last updated 2010-01-27

What are the best digital voice recorders for 2010?

Compare the best voice recorders for professional legal and medical dictations, stereo music and conference recording, mp3 music playback and all around budget friendly recorders for portable note taking and more.
Use the color coded table below to help find the perfect digital voice recorder for you.

• Dictation Recorders when you intend to have your recordings transcribed into documents.
• Conference, Lecture, Interviews, Voice & Music are great all-around recorders.
• Voice Recording for simple and budget friendly recorders.

About the transcriptionist kits.
The kits come with a foot switch control, a headset and licensed software to transcribe and manage transcribed digital dictations in your organization using a personal computer. These are the recommended kits for these particular digital voice recorders.

Dictation Recorders	Compatible Trans Kit	Mem	Mics	Format	Software	Docking	Voice Act.	Misc Features
$499.99 Olympus DS-5000	Olympus AS-5000	512MB	Mono	dss	DSS Player Pro	Cradle	No	Top-of-the-line HIPAA compliant model, Rechargable Ni-MH, durable construction, advanced software features
$599.99 Olympus DS-5000iD	Olympus AS-5000	1GB	Mono	dss	DSS Player Pro	Cradle	No	Top-of-the-line HIPAA compliant recorder featuring a biometric fingerprint lockout, rechargable Ni-MH, durable construction, advanced software features
$399.99 Olympus DS-3400	Olympus AS-5000	1GB	Stereo	dss	DSS Player Pro	USB	Yes	Removable media supports up to 16GB SDHC, enhanced sound, searchable verbal comment feature, programmable buttons
$299.99 Olympus DS-2400	Olympus AS-2400	1GB	Stereo	dss	DSS Player	USB	No	Switchable conference / dictation mode
$499.99 Philips DPM 9600, 9620	Philips 7277	128MB	Mono	dss	Speech Exec Pro Dictate	Cradle	Yes	4 position slide switch, 'smart buttons', headphone & earphone jacks, fast charging
$399.99 Philips DPM 9500	Philips 7277	256MB	Mono	dss	Speech Exec Pro Dictate	Cradle	No	4 position slide switch, 'smart buttons', headphone & earphone jacks
$297.97 Philips DPM 9370	Philips 7277	256MB	Mono	dss	Speech Exec Dictate	USB	No	Mic & headphone jacks, auto file download via USB, large LCD
$137.97 Philips DVT 0660 DR10	Includes DR10 for transcription	2GB	Stereo	mp3, wma	Dragon Naturally Speaking v10	USB	Yes	Voice recognition with 99% accuracy, automatic transcription features
$149.99 Olympus WS-400S DNS	Includes DR10 for transcription	1GB	Stereo	wma	Dragon Naturally Speaking v10	USB	Yes	Includes external noise cancellation microphone. Voice recognition with 99% accuracy, automatic transcription features, 21 hour operation with 1 AAA battery, large LCD, built-in USB connector (no cable necessary)
Voice, Conference, Lecture & Music	Compatible Trans Kit	Mem	Mics	Formats	Software	Docking	Voice Act.	Misc Features
$299.99 Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Stereo Recorder		2GB+	Stereo	wma, mp3, wav	Steinberg® Cubase LE4	USB	Yes	Windscreen, carry case, strap, stereo speakers, high-quality stereo mics, great for musicians. Heavy duty aluminum construction, excellent build quality. Record without compression for best quality, very easy to use, perfect alternative to those expensive professional recorders.
$249.99 Olympus DS-71	Olympus AS-2400	4GB	Stereo	wma, mp3, wav	DSS Player	USB	Yes	32 hour battery life, strap, case, remote control, detachable mic
$149.99 Olympus WS-331M	Olympus AS-2400	2GB	Stereo	wma, mp3	No	USB	Yes	Stereo earphones, built-in equalizer, WOW XTTM base
$79.99 Olympus WS-400S	Olympus AS-2400	1GB	Stereo	wma	No	USB	Yes	21 hour operation with 1 AAA battery, large LCD, built-in USB connector (no cable necessary)
$99.99 Olympus WS-500M	Olympus AS-2400	2GB	Stereo	wma, mp3, wav	No	USB	Yes	Uses 1 AAA battery, 3 colors, built-in USB connector (no cable necessary)
$149.99 Olympus WS-510M	Olympus AS-2400	4GB	Stereo	wma, mp3, wav	No	USB	Yes	1,088 hours of recording time, 21 hour battery life w/1 AAA Ni-MH rechargable battery, built-in USB connector (no cable necessary)
$128.97 Philips DVT 0860		2GB	Stereo	mp3, wma	No	USB	Yes	Extra large LCD, speaker, lapel mic, stereo earphones, neck strap. Split large files into smaller ones, The extra large display is really nice. Will draw power from USB when connected, instead of your batteries.
$149.97 Philips DVT 0880 w/FM Tuner		2GB	Stereo	mp3, wma	No	USB	Yes	Just like the DVT 0860 but for $20 more, you also get an FM tuner. Extra large LCD, speaker, lapel mic, stereo earphones, neck strap. Split large files into smaller ones, The extra large display is really nice. Will draw power from USB when connected, instead of your batteries.
$129.99 Sanyo ICR-FP700D		n/a	Stereo	mp3, pcm	No	USB	Yes	Timer recording, removable memory, playback speed controls
Voice Recording	Compatible Trans Kit	Mem	Mics	Formats	Software	Docking	Voice Act.	Misc Features
$69.99 Olympus VN-6200PC	Olympus AS-2400	1GB	Mono	wma	No	USB	Yes	Earphone out, Improved sound quality.
$59.00 Philips DVT 0600		512MB	Mono	mp3	No	USB	Yes	Extra large LCD, speaker
$79.00 Philips DVT 0620		1GB	Mono	mp3	No	USB	Yes	Extra large LCD, speaker
$99.99 Philips DVT 0660		1GB	Mono	mp3, wma	No	USB	Yes	Extra large LCD, speaker, lapel mic, earphones. For a few dollars more, you can get Dragon Naturally Speaking v10 (DVR Edition) bundled with a DVT 0660
$99.99 Sanyo ICR-FP600D		n/a	Mono	n/a	No	No	Yes	Timer recording, removable memory, slow speed playback options