12 Best voice translator devices on the market in 2022

Science fiction has been promising us instant translators since, well, ever. Though it's seemed a distant fantasy, now droves of sleek handheld language translators have hit the market.

Increasingly popular with travelers and conference attendees, voice translator earbuds are perhaps the easiest way to remove language barriers quickly.

Voice Translator Devices Compared

How do translating earbuds work? It's quite simple, really. All you need to do is set the two languages in the app. Then, each person inserts the earbuds in their ears and speaks in their language. The device will provide a translated version of the conversation through the earpiece. In fact, you get a full-fledged assistant that delivers real-time translations most comfortably. The majority of good-quality translator earbuds can filter through input noises as well as have speech and language recognition features. Also, advanced translator earbuds allow the users to speak multiple languages and can unerringly distinguish between them.

While there are a number of brands in the market, I’d like to elaborate only on one of them — Timekettle. Founded in 2016, this Shenzhen-based private company focuses on the development of AI translators with the use of cutting-edge technologies. At present, the company offers four earbud translators at price ranging from $99 to $199, as well as two models of Zero portable translators for $79. A distinctive feature of Timekettle translators is that they can automatically identify a specific language in real-time and start interpreting without the need for the user to push a button.

Timekettle M2 Language Translator Earbuds | Best Voice Translator for 2022

With a weight of just 64 grams, the M2 wireless translator earbuds provide superior sound quality and allow you to communicate naturally and freely. This is a two-way online translator that can use Wi-Fi or a cellular network. The device supports 40 languages and 93 accents including Arabic, Japanese, Hebrew, and many European languages.

It can also be used offline but with a limited set of languages for translation. Timekettle M2 connects to more than a dozen high-speed servers worldwide, something that gives it another edge over competitive products. Made with the Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.0 chip, the M2 wireless translator has the added benefit of playing music and phone calls.

What I particularly like about this product is that earbuds last for as many as 6 hours on a charge, while a full recharge time is only 90 minutes. With the portable charging case, playtime is extended up to 30 hours. This is crucial for both travelers and those who attend long-hour events and talk there with foreigners.

Another feature that I like very much is the remote mode that enables up to 40 people to join the chat simultaneously. You just need to choose the default language into which the whole conversation will be translated. On top of that, this product features an ergonomic design and an IPX4 water resistance rating, which means protection from sweat and splashes.

Timekettle M2: Check the current price

WT2 Language Translator | Best Offline + Online Translator

The primary perk of the WT2 language translator is the Simul Mode allowing for simultaneous two-way translation. Using this mode, you can speak non-stop and the other user will hear the translation continuously. This feature is beneficial during negotiations and highly appreciated by businessmen.

Another advantage of this model is dual noise reducers. Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm technologies make the sound clear and minimize the background noise. That said, the WT2 model has some drawbacks as compared to the M2 Translator Earbuds. It cannot play music and phone calls and has a shorter earbud battery life of up to 5 hours.

Like the M2 model, this device also can translate conversations both online and offline, with online translation supporting 40 languages.

Both products have a maximum connection distance of 10 meters. The gadget offers 3 modes intended for different situations. In addition to the above-mentioned Simul mode, it has the Touch and Speaker modes. The former activates the translator upon touch, while the latter lays your translated speech through the speaker on your smartphone. What separates this model from others is that only one person needs to wear the earbud.

WT2 Language Translator: Check the current price

Zero Language Translator Device | Best Budget Option

Although this device does not belong to the category of voice translator earbuds, I’d like to mention it as a great budget-friendly alternative from the Timekettle brand.

To begin with, it comes in two versions — for iOS and Android systems. The Zero model provides two-way translation into 40 languages and has three modes to choose from: a translation mode, a meeting mode, and an interview mode.

For the translation mode, just plug the device into your phone and put it at the right angle. The translated results will appear on your smartphone’s screen. In the meeting mode, the gadget records voices and has the advantage of being able to distinguish between up to 4 speakers. The interview mode instantly records the conversation, separating the voices of the interviewee and interviewer, and then converts them into text. The Timekettle Zero weighs only 6.6 grams and is built with 4 microphones.

Timekettle Zero: Check the current price

Handheld Language Translator Device: Do They Work?

Through the power of high-speed data, electronic translators today use artificial intelligence systems to translate words effectively. Since the AI is connected to the cloud, there is almost no limit to the number of languages that can be translated between speaking partners.

Most handheld translators feature a central LED screen and a press button to get started. You need to speak at the device when pressing the button, which will instantly translate any words, phrases, and context-specific grammar.

No matter the setting, these devices will seamlessly translate your words into both text and spoken word. These fast translators help speaking partners to develop rapport and human connection much more quickly.

Handheld Translator Reviews

We've chosen two of the most popular handheld translation devices for review. Depending on your needs, the right handheld device for you may need iOS porting capabilities and data-free use.

1. Pocketalk Language Translator | Portable Two-Way Voice Interpreter | 82 Languages

The Pocketalk is a multi-language, two-way voice translator that allows you to navigate through foreign countries with ease. The sleek handheld device gives you the opportunity to make real, authentic connections with those that speak different languages.

Using a patented voice translation system, the Pocketalk can translate up to eighty-two distinct languages seamlessly. Better yet, the system is being improved through cloud-based updates all the time, meaning Pocketalk is consistently learning more languages.

The built-in, two-year data plan lets you communicate confidently in over 133 countries. Anywhere a signal is available, you can use Pocketalk to conduct a conversation.

Customers appreciate the accurate and speedy translation the Pocketalk completes. Culture-specific swear words, jargon, and slang are often preserved if an equivalent turn doesn't exist in your home language.

Based on independent surveys, Pocketalk has been voted the #1 best handheld translator in Japan.

Pros Cons
  • Chock full of over eighty-two different languages
  • Updated with new features and language-specific improvements all the time
  • Portable and handheld
  • Needs a data connection to appropriately translate

Pocketalk: Check the current price

2. CM Smart Instant Language Translator Device | 42 Languages

Employing Microsoft UI, the CM instant language translator provides fast, accurate, and intuitive translations by using advanced cloud processing capabilities.

The CM is paired with some of the most popular languages on the CheetahTalk app, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai.

With ultra-long battery life, the CM can last up to 180 days of standby time and two weeks of constant use. It's possible to translate, learn, and make lasting connections without having to work about a finicky battery.

Customers think the CM works great for practicing languages between speaking partners since the system provides instant two-way translation. Fun conversations don't have to be hampered any longer by gaps in understanding.

Pros Cons
  • Very sleek and easy to carry around for instant conversation
  • A long-lasting battery only needs an infrequent recharge
  • Translates slang and local jargon accurately using cloud-based AI processing techniques
  • Must be paired with iOS and Android-specific Cheetah App
  • No LED display

CM: Check the current price

Expert Opinion: Alex Rawlings, Freelance Journalist, Writer, Filmmaker, and Polyglot

Alex Rawlings is a freelance journalist, a writer, a filmmaker, and a polyglot who speaks 15 languages. As of 2012, he was the UK's most multilingual student. Alex is the author of “How To Speak Any Language Fluently” and “From Amourette to Żal: Bizarre and Beautiful Words from around Europe”.

 Can a device replace the need to learn a new language? “I have spent my whole life telling people about the benefits of learning foreign languages and learning languages myself. A brand new Pocketalk device, which is a live translator, in theory, should replace the need of learning foreign languages. Let’s see whether I can communicate with people in Barcelona using it. I am setting the input language to English, the UK, and the output language to Spanish, Spain. We have a microphone on this side, a speaker, and a microphone on this side. This feels like a very comfortable thing to have in my pocket and is very easy to whip out whenever I need it… It is a great piece of kit, it is very portable, and for basic transactions like buying things in shops, it definitely does what it is supposed to do. But if you have aspirations of being more than just a transactional person in a foreign country, I do not think this device is really gonna cut it”.

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Testing & Customers Reviews

Here are reviews from YouTube bloggers about the products from our article.

Big Bong: "It's something I've always wanted to try. Something we couldn't believe would be possible a few decades ago. Timekettle WT2 is available in 40 languages with 93 accents which is apparently 90% of the world's population. And the company keeps working to add more languages. That's the future, guys! I actually feel like I'm in a sci-fi movie. What I do when I'm facing a person who I can't communicate with is I use online translators. And if you think about it, it takes a lot of time because I have to write down what I want to say and then I have to show it or play it. Then I have to wait for the other person to write down the response. So it takes a lot of time and it doesn't really feel like a human interaction because you're mainly focusing on the phone. And on top of that, you need access to the internet, which you don't necessarily need with the WT2 Plus.

And what's also awesome, especially if you're learning the language is the fact that everything you say is transcribed and recorded on your phone. This is a cool device that allows you to speak to almost the entire world. It's perfect for businessmen and women who often travel to attend international meetings. Also, I come from a family where my parents speak different languages. I'm lucky to speak both, but for those with a similar family it can be practical to reconnect with your grandparents your aunts, and uncles. They'll probably love trying the device. And, of course, it's a great gift idea for people who love traveling.

TheSwedishLad: "One of my favorite segments on this channel is to go out and meet people on the town, and we do language challenges. We talk about Sweden and we talk about their visit if they are tourists. There was something about this that intrigued me, so I said alright, let's try it.

So what is this TimeKettle Zero? Well, it's actually an application that you put on your phone, and then you use it through an app. This cool little thing comes in a case that is almost like a credit card. And the really neat thing about this is the fact that this is a microphone. Because with a normal phone, you would have to hold it really close to your face but this is not meant to be held close to your face. It's meant to be held at a distance to pick up voices, and that's why you really need this powerful little thing. To attach to your phone and to be able to pick up what is being said around you.

The app has three different applications you have the interview mode, which means that you put the microphone up and you interview just like you would with a regular microphone. You have the meeting mode, which means that you can put the phone down and it will transcribe what people are saying in the room. But the one we're going to focus on is the translation mode because that's what I do. The app is obviously primarily used for translating what another person said but you can actually use it to improve your language skills by speaking the language you want to learn to the app and then it will tell you if you are correct. I'm very excited to continue to use the app and find new and creative ways of making cool content and cool videos."

Erin Lawrence: "The device has support for over 70 languages amazingly. There is really no setup required for the Pockettalk. You power it on choose your languages and start talking. That's it. You can also use Pockettalk to translate signs using the internal camera. Your Pockettalk will also do money conversions for you on the spot. Just input your two currencies and let Pockettalk make it make sense.

I speak fluent Spanish so when I tested the Pockettalk out between Spanish and English I found that it worked extremely well. While I have absolutely not tried every language, the ones I have tried work well. You do need to speak a bit more deliberately I'd say, but if you're struggling to communicate in another language, you really need to speak slowly and carefully anyhow. I do love the compact size and the battery lasts long enough to get you through a full day of travel. I can definitely recommend this device so far for your next trip."

Products with a 5-star rating

 

Product5 Stars Votes
Cheetah CM Smart Instant Language Translator651(43.2%)
Timekettle M2 Language Translator Earbuds497(33%)
Pocketalk Classic Language Translator Device251(16.6%)
Timekettle Zero Language Translator Device109(7.2%)

Tips and advice on YouTube

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Comments  

0 #1 MRjohn beckett 2021-09-21 17:17
1) The tuition recordings seem to be useful, but the unnecessary background music is louder than the instructor's voice on every occasion, making the instructions inaudible and pointless.
2) At no point is the speech output of the machine demonstrated!! it's no good to tell us how good it is with accents and so on, if you aren't prepared to demonstrate it. We must assume this shows lack of confidence in the product!