The Jabra Evolve3 85: A Work-Life Headset?
Jabra's latest offering, the Evolve3 85, promises to be a versatile headset, catering to both work and personal needs. But is it truly a 'do-it-all' device, or just a jack-of-all-trades, master of none? Let's dive in and find out.
The Allure of the 'Do-Everything' Headset
Jabra's pitch is simple: one headset to rule them all. The Evolve3 85 is designed with calls in mind, boasting advanced voice tech for crystal-clear communication and noise reduction. But it's also got music and media use covered, with a focus on portability and comfort.
However, the price tag of around $1000 (actual retail price: $538.99) raises eyebrows. Is it worth the premium for a headset that aims to do it all?
Unboxing and Portability
The Evolve3 85 comes with a slim travel case, a nice touch for those on the move. But there's a catch: the cables have no designated compartment, so they can easily become tangled and fall out. A bit of a design oversight, in my opinion.
Design and Comfort
The headset itself has a clean, understated look. No boom mic means you can wear it on public transport without attracting attention. The earcups are flat and slim, folding up neatly for easy storage. At 220 grams, it's light enough for extended wear.
Comfort is a mixed bag. The fabric earcups are soft but can get warm in humid weather. Some may prefer the leather alternative, but it's a trade-off for portability.
Battery Life: A Standout Feature
Where the Evolve3 85 truly shines is in its battery life. You get up to 25 hours of talk time and a whopping 120 hours of music playback with noise cancelling disabled. Charging is flexible, with both USB-C and wireless charging options. Plus, the user-replaceable battery is a rare and welcome feature.
Call Quality: A Workhorse
This is where the Evolve3 85 truly excels. Jabra's voice tech is impressive, focusing on your speech and reducing background noise. Calls sound clear and stable, even in noisy office environments. The bright red 'busylight' is a thoughtful addition, signaling to colleagues not to interrupt.
Work-Focused Features
The Evolve3 85 is packed with features tailored to the working professional. Sidetone lets you hear your own voice, hearing protection limits sudden loud sounds, and auto-pause when you take it off. App controls for wear detection and sleep mode are practical and well-implemented.
Connectivity and Controls
The headset offers simple, intuitive controls split between the earcups. The left side houses power, noise cancelling, USB-C port, and a headphone jack. The right side handles playback, calls, and voice assistants. Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity ensure a stable connection to two devices.
Sound and Noise Cancelling: A Mixed Bag
Sound quality is adequate, but not exceptional. It's tuned for speech clarity, not rich music. Noise cancelling works well indoors, reducing general background noise and making calls easier to follow. However, it struggles in louder environments, with public transport noise and wind cutting through.
Final Verdict: A Work-Focused Headset
The Evolve3 85 is a strong contender for those primarily focused on calls and meetings. It delivers on call quality, comfort, and work-oriented features. But for those who travel often or are music enthusiasts, the noise cancelling and audio quality fall short. It's a trade-off that may not suit everyone.
In my opinion, the 'do-everything' headset dream is still a challenging one. While the Evolve3 85 comes close, it's a work-focused device at heart, and that's where it truly shines.
