Plantronics, also known as Poly, has long been the go-to brand when it comes to Bluetooth headsets and other workplace communication devices. Its Bluetooth headsets deliver impressive noise-cancellation for a price that’s hard to beat. We hone in on the features and specs of the best-selling Plantronics Voyager 5200 and the Voyager Legend to find out which noise-canceling Bluetooth headset is the better purchase.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is equipped with six layers of WindSmart Technology, ensuring top-quality noise-cancellation even when in busy, crowded areas.
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Plantronics Voyager 5200 vs Voyager Legend Comparison Chart
| Model | Plantronics Voyager Legend | |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon.com | Check Price at Amazon.com |
| Weight | 20 g | 18 g |
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | 3.0 |
| Range | Up to 30 m / 98 ft | Up to 10 m / 33 ft |
| Noise-Canceling | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| WindSmart Technology | 6 Levels | 3 Levels |
| Microphones | 4 | 3 |
| Voice Recognition | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Alexa | Yes | No |
| Tile Integrated | Yes | No |
| Talk Time | Up to 7 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Optional Accessories | Charging Case (Adds 14 hrs) Integrated Docking Stand | Charging Case (Adds 14 hrs) |
| Water Resistance | P2i Moisture-Repellent Nano-Coating | P2i Moisture-Repellent Nano-Coating |
| Multi-Point Pairing | 2 devices | 2 devices |
| NFC Pairing | Yes | No |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Major Differences
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We’ll go through their differences in-depth throughout this comparison, but here’s a quick rundown of the major differences of the Voyager 5200 and the Voyager Legend:
- they have similar aesthetics, with slight design variations
- the Voyager 5200 has a built-in Alexa and Tile while the Legend doesn’t
- their Bluetooth versions differ, therefore one has a better range over the other
- the Voyager 5200 comes with 4 microphones while the Legend only has 3
- the Voyager 5200 has overall better noise-cancellation
- their charging cases, which are sold separately, look different and offer different features
Design and Comfort
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While they look similar at first, a closer look at the Voyager 5200 and the Legend will reveal they are made of different materials and their buttons have different placements. The Voyager 5200 is made of better material than the plastic hard shell found in the Legend.
With three layers of Plantronics' patent WindSmart Technology, the Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset can block out most external noise well.
Plantronics further incorporated what its Voyager Legend users suggested when it comes to the headsets’ volume and mute buttons. The volume controls on the 5200 are located at the top, far from the mute button, to avoid confusion or talking after accidentally pressing the mute button. There’s also a red button for activating Amazon Alexa on the 5200 that is missing on the Legend.
Both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend are lightweight and fit comfortably around the ear. Their in-ear tips also fit snugly in most ears and offer great noise isolation.
Noise Cancellation
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When Plantronics first released the Voyager Legend, it was widely praised for its noise-cancellation capabilities. It comes with three microphones and three layers of Plantronics’ WindSmart Technology that work great with blocking out external noise. There’s also no static heard during calls.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is equipped with six layers of WindSmart Technology, ensuring top-quality noise-cancellation even when in busy, crowded areas.
The newer Voyager 5200 kicks it up a notch with its four microphones and six layers of WindSmart Technology. They work together to detect wind and noise and actively make the necessary adjustments to your voice. The result? Impressive wind and noise-cancellation and stunning audio clarity. The caller on the other line will still hear you clearly even when you’re in a loud, crowded place or a moving vehicle.
While Bluetooth headsets are not the most ideal audio gear for listening to music or podcasts, both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend can still be used for these purposes. However, since they are only used on one ear, do not expect the same quality you get when listening with headphones.
Controls and Connectivity
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Since the Voyager 5200 is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1, it has a better range and more stable connection than the Legend which only uses Bluetooth 3.0. With that said, the Legend still has good connectivity with no drop-offs on connection for most devices.
An extremely useful feature of both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend are their “Answer” and “Ignore” voice prompts. For instance, when you receive a call while driving, the Voyager will tell you who’s calling. If you say “Answer,” it’ll automatically connect the call.
With three layers of Plantronics' patent WindSmart Technology, the Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset can block out most external noise well.
Both the Plantronics headsets also allow you to pair two devices at once. Another crowd-pleaser is their ability to automatically answer the call when they detect that you put the headset on your ear. This is made possible through the motion sensor in the headset.
Both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend are compatible with smart assistants like Siri, Google, Alexa, or Cortana. However, only the 5200 comes with a built-in Alexa so you can activate this voice assistant straight from the dedicated button on the Bluetooth headset.
Battery Life and Additional Features
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Plantronics advertise a talk time of up to 7 hours for both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend at full charge. However, some users report they get a little less than that. For around 30 USD more, you can get the portable charging case which can add up to 14 hours of usage. The portable charger also works as a protective case for the Bluetooth headsets, making it a worthwhile purchase.
The Voyager 5200 can be docked on its charging case so you can easily grab the headset when you receive a call. For only an hour and a half of charging, you can get a full charge for both headsets. Another reason to go with the 5200 is it comes with a USB charger, unlike the Legend that uses a Plantronics proprietary charger. This means you won’t have to worry about forgetting the charger at home when traveling or having to bring a different set when your other devices already use a USB charger.
Protected by P2i moisture-repellent nano-coating, both the Voyager 5200 and the Legend can withstand minor spills, splashes, and sweat moisture. However, they are not recommended for submersion, even in freshwater. The Voyager 5200 is integrated with Tile, a feature missing in the Voyager Legend. In cases where you can’t find your headset, you can go to the app and prompt Tile to locate the device.
Verdict
If you don’t mind the small price difference, go for the
Both the Plantronics Voyager 5200 and the Voyager Legend are reliable Bluetooth headsets that deliver top-notch noise-cancellation for their price. They can effectively block out sounds through Plantronics’ proprietary technology and can be worn comfortably for hours.
If you will only use the headset at your home office, then the Voyager Legend‘s noise-cancellation should be fine. However, if you often talk on the phone while in crowded or loud areas such as cafes or airports, the Voyager 5200 and its superb noise and wind-cancellation will be the better fit for you. The 5200’s better audio quality alone makes the 20 USD price difference almost insignificant. Other smart features like the built-in Tile and Alexa are just an added bonus.
FAQs
The Plantronics 5200 is overall better than the Voyager Legend headset as the former has more advanced noise-canceling and smart features.
Featuring six levels of WindSmart Technology, the
The
Both noise-canceling headsets boast up to 7 hours of talk time.