We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a dual-ear headset built for all-day call handling with acoustic protection baked in, choose Plantronics EncorePro HW525; if you need a single-ear headset with modern USB-C/USB-A flexibility and a flip-to-mute boom, choose Yealink UH37.
• Plantronics EncorePro HW525 biggest strength: Binaural (both ears) on-ear design with a noise-canceling flexible mic, Sound Guard acoustic limiting, and a metal-jointed, laser-welded frame meant to survive years of daily use.
• Plantronics EncorePro HW525 biggest trade-off: USB-only connection and a narrower 20 Hz–6,800 Hz frequency range tuned for voice, not music.
• Yealink UH37 biggest strength: Dual noise-canceling microphones, a 35 mm driver with a wide 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, and both USB-C and USB-A connectors in one headset.
• Yealink UH37 biggest trade-off: Mono (one ear) design, so you stay half-open to your surroundings — great for awareness, less immersive for focused listening.
• Buy the Plantronics EncorePro HW525 if you live on calls in a busy office and want both ears covered plus built-in hearing protection.
• Buy the Yealink UH37 if you juggle laptops and platforms, want Teams-ready controls, and prefer one ear free.
The EncorePro HW525 is a workhorse. It's a binaural, over-the-head headset that puts a cushioned earcup on each ear, which matters more than people expect: when both ears are covered, your own voice sounds clearer to you and you stay locked into the conversation instead of drifting toward hallway noise. The ear cushions are described as soft and audio-optimized, and the whole thing is built around a lightweight frame with laser-welded construction and metal joints. In my opinion, that combination is the real story here — this is a headset designed to be worn for a full shift and then handed to the next person.
The microphone is noise-canceling and flexible, so you can bend the boom to sit right where your voice projects best. The inline control module handles the basics you actually touch all day: answer and end calls, volume, and mute. Audio runs up to 6,800 Hz wideband, which is squarely a voice band rather than a hi-fi band — speech comes through clearly, but this isn't a headset you'd reach for to enjoy an album. The included Sound Guard acoustic limiting caps sudden loud spikes, a detail that matters if you take calls in a noisy environment or wear a headset for hours on end.
Yealink UH37: Who It's For
The UH37 is the more modern, more flexible option of the two. It's a mono on-ear headset — one earcup — with a soft triangular cushion, breathable leather ear cups, and a flexible metal headband. The single-ear design is a deliberate choice: it leaves one side of your head open so you can hear a colleague walk up or catch a doorbell while you're on a call. If you've ever ripped a headset off because you didn't hear someone, you understand the appeal.
Audio is where the UH37 pulls ahead on paper. It uses a 35 mm dynamic driver with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which covers the full audible band rather than just the voice band. That means calls sound natural and music or podcasts sound genuinely serviceable between meetings — a small thing that adds up over a long day. The dual noise-canceling microphones are the centerpiece for calls, aimed at keeping your voice clear while background chatter gets pushed down. It's built with Microsoft Teams in mind and described as certified for Teams, Zoom, and other leading UC platforms.
Controls are split between two spots, and both are smart. On the ear shell you get touch controls for answering and ending calls, volume, mute, and a one-touch way to bring up Teams. On the boom itself, there's flip-to-mute — rotate the mic up and you're instantly muted. In my opinion that's the fastest, most foolproof mute there is, because it's a physical gesture you can't fumble mid-sentence. Connectivity is the other big win: it ships with both USB-C and USB-A, so the same headset works with a newer laptop, an older desktop, or a dock without an adapter hunt.
Buy the UH37 if you want one ear free, you move between machines with different USB ports, you're standardized on Teams or Zoom, and you'd like a headset that handles music decently. Skip it if you need both ears covered for concentration, or if you specifically want a binaural headset for noisy open offices where blocking sound matters more than awareness.
• Best for blocking out a noisy office → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. Two on-ear cups cover both ears, and Sound Guard acoustic limiting adds a layer of hearing protection.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → Yealink UH37. The mono design keeps one ear open, which is ideal for shared desks and front-desk roles.
• Best for hearing protection and long-shift comfort → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. Metal joints, laser-welded construction, and soft audio-optimized cushions are built for all-day wear.
• Best for port flexibility → Yealink UH37. It supports both USB-C and USB-A, while the EncorePro HW525 is USB-only.
• Best for call clarity with a busy background → Yealink UH37. Dual noise-canceling microphones plus flip-to-mute give you strong voice isolation and instant privacy.
• Best for music and media between calls → Yealink UH37. Its 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and 35 mm driver cover far more of the audible spectrum than the voice-focused 6,800 Hz ceiling on the EncorePro HW525.
• Best for platform-native controls → Yealink UH37. It's Teams-certified with one-touch Teams activation, while the EncorePro HW525 leans on inline call, volume, and mute controls.
• Best for simple, rugged, dual-ear calling → Plantronics EncorePro HW525. If your job is calls and you want both ears in and a tank-like frame, this is the pick.
If I were buying for myself, I'd take the Yealink UH37. The reason is flexibility: USB-C and USB-A in the same box, full-range audio that handles music as well as calls, dual noise-canceling mics, and a flip-to-mute boom I'd use constantly. It fits how most people actually work in 2026 — hopping between machines and platforms. That said, if your priority is covering both ears, blocking out a loud room, and owning a headset with a metal-jointed, laser-welded frame you'll hand down, the Plantronics EncorePro HW525 is the more focused tool. Two different jobs, two good answers — but for the widest range of buyers, I'd go Yealink.
For pure dual-ear voice work in a noisy room, yes — the binaural cups and Sound Guard limiting are built for call-center conditions. For flexible, platform-hopping calls with background noise suppression, the UH37's dual mics and flip-to-mute are the stronger fit.
Yes. The UH37 supports USB-C and USB-A, so it plugs into newer laptops, older desktops, and docks without needing an adapter. The EncorePro HW525 connects via USB only, so check your ports before deciding.
The Yealink UH37. Its 35 mm driver covers 20 Hz–20,000 Hz, giving you the full audible range for music and media. The Plantronics EncorePro HW525 tops out at 6,800 Hz, which is tuned for voice, not music.
The Plantronics EncorePro HW525 leans hardest into durability, with a lightweight frame, metal joints, and laser-welded construction. The Yealink UH37 counters with a flexible metal headband, breathable leather ear cups, and a soft triangular cushion for long wear. Both are built for full days — pick based on whether you want both ears covered or one ear free.
I don't quote prices here, and they change often. Check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide — the specs above are what should drive your pick, not a stale number.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.