The very best cell microphones for 2025

Rode’s Lavalier II iis a slick-looking low-profile lavalier that sounds nice. Whereas it’s not a wi-fi lavalier microphone, at $99, it’s someplace within the candy spot between funds and higher-end clip-on choices. It’s simple to suggest the Lavalier II simply on its sound alone, but it surely comes with a rugged case and a wide selection of equipment. For much more flexibility you may pair this with Rode’s AI Micro interface ($79) which offers simple connection to an iPhone or Android cellphone (and even PCs) and provides help for a second mic – good for recording podcasts or interviews.

At $60, Sennheiser’s XS (USB-C) lav condenser mic is pretty reasonably priced, sounds nice and plugs proper into your cellphone (or laptop computer) with no need an adapter. This not solely makes it handy however reduces the general value as you don’t want a headphone adapter in your cellphone, which is a superb profit of those mini mics. What’s extra, the XS has a 2-meter lengthy cable which supplies you loads of scope for motion or framing.

Once we examined the VideoMic GO II we had been shocked at simply how good it sounded proper out of the field. At $100 it rivals many desktop microphones that value thrice the value. You’ll want a companion app to alter settings, in any other case this performs effectively throughout the board.

If there was an audio “penknife” then the iRig Stream Mic Pro might be it. It’s a chunky condenser microphone, however you may join devices and even different mics to it by way of a 3.5mm enter. You probably have background music in your cellphone or PC, it’s also possible to pipe that into the combo by way of a loopback mode. Briefly, whether or not you’re busking, podcasting, stay streaming or acting on the go, the Stream Mic Professional has all of the core options you might want to flip a fundamental recording into knowledgeable one.

Cell connectivity is a major characteristic with choices for Lightning and Sort-C/Android included within the field. The mic itself gives 4 polar patterns that ought to cowl most recording eventualities — be that recording a singer, two folks talking head to head or the overall atmosphere round you in a TikTok or Instagram video. The Stream Mic Professional won’t be probably the most pocketable on this checklist, but it surely’s seemingly probably the most versatile.

This dynamic mic is a favourite with podcasters, with many manufacturing firms utilizing it as their customary mic to ship out to distant visitors due to its glorious high quality to worth efficiency. The Q2U options each USB (sadly not Sort-C) and XLR connectivity making it versatile for each desktop and cell functions, but it surely’s the previous we’re occupied with right here as that’s what lets you join it to your cellphone with nothing greater than a USB cable and an adapter (see under).

What’s extra, the Q2U is strong sufficient to endure just a little little bit of tough and tumble, so will fortunately stay within the backside of your backpack prepared for if you want it. In the meantime, the hand-held design is flexible sufficient it could actually flip its hand to singing/devices, podcasts, interviews and extra.

You might not be aware of the identify, however Tula snuck into our hearts with its versatile, classic impressed debut microphone. From a cell perspective, the Tula connects to Androids instantly over USB Sort-C or iPhones with the proper USB-C to Lightning cable (extra on this under) or a USB “camera kit” adapter. What makes the Tula particular is that it’s additionally a desktop mic and moveable recorder with lavalier enter and 8GB of storage and even options noise cancellation – good for slicing down on outdoors background sounds. With the Tula you can theoretically have one mic for dwelling, cell and standalone recording. Because of its moveable design and as much as 12 hours of battery life, the Tula can act as a wi-fi microphone if you want it, too.

A lot of the microphones on this information will do a good job of recording musical performances, however some are particularly constructed for it. Based in 2019, Audigo places artists and performers entrance and middle. At time of writing, it solely gives one mannequin and all its focus goes into that. In the event you’re a musician on the go, or need one thing you may maintain in your pocket for every time inspiration strikes, the Audigo is perhaps for you.

The sq., puck-like Audigo mic is principally a pocketable rival to iZotope’s (now discontinued) Spire moveable studio, proper all the way down to the companion app. The Audigo is much extra moveable than the Spire ever was and you’ll mix a number of gadgets for multitrack recording. When you’ve recorded your observe, you may add reverb, delay, equalize and extra to present it some polish earlier than exporting it out to your most popular platform. There’s a video mode, too, so it’s good for sharing edits to TikTok and Instagram.

This compact wi-fi microphone requires the app (iOS just for now) to work, which isn’t very best and we’d love to have the ability to use it over USB to increase its performance, however for performers on the transfer Audigo gives options which are laborious to search out with out having to buy round for numerous completely different apps.

With the iPhone 15 becoming a member of the USB-C household, there are tons of gaming and podcasting microphones that may merely plug straight into your cellphone. However if you wish to use virtually any professional microphone system for recording discipline interviews, foley sounds, podcasting on the go and something for broadcast, then an interface just like the Centrance MicPort Pro is a should.

With its XLR-combo connection, the MicPort Professional works with all the printed customary microphones like Shure’s SM7B or the Electro Voice RE20 — together with mics that want phantom energy. Not like different, cheaper XLR interfaces, there’s virtually no self noise (hiss) and there’s a built-in battery that ought to final for round 5 hours of discipline use. You possibly can cost it whereas in use by way of a USB-C ought to you might want to.

Centrance has stored issues easy, however you’ll nonetheless discover vital instruments like real-time monitoring, a high-pass filter to fight wind or dealing with noise and there’s even a limiter that ought to cease any surprising loud noises from ruining your recording. For shotgun mics, the MicPort Professional may even double as a deal with. As cell as this factor is, it’ll fortunately function a easy audio interface when you’re again within the dwelling workplace too.

This information is about cell recording, and formally, Shure’s MVX2U XLR to USB interface doesn’t help telephones. However you understand what? It undoubtedly does work with the telephones we’ve tried, together with a number of Androids and the iPhone 15. The excellent news is that it’s half the value of the Centrance. The dangerous information is that the settings can solely be modified by way of Shure’s desktop app, so if you might want to alter one thing out within the discipline, you’re out of luck. Nonetheless, it’s a terrific worth possibility in the event you can stay with its limitations.