Office headset
−5%
EUR425,99 was EUR449,–
Jabra Evolve3 85 MS + charging station
Wireless, USB-C, Microsoft teams
Office headset meets everyday headphones: Jabra Evolve 3 85 review
13.4.2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
The Jabra Evolve 3 85 is designed to serve as both an office headset and everyday headphones – without a microphone arm. The concept works, just not for everyone.
Jabra is placing the Evolve 3 85 in two use categories: office headsets with a microphone arm and everyday headphones from brands like Sony, Bose, or Apple. The approach sounds promising, especially for users who work in a hybrid setup and don’t want to carry a separate device for every situation. I think the concept works, and I’d buy the headset – if it weren’t so expensive.
Slim design
You’ll notice how light it is the moment you put it on: weighing just 220 grammes, the headset is light, compact, and comfortable to wear – even during long workdays – and stays in place well. It can also be folded up and stored in the included travel bag. Handy!
The build quality is impressive: its metal headband gives the headset a premium look, and the mesh ear cushions can be replaced if needed.
The controls are primarily located on the right ear cup. On the left side, you’ll only find the power switch and the active noise cancellation (ANC) button. A Teams button on the outside of the right ear cup completes the control layout.
Over-ear headphones with effective noise cancellation
The Evolve 3 85 completely envelops the ears, providing excellent passive noise isolation and enhancing the effectiveness of the ANC. Active noise cancellation works reliably: train noise is almost completely eliminated, and voices are muffled. However, its performance doesn’t quite measure up to the Sony WH-1000XM series.
One useful feature is sidetone: it lets me hear my own voice through the headset, slightly muffled. It feels a bit strange at first, but it helps me speak more quietly during video conferences. This feature remains available even when ANC is enabled.
Bluetooth with or without a dongle
The headset uses Bluetooth 5.4 with the LC3 codec. A USB Bluetooth dongle is included in case your device doesn’t support Bluetooth. You can pair two devices with the headphones at the same time. According to Jabra, their range is 15 to 30 metres – which matches my test results. The connection stays stable; impact noise isn’t an issue.
The battery life is impressive: without ANC, Jabra promises up to 120 hours of music playback. With ANC enabled and during meetings, I ended up with about 25 hours of battery life – still an impressive result. Thanks to the fast-charging feature, just a few minutes of charging provides several hours of use. Charging happens via USB or wirelessly.
One of the highlights is the removable battery. While many devices become unusable over time due to declining battery performance, Jabra offers a sustainable solution. This is a plus for both individual users as well as for companies that use headsets on a large scale. According to Jabra’s manual, replacing the battery is easy using just a screwdriver.
Microphone without an arm: surprisingly good
The absence of a microphone arm is the most noticeable difference compared to traditional business headsets. I’m initially sceptical: the arm-less microphones on the Logitech G325, which I recently tested, are of poor quality. But Jabra have convinced me.
Whether I’m out on the road or at a restaurant, the microphone effectively removes background noise and transmits my voice clearly. My colleagues hardly noticed any difference from my Rode NT USB, which I do admittedly often place too far away.
Still, if you need the best possible sound quality and maximum noise isolation, a headset with a microphone arm is a must. The arm’s positioned closer to the mouth and does a better job of isolating the voice from background noise. Still, for a headset without an arm, the Evolve 3 85 delivers impressive performance.
Good for calls, less so for music
The Evolve 3 85 is optimised for voices. Whenever I talk to someone, I can hear them clearly – this is where the headset really shines. I wouldn’t want to do without it in meetings any more.
When it comes to music, the focus is clearly on the midrange: lyrics are clearly audible, even in bass-heavy tracks like Fenêtre Sur Rue. The bass is nuanced, but the treble could be more prominent. Overall, the headset offers a warm sound, but it doesn’t quite measure up to dedicated music headphones. Anyone who prefers a V-shaped sound will be disappointed.
In a nutshell
A headset between two worlds – some compromises necessary
The Jabra Evolve 3 85 fills a gap I’m familiar with. Everyday headphones are often unsuitable for work calls, while traditional office headsets struggle when you’re listening to music or travelling. The Evolve 3 85 convincingly combines the best of both worlds. Its design, build quality, battery life, and connectivity make it a great all-around device.
However, if you work in noisy environments and need the best possible voice quality, go for a headset with a microphone arm. And if you’re looking for the best sound quality as well as maximum noise cancellation, you’re better off choosing dedicated headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6.
The price is still the biggest sticking point: at over 350 francs (as of 1 April 2026), the headset is more expensive than many of its competitors.
Pro
- Very comfortable
- Sleek, elegant design
- Good sound quality for calls
- A reasonably good microphone
- Excellent battery life with fast charging
- Replaceable parts for a longer service life
Contra
- Voice quality lacking compared to traditional headsets
- You can find better headphones for music
- Expensive
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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