There are lots of brands nowadays that are making high-quality recorders, and Zoom is one of them. Zoom offers high-end products at a very affordable price that brings good news for the podcaster, vloggers, etc. Such a fantastic series of Zoom is H series. And if you are looking for some incredible recorder, then Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 one of them can be the perfect choice for you.
Zoom H5 is the updated version of H4N that comes with a great microphone. Another hand, Zoom H6 H8, another two latest version feature some impressive features that can leave you speechless.
So, let’s explore every possible difference between Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 to find the suitable one for you.
Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 Comparison Chart
Zoom H5 Handy Recorder Review
You can say Zoom H5 like the big brother of H4N in every aspect as it consumes the latest technologies. From microphone to battery life, everything is superb in this recorder.
How Zoom can make such a recorder in an affordable amount is very impressive. It can be used for daily vlogging to podcasting, or even in recording movie dialogues.
Everything single detail is heard with crisp and clear audio quality. In a word, this recorder is super.
Simple Design
Talking about design first attractive thing is it is lightweight. With so many details in it, this recorder is not bulky at all. This comes in a small size with the traditional recorder look.
So, carrying it in your pocket is so comfortable and more manageable. As a result, you can easily take outside and do all the recordings efficiently.
This is also well built and portable. The built quality is excellent for long time usage. No one wants to change the recorder repeatedly as there is a little recorder with good built quality.
But this Zoom H5 can assure you all the benefits that you need.
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Improved Mics
The mics used in Zoom H5 are updated from the previous version you indeed like. Zoom integrated two mics; shock-mounted X/Y mics. They are excellent for recording audios as the original content.
You can record four-track and no need to register them separately. With ease of use, record those four tracks at a time. Those XLR TRS inputs let you connect XLR mic cables.
Besides, you can connect up to extra mics if you wish to. The phantom power lets it work with the external mics.
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Pre-amp
A decent pre-amp is a must for the defined and high-quality audio. As it makes the weaker signals high level thus we get good audio. But most of the recorder doesn’t have a good pre-amp, and this complaint was also with H4N.
But the great news is that with Zoom H5, you won’t have any complaint further. Its pre-amp is better than the previous versions. It is fully capable of producing good signals for defined audio.
It also can work smoothly SM58 microphone that many recorders can’t. You won’t see any trouble with the sound without any distortion.
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Great Onboard Option
The Zoom H5 contains a multi-level option, onboard and limiting. This is quite impressive for a handy recorder. Because managing lots of things with the smooth working principle is not that easy.
However, the compression provides a smooth texture in the sound and turns the audios like a newly polished track. Then the built-in limiter keeps the volume spike away, which may cause the overloading inputs.
For the musician, it has both metronome and chromatic tuner. Additionally, the highpass is there to prevent the tame wind and reduce noise as much as possible.
If you are concerned about onboard storage, let me tell you that it has 32GB SD/SDHC. You can record at a resolution of four tracks of 24-bit/48kHz or two channels of 24-bit/96kHz. And the battery is massive for you to register for a long time.
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Pros
- There is a built-in windshield for reducing outside noise.
- The metal bar in the design helps to keep the recorder in a stable position.
- 4in/ 2 out mobile recording system.
- Compatible with Windows PC, Mac, iPad.
Cons
- Onboard storage is not that large.
- The battery life is comparatively short.
Zoom H6 Review
A handy recorder with more extensive storage perfect for recording audio is sometimes a daydream. But this model of Zoom H6 makes the dream comes true with its exciting features.
You can also do home recordings, vlogging, or interviews with excellent efficiency.
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Design
Zoom H6 designed very simply looks like another recorder. Don’t contain any extra design in it but well established.
It is a bit weighty than the H5 and may look bulky for some. But as a handy recorder, you won’t face any problem with using it every day.
The build quality is good, like the H5. So much portable and can be your companion for a long time.
Decent Option For Microphones
Here in Zoom H6, you will find the same mics as the H5 but maybe a little updated and good working mics. The shock-mounted X/Y mics here with four XLR inputs. This means a total of six tracks at a time that works with phantom power.
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Onboard Processing
If you are about to choose this recorder, you will indeed find some advanced settings in it. And these settings are integrated for giving you a detailed gift. This can record audio 24-bit/96 kHz keeping a balance with onboard features.
First of all, the compression makes your audio the original, smooth and detailed. And next, the limiting setting helps to keep input levels from clipping. This also lets you record a concert or in your home with incredible audio.
Also, there is an additional feature for reducing noise and handling winds. The highpass filter helps to get of these troubles.
Next, the metronome and multimode tuner works with bass and guitar-type instruments best for musicians.
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Huge Onboard Storage
This recorder is absolutely perfect for those who want more extensive storage. This Zoom H6 has the ability of vast storage than the H5, which can make anyone bold.
The SD card media can store up to 128GB, which is enormous compared to the H5. You can record so many audio files and still don’t worry about the storage. How great is it!
For extra benefits, it ensures recording MP3s up to 320kbps. This is a long time recording file.
6 Track Recording At A Time
Many of us may use the recorder professionally or for casual use. But whatever the reason, there often came when we need to use them for multiple recordings at a time.
So, here is the big news came. This Zoom H6 gives us this gift to record six people means six audio recordings. And if there is any concern about the quality and nothing to worry about, it will ensure high-quality audio recording.
You will able to experience every person’s voice individually with single details. Nothing will mix up.
Moreover, the XLR inputs let you integrate 6 to 8 mics at a time. These multiple purposes make this recorder different from others.
Cons
- Maybe bulky for some.
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Zoom H8 Review
This is the latest and the great among Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8. This great recorder is compact but provides breathtaking performance.
Every phase of this recorder you discover you will be amazed. This can be any professional vlogger or journalist’s first choice. Also, seeing the price range, I don’t think you can say that is much after all it offers fantastic features.
Multiple Audio Interface
The first and most exciting thing with this recorder is the multiple recording systems. What do you think this handy recorder is capable of?
The ability is 12-track recording benefits with the higher quality audio. Yes, you have heard the right thing. This is superb as it offers more than the H5 and H6.
12 tracks with a resolution of 24-bit/96kHz give a feel of original content like the person is here right in front of you.
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Touchscreen
I have not seen many recorders containing a touch screen. And this recorder is giving us this. The unique touchscreen is a super-duper thing and maybe the most significant reason behind this kind of enormous popularity.
The LCD touch screen with three-mode podcasting, music, field recording you will get to see. Let me describe them in short.
Podcasting App:
Switching to the podcast mode, you are now ready to use the high-end podcasting production. This app is a dedicated system that lets to get high production.
From the 13 pre-loaded sounds, you can choose according to your choice easily into your SD card. You can use the touchscreen easily to switch to this model.
This also allows four mics at one and two sound pad tracks. The files will be recorded separately for the four microphones.
Music App:
Not only recording audios but also you can edit them as per your wish. Like processing music, mix them or overdub everything you can do. And all these within your fingertip.
With your fingertip’s help, see the home screen and make the controls such as faders, metering, audio levels, and all that. Also, the 12 tracks plus ten inputs are an immense benefit for recordings.
Enhancing the audio with EQ, compression, and connecting to Zoom’s guitar Lab with USB is so pleasing.
Field App:
For location sound record, sound design, or conferences, this field App is used widely and final. This helps never to clip the recordings and adjust the inputs, limiting, compression, etc.
Bigger Storage Capability
This H8 has the most extensive storage capability than the H5 and H6. It can store recordings up to 2GB for SD Card, up to 32GB for SDHC Card, and up to 512GB for SDXC.
This thing may give the rest to many who wants a more prominent ability to store data. All the recording is stored with the highest resolution of audio, so there is no chance of losing its efficiency.
Cons
- Not any eyecatching cons.
Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 | Main Difference
Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 Great LCD Display
Another crucial factor behind a sound recorder is its display. The more show can be good, the greater it would be. And when the recorder is from Zoom, no one needs to take extra stress about the display.
Three of the recorder have impressive displays with them. And the difference is not that much as they have LCD screens.
First, seeing the Zoom H5 has a large backlit LCD display. So, every single detail on the screen you will be able to see. And thus, it is easier to work with the recorder.
Choosing options conveniently and noting every detail and information is comfortable with such a screen. Overall with all other features, this kind of display is perfect for the newbies.
H6 also has an LCD, but this is much bigger than the H5 and contains full array color. So, the more detailed you will get to see on the screen.
The screen becomes so much informative, and every information becomes eye-catching for this kind of more expansive 2” display. Finding every option is easy and comfortable.
Another interesting thing about the screen is that it is kind of down-shaped. This helps to read pieces of information when you are recording. This is not a must-need thing, but yet it’s good.
And lastly, anyone wants the latest tech on his screen; then this H8 is absolutely suitable for them. The display screen of H8 is LCD and broader, but the exciting part is the touch screen.
Yes, you hear the right thing. This is so different and so impressive from the rest of the others. Very few recorders have this touchscreen.
A touch screen will help control and find all the options easily and get the information quickly.
Winner: Zoom H8.
Input Options
Sufficient input and output connection let you connect to several mics or devices. And in this regard, the H8 is much ahead of the H5 and H6.
The Zoom H5 has an input connection of two XLR and shock-mounted X/Y mics, which I have already mentioned. It means you can connect to two mics with your H5 recorder.
These mics are kind of fixed with this recorder, so you won’t be able to remove them. This kind of input connection is suitable for home recordings or one personal interview, or some vloggers.
On the other hand, Zoom H6 has four XLR input connections opposite H5. This means you can connect four mics with it. This is substantially beneficial if anyone is interested in journalism or some kind of interview for several people.
Even these mics are removal, so you can make the required adjustment how you like.
Lastly, Zoom H8 also has enough input connections. They are four XLR input connection like H6, two XLR-1/-inch inputs and 3.5mm mini-jack. So, you can handle four mics. There is an H8 pre-amp for turning the signals significant and a noise-free signal.
The input connection is most likely H6. But a slight difference in the efficiency of works.
Output
The H5 has one 1/8-inch output, H6 has two 1/8-inch work, and H8 includes a 3.5mm mini-jack for production.
The output for Zoom H5 uses for like the headphone jack or even as a line out. The result includes in H6 works also as a line out, with monitor and headphone. Lastly, the H8 output offers efficient work with DSLR, headphones, or cameras.
Winner: Zoom H6 and H8.
5 Bets Zoom Audio recorder
Removal Mic Capsules
With handy recorders, if the mics are removed, it becomes far easier to use them according to your own wish. But if the manufacturers don’t offer this, then it becomes problematic.
But Zoom gives the assurance of removal mics for these three recorders Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8. They are easy removal. The X/Y mics, mid-side or mono, stereo shotgun mics, whatever you choose, can comfortably remove or attach them.
Since H5 has four input and an additional two recording five records at once is impressive. And H6 and H8 also pretty incredible as they provide six records at a time.
I am amazed at all three of them for their fantastic work. These three make the perfect choice for anyone. They can meet the people’s needs according to their needs.
Backup Recording
Those who use the recorder for their professional purpose may sometimes have haste or forget to have a backup record because of workload. For this many accidents happens as a result of bad luck. You could lose your essential recording.
But to prevent this, today, recorders use advanced technology for keeping up the backup recordings automatically. So you don’t need to face unwanted accidents.
The three handy recorder Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 offer pre-record, auto-record, and backup record options. With pre-record mode, your record starts recording 2 seconds earlier, so it can record full time perfectly if you ever be late.
With the backup record, there is no chance of missing any of your recording files. They make duplicates themselves and save you. If any day you forget to save your recordings with a Zoom recorder, this tension is removed.
And at the end, the auto-record option starts recording automatically like a voice detect machine. They are just fantastic.
Decent Battery Life
Battery life is the most important fact for me as sometimes we may need to record for hours outside. In that case, a recorder without a good battery life won’t do us any good instead of getting into trouble.
So, before buying any kind of recorder, make sure your writer can provide a long battery life. So, you can record easily even if you are outside.
In this case, Zoom ensures a decent battery life for Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8. Zoom didn’t make a compromise with that.
Zoom H5 has a pretty decent battery life of 15 hours. Fifteen hours is a great time because I don’t anyone usually needs this kind of time.
This 15-hour battery life you can get before adding any external microphones. Once you connect them, the battery will differ. But still, it is pretty good.
There are two Alkaline batteries is being used so it can give an extended run usage.
Another hand, Zoom H6, and H8 have more significant battery life than H5. It expands the super impressive battery life. Straight battery life for 20 hours straight; what else does anyone need.
Even if you are outside for a whole day, you won’t need to get tensed if the charge will end. Both of the recorder use four Alkaline batteries. This double the H5.
But one thing is to be noted that battery life is a measure for three of them before connecting to any other mics. Once you join the external mics or maybe for different functions, the battery life can reduce.
So, always carry extra pair of batteries with you to get rid of the unwanted risk.
Winner: Both Zoom H6 and H8 offer 20 hours of battery life.
Outstanding Sound Quality With Zoom H8
Whatever feature the recorder contains, the first and foremost noticeable thing is the sound quality. If the sound quality is not fine enough, then the recorder is worth it at all.
Because only decent sound quality can capture the good audios and give you every detail, and all the Zoom products are highly capable of providing high audios.
And these Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 are super duper hits in the marketplace for their fantastic sounds.
The Zoom H5 is too good for the H4N in every aspect regarding sound quality. The noise is too little with it; even the low frequencies it produces are nice and smooth.
Lower distortion in the sound you will notice when you will start using it. The sound is so detailed as you expected. The music or voice you would record you will hear later will be the same as the original. But when we compare with the other H6 and H8, the sound quality seems a little bassy.
Because the pre-amp in H6 is much better, and the sound becomes so crisp and clear. Defined sound and beautifully balanced with all highs and mids for the music.
Every dialogue of the movie or the voice record is recorded with detail. Never give a chance to lose any point. With the six mics connecting options, each and everyone works smoothly.
Now come to the boss recorder Zoom H8 defeat everyone and gives the most incredible sound quality. Zoom probably put all the effort into it, so it becomes this kind of monster recorder.
The sound feels like the creator is sitting right in front of you. Isn’t it an astonishing fact how can a recorder can record this type of next-level audio!
The music feels lifelike and so peaceful. Not a single basis is missing from the sound, and the noise is possible to reduce as much as possible. The crispiness and richness in the sound can make anyone fall for it.
Final Verdict
Zoom H5 VS H6 VS H8 are such dazzling handy recorders that whoever comes to know about definitely falls for them. Each of them contains such balanced feature that is perfect from the newbies to the professional ones.
I personally get confused finding out which is the best. Though the H8 is powerful than the others, we can not ignore H5 and H6 capability either. Everyone is robust in their own way.
Ultimately, it will be your decision that you will choose because every one of them is splendid recorders.
FAQ
How do I charge a Zoom recorder?
Zoom recorders contain rechargeable batteries, so it’s easy to charge them. Just remove them from the recorder and put them in the charger, then set it. Here you are after a specific time you can use them.
Can I use a mic with zoom?
There are input connections for connecting the mics to your recorder. You can combine two, four, or even more as your recorder lets you to.
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