What Car? guide to hands-free phone sets - Introduction

Bluetooth is a technology that enables mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices to communicate with each other using radio waves. In plain English, you don't have to touch your phone to use it any more.

Bluetooth headsets fit in and around your ear so you can talk and keep both hands on the steering wheel. They're rechargeable and have volume controls and call handling buttons so you won't even have to touch your phone to answer a call.

Like any cutting-edge technology, Bluetooth headsets were expensive when introduced, but prices have now dropped significantly - manufacturers' retail prices are as low as £30. Shop around or use the internet, however, and you can get a headset for as little as £18.

In order to rate the headsets on test, we not only looked at their audio performance, but also considered their ergonomic design and ease of use. We wanted to see how easy they were to fit on your ear, and how easy it was to use the basic functions such as call answering and volume control.

There can be a lot of background noise created by wind and the road when using a headset in a car, so we assessed the quality and clarity of each unit's sound.

Some of the more advanced units have noise-reduction technology, but you shouldn't get overly concerned by specification. Just make sure that the headset is compatible with your make and model of phone. Most Bluetooth devices work with most Bluetooth phones, but check with the headset's manufacturer if you have any doubts.