Author: Global Teck Staff / Blog / Published: November 18, 2022 9:00AM EST (Updated April 20, 2024)

Cisco is a multinational technology conglomerate that has been around since 1984. Founded by a couple of Stanford computer science graduate students, Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, the company has established itself in San Jose, California, as the go-to brand in networking equipment.

Cisco's earliest products were routers. These were devices to direct traffic between computer networks. The company went public in 1990 and quickly rose to prominence during the dot-com boom. Today, Cisco is a major player in the tech industry, with a market capitalization of over $200 billion, and businesses and governments use their products worldwide. You can even say that Cisco’s products are the backbone of the internet itself.

Among Cisco’s wide variety of products, their IP phones are probably the most common devices that people associate with the company. They're reliable, sturdy, and offer many features compared to traditional phone systems. One thing they lack is a built-in headset.

Let's face it: Cisco phones look kind of old school. And when you put a Cisco phone on your desk, it's like saying, "My job is my life, and I'm not interested in anything else." Also, you can’t go far with that coiled phone cord. You’ll be stuck sitting at that desk because you might miss an important call if you do get out.

Luckily, there’s a plethora of headsets out there that can work with your Cisco phone, and nope, your flashy gaming headset won’t be compatible (probably). So here are some of the headsets that we recommend.

The Jabra Evolve 75 is a professional-grade wireless headset that provides users with the best sound quality and call clarity. Featuring Jabra's signature Noise-Cancelling technology, the Evolve 75 eliminates a significant level of background noise, ensuring that users can always hear and be heard, even in the busiest of environments. In addition, the Evolve 75 comes with a convenient carrying case and charging stand, making it easy to keep the headset charged and ready for use.

For those who need even more from their headset, Jabra offers a wide range of accessories, including an annual subscription to Jabra Speak for access to premium features and services. Whether for work or personal use, the Jabra Evolve 75 is the perfect choice for anyone who wants the best in wireless headsets.

Jabra has achieved the status of Cisco Preferred Solution Partner. This simply means that most, if not all, of Jabra's headsets are fully compatible with Cisco softphones.

You can find out how to setup your Jabra headset with a Cisco IP phone, here.

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The Xenexx XS 820 and XS 825 wired headsets are for agent training, supervisory control room use, onboarding, and remote work. It is for those who can’t go far from their IP phones to take calls from clients and customers all day. With that in mind, Xenexx made sure that these headsets are comfortable for prolonged use and still deliver quality audio.

The XS 820 mono is your go-to tech investment for headphones. It is an affordable device with a durable build and super audio quality. Equipped with a single earpiece and boom mic, the XS 820 is just perfect for multitasking.

On the other hand, the XS 825 stereo is a possible option for those who want a bit of noise cancellation with their headsets. You can easily set up meetings on cloud-based platforms like RingCentral, Zoom, and Cisco Webex without worrying about too much background noise that messes up conversations over the phone.

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The Poly Voyager 4310 UC offers seamless connectivity for professionals on the go. Connect to your PC via the included BT700 Bluetooth adapter or USB cable, and pair with smartphones via Bluetooth v5.2. With multipoint connectivity, it can connect to two devices simultaneously and remember up to 8 paired devices, ensuring flexibility across platforms.

Additionally, it can be connected to desk phones using the Voyager Office base (sold separately), extending its versatility for office environments. Equipped with a noise-canceling boom microphone and Acoustic Fence technology, the Voyager 4310 UC delivers clear audio in any environment. Its intuitive controls allow for easy call management, while the long battery life provides up to 24 hours of talk time and 47 hours of listening time. Certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and backed by a 2-year warranty, it's the perfect choice for professionals seeking reliable communication solutions.

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The Plantronics HW510 is a high-quality headset with specific features for business use. It includes noise-canceling technology to reduce background noise, and the earpiece is adjustable and rotatable to ensure a comfortable fit. The Plantronics HW510 also has a convenient mute button, making it easy to take calls without disturbance.

The headset can be connected to Cisco IP phones using the Plantronics APC-40 adapter. This adapter plugs into the phone's handset port, and then the Plantronics HW510 can be plugged into the adapter. Users can take full advantage of Plantronics' features while still using their Cisco phones.

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The Sennheiser SD PRO1 is another one we recommend for Cisco phone compatibility, and, like all Sennheiser/EPOS devices, the SD PRO1 doesn’t fall short on features.

It is a two-in-one headset for desk phones and softphone/computer calls. The SD PRO1 has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Sennheiser Voice Clarity, enhanced Sennheiser HD sound quality, and ActiveGard Technology.

The Sennheiser SD PRO1 is as comfortable as it gets. It has leatherette earpads for all-day use and built-in moisture protection that ensures the longevity of the earpiece. Like its 230 series siblings, the SD PRO1 also has a flexible mic boom that goes both ways depending on where you wear the headset.

The SD PRO1 is compatible with Cisco IP phone models: 6945, 78xx, 79xx, 88xx, and 89xx. It can be connected using the Sennheiser HeadSetupTM Pro Manager software to adjust audio and call control features. Note: For the best audio quality, we recommend using an Ethernet connection instead of WiFi.

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The Plantronics CS540 is a wireless headset with power-saving technology, a sleek design, and clear sound quality. It can connect to Cisco phones using the Plantronics APA-M02 EHS Cable or Plantronics APC-40 EHS Cable.

This headset has a range of up to 350 feet, making it ideal for use in offices or other large spaces. The CS540 also features DECT 6.0 technology for clear, interference-free sound quality. Additionally, the Plantronics CS540 is compatible with most major VoIP systems, including Cisco, Avaya, and Nortel.

This headset works with these IP phones:

7900 series: 7902, 7905, 7910, 7910+sw, 7931, 7940, 7941, 7942, 7945, 7960, 7961, 7962, 7965, 7971, 7972, 7975, 7985, 7970-12sp+
Global phones: 7932g, 7931, 7942g, 7945g, 7960g, 7965g, 7971g, 7975g, 7985g
Cisco 6900 series: 6911, 6921, 6941, 6945, 6961
Cisco SPA series and EX:Â 921, 922, 941, 942, 962
Cisco SPA series: 303, 501G, 502G, 504G, 508G, 509G, 512G, 514G, 525G, 525G2

On the other hand, the Plantronics CS540 EHS is the same headset only that it has an Electronic Hookswitch cable. It still comes with a noise-canceling microphone that eliminates background noise and gives you a clear voice quality.

The device also has wideband audio for natural sound, and the earpiece is well-padded for all-day comfort. The Plantronics CS540 EHS has an Electronic Hookswitch (EHS) for remote desk phone control. This feature lets you answer or end calls without removing the headset.

Finally, the Plantronics CS540 EHS is compatible with Cisco phones with an RJ9 headset jack. Phone models include the Cisco IP Phone 7800 Series, 8800 Series, and 9900 Series.

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Headsets are a great way to increase productivity in the office, and with so many different options on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we’ve outlined our top picks for headsets compatible with Cisco phones and a few pointers on choosing the best one for your needs.

Just a reminder, whether you have a wired or wireless headset, you will need a headset lifter. It’s a device that connects to your Cisco phone which allows you to make and take calls while you’re away from the desk. A headset lifter simply makes you readily available. It eliminates the need to retrieve voice messages and return phone calls which can sometimes take up valuable time.

If you have any questions or need help finding a headset compatible with your phone model, don’t hesitate to contact us via chat, email, or call us at 703-766-6363.