A lot of people have negative feelings about Bluetooth headsets. They emit radiation! They’re super lame! They make it somewhat difficult to tell if that guy walking next to you is crazy homeless or just talking to his agent on a tiny device tucked into his ear!

But the reality is, there are times when a Bluetooth headset is actually a useful bit of technology to have on hand – for example, when you’re driving. While a variety of states have banned texting and driving, because it's incredibly dangerous, more and more are extending that ban to include using a hand-held cell phones as well. A Bluetooth headset, or car kit, could mean the difference between you and a $159 ticket (for first-time offenders in California – a second offense in the state raises the fine to $279).

Whether you need to take a call while driving, prefer to walk around while on conference calls, or multitask your way through your day, there are plenty of times that a Bluetooth headset (or car kit) can come in handy. To help you wade through the options, we’ve reviewed ten of the most recent Bluetooth headset and car kit models to see how they hold up to real-life use. Some of them are solid, some just average, but all of them will keep your hands free so you can drive safely (or freak out the guy next to you on the sidewalk who can’t tell if you’re crazy homeless or talking to your roommate).