I'm a Travel Writer, and These Are My Favorite Digital Translators to Use Abroad (2024)

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Our Top Picks

The Vasco Translator V4 earns top pick as the best overall digital translator in my books. This compact translator looks and feels like using a smartphone; the user-friendly touchscreen and camera are very intuitive and easy to figure out. I like that I can hand the device over to anyone I meet and without having to explain what to do, they’re able to figure it out so we can have a conversation despite not sharing a common language.

I also really like that this translator offers voice, text, and photo translation. It makes it easy to communicate with people, but it’s also great for autonomy; you’re able to read things like menus or subway signs without having to ask for English translations. Something else that is particularly great about this translator is that it offers voice-to-text translations. I’ve actually used this to practice my Turkish pronunciation (if the text it picks up matches what I’m saying when I’m attempting to speak Turkish, I know my pronunciation is correct).

The price point for this option is admittedly higher than a lot of other digital translators on the market right now — but I think it’s worth the price if you plan on using it frequently. The translator comes with a built-in SIM card and free lifetime data so you can rest comfortably knowing that you’ll always be connected and able to translate wherever you might find yourself. This translator also offers a whopping 108 different languages available, which is leagues better than most translators currently available.

The Details: 2.17 x 0.39 x 5.87 inches | 4.7 ounces | 108 languages available | Free lifetime data / Built-in SIM

The Timekettle T1 Mini Translator Device is a great option if you’re looking for a digital translation device that doesn’t break the bank. This relatively budget-friendly option offers translation of 39 languages and 88 accents with 13 major languages available offline. It also comes with one year of free data (after that you can opt to pay for a subscription fee or simply use it in Wi-Fi or offline.)

We really liked that this option offers voice, text, and image translation and is relatively user-friendly and easy to figure out. It features automatic language detection as well — so you won’t have to worry about figuring out any settings before starting a conversation with a local.

The one thing we didn’t love was the small screen — while it’s great that this translation device is so compact and easy to fit into your pocket, the screen might be difficult for some folks to read. This can lead to issues when you’re trying to have a conversation with a local who has to go searching for their reading glasses before they can communicate with you.

The Details: 3.58 x 2.15 x 0.53 inches | 80 grams | 39 languages and 88 accents; 13 offline languages | One year of free data

Looking for something a little more subtle? The Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds replace the digital translation device and instead function like you have a real translator speaking into your ear. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a translation device that’ll suit more professional scenarios, or intimate settings where you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone speaking a different language.

We also really like that these earbuds actually double as a traditional pair of Bluetooth earbuds. You can easily pair them with your smartphone and use them to listen to music or take calls as needed. They offer a 7.5-hour battery life and come with a charging case that lasts for up to 25 hours of use. The earbuds are also noise-canceling and boast a 10mm diaphragm high-performance speaker.

This option is a lot cheaper than the other digital translation devices out there — but it’s not as convenient as the smartphone-style option. You can’t translate menus or anything visual that you might need to figure out. The translator also requires pairing with your smartphone, which isn’t always comfortable when trying to speak with a local for help. The great thing about a traditional translator device is that you don’t need to hand your phone over to a stranger.

The Details: 6.77 x 3.98 x 1.85 inches | 7.8 ounces | 40 languages | 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do digital translators work?

  Digital translators work by analyzing words, phrases, and sentence structure and matching it to a database of grammar rules and vocabulary. More advanced voice translators also use things like tone of voice and diction in order to provide a more accurate translation.

• How is a digital translator better than a translation app?

  Digital translators and translation apps work pretty similarly — but digital translators tend to be a better option while traveling. You also tend to use your digital translator in places and situations where you might not want to have your phone out like on the subway or passing the device to a stranger in order to have a conversation. Digital translators also tend to have a much better battery life than your smartphone, which means you’ll never find yourself without translation help while on the go.

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