Best Lavalier Mic in 2023 (for iPhone, YouTube, Podcasts, etc)

The DJI Mic has been specially designed as an ideal companion for vloggers and interviewers, and its impressive specifications are a testament to that.

Starting with its compact size, measuring at just 47.32×30.43×20.01 mm, and weighing a mere 30g, it’s the epitome of portability.

The operating frequency ranges from 2400-2483.5 MHz, powered by a GFSK 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps wireless mode.

This contributes to its solid connection stability and remarkable audio clarity, ensuring your content is always top-notch.

The battery life is impressive too, with a 320 mAh capacity that provides 5.5 hours of operating time, and it only takes 70 minutes to fully charge.

The battery itself is a durable LiPo 1S type, which is known for longevity and reliability.

The DJI Mic is quite a hardy piece of equipment, able to operate in temperatures ranging from -10° to 45° C, which means you can count on it in a variety of environments.

One unique feature is its all-direction microphone directions, with a frequency response from 50 Hz – 20 kHz when low cut off, and 150 Hz – 20 kHz when low cut on.

This ensures that no matter how you’re recording, the DJI Mic captures clear, high-quality audio.

For vloggers or interviewers on the move, you’ll appreciate its maximum transmission distance of up to 250m (FCC) and 160m (CE) in an unobstructed outdoor environment, allowing you flexibility in your setup.

Whether you’re on the bustling streets of a city or the quiet corner of a cafe, the DJI Mic is equipped to deliver outstanding performance.

It’s a solid, trustworthy ally for all your vlogging and interviewing needs.

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The Shure MVL, our top lapel mic for iPhones and tablets, stands out with its exceptional specifications and features tailored specifically for iOS users.

Being an Apple MFi certified microphone, it is designed to work seamlessly with all iOS devices that have a Lightning connector.

As an iPhone user myself, I appreciate the simplicity and compatibility of this device.

Its sound quality is subject to personal preference, but users who lean towards the Shure MVL often applaud its strong performance in the midrange frequencies.

It stands neck and neck with the Rode SmartLav+, offering another excellent option for your iOS devices.

To make the most out of the Shure MVL, it’s recommended to pair it with the ShurePlus MOTIV app.

This companion app opens up a world of customization, ensuring you get the best audio for your recordings.

The Shure MVL boasts an omnidirectional polar pattern with a frequency response of 40 Hz to 20,000 Hz, ensuring a broad spectrum of sound is captured.

The microphone can handle a maximum SPL of 124 dB, showcasing its capacity to capture loud sounds without distortion.

Its sensitivity sits at -44.0 dBV at 1 kHz (Pa=94 dB SPL), offering a high level of clarity and balance in your audio.

One feature I appreciate is its low equivalent output noise of just 29 dB A-weighted, keeping those pesky background noises at bay.

The housing is cast zinc, making it durable for long-term use, and with dimensions of 15.2mm x 5.5mm x 132cm (H x W x D), it’s compact and lightweight, perfect for on-the-go usage.

Whether you’re interviewing, podcasting, or capturing a wedding speech on your iPhone or iPad, the Shure MVL is a solid, reliable lapel mic that delivers excellent audio quality, flexibility, and ease of use.

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The Rode SmartLav+, our favourite lapel mic for podcasting and YouTube videos, is packed with features that make it an excellent choice for content creators.

Firstly, the SmartLav+ is an incredibly compact and lightweight microphone.

It’s an excellent solution for interviews or any situation where you need the microphone to go unnoticed while still capturing crystal-clear audio.

The fact that it is a permanently polarised condenser microphone with an omni-directional polar pattern ensures that it will pick up sound evenly from all directions.

The microphone boasts an impressive frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz, ensuring that it will faithfully capture both low and high-pitched sounds.

The signal-to-noise ratio of 67 dB and equivalent noise of 27 dB is quite good, meaning your recordings will have minimal background noise.

One thing I love about the Rode SmartLav+ is its maximum SPL of 110 dB. This makes it capable of handling louder sounds without distorting the audio, perfect for dynamic podcasting and YouTube recording scenarios.

This nifty microphone operates using the power from the iPhone TRRS socket (2.7V), eliminating the need for extra batteries.

You’ll find the best results when using this mic in conjunction with the Rode Rec app. The app offers advanced features and helps ensure you get the most out of your SmartLav+.

The Rode SmartLav+ comes with a 12-month warranty. That’s a solid peace-of-mind factor when investing in a new lapel mic.

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The Sennheiser MKE 2-EW, our top recommendation for professionals, truly shines in live situations, both for speech and instrument applications.

Its high-quality design, exceptional sound quality, and robustness against moisture and sweat make it a reliable choice for professional use in varied scenarios.

This fantastic little microphone features an omnidirectional polar pattern, ensuring that sound is captured accurately from all directions.

With a frequency response of 100 Hz – 20 kHz, the MKE 2-EW does a great job of reproducing a wide range of frequencies, from the deepest bass to the highest treble notes.

One standout feature is its maximum input sound level of 133 dB (THD = 1%), meaning this mic can handle loud sources without the risk of distortion.

The condenser transducer also ensures that your audio will be clear and detailed.

The MKE 2-EW is powered by phantom power provided by EW series transmitters, making it an easy and convenient option for those already invested in the Sennheiser ecosystem.

Perhaps the most notable feature of this microphone is the special umbrella-diaphragm that protects it against moisture and sweat.

This feature alone makes it an ideal choice for theatre productions and other live performances where durability is paramount.

Despite being packed with professional-grade features, the Sennheiser MKE 2-EW is surprisingly lightweight at just 1g, and its dimensions of 12 x 6mm make it unobtrusive in any setting.

All these features come together to make the MKE 2-EW one of the best lavalier microphones on the market, offering a reasonable price point for such outstanding performance.

When it comes to versatility in the world of lavalier microphones, the Countryman B6 absolutely shines.

The smallest and most adaptable lavalier microphone I’ve come across, it’s a tool that can adapt to just about any audio scenario you can throw at it.

This diminutive powerhouse supports a mono sound field and comes with an impressively wide frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

This ensures that it’s able to faithfully capture a full spectrum of sound, from the lowest bass notes to the crispest, clearest highs.

Despite its petite size, the B6 can handle a Maximum SPL of up to 120 dB, meaning it can cope with relatively loud sounds without suffering from distortion.

This makes it an ideal pick for environments where sound levels can fluctuate.

With a sensitivity of 16.0 mV/Pa, the Countryman B6 is capable of picking up quiet sounds effectively. This level of sensitivity ensures you get excellent audio capture, regardless of your recording conditions.

The B6 weighs an incredibly light 0.07 oz (2 g). This makes it easy to clip onto clothing or other materials without causing discomfort, and it’s so small, it’s almost invisible to the eye.

For those on a budget but still in search of high-quality audio for their iPhone or iPad, the Zooblu Wireless Lavalier is a real winner.

This highly-rated lavalier mic offers full band audio with 44.1~48kHz stereo CD quality and features Real-Time Auto-Sync Technology, all at a fantastic price point.

No need for extra apps or adapters with this one, just plug the receiver into your device, turn on the mic and boom, you’re good to go.

It provides a solid, automatic connection and sync, hassle-free.

What really sets the Zooblu apart is its multi-directional sound reception.

Offering professional full band audio and supporting Multi-Channel Real-Time Mixing, it beautifully balances background music and vocal audio in real time.

And here’s a great bonus, it has a built-in 65MAH rechargeable battery that provides more than 6 hours of continuous use. Plus, it has an impressive barrier-free connection range of more than 20m.

In summary, the Zooblu Wireless Lavalier Mic offers excellent value, making it our top choice for the best budget lavalier microphone for iPhone and iPad users.

If you’re someone who’s on video conferences all day long, then the PowerDeWise Lavalier Mic is a stellar choice for you. This lav mic boasts advanced noise cancellation technology that effectively filters out any background noise and distractions, allowing your voice to come through with a warm, natural tone.

One big plus here is that it’s 100% wired. So there’s no need to worry about radio interference, battery life, or charging. It’s always ready to use. Just plug it in, and you’re all set to start your video conference.

Another cool feature is the USB Type-C sound card. No drivers needed!

It’s compatible with Android, Cameras, Camcorders, Audio Recorders, Tablets, Laptops and even iPhone (though you might need an adapter).

It comes with a 79″ (2m) cord and an additional 2m extension cord in the box. Plus, it includes a handy case for easy storage and transportation.

With its excellent sound quality, universal compatibility, and one-year warranty, the PowerDeWise Lavalier Mic is our top budget pick for video conferencing needs.

The BOYA by M1 wins the spot for the Best Ultra-Budget Lavalier Mic.

Don’t let its price fool you; it’s a clip-on mic that performs excellently with DSLRs, Camcorders, Audio recorders, PCs, and even Smartphones.

Although it needs a separate app for adjustments on iPhones, it’s a small hurdle considering the savings.

The BOYA by M1 is an omnidirectional condenser microphone, meaning it picks up sound equally from all directions.

Its surprisingly high-quality condenser makes it an ideal choice for video use, and it handles noise remarkably well.

You’ll appreciate its Vidpro XM-L Wired Lavalier microphone that comes with a 20′ Audio Cable, making it a breeze to set up for your recording needs.

If you’re on a tight budget, but you’re unwilling to compromise on quality, the BOYA by M1 is a reliable option to consider.

Just keep in mind the minor adjustment required for iPhone users.

Lavalier mics, also known as lapel mics, are the Swiss Army knives of the audio recording world.

They’re small, unobtrusive, and capable of delivering professional-quality sound in a wide range of scenarios.

Here’s a quick rundown of what they’re good for:

1. Video Production: They’re widely used in television, film, and news broadcasting due to their ability to be hidden discreetly on a subject’s clothing. They deliver clear, focused sound without capturing excessive background noise.
2. Interviews: Whether you’re conducting a one-on-one interview or hosting a panel discussion, lavalier mics are ideal. They allow for natural movement and eye contact, making conversations feel more organic and less staged.
3. Presentations & Public Speaking: Giving a lecture, presentation, or any form of public speaking can be nerve-racking. A lavalier mic attached to your clothing lets you focus on your delivery, rather than holding a microphone.
4. Theatre Productions: Lavalier mics can be hidden in costumes, allowing actors to move freely while maintaining consistent audio quality.
5. YouTube and Podcasting: Lavalier mics are popular with content creators. They offer high-quality audio, are easy to use, and allow for hands-free operation.
6. Vlogging & Social Media Content: For influencers or anyone regularly creating video content for social media, lavalier mics provide a hassle-free solution for clear audio.
7. Online Meetings & Remote Learning: As work and education increasingly move online, having a lavalier mic can dramatically improve audio clarity, making communication more effective.

Lavalier mics are about convenience and audio quality.

They’re designed to be discreet and unnoticeable while delivering high-quality sound, making them a versatile tool for anyone needing to capture or broadcast audio.

How do lavalier mics work?

Lavalier mics, or lapel mics, work by capturing sound waves from your voice and converting them into an electrical signal. This tiny but powerful mic is usually clipped to your clothing close to the mouth to ensure the best sound capture.

What are the different types of lavalier mics?

There are wired and wireless lavalier mics. Wired ones directly connect to your recording device, offering a reliable signal. Wireless ones offer more freedom of movement and are great for performances or presentations. Lavs can also vary in terms of polar pattern, with omnidirectional mics picking up sound from all directions, and directional mics focusing on sound from a specific direction.

What are the advantages of using a lavalier mic?

Lavalier mics offer hands-free operation, great for presentations, interviews, or performances. They’re discreet, provide consistent audio capture, and allow for natural movement without the worry of mic positioning.

What are the disadvantages of using a lavalier mic?

While lavaliers are great, they can pick up unwanted noise, like clothing rustle. Also, their small size can sometimes lead to less rich sound capture compared to larger mics. Lastly, they can sometimes be visible, which might not be ideal for certain video productions.