Random fact. In addition to my regular role here at Women Love Tech, I also work part-time at a law firm. Which sounds very important but is infinitely less exciting than reviewing new moisturisers for a living.
Given that I spend most of my day in legal land, bouncing between calls, emails, and video meetings, I’ve accepted almost every single invitation to try a just-released headset. Some are fine, some are uncomfortable, and some make you feel like you’re yelling into a tin can. The Jabra Evolve3 85 is definitely closer to the first category. It’s not just for gamers or anyone chasing booming bass. (Fortunate, considering that I drive into work listening to Smooth FM, so obviously not me!). This is clearly built for people who need to sound clear, focus, and survive long stretches at a desk without their ears hating them by noon.
The first thing I noticed when I put it on was how light it feels. At 220 grams, it’s barely there, yet it still hugs your ears enough to block out background noise. The cushions are soft and breathable – I actually wore it for an entire afternoon of meetings and didn’t feel like I needed to peel it off. Bonus points for the foldable design, which makes it easy to toss in my bag without worrying about it taking up half the space.
Unlike older models, there’s no microphone boom anymore. I was sceptical – call clarity has always made or broken a headset for me – but Jabra ClearVoice handles it. Six microphones and some kind of AI magic work together to isolate my voice from everything else. My colleagues could hear me just fine even when my washing machine was running in the background or when I was on a café call surrounded by espresso machines and chatter. Long calls were surprisingly easy on the ears too, thanks to Enhanced Spatial Sound – voices felt more natural, not like they were coming through a robot filter.
Noise cancellation is solid. The Adaptive Jabra Advanced ANC seems to adjust without me noticing, whether I’m in a quiet office or a noisy open-plan space. And, while I wasn’t expecting much in the music options, it actually sounds pretty nice – fuller than I imagined, with more depth than most “office” headsets. Perfect for zoning out during a commute or just needing a mental break between meetings.
Battery life is ridiculous, in a good way. 25 hours of calls and 120 hours of music means I haven’t had to think about charging it for days. And if I do forget overnight, five minutes of rapid charge gives me five hours of use – which, yes, has saved me more than once. Connecting to multiple devices is straightforward with dual Bluetooth; switching between my laptop and phone feels effortless. There’s also a 3.5mm jack, which is handy for flights or plugging into an entertainment system without hunting for adapters.
It has a few little smart touches too. The 360° Busylight is handy if you don’t want to be disturbed, and the on-head detection pauses audio automatically when you take it off. I like that it’s built with replaceable parts and some sustainable materials – it feels like something I could actually have for years without it dying on me. Plus, it keeps me sane during those marathon partner meetings where “just a quick chat” turns into an hour.
The downsides? Not many TBH. The dongle doesn’t come with a USB-C or USB-A adapter, so depending on your setup, you might need to improvise. Not deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.
Overall, I’ve been using this headset for calls, music, and even voice prompts with AI assistants, and it handles everything surprisingly well. Comfort, sound quality, and the little practical touches make it feel like a daily companion rather than just a piece of tech. It doesn’t feel like a flashy upgrade – it feels like someone finally thought about what people actually need when they’re on their laptop for hours.
For anyone juggling home, office, or travel, this is a headset that just… works. I don’t feel drained after long calls, I don’t have to shout, and it actually makes the small parts of my day a little smoother. And yes, less annoying than listening to a partner argue over clause 12 for the hundredth time.
*Dealing with difficult clients excluded.
