DJI Mic Mini review – the best wireless mic for most people?

The DJI Mic and Mic 2 wireless microphones have quickly established themselves as staples in the video industry; I can't binge YouTube for more than three or four videos without seeing one of them, and if not a DJI one then the competitor Røde Go.

The principle is simple; a digital wireless microphone that plugs into the recording device to record clean audio AND records sound onto its own built-in memory at the same time for safety. Personally it was this device that caused me to finally abandon my near decade-old Zoom recorder in my workflow.

Most people, though, have moved a bit further into the future – and now so have DJI. Recording video on the phone means there is no point recording a 'safety track' – why not just get clean sound on the video you're likely going to edit on-device? Step forward the leaner (but not meaner) DJI Mini – a wireless mic that doesn't record – the sound goes straight into your iPhone/Android phone as you record and straight onto the video? Cheaper and – probably – for most the ideal solution...

DJI Mic Mini: Pricing

The DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX) is priced at $169 / £145 / AU$245 for the full stereo set with charging case. (This is probably the best choice for most people)

The DJI Mic Mini (1 TX + 1 RX) is $89 / £79 / AU$125 for a single mic & transmitter.

These prices compare well very with obvious competing products (like the Røde Wireless Me or Wireless Micro). If you have an older iPhone (14 or before, with a Lightning port) you will need to pay extra for an adapter. Cameras can use the 3.5mm port.

DJI Mic Mini: Specifications

DJI Mic Mini: Build and handling

The DJI Mic Mini has quickly become my favourite wireless mic. So much so, that this review is now a bit of a 'long term' effort because I've been using it for a couple of months now for my social media recordings.

The Mic Mini is sold in two combinations mono and stereo. There is a microphone/transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX) that plugs into the USB socket of your phone and, at least in the case of my iPhone, 'just works'.

It's all incredibly light; DJI's drone division has clearly shared some hints! The RX is built from similar plastic and has no display, just a dial (which has a satisfying click) with the option to adjust the level to one of 5 settings: -12, -6-, 0, +6, +12. This is extraordinarily simple (especially compared to, say, the DJI Mic 2).

The battery charging case is a kind of plastic too, so it's 139g (not too heavy) but DJI has pulled off a very high-quality feel – it looks and feels a lot like a MacBook Pro (and is a tone somewhere between the older and newer 'space gray'). What I really like about it, though, is that you can leave the wind protector – the 'dead cat' (though it's so small 'dead mouse' seems more appropriate) atop it and still close the lid on the more generously sized box. This is much, much better than having to remove the shield each time for those of us who regularly shoot outdoors. Bravo DJI.

The actual mic TXs are tiny and weigh very little, with a power and link button on the side, with a clip on the back (that is also magnetic so you can use the magnet to attach through clothing). The mic is concealed at the top of the square, and the wind muff noise shield clips to the top of this using cunningly placed recesses.

The square also has indicator lights – thoughtfully positioned on the rim so they are not too likely to appear in shot. That said, there is a less-than-entirely-subtle DJI logo on the front. Ah well, public service broadcasters can use black tape!

DJI Mic Mini: Sample Recording Video

Though for a moment at the beginning you can hear the sound sorting out its levels, the sound does not cut out even in the middle of an urban area when I walk out of shot behind steel and glass structures in this sample, shot using the DJI Action 5 Pro link.

DJI Mic Mini: Performance

The simplicity is a big positive for the Mic Mini, but the sound quality is still strikingly good. It'll certainly be a massive change if you're used to relying on your phone's mic (even if it has good AI noise cancelling).

The noise reduction is more or less totally reliable in my tests, as was the signal. That said there were no occasions I felt motivated to walk hundreds of meters from my phone to test the full wireless range!

So auto-limiting works. The magnet works (in that it holds the mic up, even through a wooly jumper). There is no 32-bit float audio here – DJI would say if you need that get the Mic 2 – but it works at 24-bit (or 16-bit in Bluetooth mode) which is fine in most circumstances especially if you can check the monitor on your recording device and use the level adjustment (not that I needed to much).

Admittedly charging the case isn't super-fast, but you'll only need to do that at the end of the day (and not every day at that) so leaving it for 2 hours isn't a disaster.

The ease of pairing with the DJI Osmo Action 5 – the GoPro-beating best action camera – is also a bonus for those who use the camera. I did this when testing and it took seconds and I could see a levels chart on the screen. One or two mics can be paired at a time (and you don't need the RX – just make sure you've updated the camera's firmware since the Mic Mini came out).

DJI Mic Mini: Overall Verdict

The DJI Mic Mini makes a lot of sense for creatives on the move, especially if – like so many – you've pivoted toward using your phone for video recording. If you're already a committed social media creator – using phone-only – then why spend more?

You get mic quality directly on the audio track, so editing is quick and easy. If you only ever edit this way, you lose nothing but save money.

Writing from the Northern Hemisphere, I must admit that the idea of an ultra-lightweight T-shirt-friendly microphone seems a little unnecessary when reviewing in winter, but a few grams can make a lot of difference and DJI has pulled off a wonder which will be very visible in the right circumstances. I'm sure that sales of the Mic 2 will be cannibalised.

Since the Mic is notably smaller and lighter than the Røde Micro, (10g v 18g) and the charging case's battery life more than doubled, this is an easy recommendation.

DJI Mic Mini: Alternatives

The Rode Wireless ME is the obvious alternative to DJI's offering.

View Deal

The DJI Mic 2 offers a lot more functionality for serious users, in exchange – of course – for a bigger investment.

View Deal

How I tested the Mic Mini

I was loaned the Mic Mini by DJI, but retain complete editorial independence so I can say what I like. As it happens, I personally own a DJI Mic (1) which I've been using lately when posting to the DCW TikTok feed so I have regular experience with the product category!

My tests, as always, then are 'real world' – I use the device to do the job it is designed for and I tell my experience 'as is'. We do have a lab at DCW for our lens testing, but with devices like this the experience is much more holistic, which is why I include a video with a sample you can listen to.

I also tested using a DJI Action 5 Pro camera, which can connect to the Mic Mini (or Mic 2 come to that) to get an experience of the workflow.