The Jabra Evolve3 85 is a premium headset that aims to be the ultimate solution for all your communication and entertainment needs. With a price tag of around $1000, it certainly has the potential to be a game-changer in the market. But does it live up to the hype? Let's take a closer look and find out.
Unboxing and Design
The Evolve3 85 comes in a sleek and slim travel case, which is a nice touch for those who are always on the move. However, I found the cables to be a bit of a hassle, as they sit loose inside the case and can easily fall out. It would have been better if there was a separate compartment for them. The design is clean and low-key, with no boom mic, which is a plus for those who want to keep a low profile in public.
The earcups are flat and slim, which helps keep the overall size down. They fold up and fit into a thin carry case, making it more compact than most over-ear headphones. The weight is also light for this type of headset, at around 220 grams, which makes it comfortable for long sessions.
Comfort and Battery Life
Comfort is a key feature of the Evolve3 85, with soft fabric earcups that feel comfortable for extended periods. However, I found that the fabric can get warm in humid weather, which may be a concern for some users. The battery life is impressive, with up to 25 hours of talk time and up to 120 hours of music playback with noise cancellation turned off. Charging is flexible, with USB-C and wireless charging options available.
Call Quality and Work Features
The Evolve3 85 truly shines when it comes to call quality. Jabra's advanced voice technology focuses on your speech and cuts out background noise, resulting in clear and stable calls. The busylight feature, which turns on during calls to signal to others not to interrupt, is a nice touch. The headset is packed with work-focused features, such as sidetone, hearing protection, auto pause, and app controls for wear detection and sleep mode.
Connectivity and Controls
The Evolve3 85 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices at once. The controls are simple and split across both earcups, with the left side handling power, noise cancellation toggle, USB-C port, and headphone jack, and the right side managing playback, calls, and voice assistants. The included USB Bluetooth dongle offers a stable connection and longer range compared to some built-in laptop radios.
Sound and Noise Cancelling
The sound quality of the Evolve3 85 is fine, but not exceptional. It is tuned more for speech clarity than for rich music. The noise cancellation works best indoors, helping to reduce general background noise and making calls easier to follow. However, it struggles in louder environments, such as public transport, where wind and noise can cut through more than expected.
Final Thoughts
The Jabra Evolve3 85 is a solid choice for those who prioritize call quality and work features. It is comfortable, has impressive battery life, and offers a range of useful features. However, if you are looking for a true all-in-one headset that can handle music and noise cancellation, the trade-offs may be too much to ignore. Personally, I think that the Evolve3 85 is a great option for those who want a premium headset that focuses on calls and work, but it may not be the best choice for those who want a more versatile solution.
