Sound recorders have been used by mankind for a very long time, starting from the first vinyl records and ending with modern digital equipment designed for high-quality music tracks. One of the most popular and widespread devices of this type are voice recorders - they can be analog or digital, and each design has its own characteristics.
On sale you can find a large number of such products, but most users do not understand how to choose these products. To make up for this problem, we decided to write a rating of the best voice recorders of 2019. Let's just sort it out first, on the basis of what such products are chosen, and subsequently turn to the analysis of the operational qualities of these structures.
Summary of the rating:
How to choose and buy a voice recorder?
Analogue recorders are an anachronism; it’s almost impossible to find them on sale. They differ in not too high recording quality and short-term work in standalone mode. In this regard, it is better to give preference to digital models. They are recorded either in the internal memory of the product or on an installed memory card. It will not be superfluous to inquire in what format the file is saved. In most cases, voice recorders work with extensions such as .wma or .mp3. The latter is most convenient, since it is the most common - it can be listened to without a dictaphone or in the player without additional processing; such files weigh not too much.
Be sure to decide for what purpose the recorder is acquired. If you write down some of your important thoughts on it, then products that are not very high quality are quite suitable. For professional use, for example, in journalism during an interview, you will have to buy a product more expensive, so that in the process of decoding the record you can clearly hear the voices of all those directly involved in the conversation. In addition, such products will clearly identify the speaker's voice. An important point is the bit rate - 32, 64, 128 or 256 kbps.
A very important point is the possibility of autonomous operation - devices can operate on the basis of finger batteries or on a built-in battery. Based on this indicator, it will be possible to calculate how much time one charge will last. It is advisable to choose the capacity of the built-in memory as large as possible, since this will allow you to save the maximum number of files. It is very convenient if the recorder has a slot for installing a removable memory card.
One of the key characteristics is the sensitivity of the microphone - this parameter determines at what maximum distance it will be possible to record the voice of a talking person. Usually, such a parameter is indicated in meters in the instructions, but you should not trust this point - it is advisable to test the recorder before buying so that you can check at what real distance the person will be well heard.Designs may have a number of additional features, for example, several varieties of recording, the presence of an external microphone, and so on.
When choosing models for inclusion in our rating of the best voice recorders, we primarily relied on the factors discussed above, however, we took into account user reviews and the ratio of price and quality of products. We tried to include in the review as many affordable designs as possible, which will be affordable for most of our users. Now let's get down to a direct analysis of the performance characteristics of specific models.
Budget items
4. Ritmix RR-120 4Gb
It has a very compact overall dimensions - this allows you to wear it even in the pocket of your trousers or jacket. The case is made of sheet metal equipped with stiffeners, in addition, this allows you to give the product additional style. In addition to the direct function of the recorder, this device can also be used as a classic mp3 player. The product is capable of reproducing most popular music formats - .mp3, .wma, .flac, .ape and some others. The sensitivity of the built-in microphone is quite high, thanks to which it is possible to get a very high quality of the recorded sound, and in the model settings you can choose the most suitable file extension. The model is capable of saving data in .wav formats (bitrate is 1536 kbit / s) or .mp3 (192 kbit / s). No need to convert files. The design is equipped with a very interesting feature - automatic voice activation VOR. When activated, the recording will begin immediately after the microphone design detects any sounds.
The display here is a liquid crystal segment. A standard headphone jack is provided so that you can listen to both the recordings themselves and the music stored in memory. It is used as a regular flash drive when connected to a laptop or personal computer, in other words, you do not have to install drivers. The battery here is lithium-ion, its working life is quite enough for 7-8 hours of continuous operation in recording mode, and in listening mode and more LLP. Recording in case of low battery is saved automatically.
Benefits:
- Compact overall dimensions;
- Very easy and simple to use;
- High quality recording;
- Original and stylish case;
- Reasonable cost;
- Can be used as a player.
Disadvantages:
- Buttons could have been made bigger - it’s not very convenient to press them.
3. Olympus VN-541PC
Despite the fact that this model appeared on sale almost three years ago, until today it is widely popular among consumers, largely due to the quite reasonable cost and ease of management. This digital model has a very sensitive microphone, so it is perfect for recording lectures. In addition, this design will be very suitable for making short notes or notes - just one touch is enough, after which the model will record everything that a person says. The display here is liquid crystal, has a small diagonal and resolution, but it is quite informative. The sound during playback is clear, a microUSB cable is supplied with the product for quick connection to a computer. Management is intuitive, the interface is completely Russified. All functions are elementary.
The battery is quite powerful - up to 25 hours of recording can be performed on a single charge. To activate the device, just set the REC slider to the active position, the recorder will start working even if it was previously turned off. There are several modes of operation - music, speech, notes, the function of continuous recording. They can be selected both in a manual format, and due to the default setting.The most important fragments can be noted thanks to special marks - they can be placed up to 99 in one file. The device has an active system for suppressing extraneous noise. The kit also comes with a special case, which makes using the device absolutely safe.
Benefits:
- Easy enough to use;
- Instantly reacts to inclusion;
- Powerful battery
- High quality recording.
Disadvantages:
- Despite the fact that the device has a stereo microphone, recording is still carried out in mono mode.
2. Ritmix RR-610 4Gb
It has a very interesting appearance, which will retain its attractiveness throughout the entire period of operation. The model is equipped with a lithium-ion battery, which is able to work offline for a long time. The device charges for about two to three hours. The case is made of matte black plastic, on which fingerprints will hardly be visible. Behind the removable cap is an ordinary USB connector. The cap itself is put on the body quite tightly. There are quite a lot of control buttons, in particular, there is rewinding of the recording, which is very convenient if there is a need to return to a specific section, rather than listening to the file from the very beginning. There are two connectors on one of the end sides, through one of them you can connect headphones, and the second is a microphone input. It is worth noting that the kit includes headphones, but their sound quality is average.
There is a speaker hole on the rear panel. The standard microphone for fairly cheap models is monophonic, but the recording quality is quite acceptable. Its location is very convenient, the best sound is recorded, speaking directly into the microphone, however, this problem can be easily solved by connecting an external device. Direct access to the recorder is provided without additional installation of drivers and special software. There are several modes of recording quality, and the size of the file will depend on this. The power button is mechanical, it is located quite conveniently. The battery capacity is 180 mAh, which will be enough for continuous operation for 6-8 hours.
Benefits:
- Light weight;
- Reasonable cost;
- Decent speaker volume;
- Convenient power button, which can be easily detected by touch;
- Charging via USB.
Disadvantages:
- The cap that closes the USB port is held tight at first, and after a while it can become a little loose.
1. Philips DVT2000
Very convenient and compact device that allows you to provide the highest quality voice recording. The housing has a special connector for connecting an external microphone. In general, the device itself looks very attractive and original. On the front panel you can find a silver insert made of polished metal. The case is made of high-quality plastic with a matte finish, so the recorder will not slip out even from wet hands. The ergonomics of the device are thought out very carefully - all controls are arranged in such a way that it is convenient to use with one hand. On the left side you can find a microUSB format port, here is also a slot for installing a microSD memory card, which is closed by a special plug.
On the right side of the case there is a button that allows you to choose in which folder you want to save the recorded file. If necessary, labels can be set in the document to provide maximum convenience for working with the recording. On the back of the case is a cover that hides the battery compartment, which uses standard AAA finger batteries. It is worth noting that instead of them, you can install batteries of the same size. The kit comes with a headset, but it is very simple. The display here is a monochrome LCD.At the top of the front panel is an LED indicator that allows you to determine in which mode the device is currently operating. When it plays files, it will turn green, while recording a red light is lit.
Benefits:
- Ideal for simple needs;
- Acceptable recording quality;
- Inexpensively worth;
- Long service life;
- High-quality assembly;
- Attractive appearance;
- It is possible to connect an additional microphone.
Disadvantages:
- Not found.
The best devices in terms of price and quality
4. Olympus VP-10
A universal product that is suitable for absolutely everyone - journalists, students, lawyers and other people who want to get the best sound quality in the recording process. With its small overall dimensions, such a device is able to give a significant head start to its counterparts. In its form, the design resembles a standard pen, which is very convenient to carry in your pocket. All the main product controls are placed on the front of the unit. There is also a special indicator that informs the user about the inclusion of the recording process, and it is located not only from the outside, but also duplicated from the back. At the top of the gadget is a lever that activates the recording process itself. It works both from the battery that comes with the kit, and from a standard battery.
Like most models included in our review of the best voice recorders, there is a jack for standard headphones. Recording is carried out in stereo format largely due to the presence of two additional microphones near this connector. On the back of the case you can find a clothespin that will fix the gadget in the user's pocket. The USB connector is closed with a special rubberized cap, which is very convenient to remove and connect the product to a personal computer or laptop. The recorded recording can be heard both in real time and with slowdown or acceleration. The default settings are optimal for all operating modes.
Benefits:
- Very simple device management system;
- Even when in the bag or in your pocket, the recorder is able to qualitatively record quiet sounds;
- Buttons can easily be found by touch, they are pressed with a characteristic quiet click.
Disadvantages:
- The battery included in the kit is weak, so it is better to start using the batteries right away.
3. Edic-mini Tiny A45-1Gb
As most users note, this device can be easily ranked as a professional product. The recorder is easy to operate, the case is quite elegant and easy to use. A voice activation system for the VAS gadget is provided, with which you can significantly save battery power and free space. There is not too much of it in this device, which is easily compensated by the possibility of placing a microSD format memory card in a special slot. The device is perfect for making hidden recordings. At first glance, an inexperienced observer may think that this is not a voice recorder, but the most ordinary pen.
The design weighs very little - only 14 grams without taking into account the mass of the battery. The built-in battery will be enough to produce 50 hours of continuous recording or 120 hours of the recorder in standby mode. If necessary, the user can activate the timer, in the settings there is an opportunity to change the sensitivity of microphone perception of sound vibrations. The housing has a jack for installing an external microphone. Using the equipment is very simple, besides it is very economical in consuming battery power, you can charge it from the network through a special adapter or when connected to a personal computer.
Benefits:
- Minimum overall dimensions of the device and weight;
- Secretive design and excellent build quality;
- It operates for a long time on a single battery charge.
Disadvantages:
- Not so easy to find for sale in ordinary stores.
2. Olympus WS-853
The gadget has high performance indicators, in addition, the recording is made in stereo format with support for Smart functionality. This allows you to make the recorder simple and very enjoyable to use. The device has a reliable and easy to connect noise reduction system. The microphone is capable of covering a radius of 90 degrees, which will allow a person not to miss anything important among what is happening around. In order to listen to the stored recordings as comfortable and convenient as possible, the recorder will automatically reduce the input signal level, so that it is possible to achieve a single volume level. Even a person who did not previously hold similar products in his hands will be able to understand the design interface. On the case there is a socket for connecting to a personal computer - so the design will charge or transfer the recorded data to the PC hard drive.
This recorder is capable of supporting the largest memory capacity of a removable flash drive up to 32 GB. He has an indexing of the most important moments in the conversation - you can place up to 99 tags. The maximum output power will be about 250 mW. Such an indicator for such a product will be quite enough if you have to listen to the recording directly through the microphone of the device. The display, like most designs, is liquid crystal, does not differ in full color. The model is capable of working on rechargeable batteries or on other power sources.
Benefits:
- Excellent sensitivity of the device;
- Attractive appearance;
- Long service life;
- Batteries can be used absolutely from any price range.
- It is an acceptable battery life.
Disadvantages:
- The developers did not provide for the presence of LED backlight.
1. Sony ICD-TX650
It has a very compact overall dimensions, which does not affect the final quality of sound recording. When creating this recorder, the developers used only the most modern developments. This allowed us to make the model quite compact, and due to the presence of a built-in battery in the device, a long life of the structure is ensured. The display here is very bright, such as OLED. With it, configure the recorder to fit your immediate needs. The range of internal memory of the model will directly depend on the configuration of the model. This design looks very expensive, stylish and modern. All design controls are located only on the sides. The headphone jack was decided to be installed between two stereo microphones. In the frame itself, located in the area of the display itself, there is an LED indicator for sound recording.
The display is bright, clear, economical and consumes a small amount of energy. The battery is lithium-ion. You can charge it either directly from a personal computer or through the chargers of smartphones. There is as much as 16 GB of internal memory in the product, if desired, this amount can be further expanded.
Users appreciated this gadget. It looks very stylish, takes up a minimal amount of free space in the room. The overall dimensions are small, so the recorder can be worn even in the shirt pocket. The product is well suited for hidden use. The interface is clear and very convenient, even a person who has not used such designs before can easily figure it out. The amount of internal memory is 16 GB - it is enough for a device such as a voice recorder.The kit has everything you need for comfortable use - headphones, a cord for connecting to a computer, a case made of genuine leather.
Benefits:
- Excellent recording quality regardless of the selected mode;
- A decent amount of internal memory;
- Beautiful appearance, the device itself weighs a little;
- Good assembly - does not play or creak anything;
- A wide selection of recording and playback settings.
Disadvantages:
- Decent cost.
Premium Voice Recorders
2. Edic-mini Tiny + B76-150hq
For professional products, it has small overall dimensions - 30x25x6 mm and weighs only 16 g. Power is supplied by a CR2016 format battery, and one of it will be enough for recording during the day. The memory is protected - it can fit about 150 hours. There is a built-in professional microphone, the sensitivity of which reaches 12 meters, and the voice, even quite quiet, will be very clearly audible. Extended functionality, managing the recorder is very simple. On the case you can find only one single switch on / off the device, which is easily felt with your fingers. The operation of the gadget is controlled by a special LED that notifies you of the amount of free space, the battery charge, and so on.
The autonomy of the user will be able to significantly extend due to the VAS mode and several timers. The product has a whole system of digital type markers, which will fully guarantee that the recording was made on this recorder and did not go through editing. In addition, a loopback function is provided when old data is erased and new data is written in their place. File transfer is carried out using the supplied USB adapter. You have to install special software designed to work with the Windows operating system, it comes complete with a voice recorder.
Benefits:
- Small overall dimensions;
- Able to work up to 25 hours on one battery;
- Good memory capacity, which is protected from editing;
- Voices are heard legibly even from a great distance;
- There are a number of functional timers.
Disadvantages:
- Like any other professional equipment, it will be expensive.
1. Sony ICD-TX800
Lightweight and very compact design, on the back of which is a reliable clip, which allows you to firmly fix it on a bag or on clothes. A remote control is supplied with the device - a very original solution proposed by the developer, with it you can instantly turn on the recording at any convenient time. The recorder will also be able to manage through a special application downloaded to a smartphone. This software will help not only start or stop the recording process, but also change its volume, adjust all settings, add various labels, so that you can quickly find the necessary information. The utility interface is simple, the recording itself can be kept under full control, and you can work at a distance of about 10 meters.
There is 16 GB of internal memory - not all smartphones or mp3 players can boast of such a volume. This option provides storage of about 636 hours of continuous recording, and the largest number of files is 5 thousand. To start the process, just click one button. Files can be saved in various formats - .pcm, .mp3. Like most similar models, the kit comes with a USB cable, and it will transmit data at a very high speed.
Benefits:
- There is a remote control;
- You can control the recording process using a special application;
- Compact overall dimensions and small weight;
- Long battery life;
- High quality recording;
- Good extraneous noise suppression system.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
Finally, a useful video
Well, our review of the best voice recorders is nearing completion. We tried to collect the maximum amount of information for each model included in it. If any points were unclear to you, feel free to write about it in the comments. We will promptly respond to your message and provide all the necessary additional data.
(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
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