EPOS IMPACT 400 vs IMPACT 1000: Which One to Buy?
Headset Tuesday: two EPOS models, one question, no pretzels.
Dear readers, today it’s about headsets. I know. Very sexy. But think about how much of your working week you spend with a thing on your ears. More than with your spouse, definitely more than with your plants. So let’s give it a bit of attention.
EPOS IMPACT 400 Wireless: The Marathon Runner
EPOS calls the IMPACT 400 Wireless – released today – a “premium microphone for open office”. It is certified for Microsoft Teams, and it has one party trick I really like: up to 39 hours of talk time with ANC and busylight on. With ANC off it is up to 47 hours. Music with ANC runs up to 63 hours.
Do the maths: charge it on Monday and you get close to a full week of back-to-back calls. That includes the Friday “quick sync” that turns into 90 minutes. We all know that one.
The other numbers:
- 99% word recognition in noisy environments, which EPOS also pitches for AI agents
- Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio, plus a USB-C dongle (BTD 400c) and an A-adapter in the box
- 145 grams, hybrid ANC (19 dB attenuation) and EPOS BrainAdapt™ against listening fatigue
- Lift-to-mute and down-to-answer on a 270° boom arm, with a mute LED
- Quick charge: 20 minutes gives you up to 12 hours of talk time
Not bad for the value model. On paper it doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Microphone Quality in noisy environments
I have also tested EPOS IMPACT 400 in a very noisy environment, Herbstmesse Kassel, a local conference where 3 people talked at my table including background noise from other booth. What do you think? I am impressed!
EPOS IMPACT 1000: The Sports Car
Then there’s the big sibling. EPOS pitches the IMPACT 1000 with “the industry’s best voice pickup” and EPOS AI™ noise cancelling, with more than 99 out of 100 words recognised correctly.
What you get on top of the 400:
- Adaptive hybrid ANC with three manual levels. It’s less “noise cancelling” and more “I decide how much of the office I let in”.
- Native Bluetooth, so you can leave the dongle in the drawer and save a USB port. Several variants ship without a dongle. Teams support over native Bluetooth is announced as a future update via EPOS Connect, so check this before you roll out.
- Triple connectivity (three connections per the tech sheet). The 400 manages two.
- Wireless charging stand (CH 40, depending on the variant). You just hang the headset up. Very Apple. Very tidy desk.
- 360° busylight on both ear cups. The 400 has it on one side only.
- Wear detection, three-level talk-through and a mono variant (114 g) for people who want to hear their open office with one ear.
- 6 microphones (4 for voice) with adaptive beamforming and super-wideband (up to 16 kHz). The 400’s voice mics cover wideband (up to 8 kHz).
Battery: The Price of Perfection
Here it gets honest. The IMPACT 1000 has a 580 mAh battery and delivers up to 32 hours of music with ANC. The 400 packs 680 mAh and reaches up to 63 hours. For talk time, EPOS quotes up to 20 hours for the 1000, measured with ANC off, so it is not directly comparable to the 400’s 39 hours with ANC on.
The 1000 also weighs more (181 g stereo vs. 145 g) and has larger drivers (36 mm vs. 32 mm). Its quick charge is fast, though: 10 minutes gives you up to 90 minutes.
IMPACT 400 vs IMPACT 1000: Side by Side
| IMPACT 400 Wireless | IMPACT 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €189.99 | From €329 (RRP) |
| Music time with ANC | Up to 63 h | Up to 32 h |
| Talk time | Up to 39 h (ANC and busylight on) | Up to 20 h (ANC off, test conditions differ) |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 + LE Audio | 5.3 |
| Simultaneous connections | 2 | 3 (per tech sheet) |
| Microphones | 5 (2 for voice) | 6 (4 for voice) |
| Mic noise reduction | AI-based | AI-based, EPOS AI™ |
| ANC | Hybrid (19 dB) | Hybrid adaptive, 3 levels |
| Busylight | One side | 360° |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C + wireless (variant) |
| Weight | 145 g | 181 g (mono 114 g) |
| Teams certification | Premium Microphone for Open Office | Premium Microphone for Open Office |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Which Teams Headset Should You Buy? My Take
Buy the IMPACT 400 if you sit in an open office, spend your days in Teams, and want to charge as rarely as possible. You get a clean voice for your colleagues without paying for extras you won’t use.
Buy the IMPACT 1000 if you want the best voice pickup, have a noisy environment or many devices, and love gadgets like wireless charging and adaptive ANC. Or if your role is “always on, always in a meeting”.
I haven’t tested either in daily use. This comparison is based on the official EPOS fact and tech sheets, so treat it as a data-sheet verdict. Comfort, ANC feel and call quality are personal. Try before you roll out to 500 people.
FAQ
Which is better, EPOS IMPACT 400 or IMPACT 1000?
It depends on the role. The 400 wins on battery life and price. The 1000 wins on microphones, adaptive ANC, wear detection and wireless charging.
How long does the EPOS IMPACT 400 battery last?
EPOS quotes up to 39 hours of talk time with ANC and busylight on and 47 hours with ANC off. A 20-minute fast charge adds up to 12 hours.
Is the EPOS IMPACT 400 certified for Microsoft Teams?
Yes, for Premium Microphone for Open Office. It is also certified for Zoom, Google Meet and Webex.
How much does the EPOS IMPACT 400 cost?
EPOS lists €189.99. The IMPACT 1000 starts at €329.
Conclusion
The marathon runner and the sports car: for most users, the IMPACT 400 offers more than enough. The IMPACT 1000 is for people who want to control their surroundings completely. What are you wearing on your ears right now?
Check out our Bechtle EPOS Store and find your favorite EPOS headset now.
Let me know in the comments. Have a great Tuesday!
