AI Notetaker Devices: Limitless AI Pendant vs. PLAUD AI Note
TL;DR: While the Limitless AI Pendant delivers solid functionality, we found the PLAUD AI Note had a slight edge due to its portability, hardware design, and software polish.
At some point, you’ll find yourself in a virtual meeting with an AI notetaker bot. But what about the moments between meetings? The phone calls, coffee chats, or hallway conversations where ideas spark—and just as easily vanish.
That’s why our CEO Jason Shafton and COO Cait Anderson tested two wearable AI notetakers to see which one actually delivers. Their goal: find out if these devices could close the gap on capturing creative discussions, action items, and client updates that happen on the go.
Let’s find out whether these gadgets are a hit or a miss.
Why try AI notetaker devices?
When your day is packed with back-to-back conversations—many of them spontaneous or fast-moving—handwritten notes just don’t cut it. Jason and Cait wanted a “set-it-and-forget-it” recorder that could:
- – Capture conversations anywhere (not just on Zoom or Google Meet)
- – Surface key takeaways and commitments without manual note-taking
- – Let them stay present instead of glued to a keyboard
That led them to test two popular AI devices:
- Limitless AI Pendant – $199
- PLAUD AI Note – $159
This review is 100% unsponsored and reflects their honest, unfiltered experience.
Jason Reviews: Limitless AI Pendant
Jason put the Limitless AI Pendant through its paces, from setup and onboarding to daily use.
First Impressions
The device arrived nearly out of charge, so the first task was powering up. Once charged, the Limitless mobile app walked him through Bluetooth pairing and voice-print calibration. While functional, the onboarding wasn’t completely frictionless.
Basic recording is intuitive—just tap to start and stop—but accessing settings takes more effort than expected from a product that aspires to Apple-level simplicity. It’s minimalist in theory, but still feels like an early-adopter experience.
What I Liked About It
Once the pendant is around your neck, it’s easy to forget it’s there. You can discreetly toggle recording during meetings, site visits, or speakerphone calls. Battery life clocks in around 6–7 hours—enough for a full workday.
Each morning, the app pushes a summary of the previous day’s conversations, including action items, key quotes, and timestamps. Raw audio and transcripts are also stored, making it feel like a personal black box for your business life.
The “always-on” nature means you won’t miss ad-hoc insights. Plus, it’s more discreet than a phone recorder or laptop mic.
Exporting is seamless, too. One tap gets you a plain text file, ready to drop into ChatGPT for advanced summarization.
What Needs Work
- – The mobile interface feels clunky. Filtering and finding specific conversations takes longer than it should.
- – Speaker identification often gets it wrong, labeling others as Jason or duplicating action items.
- – A confusing warning banner at sign-in referenced “possible data loss” with no explanation.
- – Local recordings sync to the cloud, raising privacy and consent concerns. While there is an LED recording light, users still need to get explicit verbal permission.
Jason’s Wishlist for V2
- – Smarter search using natural language (e.g., “chat with Jane about Q4 OKRs”)
- – Improved speaker attribution to avoid mix-ups
- – Integration with tools like Todoist or Asana to turn action items into tasks
- – An onboarding experience that’s truly Apple-level—starting with enough charge to record out of the box
Final Thoughts
The Limitless AI Pendant nails frictionless capture but struggles with organization and recall. If you can tolerate some UI quirks, it’s a powerful “memory prosthetic” for fast-paced work. Jason’s still wearing his—but he sends transcripts to ChatGPT for more polished summaries.
Score: 7.8/10
Excellent hardware; software still catching up.
Cait Reviews: PLAUD AI Note
Cait used the PLAUD AI Note by attaching it to the back of her phone as she went about her day.
What I Liked About It
Disguised as a sleek wallet case, the PLAUD is unobtrusive and easy to carry. Since it lives on your phone, you don’t forget it. You control recording with a physical button—no always-on listening, no creeping “Alexa” vibes.
It even offers separate modes for in-person vs. phone calls.
What Needs Work
- – The mobile app is cluttered and overwhelming. You mostly just want to export, share, or listen—yet the interface buries those options.
- – The device uses a proprietary charger, so you’ll need to pack an extra cable when traveling.
- – The MagSafe-style faux leather casing peels easily. Cait would prefer a sleeker, more durable material.
- – It blocks wireless charging, which creates risk if you remove it and forget to reattach.
Cait’s Wishlist for V2
- – A simplified, “quick actions” screen with just the essentials
- – Support for USB-C or Qi wireless charging
- – Alternative formats like clips, lanyards, or metal badges
Final Thoughts
PLAUD strikes a strong balance between form and function. With its dual recording modes and lightweight design, it’s an easy fit for everyday work. If they streamline the app and address hardware friction points, it could dominate the wearable notetaker space.
Score: 8.0/10
Hardware limitations; excellent software.
The Verdict?
Both devices are promising—but if you want an AI notetaker that’s easy to carry, discreet, and software-smart, PLAUD has the edge.
