Our Verdict
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is mediocre for mixed usage. Since this is a mono Bluetooth headset, it isn't designed for listening to music and is meant for use while making or receiving phone calls. The microphone does an excellent job of separating your voice from background noises, so the person you're speaking to will hear you clearly even in a noisy office. However, your voice sounds dark and muffled while on phone calls. The comfortable and stable fit makes this headset a very good option if you make a lot of phone calls while running or jogging. Since it's Bluetooth-only, it isn't recommended for gaming, as there's likely too much lag.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- App offers a ton of customization for phone calls.
- Easy to use controls.
- Microphone has excellent noise handling.
- Swivel microphone allows headset to be worn on either ear.
- Battery doesn't last quite as long as advertised.
- Disappointing microphone recording quality.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 isn't recommended for neutral sound listening. This is a mono Bluetooth headset that's designed for making phone calls and not listening to music.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 isn't recommended for listening to music during your commute or while traveling. Since it's a mono Bluetooth headset, it's primarily designed for phone calls. While it could be a decent choice for making or receiving calls during your commute, it doesn't block out any background noise, so it can be tough to hear the person on the other end of the line if you're in a loud environment, like on a bus or airport.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a very good option for making phone calls while running or jogging. The headset is comfortable and feels very stable in the ear, so it shouldn't move even during more strenuous workouts. As it doesn't block out any background noise, it's good for running outdoors so you can stay aware of your surroundings. However, its sound profile is tuned for phone calls, and music will be severely lacking any bass.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 isn't recommended for listening to music in the office, though they can be an okay choice if you make a lot of phone calls at work. While it's comfortable enough to wear all day, and the 6.4-hours of talk-time should last you a full work day, the unbalanced sound profile and mono design aren't meant for listening to music.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 isn't recommended for wireless gaming. This headset is Bluetooth only and isn't compatible with PS4 or Xbox One. While you can use it with any Bluetooth-enabled PC or mobile device, the latency will likely be too high for competitive gaming. The sound profile is also lacking in bass and is designed for listening to voices, so explosions and gunshots in your game will be severely lacking in thump.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a Bluetooth-only headset that cannot be used wired.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is mediocre for phone calls. While this Bluetooth headset is comfortable enough to wear for long periods, and will likely last an entire work day, the microphone recording quality is disappointing. While on phone calls, your voice sounds dark and muffled. On the bright side, the noise handling is excellent and even in noisy environments, the person you're speaking to can hear you clearly. The app also includes a ton of customization options for phone calls, and the buttons on the headset are easy-to-use while in the middle of a call.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We purchased and tested the Plantronics Voyager 5200. There is also a model called the Voyager 5200 UC that comes with a USB dongle for PCs, as well as some 'Office' models that include a dock. These results are only applicable to the regular 5200, as the other variants may perform differently.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a mono Bluetooth headset designed for making and receiving phone calls. Unlike most headphones we've reviewed, it isn't designed for listening to music, and its sound profile is tuned so that voices are clear and don't sound piercing or harsh. While the boom microphone's recording quality is sub-par, it does an excellent job of separating your voice from background noise, making it well-suited to use in a noisy office. Check out our recommendations for best Bluetooth headsets for phone calls, or if you want something better-suited for gaming, best wireless gaming headsets.
The Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth Headset is a much worse mono headset for phone calls than the Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset. Both headsets share almost the same design and feel equally comfortable, well-built, and stable, except the 5200 charges via Micro-USB while the Legend uses a proprietary magnetic charging clip. The 5200 has a better-balanced sound profile for phone calls, resulting in less piercing and painful voices. It also has a much better microphone that makes your voice sound slightly more natural and does a significantly better job of separating your voice from background noises. On the other hand, the Voyager Legend has longer battery life.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset is better for phone calls than the Jabra Talk 45 Bluetooth Headset. The Plantronics is more comfortable, better-built, and it has more controls, including a volume control. Its boom microphone performs much better in noisier environments. That said, the Jabra's microphone has a better recording quality.
The BlueParrott B450-XT Headset is a better headset for phone calls than the Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset. The BlueParrott has a more balanced sound profile and its boom microphone has a better recording quality. It also has a longer continuous battery life and you can use it while it's charging. However, the Plantronics Voyager is more comfortable and since it's an earbud headset, it's also more portable. Its microphone is better at noise handling, which is handy if you need to take calls on the road from your truck.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset is better for phone calls than the Plantronics Voyager 3200 Bluetooth Headset. The 5200 is more comfortable and stable and is better-built. It also leaks less noise, and its microphone has a better recording quality and noise handling performance. That said, the 3200 has a better-balanced treble range, so voices and sibilants sound more detailed.
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Test Results
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