Best Lavalier Microphones 2022

Lavalier mics, or lavaliers in professional jargon, remain one of the most popular ways to record while shooting in 2022. Their simple design and miniature size have made them a favorite tool for cameramen and sound engineers when recording synchros and while filming broadcasts. A great variety of devices have appeared on the market and sometimes it is not easy to choose the top one. Healthy Food Near Me talks about the best lavalier microphones of 2022.

Top 10 rating according to KP

Editor’s Choice

1. RODE Lavalier GO (from 5,3 thousand rubles)

Opening the ranking of the best lavalier microphones is the product of a company that in 2022 is considered synonymous with quality sound. True, you have to pay for quality and brand. The recorder itself is a classic 4,5mm omnidirectional microphone. The manufacturer promises crystal clear audio in all situations. Wind protection or in the common people “furry” here is called a foam pop screen. The characteristics of the microphone say that it will not only protect against gusts on the street, but also reduce noise during explosive vocal parts. The clamp has a built-in cable holder. The cable itself is called Kevlar, which hints at the material of the same name from which bulletproof vests are made. If you are looking for the best on the market and do not mind the money, then we recommend this model in combination with the Wirless go radio system from the same manufacturer.

Main characteristics

2. Shure MVL (from 4,2 thousand rubles)

A colleague from the American brand, which in Our Country they like to call “Shura”, breathes in the back of the first participant in the rating. The brand itself positions it as a microphone for a smartphone or tablet. But in fact, there is nothing seditious in connecting this quality product to a camera or recorder. The main thing is to have a 3.5 mm jack or an adapter for it. If you want, you can explain this as a marketing ploy. The company needs to sell its other products for an even higher price. Lavalier microphone body made of die-cast zinc. He is a condenser. There is protection against radio interference, which works on proprietary technology. On the body, the microphone is imperceptible, as it weighs only 8 grams.

Main characteristics

3. BOYA BY-M1 (from 1,2 thousand rubles)

A popular device in 2022 that has captured the market, primarily due to its affordable price and acceptable sound quality. Attaches to clothes with a convenient clothespin. This lavalier is a condenser type, which provides greater sensitivity and high-quality sound transmission. The manufacturer claims to remove background hum from low noise. However, this feature fully reveals itself on the Pro version, but it costs twice as much. Together with the device, a soft bag is placed in the box, where you can hide the six-meter complete cord. Understands two popular “jacks” – 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm – both are included in the kit. It can work not only with cameras, but also with voice recorders and smartphones. But for some reason he is not friendly with recorders. In the reviews, we met complaints that not all devices recognize this model. There are also problems with connecting to a PC. The computer sometimes recognizes it as a headphone and not a microphone, but this is solved by manual settings.

Main characteristics

What other lavalier microphones are worth paying attention to

4. Sennheiser ME 4-N (from 5,8 thousand rubles)

Every fan of high-quality sound knows this German company, which manages to make both low-budget devices with high-quality audio, and professional equipment. The cable length of this microphone is only 1,6 meters. Therefore, its main purpose is to connect to the transmitter and cling to the speaker’s belt. Due to the limited length, more complex shooting is unlikely to be possible. This is a cardioid microphone. That is, the part that captures the sound absorbs the sound that is directed directly into it, ignoring the surrounding internoise as much as possible. The buttonhole is a great option for all video makers who want to write interviews outdoors in noisy environments. But even in a quiet studio, he, of course, will work brilliantly. However, it is worth warning buyers about the features of the configuration. On the official website of the manufacturer, nothing is said about the wind protection – it is not indicated in the kit, it is not in the photo either. However, store descriptions say otherwise. From which we can conclude that there are two types of kits. Be careful when buying and ask about the presence of a “fur coat”.

Main characteristics

5. MAONO AU-404 (from 1,5 thousand rubles)

Another participant in the ranking of the best lavalier microphones in the middle price category. Perfect for passionate bloggers, podcast recordings, etc. Its peculiarity is that the buyer receives two microphones at once from the box. Through a common adapter, they are connected to the device. Such a system limits the mobility of speakers, due to the fact that the cord is a bit short – only two meters. But if you shoot static scenes, you can get out. Theoretically, to shoot complex scenes, you can hang both of these microphones on the hero: if one suddenly flies off, or the speaker turns in the other direction, the recording will not stop. Includes a fabric case. The microphones are equipped with windscreens. Customers praise the quality of the noise suppression in the room. If the conversation will take place in a crowded place without sharp noises in the background, but, for example, with calm music or the conversation of others, then the lavalier will work efficiently and record only the microphone carrier.

Main characteristics

6. Audio-Technica ATR3350xIS (from 2,8 thousand rubles)

In the 3.5th century, the company began with the production of turntables and is still mostly known for these devices. However, the range of the company is much wider – it also has a good lavalier microphone. The model is available in a huge number of stores, which means you can look for a good price. Out of the box you get a 3.5 mm plug, so-called dual mono. When connected to a XNUMX mm stereo input of a camera, camera or voice recorder, it transmits the signal to the left and right channels, which allows more flexibility in working with sound in post-processing. There is also an adapter for connecting to a smartphone: a note to all mobile bloggers. Its design is painfully reminiscent of a similar microphone from Boya, which is why suspicions creep in in the spirit: “Do firms order their products from the same Chinese factory?”. We will probably never know the answer. However, the declared characteristics of this model are higher than those of the rating participant mentioned above.

Main characteristics

7. IK Multimedia iRig Mic Lav (from 4 thousand rubles)

The young manufacturer specializes in the production of audio software and the necessary equipment. They position their new product as products for mobile bloggers. The kit includes an adapter that allows you to connect two buttonholes to the chain at once. Or you can plug in headphones. Just do not forget to move the slider on the body so that the sound goes. Such active recording quality monitoring can be useful to assess the situation in a noisy location. By the way, on sale you can find an extended package, where the manufacturer puts two microphones at once. But in theory, nothing prevents you from plugging a product of any brand into a free slot. By the way, it comes with a compact hard case. A nice little thing, considering that more expensive products come with a soft bag at most.

Main characteristics

8. Ritmix RCM-101 (from 300 rubles)

Cheap, cheerful, but it works – this is how you can describe this Chinese product. Serious masters of video and audio will not honor this even with their eyes. But if you’re looking for the ultimate budget-friendly product to get familiar with lavalier recording, why not give it a try? We warn you right away, if you put one on a speaker in a noisy place, then as a result you will get porridge on the audio track: external noises stick together with the hero’s voice and you won’t feel much difference with or without a microphone. But in a quiet room, it will already prove to be much better than the regular device of any smartphone. We don’t undertake to speak about the cameras: everything will depend on the focal length at which the shooting is being carried out. In other words, how far the operator is from the interlocutor and whether the sensitivity of the built-in microphone is enough. You can also attach it to your computer to stream or video chat.

Main characteristics

9. Sony ECM-44B (from 20 thousand rubles)

It’s funny to read that the manufacturer himself calls this model “inexpensive”. It is hinted that for the ultimate sound quality they have the 66B, which is twice the price. Please note that this lavalier microphone has a non-standard connector for connection. More precisely, it is very standard – for professionals. This is used in specialized technology. However, within 1000 rubles, you can buy an adapter for a standard “jack”. The microphone is designed in such a way that, first of all, it is the speaker’s speech that is recorded, and not the environment. To do this, a rise in the mid-frequency region is specified. Please note that you need to put LR6 or AA batteries in it. But when working with an external amplifier, there is no need for batteries.

Main characteristics

10. Samson Go Mic (from 4,9 thousand rubles)

A niche product that, although formally related to lavalier microphones, works with a significant caveat. It lies in its design. The form factor is much larger than other compact devices. And there is no usual clip for the lapel of a jacket. The place of the clothespin is intended for other surfaces, ideally suitable for a monitor. You can simply place it on a table or on a microphone stand. It has excellent sound recording quality, at the expense of portability. In fact, this is a kind of intermediate link between a buttonhole and a regular microphone. However, this can be used when shooting calm dialogue indoors or, for example, in a car. Unfortunately, you need a device with a USB connector to connect.

Main characteristics

How to choose a lavalier microphone

We talked about the best models of lavalier microphones. About how to choose a device, shared tips directed by Ivan Zadorin.

Top models and average price

The market leaders in lavalier microphones in 2022 are products from Boya, Sennheiser, Rode. The average price of a good device starts from 2000 rubles and reaches 5000. More expensive models are relevant for the professional field.

What characteristics to look for

Almost all the characteristics of the models are the same. The frequency range and a couple more details may differ, but this is not essential. The most important thing, in my opinion, is the size of the buttonhole and what it feeds on.

What shoots use lavalier microphones?

Almost all shootings where the speech of the actor is used: advertising, movies, interviews, talk shows, even ordinary presentation films about the company. The lavalier microphone works in tandem with, for example, a “gun”, when the sound engineer holds the microphone over the speaker. The sound is recorded both in the microphone and in the lavalier, and already at the output we get high-quality sound.

Charging and batteries

Not all microphones are battery operated. For some, phantom power is enough – from an external device to which the microphone will be connected. Some lavalier microphones do not use standard batteries, but LR44 batteries. They are not very expensive, the average price is around 300 rubles. They hold a charge much longer than conventional batteries. Used an average of five hours a day, it could last a week, maybe more.

Wired or radio transmitting

In a sense, they are one and the same. The radio transmitters also contain a wired microphone, it’s just an upgrade. It all depends on the task: if you have a very long interview, then wired will be more convenient. It won’t drain and you can shoot non-stop. If the speaker moves in the frame, then the wired one will be inconvenient, as it restricts movement, gets into the camera and, most likely, there will be interference. A set of radio transmitting microphones is much more expensive. This is a professional instrument, not an amateur one.