Plantronics 5200 vs 5200 UC (2021): Which Voyager Headset Should You Buy?

Plantronics, now known as Poly, is one of the well-known brands when it comes to audio communications devices. This California-based company continues to improve its products to meet the diverse requirements of its customers. The Plantronics Voyager line is a result of this realization, as it is designed for professionals who are more mobile and constantly on the road. Users are raving about the Plantronics Voyager’s noise-cancellation technology and both the Plantronics 5200 and 5200 UC headsets have it. So what’s the difference between the two? Read on to find out.

Plantronics 5200 vs 5200 UC Comparison Chart

Difference

The Plantronics Voyager 5200 UC comes with a Bluetooth USB dongle and a self-charging case.

The Voyager 5200 and 5200 UC Bluetooth headsets were designed for people on the go. However, the guys over at Plantronics labeled the former as the consumer product and the latter, the commercial product.

Simply put, the commercial Voyager 5200 UC has the same 5200 earpiece but comes bundled with the BT600 USB Bluetooth dongle and the charging case. The said accessories are sold separately so Voyager 5200 users can choose whether they add only the self-charging case or go all in with both accessories at a later time.

You may be wondering why there’s a separate Bluetooth dongle when the earpiece is already Bluetooth-enabled. The company explains that the BT600 guarantees compatibility and excellent performance especially for customers using other Bluetooth-enabled computer accessories that may cause interference.

Design

Without the add-on accessories, the two earpieces are basically one and the same.

From a glance, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 and 5200 UC headsets look very much like its best-selling predecessor, the Plantronics Legend. But reviews from Legend users have contributed a lot to the improvements that Plantronics applied to its Voyager series.

One notable change is the repositioning of the microphone buttons from the top to the boom so as to make the activation of the single touch mute system possible. To address “mute anxiety,” the volume control buttons were positioned on top to avoid unintentional pressing of the mute button while talking. It’s also important to note that the Plantronics 5200 and 5200 UC headsets will alert you through a voice prompt if you try to speak while on mute.

Another improvement that Plantronics applied to the Voyager 5200 series is P2i-coated material for complete protection from sweat, humidity, and light rain.

Noise Cancellation Technology

The Plantronics Voyager 5200 and 5200 UC’s noise cancellation technology makes it perfect for professionals on the go.

Six layers of WindSmart technology and four microphones give Plantronics Voyager 5200 and 5200 UC users the luxury of making and taking calls whenever and wherever. In fact, this is what makes the Voyager series better than the Legend.

Meanwhile, the headset’s aerodynamic boom is designed to let wind slide smoothly without turbulence, therefore avoiding the mic sitting on it to pick up wind noise. Moreover, each of the mic in the device is protected by a “wind box” to cancel unnecessary wind and background noise.

Connectivity

Plantronics included a Bluetooth USB adapter with the Voyager 5200 UC.

The Voyager 5200 series comes equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 + EDR or Enhanced Data Rate that ensures a faster data rate speed and better battery life. However, Plantronics once again upped its game with the BT600 USB dongle that comes bundled with the 5200 UC.

The BT600 adapter guarantees the headset’s connectivity with any PC or laptop. Some users have reported getting problems connecting their Voyager 5200 headset with their computers so this is the Plantronics’ solution. The adapter also helps improve the call audio quality by avoiding interference that may come from other Bluetooth

There are also smart sensors that let you answer or reject a call by just simply putting the earpiece on or taking it off. And as with the Legend series, you will still be able to answer or reject a call by saying “Answer” or “Ignore.”

Lastly, it is easy to set up Alexa on the Plantronics Voyager 5200 and 5200 UC headsets through the Amazon Alexa and Plantronics Hub apps. With Alexa built in the device, you can do more things while at work such as playing music, hearing the news, or checking the weather.

Battery Life

With the self-charging case, you’ll never have to worry about your headset losing juice all day.

The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is chargeable with a micro USB charger and not a Plantronics proprietary charger. Thus, you can use any micro USB cable to charge the earpiece should you forget your charger at home. One full charge is equal to 7 hours of talk time.

On the other hand, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 UC already includes a self-charging case that not only acts as a charging dock but also a protective carrier when not in use. Having the charging case means getting an extra 14 hours of power which is very important when you’re always on the road.

Verdict

If you’re mostly mobile, go all in and get the Plantronics 5200 UC.

As mentioned, the Plantronics 5200 and 5200 UC models of the Voyager series have the same earpieces sporting the same sleek design and cool features. This being said, you will have to consider your needs and budget in choosing what to buy.

If you frequently catch meetings other than the office where there’s little access to an electric outlet, the Voyager 5200 UC would be the best choice. Just add a few more bucks and you’ll get the complete Voyager headset system (with the USB dongle and self-charging case).

Now if you are budget conscious or if you feel that you only need the USB dongle or just the self-charging case, then go for the Voyager 5200 and purchase the accessory that you need separately.

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Last update on 2022-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API