The Plantronics EncorePro line is what you buy when a headset has to survive being worn eight hours a day, dropped, sat on, and handed to the next shift — for years. It's the corded call-center standard, and the reason it confuses people is that six models look nearly identical on a shelf and differ in exactly two things that matter: how many ears they cover, and how they sit on your head.
This is the full EncorePro range — the HW510, HW520, HW530, HW540, HW710 and HW720 — sorted by the decision you're actually making, with the one accessory change every existing guide still gets wrong.
Quick answer
Last updated July 2026
Plantronics EncorePro range: how to choose
Choosing an EncorePro comes down to three quick questions, in order: one ear or two, which wearing style, and everyday or premium. Answer those and the six-model lineup collapses to one obvious pick.
| Model | Ears | Wearing style | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HW510 | Mono | Over-the-head | 500 | The default call-center headset |
| HW520 | Binaural | Over-the-head | 500 | Noisier floors, more focus |
| HW530 | Mono | Over-the-ear | 500 | No headband across the hair |
| HW540 | Mono | 3-in-1 convertible | 500 | Sharing desks, glasses wearers |
| HW710 | Mono | Over-the-head | 700 | Premium single-ear comfort |
| HW720 | Binaural | Over-the-head | 700 | Premium dual-ear isolation |
The mono-versus-binaural choice is the big one, and it's not about which is "better" — one ear keeps you aware of the floor, two ears shut it out. We break down that trade in full in monaural vs binaural headsets. The whole EncorePro range lives on the wired office headsets collection if you want to compare current prices side by side.
The 500 series: the everyday workhorses
The EncorePro 500 series is the tier most call centers actually buy — laser-welded, metal-jointed, and light enough to forget, at roughly 50–70 grams depending on model. All four share the same noise-cancelling boom mic, wideband HD audio, SoundGuard spike protection, and Telecoil hearing-aid compatibility. They differ only in ears and wearing style.
Plantronics HW510 — the mono default
The Plantronics EncorePro HW510 is the single-ear, over-the-head model that most call floors standardize on. One ear covered, one ear open for the room — the configuration a supervisor or a collaborative team wants. The noise-cancelling boom keeps your background off the call, and the QD connector lets you unplug and walk without ending it. A voice-tube variant (HW510V) swaps the noise-cancelling boom for a hollow tube if you prefer that acoustic profile, and both are hearing-aid compatible.
Plantronics HW520 — the binaural version
The Plantronics EncorePro HW520 is the HW510 with a second earcup — same generation, not a step up. That second cup is passive isolation: a physical seal against the floor around you, which does more against nearby voices than any electronics. It's the pick for a noisy room or focus-heavy work. Swap the standard foam cushions for leatherette to seal in more, or leave them foam to stay cooler over a long shift.
Plantronics HW530 — over-the-ear, no headband
The Plantronics EncorePro HW530 drops the headband entirely for an over-the-ear hook — lightweight, secure, and the answer for anyone who doesn't want a band across their hair. Same noise-cancelling boom, same broad phone compatibility as the rest of the family.
Plantronics HW540 — three headsets in one
The Plantronics EncorePro HW540 is the most versatile in the range, and the one worth a hard look if you're kitting shared desks. It converts between three wearing styles — over-the-head, over-the-ear, and behind-the-neck — from one headset, so a hot-desk or a glasses wearer isn't locked into a fit that doesn't suit them. If you can only stock one EncorePro across a mixed team, this is the one that fits the most heads.
The 700 series: premium comfort for heavy users
The EncorePro 700 series is what you buy for the people who live on the phone — leatherette cushions as standard, a retractable noise-cancelling mic, and noticeably upgraded build. Same acoustic family as the 500s, dressed for six-hour days.
Plantronics HW710 — premium mono
The Plantronics EncorePro HW710 is the top single-ear model: laser-welded nylon composite, plush leatherette cushions, and a retractable boom you can tuck away between calls. It's the upgrade for the person who complains their headset hurts by lunchtime — the weight and cushion do the work. Foam cushions are available if you'd rather breathe than seal.
Plantronics HW720 — premium binaural
The Plantronics EncorePro HW720 is the dual-ear counterpart to the HW710: a reinforced headband, leatherette cushions over both ears, and the same extendable noise-cancelling mic. It's built for maximum isolation and the longest days — the executive-and-power-user end of the range.
Connecting an EncorePro to your desk phone or PC
Every EncorePro ends in a Quick Disconnect (QD) plug, not a phone connector — so it needs one more piece to reach your hardware, and this is where the old guides go wrong.
Myth
Pair any EncorePro with a Plantronics M22 amplifier.Reality
The M22 Vista amplifier was discontinued in 2024. Its replacement is the Poly MDA524, which does the same job — independent speaker and mic volume, a mute button, and acoustic protection — for phones without a dedicated headset port. If your desk phone does have a headset port and key, you can skip the amplifier entirely and use a QD bottom cable instead.So the connection choice is: a QD bottom cable if your phone has a headset port, or a Poly MDA524 amplifier if it doesn't. To move the same headset between a desk phone and a computer, the Plantronics MDA100 QD switch adds a USB connection for softphone calls, webinars, and media. Which connector your phone actually takes is worth confirming first — our guide to headset connector types maps every plug to the hardware it fits, and the broader wired headset buying guide walks the whole decision.
What's the difference between the Plantronics EncorePro 500 and 700 series?
The EncorePro 500 series (HW510, HW520, HW530, HW540) is the durable everyday call-center tier, while the 700 series (HW710, HW720) adds leatherette cushions, a retractable microphone, and upgraded build for heavy all-day users. Both share the same noise-cancelling boom mic and wideband audio. The 700 series is the comfort upgrade, not an audio upgrade.
What's the difference between the Plantronics HW510 and HW520?
The Plantronics HW510 is monaural (one earpiece) and the HW520 is binaural (two earpieces) — they're the same headset otherwise, from the same generation. Choose the HW510 to stay aware of the room and the HW520 to block more of a noisy floor. The HW520's second earcup provides passive isolation against surrounding noise.
Which Plantronics EncorePro is best for a call center?
For most call centers the Plantronics EncorePro HW510 (mono) or HW520 (binaural) is the best choice, balancing durability, comfort and price. If agents share desks or wear glasses, the convertible HW540 with three wearing styles is the most flexible. Step up to the HW710 or HW720 for staff who spend the entire shift on calls and need premium comfort.
Do I need an amplifier for a Plantronics EncorePro headset?
You need an amplifier, the Poly MDA524, only if your desk phone has no dedicated headset port, since the amplifier connects through the handset port instead. If your phone has a headset port and headset key, a QD bottom cable is enough. The older M22 amplifier this pairing used to require has been discontinued and replaced by the MDA524.
Can I use a Plantronics EncorePro headset with my computer?
Yes. Because every EncorePro uses a Quick Disconnect connector, adding a Plantronics MDA100 QD switch lets the same headset connect to a PC over USB for softphone calls, webinars and media, alongside your desk phone. You swap between the two without changing headsets, which is why the QD design suits hybrid desks.
Are Plantronics EncorePro headsets hearing aid compatible?
The EncorePro 500 series models, including the HW510 and HW520, are Telecoil hearing aid compatible (HAC certified), making them a strong choice for users who need HAC equipment. They also include SoundGuard acoustic protection that limits sudden loud spikes on the line. Confirm the specific model's HAC rating before ordering if this is a requirement.
Strip it down and the EncorePro range is two questions: one ear or two, and everyday or premium. Answer those and you're choosing between two headsets, not six — then match the connection to your phone and you're done. Compare the full range on the wired office headsets collection, and if you're weighing the whole decision from scratch, start with the wired headset buying guide.
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