Poly Sync 20From real comments

Name: Poly Sync 20
Rating: 2.6 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment42%

PROS 42%

CONS 58%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You mainly need clear voice pickup for calls and meetings
You want a portable device with solid build quality and finish
You primarily use it corded/USB rather than relying on Bluetooth mute control

What users love

Strong microphone clarity0 mentions

Strongly positive

Good build quality and finish0 mentions

Widely praised

Improved audio over older model0 mentions

Widely praised

Flexible cable management0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You need dependable Bluetooth audio without dropouts during meetings
You want a device that doubles well as a music speaker
You need full mute/unmute control via the Teams button over Bluetooth

What users complain about

Mic sensitivity and battery/firmware confusion0 mentions

Generally negative

Bluetooth call dropouts0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Teams button limited functionality0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No mute/unmute over Bluetooth without dongle0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Disappointing music playback quality0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Long-term audio quality complaints0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Budget

Lenovo ThinkSmart View

Retro Gaming & EmulationBargain PriceHome Assistant Hub PotentialLimited StorageRising/Regional PricingLimited Functionality for Original Price

Lenovo ThinkSmart View

Retro Gaming & Emulation

Bargain Price

Home Assistant Hub Potential

Limited Storage

Rising/Regional Pricing

Limited Functionality for Original Price

Poly Sync 60

Daisy-chain / multi-unit pairingClear sound with noise filteringReliable in professional useInconsistent microphone performanceNo battery, AC power onlyPairing stability and resets

Poly Sync 60

Daisy-chain / multi-unit pairing

Clear sound with noise filtering

Reliable in professional use

Inconsistent microphone performance

No battery, AC power only

Pairing stability and resets

Poly Studio A2

Compact Mic SizeWhite Color OptionProprietary Cabling Required

Poly Studio A2

Compact Mic Size

White Color Option

Proprietary Cabling Required

Jabra Speak 410

Strong Call Audio and Mic QualityWell-Liked OverallRingtone Cannot Be MutedYouTube Playback Issue

Jabra Speak 410

Strong Call Audio and Mic Quality

Well-Liked Overall

Ringtone Cannot Be Muted

YouTube Playback Issue

Jabra Speak 510

Clear Call and Speaker AudioEffective Group Mic Pickup RangeLong-Term ReliabilityIsolated Hardware DefectsBluetooth Re-Enables and Connects Unwanted DevicesLower Max Volume Than Expected

Jabra Speak 510

Clear Call and Speaker Audio

Effective Group Mic Pickup Range

Long-Term Reliability

Isolated Hardware Defects

Bluetooth Re-Enables and Connects Unwanted Devices

Lower Max Volume Than Expected

6Premium

Jabra Speak 750

Multi-Speaker LinkingMicrosoft Teams CertificationFull-Duplex AudioPoor Microphone QualityUnclear Participant and Linking LimitsHigh Price for Mic Performance

Jabra Speak 750

Multi-Speaker Linking

Microsoft Teams Certification

Full-Duplex Audio

Poor Microphone Quality

Unclear Participant and Linking Limits

High Price for Mic Performance

7Mid

Jabra Evolve2 65

Clear voice for callersAll-day comfortEffective background noise blocking (for many users)Boom mic cuts out voiceInconsistent noise cancellationBuild quality/durability issues

Jabra Evolve2 65

Clear voice for callers

All-day comfort

Effective background noise blocking (for many users)

Boom mic cuts out voice

Inconsistent noise cancellation

Build quality/durability issues

You are here

8Mid

Poly Sync 20

Strong microphone clarityFlexible cable managementGood build quality and finishMic sensitivity and battery/firmware confusionBluetooth call dropoutsDisappointing music playback quality

Poly Sync 20

Strong microphone clarity

Flexible cable management

Good build quality and finish

Mic sensitivity and battery/firmware confusion

Bluetooth call dropouts

Disappointing music playback quality

9Premium

Logitech Rally Plus

BYOD and laptop flexibilityHub and vendor integration flexibilityMulti-platform meeting supportOverly complex cabling and setupSoftware and connectivity glitchesInconsistent or echoey audio quality

Logitech Rally Plus

BYOD and laptop flexibility

Hub and vendor integration flexibility

Multi-platform meeting support

Overly complex cabling and setup

Software and connectivity glitches

Inconsistent or echoey audio quality

10Mid

Jabra PanaCast 50

Clear Microphone Pickup at DistanceCompetitive PricingFirmware Updates Boost PerformanceLimited Manual Camera ControlCable Length and Wireless Connectivity LimitationsUnderwhelming Video/Audio Quality vs Competitors

Jabra PanaCast 50

Clear Microphone Pickup at Distance

Competitive Pricing

Firmware Updates Boost Performance

Limited Manual Camera Control

Cable Length and Wireless Connectivity Limitations

Underwhelming Video/Audio Quality vs Competitors

Mic quality
1. Jabra Speak 410arrow_upward1
2. Poly Sync 60arrow_downward2
3. Jabra Speak 750arrow_downward4
High price
1. Jabra Speak 750arrow_downward2
2. Logitech Rally Plusarrow_downward3

Overall Impression

Microphone quality stands out as the Sync 20's strongest asset. Multiple commenters specifically praise how the mic sounds compared to alternatives. One noted the mic quality is fantastic alongside the speaker's build finish, while another observed that voice through the Poly sounds clearer and less roomy than a regular laptop microphone. This suggests the core call-audio purpose is well executed for many users, even as other aspects of the device draw more mixed reactions.

Bluetooth reliability and Teams integration frustrate several users. One user returned their Sync 20+ after it kept cutting out during Webex-style meetings despite good initial impressions. Another found the Teams button 'pretty useless' since it only brings the Teams window forward, and Bluetooth connection without the official dongle prevented mic mute/unmute entirely, undermining a key intended use case for hands-free control.

As a standalone music speaker, opinions split toward disappointment. One buyer called the music playback 'a big disappointment,' saying it was inferior to a $20 speaker bought years earlier and sounded like low-compression audio over USB. Combined with a long-term user reporting persistent audio quality complaints from online teaching clients over two years, the evidence suggests the Sync 20 is better suited to voice calls than general audio playback.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

micStrong microphone clarity

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Users report the mic quality is very good and makes voices sound clearer than a regular microphone, cutting down on room echo. This is highlighted as a key strength for call-based use cases.

@etlweather2884

Sound quality of your voice is better through the Poly than your regular microphone... With your regular microphone you sound very roomy, the Poly cuts that.

smart_display

February 5, 2021

@airwolf1337

Hi Danny, seems like the Poly Sync 20 is handy device. The mic sound quality is very good, imho. If you test it more, can you please turn off \"HD Voice\" and record some voice? It says you can save some battery when not using HD Voice.

smart_display

November 25, 2020

check_circleGood build quality and finish

1 mentions

Widely praised

One reviewer was positively surprised by the details and quality of the finish, noting fantastic speaker and mic quality overall, though they wished for a desk angle stand.

@robertmatuszczyk551

Thank you for your test. I bought the version with a button for MS Teams. But I have no problem with this cable. I can roll it both clockwise and counterclockwise. But it's more convenient and there is more slack if I do it clockwise. I am positively surprised by the details and quality of the finish. The quality of the speaker and microphone is fantastic. Personally, I only miss the stand to set the Poly at an angle on the desk.

smart_display

June 16, 2022

trending_upImproved audio over older model

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter noted that based on the review, audio quality was significantly better on the Poly Sync 20 compared to the older model they currently own.

@br5339

Thanks for this review and the comparison one you did against the older model. I have the older model and thinking about upgrading...the audio quality was significantly better on the Poly 20 based on your review. Curious, would my Plantronics BT600 USB adapter that I use on my Plantronics headphones work also with the Poly 20, do you know? Excellent videos! Thanks!

smart_display

February 3, 2022

cableFlexible cable management

1 mentions

Generally positive

A user with the MS Teams button version noted the cable can be rolled either clockwise or counterclockwise, with clockwise giving more slack and convenience.

@robertmatuszczyk551

smart_display

June 16, 2022

battery_alertMic sensitivity and battery/firmware confusion

2 mentions

Generally negative

Users report the mic picks up background voices throughout the house with no apparent sensitivity control, and separately experienced persistent low-battery warnings when powered via USB with no clear firmware update path.

@SuperOregonjoe

Thank you for the video. How to update the firmware for this device? Mine never auto turn off when connected through USB. Keeps telling me that battery level low each time I plug it in. Very annoying.

smart_display

February 27, 2023

@sachin2081

Can the mic sensitivity be controlled? I bought a Sync 20, but it picks all the human voices in and around the house (kids play or people talking). I wanted to check if its possible to reduce the sensitivity of the mic in Poly 20?

smart_display

April 10, 2021

signal_wifi_offBluetooth call dropouts

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

One user returned their unit after it kept cutting out during meetings within the first week, despite initially positive impressions, describing worsening reliability over time.

@csvdh2

I returned the Poly Sync 20+ as it kept cutting out. People said the sound was great but after a week people on meetings said I was cutting in and out, and it got worse. Thankfully it was within my return period. Really disappointed as all the reviews were good. Now I don't know which one next - I need something good for Webex calls.

smart_display

May 15, 2022

warningTeams button limited functionality

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A commenter was disappointed that the Teams button only brings the Teams window to the front and does nothing else, calling the experience an 'epic fail' for their carry-around call use case.

@POTThaesslich

I'm disappointed with mine. The Teams button brings Teams window to the front, but nothing else, so its pretty useless. If you connect it via Bluetooth to a PC (but not with their uberexpensive dongle) it refuses to enable/disable the microphone. One of my use cases was that I can carry the speaker during long conference calls. but it is useless if I can't mute/unmute. epic fail

smart_display

March 13, 2021

mic_offNo mute/unmute over Bluetooth without dongle

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Connecting via Bluetooth without the official dongle reportedly disables the ability to enable or disable the microphone, undermining a core intended use case.

@POTThaesslich

smart_display

March 13, 2021

speakerDisappointing music playback quality

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user found the speaker inferior to a cheap $20 alternative for music, describing the sound as not crisp and reminiscent of low-compression audio when used over USB.

@patty109109

I just received this. Not sure if something is wrong but...as a music speaker it's a big disappointment. It is inferior to the $20 Oontz Angle I bought many years ago. It's got bass, yes, but it is not crisp at all. It sounds like playing low-compression audio. This is running through USB to my laptop. I'll give it another shot with Bluetooth and see if it sounds better.

smart_display

December 16, 2021

thumb_downLong-term audio quality complaints

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A two-year user reported ongoing dissatisfaction, with online teaching clients repeatedly complaining about audio quality, calling the purchase not worth the high price paid.

@golden.frog-Col

I've used this device for about 2 years and it has not been satisfactory. I teach online, and most of my clients complain about the audio quality. If I hadn't paid an arm and a leg for it, I'd just buy another more reliable speakerphone.

smart_display

August 22, 2022

Poly Sync 20chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Mic quality

High price

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Poly Sync 20From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression