Updated: 26 Jan 2010

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Introduction

We tested a range of hands-free Bluetooth speakerphones to see which are worth your money.

Now that it's illegal to have your hand on the phone while you’re driving, hands-free car kits are essential. We tested the ease of use and sound quality of 9 Bluetooth speakerphone models costing up to $229.

We also provide tips for buying a hands-free kit and explain some of the jargon.

Models we tested

This report contains test results and recommendations for the following Bluetooth speakerphones:

The law

Since November 2009 you can only make, receive, or terminate calls while driving if:

• You don’t have to manipulate the phone – for example, if you have voice dialling.
• You have a phone cradle installed and you “manipulate” the phone only “infrequently and briefly”. This means you can receive calls and occasionally dial a number.
• You’re dialling 111 or *555.

You’re not allowed to create, send or read a text (or email) while driving, regardless of whether you have a phone cradle.

You can make, receive and terminate calls if you’ve stopped the car “for a reason other than the normal starting and stopping of vehicles in a flow of traffic”. If the road is blocked, say by an accident, you can use your mobile – but not when you’re at traffic lights or roadworks.

Got demerit points? Don’t use your phone

If you’re caught using a mobile phone while driving you’ll be slapped with 20 demerit points and an $80 fine. As soon as you get to 100 demerit points, you’re banned from driving for three months.

Thousands of Kiwis already have between 80 to 99 demerit points, which means getting caught with a mobile phone is an instant loss of licence. That’s just one more reason to think before using your phone while driving.