Bluetooth headsets: best mono and stereo choices for hands-free talking and listening.(Cover story)(Product/service evaluation)

IT'S BOOM TIME for wireless Bluetooth headsets, which work with most new cell phones. Sales have surged in California, New York, and other jurisdictions that ban drivers' use of handheld phones but allow hands-free calls. Also, more phones and MP3 players support stereo Bluetooth headsets.

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How to choose

Theck comfort. Generally, the lighter and more compact the headset, the more comfortable it is. Some small sets fit in your ear canal and don't require the usual ear clip or hook. They 're less obtrusive but also more prone co pop out. Recommended headsets come with various ear adapters to help create a good fit.

Be skeptical about noise-reduction or noise-canceling claims. Some models with this feature performed well in noisy environments, but some didn't.

Consider power issues. Look for models that provide at lease as much talk time as your phone. Almosc all come with a wall charger. Some have a car charger too or a cable for charging via a computer's USB pore.

Look for useful features. Multipoint pairing lees you pair the headset co multiple devices and easily switch among them. (With many other models, it's real work to pair and impair the sec and a device.) Microphone mute blocks the caller from hearing what you say. Call hold mutes the call on both sides.