10 Best Hidden & Disguise Microphones Reviewed For 2021
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Nowadays, the use of a hidden microphone on a character or a host in a documentary, interview, presentation, surveillance, espionage, and police investigations is more of a rule than an exception.
It’s a well-known fact that the use of hidden and disguised microphones in any kind of setting doesn’t arouse suspicion information is passed across naturally.
By permitting the character to roam freely while making a presentation, the hidden microphone gives him/her a chance to provide uninterrupted visual stimulation to the audience, enabling the speaker to hold their undivided attention for a long duration easily.
This trend of using a hidden or disguised microphone is growing with the standard of professionalism throughout any industry and business.
These miniature microphones are hidden and disguised in many different ways depending on the nature of their use.
They can either be clipped to collars, ties, inside of the shirt, cloth flap between two buttons, pockets, belts, jewelry, the brim of a baseball cap, the brim of a fedora-style hat, etc. or they can simply be concealed inside the hairs and ears.
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Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Hidden and Disguise Microphones Reviewed
Let us look at the 11 devices that we consider to be some of the best in the market.
1. ATTO nanoREC Digital Voice Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a great microphone from Atto digital that is perfect for someone who simply needs to record office meetings, appointments, instructions or take notes in the class.
It’s small, slim, and light enough to carry almost anywhere.
The entire gadget is 1.6 x 0.7 inches with a 0.35-inch thickness, and when the battery is full it can record up to 20 hours.
This innovative recorder incorporates the latest technologies to achieve high-quality recording.
The ultra-thin nanoREC digital voice recorder can efficiently capture sounds within a radius of 4.5 meters in a high- quality audio.
There is a switch on top of the recorder you can simply slide to start recording (also, note that it takes 5 seconds after switching on to begin recording).
Its 8GB memory can accommodate sound recordings of 141 hours.
Recorded audio is automatically stored in this equipment’s memory in a WAV format.
This device is compatible with both Windows and macOS, and all the files are time-stamped to identify when the recordings were done.
Whether you are trying to be discreet or you just require a really simple method of taking notes or recording meetings, this is probably what you are searching for.
Pros & Benefits:
- Compact and elegant design
- Good battery and memory capacity
- One button operation
- Efficient audio recording
- Directly rechargeable from your computer USB port
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2. TileRec Voice Activated Automatic Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This world’s thinnest voice-activated recorder from Attodigital incorporates many promising salient features.
Besides the 1.6 inches perfectly square-shaped outlook and 1/4 inches thickness, the gadget has a built-in memory of 32GB.
It also has an automatic time stamp system, long-lasting battery life, noise reduction, segmented recording, and an AVR mode.
It can easily store up to 2400 hours of recording stored in the MP3 format so that you do not need separate software to listen to the audio files.
It offers 24 hours of battery life and a recording capacity of 145 hours.
This device can be used to record interviews, conferences, or meetings and you can even enable/disable the LED Light while recording.
To access the files, you can easily connect to a laptop or computer.
This microphone can easily fit in your shirt pocket, sleeve, or purse so that you can use it whenever it’s required and in any kind of circumstances.
Since there is a pulse control noise reduction feature, the recordings on this equipment are precise and clear.
The sounds within the radius of 4.5 meters can be efficiently captured in high-quality audio.
It also has a voice-activated recording system that automatically starts recording if there is any sound in the environment.
Pros & Benefits:
- Small like a piece of a chocolate bar
- Can fully recharge within 2 hours
- voice-activated recording
- Aluminum casing
- Impact-resistant
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3. TCTEC Digital Voice Activated Pen Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Is it hard for you to catch up with your teacher because he/she teaches too fast?
Do you suspect that your co-workers are backbiting about you in the staff room?
This device from TCTEC looks just like a regular pen but does an excellent job of collecting the speaker’s words during lectures, meetings, or presentations without revealing its true identity.
You can clip it to your shirt pocket and carry it around freely because nobody is likely to suspect anything out of place.
It also works as a conventional pen i.e. you can write with it as well.
Its colossal 16GB memory has the capacity to accommodate 260 hours of recordings.
Its battery has the capacity to facilitate the continuous recording of nearly 15 hours with a little over 2hrs charge.
If it detects audio, the automatic voice detection function is activated which auto-records and saves the data.
Besides the recording button, there are two other buttons for volume up/down.
This device is very resistant and the anti-rust metal shell of zinc alloy ensures the device’s durability.
The simple, sleek, and exotic design makes it convenient for you to casually plant this spy gadget anywhere such as a pocket, a book, a desk, or a shelf.
This gadget is perfect for students who are not unable to write down notes in class.
You can unobtrusively record office meetings, appointments, interviews, conferences, and any interpersonal communications so that you can review them later, and take crucial decisions.
Pros & Benefits:
- Voice-activated recorder
- Intelligent noise cut for noise-free recordings
- Can write while recording
- Portable device with large memory and battery life
- Lifetime warranty
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4. Lgsixe Flash Drive Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you want to capture any piece of information or confession out of somebody across the table without being unobtrusive and stealthy, then you have certainly knocked on the right door.
This is another simple and sleek spy from Lgsixe which performs the job of gathering information secretly while being disguised as a regular USB drive.
Along with its shape, the black and silver design will make people fall prey to their cool aesthetics rather than their recording feature and the plus point is that the flashing USB light remains inactive while it’s recording.
There is no need to take the cap off while recording and the 8 GB memory is always at your service.
Little more than an hour of full charge will allow you to use it continuously for 15 hours and you will always get the right timestamp of the recordings.
Since too many buttons may give the game away, it consists of only two buttons-a simple record button and an off button.
When you connect the recorder’s USB to your computer, your audio recordings will appear in WAV files, and the device will automatically start charging.
If you are tech-savvy, then just go for it.
Pros & Benefits:
- Small and discreet
- No flashing light when recording
- All recordings produced are time-stamped
- Does work as a flash drive too
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5. Jiusion GPS USB Cable Charger Surveillance Device
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Do you think there is an end to creativity and technology?
Who would think that this innocent piece of equipment from Jiusion that appears just like a normal USB cable could possess such a jaw-dropping degree of sophistication?
It’s unlikely to ever be found out and exposed.
This microphone uses a SIM card for remote listening and it automatically picks up a phone call.
By simply dialing the micro SIM card phone number that is hidden in the cable, you can listen to the people’s voices that are present around the cable.
This design is highly practical because it functions as a real cable and it can be charged by plugging it into the USB port.
The device’s work frequency is 850 Mhz/900Mhz/1800 Mhz/1900Mhz (Quad-band) and it supports GSM Micro SIM Card with data and voice plan.
You can use your personal mobile to text “DW” to the cable’s SIM number, and you can get the information related to the location.
If you text “1111” and send it to the cable’s SIM number, the cable will automatically call your personal mobile when the sound around the cable is greater than 45 DB.
The cable seems to be in sync with most android phones and tablets.
If you are searching for an ultimate disguised gadget, this product is definitely worth looking at.
Pros & Benefits:
- Automatic voice-activate call-back system
- Practical and easy to use
- Simple and portable
- 12-months guarantee
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
6. Atto Mini Voice Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Do you like going over important office discussions or presentations later on?
No matter what you need, this unparalleled digital audio recorder from Attodigital has so many sleek and salient characteristics that position it miles ahead of other contemporary voice recording gadgets.
Being a subtle, discreet, and reliable device, it can practically fit anywhere and its elegant design makes it stand out among other similar equipment.
There is a privilege of privacy setting where you can add 4 digits password so that the 4GB built-in memory restricts any intruder by denying access giving you sole access to information.
Another most notable feature is that it has voice-activated recordings with selectable levels of sound sensor.
When the device is in ‘voice-activation mode’, the recorder will automatically begin to record only after sensing the selected level of sound within the range.
It can record up to 24hours on a full battery charge and it provides time-stamped recording.
This gadget is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android.
If you need a microphone that is very subtle and security-oriented, then this is probably for you.
Pros & Benefits:
- Very subtle and weightless
- Password protected recordings
- Voice-activated recordings
- Personalized settings
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
7. SNAHIKE Voice Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for a friendly voice recording device that is compatible with Windows as well as Mac, then you can rely on this option.
With a superior recording quality, this device from SNAHIKE records at 192kbps and you will have the privilege of obtaining every single detail of a meeting, conference, interview, or other moments.
It has a very impressive sound capturing range which is up to 6 to 15 meters.
Therefore, it works even in windy weather by providing good audio quality and clarity.
Its dynamic noise reduction system ensures you get crystal clear audio.
It’s a notable fact that if you perform continuous recording then you can do it for the time span of 20 hours.
The device is extremely easy to operate because only three basic buttons are included which are the ‘turn on’ button, ‘turn off’ button, and the headphone plug-in.
The gadget’s 16 GB built-in memory will allow you to store up to 180 hours of recording.
At last, the ’12-MONTH WARRANTY’ and ‘friendly customer service’ is the cherry on the cake.
Pros & Benefits:
- PC connection function,
- Easy to clip on to a jacket or purse
- Long battery life & fast charge
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
8. Sony ECMCS3 Clip Style Omni Directional Stereo Microphone
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sony is a household name that has a solid foundation, and it’s a brand to which many have people tied their trust.
This sneaky little cool-looking microphone reflects the value and quality of their brand.
You can clip this to multiple sections of your clothes and camouflage with it.
One of the best features that propel this device to stand out from the crowd is that it’s flexible, and it can be rotated towards any preferred direction with some sleight of hand (in case you are under some tight circumstances).
It’s about the same size as your standard headphone cord( 40in) and long enough to be clipped to the top of your shirt and reach your pocket.
Along with the laptop, this equipment works with android and apple smartphones as well.
Pros & Benefits:
- Small and discreet with 360-degree flexibility
- Great stereo mic
- Cheap and very professional
- Crystal clear sound, almost inaudible background noise
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
9. Olympus ME-52W Noise Canceling Microphone
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This sleek black-colored microphone from ‘Olympus Cancellation Microphone’ that retains the dimensions of 3cm height and 5cm width is made of lightweight plastic.
Its elegant design helps it to go unnoticed.
The cord attached to this device is around 25cm and long enough to be clipped to the top of your shirt and reach your pocket.
It has certain issues regarding the compatibility with other brands such as iPad, iPhone, or iPod.
One of the major reasons for incompatibility is that the jacks on these devices are non-standard.
The other one is that the microphone requires power from the device to which it’s connected, but that’s not the whole story because you can buy some intermediary gadgets to make it work.
According to research and reviews, this device seems to be compatible with Olympus digital recorders and some MP3 devices.
It has been praised by customers for outstanding sound quality, and this is where its noise-canceling capabilities come into play.
You can turn the TV down to the point where people with normal hearing cannot hear the TV, and you can increase the volume on the amplifier to the point where it can be heard.
You can clip it anywhere and operate it hands-free.
Pros & Benefits:
- Ideal when background noise may be a problem
- Comes with windscreen cover, a tie-clip, and 3.3-foot extension cord
- Contains microphone sensitivity setting
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
10. SOTA Surveillance Mini voice Activated recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This premium voice-activated recorder from SOTA Surveillance can store high-quality recordings of any kind of events you would like to capture in the form of audio files.
The most spectacular thing about this gadget is that it has an eyebrow-raising battery life of 150 days (the longest battery life in the market) in standby mode.
Along with 14 days of continuous recording capacity after a full charge, it also has the capacity to store 576 hours of recording volume.
Since the device contains a magnet, it can be easily hidden on some inconspicuous metallic surfaces.
The voice-activated recording feature makes it record any sound that is produced around the device.
To save battery life, sleep mode is activated whenever the external sound ceases.
To listen to the recordings, one can simply connect the device to the computer and listen to the audio files, or you can make use of the included OTG cable to listen on the android which is ‘OGT compatible’.
Pros & Benefits:
- Can record while being charged
- Incredibly long battery life in voice-activated mode
- Time and date stamped recordings
- Magnetic property
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
11. Eoqo Wrist Watch Digital Audio Recorder
Last update on 2021-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Have you ever heard of the phrase ”Hiding in plain sight”?
If you don’t know the practical meaning of this phrase, here’s a chance to know it.
Last but not least is a very wearable, fashionable, comfortable, sleek, and elegant gadget from Eoqo.
This simple and compact wristband with a ‘date and time’ display function masquerades as a harmless digital watch.
No regular person will guess that its 8 GB memory can support 20 hours of continuous audio recording.
You can certainly play a good detective card with this device.
Since it has the voice-activated recording feature, it will automatically start recording whenever some sound is detected in the vicinity.
You can also set the device to avoid long hours of silent recordings, or you may select continuous recording.
The most outstanding feature about this elusive ‘microphone’ is that to listen to the recording, you need not move the audio file to a computer or use an earphone.
You can press the upper left key to play the audio directly from the voice recorder’s speaker.
There are no old clunky software issues while transferring the files to Mac or PC.
The recordings are stamped with date and time.
This wristwatch voice recorder seems to be a suitable microphone for business, school, lectures, or any kind of interpersonal communications.
Pros & Benefits:
- Wearable
- Playback by the built-in speaker
- Compatibility with Mac and Windows
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Our Top Pick
There are many numbers of hidden and disguised microphones or ‘spy’ voice recorders available in the market.
So, when you are buying these types of microphones, it’s important to consider several key criteria.
Some of the relevant questions that need to be analyzed are as follows;
- Why are you buying the device?
- How much storage is required?
- What is the degree of subtlety and discreetness that is required?
- Is a noise reduction feature needed?
- What are the required audio range and battery life?
- How much memory do you need?
- What is the available budget?
Dear readers, this is probably your final question for us:
Among the given 11 hidden and disguised ‘spy’ microphones that are campaigning to win the election, which device gets your vote???
After carefully reviewing the characteristics of each device based on the criteria such as intended use, sound quality, battery life, range and coverage, shape and size, connectivity, and discreetness, we have decided to give our popular vote to TCTEC Digital Voice Activated Pen Recorder.
Final Thoughts
The use of hidden microphones is popularly increasing and the applications are becoming more and more varied.
If you wander through the digital aisles you’ll get a variety of models and designs.
So before purchasing or choosing any of them, put into consideration different factors.
What you need it for will determine the choice you’ll make.
So whether you are a student trying to take notes without using your pen or a detective trying to unravel a mystery, there’s something specific for you.
So we advise you to go through our hand-picked list carefully before making that choice.