Mobile content creation has taken the entertainment industry by storm. Smartphones have become incredibly capable, not only in terms of helping us communicate with others but also for curating high-quality content using tiny cameras and microphones.iPhones especially have unmatched video quality, which pushes a lot of creators to pick the latest iPhone model and start making content. However, one area where smartphones are held back is with their microphones.
Upgrading the microphone for your iPhone can help take the content to the next level. There areseveral third-party optionson the market for studio use, home or office use, as well as use on the go. These mics not only have better audio recording capabilities than the built-in microphones on iPhones, but they can eliminate a lot of ambient noise, which viewers will surely appreciate. With that said, here are some of the best microphones for the iPhone in 2024.
DJI Mic
Godox Virso M2
Do note that some mics may directly plug into the Lightning or USB-C port on your iPhone, while others may require some sort of adapter.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Microphones for iPhone
Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Lavalier
Weighing just 9g, the LARK M2 wireless Lavalier microphone is the lightest mini microphone on the market. Its lossless sound reproduction and top-of-the-line recording capabilities bring you unmatched recording performance in an incredibly small package. Each mic can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, and the case can be used to recharge them twice, giving a total of 40 hours of recording time.
Lavalier mics are already very versatile and convenient to use, but the Hollyland Lark M2 adds wireless functionality and incredible sound recording capabilities on top of that. Those looking for a great wireless lavalier mic that is compact, looks great, and is easy to use will find the Hollyland Lark M2 checks all the right boxes. The company sells both Lightening and USB Type-C versions of this mic, both of which come in black or white colors.
The Hollyland Lark M2 includes a lightweight button microphone that can be used by either attaching it to your clothes using a magnet or a clip. You can even wear it as a necklace. Because it weighs just 9 grams, all three connection methods are secure and will keep the mic in place. It has a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 70dB and 24-bit depth recording capability. To keep unwanted noises away when recording on the go, there isEnvironmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, so you can rest assured that your voice will be clearly recorded at all times.
Because it is a wireless lavalier mic, the Lark M2 will need to be charged from time to time, but once it is at 100 percent, it can last up to 10 hours, which is more than enough for any recording session. Charging the mic is also very convenient as it comes with a charging case like with true wireless earbuds, and you can just drop the microphone in there for about an hour and a half.
Talking about the microphone, it is omnidirectional with a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz. You get two in the box, and they are paired with the receiver from the factory, so you’re able to just start using the Lark M2 straight out of the box.
Rode Wireless Pro
The Rode Wireless Pro microphone is a premium offering with incredible sound recording capabilities. It is a dual-channel compact wireless microphone system with 32-bit float on-board recording and 32GB of internal storage on each transmitter. It also comes with Timecode capabilities for easier editing and syncing in post.
For those in the market for a no-compromise wireless microphone to use with their iPhone and willing to pay about $400, the Rode Wireless Pro is hands down the best option. It is a compact dual-channel microphone set thatworks with iPhones, Android devices, cameras, and computers. It uses the company’s Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption and has 32-bit on-board recording capability. It has a range of up to 260 meters, which is not the best in the industry but sufficient for most users.
The Rode Wireless Pro receiver has both 3.5mm and USB-C outputs, so it can be natively used with iPhone 15 models but will need an adapter to use with older iPhone models. There is an LCD screen on the receiver that not only allows for monitoring audio levels but also changing various settings on the fly. Rode also ships a smart charge case with the microphone, which can charge them completely, twice.
On a single charge, the Rode Wireless Pro mics can deliver up to seven hours of battery life, which, again, is not the highest but sufficient for all recording sessions. The mics or transmitters themselves have 32 GB of internal memory, which allows you to record up to 40 hours of content on each. They also come with Timecode capabilities for easiersyncing and editing in post-production.
A great budget-friendly option for wireless microphones to use with your iPhone is the 7artisans DMic-S. While the company does not exclusively make microphones and primarily focuses on other camera gear like lenses and filters, the DMic-S is a great product that offers some features that are typically present on much more expensive options. It has made some compromises to keep the price down, so don’t expect Rode-level audio quality, but the DMic-S checks many of the right boxes.
The DSP-driven microphones are capable of dual-channel recording, ENC, 24-bit audio recording, and a one-click-to-mute feature. They have an omnidirectional pickup pattern and both microphones can record at the same time. The receiver comes with an LCD that lets you control and monitor settings in real-time. Furthermore, the two transmitters and one receiver fit into a compact charging case that allows the DMic-S to push up to 20 hours of use time. On their own, the transmitters can last about six to eight hours on a single charge.
The 7artisans DMic-S can be connected via a 3.5mm connector or a USB Type-C interface. It has a range of 100 meters, which can be a bit low for some use cases, so keep that in mind. All in all, this wireless microphone set is the perfect budget-friendly option that punches above its weight.
Sennheiser MKE 200
The MKE 200 from Sennheiser is a very affordable upgrade for the built-in microphone in a smartphone. It is a compact shotgun mic that uses a 3.5mm locking jack and has a frequency response range of 40Hz to 20,000Hz. It has a Supercardioid pickup pattern and the company has added wind protection and an internal suspension mount to negate vibrations and noise.
The Sennheiser MKE 200 is a simple plug-and-play solution for upgrading your microphone. Compatible with mobile devices and cameras, the Sennheiser MKE 200 is a condenser microphone that comes with 3.5mm TRS and TRRS cables, so you will need to adapt the 3.5mm connector to either Lightening or USB Type-C, depending on which iPhone model you have. The microphone end of the cable has a locking mechanism, so it will not pop out accidentally during a shoot.
The microphone itself has a supercardioid pickup pattern, which means it will clearly pick up audio from directly in front, but with minimal noise and ambient sounds being captured from around you. While there is no separate receiver, this wired microphone has wind protection and shock absorption built-in. It draws power from the device it is connected to, so you don’t need to ever charge it.
The Sennheiser MKE 200 is geared towards vloggers and videographers as they would typically have their iPhones pointed towards them or right in front of their faces. This allows the mic to be much closer to the user and better pickup vocals. However, since it is not wireless, you will need to have it mounted on your phone, which adds to the weight, and you may need to look into a frame or rig that allows for better ergonomics.
The DJI Mic is a compact and lightweight wireless microphone system that delivers excellent audio performance. It comes with an OLED touchscreen for controlling and monitoring various settings. It has 250 meters of range and up to 15 hours of battery life. The DJI Mic also has built-in storage for up to 14 hours of recordings.
Here’s a great all-around package that not only looks good but delivers premium performance and features. The DJI Mic is not the most expensive offering on the market, but it is also not cheap by any means, so be prepared to spend in the $250 to $300 range when it’s not on sale. This microphone set, like many other wireless options, comes with two transmitters, one receiver, and a charging case, but DJI also offers just a single transmitter and receiver combo for about $100 less.
In terms of specifications, the DJI Mic has an omnidirectional pickup pattern and a frequency response range of 50Hz to 20,000Hz. The transmitter and receiver can be up to 250 meters apart and still maintain a solid connection. Each transmitter can last up to 5.5 hours and the case can charge the three devices almost twice. The case itself takes two hours and 40 minutes to charge fully. You can get a total of 15 hours of use, which should be more than enough for even longer recording sessions.
The transmitters come with onboard memory that can save up to 14 hours of recordings. At the receiver end, you will find an OLED touchscreen that allows controlling and monitoring different essential settings including channel selection and input/output settings.
The Virso M2 wireless lavilier mic from Godox is a battery life champ. It can deliver up to 13 hours of operation time on each transmitter, while the receiver can last for up to 17 hours on a single charge. There is also onboard storage with microSD expansion allowing for up to 256 GB and up to 400 hours of recordings. In terms of features, it comes with denoising capabilities, one button mute, stereo/mono mode, and more.
If your use case involves recording audio for hours and hours at a stretch, the Godox Virso M2 is what you should be considering. It is a wireless lavalier microphone system that consists of two transmitters, a receiver, and a charging case. The case is not as compact as some of the others, but that is due to the larger battery both inside the transmitters and the case. Speaking of batteries, the transmitters can last up to 13 hours on a single charge, which is one of the highest on the market and arguably more than enough for even the most intense recording sessions.
The other advantage of having such a long battery life is charging less often. But when you do need to eventually charge them, just drop them in the case which can top up the transmitters 2.5 times. This does come at the cost of weight though, as the case weighs 264 grams, and the transmitter and receiver combined weigh just over 70 grams.
Coming to performance, the Godox Virso M2 features omnidirectional microphones with a frequency response range of 50Hz to 18,000Hz and a wireless transmission distance of 200 meters. Having massive battery life also warrants a lot of storage and the transmitter comes with a microSD card slot that supports up to 256 GB of storage for up to 400 hours of recordings.
What to Consider When Looking for the Best Microphone for iPhone in 2024
Type of Microphone: Microphones that are compatible with iPhones andsmartphones in generalare usually either lavalier-style or shotgun mics. If you like to record multiple people further away from the camera, then lavalier-style mics will work better. If you are standing closer to the phone while recording, a shotgun mic will suffice.
Pickup Pattern: The pickup pattern for a microphone is the space around it from where it picks up audio. Mics can be omnidirectional – pickup audio from all around; cardioid – pickup audio from just the front; or supercardioid – pickup audio even more directly than a cardioid pattern, eliminating even more noise from the sides.
Battery Life: Wireless microphones need to be recharged regularly. While most mics come with sufficient battery life, not everyone needs to record hours on end. Long battery life can be very important to some users, while others may not feel the need for 8–10 hours of recording time at a stretch.
Portability: Since the use case for these microphones is with an iPhone, they need to be portable. Fortunately, most lavalier mics are easy to carry as they come with their own charging cases.
Connectivity: iPhone microphones can be wired or wireless. Bluetooth and RF mics are wireless in the way that a receiver that is connected to your phone (via USB Type-C or Lighting) is wirelessly connected to the transmitter. This allows for the subject to be further away from the camera and at the same time be hands-free. Wired mics that end in 3.5mm connectors will require an adapter to work with iPhones.
FAQ
Q: Do iPhones have good microphones?
The built-in microphones present in iPhones are very capable on their own, but they cannot match the performance of a dedicated external mic that has been designed for the purpose or recording vocals or music.
Q: How to make phone mic sound professional?
Using an external mic can help elevate the sound recording quality of your phone. You don’t necessarily have to go with a premium offering as even a budget-friendly mic will deliver better performance than the built-in mic, in your phone. However, upgrading the recording hardware is just the first step in achieving professional level sound quality.
Q: How do I choose a microphone for my phone?
You will need to consider factors like the type of microphone (whether it is lavalier style or shotgun mic), the pickup pattern (omnidirectional, cardioid, supercardioid), battery life, portability, and connectivity (wired or wireless).
