Choosing between the Cisco Headset 520 Series and the Cisco Headset 720 Series? Here's how they differ on platforms, audio and price, and which one fits your room.
Short answer: pick the Headset 520 Series if you want the one that costs $130 less. Pick the Headset 720 Series if you want the one that also supports Teams and runs on battery, so it moves between rooms.
Both are USB business headsets; the difference is audio and power.
Side by side
| Headset 520 Series | Headset 720 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $279 |
| Platforms | Webex and BYOD/USB | Teams, Webex and BYOD/USB |
| Microphones | — | 2 MEMS beamforming mics, 80–6800 Hz |
| Speakers | — | 30 mm, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
| Weight | 521 68.6 g; 522 104.0 g | Mono 120 g; stereo 168 g |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited |
| Models | 521 single, 522 dual | 721 single (mono), 722 dual (stereo) |
| Microphone | Unidirectional ECM, 150–6800 Hz | — |
| Speaker | 50 Hz–18 kHz | — |
| Max sound pressure | 118 dB SPL(A) with acoustic spike protection | — |
| Cable | About 2.67 m overall | — |
| Adapter | — | USB-C adapter with USB-A converter (orders from March 2025) |
| Connections | 3.5 mm plug plus in-line USB-A or USB-C controller | Bluetooth: 5.0, 65 m range, two devices at once |
Specs are Cisco's published figures. Prices can change.
The key differences
- Microphones: the Headset 720 Series has 2 MEMS beamforming mics, 80–6800 Hz; the Headset 520 Series doesn't list microphones.
- Platforms: the Headset 520 Series lists Webex and BYOD/USB; the Headset 720 Series lists Teams, Webex and BYOD/USB.
- Power: the Headset 520 Series runs on USB bus power; the Headset 720 Series on battery or USB.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Headset 520 Series if you want the one that costs $130 less. See the Headset 520 Series
- Choose the Headset 720 Series if you want the one that also supports Teams and runs on battery, so it moves between rooms. See the Headset 720 Series
Also compared
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Still deciding? Read the Headset 520 Series guide and the Headset 720 Series guide, see Headset 520 Series alternatives and Headset 720 Series alternatives, compare them interactively, or send us your room details for a recommendation.
Related guides
- Cisco Headset 320 Series vs Headset 520 Series
- Cisco Headset 320 Series vs Headset 720 Series
- Cisco Headset 520 Series alternatives compared
- Cisco Headset 520 Series vs Headset 530 Series
- Cisco Headset 520 Series vs Jabra Engage 40: which to buy?
- Cisco Headset 520 Series vs Yealink BH70: which to buy?
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