Buying a Lavalier Microphone: 5 Things to Check First

A two-person wireless lavalier microphone kit in its charging case

A clip-on lavalier mic sits close to the mouth, so voices sound clearer than with a camera or phone mic. Before you buy, check these five things.

5 things to check before you buy

  1. Count the people you record. Two-transmitter kits cover interviews and two-host videos. Wired lavs and single kits cover one voice each.
  2. Match the connection to your gear. Cameras use 3.5mm TRS, phones use USB-C or Lightning, and older phones use 3.5mm TRRS.
  3. Look for on-board recording. Transmitters that record internally save the take if the wireless signal drops, and 32-bit float helps fix levels later.
  4. Check battery life and the case. A charging case can more than double the run time, so look at hours per charge and the total.
  5. Think about noise control. Noise cancelling helps on streets and at events. In quiet rooms, turn it off for the most natural voice.

Three picks to start with

  • Best Overall: RØDE Wireless GO (Gen 3) two-person kit, with over 40 hours of 32-bit float on-board recording.
  • Best for Noisy Places: DJI Mic 2 two-person kit, with transmitters that double as 32-bit float recorders and intelligent noise cancelling.
  • Best Value Wireless Kit: DJI Mic Mini two-person kit, with two 10 g transmitters and up to 48 hours of battery life.

All nine picks and a side by side table are in our guide to the Best Lavalier Microphones.

Browse the full Lavalier Microphones category for related guides.

#ad As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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