Samsung HM1000 Bluetooth Headset (Black) review: Samsung HM1000 Bluetooth Headset (Black)

When it comes to Bluetooth headsets, we often recommend higher-end models like the Aliph Jawbone Icon or the Plantronics Discovery 975 because of their proven audio quality. However, we understand not everyone is willing to spend more than $50 for a Bluetooth headset. Here's where something like the Samsung HM1000 comes in. Even though it doesn't have quite the same sound quality as our highest-rated models, it does come reasonably close, especially for a single-mic headset. The HM1000 also features quick pairing and multipoint technology. The best part is that the HM1000 is only around $39 retail, so it's affordable as well.

The Samsung HM1000 looks like an ordinary Bluetooth headset from the outset. Measuring 1.8 inches long by 0.75 inch wide by 0.4 inch thick, the HM1000 has a basic rectangular design with a contoured front surface. It's clad mostly in black, though the top edge and multifunction button are coated in silver. The multifunction button is in the form of a skinny raised bump in the middle of the headset, and is easy enough to find by feel. The volume rocker is on the left, and there is a power toggle on the right. We definitely like the dedicated power switch, as it's easier to conserve the headset's battery life.

On the back of the headset is a simple in-ear earpiece clad in a silicon ear gel. The headset comes with three more ear gels, making a total of four. Two of them require the use of an ear hook for stability, while the two others have loops that help stabilize the headset without the use of a hook. We found the headset's fit to be quite comfortable in the ear, though wearing it for more than a couple of hours can lead to ear fatigue.

Features of the headset include answering, ending, and rejecting calls, last number redial, call waiting support, voice command support, and multipoint connectivity. The latter lets you connect up to two devices simultaneously.

We paired the Samsung HM1000 with the Apple iPhone 3G. Call quality was respectable for the most part. We heard our callers clearly with plenty of volume, though there was static and interference at times. Voice quality sounded quite natural as well.

On their end, callers said we sounded a little off at times. Voice quality was harsh and they could often hear background noise, especially in a crowded environment. Still, we managed to carry on a conversation without too many problems. We would recommend this for use in the car, as it does a decent job of drowning out road noise.

The Samsung HM1000 has a rated talk time of 7 hours and a rated standby time of 16.7 days.