Best Wireless Mics for Mirrorless Cameras and Youtube video making

In this article you'll find a list of wireless microphones you can use with your mirrorless cameras. I'll list out the pros and cons for each mic and share my recommendations as someone who makes Youtube videos, and has too many microphones.

If there's too much to read, you can just skip to the bottom line at the bottom of this page.

My gear:

• Sennheiser MKE 400 (93.5g) - For outdoor use
• Rode lavalier mic - For indoor use
• Sennheiser SK100 G3 with ME 2 clip-on mic (158g) - For outdoor use
• Saramonic Blink 500 first gen with USB-C, Lightning and 3.5mm connectors - For outdoor, indoor use

Generally speaking, mics can be classified into two groups: shotgun mics and lavalier mics. This article covers wireless lavalier mics.

Shown above are shotgun mics which are also directional mics. Shotgun mics are good for outdoor interviews, live event coverage and location sound capture.

Lavalier mics are great for interviews and voiceovers. The wireless aspect allows a wireless transmitter (your mic) to send audio to the wireless receiver that's connected to your camera. Interviewing people with lavalier mics requires the interviewee to mic up, to be fitted with a microphone. If you have to interview multiple people, you can imagine the extra work.

Which type of mic to use really depends on what or who you're recording.

The deciding factor for me on which mic to use comes down to whether I have to interview multiple people, if so I will go with shotgun mics. If I'm just vlogging, and it's just me talking to the camera most of the time, maybe occasionally I'll have other people speak, then I'll go with a wireless lavalier mic.

If you're looking for shotgun mics, just go with either the Sennheiser MKE 400 (I own this) or the Rode VideoMic Pro+. I prefer the Sennheiser because the batteries are removable and replaceable, but Sennheiser is heavy.

Here are some important things you need to know first:

• All mics listed below have good audio quality because otherwise they would not be included
• Most use small capacity lithium batteries that not be left unused for long periods of time (months) or batteries can get damaged
• Expensive mics does not necessary mean they are better mics
• Transmission distance requires line of sight for best performance
• Dual channels means audio from your interviewee and you can be received by the same receiver
• Most use 2.4Ghz digital transmission. Bluetooth is not used because of poor latency
• There's usually no repairs for these. Faulty units are exchanged. Expect downtime
• The mics are clip-on, with the option of attaching 3.5mm lavaliers
• You can find more inexpensive wireless mics on AliExpress

So below are my recommendations for wireless lavalier mics.

SmallRig Forevala W60 (From US $139)

SmallRig Forevala W60 wireless microphone is a set of 2 transmitters and 1 receiver. Official retail price is US $199 but this can go as low as $140 during promotions.

Items included:

• 2 x TX
• 1 x RX
• 1 x Storage Case
• 1 x Carrying Bag
• 1 x TRS to TRS Adapter Cable
• 1 x TRS to TRRS Adapter Cable
• 2 x Furry Windshield
• 1 x USB-C Charging Cable
• 2 x SmallRig Metal Sticker
• 1 x User Manual

Pros and cons:
+ Up to 100m transmission distance
+ 8 hours battery life
+ Display showing battery status, channel, mute, signal strength
+ 2.4 GHz wireless frequency
+ Omnidirectional condenser mic
+ Dual channels for recording two audio sources simultaneously
+ Cheaper than competition
+ USB-C charging
- No lavalier mic included
- Storage case does not have built in battery for charging
- 15ms latency

This is an affordable set of wireless microphones. The inclusion of TRRS adapter cable means you can use these mics with your computers too. Downside is 15ms latency may not cut it for professionals.

You can see the full specs on this page.

Do check out more reviews on Amazon for this since it's released recently in mid 2022.

Rode Wireless Go II (from US $179)

Rode Wireless Go II is incredibly popular, probably because the company sends out so many review units to reviewers. This was released early 2022.

Prices for the single channel set and dual channel set are US $179 and $299 respectively. A dual channel set has 2 transmitter and 1 receiver. I've seen dual channel sets go for as low as US $230 on Amazon.

Items included

• Receiver (32g)
• Transmitter (30g)
• Furry windshield
• Carry pouch
• 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable

Pros and cons:
+ Up to 200m transmission distance
+ 2.4 GHz wireless frequency
+ 4ms latency
+ Dual channels for recording two audio sources simultaneously
+ On-board recording up to 40 hours
+ 7 hours battery life
+ USB-C charging
+ Screen displays audio levels, channels, amount of gain, connection signal
- No lavalier mic included

Download link for the manual: PDF | Full specs

The main selling point is there's on-board backup recording up to 40 hours. The backup recording can save you much frustration if the main audio can't be used, e.g. static, cables not connected, accidental mute. This feature may be worth paying extra for.

Despite the high price, they don't even include TRS and TRRS cables.

Rode Lavalier GO lavalier is sold separately for US $59.

Saramonic Blink 500 ProX (from US $199)

I'm still using the first generation of Saramonic Blink 500. The second generation is called Pro and third generation is ProX released in late 2022.

Saramonic Blink 500 ProX is priced at US $199 and $299 for the single and dual transmitter set, inclusive of receiver.

Things included

• Transmitter (29.5g)
• Receiver (30.5g)
• Charging case (264g)
• Lavalier mic with foam windshield and clip
• Furry windshield for mic
• 3.5mm TRS to TRS cable
• 3.5mm TRS to TRRS cable

Pros and cons
+ 100 transmission distance
+ 2.4 GHz wireless frequency
+ 8ms latency
+ Omnidirectional condenser mic
+ Dual channels for recording two audio sources simultaneously
+ 10 hours battery life
+ Charging case with 2.5 times battery charges
+ USB-C charging
+ OLED display for audio level, battery status, mute, signal strength
+ USB-C, Lightning and 3.5mm receivers available
+ Portable charging case

Download link for manual: PDF

The ProX now has a display showing all the necessary info. Battery life is also longer.

The main selling point is there are also USB-C and lightning receivers in addition to the 3.5mm receiver. This means you can use the mics with Android or Apple devices.

My experience with Saramonic Blink 500 is mostly positive but there are some issues. In the first year, a transmitter had faulty battery and the whole unit had to be replaced under warranty. The main downside is the lightning receiver records very low volume so you have to increase the gain significantly in post, often introducing noise as a result. I can't confirm if ProX has fixed the problem.

The pricing is reasonable considering TRS, TRRS and lavalier mics are included. However, maybe the inclusion of the lavalier mics may be the reason for the higher price.

DJI Mic (US $329)

DJI is known for their drones and the DJI Mic is a new product line for them.

Things included

• 1x Receiver (24.9g)
• 2x Transmitter (30g)
• 1x Charging Case (162.2g)
• 1x Camera Audio Cable (3.5mm TRS)
• 1x Mobile Phone Adapter (Type-C)
• 1x Mobile Phone Adapter (Lightning)
• 2x Windscreen
• 2x Clip Magnet
• Carrying Pouch
• Hot Shoe Adapter
• Charging Cable
• Manual

Pros and cons
+ 250m transmission distance
+ 2.4 GHz wireless frequency
+ Omnidirectional condenser mic
+ Dual channels for recording two audio sources simultaneously
+ USB-C charging
+ Display for battery status, channel, level, menu navigation
+ USB-C, Lightning and 3.5mm receivers available
+ On-board recording with 8GB internal storage
+ Portable charging case
- 5 hours battery life (Listed 15 hours includes charging case)
- Lavalier mic not included
- 15ms latency

If you look at the full specs, you'll see that the battery life for the transmitter is 5.5 hr and receiver is 5 hours. DJI's claim of 15 hours battery life includes the charging case which can charge the devices 1.8 times, and to charge the mics fully takes 70 minutes.

There's no lavalier mic included. From what I've read online, many lavalier mics produce hissing sound and the one that works well is the PowerDeWise Professional Grade Lav.

DJI Mic comes with USB-C, Lightning in addition to the 3.5mm receiver.

Downside is the 15ms latency may not cut it for some professionals.

Download link for manual: PDF