Ask the Analyst: What's the best Bluetooth headset you can get on a tight budget?

As the cell phone guy, I get a lot of questions from readers. So I thought I'd start answering them here on PCMag.com for everyone's benefit.

On Twitter, @red_annie asked me: "what's the best budget-conscious hands-free/bluetooth option for an iphone 3gs?"

Full disclosure: @red_annie is my friend Adrienne, who I've known for about 15 years. But I think a lot of people have this question.

Down in the sub-$50 range you won't often get new, advanced features like voice control or dual-microphone noise cancellation, but you can find solid headsets with good call quality. As always, it's important to find a headset with a comfortable fit, so try to find a store where you can try them on. (Bring alcohol wipes.)

When you're looking for budget tech, one good bet is to go for older products that were very highly rated in their day. For instance, take the , now available for $39.99 at newegg.com. When Jamie Lendino first reviewed this headset in 2007, he gave it an Editor's Choice and said it "sounded superb."

The 520's newer replacement, the , is even cheaper  $34.99 at CDW.com. Like the 520, it doesn't do much in terms of noise cancellation, but it's comfortable, sounds warm and feels well built.

For $39.99 at Amazon.com you can also get the , which adds removable ear tips, stereo capability, and more modern noise cancellation. Jamie and I both like Plantronics' voice quality in quiet rooms a bit better, though.

If you need intensive noise cancellation, for just a touch over $50  $54.99 at Amazon  you can pick up the . While this headset doesn't go very loud, its noise cancellation is just spectacular - especially dealing with wind noise.

Have more questions? Ask me at twitter.com/saschasegan or by emailing sascha underscore segan at pcmag dot com.