Graham Efurhievwe
Mar 10th, 2022If you’re used to filming, at some point you realize that audio quality is just as important as video quality. Thanks to new tech, recording video in 4K high dynamic range with DSLR cameras or your phone, is easy. But, unfortunately, it’s much harder recording audio at a similar quality. To bridge this gap, content creators have turned to lavalier microphones with great results. Lavalier mics are lightweight mics worn on a lapel collar (also known as a lapel microphone), under a shirt, or in your hair for recording your voice hands-free. So what are the best wireless lavalier microphones in 2022?
When lav mics first broke into the scene, they were a bit of a disappointment. Poor build quality, clunky cable wiring, and bad overall sound quality made them less of a solution than they claimed to be. Now, slow but steady advances in technology have made them a common sense purchase and suitable for many situations.
Over time, the best lavalier microphones have become increasingly convenient, their audio has improved, and the cables have disappeared, making them indispensable to creators. Wireless lavalier microphones have become suitable for live performance, stage presentations, and public speaking. This is because lav mics are commonly unobtrusive and easily blend into clothing, and you can avoid the clutter and spatial limitations that come with wired systems by choosing one of the wireless options.
Every wireless lavalier microphone system requires a microphone, a device to transmit a wireless signal (a transmitter), and a device to receive a signal (a receiver). If you’re a customer looking to get a microphone system or trying to upgrade your old one, you need a system that cuts no corners on the quality of these parts, while assuring heavy use reliability and consistency.
Since there are so many brands out there, choosing one of the best lavalier microphones can be a bit of a headache. In this guide, we’ll discuss eight wireless lavalier microphone systems that are a popular choice today:
$650
The Sennheiser EW 112P G4 is a professional-grade lav mic system that offers excellent sound quality, a tough build quality, and straightforward operability. In addition, this lavalier microphone allows you to adjust the sound frequency ranges, which wasn’t a feature in older models.
Sennheiser is known for its durability, and the EW G4 is no exception. It is well suited for indoor and outdoor performance, with excellent noise cancellation in either location. In addition, it features a maximum coverage of 100m (330ft) that sounds great at every inch.
At $650, it’s best suited for professionals. However, the ease of setup and use have made the Sennheiser EW G4 lav mics a choice pick in the field.
$256
The Rode Wireless Go II is the updated version of the Rode Wireless Go, which is a household name for video creators. One notable improvement is the addition of dual transmitter support, which allows for simple two-mic wireless recording on the go. It also offers universal compatibility with cameras, mobile devices, and computers. Restricted compatibility was a limitation of the earlier version.
Other new features of these wireless systems include an extended range (200m), improved transmission stability, and a slightly improved signal-to-noise floor. The lav mics record directly to DSLR cameras, phones, or onboard storage. The Rode Wireless Go II is a powerful and valuable audio tool that accommodates the needs of anyone seeking to refine their audio.
This wireless system comes with two transmitters for better signal transmission. It is as sleek and compact as the old Rode lavalier mic but with a better display. In addition, this wireless system offers other great features that make it a fantastic fit for video creators, although it could be easier to fine-tune the gain levels on the go.
$329
Like the Rode Wireless Go II, the DJI Mic Wireless microphone kit comes with duo transmitters so you can capture two-channel audio. It provides clean sound up to a whopping 820ft. Generally, it doesn’t seem practical to record from that far away (unless you’re a spy); that extra bit of flexibility doesn’t hurt.
Another neat feature of these wireless systems is that it comes with a rechargeable battery case that charges both transmitters and the receiver two times over. That way, you never get taken by surprise by a power failure. This kit is also compatible with a wide degree of devices and is USB-C chargeable. Additionally, there is a built-in touch screen for easy control and accessibility.
$568
The Sony UWP-D21 is a simple, reliable lavalier microphone that works great, especially when paired with a compatible Sony camera. While this sounds like a limitation, it’s not. This lavalier microphone kit works just fine with other devices. Besides, Sony cameras are pretty standard, so if you already own or intend to own one, this lavalier microphone is a spectacular choice. If you don’t, you can use it anyway and get smooth, professional-grade sound.
It takes longer to charge the batteries than other lav mics but is smaller and lighter than previous Sony wireless microphones. Its sound quality is top-notch, and it boasts a battery life of 6-8 hours. These lav mics iare made with simplicity in mind for DIY camera operators, videographers, vloggers, and journalists working in the field without a crew. It also features NFC Sync and Auto-Gain functions, which handle time-consuming frequency setup and mic-level adjustments for you, so you’re ready to shoot within seconds.
$229
The Saramonic Blink 500 Pro B1 is an ultracompact and reliable lavalier microphone wireless system that provides out-of-the-box operability for anyone. For accessories, it comes with two 8-hour batteries and a rechargeable case for extra maneuverability. Its microphone has good weight distribution, providing extra stability when you clip it to a shirt or your hair.
This lav mic shares the same 2.4 GHz operating frequency and lithe build as a standard Blink 500, double the operating range, elevated sensitivity for the transmitter’s built-in microphone, and a neat OLED screen for easy accessibility. The integrated power bank/case idea makes a lot of things easier. The broadcast quality and the clear sound are remarkable for the price. There have been reports of compatibility and issues with accessories, but this wireless system can be a portable, budget-friendly answer to your audio needs.
$365
Rode is becoming something of a legacy brand for microphones. They have backed this up with their RODELink filmmaker Kit, which is now a favorite among professionals. The Filmmaker Kit boasts a remarkable battery life, routinely operating for over 30 hours (sometimes up to 50 hours) on two AA batteries. It also features Series II 2.4 GHz digital transmission, which constantly monitors and flickers between frequencies to keep a clean transmission up to a range of up to 330′. It sends audio on two separate frequencies and uses the cleanest signal possible.
Each RODELink system creates a wireless peer-to-peer connection allowing the transmitter and the receiver to operate as a pair. This means that you can only transmit audio to one receiver at a time. Conversely, the receiver can only receive audio from one transmitter at a time. This means you cannot add another mic to this setup. This may be a drawback if using multiple microphones at once is something you want to be able to do. In addition, there are sometimes signal drop-offs, especially in high wi-fi areas.
This Rode lavalier mic can easily be powered by USB, but occasionally this connection is accompanied by a hissing noise in the audio. The transmitter is a little bulky, and the microphone is a bit oversensitive right out of the box, but that can be tuned easily. All that aside, this is an excellent product that produces unbeatable sound. While it is priced as an entry-level lav mic, it performs very well professionally.
$130
The Samson XPD2 features digital 2.4 GHz transmission like many microphones on this list. It also features an extensive list of device compatibility, including iPads via Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. At $130, it is a very low-budget microphone that packs smooth, high-definition audio quality. One downside is that its audio doesn’t have the best volume. Besides the fact that some may find it not loud enough, volume control is also inadequate. Its transmitter offers 20 hours of battery life. If you want something affordable for a small setup and aren’t looking for studio-grade equipment, the Samson XPD2 will more than suffice.
$250
JOBY recently jumped into the microphone market and has attempted to carve out a name for themselves with a release of new products. Among these is the sleek JOBY Wavo AIR wireless lavalier systems. It is a compact and straightforward lav mic that enables you to capture crystal clear broadcast sound quality. It records audio at very high quality with negligible background noise, even in noisy environments. You can record lav mics from a range of up to 50 feet away from your recording device. The transmitters offer a battery life of up to 6 hours and are charged through the USB-C port. It is an excellent lav mic to own and use, especially if you own other JOBY products for easy synchronization.
Getting a wireless lavalier lapel microphone will definitely add that extra bit of quality and flexibility to your setup and is a no-brainer for those who wish to focus on creating. Choosing one of the best lavalier microphones with wireless options can be a head-scratcher. Don’t worry, with the guide above, we hope to have eased some of that confusion. All of these lav microphones deliver improved sound quality, but there’s enough variation in pricing to make the budget the deciding factor here.
