If you want a wired office headset with a noise-canceling boom microphone and adjustable hybrid ANC, choose PLT POLY Blackwire 8225; if you need EPOS’s USB-C wired headset with Bluetooth listed in its connectivity details, choose EPOS. For office calls and focused desk work, the Blackwire 8225 is my clearer recommendation because its call-focused features are described in more detail. Neither model is a straightforward pick for someone seeking a conventional wireless headset.
PLT POLY Blackwire 8225 vs EPOS at a Glance
• EPOS Impact 860: It offers a USB-C connection and Bluetooth is listed in its connectivity details; its trade-off is that the supplied information does not specify battery life, microphone design or how Bluetooth works alongside its wired connection.
• Choose the Blackwire 8225 for workers who want described call controls, ANC adjustment and a boom microphone at their desk.
• Choose the EPOS if USB-C matters and you want to consider a headset whose specifications list both wired connectivity and Bluetooth.
• For a with microphone wireless headset for office, check the details carefully: the Blackwire is explicitly wired, while the EPOS listing gives no battery or wireless-use specifics.
PLT POLY Blackwire 8225: Who It's For
Its hybrid active noise canceling has three settings, so the user can adjust it to suit the environment rather than relying on a single fixed mode. The description also mentions an on-call indicator, which can help signal that a conversation is underway. There are call answer/end controls, mute and volume controls, plus a dedicated Microsoft Teams button on the Teams version. Those controls put everyday call actions close at hand instead of requiring a trip through software menus.
The on-ear fit uses leather ear cushions, and the headset is described as lightweight at 186 g, with adjustable construction and speakers that pivot 180 degrees. It is a sensible fit for someone who spends much of the day at a computer and values a headset designed around calls, with stereo sound also noted for music. USB-A and USB-C variants are identified, so the connection choice should match the devices at the desk.
Who should skip it: Skip the Blackwire 8225 if you need a genuinely cordless headset for moving around; its listed connection is wired USB-A or USB-C, not wireless.
The EPOS Impact 860 is identified as a stereo headset with Microsoft Teams certification and a USB Type-C connection. Its product details also list Bluetooth under wireless technology, while wired connectivity is listed as well. That combination may catch the eye of someone who wants USB-C at a workstation but is also considering Bluetooth connectivity. However, the available specifications do not explain whether Bluetooth is intended for simultaneous use, which devices it supports, or how long a wireless session lasts.
The factual details identify a dynamic driver and active noise cancellation. Those are useful headline features for a buyer comparing an office headset, but the supplied information does not give an ANC mode count or explain how its noise control is adjusted. It also does not describe the microphone type, microphone noise reduction, call controls, wearing style, or an on-call indicator. That is a meaningful contrast with the Blackwire 8225, whose office-call features are set out more specifically.
The EPOS therefore makes the most sense for a buyer who prioritizes USB-C and wants to investigate its listed Bluetooth connectivity further before deciding. The listing identifies it as a stereo headset and Teams-certified, but those labels alone do not establish its call performance or wireless endurance. A shopper comparing a gaming headset for office use should also consider whether the available details answer their practical needs: this listing does not specify gaming features, microphone configuration or battery performance.
Who should skip it: Skip the EPOS if you need confirmed battery life, a clearly specified boom microphone or detailed call controls before choosing; those particulars are not provided here.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 15 min read · Independent comparison
• Best-documented microphone features → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Its specifications name a flexible, noise-canceling boom microphone and Acoustic Fence technology. The EPOS details supplied here do not identify its microphone design.
• For a USB-A connection option → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. USB-A and USB-C variants are identified. EPOS is listed with USB Type-C.
• For USB-C → Either, with a distinction. The Blackwire is available in a USB-C variant; EPOS is identified as USB Type-C. Check that the version you choose matches your equipment.
• For specified call controls → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Call answer/end, mute and volume controls are listed, along with a Teams button on the Teams version.
• If Bluetooth appears essential → EPOS deserves further checking. Bluetooth is listed in its connectivity details, but the supplied information does not state battery life or explain wireless operation. The Blackwire is listed as wired.
• For a shared office where an on-call indicator could help → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Its description specifically mentions a built-in indicator; no equivalent feature is specified for the EPOS.
• For a Teams-certified stereo headset with USB-C → EPOS is a candidate. The Blackwire also has a Microsoft Teams version with a dedicated Teams button, so decide whether certification and USB-C or the Blackwire’s described call controls and ANC better match your routine.
Buying Considerations
Start with the connection, not the brand name. The Blackwire 8225 is explicitly a wired headset, with USB-A or USB-C variants. The EPOS is also listed as wired, but Bluetooth appears in its connectivity details. That is not enough on its own to confirm all-day wireless use: the available information does not state battery life, charging details or whether Bluetooth is intended for the same work setup as USB-C. If cordless movement is a must, verify those details before treating the EPOS as a wireless solution.
Finally, prioritize the details that affect your calls every day. The Blackwire lists answer/end, mute and volume controls, along with a Teams button on the Teams version. The EPOS is identified as Microsoft Teams certified, but its supplied information does not list comparable physical controls or microphone details. If you need a best wireless headphones for office option, confirm that the model supports the wireless routine you expect; the EPOS information provided does not settle that question, and the Blackwire is wired.
I would choose the PLT POLY Blackwire 8225 for office work because its microphone, adjustable three-setting hybrid ANC, on-call indicator and call controls are clearly described. The EPOS has a USB-C connection and Bluetooth listed, but its wireless and microphone details are less complete in the information available here. For my office setup, the Blackwire’s concrete call-focused design makes it the more straightforward choice.
No. Its listed connectivity is wired, with USB-A and USB-C variants. Choose it for a desk connection, not for cordless movement around the office.
Bluetooth is listed in the EPOS connectivity details, but the information provided does not specify battery life or explain how Bluetooth works with its USB-C wired connection. Confirm those points if wireless use is central to your decision.
The Blackwire 8225 has the more fully described microphone: a flexible, noise-canceling boom design with Acoustic Fence technology. The EPOS information supplied here does not specify microphone type or noise-reduction features.
Both have a Microsoft Teams connection in their product details: the Blackwire is described as a Teams version with a dedicated Teams button, while EPOS is identified as Teams certified. I would lean toward the Blackwire if its listed call controls and microphone features are priorities; choose based on the connection and controls you need.
If you want a wired office headset with a noise-canceling boom microphone and adjustable hybrid ANC, choose PLT POLY Blackwire 8225; if you need EPOS’s USB-C wired headset with Bluetooth listed in its connectivity details, choose EPOS. For office calls and focused desk work, the Blackwire 8225 is my clearer recommendation because its call-focused features are described in more detail. Neither model is a straightforward pick for someone seeking a conventional wireless headset.
• PLT POLY Blackwire 8225: Its flexible noise-canceling boom microphone, Acoustic Fence technology and three-setting hybrid ANC are its strongest office-focused features; its main trade-off is that it is a wired USB-A or USB-C headset.
• EPOS Impact 860: It offers a USB-C connection and Bluetooth is listed in its connectivity details; its trade-off is that the supplied information does not specify battery life, microphone design or how Bluetooth works alongside its wired connection.
• Choose the Blackwire 8225 for workers who want described call controls, ANC adjustment and a boom microphone at their desk.
• Choose the EPOS if USB-C matters and you want to consider a headset whose specifications list both wired connectivity and Bluetooth.
• For a with microphone wireless headset for office, check the details carefully: the Blackwire is explicitly wired, while the EPOS listing gives no battery or wireless-use specifics.
The Blackwire 8225 is a corded, on-ear headset built around office communication. Its flexible boom microphone uses noise-canceling technology, and the product description also identifies Acoustic Fence technology as part of its approach to keeping conversations clear and private. That makes it a focused option for calls in a shared workspace, where speech pickup and background distraction matter more than freedom to walk away from the desk.
Its hybrid active noise canceling has three settings, so the user can adjust it to suit the environment rather than relying on a single fixed mode. The description also mentions an on-call indicator, which can help signal that a conversation is underway. There are call answer/end controls, mute and volume controls, plus a dedicated Microsoft Teams button on the Teams version. Those controls put everyday call actions close at hand instead of requiring a trip through software menus.
The on-ear fit uses leather ear cushions, and the headset is described as lightweight at 186 g, with adjustable construction and speakers that pivot 180 degrees. It is a sensible fit for someone who spends much of the day at a computer and values a headset designed around calls, with stereo sound also noted for music. USB-A and USB-C variants are identified, so the connection choice should match the devices at the desk.
Who should skip it: Skip the Blackwire 8225 if you need a genuinely cordless headset for moving around; its listed connection is wired USB-A or USB-C, not wireless.
The EPOS Impact 860 is identified as a stereo headset with Microsoft Teams certification and a USB Type-C connection. Its product details also list Bluetooth under wireless technology, while wired connectivity is listed as well. That combination may catch the eye of someone who wants USB-C at a workstation but is also considering Bluetooth connectivity. However, the available specifications do not explain whether Bluetooth is intended for simultaneous use, which devices it supports, or how long a wireless session lasts.
The factual details identify a dynamic driver and active noise cancellation. Those are useful headline features for a buyer comparing an office headset, but the supplied information does not give an ANC mode count or explain how its noise control is adjusted. It also does not describe the microphone type, microphone noise reduction, call controls, wearing style, or an on-call indicator. That is a meaningful contrast with the Blackwire 8225, whose office-call features are set out more specifically.
The EPOS therefore makes the most sense for a buyer who prioritizes USB-C and wants to investigate its listed Bluetooth connectivity further before deciding. The listing identifies it as a stereo headset and Teams-certified, but those labels alone do not establish its call performance or wireless endurance. A shopper comparing a gaming headset for office use should also consider whether the available details answer their practical needs: this listing does not specify gaming features, microphone configuration or battery performance.
Who should skip it: Skip the EPOS if you need confirmed battery life, a clearly specified boom microphone or detailed call controls before choosing; those particulars are not provided here.
• Best-documented microphone features → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Its specifications name a flexible, noise-canceling boom microphone and Acoustic Fence technology. The EPOS details supplied here do not identify its microphone design.
• Best-defined noise-control setup → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. It has hybrid ANC with three settings, giving a clear indication of how the feature can be adjusted. EPOS lists ANC, but not its modes or adjustment options.
• For a USB-A connection option → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. USB-A and USB-C variants are identified. EPOS is listed with USB Type-C.
• For USB-C → Either, with a distinction. The Blackwire is available in a USB-C variant; EPOS is identified as USB Type-C. Check that the version you choose matches your equipment.
• For specified call controls → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Call answer/end, mute and volume controls are listed, along with a Teams button on the Teams version.
• If Bluetooth appears essential → EPOS deserves further checking. Bluetooth is listed in its connectivity details, but the supplied information does not state battery life or explain wireless operation. The Blackwire is listed as wired.
• For a shared office where an on-call indicator could help → PLT POLY Blackwire 8225. Its description specifically mentions a built-in indicator; no equivalent feature is specified for the EPOS.
• For a Teams-certified stereo headset with USB-C → EPOS is a candidate. The Blackwire also has a Microsoft Teams version with a dedicated Teams button, so decide whether certification and USB-C or the Blackwire’s described call controls and ANC better match your routine.
Buying Considerations
Next, think about the kind of noise problem you need to manage. The Blackwire’s feature description is specific: hybrid ANC offers three settings, and the microphone is described as noise-canceling with Acoustic Fence technology. EPOS lists active noise cancellation, but the supplied specifications do not explain its implementation. Neither label guarantees that every office sound will disappear, so match the feature description to your workspace rather than assuming complete silence.
Finally, prioritize the details that affect your calls every day. The Blackwire lists answer/end, mute and volume controls, along with a Teams button on the Teams version. The EPOS is identified as Microsoft Teams certified, but its supplied information does not list comparable physical controls or microphone details. If you need a best wireless headphones for office option, confirm that the model supports the wireless routine you expect; the EPOS information provided does not settle that question, and the Blackwire is wired.
I would choose the PLT POLY Blackwire 8225 for office work because its microphone, adjustable three-setting hybrid ANC, on-call indicator and call controls are clearly described. The EPOS has a USB-C connection and Bluetooth listed, but its wireless and microphone details are less complete in the information available here. For my office setup, the Blackwire’s concrete call-focused design makes it the more straightforward choice.
No. Its listed connectivity is wired, with USB-A and USB-C variants. Choose it for a desk connection, not for cordless movement around the office.
Bluetooth is listed in the EPOS connectivity details, but the information provided does not specify battery life or explain how Bluetooth works with its USB-C wired connection. Confirm those points if wireless use is central to your decision.
The Blackwire 8225 has the more fully described microphone: a flexible, noise-canceling boom design with Acoustic Fence technology. The EPOS information supplied here does not specify microphone type or noise-reduction features.
Both have a Microsoft Teams connection in their product details: the Blackwire is described as a Teams version with a dedicated Teams button, while EPOS is identified as Teams certified. I would lean toward the Blackwire if its listed call controls and microphone features are priorities; choose based on the connection and controls you need.
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