By Daniel P. Dern

If you need the freedom of both hands while on your cell phone, but want to avoid "celbow" ("cell phone elbow") or tethering your cell phone with a wired headset, consider one of the new Bluetooth wireless headsets from companies like Aliph, Jabra or Plantronics, which combine style, convenience and call quality.

If your cell phone's features include Bluetooth (and just about all new ones do), you can use a Bluetooth headset. (And if it doesn't, new Bluetooth-capable phones are eminently affordable.)

Bluetooth headsets cost anywhere from $20 to $200. What you get for the additional money can include compactness, style and priceless features, particularly, noise-reduction. If you're going to be calling from noisy environments like airports, hotel lobbies, coffee shops or while walking on the street, the people you talk with will especially appreciate this.

Today's new Bluetooth headsets use a variety of noise-reduction components and techniques. While there's no substitute for peace and quiet, these headsets can make you much easier to understand when you can't escape to a less noisy location.

New Bluetooth headsets include the Aliph Jawbone (MSRP $129); Jabra's Noise Blackout Smart Series, including the Jabra BT2010 (MSRP $49.37) and the Jabra BT530 (MSRP $99.99); and Plantronics' latest Discovery 925 (MSRP $149.95)

Important things to know or try before you buy your Bluetooth headset:

• What do you sound like? This is important, and you can't sort this out without help. Don't just leave voice mail messages for yourself, have a "headset testing buddy" you can ask—and if possible, have them (or a sales person) call you using one. Then compare the calls from a wired-headset, just the cell phone and from a wired landline. (And you shouldn't have to yell or even talk loudly—a good headset will pick up your voice when you're talking so low that someone near you could barely understand you or even when whispering in a library.)
• Secure or easy-to-lose? Will it stay on/in your ear or fall off when you aren't paying attention or shake your head? (Over-the-ear loops are great for this reason.)
• Charging port on the headset? A USB (micro or mini) means you can replace the cable at any computer, office or drug store; a proprietary one means you better not lose it (and may want to pre-stock a spare).
• Buttons? Some headsets manage with two buttons, some use up to four. Ask yourself if the device is easy or hard to use.

Two important tips to using your Bluetooth:

1. Having Bluetooth ON runs your phone battery down a LOT faster.
2. To reduce static (noise), have your phone on the same side of your body as the headset. (You'll hear the difference.)

So arm yourself with the best that high-tech headsets are offering—you'll save yourself a neck cramp and ensure your conversation doesn't get lost in noisy static.