Wirecutter

Although its audio quality isn’t as good as our main pick’s, the Olympus WS-853 has more internal storage and longer battery life.

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The Olympus WS-853 is a fairly compact recorder with reasonable sound quality and all the basic functions you need, including an external microphone jack and a built-in speaker. And we love that it comes with a carrying case. The operating system offers pre-set scenes optimized for typical recording scenarios like telephone recording and conference. It also has an intelligent auto mode that adjusts the recording level based on the volume of the incoming sounds. Adjustable playback speed makes it easy to navigate your recordings quickly. Where the Olympus really shines, however, is in storage and battery life. Not because it has so much more than any of the other options tested, but because it records in highly compressed MP3 files at 8 Kbps. These files are tiny, so they don't take up much space or battery power. You can also add a microSD card to increase memory capacity up to 32 GB. 
Unsurprisingly, audio files at this compression level are not pleasant to listen to &#40;though you can choose a bit rate up to 128 Kbps if you don't need the battery to last as long&#41;. On top of that, this device isn't that user-friendly. The operating system is not intuitive, and the included manual is overwhelming. Honestly, the box is more informative, as is the downloadable manual. This digital voice recorder is best for those who need the longest-lasting battery life and maximum storage to backup hours of notes at important meetings or lectures.

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Our favorite overall digital voice recorder is the compact Sony ICDUX570. This effective, simple tool features high-quality audio, an intuitive operating system, and an easy-to-read display. We love its automatic recording templates that ensure the two stereo microphones are correctly tuned for the task at hand. You can quickly set up for a voice memo, meeting, lecture, interview, or record music. You can also set the mic sensitivity and choose to reduce background noises manually. Though the recorder picks up background audio in modes like dictation and interview, we found them less brassy and distracting than in many of the other models. The Sony records in uncompressed WAV files and compressed MP3s. The WAV files &#40;which it labels as LPCM, for linear pulse code modulation&#41; are recorded at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate and a 16-bit rate, which is a standard for quality audio. MP3s save on storage space but are harder to edit. With the option to increase storage to 32GB with a microSD card, you won't need to save much. We also like that you can use the recorder as an MP3 player.
You can slow down the playback for easier transcription. The recorder also offers a T-mark button to bookmark your recordings and an A-B repeat function that lets you loop the playback between two chosen points. You can clean up the audio with filters for a clear voice or effects like pop, rock, jazz, or bass. A USB plug slides out of the Sony ICDUX570, so you're ready to connect to your computer and share your files at all times. The battery life, claimed at over 20 hours for the highest quality audio recording, is relatively short. And, while the audio is impressive, it's a bit below par for professional broadcasting. However, the device offers a mini-jack input for an external microphone, which can improve your recordings. All told, the ICDUX570 is a streamlined recorder to make sure you don't miss a beat and could serve as a backup audio file for production in a pinch. 

The PX470 is a bit bulkier than our main pick, and its audio quality isn’t as good, but it has a similar layout and navigation system. It does best in quiet settings with minimal background noise.

The Sony UX560 is an easy-to-use recorder that provides crisp, clear audio in the most common recording situations. It recharges via USB and lets you easily transfer files to a computer.

The Sony UX560 is an easy-to-use recorder that provides crisp, clear audio in the most-common recording situations. It recharges via USB and lets you easily transfer files to a computer.

The EVISTR 16GB Recorder offers everything you need to record notes and conversations in the field reliably. It's slim, easily tucking away in a pocket or bag, and Evistr claims that its effective stereo microphone offers dynamic noise canceling. We noticed background noise in our coffee shop test more than in some of the premium options, but it isn't overly distracting. In quiet environments, the recordings shine. Unfortunately, there is no external microphone jack to extend or improve your audio. The default recording quality is 1536 Kbps in an uncompressed WAV format comparable to a 44.1kHz/16-bit file, but it will also record in MP3. The streamlined functions and straightforward, quick-start guide make it easy to use. And it has all the usual playback features, including an A-B repeat function to loop your playback audio and up to ten "T-marks" &#40;bookmarks&#41; as you record. There are also seven equalizer modes to alter the sound of your playback, including rock, pop, classical, and techno. And, yes, you can use it as an MP3 player. 
The rechargeable internal battery winds down faster than most. If it runs out of juice during recording, you may lose data. On the plus side, you can record while you're charging the device. Be careful though, you can also lose data if you activate the sleeper time function, which shuts down the recorder even while you're using it, and you need to press stop at the end of every recording to save it. To stave off disaster, you can set the Evistr to automatically save and start a new one every 30 mins, an hour, or two hours. The device has a voice-activated mode &#40;AVR&#41; that automatically starts recording when you cross a predetermined decibel threshold. The user manual warns against relying on it, though, since that setting often misses low decibel tones. The Evistr has a few glitches, but if you're on your game, this handy and reasonably priced little gadget will capture the audio notes you need. 

The EVISTR 16GB Recorder offers everything you need to record notes and conversations in the field reliably. It's slim and easily tucks away in a pocket or bag, and Evistr claims that its effective stereo microphone offers dynamic noise canceling. We noticed background noise in our coffee shop test more than in some of the premium options, but it isn't overly distracting. In quiet environments, the recordings shine. Unfortunately, there is no external microphone jack to extend or improve your audio. The default recording quality is 1536 KBps in an uncompressed WAV format comparable to a 44.1kHz/16-bit file, but it will also record in MP3. The streamlined functions and straightforward, quick-start guide make it easy to use. And it has all the usual playback features, including an A-B repeat function to loop your playback audio and up to ten "T-marks" &#40;bookmarks&#41; as you record. There are also seven equalizer modes to alter the sound of your playback, including rock, pop, classical, and techno. And, yes, you can use it as an MP3 player. 
The rechargeable internal battery winds down faster than most. If it runs out of juice during recording, you may lose data. On the plus side, you can record while you're charging the device. Be careful, though, you can also lose data if you activate the sleeper time function, which shuts down the recorder even while you're using it, and you need to press stop at the end of every recording to save it. To stave off disaster, you can set the Evistr to automatically save and start a new one every 30 mins, an hour, or two hours. The device has a voice-activated mode &#40;AVR&#41; that automatically starts recording when you cross a predetermined decibel threshold. The user manual warns against relying on it, though, since that setting often misses low decibel tones. The Evistr Recorder has a few glitches, but if you're on your game, this handy and reasonably priced little gadget will capture the audio notes you need. 

Voice Recorder Comparison