Tascam

Tascam DR-05XP

Name: TASCAM DR-05XP 32-Bit Float Portable Handheld Field Recorder and…
Brand: Tascam
Price: 109.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.1 (289 reviews)

A pocket recorder for capturing songs yourself.

68Bird

4.1· 289 ratings

$109.00

Price checked Sep 4, 2026

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Our verdict

HSReviewed by the BirdingPath team · Hilly Shore LabsUpdated Sep 4, 2026Price checked Sep 4, 2026

Synthesized from public specs and 63 buyer mentions. We research and analyze — we don't lab-test.

Get it if

Birders wanting a pocket 32-bit-float recorder with 17.5-hour battery life for capturing songs themselves.

Skip it if

You want built-in bird ID or a simple interface; it only records, and menus frustrate some.

ID method

Manual field recorder (no built-in ID)

Screen

Yes (LCD)

Power

2×AA (up to 17.5 hrs)

Connectivity

USB-C

Buyers praise

Recording Quality
Sound Quality
Value for money

Buyers flag

Lack Of Technical Information
Usability
Functionality

Compare it with the closest picks

Compare two picks

Tap a chip to swap either column — all 3 picks available.

Top pickTascam DR-05XP

4.1· $109.00

Top pickZoom H1 Essential

4.1· $109.99

BirdingScore

68/100

67/100

ID method

Manual field recorder (no built-in ID)

Species database

—

Screen

Yes (LCD)

Power

2×AA (up to 17.5 hrs)

Batteries / USB-C

Connectivity

USB-C

Buy on Amazon· $109.00 Buy on Amazon· $109.99

Show buy options for all 3 picks

Tascam DR-05XP Buy on Amazon

Zoom H1 Essential Buy on Amazon

Haikubox Buy on Amazon

Tascam DR-05XP compared

Compare all 3 picks across 5 specs, scores & buyer sentiment

Prices & ratings checked Sep 4, 2026

	#1 Top pick Tascam DR-05XP 4.1(289)	#2 Top pick Zoom H1 Essential 4.1(1,392)	#3 Premium pick Haikubox 4.2(22)
Buy	Buy on Amazon $109.00	Buy on Amazon $109.99	Buy on Amazon $279.00
BirdingScoremethodology →	68/100 Owner satisfaction58 Field value95	67/100 Owner satisfaction56 Field value95	62/100 Owner satisfaction52 Field value60
Buyer sentiment	Recording QualitySound QualityValue for moneyLack Of Technical InformationUsabilityFunctionality Buyers praise recording quality, sound quality and value for money. Mixed feedback on usability and functionality. Some flag lack of technical information. Based on 63 buyer mentions	QualityEase Of UseReliabilitySound Quality Buyers praise quality. Mixed feedback on reliability and sound quality. Some flag ease of use. Based on 268 buyer mentions	Not enough buyer reviews yet Only 22 ratings so far — too few for a reliable pros-and-cons breakdown.
ID method	Manual field recorder (no built-in ID)	Manual field recorder (no built-in ID)	AI acoustic ID (songs & calls)
Species database	—	—	—
Screen	Yes (LCD)	Yes (LCD)	No (app/web)
Power	2×AA (up to 17.5 hrs)	Batteries / USB-C	Plug-in (mains)
Connectivity	USB-C	USB-C	Wi-Fi

The BirdingScore, unpacked

Our published method blends real owner satisfaction with in-category value. No hidden math.

Owner satisfaction58/100

Field value95/100

Specifications

ID method: Manual field recorder (no built-in ID)
Screen: Yes (LCD)
Power: 2×AA (up to 17.5 hrs)
Connectivity: USB-C

Specs from the manufacturer listing and public product data; confirm the current listing before buying.

Manufacturer's claims (from Tascam)Show

The TASCAM DR-05XP portable handheld recorder makes it easy to capture pro-quality recordings for music, audio-for-video, meetings, dictation, and more.
Flexible recording modes include 32-bit float/24-bit/16-bit, 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz and MP3
Omnidirectional condenser microphones handle loud environments and sources (up to 125dB SPL)
2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for recording directly to your computer
Up to 17.5 hours of operation with 2 x AA alkaline batteries (*SD card and batteries not included)

Marketing copy as listed by the manufacturer — not our assessment.

Others in Bird-Song ID Devices

Zoom H1 EssentialScore 67 · $109.99 Buy on Amazon

HaikuboxScore 62 · $279.00 Buy on Amazon

Guides that cover this choice

How to Learn Bird Songs by Ear: A Practical Method Why Do Birds Sing in the Morning? The Real Reasons How to Use Merlin Bird ID: A Beginner's Walkthrough

Tascam DR-05XP

$109.00

Buy on Amazon