Whatever your price range, you’ll find a wide assortment of gear available on the market for portable podcast recording. To prevent any overload, we’ve narrowed down the search by providing a select list of the best podcast recorders, mics, and interfaces suitable for capturing your shows on the go.
Under $100
If you’re a solo podcaster, the most cost-effective way of achieving a portable podcasting setup is to make use of the equipment you already own. If you have a smartphone or tablet and simply need to record a podcast on the field before returning home for post-production, the easiest option is to record directly to your mobile device or tablet. To do this, all you need is a portable USB microphone.
The Comica Audio EJoy Uni Pro D is a super affordable USB mic that not only has a built-in rechargeable battery, but also features wireless connectivity using an optional USB-C adapter. With no driver required, you simply connect the mic to your smartphone or tablet and begin recording. The Uni Pro D is capable of 48 kHz / 24-Bit Audio and comes equipped with gain control and a denoise technology. It also includes a tabletop mic stand, pop filter to protect from plosives, and a shockmount to reduce vibrations.
Specifically designed for the spoken word, RODE has built the RODE NT-USB Mini. This high-quality cardioid condenser mic is tuned to capture both the warmth and presence of your voice, giving gravitas and depth to your recording. Simply plug it into your tablet or phone with a compatible adapter (sold separately) and start recording. It comes with a stand, which helps to minimize noise and vibration, while the internal windscreen filters out those pesky plosives. With 48 kHz / 24-Bit audio, this compact mic can record a professional sounding podcast in any reasonably quiet environment.
Under $200
Once you move beyond the $100 range, your options for portable podcast recording open-up significantly. The Zoom PodTrack P4 is probably our favorite portable recorder on this list; not only is it specifically made for podcasting, but it strikes a great balance between user-friendliness and generous functionality.
Record up to four speakers at once using the mic inputs and allow each speaker to monitor their own voice thanks to the four independent headphone outputs. Or you can invite a remote guest by plugging your phone in or connecting it via the optional Bluetooth adapter. You’ll also find four sound pads that can trigger the built-in preset sounds, such as laughing or clapping, or you can import your own audio files and assign them to each pad. Multitrack recording can be captured straight to a SDXC card, or you can use the P4 as a simple audio interface with your computer. The P4 also features built-in limiters and low-cut filters to prevent distortion and minimize ambient noise, saving you time during post-production. Overall, this unassuming little device punches way above its price point.
If you’re a solo podcaster who records shows on location, the Zoom F2 is an especially cute yet capable recording device to consider. Designed to pair with a lavalier microphone (included), you can simply clip it to your shirt and capture high quality audio to a microSD card wherever you choose to record your podcast. A great feature of the F2 is that you don’t have to worry about adjusting gain levels or running into any distortion. It utilizes 32-bit float recording to capture very loud signals without clipping, while also being able to record very soft sounds without disturbing noise. With up to 15 hours of run time (on AAA batteries) and easy transfer of files to your computer via USB cable, the F2 is a fantastic choice for podcasters who primarily record on the field.
Under $400
For podcasters who also enjoy tickling the ivories or singing along with a guitar, check out the TASCAM Portacapture X8. Featuring 4 XLR-1/4” mic/line inputs, this device is remarkably versatile and beginner-friendly with several preset modes designed for specific applications, including podcast, music, voice, and field recording. With a large color touchscreen and straightforward application platform, the Portacapture makes it virtually impossible to screw up a recording or to get lost in technical challenges. Furthermore, its 32-bit float point recording technology and separate high gain and low gain A/D converters mean that loud sounds are less likely to reach distortion and quiet sounds won’t get overtaken by noise. So, you won’t need to be preoccupied with your gain settings while podcasting.
When recording live music, you can make use of the included detachable large diaphragm condenser microphones for crisp stereo capture without the need for external mics. Or if you’re recording an interview on the field, you can detach the condenser mics and use the 3.5mm inputs for two lavalier mics. In fact, the scope of features and functionality on this thing is more than we can cover in this article. So, be sure to check out this Portacapture Quick Look Video for a more in depth look.
Sporting a similar design to the TASCAM model above, the Zoom H8 is perhaps an even easier-to-use portable recorder with a comparable set of features and functions. You’ll have three different modes that configure the touchscreen for podcasting, music, and field recording. The podcasting mode allows you to work with four mic channels and two sound pad channels. (The H8 comes with 13 pre-loaded sounds, but you can load your own audio files to trigger with the sound pads.) That said, if you want to travel light and are planning a straightforward podcast, you can just make use of the detachable stereo condenser microphone capsule.
During podcasting, you can also take advantage of some handy on-board effects, such as a limiter to avoid distortion and a low-cut filter to eliminate low-frequency rumbles. And like the Portacapture, featured above, you can even use your phone or tablet to wirelessly monitor levels and control recording by purchasing the optional Bluetooth module (which only works with iOS). Record your tracks straight to an SD card or hook it up to your computer to use as an audio interface while having tactile control over gain adjustments with the dedicated gain knobs. To find out more about what this impressive recorder is capable of, we recommend checking out the Zoom H8 Video.
$500 and Up
While the price tag of the Yellowtec iXm Podcaster might be a touch extravagant compared to the other recording devices on this list, it is also perhaps the simplest to use, despite its advanced sound technology. On the outset, it looks like a very basic microphone recorder, with two plain buttons for recording and pausing/stopping and three tiny LED indicators. Of course, it also accommodates an SD card to capture your audio and runs on three AA batteries, allowing you to be completely untethered from wires. But the real brains lie in Yellowtec’s LEA (Level Energy Arbitration) technology, which provides professional sound recording regardless of whether you’re in the studio or in a busy outdoor setting. For solo podcasters who expect quality sound but don’t want to mess around with knobs and faders or heavy editing, this fancy microphone is worth testing out.
If you’re a sucker for a warm, analog sonic feel, check out the CEntrance PortCaster R4D, which features two mic inputs, perfect for a host and co-host. This sweet-sounding device can function either as a portable SD recorder for location podcasting or as a premium audio interface when working in the studio. Integrating top-notch mic preamps that feature 65dB of low-noise gain, you can power even the most gain hungry dynamic mics without a Cloudlifter. The unit also offers 48V phantom power should you want to record with a condenser mic.
Although the PortCaster R4D itself looks like a very simple device, it has some other unique and invaluable features that make it stand out from the crowd. For example, you’ll find an auxiliary stereo input that allows you to easily add music beds or sound effects to your podcast. There’s also a mono blend knob; if you’re streaming you probably know that some streaming services don’t offer stereo sound. The mono blend knob can combine the input channels so that these services can hear both speakers at once. The two independent opto analog limiters are yet another a big selling point, more preventing any peaking/distortion during your recording without sounding too clinical or sterile. Lastly, podcasters who work with remote guests can use the mix-minus feature, which prevents audio feedback travelling back to the caller. Simply connect your phone to the device and ring up your guest.
For more information about the products listed, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out our detailed product pages.
