What are the best budget (sub $200) handheld / portable microphones?

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Sep 10, 2019

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4 Options Considered

Best budget (sub $200) handheld / portable microphones	Price	Weight	Battery Life
-- Zoom H1n	$131.99	-	-
-- Tascam DR-05	$99.99	0.25lb (without batteries)	17 hours
-- Zoom H1	$89.99	0.13lb (without batteries)	9-10 hours
-- Tascam DR-22WL	$148.98	-	-

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score 4 · Answer 1

Zoom H1n

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score 2 · Answer 2

Tascam DR-05

Top Pro

Great battery life

With two AA batteries at full charge, you can easily last a full day. See More

Top Con

Can not be conveniently used for live sets

since the tascam does not work over usb, it can only transfer sound through the line out, which for some reason has a much higher noise floor than the final recording which is stored on the micro sd card. See More

Specs

Weight:0.25lb (without batteries)

Battery Life:17 hours

Batteries:2 AA

OS support:Both Windows and Mac

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Top Pro

Overdubbing

The Tascam DR-05 can overdub files with a new one while playing the old one back. This permits great on the spot rapid multi voice performances. See More

Top Con

No protector over USB plug

Although you are probably not planning to role your Tascam in sand and mud any time soon, it is strange that the micro sd card has a rubber protector, but the usb plug does not. This could cause dirt, lint, or water to drop in it and cause problems. See More

Top Pro

Great sound quality and low noise floor.

The tascam DR-05 has very clear and crisp sound (even from the integrated microphones). It can record in MP3 and in 24-bit/96Khz WAV files. See More

Top Con

Single track only

This device does not support recording many tracks at once (multiple mics for example). See More

Top Con

No XLR/TRS inputs, or phantom power.

The only way to add a microphone on the DR-05, is to use a mic that can work directly on a mini headphone jack (plug-in power (most small lapel mics for example)), or use a self powered mic that can connect in a mini headphone jack input. See More

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Answer 3

Zoom H1

Weight:0.13lb (without batteries)

Battery Life:9-10 hours

Batteries:1 AA

OS support:Both Windows and Mac

See All Specs

Answer 4

Tascam DR-22WL

Top Pro

Wi-Fi controlled

The Tascam DR-22WL can be monitored and toggled by a Wi-Fi driven mobile application, witch can make it very suitable for strange and inaccessible positions in order to get better sound. See More

Top Con

Wi-Fi uses up too much battery

The wifi router on the device apparently uses up much more battery power than is convenient. See More

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What are the best budget (sub $200) handheld / portable microphones?

4 Options Considered

Zoom H1n

My Recommendation for Zoom H1n

My Recommendation for Zoom H1n

Tascam DR-05

My Recommendation for Tascam DR-05

My Recommendation for Tascam DR-05

Great battery life

Can not be conveniently used for live sets

Overdubbing

No protector over USB plug

Great sound quality and low noise floor.

Single track only

No XLR/TRS inputs, or phantom power.

Zoom H1

My Recommendation for Zoom H1

My Recommendation for Zoom H1

Tascam DR-22WL

My Recommendation for Tascam DR-22WL

My Recommendation for Tascam DR-22WL

Wi-Fi controlled

Wi-Fi uses up too much battery

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