Product test
Plaude Note is the best voice recorder on the market
by Lorenz Keller
Now available: the smart dictation machine "Note Pro" from Plaud
3.11.2025
Translation: machine translated
As the successor to the "Plaud Note", the "Note Pro" promises even more performance in a more compact design. The improvements focus on recording quality and battery life.
The «Note Pro» is a digital dictation machine with AI support. In essence, it is a kind of hard disk recorder for speech that is recognised and transcribed thanks to the software.
Recording quality at a professional level
The central elements of the «Note Pro» are four MEMS microphones plus AI support. MEMS stands for «Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems». These are sensors that process sounds in a similar way to classic condenser microphones.
The combination should make it possible to clearly record conversations from up to five metres away. Applications include meetings, conferences and interviews. With the «Smart Dual Mode function», the device recognises whether you are on the phone or having a face-to-face conversation. The recording settings are then automatically adjusted to the respective situation in order to optimise the audio quality.
AI features
The strength of the device is the software. «Plaud Intelligence» includes more than just transcription. The «Multidimensional Summaries» function is designed to give you different perspectives on your recordings: from key data to speaker views and task lists.
«Ask Plaud» is a personal assistant that you can ask questions about your recordings in natural language. According to the manufacturer, the AI searches through all notes and provides answers with direct references to the original sources. This is handy if you want to find out which tasks were assigned in a meeting recording, for example. The AI's answers can be saved as structured notes and processed further.
My colleague Darina tested how well this all works in practice for you.
Functional design
The device weighs just 30 grammes and measures 85.6 × 54.1 × 3 millimetres. This makes it barely thicker than a credit card. The housing is made of aluminium with a ribbed structure. A 0.95-inch AMOLED display is integrated on the front.
This allows you to see the recording status, for example.
Battery life
The manufacturer promises up to 50 hours of continuous recording, which is said to be an increase of 66 per cent compared to its predecessor. In stand-by mode, it should even last up to 75 days.
Data protection
Plaud states that it complies with the various data protection and data security standards. Accordingly, all data is transmitted and stored in encrypted form.
Plaud offers various plans for using the AI functions. If 300 transcription minutes per month are enough for you, the service remains free of charge. If you need more, the corresponding packages cost between 10 and 21 euros per month.
Hamburg local, bookworm, and ice hockey fan. Dad and granddad. Constantly tinkering around with my smart home setup. I love DIY, the outdoors, fashion, and cosmetics.
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