Cisco 5XX Series Headsets a great pair to your Cisco Investment
Updated March 14, 2025

Cisco 5XX Series Headsets a great pair to your Cisco Investment

Jeremy Shupick | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Cisco Headset 500 Series

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Headsets

I use a Cisco 561 Headsets on a daily basis. I also install, maintain, and administer headsets for our company. It is great being able to talk on the phone/PC while keeping your hands free to type or write. Also, since we have a Cisco phone system, we thought it would be good to stay with the brand for easier administration and compatibility.

Pros

  • Being able to connect multiple devices
  • Syncing the mute button with Webex
  • Being able to just plug it into the phone and go
  • Firmware updates are easier to manage

Cons

  • They need to have the standard base be able to connect PC and Phone not one or the other
  • Figure out the bug that your headset keeps ringing from your PC or mobile even though you answered the phone
  • Create an over the ear or behind the headband design
  • Be able to record from the Desk Phone to the PC like Jabra
  • Standardizing makes it easier to manage
  • Plug and play on the phone makes it for easy installation
  • The ease of Administration when it connects to Webex Calling
  • They need to have a longer warranty as we have had headsets go out right after warranty period
Yes, we have benefited from the product's easy to use set up and activation as you just plug it into the phone and your off and running! not much more today about that. You plug in a few cables and the phone sees it and you pick up the headset and push the phone button then you are ready to go!
With Cisco's introduction of their smart noise reduction, you can take out all the distracting noises that come up from dog barking to a noisy office area. They have now introduced that they can help with noise reduction from the other end of the call which just boggles my mind!
We, as a company, have not used the mobile app. I have used it here and there but really once you set your settings you are pretty much ready to go! I have not had the need to re-adjust settings. It is nice having an app for when you do need to adjust settings.
We went from using Jabra when Cisco came out with the Cisco Headsets. Much easier to manage as we were installing the Jabra software on every PC that had a headset and firmware was never getting updated. Now we don't have to worry about it as it keeps itself up-to-date.

Do you think Cisco Headsets delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Headsets's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Headsets live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Headsets go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Headsets again?

Yes

Being able to type and/or write while on the phone or listening to your PC on the headset is great! Also, they make single ear or dual ear. Dual ear headsets are great for the places where it is a bit louder you can hear what is coming across the headset.

Cisco Hybrid Work

  • Webex Meetings
  • Webex App
  • Webex Calling
  • Slido
  • Cisco Webex Room Series
  • Cisco Webex Desk Pro
  • Cisco Webex Desk Camera
  • ThousandEyes
  • Cisco Catalyst Switches
  • Cisco Aironet and Catalyst Access Points
  • Cisco AnyConnect
  • Cisco Umbrella
  • Cisco Secure Access by Duo
  • Cisco Secure Endpoint
  • Working from anywhere (e.g., coffee shop, airport)
  • Working from an office or other company space
We have always been hybrid, with field service techs and salesmen needing to work from anywhere. Our office staff always works in the office unless traveling to another store. The main issue we have here in Wyoming is connectivity, You never know when you will have a good cell signal.
The main challenge we have is connectivity. Here in Wyoming, we are very spread out and cell signal is a challenge. Once you have remote connectivity, Cisco Anyconnect makes it easy to VPN back to the Data Center. With more and more cloud solutions coming soon you won't even need VPN.
Since implementing Cisco Anyconnect and Cisco Webex Calling, users can have their phone and connection back to the Data Center anywhere they have connectivity. At this point nothing can help with connectivity since you have to rely on the carriers to upgrade the infrastructure.
We have always been hybrid, with field service techs and salesmen needing to work from anywhere. Our office staff always works in the office unless traveling to another store. The main issue we have here in Wyoming is connectivity, You never know when you will have a good cell signal.
With our network being Cisco, it just felt right to have the software we use to work remotely be Cisco. SO, choosing Cisco was a no-brainer; that way, when things don't go right, you can call one support and have them get the right people to remedy the issue.
  • Webex
  • Microsoft Teams

Using Cisco Headsets

95 - Being able to be hands-free to type and write or use other equipment while on the phone is best. Also, in the nosier environments, being able to hear the other party on calls or in meetings is key.
8 - Knowledge and access to Webex Calling. Hardware support to know how and where to plug things in. Listening and speaking skills to test audio. Webex App knowledge to test using the app.
  • Hands-free
  • noise reduction
  • work seamlessly between devices
  • being able to use 3 devices with one headset
  • Possible sharing a base so multiple people can listen and talk on the same call?
Phone system Cisco so using Cisco Headsets seems like the logical choice. One call to support for troubleshooting.

Evaluating Cisco Headsets and Competitors

Yes - We used to have Jabra headsets before Cisco came out with headsets of their own. Our Jabra headsets were getting worn out and breaking, so we decided to try Cisco, and we are glad we made the switch.
  • Ease of Use
Plug and Play
Not sure how or if I would change my selection process.

Cisco Headsets Implementation

wish the firmware didn't take so long to install.
  • Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal - We just order when someone needs a headset.
  • waiting for firmware updates
  • Ringing on base even after picking up one of the devices

Cisco Headsets Training

Configuring Cisco Headsets

There are some options I wish were configurable. like auto-switch back to PC when your phone call is done on the Desk Phone or auto switch to whatever device is getting audio.
Get extra ear pads, as people leave, you will be able to re-use the headset with a new ear pad; no one wants a used earpad. Make sure the user understands the different options they have for the different devices it is connected to.
No - there is no facility to customize the interface
No - the product does not support adding custom code
Not at this time

Cisco Headsets Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
Immediate help available
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
We don't get Smartnet on the Headsets, but we do have premium support on Webex calling so that helps us get to support.
Yes - I don't think I ever officially reported it but did to our Sales rep. Where it will continue to ring on the base for your other devices after you pick up the call.
The hardest thing is trying to replicate it for support.

Also, on our one 980 headset we have the voice sounded muffled when you talk, so I got an RMA for that unit. This one took a while to troubleshoot with support.
Cisco usually has good customer support. I seem to always come up with the hard ones to handle! They are always there, though to try and help get me back up and going.
For the most part, they can fix what I bring them. But I seem to always come up with the one offs or the exception that it seems to take extra time or has to go to their development team to get a fix in place and then it takes time to test and go from there.

Using Cisco Headsets

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • switching between devices with the click of a button
  • paring with Bluetooth is easy
  • connecting to a desk phone is easy
  • Hooking to a PC is as easy as plugging in a USB cable
  • Just the issue of it ringing after you pickup on one of the devices
  • Having to turn off Bluetooth to remedy the ringing
  • Having to unplug the USB to remedy the ringing
Yes, but I don't use it
I would give it a 10 but the 980 we just got the Mic doesn't sound the greatest for the brand.

Cisco Headsets Reliability

Seems like you would be able to install headsets across and entire company, so it is very scalable.
I would give it a 10 but the ringing on the base after you answer makes it unbearable at times. You have to unplug the USB or turn off the Bluetooth to get it to stop.
There is always room for improvement. There are times switching between devices can be slow, but for the most part, it works fine.

Integrating Cisco Headsets

Can connect or integrate with multiple types of devices.
  • Bluetooth to Mobile Phone
  • USB to PC
  • Bluetooth to other PC
It was not difficult at all to achieve, just plug or connect and go.
  • Would be nice to be able to have multiple Bluetooth devices connected at once.
None of the above
None

Comments

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