Summer Survival Guide - Part 2 - Hands-free kits rated

Bluetooth technology enables electronic devices to communicate with each other.

Bluetooth headsets that fit around your ear aren't that expensive and 'talk' to your phone, so you can have a conversation with both hands on the steering wheel.

When choosing one, the most important thing is to make sure that the headset is compatible with your phone.

Most Bluetooth devices work with most Bluetooth phones, but check with the headset's manufacturer if you're unsure.

Here are our top recommendations.

JABRA JX10 £100
For Sci-fi looks; tiny size; ear-hugging ability
Against Some tricky controls; too much background hiss
VerdictGood to use, but looks expensive against Jabra BT160

The Jabra JX10 is one of the most compact headsets here.

It's very light and simple to fit, and snug once it's in place, while the answering button is easy to find and use, too.

But, because the volume controls are too close to the ear, it's hard to turn the sound up or down.

Setting it up is fairly easy, and the sound quality is good, with a sensitive microphone that picks up lots of detail and handles ambient noise well.

However, there's too much background hiss, and the maximum volume isn't loud enough.

PLANTRONICS Discovery 640 £50
For Great design; accessories
Against Picks up some background noise
Verdict Great for gadget-lovers and it works well

The Discovery is a very stylish unit and has plenty of accessories, including a variety of adapters for the most popular chargers, an add-on that lets you charge it from an AAA battery and a natty case.

The unit is comfortable to wear and surprisingly stable.

Overall sound quality is good, with a high-level volume control and no distortion at any time. However, the microphone picks up a little too much ambient noise.

Nokia BH-900 £55
For Flexible design, and sliding boom microphone
Against A bit pricey; some background noise
Verdict A unique-looking headset, but not the best sound quality

This is the only headset here you can use in either ear - and without any adjustment.

It's not the easiest of headsets to fit, but once it's on, it feels secure. Shame the answer button is a little small. It also has a neat slide-out boom to help position the microphone, but accidentally sliding it back during a conversation will cut the call off.

Sound quality is good, and the unit copes well with quieter speech. It also suppresses ambient noise well, without removing too much detail.

However, there is a little background hiss, and we experienced some problems answering a call.

SONY ERICSSON HBH-300 £50
For Long talk time; good sound; desk and car holder
Against Tricky to fit; background hiss
Verdict Stylish and great value for money

This headset is quite large and tricky to fit, but once it's in place, you don't notice the size.

Despite picking up too much background hiss, the HBH-300's sound quality is the best of these seven.

The main call-handling button is fine, too, but the volume control is fiddly.

Handily, the unit comes with a dashboard holder to keep it within reach and on charge when not in use.

PLANTRONICS Explorer 340 £30
For Good control layout; simple functions
Against Not the most comfortable
Verdict Good overall, but not the best value for money

Small and functional, the Explorer is a simple headset at a low price, but you don't get many extras.

It's easy enough to fit, though, although it takes a bit of jiggling to get it comfortable.

The controls are easy to use, despite the same switch being used to adjust the volume and to answer calls.

Overall performance is adequate. It handles ambient noise well enough, but there is a little background hiss.

Nokia BH-600 £32
For Reasonable sound quality; no background noise
Against Potentially uncomfortable; a bit quiet
Verdict Fine performance, but pricey

You only get a headset and charger with this Nokia, and the headset feels a little bulky at first. However, it's easy to fit and, once on, it stays put, although it can feel a little irritating after a while. The controls are easy to use, apart from the volume control, which is tricky to find. Overall, the sound quality is good, with virtually no ambient noise, but the volume is a bit too quiet.

Our Choice - JABRA BT160 £40
For Chic styling; top value for money; little background hiss
Against Picks up too much background noise
Verdict Great value for money and stylish
If you're one of those people who constantly fret about having a co-ordinated outfit, consider the BT160.

The design is not quite as modern as some of the other units in our round-up, although it's quite chic and aerodynamic.

It fits around the ear well and is easy to adjust and get comfortable, without getting irritating the longer you wear it.

The call-answering button is simple to find, and the volume buttons work fine.

Most people should find it works well enough, but the sound quality is merely okay, as surrounding noise isn't handled well.

You could spend a lot more, but when you can find this Jabra for as little as £18, it's hard to go wrong.