By Cheryl Currid

When it comes to convenience and mobility, most home office people choose cordless or cellular phones. These phones do give the ability to move, pace, or wander, but they do little to help people work.  However, with one small attachment that weighs about an ounce, the rules change.

What’s the attachment? An earphone. You can call them earbuds, over-ear attachments, ear phones with boom mics, or anything else – but the earpiece with a microphone gives you both mobility and the ability to work with both hands. Without one, you are stuck with the same neck-bending hunched-over posture that’s destined to cut down on your productivity and give you aches and pains to boot.

While I’ve been an advocate of earbuds attached to a cellular phone for a long time, I’m now find that using them in the home office can really add to productivity and my comfort. And, with more innovative styles coming to market, you can choose the one that fits your style the best.

Logitech, venerable maker of all kinds of computer enhancement tools from mice to cameras to keyboards, has put its design genius to a new line of ear-ware. The company just started shipping six new products, and has one more on the way. I’ve tried each and the only problem I’ve had is choosing which one to wear.

Here’s what I mean. The Logitech Mobile Earbud Miniboom is great if you frequently speak in loud environments like airports, restaurants or bars, or some offices. It features a noise-canceling boom microphone that filters out unwanted sounds. It comes with a newly designed FlexLoop cushions that slip under the antihelix of your ear. It fits snugly without intruding into the ear canal.  And for those of us who are cable-challenged, it comes with a one-touch retractable cord. Like other Logitech earbuds, it has a multifunction button that lets you answer, end, or activate voice commands quickly. (These features may vary by your phone, however.)

If you are looking for a smaller version, and don’t need the extra noise cancellation of a boom microphone, try the Mobile Earbud Retractable. This model also comes with a FlexLoop cushions, a multifunction switch, and a retractable cord. Its omnidirectional microphone is hidden into the earpiece. 

Or, if you prefer an over-the-ear style, try the Mobile Over Ear Blue. This model is made from a soft gel material that fits around the ear and holds the ear piece outside the ear. Its microphone and multifunction button are wired about three inches from the bottom of the ear loop. A small clip for strain relief is located a few more inches away. And if blue is too conservative for you, this model is also available in bright red.

Finally, the new Logitech Mobile Earbud Premium combines comfortable FlexLoop cushions with an inline omnidirectional microphone and multifunction button.

The costs of the units range from $19 to $39 – a small price to pay for a device that can give your productivity an immediate boost.