Digital voice recorders can be relatively inexpensive or cost hundreds of dollars. Memory capacity, sound quality and features are what set them apart. Here's what reviewers say are the most important things to consider when shopping for a digital voice recorder:

  • Sound quality: Basic voice recorders generally record at up to a 44 kHz sampling rate, good enough for audible playback for personal use. Those hoping to broadcast their recordings will want a recorder that can record at a higher rate, such as 96 kHz. You can also enhance sound quality, if needed, by using an external microphone. Windscreens will limit noise on outdoor recordings.
  • Physical characteristics: All digital voice recorders are portable, but some are a little clunkier than others. The more you'll be toting your digital recorder around, the smaller and lighter you'll want it to be and the longer you'll need the battery to last. If you will be using it in rough conditions, you will also want to consider its ruggedness and build quality.
  • Memory: If you plan mainly on making low-fidelity voice recordings, all digital voice recorders will have plenty of memory for hours of recording. If you want to record at higher quality settings, or in stereo, you'll need to consider memory a bit more carefully. If you're not sure how much memory you'll need, choosing a model with memory card slots will give you the flexibility to upgrade, though those are also more expensive.
  • Editing features: Some digital voice recorders are designed simply to record audio, requiring you to do most of the work of editing and managing files on your computer. However, if you need to edit on the recorder itself, pay attention to its on-the-fly editing and navigation features, like the ability to bookmark key passages or, even better, offer keyword search for a specific word or phrase.
  • Compatibility with your computer: All recorders work with Windows systems, and most current models have now added Vista compatibility. Most recorders -- but not all -- use file formats that can be played back in any media player. If you have a Mac, look carefully to see if a recorder uses non-standard file formats that might require special software for playback or file conversion. Such software is not always Mac-compatible.
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