The Plantronics Voyager 835 is the first-ever headset from the company to feature dual mics, which help to enhance audio quality while its patented AudioIQ software works in the background to filter out ambient noise. The Voyager 835’s Windsmart technology means one mic captures the noise while the other focuses on the user’s voice. This also makes for much increased clarity on both ends of a call. The mics are omnidirectional, which means that they needn’t be too carefully aligned for the best sound quality.

The 835 measures 2.1 inches long, 0.6 of an inch wide, 0.4 of an inch thick, and weighs 0.4 of an ounce. With a basic list of features and a slim, low-key profile, this headset is clearly designed for on-the-go professionals. The Voyager 835 supports last-number redial and voice-activated dialing where available. It can also transfer calls from the phone to the headset and vice-versa. Finally, the 835 allows multipoint pairing so that two Bluetooth headsets can be connected at a single time, with the Plantronics Quickpair process automatically detecting other devices upon power-on (thus, for example, the headset will always automatically find your phone when turned on). There is a multiple function button in a recessed area near the top of the headset, with an LED indicator near the housing of one of the two mics; the second mic is located at the bottom of the headset. Calls are answered and ended by tapping this multi-function button, and battery power is checked by holding down both this button and the volume-down button for about two seconds: the fast the LED flashes, the less power there is remaining. Talk time is rated at five hours, with standby clocking in seven whole days.

The two volume buttons are located on the right side, with the propriety USB-like charging jack on top of them. The buttons are easily accessible, if small. There is a rubber earbud and a flexible translucent plastic ear hook; the earbud acts as an anchor, and fits snugly, while the hook can be twisted around so that the headset can be used on either side of the head. Unfortunately, only one size is available for the earbud and hook. In addition to the manual, the retail box for the Plantronics Voyager 835 includes an AC charger and an L-shaped car charger that does away with the necessity of a cord by simply interfacing between the car’s AC power outlet and the headset itself.