Jabra BT5020 with Bluetooth Hub

Jabra's BT5020 bundle is a dual-solution that connects both corded desk phones and Bluetooth mobile phones to a single Bluetooth headset. Aimed at professionals who spend plenty of time outside the office, the benefit of this converged technology means a single Bluetooth headset will work with multiple phones, potentially saving businesses money.

Essentially, this bundle consists of two separate products; the BT5020 Bluetooth headset and the BT7010 Bluetooth hub. The Bluetooth Hub allows the headset to pair with most desk phones including analogue, digital, PBX systems and VoIP phones. Once connected, the hub allows users to take calls from both your mobile phone and your desk phone using the single BT5020 headset.

The hub is quite easy to set-up – simply plug your desk phone handset into it, connect the hub and your desk phone using the supplied connection cord and plug the unit into AC power. Synchronising the BT5020 with your mobile phone is also a simple process. Pairing mode is entered by holding down the pairing button and finding the BT5020 using your mobile phone.

Once your mobile and desk phone are connected, the hub will allow you to take calls from both using the one BT5020 headset. Conveniently, if you decide to upgrade your headset in the future, it will be fully compatible with the hub. Perhaps the biggest issue with the hub is the fact that there is no handset lifter included in the sales package (this is an optional extra). It means that you'll have to lift your office handset like you normally would to make and receive calls, despite sound coming through the BT5020 headset.

Audio performance on both desk and mobile phones is noteworthy, but not outstanding. Sound is passable in quiet environments, but does tend to deteriorate if you are in an area with a lot of background noise. Incoming sound is quite good, but our callers regularly complained that our voice was distorted and unclear.

The BT5020 is fairly unremarkable in terms of design, sporting a plain, matte black finish. That being said, many consumers may prefer its bland style to the many flashy alternatives on the market. It is quite comfortable to wear for long periods, though we found that the edge of the earpiece dug into our ear a little too frequently. The ear bud sits just inside your ear with audio provided through a small speaker. The design is convenient as it can be worn on both ears thanks to a rotating hinge.

A small indicator light next to the call handling button lets you know the status of the headset. A constant red light denotes that the unit is charging, green means it is fully charged, while a blue light indicates that the unit is in pairing mode. A minor complaint lies with the controls – considering the size of the headset, they are a little too small for our liking.