Thanks to platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo we can broadcast our opinions via the format of video. Although our footage may look great the quality of our audio recording may lag behind in terms of production values.
Our camera or smartphone’s built-in mic should capture good-quality sound if we’re standing close to it. However, as soon as we step back a few feet from the camera the audio levels will drop off and unwanted background sounds will become more dominant.
By using a third-party wireless microphone transmitter we can keep our mouth and mic in close proximity at all times, even when we’re many meters from the receiver attached to our camera. By going wireless we aren’t physically tethered to our camera so we can capture our voice from a much greater distance than a cable would allow (up to 200 meters in some cases!)
This buying guide features a range of wireless mics that can transmit our voice to a receiver that’s plugged into our camera or smartphone. We’ve chosen a range of mics to suit those on a budget as well as more expensive high-end mics that have extra features such as onboard recording. Onboard recording means that the transmitter mic clipped to our shirt stores an audio file on its built-in hard drive as well as broadcasts our voice hundreds of feet to the receiver attached to our camera. If there’s any signal drop out then we can replace the problem sound using the audio file captured on the transmitter.
All of the wireless mics featured in this guide are compatible with iPhones too, though we do have an additional buying guide dedicated to a range of other wireless iPhone-friendly mics.
George has been freelancing as a photo fixing and creative tutorial writer since 2002, working for award winning titles such as Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N-Photo and Practical Photoshop. He's expert in communicating the ins and outs of Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as producing video production tutorials on Final Cut Pro and iMovie for magazines such as iCreate and Mac Format. He also produces regular and exclusive Photoshop CC tutorials for his YouTube channel.
Best wireless Microphone: Our top picks
If you're new to using wireless mic kits then you’ll find that the Godox WEC Kit2 is easy to use due to its simplicity.
For professional presenters who can’t risk signal dropout, this reliable wireless kit (with the extra safety of onboard recording) is well worth a purchase.
The Godox Magic XT1 produces excellent quality audio from a distance and its noise reduction features are impressive. The innovative receiver design is very showy - which makes it an attractive purchase for YouTubers.
The RODE Wireless Pro costs more than most two-mic wireless kits but with 32-bit float onboard recording, timecode support, and bundled accessories such as lav mics it offers more to please the professional.
The ability to view sound levels on the receiver’s screen gives this kit the edge over the similarly priced Godox WEC, but the DMic-S is more vulnerable to signal dropout.
The ability to view sound levels on the receiver’s screen gives this kit the edge over the similarly priced Godox WEC, but the DMic-S is more vulnerable to signal dropout.
Best wireless microphone in 2024
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Best for anyone new to wireless mics
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Versatile Connectivity: Includes options to connect via a 3.5mm jack for DSLRs or USB-C for smartphones.
✅ Consistency: Noise reduction is applied uniformly across both transmitter mics, ensuring consistent sound quality.
❌ Basic Sound Quality: The noise reduction feature may make voices sound flatter and tinny compared to standard mode.
❌ Plastic Build: The transmitters are lightweight plastic, which might affect durability and perception of quality.
The Godox WEC Kit2 is a typical budget wireless mic kit. It consists of a charging case that contains two transmitter mics that you clip onto the lapels of a presenter and an interviewee. Also in the case is a receiver that you can plug via a 3.5mm jack into a DSLR or use a USB-C cable to connect it to a smartphone. We found the kit very quick and easy to use as transmitters and receivers come out of their case fully charged and paired.
The two lightweight plastic transmitters have basic gain control buttons that adjust the record levels in three increments and there’s also a button to activate a software noise reduction feature when recording in noisy locations. We found that this feature does reduce traffic noise very effectively and your voice is sharp and clear - though it can also sound flatter and tinnier than the more bassy voice that the mics capture in standard mode. If the presenter activates the noise reduction feature it is also activated on the interviewee’s mic, ensuring consistency of sound.
We also found that the Godox WEC Kit2 performed well at a distance, with no signal dropout even when we turned our back to the camera and the transmitter lost sight of the receiver.
Read more: Godox WEC review
Best wireless mic kit for battery
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Touchscreen Display: The transmitters have a touchscreen for monitoring and adjusting input levels, offering better control and customization.
✅ Signal Reliability: Excellent at avoiding signal dropout, even at distances of up to 80 meters and with obstacles like thick walls.
❌ Heavier Transmitters: The solidly built transmitters are heavier (30g) compared to lighter options like the Godox WEC (12g), which can cause clothing to sag when clipped on.
❌ Bulkier Design: The circular design of the transmitters may be less comfortable or practical compared to more streamlined alternatives.
One of the biggest challenges a wireless mic system has to overcome is avoiding signal dropout, especially when the transmitter mic loses line of sight with the receiver. Another challenge is to reduce the rumble of wind noise in rural locations.
The Saramonic BlinkMe kit excelled at overcoming both challenges. I took it to a windswept Scottish hill and thanks to the supplied windshield the wind noise was negligible (check out our video in our full review). The optional software noise reduction feature took the edge off the remaining wind noise without creating a flat and tinny voice (unlike the Godox WEC kit).
The transmitter also broadcasted my voice loud and clear from around 80 meters, even when I turned my back to the camera or walked behind a thick castle wall! To make sure that no sound is ever lost you can use the BlinkMe transmitters’ onboard recording feature to capture an audio file on your mic. So in the unlikely event of signal drop out you can patch any holes in your dialogue using the onboard recorded .wav file in post-production software such as Final Cut Pro.
Unlike the lightweight plastic transmitters of the Godox WEC, the BlinkMe’s unusual circular transmitters have a touchscreen display so you can monitor and tweak input levels. However, the BlinkMe’s more solidly built transmitters are much heavier (30g compared to the WEC’s 12g), so they can cause clothing to sag when clipped to your shirt.
Read more: Saramonic BlinkMe review
Best wireless mic kit for portability
3. Godox Magic XT1
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ High Audio Quality: Features a 48KHz sampling rate and 24-bit depth, delivering CD-level audio quality.
✅ Auto Gain Adjustment: Ensures crisp and clear dialogue with automatic gain control.
❌ No on-board recording: No on-board recording means no backup track if there is anything should affect the recoding saved to the video file.
When reviewing the Godox Magic XT1 wireless mic kit it’s very easy to get side-tracked by its innovative design features and lose focus on other key elements. But let's get that unique design feature out of the way first. Unlike typical wireless mic kits, the Magic XT1 doesn’t have a charging case. Instead, you magnetically attach the two transmitters to the receiver to simultaneously store and charge them. Think of the receiver as a mini mothership to the two shuttlecraft transmitters. The transmitters stay docked to the receiver when in transit to a shoot. The transmitters then undock from the receiver and are clipped to your subject during the shoot. This compact combination of receiver and transmitters can be held in the palm of your hand, giving the kit a very small footprint in your kit bag.
Despite their small size, the transmitters broadcast excellent quality audio from up to 200 meters from the receiver (as long as you have a line of sight). This is thanks to the 48kHz/24bit Hi-Res audio technology packed into the kit’s tiny units, plus the 2.4GHz Frequency hopping system that keeps the transmitter and receiver continuously connected. The 48kHz/24bit audio spec is the same as the 7Artisans DMic-S kit featured in this guide, though the Magic X1 doesn’t suffer the dropout issues that hamper the DMic-S.
One challenge that all the mics in this buying guide face is to capture your voice without adding wind noise (or traffic) to the recording. The Magic X1 ships with easy-to-attach windshields, plus there’s a software low-cut filter to help reduce wind rumble. The transmitters have a little button that activates noise reduction software. With some mics, this can cause your voice to sound too thin and warbly, but the Godox Magic X1’s audio quality is negligibly impacted by the NR feature. Have a listen to the sound on our full review’s supporting video to hear the noise reduction feature for yourself. It’s a kind of magic!
Read more: Godox Magic XT1 review
Best wireless mic for pros
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 32-Bit Float Recording: Records audio in 32-bit float file format, providing exceptional flexibility with sound levels and avoiding distortion from overly loud inputs.
✅ Timecode Support: Facilitates precise syncing of audio and video for professional video production.
❌ Price: Higher cost compared to other wireless mic kits, reflecting its advanced features.
❌ Noticeable Transmitters: The transmitters can be quite visible when clipped to clothing, though this can be mitigated with the included lavalier mic setup.
At first glance, the Rode Pro kit looks like many of the wireless mic sets featured in this buying guide. However, it has a few extra tricks up its sleeve that will appeal to professional video makers (and it has a price tag to reflect these features!) Unlike the other kits in this guide, the Rode Pro boasts the ability to record 32-bit float file formats directly onto its transmitters. This format contains so much information about recorded audio that you don’t need to worry about setting the sound levels. If the mic input levels are too loud you won’t get distorted (clipped) audio. You can also set the transmitters to use GainAssist to capture healthy sound levels (or take complete manual control if you prefer). As this kit is aimed at professional video makers it supports timecode, so you can sync audio and video assets together with precision.
As with all wireless mic kits, the Rode Pro’s transmitters are rather noticeable when clipped to a subject’s shirt or lapel. For more discrete audio recording you can clip a supplied lavalier mic onto your subject’s clothing and plug its cable into the transmitter that’s clipped discreetly onto the subject’s belt.
Read more: Rode Wireless Pro review
Best wireless mic kit for smartphone shooters
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Touch-Sensitive Screen: Receiver features a touch-sensitive screen for detailed control over sound levels and other settings.
✅ Compact Adapters: Comes with small clip-on adapters for direct connection to Android and Apple smartphones, reducing cable clutter.
❌ Adapter Fit Issues: The adapter must be firmly connected to the DJI receiver, or it may not capture audio.
❌ Complex Menus: The touch-sensitive screen's sub-menus can be complex to navigate, potentially requiring a learning curve.
Most of the wireless mic kit receivers in this buying guide are connected to a camera by a 3.5mm jack (with the requirement of an additional third-party adaptor if you need to connect a receiver to a smartphone.) This leaves the receiver dangling by a cable from your camera.
The DJI Mic ships with small clip-on adaptors that enable you to plug the receiver neatly into your Android or Apple smartphone, thus avoiding dangling cables that can get snagged. However, we did find that you need to make sure that the adapter is pushed firmly into the DJI receiver or you won’t capture any audio. We also had to take our iPhone 15 Pro Max out of its protective case to ensure a connection between the receiver’s USB-C connector.
The DJI Mic kit feels well-built and the transmitters are reassuringly solid without being too heavy. As with most of the wireless kits in this guide, the two DJI transmitters and receiver sit in a charging case which is transported in a rugged protective carry case. The receiver has a touch-sensitive screen that enables you to dig into sub-menus to adjust properties such as transmitter sound levels.
It may take you a while to explore these sub-menus but they do give you full control over properties such as sound levels. The transmitters also provide onboard recording that you can use to bridge the gap if there’s any signal dropout. We found that the transmitters produced rich clear audio that didn’t require any post-production enhancements. From a performance and price point of view, this is a similar kit to the Hollyland Lark Max.
Read more: DJI Mic review
Best 'plug and play' wireless mic kit
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ User-Friendly Setup: Transmitters and receiver automatically pair when removed from the charging case, making setup quick and easy.
✅ Flexible Connectivity: Available in iOS or Android Duo Kits with USB-C or Lightning connectors built into the transmitters.
❌ Muffled Sound Initially: Requires removal of a protective blue tape to achieve optimal sound quality, which can be overlooked by beginners.
❌ Learning Curve: New users might need some time to understand the best practices for setup and usage.
If you’re a wireless mic novice then the Hollyland Lark M1 Duo Kit is well worth considering. The two transmitters and the receiver are charged simultaneously in one case to ensure optimum battery performance.
As soon as you lift a mic and receiver out of the case they are instantly paired, so you can start recording your voice wirelessly onto a camera or smartphone. When we first tested the sound quality of the Lark M1’s mic it sounded very muffled.
After I realized that I needed to peel off a strip of blue tape that protected the mics in transit the sound quality was excellent. Both mics have a noise reduction button. Sometimes software noise reduction can make your voice sound flat and tinny as we see with the Godox WEC, but in the case of the Lark M1’s HearClear feature background noise was reduced without compromising the quality of my voice. The kit also ships with easy-to-attach windshields to reduce the rumble of wind noise.
Unlike many wireless mics, there was no noticeable latency (delay) between my lips moving and the timing of the audio. The kit specification says there’s a latency of 20 ms but this can be considered to be negligible when you watch the footage, so you don’t need to spend time shifting the audio track by a frame or two in a post-production app such as Final Cut Pro. You can also purchase the Lark M1 as an iOS or Android Duo Kit. The transmitters in these versions have a USB-C or Lightning connector built into them.
Read more: Hollyland Lark M1 Duo review
Honorable mentions
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Sony-Compatible Option: The Virso S M2 kit includes a receiver that slots into the multi-interface shoe on Sony cameras, offering a more reliable signal than traditional 3.5 mm connectors.
✅ Onboard Recording: The transmitters feature onboard recording to ensure no audio is lost due to signal dropouts.
❌ Size and Bulk: The additional built-in microphone on the Virso S M2 receiver may add bulk, which could be less desirable for those seeking a more compact setup.
❌ Compatibility Limitation: The Sony-specific receiver of the Virso S M2 kit may not be necessary for users of other camera brands, who would need to rely on the 3.5 mm connector for other setups.
The Virso M2 kit and the Virso S M2 kit are almost identical - both include a pair of wireless mic transmitters and a receiver. In the Virso S M2 kit, you have a receiver that’s designed to slot into the multi-interface shoe on a Sony camera. This connection provides a better signal than you can achieve using a traditional 3.5 mm connector. The Virso S kit’s receiver also has a built-in microphone that enables the top to record the camera operator’s voice in addition to the voices broadcast by the two transmitter mics.
If you’re not a Sony camera user then the Virso M2 Kit will work just fine with cameras and smartphones (and you can also attach the Virso S M2 Kit’s receiver to other cameras using the 3.5 mm connector).
Apart from one version being Sony-friendly both incarnations of the Godox Virso M2 wireless mic kit behave in the same way. Broadcasting at 2.4GHz the transmitters have a range of up to 200 meters as long as there is a line of sight between the transmitters and the receiver.
In our test, we stood around 100 meters away from the receiver and our voice sounded loud and clear even from behind a thick brick wall! The mic’s windshield and noise reduction feature kept a fierce Scottish wind down to a negligible rumble so we could be heard loud and clear in a challenging test environment - check out the supporting video in our full review to hear the Godox Virso M2 in action. Even if your signal does drop out you can rely on the mic’s onboard recording feature to catch every word.
Read more: Godox Virso / Virso S review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Large Displays: Features relatively large displays that offer waveform views, making it easier to set and monitor audio levels accurately.
✅ Convenient Charging Case: The storage case also functions as a charging station, ensuring all components are uniformly charged and reducing the risk of equipment running out of power during a shoot.
❌ Bulkier Setup: The included charging case, while functional, may add bulk and weight to your kit, which could be less desirable for those seeking a more compact solution.
❌ Adapter Requirement for iPhones: Newer iPhones require a separate 3.5mm jack-to-lightning adapter to connect the receiver, adding an extra cost and potential inconvenience.
The Blink500 Pro kit enables you to capture strong clean audio levels up to 100m if the transmitter mics have a line of sight with the receiver. Relatively large displays provide a waveform to help you set and monitor audio levels. The supplied lavalier mics help reduce wind noise in challenging locations.
The kit is compatible with DSLRs and smartphones, though you will need to source a 3.5mm jack-to-lightning adaptor cable to attach the receiver to newer iPhones. A handy storage case doubles as a charging station so the transmitters and receiver are equally charged. So there’s less danger of a mic or transmitter going flat during a shoot, which can happen if you charge units separately. Overall, this wireless mic is highly recommended.
Read more: Blink 500 Pro B2 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Exceptional Range: Offers an impressive maximum range of 200 meters (650 feet), providing flexibility for various recording environments.
✅ High-Quality Audio: Delivers natural-sounding audio in a wide range of situations when properly adjusted.
❌ Adjustment Required: May require some testing and adjustment to achieve optimal audio levels, which could be a learning curve for beginners.
❌ Line of Sight Limitations: While the range is excellent, it relies on maintaining a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver to prevent signal loss.
The original Rode Wireless Go proved really popular thanks to its small size and its ease of use - and now the Wireless Go II extends the capabilities, by offering an amazing maximum range of 200m (650ft). What we like about the Go II is that it is available in either a one-channel or two-channel kit - giving you either one or two clip-on transmitters to pair with the miniature clip-on receiver unit. The receivers have built-in microphones so are good to go straight out of the box - but if you want a more discrete microphone, there is an optional tie-clip mic.
In our tests, we noted that getting the best from the Wireless Go II involves a little testing to ensure you have the right level selected, however, it’s capable of producing high-quality natural-sounding audio in a wide range of situations. Provided the transmitter is in line of sight of the receiver, the range is also very good, but should it be lost, there’s an added bonus that the transmitters offer on-board recording.
Read more: Rode Wireless Go II review
How to choose the best wireless microphone
Any of the wireless mic kits in this buying guide will enable you to improve the audio production values of your video programs, but it’s worth considering your specific needs as a filmmaker.
If you want to talk to camera without the constraints of a hard-wired mic then consider the cheaper option of buying a version that contains one transmitter mic and a receiver. Our buying guide features the more expensive duo version of each kit which enables you to clip a mic onto yourself and another onto your interviewee so that you both sound loud and clear.
You should also consider whether you want a simple kit that lets you start recording straight away (such as the Godox WEC), or whether you want the option of viewing and manually adjusting sound levels on the receiver with a kit such as the Saramonic Blink Me.
On the whole, the more you spend the more features you’ll get - such as onboard recording for example. But even the cheapest kit in our guide should sound better than your camera’s built-in mic, especially once you’ve moved a few feet away from your recording device.
How do I connect a receiver to a smartphone?
Most of the wireless mics that feature in this review ship with a 3.5mm TRS jack audio cable that connects the receiver to the 3.5mm socket on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. They also provide a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS cable for smartphones that have a jack input.
To connect this cable to a smartphone that doesn’t have a jack socket (such as an iPhone) you’ll need to buy an add adaptor cable. A 3.5mm to USB-C adaptor will let you connect the receiver to an Android smartphone (plus the iPhone 15 Pro line). If you have an older iPhone then you can buy a 3.5mm to Lightning connector.
The DJI Mic ships with connectors for both USB-C and Lightning so you can plug its receiver into your smartphone or iPhone without the need for a third-party adaptor. Adaptors are relatively cheap. Here’s the one I used to connect my mics to older iPhone models. When you plug the adaptor into an iPhone you’ll be asked if you’re connecting headphones or another device to the cable. Tap ‘other device’ or your iPhone won’t recognize the mic. You can also buy a 3.5mm to USB-C versions for iPhone 15 and Android phones.
How easy is it to attach windshields to transmitters?
Some mics (such as the Saramonic BlinkMe) have windshields with a push-and-twist connector. When I first encountered this design I didn’t know about the ‘twist’, so I struggled for ages to push the windshield onto the transmitter. Most mics in this review have a larger rubber mount that slots nicely and easily over the top of the transmitter.
How we test the best wireless mics
When choosing mic kits for this buying guide we tried to be topical, so the majority of our recommendations were released in 2023 with the exception of the DJI Mic from 2022. This wireless mic buying guide has been completely refreshed with new recommendations, and new models are added regularly.
We tend to get offered test units to play with before they are released which helps us keep up to speed with the latest technologies such as noise reduction and onboard recording. We’ve also aimed to include a range of different manufacturers and prices to suit a range of budgets.
I’ve been recording sound professionally since the late 1980s and the younger me would be astonished by the quality and range of modern wireless mic kits, especially as I’m no longer tethered by a lavalier clip mic’s cable which is hardwired to my camera! These digital days we’re all spoilt for choice when it comes to wireless mics as you can see from this buying guide’s candidates.
Testing is the fun bit. From the supporting videos in the full reviews, you’ll see that I like to test wireless mics in a wide range of locations, from wind-swept hills to noisy city centers. This enables me to discover how effective a kit’s physical windshields and the software noise cancellation features are. With wireless mics, I like to see how far I can get before the signal drops out, especially when the transmitter loses line of sight with the receiver. Because I test the mics with a top-of-the-range iPhone (the Godox WEC mic was recorded on an iPhone 15 Pro Max) I do get nervous when I’m around 60 meters away from the iPhone - especially when I’ve left it perched on a wall in a busy city location!
