Bluetooth, the technology that allows cell phones to be used with wireless headsets, continues to appear on more phones. Using a Bluetooth headset is much more convenient than being tethered to a wired headset or fumbling for the phone when it rings. Paired with a cell phone that's Bluetooth compatible, as virtually all new models are, the headset allows you to make or receive calls without touching your phone. The phone can be up to 30 feet away.

Major brands include Jabra, Motorola, Nokia, Plantronics, and Sony Ericsson. You can buy a Bluetooth headset for as little as $30, but be prepared to pay more if you want a very small, inconspicuous model that fits into your ear. Prices for those petite performers are $100 or even more, about as much as you might pay for the phone.

More headsets are now stereo models designed for use with the rising number of cell phones that have built-in music players and Bluetooth stereo compatibility. Such headsets typically cost upward of $50—and many are $100 or more—more than you'll usually pay for a mono headset, which handles only phone calls. Stereo headsets have an earpiece for each ear. The earpieces are usually wired to each other or, with smaller models, to a small transmission unit that hangs around your neck or goes in a pocket. Music quality was generally adequate in our tests, but don't expect a Bluetooth headset to sound as good as the best wired ear buds for an MP3 player. Many are heavier than mono headsets.