Plaud AI has just launched a brand-new AI tech gadget, and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s ticking many of the right boxes to become a real success, much like the original Plaud Note.
Last year, I reviewed the Plaud Note here on Dapper & Groomed and quickly realised it was one of the first AI gadgets that felt genuinely useful in day-to-day life. I even compared it to the excellent Insta360 Wave AI Speakerphone. While the Wave is brilliant for meetings and desk use, the Plaud Note remained my go-to option for people on the move or those working between home and the office.
Today, I’m genuinely excited to introduce Plaud’s latest product: the NotePin S.
This is not a full review. Instead, this post focuses on the unboxing experience and my first impressions after getting the device in hand. The core functionality of the NotePin S is very similar to other Plaud AI products, so rather than repeating specs, I want to share what you actually get in the box and how the product feels in real life. A full, in-depth review will follow in around two weeks.
Since launching Dapperandgroomed.com back in 2013, I’ve reviewed everything from Chromebooks and tablets to smartphones and audio gear. I never imagined that AI devices would become this practical, or that I’d be testing products from brands like Plaud AI. Yet here we are.
1. Packaging & Brand Identity
Plaud AI has absolutely nailed it here. The NotePin S comes in a minimalist, well-designed box that immediately feels premium. Personally, I prefer this packaging to the original Plaud Note, it looks more mature, more confident, and clearly designed with attention to detail in mind.
Packaging isn’t everything, of course, but in my experience, when a brand puts real effort into presentation, it often reflects the quality of the product inside. And this is one of those cases. Opening the box feels almost Apple-like. Everything is neatly arranged, satisfying to unbox, and well thought out.
On the inside of the front cover, Plaud has even included a clear visual guide showing the different ways you can wear the NotePin S: simple, practical, and genuinely useful.
2. Plaud NotePin S: Full Box Contents and Accessories Revealed
Plaud AI hasn’t cut any corners here. Inside the box, every accessory you need to use the NotePin S is included and clearly laid out. In the lower section, you’ll find a black envelope containing the user guide and safety information. Once that’s removed, the full contents are revealed:
NotePin S device
Charging dock
USB-C charging cable
Wristband
Lanyard
Clip
Magnetic clip
Everything has its place, and the presentation feels intentional rather than rushed. From an unboxing perspective, this is one of the better experiences I’ve had with an AI gadget recently.
3. First Impressions
Plaud Notepin S
I really enjoyed the design and build quality of the original Plaud Note, and the NotePin S continues in the same direction. Most of the accessories feel premium and well made. If I had to be critical, the wristband is the only element that feels slightly less refined compared to the rest but that’s a minor point.
The charging dock is excellent. Solid, well-designed, and exactly what you’d expect from a high-end product. The NotePin S itself is impressively light (lighter than I expected), very compact, and extremely portable. In the hand, it feels like a genuinely high-quality device, not a cheap tech accessory.
Once again, Plaud AI’s attention to branding, materials, and overall finish really stands out.
4. Final Thoughts
My first impressions of the NotePin S are very positive. This feels like a high-end, thoughtfully designed AI device that will appeal to a wider audience thanks to its versatility and wearable format. If the real-world performance and software experience live up to what Plaud delivered with the original Plaud Note, then the NotePin S could easily become another standout product for the brand.
I’ll be publishing my full review very soon, once I’ve had enough time to test it properly in daily use. In the meantime, you can watch my unboxing video on YouTube or read my in-depth review of the original Plaud Note to get a better sense of how Plaud AI products perform long term.
The Plaud NotePin S is available directly from Plaud AI’s official website:
Plaud US (here) $179, and Plaud UK (here) £159
Jerome
About the Author: Jerome is an independent men’s lifestyle blogger and product reviewer with over 12 years of hands-on experience testing men’s grooming products, skincare, fragrances, and everyday tech. He is French, based in the UK, and writes for an international audience, with readers primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. DapperandGroomed.com was founded in 2013 and focuses on experience-based reviews, long-term testing, and honest recommendations.