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This new wave of AI tech is changing the way we do many things, and one of them is how we communicate. We now have a flux of portable language translator devices hitting the market to help you understand foreign languages effortlessly. If you’re someone who loves to travel, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to not understand what people are saying.
A real-time translation device can bridge the gap between nationalities, and for that, I think these language translation devices are something many people will want to use more of, I know I do. So, in this article, we check out the best language translation device list, which covers both smart glasses and portable handhelds.
There’s actually quite a lot of new tech products and apps being released that help translate languages, and we’ll look over the landscape in this article. We’ll showcase our best picks in the featured boxes. There are three main devices that currently provide a solution for a portable language translator: the first are smart glasses, then AI-assisted earbuds, and finally we also have handheld assistant devices, which can include mobile apps too.
- Offers live speech translation in select languages
- Includes image recognition
- Built-in microphones and open-ear speakers
- Also features a built in camera & AI assistant
- Designed in the classic Ray-Ban frame style
The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses combine comfortable, stylish eyewear with wearable tech. They feature a built-in AI assistant and support language translation. But do note, translation is currently limited to English, Spanish, French and Italian with the older models.
On the plus, they allow users to listen and speak in different languages through live speech translation, while also assisting with text recognition in the environment. Because the device integrates microphones, speakers, and camera into a lightweight pair of glasses, translations can happen more naturally and hands-free compared to holding a separate translator.
- Hands-free, wearable form
- Visual/contextual assistance
- Convenience of integration with additional AI updates
- May be overkill for someone wanting a simple language tanslation device
- Limited language pairs / availability
- Newer models now available
Real-time translation / conversation interpreter via Galaxy AI + the Interpreter app, with transcription of speech.
Adaptive Equalizer that adjusts sound based on how the Buds are placed in your ears.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) to reduce ambient noise.
360° audio support and other high-quality audio enhancements (for immersive listening).
Touch controls and integration with Samsung phones/apps for more features and control.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 AI are wireless earbuds that combine high-quality audio features with translation capabilities for those who need different language translations. Having language translation tech in earbud form means you can effortlessly listen to ongoing conversations in a foreign language and get language translations played back to you through the buds using Galaxy AI’s Interpreter app. You can also then view transcripts on your device screen.
Alongside this, the Buds3 offer adaptive sound tuning (so the audio changes depending on fit), noise cancellation to block unwanted background sound, and immersive audio effects for your media.
- Hands-free conversational translation
- Good sound quality and adaptable fit
- Noise cancellation helps comprehension
- Requires the Galaxy Wearable app for full functionality, so iOS support is limited
- Sometimes can be inaccurate and have latency limitations
Vasco V4 Language Translator Device
- Comes with a built-in SIM card for lifetime internet in nearly 200 countries
- Recognizes and translates text from photos upto 112 languages
- Offers voice translation in up to 76 languages
- no subscription so no ongoing costs
- Text-to-text translation in 90
- Durable device
If you're looking for a portable language translator the Vasco V4 is a great all-in-one solution designed for travellers, businesspeople, or anyone needing real-time translation with an easy set-up. It offers voice translation for 76 languages, photo translation for 112, and text translation in 90 languages.
One of its standout benefits is free lifetime Internet access through a built-in sim which can be used in almost 200 countries, that means no subscriptions or extra costs needed. And that's a big bonus when compared to the mobile language translator apps which usually require a monthly fee. Its 5-inch display and built-in speaker make communication clear, and it has rugged qualities to withstand travel wear and tear. Just keep in mind this language translator device doesn't work offline.
- Great quality device & travel-friendly.
- Very wide range language support.
- No ongoing costs for usage.
- No offline translation so without internet functionality is greatly reduced.
- Carrying an extra device can be limiting.
In theory, smart AI glasses provide a very effective way to understand foreign languages in real time. They can translate on screen, helping you to understand spoken language instantly. Some of the drawbacks of AI smart glasses are that they can be expensive. Real-time language translation is just one of many features these glasses encompass, so if you only need language translation, the glasses can be overkill. They’re also new tech, so while some are amazing, they still have a lot of areas where they can be improved, such as battery life, speed, and compatibility.
On the other hand, smart AI earbuds are a much simpler idea and often more affordable. Apple has just released its version of AI earbuds, and these can also live-translate language in real time. The mic simply picks up the language, and it’s able to play it back in your language through the speaker. While these also have other features included, they’re still a great language translation device option.
Some people prefer a standalone device whose main purpose is translating language. For that, handhelds really excel. These have been made to simplify the process with the click of a button for both back-and-forth conversation. We’ll go over the best options for each language translation device next.
More Affordable Real-Time Language Translation Device Options
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Offline Language Translator Device  |
| 9.1 | Check Price |
Best Affortable Language Translator Earbuds  | Paekole Language Translator Earbuds
| 8.7 | Check Price |
The ways to learn new languages are changing and thanks to improvements in tech, the doors open up even more. The two portable language translator devices are more affordable options compared to the top picks mentioned earlier. But the options don’t stop with these. To learn more about the best language translator device options (with a focus on AI glasses), make sure to watch our video below or you can read the full article here.
Watch our video on best smart translation glasses below:
Thanks for reading, I hope this review of the best language translation devices helped you! By the way, if you’re on the lookout for a new laptop, make sure try our Laptop Finder Quiz. Otherwise, check out our similar tech reviews on the links below.
