The perfect tool for interviews and more? The PLAUD NotePin is a handy voice recorder that comes with some powerful AI functions: For example, the handy recorder is able to create transcriptions and summaries – and can recognize 112 languages independently and switch between them. And it works really well, as our PLAUD NotePin test shows.
Technical data
| The product | NotePin |
| Dimensions | 51 x 21 x 11 mm |
| weight | about 25 grams |
| Microphones | 2x MEMS |
| rechargeable battery | 270 mAh |
| Battery life | 45 days standby; 20 hours voice recording |
| Internal memory | 64 GB |
| Cloud storage | unlimited |
| Price | € 169.90 * |
PLAUD NotePin Review: A touch of Apple, compact form
- Premium feel
- Impeccable workmanship
- Tiny and high-quality
When unpacking the PLAUD NotePin, connoisseurs are inevitably reminded of an Apple product. A white flap on the back of the white packaging has to be pulled off to access the contents. The fabric-covered USB-C to USB-C cable looks confusingly similar to that of the latest iPhone models.
Everything looks well thought out and of high quality. Yes, even the NotePin itself. The quality of workmanship is outstanding, the presentation incredibly valuable.
The NotePin is pleasantly compact. 51 mm high, 21 mm wide and only 11 mm deep. It weighs just 25 grams and is virtually unnoticeable when worn. The handy tool, available in dark gray (cosmic gray), silver (lunar silver) or purple (sunset purple), has two built-in MEMS microphones on the top and a lanyard holder on the top.
The back uses magnetic charging ports, whereby the NotePin can be supplied with power via the included charging station. Keyword carrying: The voice recorder is extremely versatile here.
The scope of delivery includes two different pins and clips that hold magnetically. The magnetic pin can be attached under clothing, while the clip can be attached to the collar.
The manufacturer also offers an optional neck strap and wristband if you prefer.
Operation and battery life
- Intuitive touch operation, but…
- … Stopping the recording doesn’t always work
- Impressive battery life
The PLAUD NotePin does not have a physical button. To operate it, simply hold your finger on the middle area on the top (between the two microphones), whereupon a noticeable vibration indicates that recording has started.
To stop recording, you need to press and hold this area again. However, this did not always work reliably in the test. Sometimes the recording simply continued to run and did not realize my input – the only way to stop it manually is via the companion app.
At least: A small status LED on the top inside the manufacturer’s logo shows whether a recording is in progress, the battery is running low or the NotePin is being charged. However, it is so tiny that you have to look directly at the voice recorder.
The battery life of the PLAUD NotePin is also impressive considering its size. The device has a standby time of 45 days and, when fully charged, allows continuous recording for 20 hours.
In view of the fact that it is simply not possible to switch off the NotePin, you should always make sure that the battery is charged when you want to use it. And this works perfectly and quickly thanks to the included charging station.
PLAUD NotePin test: AI features and app
The linchpin of the PLAUD NotePin is the PLAUD app, which is available to download for free on Andorid and iOS. It is also the reason why the PLAUD NotePin costs around 170 euros – especially when you consider that Google and Apple Notes already have an integrated transcription function.
Spoiler first: what the PLAUD NotePin makes possible here with the help of AI features goes far beyond the standard functions of the integrated note-taking apps. The price also includes unlimited cloud storage space.
Please note: Many functions are hidden behind a Premium AI subscription. There is a PRO subscription for 110.99 euros per year (9.30 euros per month), as well as an unlimited subscription for 249.99 euros per year (22.10 euros per month). The good news is that NotePin can also be used free of charge without having to take out a subscription. However, the monthly transcription minutes are limited to 300 and some additional features such as templates, industry glossary or the option to consult the AI are also missing.
The app has a pleasantly clear layout. On the main page you will find all the recordings, at the bottom you also have the option of importing audio files into the app or starting the recording. Under the “Me” tab, you can also make various settings and customize the NotePin, for example for firmware updates, microphone amplification and much more.
Clicking on one of your audio recordings then allows you to listen to the recording and segment the recording, for example to remove silent passages and pauses in speech.
When you select a recording, the powerful AI features come into play. The PLAUD NotePin is not only able to create a transcript, but also a summary of the content and even provides you with a mind map that breaks down the spoken content – we’ll take a look at that in a moment.
Here you first select the following parameters:
- Summary template (automatic recognition, consultation, discussion round, lecture and many more)
- Speaker name (automatically assigns a name to the voices, for this the speakers must already be known and named. NotePin then recognizes them automatically based on the voices)
- Recording language (automatic or language selection)
- AI model (automatic or GPT4.1, Claude 4, o3-mini, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash)
By clicking on “Generate now”, the artificial intelligence gets to work, which can take a few minutes depending on the length of the recording.
Very cool: The whole thing is automatically transferred to the web interface so that you can access it on PC and Mac. There is also a desktop app for Mac and Windows if you want to record online meetings.
The PLAUD NotePin in practice
The PLAUD NotePin is extremely practical and very versatile in its functions. Not only is it able to record audio (and in good quality), the AI functions take the device to a whole new level.
In addition to a fairly accurate transcription of the spoken word, the tool also creates a summary that can be conveniently filtered by location and time. And all this without an Internet connection thanks to 64 GB of internal memory.
On request, the NotePin can also create a mind map to break down the topic further. However, this not only works for meetings or calls, but also for brainstorming book ideas and much more.
Particularly cool: Depending on the type of recording, the AI indicates steps on how to proceed further in the process or provides suggestions on how to improve things that were discussed in the recording.
I simply searched for a team meeting in English on YouTube and had the whole thing transcribed (in parts). Here is the result:
And that’s just part of what’s possible with the PLAUD NotePin. You can also create your own templates and customize them, for example to categorize media ratings and much, much more.
The transcription service and the implementation absolutely impressed me in the test. Transcriptions and audio files can be easily exported both via the smartphone app and the web interface.
PLAUD NotePin Review: Conclusion
The PLAUD NotePin is more than just a tiny voice recorder. The AI functions take the dictation device to a whole new level and, fortunately, even the free plan works so incredibly well and precisely that the possibilities are almost endless. It’s also great that unlimited cloud storage is already included in the price.
The device impresses with its attractive and ultra-lightweight design, impeccable workmanship and excellent battery life. Perfect for transcriptions, brainstorming and creative work and a clear added value compared to the recorder apps for Android and iOS, albeit at a very high price.
VORTEILE
- Outstanding workmanship
- Elegant design
- Good microphones
- Impressive AI functions
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Strong battery life
- Great app
NACHTEILE
- High price
- Touch operation imprecise
- Premium plans very expensive
Fazit
Tiny and impressive AI voice recorder with long battery life and outstanding functions.
