400.
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The Poly Sync 20 is available with and without a Bluetooth dongle, and there’s also a Microsoft Teams-certified version. Additionally, there’s a pink version to support Breast Cancer Awareness that is currently less than $50 without the dongle.
It’s unclear if you need the dongle because the speaker has an integrated USB-A or USB-C cord to plug directly into a computer and charge the device, but the dongle makes for easier pairing.
This has everything you want in a compact but portable speaker phone. Along with the USB-A connector, it has Bluetooth. A protective carrying case and lanyard are also included. There’s also a USB out port for charging a phone. Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours.
The performance was solid. I was able to stand up to about 7 or 8 feet away from the speaker and callers said they could hear me clearly. The speaker puts out a decent amount of sound, so volume wasn’t an issue. It’s also worth noting that the touch button with the rocket icon is programmable using the Plantronics Hub app: You can choose between play-pause music, last-number redial and voice assistant as well as hold/resume call. The Microsoft Teams-certified version adds a Teams button next to the rocket button. Regardless, any model works with Teams.
I played some music through the speaker and it sounds decent although not great for a compact Bluetooth speaker. As you might expect, it’s strongest in the midrange, where vocals live, so it does well with acoustic music.
The Sync 20 Plus version with a Bluetooth dongle lists for $200 but can be had for less. Poly also has the larger Poly Sync 40 for around $200 and the line-topping Sync 60 is around $400.
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The Anker PowerConf S500 is an attractively designed speakerphone that offers good performance for around $200. It’s equipped with four microphones and Anker says a single PowerConf S500 “delivers performance for rooms of up to 12 people, and you can wirelessly pair two of them to increase coverage for up to 20 people.”
You can connect your phone or computer via Bluetooth, but you can also connect the speaker directly to your computer with a USB-C cable. Additionally, it comes with a wireless Bluetooth USB dongle (it’s USB-A) for more reliable wireless connections to PCs. It’s nice that you can store the dongle in a slot on the bottom of the speakerphone when you’re not using it. I also liked the included hard carrying case.
I didn’t think this speaker performed quite as well from a sound quality standpoint as the Jabra Speak2 55 (see above), but it is a well-designed speakerphone that delivers solid performance for its price and does have better battery life than the Jabra (16 hours vs. 12 hours).
This used to be Anker’s flagship speakerphone model, but now it offers the new AnkerWork SR500 that’s equipped with eight microphones.
You can get this model with a UC (universal communications) USB dongle that allows you to have a direct wireless connection with a PC. The wired USB option is fine and offers the same softphone features for Windows PCs or Macs.
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The Jabra Speak 510 wireless Bluetooth speaker, which has been out for a few years and is sometimes discounted to closer to $100, can be connected directly to a computer with a USB cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth. It doesn’t offer as much volume as the step-up Speak 710 Bluetooth speakerphone, which costs more than twice as much. Jabra says the speaker is suitable for smaller rooms with coverage for four people in a meeting. This portable speakerphone has a 360-degree omnidirectional microphone and its rechargeable battery will last up to 15 hours of battery life in wireless mode. A carrying case is included.
You can get this model with a UC (universal communications) USB dongle that allows you to have a direct wireless connection with a PC. The wired USB option is fine and offers the same softphone features for Windows PCs or Macs.
Budget
Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a new speakerphone. More premium models tend to cost $200 or more, but plenty of good options are available in the $80 to $150 range. Models that cost less than $50 are also available and do sound better than your phone’s speaker.
How do you intend to use it?
Almost all speakerphones offer the ability to plug right into your computer with a cable. Many offer wireless Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, some models include a USB Bluetooth dongle for easy pairing and a more reliable connection with your computer.
How many people are talking?
Most of the speakerphones on this list can accommodate multiple people talking and some are suitable for larger rooms. If you’re just using it as a personal speakerphone for video conferencing or phone calls, you don’t necessarily need one of the larger, more premium models.
Portability
Take into account the size of the speakerphone if you plan on carrying it with you for mobile use.
Return policy
It’s always good to buy at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer’s remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days, and then return one.
We test speakerphones based on four key criteria. These criteria include design, performance, features and value.
- Design: Evaluating design, we assess not only how sleek the product looks but also the overall build quality and how well the controls are implemented. We also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings.
- Performance: We evaluate performance and sound quality by making several calls in a fairly large room and walking several feet away from the speakerphone. Callers let us know how we sound in both a noise-free and noisier environment (to test noise reduction). We also listen to some music through the speaker.
- Features: Some speakerphones offer additional features, such as a USB Bluetooth dongle for PC use, a charge-out port for charging devices like your cellphone and multipoint Bluetooth pairing. We test those features to make sure they work as advertised.
- Value: We weigh the product’s design, performance and features, comparing them to other speakers in the category, and determine how well the product is priced and whether it’s a good deal.
Jabra Speak 710: Jabra has released the Speak2 75, the upgraded version of its former flagship, the Speak 710. The newer model is clearly superior, but the Speak 710 is still a very good speakerphone and can be obtained at a significant discount.
Is getting a speakerphone worth it?
Yes, you can certainly take a call and use the speakerphone on your phone, but a dedicated speakerphone will offer bigger and better sound and should offer better voice pickup with superior microphone quality.
Are speakerphones good for music listening?
Generally not, though some of the high-end models do sound pretty decent for music listening. Speakerphones tend to offer very strong performance in the midrange, where voices live but don’t have much in the way of bass. Music can end up sounding thin and flat.
Do speakerphones have good battery life?
Smaller models that are more affordable tend to offer around 10 to 12 hours of battery life. Anything over 20 hours is considered good.
Should I get a headset instead of a speakerphone?
That’s certainly an option; there are plenty of good headphones and earbuds that work well for making calls. A speakerphone is for someone who doesn’t want anything on or in their ears, and there’s a certain freedom to using a speakerphone.
What range do speakerphones have?
A decent speakerphone phone should be able to pick up your voice from several feet away. Some of the more budget models offer a more limited range and do better when you’re within four to eight feet of the speakerphone.