Despite the popular apps in the latest generation smartphones, even the least savvy among journalists knows that counting on a specific tool for recording the voice can make the difference between a successful piece and send upstream hours of exclusive interviews.
The price to pay to grab these tools that wink at a somewhat démodé technology is secondary if you think about the advantages that in some cases, and for some professions, in particular, this device is able to provide.
Just know that you need to consider some essential aspects that we will expose you in this guide to choose the model that best suits your actual needs.
Here we had listed out the best voice recorders with the latest and advanced technology are present below.
- Record MP3 Audio quickly and easily
- Up to 57 hours of battery life for extended recording (MP3 128Kbps stereo)
- Built in, direct USB Connection for quick file transfer to your PC
- √[HD Recording & Automatic Noise Reduction] Adopts the latest PCM ten-core triple digital intelligent noise reduction...
- √[48GB Large Capacity in Memory] 2022 upgraded voice recorder built-in 16GB memory and a 32GB TF card (included, inserted in...
- √[Voice Activated Recorder] Turn on the voice activated function, the recorder will auto record once the sound reaches correct...
- √[Simple To Use and Multi-function] Easy to figure out. Just three-button to record, save and playback, make you never miss any...
- √[Easy Files Managment ] L87 Voice recorder can save the recording files with time stamp (File named with Year, Month, Day,...
- 【One-key operation & Voice activation 】 Turn the switch to "ON/Rec" to start recording, and turn the switch to "OFF" to save ....
- 【Free-swithing Bit & Up to 3072Kbps】The listening device can freely adjust the Bit , including...
- 【Triple Intelligent Noise Cancellation】The voice recorder adopts triple digital intelligent noise reduction technology, which...
- 【64GB capacity & Playback 】 The mini voice recorder built-in 64GB storage capacity, enough space for more than 30 hours of...
- 【Mini size & time stamp 】This voice recorder is mini and practical, which is convenient and fast for daily travel and does not...
- ✅[YOUR TRUSTED COMPANION!] - With the ALL NEW KNIGHT voice activated recorder here by your side, you'll have the exact tool you...
- ✅[THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE] The voice-activated KNIGHT KT1000 is the most versatile and best all-around audio recorder on the...
- ✅[MAGNETIC & FITS ANYWHERE!] Seamlessly tuck away your KNIGHT small voice recorder inside your purse, pocket, briefcase, jacket,...
- ✅DON'T SETTLE for an outdated recorder with worse storage, battery, & sound quality! Our sleek, stylish KNIGHT KT1000 has...
- ✅[LIFETIME WARRANTY] – KNIGHT Security is an American company with a US based team, here to answer questions whenever you need...
- 🎙【3072kbps Recording Format+ Dual Microphone Picking Sound】The 3072kbps professional recording ratio, coupled with the...
- 💾【Front Button Design & Friendly Operating System】The key is installed on the front, making the operation easier and...
- 📲【Upgraded Version of Bluetooth Recorder】Use the Bluetooth recording function to easily connect to your mobile phone to...
- 🔑【Your Efficient Assistant】It helps to record various important things when you are busy. The name of the recording file is...
- ⚙【Multi -function Voice Recorder】Voice control recording, A-B repeated, regular recording, recording monitor and other...
- 【High Quality Recording】: COCONISE Digital Voice Recorder adopts an intelligent noise reduction chip, equipped with two...
- 【Large Capacity Memory】: 64 GB recording device with super large capacity memory and storage space can store up to 16,000...
- 【Quick Record】: Audio recorder equipped with a quick record button, just press your thumb to start recording, you don't have...
- 【Voice activated recorder】: You can activate the voice-activated recording function. When there is sound, it will...
- 【High Privacy】: You can set a 4-digit password to prevent others from stealing your Voice Recorder content so that you can...
- PREMIUM SOUND QUALITY SIMPLE OPERATION: This recorder upgraded its higher sensitive microphones,means that you can enjoy premium...
- VOICE ACTIVATED RECORDER: Set the recorder to voice activated recording,catch the speaking words only.No more silent whisper or...
- A-B REPEAT FUNCTION: This is a great feature to help you study language,review lessons from selected starting point A to ending...
- EASY TRANSFER FILES: Voice recorder mac compatible. It supports recording files in MP3 or WAV format.You can transfer files easily...
- MP3 PLAYER: Not only a voice recorder,but a music player. Help you relax after your tired lectures, classes or meetings. Aomago...
- 1536Kbps dual-mic PCM High quality recording✔--E36 voice recorder equipped with dual sensitive microphone and professional...
- 72GB(8+64) memory and high capacity battery ✔--Built-in 800mAh rechargeable battery,support up to 45 hours continuous...
- Simple designed,easy to use,lifetime software upgrade service✔--The most user friendly voice recorder designed by aiworth,all...
- Power-on password protection✔--3-digit password,8000 combinations,Without your password,no one could turn on the device and...
- Variable Play Speed✔ --16 levels to adjust the play speed,play faster,jump to the point you exactly want to playback;play slowly...
- Enhanced sound quality
- Newly updated slimmer design
- Built-in stereo microphone and voice operated recording
- Three recording options: wide/stereo, narrow/focus and normal
- Quick charge; up to 1-hour recording time, with 3-minute charge
- 【Voice Recorder PCM 1536kbps Recording】🎙️Langkou Voice Recorder With the latest PCM deca-core triple digital intelligent...
- 【One-Touch Recording】👉Super easy step-by-step recording, perfect for recording beginners. Turn the power switch on and...
- 【64GB Large Capacity in Memory】📂Langkou 2023 upgraded recorder has a built-in 64GB TF card expansion memory and the 64GB...
- 【Voice Activated Recording】🗣️When voice-activated recording is turned on, the recorder only captures audio content clips...
- 【Rest Screen And Automatic Shutdown】 ⏱️After turning on the power of the recorder into the standby state, fifteen seconds...
Buying Guide to Select the Best Voice Recorders
Technological Innovations
Magnetic tape microcassettes or bulky devices that were once necessary to capture the voice and imprint it on a memory medium are now a thing of the past. The new era of dictaphones involves the introduction of the most popular digital archiving and data transfer systems directly on the PC.
Compare prices and you will find that the best performing models are those able to combine a good data storage capacity with a battery autonomy adequate for the recording hours that can be stored on the device.
Small Is Better
The ranking of the best-selling models is led by the more compact ones that allow them to be transported easily in all circumstances. This is because a voice recorder is usually used outdoors, to record a lecture at the university or to fix an important conversation on a storage device that can take place anywhere.
Here the reviews often highlight the handling of the tool associated with the ease with which it can be used. Few keys and clearly identifiable functions make the use of these accessories very intuitive and immediate.
Another detail not to be overlooked is the way in which the data collected is transferred to the PC, the simpler it is, the less work will be to archive the soundtrack later.
The models that have an integrated USB output allow immediate and intuitive use of the device, but also the other solutions equipped with a cable with which to start the connection are equally valid.
Recording Quality
The quality of the microphone supported by the voice recorder is directly responsible for the success of the recording, there are several proposals on the market, but the best brand is the one that offers a range of activities within a few centimeters up to 7/9 meters of sensitivity.
The microphone is often external and its technical characteristics must make it able to accurately detect the sound to be brought back on the track to be used later.
Inputs and Connections
The inevitable USB input allows you to directly connect the recorder to your computer; the cable is included. The recorder is recognized as external memory: from here it is possible to copy files and folders simply by dragging them onto the PC.
The microphone input allows you to connect another microphone in addition to the integrated monaural one to increase the recording range and the overall sound quality but, according to user reviews, this is a little practiced solution. There is simply no need: there is no comparison with the audio recorded by the smartphone.
It is possible to connect headphones that, as mentioned, are used to monitor the recording or listen to it with greater concentration even in an environment that requires maximum silence such as a library. There is instead the slot to insert a memory card that would have allowed to multiply the storage space.
Storage Space and Battery Life
The recorder has an integrated 4 GB memory. But how many hours of recording can be stored? This depends on the quality you choose. The files are recorded in MP3 format: if you select the highest quality, you get 43 hours and 25 minutes; with the recording at high (not very high) quality it is possible to reach 65 hours and 10 minutes; going down one step, it reaches 173 hours, while with the lowest quality level the recording time even exceeds 1,000 hours. As for battery life, it ranges from 32 hours at 8 Kbps up to 65 hours at 128 Kbps.
How to Use a Voice Recorder?
In an era in which smartphones represent real multimedia platforms that make it possible for us to take photos, videos and also record ambient audio, it seems strange that devices such as voice recorders may still exist on the market. Yet this tool is still highly appreciated by many people who, for reasons of study or work, make it widely used.
Digital technology has also made it possible to do without cassettes, which were used as a medium on which to record audio tracks, and the new models of voice recorder available on the market.
By now, we are almost all equipped with an internal memory on which to save the tracks in digital format, making it much easier both the functionality of the recorder and the work of transferring and reorganizing the recorded material.
Digital Evolution
Magnetic tape microcassettes have become mere collectibles now; thanks to digital technology today you only have to carry the recorder with you and, consequently, you can do without transporting the supply of microcassettes, saving further weight and bulk and avoiding the risk of frustrating the work done, in case of loss or accidental damage to the engraved tapes.
Almost all voice recorders record in MP3 format and are equipped with a USB input so that they can be connected to an external memory medium, or to the computer, and immediately store the data contained in the resident memory when it fills up.
The capacity of the storage memory is certainly the element that most affects the price, the budget models have a capacity that can vary from 4 to 8 GB, equivalent to autonomy from 200 to 400 hours of recording; Recorders with a higher memory capacity can be found if desired but at a significantly higher cost.
Types
The models on the market are truly numerous, and available in every price range, from the cheapest to the most expensive ones; not all, however, offer the same performance and functionality, and since the latter are multiple and specific depending on the type of use required of the instrument.
They are not necessarily linked to the price range. This means that, depending on your particular needs, you may find a dictaphone with excellent performance even among the models belonging to the cheaper range.
Some, in fact, prefer the qualities of portability and practical functionality, for which they are more compact and lighter and tend to be equipped with table stands so that they can be used during conferences or desk interviews.
Others, on the other hand, are larger and more robust, made to withstand more field use; these models tend to favor battery quality and life a lot, just to give a practical example.
The sound quality of the microphone and speaker, as well as the effective range and the possible presence of filters to eliminate the frequencies of background noise, or to improve the quality of the recordings, are all elements to consider based on your needs.