BlueParrott B350 XT Review and Mic Test: Good for the home office?

[@MrTommy001]

I'm a retired trucker. I had an early version of the Blue Parrott 15 years ago - and loved it. I would be talking to other drivers all night (who also had Blue Parrotts as well) . I would stop on an exit ramp, get out and walk around the front of my running tractor (hella noisey!) to the other side to 'take care of some business' - ahem, then walk back around to the driver's door, get in, and get back on the road. I would ask whoever I was talking to if they knew what I just did. Nope. Nobody could hear any of that horrendous engine noise as I walked in front of the tractor. Somewhere along the line, my beloved Blue Parrott died. I have tried two Plantronics headsets - and they both sucked. So today I hit my local Best Buy and bought a B250-XT. I will use it primarily when I'm out RV'ing at Quartzsite (or other windy desert environments) so I can talk without sending wind sounds to my friends. Also,. I'm not a fan of holding a cell phone up to my ear for two hours (yes, I do talk to friends that long!). I'm a fan, and obviously don't care how it looks. I'm not likely to be found in any coffee shops for the rest of my life - ha.

[@victoruriegas5879]

Thats why it is meant for truck drivers and its meant for. It is that big to be seen. And its rugged in size for truckers hands because we as truckers are harder on our items.

[@seth06ZX10R]

I bought this headset when I first started truck driving back in 2014. The way I tested it when I first got it was I called my buddy who also graduated from the same trucking school as me and stood next to my engine while talking to him he said it was quiet as can be. That was it for me. I bought a 450 and it wasn’t quite as comfortable so I went back to the 350 bottom line. It’s a perfect headset.

[@Snowbird_89]

The ear pad on the 350 hurts my ear after like an hour. What do you find uncomfortable with the 450?

[@ThePackMaster718]

​@Snowbird_89 I have a b350-xt. And a poly 5200 along a 6200. B350-xt is best. Everyone says B450-XT is heavier and the ear side non mic presses hard on the head causing discomfort.

[@DaveLewerenzCleaning]

Thanks for the good review... On a side note, us field service workers and I imagine truck drivers don't care how tech like this looks, we care that it gets the job done.

[@TechOutAdam]

Yes that's a great point! Function over everything else.

[@BAMthisHOE007]

I just personally don’t care what others think about me. I tend to shop for quality and blue parrot has that aspect figured out

[@TechOutAdam]

I mean at the end of the day that's what really matters!

[@BAMthisHOE007]

@@TechOutAdam absolutely

[@jamessimms2528]

I have the B350 xt. I mostly use it in the 18 wheeler but sometimes I use it when I take my Harley on a road trip. I can be running down the highway at 75 and the person I’m talking to can’t hear the wind noise. I will not buy anything but blue parrot.

[@luisthebroker]

🤣 I felt like a loser at Starbucks. I appreciate your honesty.

[@TechOutAdam]

I felt so insecure using this headset in coffee shops, felt like I was way too serious when you see hot girls just chilling or baristas laughing having a good time lol!

[@michaelbell-youtube]

Hahahah, this was a funny review video. What you said is so true about the coffee shop scene. I recently bought the C400-XT and feel exactly the same way you do. I miss my Jawbone Icon, Era and HD Icon. They were all sleek, reliable and offered excellent background noise cancellation (noise assassin). I hope other manufacturers can produce something equivalent without the dorky-bulky look and feel of Blue Parrott headsets.

[@TechOutAdam]

BlueParrott is probably the best at noise cancelling by far. They are just terribly designed. lol There's no reason to make them so bulky. At least come out with better colors! Thanks for the comment.

[@chantellecomas1286]

@@TechOutAdam they are bulky because its made for industrial type jobs hence trucks...but, i work from home and have a child in the background so thats why i bought it. I bought the 550xt though. But this combine with the krisp app works pretty good.

[@TechOutAdam]

@@chantellecomas1286 It cancels out a ton of noise that's for sure!

[@chantellecomas1286]

@@TechOutAdam look into the Krisp app it's really good 👍

[@NationJJ]

Glad I found a video with a mic test. Considering their $99 option; 250 xts.

[@TechOutAdam]

Thanks for the comment! I'd say the cheaper options don't slouch on the microphone quality, it's really a design change mostly. A friend of mine uses the 250XT and says he loves it. Anytime he calls me he sounds great on it.

[@philwiggins2007]

So your head set defines who you are I think it might be a few other things as well 😎

[@motif1065]

Thanks! Great review. Does it work well with PC / windows?

[@TechOutAdam]

Thank you! As long as it has Bluetooth, absolutely.

[@MN7033]

Nice review, however, I am trying to understand the difference between trucker’s headset and office/home headsets in terms of functionality and to know if there is any difference in type of noise to be eliminated between both. I understand how it looks like trucker’s headsets are designed to eliminate more loud noises, but do they block low house noises as well?, like kids screaming, side people talking, TV, etc.. better than trucker’s headsets? Is it the type of noise that every type is better in blocking or just the amount of noise? If it is the amount of noises then trucker’s devices could be better if shape and ruggedness is acceptable, and of course I am talking about mic noise cancelling with mono ear headsets.

[@TechOutAdam]

This is a weird way to answer this question but in my opinion as far as bluetooth headsets go, BlueParrott is the king of blocking out every type of noise. Noises at home or if you're an actual truck driver/delivery driver, factory worker etc. Besides design differences, the only headsets that are going to beat out BlueParrott as far as sound quality, microphone performance and fit goes are wired headsets for your computer. For example the Plantronics Blackwire 8225 or the Jabra Engage usb headsets do so much better. Your voice doesn't sound so artificial like a bluetooth headset.

[@frnkjones40]

Some truck drivers have two phones.....

[@TechOutAdam]

That's a great point!

[@petejameson3735]

Hey Adam, Thanks for the review! I have the B450 XT. Your info is spot on. Connected to my phone it's fantastic. My problem is, and I'll be the first to admit I'm not very techie, but I can't figure out how to connect it to my laptop. Is that even possible? I've scoured the internet to figure this out to no avail. If it is possible I'd love to know how, as I'm afraid I'm going to need to shell out another chunk of change for something that will. I really appreciate your help.

[@TechOutAdam]

I've used it with my laptop plenty of times, as long as it has a bluetooth connection you go to the settings and connect like you would on your phone. The noise cancelling on this thing is great for Zoom or online calls.

[@inndeep7020]

Xt550 mic keeps stopping. Reset by turning phone off and on. Frustrating and my codriver has the same issue withhis Xt550. Now there's a driver update from Blueparrot. Other older BP set have worked fine for yrs. Bad for business.

[@mikeburton8426]

I skimmed through this review because I don’t really care about coffee shop clarity.. The review said Home Office and I was hoping to learn about connectivity to Laptops vs mobile devices. Perhaps he mentioned that in a part I skipped over? Any experience with connecting to a laptop. I just lost my 250XTS which was perfect for multiple devices including my laptop. ASUS ZENBOOK

[@michellestiven2667]

Do you know how to turn off the annoying voice prompt when a call is coming in?

[@mirgalimendigali]

I have B350-XT model. when I trying record video on my iPhone with paired headset, the voice record throuth iPhone mic not headset. if anyone know how to fix that issue pls answer here! Thank you in Advance!

[@vincentjanse]

Do you use the jabra Bluetooth dongle? I can't figure out if the dongle is even supported.

[@TechOutAdam]

Those USB-A or USB-C dongles are not compatible with the BlueParrott series last time I checked. Same ownership but just different functionality. Great question.

[@user-wm7ie4mq1q]

Hey! Do you know how to connect blueparrot to samsung so that in the telegram application you can record through the blueparrot microphone? For some reason I can't get it, there is a recording from the phone, but not from the earpiece, the earphone microphone itself works only when you call, but how can I make the microphone recording work?

[@TechOutAdam]

I'll have to test that out. I've never used Telegram but usually whenever ANY application uses the microphone it defaults to the headsets. Sorry wish I had an answer.

[@TheCat793d]

Hi! Quick question is this headset over the ear or does it just sit on the ear?

[@TechOutAdam]

Great question, it's on ear. So I usually do switch ears every couple hours depending on the work day.

[@Wgrinfo46]

Thanks for the review! I have the evolve2 65 at home and it works good there. I am looking for a slimmer non-callcenter looking, more stylish looking headset for taking hands free calls outdoors or in crowded places and there is mostly just the plantronics 5200 that shows up all the time and I have had the identical voyager legend many years ago, my voice in that one sounds very robitic and tinny. All manufacturers seems to focus on tws earbuds these days where the mic is basically in my ear, that don’t work at all outside. Any suggestions? I have the opencomm from aftershokz and that mic performs well but the sound that I hear is too low for outdoor use. I’m looking for *good* mic quality primarily and most earbuds these days that gets reviewed the guy says basically “and it has a microphone so that’s a bonus” after 30 minutes of explaining how the mids and highs perform in various songs 🙄😊

[@TechOutAdam]

I'd probably recommend the Jabra Evolve 65e simply because it seems like it's the best product for what you're using it for. That or the Jabra Talk 45. If you don't mind a typical headset than sure I would suggest other headsets. The OpenComm has a killer microphone but in loud environment forget it lol I know because in my test I was actually at coffee shops.

[@elvincuevas1727]

Is the Jabra Evolve2 65 a better device for calls than this Blueparrot?

[@TechOutAdam]

Absolutely for functionality, design, compatibility with side tone and other features, voice sounds much clearer as well. The B350 XT is slightly better at noise cancellation but that's it.

[@jonzee]

Seeking your expert advice for coffee shop office calls.. I currently have the blueparrot S450xt and have considered switching to jabra evolve2 85 for the comfort and sound isolation improvement, but will I be downgrading microphone noise canceling?

[@TechOutAdam]

Blueparrott is one of the best noise cancelling microphone companies ever, they're owned by Jabra though. If you do get a Jabra headset stick with the Evolve2 series. The Evolve2 85 is an awesome headset but in my experience the Evolve2 65 is worthwhile enough. That microphone is killer at noise cancelling. Of course, a wired headset is always the best for noise cancelling performance. Anytime I've been in a coffee shop 90% of the time I bring a Jabra headset with me.

[@iio8017]

Is that the second generation of the b350 ?

[@TechOutAdam]

I bought them at Best Buy and it said it was a "new" product, meaning it was newly stocked so I'm assuming it is.

[@iio8017]

@@TechOutAdam Thank You

[@TechOutAdam]

@@iio8017 Of course, I know that wasn't a good answer but it's my best guess. Thanks for the comment it's a good question!

[@c.castro4829]

Para que pones texto en español y hablas en ingles? Why you put coments in Spanish and talk in English. Lol