Plaud NotePin S is a wearable AI voice recorder that automatically transcribes and summarizes conversations and ideas. It's a great choice for hands-free note-taking and staying organized without the hassle of typing.
- Hands-free recording
- Automatically transcribes and summarizes
- Easy to use and wear
- Saves time on note-taking
- Limited to audio-based inputs
- Needs regular charging
- May not capture background noise clearly
I used to work in corporate, but now I'm a full-time content creator, blogger, and gadget tester. In 2025, I reviewed the Plaud Note Pro, which helped me capture ideas and create scripts without typing, saving me hours each week.
Now, as a freelancer constantly on the move, I needed something even easier to use. Enter the Plaud NotePin S, released at CES 2026. I got an early unit and wore it for 24 hours, using it during client calls, brainstorming sessions, and virtual meetings.
It's an upgrade from the original NotePin, offering hands-free, wearable convenience with AI-powered transcription. At $179, it's a must-have for creators, students, and businesspeople.
In this Plaude Notepin S review, I’ll break down its design, features, pricing, and how it compares to the previous versions.
Design & Build: Ultra-Light and Unnoticeable Until It Delivers
Premium Unboxing Experience:
- The sleek black box contains the NotePin S (51 x 21 x 11 mm, 17.4g without the pin – lighter than AirPods).
- Includes full accessory kit: magnetic pin, clip, lanyard/necklace, wristband, charging dock, USB-C cable.
- High-quality materials: durable aluminum alloy (fingerprint-resistant) with a soft-touch pill shape for a comfortable fit.
Versatile Wearability:
- Magnetic pin: Ideal for shirts/jackets, stays securely in place with no drooping, even during walks.
- Clip: Useful for collars and bags.
- Wristband: Perfect for gym sessions.
- Lanyard: Convenient for conferences.
- Tested for 2-hour park brainstorm – stayed in place with zero bounce.
Range & Noise Cancellation:
- Pickup range: Up to 9.84 feet.
- Dual MEMS microphones with AI noise cancellation for clear audio in 1:1 chats or small groups.
- Tested successfully at Dreamforce, even in noisy environments (ZDNet review).
Upgraded Button and Features:
- Physical tactile button replaces the original NotePin's haptic squeeze control, which some users found unreliable.
- Short tap for “instant highlight” – marks key moments for AI prioritization.
- Satisfying click and vibration confirmation for a better user experience.
- Bluetooth 5.2/Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) ensures quick pairing with iOS/Android app.
- Apple's Find My feature is coming soon.
Battery & Storage:
- 320mAh battery offers 20 hours of continuous recording and 40 days of standby.
- 4 hours of testing (calls and walks) left 60% battery.
- Charges in 2 hours via USB-C dock (no proprietary magnetic charging like Note Pro).
- 64GB internal storage and unlimited cloud storage post-sync.
- Caution for pacemaker users: Avoid chest area due to magnetic pin.
Comparison to Note Pro:
- NotePin S is more wearable and compact, while Note Pro is bulkier (designed for pocket or phone-back).
- Note Pro offers more microphones (4) and a longer range (16 feet) for rooms.
- NotePin S excels in mobility – wore it while grocery shopping, capturing ideas hands-free.
- CES exclusive: Seamless capture in noisy environments (CNET plans CES tests).
Minor Gripes:
- Magnetic pin removal can be tricky when attached tightly (manageable with nails).
- Lacks MagSafe compatibility (unlike the Note Pro), but clip and pin adapt well.
- Premium feel, similar to Humane AI Pin, but with a focus on simplicity and functionality.
Features & AI: A Hands-Free “Second Brain” That Thinks Like You
1. Capture Everything (Even While Moving)
Plaud NotePin S allows multimodal capture, meaning you can collect:
- Audio recordings
- Text highlights (type quick notes while recording)
- Images (snap photos through the app)
While recording, I simply tap to mark highlights like “key budget point” or “important idea”. It works beautifully even when I’m moving.
For example, I’ve recorded voice notes during dog walks wind noise removed, voice clear, thoughts captured without effort.
2. Transcription That Actually Works
Plaud supports transcription in 112 languages with around 95–98% accuracy.
- My French-accented English was transcribed perfectly
- Speaker identification clearly separates the other person
- You can add custom vocabulary using multiple glossaries (medical, legal, finance, etc.)
For my skincare brand collaborations, terms like “hyaluronic acid” were recognized correctly every time, something that many AI tools struggle with.
3. Smart Summaries That Save Time
Plaud offers 10,000+ summary templates, including:
- Meeting action items
- Interview Q&A
- Brainstorm bullet points
- Mind maps
For example, A 1-hour mock interview became a 1-page summary in under 2 minutes. A sales call template clearly showed to-dos, feedback, and next steps.
You can also use “Ask Plaud” and type questions like: “What deadlines were mentioned?”
Plaud instantly pulls the answers from your recordings.
4. AutoFlow: Everything Happens Automatically
With AutoFlow, Plaud automates the entire process: Record → Transcribe → Summarize → Export
You can export your content to:
- Google Docs
- Notion
- PDFs
- Shareable links
- It supports 27+ formats, so there’s no extra work after recording.
5. Phone Call Recording (Wearable Workaround)
Phone call recording isn’t as seamless as the Plaud Note Pro’s physical slider. However:
- I placed the NotePin S near the phone speaker
- Audio was slightly muffled, but AI cleaned about 90% of it
- CES demos suggest future Bluetooth pairing will improve this
It’s not perfect yet, but usable, especially for a wearable device.
What’s New in 2026 (And Why It Matters)
- Press-to-Highlight: Real-time AI flags important points automatically, focusing on what actually matters. Users are calling it “no more fluff.”
- Desktop App (Beta): Detects calls in the background and records naturally, no bots joining meetings.
- Multimodal Notes: Combine audio + images to create visual notes.
- Global Search: Search across all recordings instantly.
Security & Trust
Plaud meets serious enterprise standards:
- ISO 27001
- GDPR
- HIPAA
- SOC 2
Real-World Results
In my testing:
- A noisy café conversation turned into clean, professional notes
- Background chatter was removed
- I saved about 1 hour every day compared to typing and organizing manually
Differences: NotePin S vs. Note/Note Pro/Original NotePin
| Feature/Model | NotePin S ($179) | Original NotePin ($159) | Note Pro ($189) | Note ($159) |
| Form | Wearable pill (17.4g, pin/clip/wrist/lanyard) | Same pill (16.7g) | Credit-card (30g, MagSafe) | Credit-card |
| Mics/Range | 2 MEMS, 9.84ft | 2 MEMS, 9.84ft | 4 MEMS + VPU, 16.4ft | 2 MEMS |
| Button | Physical tactile (long-press record, short highlight) | Haptic squeeze (error-prone) | Auto-switch + button | Slider for calls |
| Battery | 20h record/40d standby (320mAh) | 20h/40d (270mAh) | 30h/60d | 30h |
| Storage | 64GB + unlimited cloud | 64GB | 64GB | 64GB |
| Extras | Find My soon, full accessories | Basic kit | USB-C mag charge, call slider | Basic |
| Best For | Mobile/hands-free (walks, events) | Same, but fiddly | Pocket/room meetings | Budget pocket |
Pricing Overview
Plaud’s pricing in 2026 is designed to be easy to enter and flexible as your usage grows. You pay once for the device and then choose an app plan based on how much you record.
Hardware Pricing (One-Time Purchase)
Plaud NotePin S: $179
- Available now with fast shipping
- 30-day free returns
- 1-year warranty
- 24-hour customer support
- Comes as a complete kit (no hidden accessories required)
Plaud has also hinted at CES promotions, including possible free Starter plan access with purchase.
App Subscription (Plaud.ai – Works on All Devices)
All Plaud devices use the same app and AI features. You can start free and upgrade only if needed.
Starter Plan – Free
- 300 minutes of transcription per month
- Speaker labels
- Support for 112 languages
- Access to 10,000+ summary templates
Includes beta features like:
- Multimodal notes
- AutoFlow
- Ask Plaud
This plan is more than enough for light or occasional users. I personally used only the free tier in my first month.
Pro Plan – $8.33/month (Billed Annually at $99.96)
- 1,200 minutes per month
- Ideal for regular meetings, interviews, and content creation
- Works out to about $1 per day
Unlimited Plan – $19.99/month (Billed Annually at $239.88)
- Unlimited transcription minutes
- Best for heavy users, agencies, journalists, and teams
- No worrying about usage limits
Is It Good Value?
Yes, especially when compared to competitors.
- Plaud Pro: ~$8/day annually + hardware ownership
- Otter.ai: ~$20/month for unlimited use, no hardware, and internet-dependent
With Plaud, you own the device, can record offline, and get advanced AI features at a lower long-term cost.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hands-free: AI highlights key points, like “budget $5K.”
- Accurate AI: Works well with a French-English mix, called “Otter killer.”
- Good battery and range: Works in noisy places (9ft range in a cafe).
- Syncs across app, web, and desktop: Auto-grabs Zoom calls.
- Lightweight: Weighs just 17g.
Cons
- Call recording: Speaker audio is muffled, better on Pro.
- Only black color available.
- Pacemaker warning with the button.
- $179 + subscription is more expensive than apps, but the hardware justifies it.
Quicklinks:
Conclusion: Is Plaud Notepin S Worth It?
The Plaud NotePin S is a game-changer for creators, executives, and students. It’s perfect for hands-free note-taking and beats the Note Pro for portability. If you’re always on the move, it’s a must-have.
Original NotePin users should upgrade to the new button feature. Buy now at plaud.ai before the CES stock runs out. It transformed my workflow, and it could do the same for you.
