We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want the lightest possible over-the-head corded headset with a monaural earpiece and the widest audio frequency range for the money, choose Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus; if you need a binaural, USB plug-and-play stereo headset with acoustic limiting and all-day comfort, choose Plantronics EncorePro HW525.
• Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus — biggest strength: Wideband audio with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range, a monaural over-ear design, and an ultra noise-canceling microphone, all in a refreshed unit backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
• Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus — biggest trade-off: It is sold as a renewed item with a 90-day limited warranty, so some buyers may prefer the reassurance of a brand-new unit.
• Plantronics EncorePro HW525 — biggest strength: A binaural on-ear design with USB connectivity, an adjustable headband, flexible noise-canceling mic, and Sound Guard acoustic limiting for hearing protection during long calls.
• Plantronics EncorePro HW525 — biggest trade-off: Its frequency range tops out at 6,800 Hz, which narrows audio detail compared with the Supra Plus.
• Who each is for: The Supra Plus suits desk-phone users on a budget who want a lightweight single-ear headset with a wide audio range; the EncorePro HW525 suits PC-based workers who want stereo sound, USB simplicity, and built-in acoustic safeguards.
The Supra Plus (model HW251N) is a monaural, over-the-head headset built for telephone professionals. Its standout spec is a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range with wideband audio, which means it can reproduce a broader span of sound than the EncorePro HW525. In practice, that wider range helps voices sound more natural and less compressed on long calls. The ultra noise-canceling microphone is designed to screen out background noise, which is exactly what an office noise cancelling headset needs to do when you're surrounded by colleagues, printers, or HVAC hum.
This is a wired headset that connects through Plantronics audio processors and cables rather than a direct USB plug. It's aimed at people working from a desk phone or an existing Plantronics audio setup. The over-ear, all-day design and the plastic-and-silicone/fabric build suggest comfort during intensive use, and the silver/gray finish keeps it looking neutral on a desk. If your priority is a light single-ear headset that stays out of the way while you focus on the call, this is the profile to match.
Who should skip it? Anyone who needs true stereo sound in both ears, or who wants to plug straight into a laptop without an audio processor. It's also worth noting it's a renewed product with a 90-day limited warranty, so buyers who want a factory-fresh unit should weigh that. If you'd rather not deal with renewal at all, the EncorePro HW525 is the new-in-box alternative. Otherwise, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since renewed stock and pricing shift over time.
The EncorePro HW525 is a binaural, on-ear stereo headset that connects to PCs via USB. That single feature makes it far simpler to deploy than a headset that needs an audio processor: plug it in, and you're on a call. The 20 Hz–6,800 Hz frequency range is narrower than the Supra Plus, but it still covers the speech band well, and the stereo earpieces help you stay immersed in softphone or UC calls without one ear left exposed to the room.
The microphone is noise-canceling and flexible, so you can position the boom close to your mouth to reduce pickup of surrounding chatter. Sound Guard acoustic limiting is the feature I'd highlight for anyone on back-to-back calls: it caps sudden loud spikes so your ears aren't punished by a burst of noise. The adjustable headband, soft audio-optimized ear cushions, and a super-lightweight chassis with laser-welded construction and metal joints point to durability for full-time desk work. Intuitive inline controls let you answer or end calls, adjust volume, and mute without touching your screen.
This is the headset for PC-first workers: call centers, help desks, remote employees living in softphone apps, and IT teams who want consistency across a fleet. With optional Plantronics Manager Pro software, it can slot into a managed deployment for audio and asset tracking, which is a real advantage at scale. Who should skip it? Someone who wants the widest possible audio range or a single-ear design for situational awareness. And if you're on a traditional desk phone rather than a PC, the Supra Plus is the more natural fit.
• Best for wideband audio detail → Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus. Its 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range is broader than the HW525's 20 Hz–6,800 Hz.
• Best for PC plug-and-play → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. USB connectivity means no audio processor or adapter needed.
• Best for one-ear, stay-aware listening → Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus. The monaural over-ear design leaves one ear open to the room.
• Best for full stereo focus → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. Binaural on-ear cups keep both ears in the call.
• Best for hearing protection on long shifts → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. Sound Guard acoustic limiting guards against sudden loud spikes.
• Best for durability in a shared office → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. Laser-welded construction and metal joints are built for heavy daily handling.
• Best for buyers who want a renewed unit backed by a guarantee → Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus. It falls under the Amazon Renewed Guarantee with a 90-day limited warranty.
• Best for managed fleet deployment → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. It supports optional Plantronics Manager Pro for centralized audio and asset management.
In my opinion, most people shopping for an office noise cancelling headset for PC-based work should buy the Plantronics EncorePro HW525. USB plug-and-play, stereo earpieces, a flexible noise-canceling mic, and Sound Guard acoustic limiting make it the more practical daily driver for softphone and UC calls. I'd choose the Amazon Renewed Plantronics Supra Plus only if you specifically want a single-ear, desk-phone-friendly headset with the widest audio range and you're comfortable with a renewed unit. Both handle office noise well; the decision really comes down to your connection type and whether you want one ear or two.
what is noise cancelling headset
A noise cancelling headset is one with a microphone designed to screen out background sound so your voice comes through clearly to the person on the other end. Both the Supra Plus and the EncorePro HW525 list noise-canceling microphones, plus active noise cancellation as a control feature. The Supra Plus emphasizes an ultra noise-canceling element, while the HW525 pairs its mic with Sound Guard acoustic limiting.
For PC calls, the EncorePro HW525 is the more direct fit because it connects to PCs via USB. The Supra Plus relies on Plantronics audio processors and cables rather than a straight USB connection. If your setup is a traditional desk phone or a Plantronics audio processor, the Supra Plus makes more sense.
Not necessarily. The EncorePro HW525 is binaural, so both ears are covered in stereo. The Supra Plus is monaural, which keeps one ear open to your surroundings — useful if you need to hear coworkers or a ringing phone. Choose based on whether you want immersion or awareness.
The EncorePro HW525 lists laser-welded construction and metal joints, which point to heavy-duty durability. The Supra Plus lists an over-the-head, all-day comfortable design for intensive use and a plastic, silicone, and fabric build. Both are aimed at long shifts, but the HW525's metal-joint construction suggests it's the tougher of the two.
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