Best Portable Voice Recorders 2023 in the US | There's One Clear Winner

Zoom HN1 vs. Sony ICD-UX570: Which is best?

February 28, 2022

I specialize in tech reviews and as a professional photographer and filmmaker have a good understanding of value vs. quality when it comes to recording devices. The two best in class for roughly $100 or less are the Zoom H1N vs. Sony ICD-UX570. Which is better? Read on: The better question really is “Which is best FOR YOU?” I own both and highly recommend each excellent recorder for value yet there are key differences. Let’s compare to help your decision process: SIZE AND STOWABILITY: In person each is likely quite a bit smaller than you may be expecting. The Sony is the smallest—quite tiny. This advantage is also a potential “small” disadvantage when standing up the recorder for interviews. While it is not likely to tip over you don’t a loud bang in the middle of an important speech. Thus, I found a great little Arae cell phone stand that weighs nearly nothing yet ensures the Sony’s not going to tip. The Zoom is bigger and bulbous around the top to protect its mics. Even though it has more size to its base it is still tipable, If you want to secure it, there is a plastic tripod thread on its side. I use a great little mini tripod like the Manfrotto Pixi for various audio needs including holding the Zoom recorder. SOUND QUALITY AND VERSATILITY: Both superb. The Sony defaults to a darn near perfect setting for almost all uses: MP3 at 192KBPS. It’s broadcast quality yet makes for very small file sizes. If you don’t mind slightly bigger files, the Zoom has slightly higher quality MP3 setting giving the option to use 320 KBPS. If you don’t mind huge files, the absolute highest quality setting for the Sony is uncompressed LCPM. The Zoom has several WAV choices including 96KHZ/24 bit. Speaking of sound quality, when using meters to set optimal levels, Zoom makes it easy with a gain control dial right in front. However, that advantage can also be a job killer as the dial can easily be turned without you knowing it. I prefer to lock it out by most often selecting the Auto Level button also on the front of the recorder. In terms of sheer versatility, the Zoom does more but that makes it more complex to use. Its controls can be aggravating and are not particularly user friendly. Although the Sony selection menus are not the easiest to navigate, compared with the Zoom the selections are far more user friendly and easily tested to achieve excellence for any given situation. RECORDING TIME AND FLEXIBILITY: Sony wins due to several factors. It has a long lasting built in battery that is easily charged via its built in USB connector. Zoom takes two AAA batteries—no big deal but so its batteries don’t run out in the middle of a job I prefer to change to new ones each time I record. The Sony has 4GB of recording space built in. The Zoom has none. Lastly, the Sony can take a 64GB Mini SDXC cardwhile the Zoom will not formatny SDHC card bigger than 32GB. BUILT QUALITY: The Sony is solidly build and impressive. I was surprised by the Zoom’s cheap, plasticky feeling. Mine came with a defective headphone jack although in the unlikely event that should also happen to you, I’m sure Amazon will make it right. CONCLUSION: Both are fine recorders and it is hard to nitpick among two best in class machines. For anyone other than a pro, I suggest the Sony. I strongly prefer it for ease of use and build quality, too. It costs quite a bit less than the Zoom although both recorders are excellent values. If you have more time to tinker, you may love the Zoom. With either, although the built in mics are quite good, I prefer to use easy-to-plug-in 3.5mm mics whenever possible. It’s worth having two basic types in your kit. As you may already know consider getting a wired ominidirectional lavalier such as the terrific ones from Rode and Sennheiser starting at $50. For the best interview sound quality, it is great to have a small directional cardioid mic such as the near identical ones from Boya and Movo for $35 or less. I mount the mic on a mini tripod. Small cardioid mics like these also double as a great solution for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. Hope this too long review has been of some small help. Best of luck in your searc and keep on recording the good stuff!

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Great choice for anyone who needs to record audio on the go

April 15, 2023

The EVISTR 32GB Digital Voice Recorder Voice Activated Recorder with Playback is a great choice for anyone who needs to record audio on the go. Whether you're a journalist, a student, or a business professional, this voice recorder provides high-quality audio recording, easy playback, and convenient file management in a compact and portable device. One of the standout features of the EVISTR Digital Voice Recorder is its voice-activated recording function. This means that the recorder only starts recording when it detects sound, which helps to save battery life and storage space. The recorder also features a high-quality microphone that captures clear and crisp audio, even in noisy environments. Another great feature of this voice recorder is its large 32GB storage capacity. This provides ample space for recording and storing audio files, so you don't have to worry about running out of space during long recording sessions. The recorder also features easy file management, allowing you to organize your recordings into folders for easy access. The EVISTR Digital Voice Recorder also comes with convenient playback options. You can easily listen to your recordings directly from the device using the built-in speaker or headphones. The recorder also features a rewind and fast-forward function, making it easy to navigate through your recordings to find the specific sections you need. In terms of design, the EVISTR Digital Voice Recorder is compact and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go. The device also features a user-friendly interface with clearly labeled buttons, making it easy to use even for those who are not tech-savvy. One thing to note is that the battery life can vary depending on usage, so it's important to keep the device charged. Also, the device may take some time to transfer large audio files to a computer, especially if the computer is older or has slower USB ports. Overall, the EVISTR 32GB Digital Voice Recorder Voice Activated Recorder with Playback is a great choice for anyone who needs to record audio on the go. It provides high-quality audio recording, easy playback, and convenient file management in a compact and portable device. With its voice-activated recording function and large storage capacity, this voice recorder is sure to meet the needs of anyone who needs to record audio for work or personal use.

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