TechGearLab

The Zoom H2n brings a lot more to the table than a basic audio recorder. All of the buttons, dials, and switches are large, labeled well, and easy to use. Underneath the mesh screen, there are five microphones &mdash; two are positioned in an X/Y configuration, while the others are in a mid-side arrangement. The dial located on the top of the cover allows you to quickly select between the four recording modes, which range from mid-side stereo up to four channels. The H2n truly shines with an ability to record in surround sound. With the pair of X/Y microphones working in concert with the three mid-side microphones, this model doesn't just record audio coming from one side or the other. It actually differentiates between sounds coming from up, down, and all around you. In four-channel mode, it produces two individual tracks per recording meant to be routed to each side of a stereo system or each ear of a pair of headphones. If you have the equipment, software, and know-how, this model is fully capable of recording spatial audio to be used for fully-immersive VR videos. 
The complex capabilities of the Zoom H2n won't appeal to everyone. If you're looking for basic functions to record college lectures, meetings, or job interviews, you probably don't need four-channel spatial audio, surround-sound mode. The H2n still has the most basic digital voice recorder capabilities, but it might just be more recorder than you need or want to pay for. This model is also bulky and heavy &mdash; it is not meant to be slipped into a pocket or purse. The user interface is easy to use once you learn it, but it's far from modern. Compared to the newest, simplest, pocket-sized models, the H2n feels like a bit of a dinosaur. Complaints aside, the Zoom H2n is the way to go for recording 360-degree spatial audio for applications such as VR videos. 

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The Zoom H4N Pro is the most capable and complex recorder we tested. Zoom advertises that it's meant for podcasting, song production, creating audio for film, and recording things like vocals, piano recitals, meetings, and field recordings. Its audio quality is top-notch, taking advantage of two stereo condenser microphones set up in an XY pattern. Zoom claims this creates better sound definition and clarity while reducing stereo separation and phase cancellation. The mics are also adjustable, rotating to capture an area of 120 degrees or to focus on a single audio source at 90 degrees. The difference is noticeable. Two XLR/TRS jacks let you connect external microphones or instruments like a keyboard or guitar, and you can record one source in high-quality stereo, two sound sources in stereo at the same time, or playback up to four tracks while recording two more. The recorder supports 19 different WAV and MP3 file formats &#40;up to 96 kHz/24-bit and 196 Kbps&#41; and offers all the standard features like playback looping and low cut recording, which reduces low frequency sounds like wind. The recorder also varies playback speed between 50% and 150%. 
However, the Zoom takes more knowledge, patience, and training to unlock its potential. It's also big. Though it does come with a handy protective case, you can't just slide it into your pocket. Its size, complexity, and short battery life make it more appropriate for recording in your studio or for targeted events. Even in its battery-conserving stamina mode, you only get about 11 hours of recording when going wireless. You can buy a Zoom-specific AC adapter to keep it powered up at the office, and you'll need to buy an SD or SDHC card &#40;ranging from 16 MB to 32 GB&#41;. Without one, the internal memory can only record for about 35 seconds. The H4N doesn't come with a USB cord to communicate with your computer, so you'll have to buy one separately. And it's more complicated to find the files on this device than on the less complex models we tested. While the H4N only really makes sense for folks who need to produce worthy broadcast audio for their profession or true passion, this thing is pretty fun — it even has a Karaoke function.

The Zoom H4n Pro is the most capable and complex recorder we tested. Zoom advertises that it's meant for podcasting, song production, creating audio for film, and recording things like vocals, piano recitals, meetings, and field recordings. Its audio quality is top-notch, taking advantage of two stereo condenser microphones set up in an XY pattern. Zoom claims this creates better sound definition and clarity while reducing stereo separation and phase cancellation. The mics are also adjustable, rotating to capture an area of 120 degrees or to focus on a single audio source at 90 degrees. The difference is noticeable. Two XLR/TRS jacks let you connect external microphones or instruments like a keyboard or guitar, and you can record one source in high-quality stereo, two sound sources in stereo at the same time, or playback up to four tracks while recording two more. The recorder supports 19 different WAV and MP3 file formats &#40;up to 96 kHz/24-bit and 196 KBps&#41; and offers all the standard features like playback looping and low-cut recording, which reduces low-frequency sounds like wind. The recorder also varies playback speed between 50% and 150%. 
However, the Zoom H4n Pr0 takes more knowledge, patience, and training to unlock its potential. It's also big. Though it does come with a handy protective case, you can't just slide it into your pocket. Its size, complexity, and short battery life make it more appropriate for recording in your studio or for targeted events. Even in its battery-conserving stamina mode, you only get about 11 hours of recording when going wireless. You can buy a Zoom-specific AC adapter to keep it powered up at the office, and you'll need to buy an SD or SDHC card &#40;ranging from 16 MB to 32 GB&#41;. Without one, the internal memory can only record for about 35 seconds. The H4n Pro doesn't come with a USB cord to communicate with your computer, so you'll have to buy one separately. And it's more complicated to find the files on this device than on the less complex models we tested. While the H4n Pro only really makes sense for folks who need to produce worthy broadcast audio for their profession or true passion, this thing is pretty fun — it even has a Karaoke function.

Portable Audio Recorder Comparison