How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired headset that doubles as a mobile and tablet companion with a foldable, travel-ready build, choose Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220; if you need a plug-and-play dual-ear work headset that connects to nearly any computer with a single cable, choose Jabra Evolve2.
• Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220 — biggest strength: flexible connectivity, with a USB-C cord, a tethered USB-A adapter, and a 3.5 mm plug so it follows you between computer, mobile and tablet.
• Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220 — biggest trade-off: it is a wired, on-ear design with passive noise cancellation only, so it won't fully seal you off from a loud room.
• Jabra Evolve2 — biggest strength: a single all-in-one USB-A and USB-C cable that connects to most desktops and laptops without hunting for adapters, plus a stated focus on noise isolation.
• Jabra Evolve2 — biggest trade-off: connectivity stops at USB and 3.5 mm, so it's built around the desk rather than the commute.
• Who each pick is for: the Poly Blackwire 5220 suits people who move between devices and want one headset to cover calls and mobile listening; the Jabra Evolve2 suits people who live at a laptop and want the simplest possible setup.
The Blackwire 5220 is the more versatile of the two on paper. Its connectivity list is the headline: a USB-C cord with a tethered USB-A adapter for PC use, plus a 3.5 mm jack for mobile or tablet. That means one headset can cover a desk setup and a phone call on the move, which is genuinely useful if you don't want to carry two pairs of headphones. The included protective case and the fact that the headset folds up reinforce that travel-friendly angle.
Comfort is clearly the second pillar. The earcups use leatherette wrapped around memory foam, and the on-ear design keeps the overall footprint light — the item weight is listed at 5.76 ounces. For long conference calls, that combination of soft cushions and low weight matters more than any spec sheet number. The boom microphone is there to keep your voice clear, and the noise cancelling microphone technology is aimed at making sure you're heard rather than at blocking out the world for you.
What it does not do is isolate you aggressively. The noise control here is passive, relying on the cushion seal rather than active electronics, so a noisy open office will still leak in. Controls are touch-based for call answer/end, mute and volume, which some people love and others find fiddly compared to a physical button.
Buy it if you want one wired headset that works across a laptop, a phone and a tablet, and you value a foldable, case-friendly design. Skip it if you need maximum isolation from a loud room or you strongly prefer tactile buttons over touch controls.
The Evolve2 30 SE is built around one idea: get to work fast. Its standout feature is the new all-in-one USB-A and USB-C cable, which means you can plug into most desktops or laptops without digging out an adapter. If your day is a carousel of video calls and you switch machines often, that single-cable approach removes a small but real daily annoyance. Jabra also states that it works with all online meeting platforms, so you're not locked into one ecosystem.
The second theme is focus. Jabra describes superior noise isolation to keep distractions down, and the noise control is listed as sound isolation rather than active cancellation. The earpieces are oval and on-ear, the build mixes ABS, polycarbonate, faux leather, polyurethane and stainless steel, and the headset weighs 125 g. Controls are push-button for call control — a straightforward, tactile approach that many people find easier to operate blind mid-meeting than touch surfaces.
The trade-off is scope. Connectivity is USB plus a 3.5 mm jack, so this is a desk-first headset. There's no folding travel story emphasized here, and the carrying case dimensions (21.3 cm by 17 cm by 5 mm) suggest a flat sleeve rather than a compact pouch. It's also a dual-ear design, which blocks more of your surroundings but can feel more enclosed than an on-ear pair.
Buy it if you want a no-fuss wired headset for a laptop-centric workday and you like physical buttons. Skip it if you need one headset to jump between a computer and a phone all day, or you prefer the lighter feel of an on-ear set.
• Best for device flexibility → Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220. USB-C, USB-A adapter and 3.5 mm in one package covers PC, mobile and tablet.
• Best for the simplest laptop setup → Jabra Evolve2. The all-in-one USB-A and USB-C cable is the least fussy way to get connected.
• Best for lighter weight → Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220. At 5.76 ounces it's the lighter of the two on paper.
• Best for stronger isolation → Jabra Evolve2. Its sound isolation focus and dual-ear oval earcups seal you off more than passive on-ear cushions.
• Best for travel and portability → Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220. It folds up and ships with a protective case.
• Best for tactile controls → Jabra Evolve2. Push-button call control beats touch control if you like to feel the button.
• Best for meeting-platform compatibility → Jabra Evolve2. Jabra states it works with all online meeting platforms.
• Best for people who take calls on a phone → Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220. The 3.5 mm plug is the deciding factor here.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to where you work. If your day happens at one laptop and you want the fastest possible connection plus stronger isolation, I'd buy the Jabra Evolve2 — the all-in-one USB cable and push-button controls make it the more streamlined desk headset. If you move between a computer, a phone and a tablet, and you want something light that folds into a case, I'd buy the Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220 instead. Neither is a bad choice; they simply solve different problems. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one variable that can tip a close call.
How to connect wireless stereo headphones
Both of these headsets are wired, not wireless — the Plantronics Poly Blackwire 5220 connects via USB-C with a USB-A adapter or a 3.5 mm plug, and the Jabra Evolve2 connects via its all-in-one USB-A/USB-C cable or a 3.5 mm jack. So there's no pairing step: you plug in and go. If you specifically want wireless stereo headphones, neither of these fits that need.
How to connect anc wireless stereo headphones
Neither headset here offers active noise cancellation. The Poly Blackwire 5220 uses passive noise cancellation through its cushions, and the Jabra Evolve2 relies on sound isolation. So there's no ANC to enable or pair. If active noise cancellation is a must-have, you'd be looking at a different category of product entirely.
Both are designed for it, but differently. The Poly Blackwire 5220 leans on leatherette memory-foam cushions and a light on-ear fit, which suits people who want minimal clamping over long stretches. The Jabra Evolve2 is a dual-ear design with oval earcups and a focus on isolation, which suits people who want to shut out a noisy room. I'd pick based on whether you value light-on-the-head comfort or stronger isolation.
The Poly Blackwire 5220 does, thanks to its USB-C cord, tethered USB-A adapter and 3.5 mm plug for mobile or tablet. The Jabra Evolve2 covers USB-A, USB-C and a 3.5 mm jack, so it will connect to a phone with a headphone jack as well, though its design and all-in-one cable are clearly aimed at desktops and laptops first.
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