Nowadays, there are many types of microphones available in stores, each designed for different purposes. One of these is the lavalier microphone, which is great at picking up the voice of one person more than background noise. That’s why it’s commonly used in TV shows, classrooms, speeches, and theaters. Usually, it’s attached to clothing using a clip or clamp.
A tiny, good lavalier microphone is really important and hard to change. It’s basically just a small device you can clip onto your clothes. Most lavalier microphones use a special technology and work like the ones you see in recording studios, but how good they sound depends on what they do and how much do they cost. Lavalier microphones come in two types: wired and wireless. Wireless ones are pricier but let you move around without being tied to the recording device. A wider frequency range is better for capturing richer, deeper sounds.
To assist you in choosing the best microphone, here are our top choices for lavalier microphones. Through good testing and meticulous review analysis, we’ve curated this list. Moreover, we’ve divided the microphones into groups, with some made for phone usage and others made for professional applications.
The benefits of a lavalier microphone
Such microphone is a small and easy to use device. People usually buy it to transmit good voices, but it’s not good for recording singing, playing guitar, or other instruments. For that, you need special microphones that does what you need.
However, the lavalier microphone is comfortable, light and almost not seen on clothing. The most popular colors of such devices are black, solid and gray.
How to choose your lavalier microphone
First is to define the type of microphone you need: wired, wireless or the one for phones. Here the wireless mostly comes with the price of ~500$ for initial device. However, for the wired ones you can choose within the range of 50$ to 300$. Next, you would choose condenser type of mic because it’s better. But if you seek the quality with the condenser type you would be needed to have an additional uncomfy power supply. Next and not that far behind in terms of quality is an electret capsule type of mics not demanding any additional power supply. Let us then define what lavalier microphone is the best from the 11 top lavalier microphones list below.
Wireless Lavalier Microphone System Movo WMIC50
The Movo WMIC502 is a wireless microphone system that works without needing cables, using a specific radio frequency. It’s made to be useful for different things like filming and performances. In the package, you get a small microphone you can clip to your clothes, two earphones, and foam to protect from wind noise. The transmitter, which you can clip to your belt, sends the audio, and the receiver, which you can mount on a camera or tripod, receives it. What’s interesting is that the receiver earphone has another small microphone, so you can talk back to the person wearing the transmitter earphone without it being heard in the audio recording. You can use this system up to 50 meters away, making it handy for lots of different situations where you need good sound.
Worst thing, which all customers claims, is the power supply does not provide enough working time. A transmitter and receiver powered by two AAA batteries each (not included). It works not more than 4 hours. It is not enough, especially if shooting is planned for the whole day.
Sennheiser ME 2
The Sennheiser ME 2 is a top professional lavalier microphone with a circular pickup pattern, making it versatile for different uses like voice-overs, recording voices, and musical instruments. Its design helps reduce extra noise and enhances clarity. Its higher price is mainly because of its wide frequency range of 30-20000 Hz, which means it captures speech details well and produces clear sound. The lavalier design makes it easy to clip onto clothing. You can often find this microphone in Sennheiser wireless kits, particularly with Evolution G3, and it usually comes with a 3.5mm jack adapter. Despite its higher cost, the Sennheiser ME 2 is considered one of the best lavalier microphones due to its quality and capabilities.
Sony ECM 77B
The Sony ECM 77B is a really good microphone in this review. It’s a tiny microphone that weighs just 1.5 grams, making it the smallest one in the world. It works in a range of frequencies from 40 to 20,000 Hz, has a dynamic range of 90 dB, picks up sound equally from all directions and is very sensitive, meaning it can pick up quiet sounds well. It connects using a specific kind of cable called XLR, and it can be powered either by a battery that lasts a really long time or by something called phantom power, which is a power supply used in professional audio equipment. It’s popular among podcasters and filmmakers because it’s really small and light compared to other microphones. It comes in two different colors.
Tascam DR-10L
Tascam DR-10L is a mobile SSD recorder with the kit lavalier microphone. This is a budget device designed for on the run operator’s work. The recorder is running for 10 hours with a single Evolta battery. Easy to read OLED screen, headphones output, USB-port for the quick computer connection and chunk of safety features as to close the file if the battery off or discharged or limiter to prevent any distortion is not the full list of smart functions of the recorder. DR-10L could be considered as one of the best USB lavalier mic thanks to the one port on board. It also poses the option to run a low quality record to protect the file from the source volume jumps. It records the WAV with the 48 kHz/24 Bit quality and support microSD or microSDHC memory cards.
Back to the lavalier microphone, it complies with the standard range of professional requirements and smoothly runs on a 20 – 22000 Hz range with the 88 dB sensitivity.
BOYA BY-M1
Boya BY-M1 is a condenser type omnidirectional lavalier microphone developed to capture sound for video good for podcasting and reporting. It has a 6 meters cable and two connector types: 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm jacks, battery is placed in a separate housing which could be removed. The package is compact and has the nice bag making the device easy to carry. The sensitivity of the mic is 30 dB allows catching even quiet sounds carefully with the kit wind protection foam. The working frequency range if 65 – 18000 Hz quite wide for the traveling device. So the mic is rather convertible and could be used not only with DSLR and cameras but with external recorders as phones and pads.
Sanken COS-11D
Sanken COS-11D is electret – type omnidirectional lavalier microphone. Updated version of the best electret lavalier microphone mostly oriented to work within the system. With 20 – 20000 Hz range it provides clear sound capture quality.
Incredibly small microphone and light (only 10 g) that meets the high modern requirements for audio recording and sound reinforcement in theatres, film and video production. It is not smart to surface noise (extremely annoying with finish recording). Considered as the best lavalier microphone for active applications. Mic uses 2.1 mm cable. Available in two versions: as a microphone for radio systems and a wired one. And the wired version considered for the best one. There is a wide range of stuff available for buying.
You can find it in three different colors: solid, gray and black.
Audio-Technica ATR-3350
Omnidirectional condenser microphone Audio – Technica ATR3350 is developed in “Speaker” style. This device is used by many sports commentators, video capture which require small mic size and its invisibility. This model is easy clipped to closing. Low-profile design provides minimal visibility of transmitting device. Thanks to 6 meters cable and 3.5 mm jack, the device is easy to plug into most cameras. Additional power supply is included into the wire. If you want to use the microphone with iPhone you would be needed to buy an adapter. Omni directional diagram and high senility of -54 Db provides good circle pattern capture. The kit includes a clip, batteries and windproof foam. Audio – Technical ATR3350 could be considered as a best cheap lavalier mic for the one less than 50$.
Sennheiser EW 100 ENG G3-A
Portable German radio system Sennheiser EW ENG G3 is a perfect solution for establishing video capture sound channel both outdoor and indoor and the best lavalier mic for video recording. Could be definitely considered as one of the best professional lavalier microphone system. The kit includes belt portable transmitter SKP 100 G3 equipped with XLR socket which allow to turn wired mixers and microphones into wireless ones. Simple button click synchronize transmitter and receiver. Of course you’d find the miniature omnidirectional lavalier microphone ME2 within the kit. Both transmitter and recorder protected with the solid metal body. Back to lavalier you’d find all the best in class parameters in the kit, but it is also quite convertible with the various Sennheiser equipment, so you’d be able to tune your system as much as you like and need.
Sennheiser EW100 is widely spread across sound recording studios, concert activities, TV and radio journalism, at television and lecture halls, various interviews.
Audio-Technica PRO 70
Condenser type cardioid directional lavalier microphone Audio-Technica PRO 70 is a pretty smart chose as you’d be supplied with the guaranteed articulated full range for vocal and instrumental capture. Microphone PRO 70 have power supply XLRM output and is a perfect device for guitar capture with the AT8444 mount. There is also mid range filter switch in the system which is comfy for the instrumental capture. One more reason to use the system in the instrumental and stage capture is the weight with 8 grams for the lavalier microphone and 134 grams for the power supply unit of 10.2 mm diameter and 22 mm length. The kit consist of AT 8411 clip, AT8444 instrumental mount, foam windscreen, 1.8 meter cable, battery and protective case.
Pyle Pro PDWM96
Pyle Pro is the best cheap lavalier microphone wireless system. It doesn’t cost crazy as Sennheiser system from above but still suits as an effective solution for audio capture. Despite low price it provides clear sound under a stable signal in 20 ft range outdoor/open space without any signal degradation. The kit consists of lavalier microphone itself, transmitter, battery, and receiver and it’s smallest in class.
¼ inch receiver could be easily connected to any recording device as camera or tuner. The mike has 1/8 inch mono jack which is also quite convertible.
However this best budget lavalier mic system can be a good solution to get your job done without any choice flour.
Azden EX-503
Microphone Azden EX-503i has been developed to obtain studio-quality sound from your smartphone or tablet.
Microphone compatible with the TRRS headset jack equipped devices and well-recognized by all the audio capture apps form iOS and Android. It’s ideal for lecture, interview and dictation capture.
Azden EX-503i is equipped with capsule omnidirectional and very sensitive lavalier microphone. The lavalier clip itself made of metal. Sound quality is ensured with the -35dB senility @1kHz frequency.
So the lavalier microphone Azden EX-503i is well made to be best lavalier mic for a TRRS-equipped smartphones.
Lavalier Mics: What You Need to Know
You need to realize the audio is much more important than video cause watching something is a much easier and forgiving way to receive information than audio. That’s why it’s so important to capture good audio when your filmmaking.
Let’s us look at lavalier microphone, or lav mic or lob mic. Lav mics are tiny little microphones that can be easily clipped on a subject or hidden places to capture great audio. It isn’t so much used when it comes to narrative films but they’re particularly great when it comes to documentaries, especially when you filming people whether they are sitting down or walking somewhere. Anyhow you can even hide the microphone if you have the target to get naturally environmental video.
Therefore you need a comfy device with high-quality sound recording abilities to fulfill your duties or hobby. Besides it’s also rather important to not to forget the usability and comfort of the device, thus the type of connection rather various plug-ins or radio systems should be defined beforehand you’d hit the market.
In conclusion
Perhaps the best scenario to pick the microphone is to hit the best practices with investigations, users, or even friends. Try to read users advice wherever it published or any professional reviews. This sources would certainly provide you with the opportunity to make the right choice. Anyhow you can rely on our review of the best lavalier microphones on the market. Besides, try our related links for the lavaliers reviews in the concerned threads.
Lavalier microphones, those tiny heroes of audio capture, offer a discreet solution for clear sound. They’re like the spies of the audio world, slipping unnoticed onto clothing to snatch up every word uttered. But don’t let their small size fool you; these mics pack a punch when it comes to quality. Whether you’re filming a documentary, giving a presentation, or recording a podcast, a good lavalier mic is your silent partner in audio excellence.