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Home < Real Spy Gear Gadgets < Reviews and Buying Guides < Best Spy Voice Recorder
The Best Spy Voice Recorder: Our Top Choices
Spy voice recorders are the best device to secretly record conversations of people that you don’t want to know you are doing so. You can keep one in your pocket and when the right time comes, simply push that button and smile to yourself, while the person you're secretly recording spills the beans.
A spy audio recorder can be concealed on your person or in a room location and are used by undercover law enforcement, private investigators and lawyers for recording crucial evidence. These secret recording devices come in different forms - usually small - and are easy to use and conceal. But how do you know which is the best spy audio recorder to buy? Well, we've done the work for you. Check out the list of our best spy voice recorders below:
How We Chose The Best Spy Voice Recorders
Our selection of top spy audio recorders has been carefully put together by a former security specialist and private investigator with many years experience in using real spy gear, and who knows what is needed to meet a good quality voice recorder for spying. The following recorders were chosen among many based on a number of factors, qualities, and functions. Our best spy voice recorder list is not in any particular order but recording devices we would personally invest in.
Quick Guide: How To Choose The Best Spy Audio Recorder
When choosing to buy a spy voice recorder you will want to know what to look for in the best available. Based on experience, we have created this buying guide of important specifications that are needed in the best covert voice recorders. Knowing these functions (and why they are important) can assist you in making a good buying decision. Here they are:
- Covert design
- Voice activated and continuous record
- Good quality audio playback
- Good recording range
- Easy function
- Long recording time
- Audio files transfer and time-stamp
If you want more in-depth details on these covert voice recorder specifications then continue reading as we cover them all further on. Or you can see them now.
Our List of The Best Spy Voice Recorders
160 day standby battery life, up to 72 hours recording time, 8GB storage, voice activated audio recording up to 28 feet.
288 hour recording capacity, 25 day standby in VOS mode, up to 28 hours in continuous recording mode, adjustable voice activation level, 8GB storage.
The Complete Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Spy Voice Recorder
Ok, so we mentioned earlier in our quick buying guide the specifications, functions and qualities a good covert voice recorder should have. These specifications are the basics of what is needed to ensure you or your secret audio recording device don't get discovered. Let's go over them in more detail:
Covert Design
Unless it is one to keep in your pocket, your recorder should be completely inconspicuous and blend in to its surroundings. Some secret audio recording devices come built-in within general items such as pens, key chains, computer USB sticks, watches, car key remote controls, etc. which is great, but what you don't want are flashing "record" lights or noisy bleeping sounds when pushing the function buttons, as these will give your game away. The obvious question here is, does it attract attention and does it stand out as a secret recording device and if the answer is yes then it is not practical for covert use.
Voice Activated and Continuous Recording
Ideally, the audio recorder you buy should have the ability to be voice activated as well as have continuous record.
- Voice Activated: this function is a setting whereby the device will remain in standby (sleep) mode until it detects sound, at which point it will turn itself on and start recording. The benefits of a voice activated spy voice recorder are that it allows the device to be placed or hidden in a location and left to monitor (record) sound by itself and also allows for longer recording time.
- Continuous Record: this function does what is says in that the covert device records as soon as you push the record button. It is better to use this function when secretly recording in circumstances that require you to be present, such as in a meeting or interview.
Good Quality Audio Playback
Understandably an audio recorder should have clear audible playback with no crackling or distorted sounds. Choosing a covert voice recorder that has high fidelity (reproduction of sound quality) should be a quality to look out for. Some recording devices also have a background noise cancellation function which helps to reduce background noise of the recordings, making them more distinct with better quality.
Good Sound Recording Range
Choose a hidden audio recorder that can easily record sound or conversations close-up and at a relatively long range (at least wall-to-wall in a standard room). You will have to decide what audio pick-up range you will need but the greater the better. Some voice recorders have an automatic level control sensitivity function that will adjust according to noise levels and as a result will increase its sensitivity to pick-up noise at greater distances.
Easy Functions
Not so much for the voice activation function of the spy recorder but you will want an easy one-touch voice recorder you can simply operate without looking. This is beneficial when your audio recorder is secreted inside a purse, bag or pocket. As soon as you need to start recording conversation you will want the certainty you have pressed "record" and that you are recording your evidence - for this you will need a simple one-touch button.
Long Audio Recording Time
Depending on use, you will want a decent amount of storage space. Audio doesn't take up as much space as video but your spy voice recorder needs the capability of storing long recordings. The length of time an audio spy recorder can last for is not only dependant on storage space but also on power. Most audio recorders used for spying are powered by battery only and considerations should be made for how long the battery will last. Voice activated spy recorders are the best as they conserve power and storage space when in "sleep" mode.
Audio Files Transfer and Time Stamp
Never purchase a covert audio recorder that you cannot transfer or upload the audio files to another medium such as laptop. Some cheaper models don't have this function which means you can't use you recorder again if you have important recordings you don't want to erase. It is also useful to have a date and time function that allows you to easily locate important recordings.
