Cutting the Language Barrier: My Honest Review of the Miniso M98 Translation Earbuds

Here is a blog post reviewing the M98 Translation Earbuds, written in a conversational and informative style suitable for a tech or lifestyle blog.

Picture this: You’re standing in a bustling market in Tokyo, trying to order a bowl of ramen, but the menu is a complete mystery. Or maybe you’re in a business meeting with a client from Spain, and the Google Translate app on your phone feels clunky and distracting.

For years, real-time translation has felt like something out of a sci-fi movie. But recently, I picked up a pair of Miniso M98 Translation Earbuds to see if this futuristic tech is finally accessible to the average consumer.

Miniso is a brand we all know for affordable lifestyle products, but does their entry into the audio tech world hold up? I’ve been testing them for a week, and here’s the verdict.

First Impressions: Unboxing & Design

Right out of the box, the M98s feel surprisingly premium for their price point (which is significantly lower than high-end options like the Google Pixel Buds or Timekettle devices).

The charging case has a sleek, matte finish that resists fingerprints—a huge plus for someone like me who keeps tech in their bag. The earbuds themselves are lightweight with a stem design that resembles the AirPods, making them comfortable for extended wear. They come with three different sizes of ear tips, which is essential for blocking out background noise during translation.

The Star of the Show: Translation Capabilities

This is why you’re buying these, right? The M98s promise real-time translation. To use this feature, you need to download the accompanying app (let’s call it the M98 App). It’s straightforward and connects via Bluetooth.

How the Translation Works

There are two main modes I tested:

1. Speaker Mode (Conversational)
This is designed for two people. You wear one earbud, and your conversation partner wears the other. When you speak, the app translates your voice and plays it through the phone’s speaker (or their earbud) in the target language. When they reply, it translates back into your ear.

• The Verdict: It works best in a quiet environment. In a coffee shop, we had to speak a bit louder than normal, but the translation accuracy for common phrases (English to Spanish and English to Mandarin) was about 90% accurate. There was a slight delay—about 1 to 2 seconds—but that’s standard for this tech.

2. APP Mode (Phone-to-Phone)
If you only have one pair of earbuds, you can use the "Free Mode" on the app. You speak into your phone, it translates, and the other person reads the text or hears the audio on your phone. They then speak into your phone to translate back.

• The Verdict: This is slower and less immersive than the earbud mode, but it’s a great backup for situations where you don't want to share earbuds (like with a taxi driver or a stranger asking for directions).

Supported Languages

The M98 supports over 40 languages and 90 accents. While major languages like English, Chinese, Spanish, French, and Japanese are robust, I did notice that less common dialects might struggle slightly with regional slang. However, for standard vocabulary and grammar, it’s impressive.

Audio Quality: Beyond Translation

A pleasant surprise: The M98s are actually good music earbuds.

• Bass & Mids: The sound profile is balanced. The bass isn't muddy, and the vocals are crisp.


• Noise Cancellation: They feature ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation). While you won't get total silence like with Sony or Bose headphones, it does a decent job of filtering out background chatter, which is crucial for accurate translation.

If you’re using these for your daily commute or gym session, they hold up perfectly fine.

Battery Life

• Earbuds: I got about 5 to 6 hours of continuous translation usage on a single charge.


• Case: The case provides an additional 20 hours.


• Charging: It uses a standard USB-C cable, useful guide which is convenient.

The Pros and Cons

What I Loved:

• Price: It’s one of the most affordable ways to get hardware-based translation.


• No Internet Required (Sort of): While the app needs a download initially, many language packs work offline, which is great for traveling without data roaming.


• Comfort: I wore them for a 3-hour flight without ear fatigue.

What Needs Work:

• App Dependency: You must have the app open on your phone for the translation to work. If your phone dies, the earbuds are just regular Bluetooth earbuds.


• Environment Sensitivity: In loud, windy, or echoey environments, the translation accuracy drops. You need to speak clearly and at a moderate pace.


• Latency: There is a slight lag (as mentioned). It’s not instant, so you have to pause slightly after you speak.

Who Are These For?

The Miniso M98 Translation Earbuds aren't for professional interpreters, and they won't replace learning a language. However, they are an excellent tool for:

1. Budget Travelers: If you’re backpacking through Asia or Europe, these are a lifesaver for ordering food, buying train tickets, or checking into a hotel.


2. Students: Great for practicing a second language with a partner.


3. Tech Enthusiasts: If you love gadgets but don't want to drop $300 on specialized translation hardware, this is a fun entry point.

Final Thoughts

The Miniso M98 Translation Earbuds prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a taste of the future. While they aren't perfect—the lag and background noise sensitivity are real limitations—they get the job done surprisingly well for the price.

For under $50 (prices may vary), they offer a unique blend of utility and fun. They’ve already saved me from ordering a dish I was allergic to in a restaurant, and for that alone, they’ve earned a permanent spot in my travel bag.

Rating: 4/5 Stars (Points deducted for app dependency and lag in noisy areas).

Have you tried translation earbuds before? How did they handle your language of choice? Let me know in the comments!