How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a headset built specifically for desk phones and call-center-style all-day wear, choose Wantek Cisco Phone Headset; if you need a wired USB headset for softphones, video meetings and laptop-based work, choose Jabra Evolve 20.
• Wantek Cisco Phone Headset — biggest strength: It's a binaural, on-ear headset with an RJ9 jack, active noise cancellation and inline push-button volume with mute, so it slots into the desk-phone workflow rather than a laptop workflow.
• Wantek Cisco Phone Headset — biggest trade-off: The connectivity is built around a physical RJ9 phone jack, so it isn't the natural pick for USB-C laptops, mobile devices or softphone-only setups.
• Jabra Evolve 20 — biggest strength: Wired USB-A/USB-C connection with in-line call control, dual-ear design and passive noise cancellation — plug in, and it's ready for online meetings on a computer.
• Jabra Evolve 20 — biggest trade-off: It's a USB headset, so it doesn't plug into the RJ9 handset port on a traditional Cisco desk phone.
• Who the Wantek is for: People working at a physical desk phone, especially in call centers and telemarketing roles.
• Who the Jabra is for: People taking calls and meetings through a computer, whether in an office or working from home.
The Wantek Cisco Phone Headset is a wired, binaural, on-ear headset with a 30 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance and a frequency range of roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It uses an RJ9 jack and is listed as compatible with a long list of Cisco desk phones, including the 7940, 7942, 7945, 7960, 7962, 7965, 7811, 7821, 8811, 8841, 8845 and 8851, plus Plantronics M12 and M22. That compatibility list is the whole point of this headset: it's designed to replace or supplement the handset on a physical phone.
Who should buy it: anyone whose day runs through a Cisco desk phone — receptionists, support agents, telemarketing teams, or anyone who wants both ears covered while taking calls. Who should skip it: if your calls happen through Teams, Zoom, a browser softphone or a laptop, the RJ9 jack is the wrong connector, and you'd be fighting the hardware instead of using it.
Jabra Evolve 20: Who It's For
The Jabra Evolve 20 (2025 Edition) is a wired USB headset with a dual-ear, on-ear design and a 28 mm dynamic driver. It connects over USB-A or USB-C, which means it plugs straight into a laptop or dock. It has in-line call control for volume and calls, foam or leatherette ear cushions, and passive noise cancellation rather than active. Jabra lists it as working with all leading online meeting platforms and certified for Avaya and Cisco.
That last point is worth slowing down on. "Certified for Cisco" here refers to the software/platform side, not the RJ9 handset port — so it's relevant for people running Cisco's softphone or meeting software on a computer, not for someone plugging into the back of a physical 8841. The USB connection is the defining feature, and it's also why the Evolve 20 is such an easy fit for hybrid work: one cable, no pairing, no charging.
Who should buy it: remote and hybrid workers, office staff who live in Teams or Zoom, and anyone who wants a headset they can move between a laptop, a docking station and a desk without thinking about it. Who should skip it: if your job is anchored to a traditional desk phone with an RJ9 handset port, this is the wrong tool — you'd need an adapter or a different headset entirely.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for desk phones → Wantek Cisco Phone Headset: The RJ9 jack and the explicit Cisco model compatibility list make it the direct fit for physical office phones.
• Best for blocking out background noise → Wantek Cisco Phone Headset: Active noise cancellation is listed, versus passive noise cancellation on the Jabra.
• Best for lighter wear during long meetings → Jabra Evolve 20: It's listed at 132 g with foam or leatherette cushions, and it's positioned around all-day comfort.
• Best for call-center and telemarketing setups → Wantek Cisco Phone Headset: The brand describes itself as a call-center headset specialist, and the feature set matches that environment.
• Best for hybrid and work-from-home setups → Jabra Evolve 20: Moving between a laptop, a dock and a home desk is exactly what a USB headset is built for.
• Best for platform compatibility on a computer → Jabra Evolve 20: It's listed as working with leading online meeting platforms and certified for Avaya and Cisco.
• Best for someone who wants both ears covered on a phone call → Wantek Cisco Phone Headset: Binaural, on-ear, with inline mute and volume right on the cable.
In my opinion, the deciding factor isn't sound or comfort — it's the connector, and that makes the choice fairly clean. If your calls come through a Cisco desk phone with an RJ9 handset port, I'd buy the Wantek Cisco Phone Headset; it's purpose-built for that, with active noise cancellation and inline controls that suit long shifts on the phone. If your calls come through a computer, I'd buy the Jabra Evolve 20 for the USB-A/USB-C simplicity and the platform compatibility. Pick based on where your calls actually land, and you'll be happy either way. If price is a factor for you, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
FAQ
what are the best headphones for office calls
what are the best headphones for the office
Again, it comes down to your setup. If your office desk has a Cisco phone, the Wantek pairs directly with it and covers both ears. If your office day runs through a computer, the Jabra Evolve 20 plugs into USB and works with leading online meeting platforms, which makes it the more flexible pick for a modern desk.
can you wear headphones in the office
Yes — both of these are designed as on-ear headsets for adult professional use, and both have inline controls so you can manage calls and volume without reaching for your computer or phone. The Wantek is aimed at desk-phone and call-center environments; the Jabra is aimed at office and work-from-home setups.
which headphones are best for office calls
If "office calls" means a physical Cisco phone, choose the Wantek Cisco Phone Headset — the RJ9 connection and Cisco model compatibility are the deciding factors. If it means softphone, Teams or Zoom calls on a computer, choose the Jabra Evolve 20 for its USB-A/USB-C plug-and-play and platform compatibility.
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