Top iPhone Microphones for 2025: High-Quality Sound for Vlogs, Podcasts, and Streams

Explore the best iPhone microphones for exceptional audio quality in vlogs, podcasts, and streams. Find the perfect pick for your needs!

Understanding the Importance of Quality Sound

Your iPhone does an admirable job capturing the colors and nuances of a scene, and you might think that the best microphone for iPhone is its built-in mic. However, the quality of audio recordings can fall short of the HDR video capabilities of the iPhone.

As the subject moves further away from the microphone, the sound quality deteriorates. Moreover, unwanted background noises can creep in, and wind blowing over your iPhone's microphone can ruin your recordings with low-frequency rumbling.

Fortunately, there are numerous microphones designed to elevate the quality of your audio recordings to match the HDR video quality of the best iPhones.

Which Microphone Do You Need?

Selecting the right microphone depends on your specific needs. For wedding videographers, time is of the essence, and a shotgun microphone is ideal for capturing sound without the hassle of individual mics. If you're a YouTube vlogger who loves walking and talking, a wireless solution with a clip-on microphone and a receiver connected to your iPhone is essential for unobstructed movement.

All the microphones featured in this buying guide include links to our comprehensive reviews, most of which contain videos that let you hear each microphone in action. This will help you make an informed choice and find an iPhone-compatible microphone that fits your filmmaking needs (and budget).

Best Microphones for iPhone: Quick List

Best Compact Microphone for iPhone

DJI Mic Mini

This compact microphone offers extensive capabilities from DJI's video specialists and is compatible with both iPhones and cameras.

Best Easy-to-Use Microphone for iPhone

RØDE Wireless Micro

A plug-and-play wireless microphone kit that allows you to move freely and talk at distances of up to 100 meters while ensuring loud and clear sound.

Best Budget Microphone for iPhone

Godox WES2

A highly recommended budget-friendly wireless microphone kit that will enhance the sound quality of your YouTube shows compared to your camera's built-in mic.

Best Professional Microphone for iPhone

RODE Wireless Pro

With onboard 32-bit floating recording, the Wireless Pro stands out among other wireless microphone systems, albeit at a professional price! For a cheaper alternative, we recommend the Saramonic BlinkMe.

Best All-in-One Kit for iPhone

SmallRig All-in-One Video Kit For Smartphone Creators

This shotgun microphone helps reduce unwanted background noise while keeping your interviewee's voice loud and clear.

Best Microphone for iPhone Gamers

Hollyland Lark M2

Available in several configurations, this kit comes with options for either Lightning or USB-C connections, depending on your iPhone model.

Best Microphone for Solo Users

Shure MoveMic Two Kit

If you're using your smartphone alone, consider the Shure MoveMic One, which connects via Bluetooth. The pricier MoveMic Two Receiver is better suited for DSLR users.

In-Depth Look at the Best Microphones for iPhone

Best Overall Microphone for iPhone

DJI Mic Mini

The best kit for size and performance.

Specifications

• Maximum Noise Level: 110 dB
• Digital Frequency: 2.4 GHz hopping frequency system
• Capture Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Battery Life: Approximately 8 hours
• Maximum Distance: 200 m
• Onboard Recording: No

Pros:

• Lightweight microphones won't ruin clothing
• Powerful power source
• Works with popular DJI Osmo cameras
• Easy wireless operation

Cons:

• Røde's alternative has a cult square design
• No protective track (like Mic 2)
• No monitor display

If you need a compact and reliable wireless microphone system that delivers professional-quality sound, the DJI Mic Mini is a must-have. Its lightweight and portable design makes it ideal for vloggers and filmmakers who require quality audio without bulky equipment. The system includes a transmitter with a built-in microphone and a receiver that easily connects to your iPhone via USB-C or Lightning adapters.

One standout feature of the DJI Mic Mini is its impressive range of up to 250 meters, allowing for greater freedom of movement during recordings while ensuring clear audio even in noisy or spacious environments. With a battery life of around 5.5 hours, I never have to worry about running out of charge during extended shoots.

Setup is a breeze, thanks to intuitive controls that let me start recording in no time. Despite its small size, the sound quality is exceptional, providing clean, professional audio every time. While it might not be the cheapest option, I believe the DJI Mic Mini is a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about creating high-quality content. It's reliable, portable, and delivers exactly what I need for my projects.

Best Easy-to-Use Microphone for iPhone

RØDE Wireless Micro

The best plug-and-play wireless kit for smartphone videographers.

Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Maximum Noise Level: 135 dB
• Connector: USB-C / Lightning
• Battery Life: 7 hours
• Transmission Range: Over 100 m (line of sight)

Pros:

• Compact wireless microphone system
• Neat storage case
• Simple plug-and-play operation

Cons:

• Connectivity issues due to thick smartphone cases
• No built-in software noise cancellation

Recording low-quality sound is all too easy. Step away a few feet from your smartphone's built-in mic, and your voice will quickly be drowned out by background noise, like passing cars or airplanes! You could connect a wired lapel microphone to your smartphone, but your mobility would be limited by the cable's length. Fortunately, recording high-quality sound from a distance is just as easy — even when you're away from the smartphone.

The RØDE Wireless Micro features a sleek little receiver that connects via USB-C directly to your smartphone. You can clip (or magnetically attach) the compact microphone with an integrated transmitter to your shirt and then walk and talk freely, enjoying fantastic sound without being limited in movement. You'll be heard even at 100 meters away, provided you don't turn your back to the camera and lose connection with the receiver.

This kit is designed for plug-and-play connections, and thanks to its intelligent gain feature, you don't need to worry about manual adjustments to avoid distortion. This makes the RØDE Wireless Micro an ideal entry-level wireless kit for smartphone videographers, allowing you to leverage RØDE's reputation for high-quality audio equipment. While it lacks built-in noise-canceling software found in many microphones, you can easily (and more effectively) reduce unwanted background noise using apps like iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere Pro.

Best Budget Microphone for iPhone

Godox WES2

The best budget plug-and-play wireless microphone kit.

Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 50 Hz - 16 kHz
• Sensitivity: 86 dB
• Connector: USB-C
• Battery Life: 8 hours
• Transmission Range: 200 mm

Pros:

• Cable-free connection
• Greater transmission range
• MFi compliant (made for iPhone)
• High sound quality

Cons:

• Noise cancellation decreases voice transmission quality
• No wired lapel microphones included

Some wireless microphone kits mentioned in this guide require connecting the receiver to your smartphone or camera via a cable. You might even need to purchase a third-party adapter to connect the cable to an iPhone released before 2015. The presence of cables can lead to tangling issues if your phone is mounted on a stabilizer.

The beauty of Godox WES is that its receiver has a small connection port that plugs directly into the Lightning port of an iPhone (if you buy the Godox WES1 kit) or an Android smartphone (or iPhone 15) if you purchase the Godox WES2 kit. No dangling wires are necessary, simplifying the process of securing the transmitter on your jacket lapel, connecting the receiver to your phone, and starting your high-quality audio recordings.

Despite being one of the cheapest wireless microphone kits in this guide, the Godox WES delivers excellent sound quality at distances of up to 200 meters under line-of-sight conditions (with minimal interference if you turn away from the camera at around 100 meters). Its affordable price and ease of connection make it appealing, especially for those new to wireless microphone kits. iPhone users should pay particular attention, as the WES meets Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone) manufacturing standards (be sure to purchase the Lightning version if you own a model from 14 years and older, or the WES2 kit if you have an iPhone 15).

Best Microphone for iPhone Professionals

RODE Wireless Pro

The best wireless microphone for iPhone video professionals.

Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: -38 dB - 123.5 dB
• Connector: 3.5 mm TRS
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Transmission Range: 260 m

Pros:

• 32-bit floating recording
• Charging case and accessories included
• Comes with lav mics and windshields
• Onboard recording

Cons:

• More affordable alternatives exist

The RODE Wireless Pro is a typical wireless microphone system with two transmitters and a receiver (but it has some extra features that we'll discuss). You can connect the receiver to your iPhone using the included Lightning adapter. Like other wireless microphone kits, both transmitters and the receiver come in a carrying case that allows you to charge all three devices simultaneously, ensuring that everything stays charged during shoots.

Much like the Saramonic BlinkMe, the Wireless Pro has built-in recording on the transmitters, so if the signal drops due to losing line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, you can still recover the audio from a file recorded directly on the transmitter. Unlike the files recorded on the Saramonic BlinkMe, the Wireless Pro captures outstanding 32-bit floating files. This revolutionary format means you don't have to worry about improper gain settings resulting in quiet or distorted audio, allowing you to use the 32-bit floating track to recover problematic recordings in post-processing applications.

Best All-in-One Microphone Kit for iPhone

SmallRig All-in-One Video Kit For Smartphone Creators

The best camera microphone for wedding videographers.

Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Range: 50 Hz - 16 kHz
• Sensitivity: -38 dB + 3 dB
• Connector: 3.5 mm TRS and TRRS coiled cables
• Battery: N/A
• Transmission Range: N/A

Pros:

• Directional shotgun microphone to suppress unwanted ambient sounds
• Windshield for noise reduction
• Suspended mount to reduce handling noise
• Multiple connection cables included

Cons:

• Accessories like LED lights increase cost

To use a shotgun microphone, you’ll need a smartphone holder or tripod with a cold shoe mount for attaching the shotgun microphone, for example, the JOBY GripTight. The microphone is inserted into the cold shoe mount and then connected to your iPhone.

The SmallRig case for iPhone includes built-in cold shoe mounts, allowing you to attach the included microphone (as well as an LED light that mounts to the cold shoe). The included microphone has a plastic shock mount that reduces noise from handling and does not degrade the audio recording.

It is set to a cardioid polar pattern, so when recording someone, it focuses on their voice while minimizing unwanted background noise (such as at a noisy wedding). Multiple cables are included for connecting the microphone to your phone, including a 3.5mm adapter for attaching it to older iPhone models, such as the 14 Pro series. The kit also includes a furry cover to reduce wind noise.

When shooting with a microphone mounted on this rig, you won’t look like a guest at a wedding holding an iPhone, making it an excellent choice for those who need to appear more professional with a shotgun microphone (and accompanying accessories).

Best Value Microphone for iPhone

Hollyland Lark М2

The best budget plug-and-play wireless microphone kit.

Specifications

• Maximum Noise Level: 110 dB
• Digital Frequency: Not specified
• Capture Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Battery Life: Approximately 8 hours
• Maximum Distance: 200 m
• Onboard Recording: No

Pros:

• Discrete transmitters
• Works straight out of the box
• Magnetic attachment
• Great transmission range
• Suitable for Android, iPhone, or camera

Cons:

• Lack of built-in recording function
• Spare magnets would be helpful

For newcomers to wireless microphones, the Hollyland Lark M2 Duo Kit is an excellent option, offering great value at an affordable price, packed with top-notch features. The kit includes two transmitters and a receiver, which can be charged simultaneously in a convenient case for maximum battery life.

As soon as you take the microphone and receiver out of the case, they automatically connect, allowing you to start wireless voice recording to your camera or smartphone immediately.

Both microphones feature a noise-cancellation button. While software noise cancellation can sometimes result in muffled voices, the HearClear feature on the Lark M2 effectively reduces background noise without sacrificing voice clarity. Additionally, the kit includes easily attachable windshields that help minimize wind noise.

One defining feature is the negligible delay between when I speak and when the sound is captured. Technical specifications indicate a delay of just 20 ms, which is hardly noticeable when reviewing footage. This means you won’t have to waste time adjusting audio in post-processing software like Final Cut Pro. You can also opt for the Lark M1 Duo kit for iOS or Android, which includes transmitters with built-in USB-C or Lightning connectors.

Best Compact Microphone for iPhone

Shure MoveMic Two

The best small-size microphone kit for iPhone.

Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency Range: 24 Hz - 25 kHz
• Battery Life: 8 hours (transmitter), 8 hours (receiver)
• Transmission Range: 30 m

Pros:

• Records on both DSLR and smartphone
• Requires a wireless lapel mic with a discreet appearance
• Produces high-quality sound

Cons:

• Relatively limited transmission range
• Quite expensive

The Shure MoveMic stands out from all other wireless microphone kits in this guide due to one key feature: its transmitting microphones can stream sound directly to a smartphone or iPhone using Bluetooth, eliminating the need for the included receiver. The downside of Bluetooth connectivity is that you can only record sound with the free ShurePlus Motiv Video app, giving you limited access to your smartphone's built-in camera apps and modes like "Cinematic" on the iPhone. Nevertheless, the kit does include a receiver, allowing you to connect it to a smartphone or DSLR camera using the provided cable and record your performance using the built-in camera app on your device.

Theoretically, you could record audio and video on a DSLR camera using the wireless receiver while simultaneously shooting from another angle with an iPhone connected via Bluetooth. If you're using a smartphone and don’t require a receiver for connecting to a DSLR, you can purchase a single MoveMic.

All wireless components are conveniently stored in a carrying case that also charges them using an integrated battery during use. However, the transmitter must be charged separately, as it does not fit into the carrying case. All kit components easily fit into a carry bag with mesh compartments for storing the provided charging and connection cables and two separate windshields for the microphones.

The sound quality provided by the Shure MoveMic is excellent, thanks to a 48 kHz sampling frequency and a 24-bit depth. If it has any drawbacks, it's a relatively limited range of 30 meters (though at that distance, you can hardly notice the subject's mouth moving!). Another downside could be its relatively high price, but you can save a lot by purchasing a kit with just one microphone, rather than two transmitters and a receiver, as in the version we tested.

How to Choose the Best Microphone for iPhone

A key question to address is whether you need a wireless microphone kit or a shotgun microphone for your camera.

Shotgun microphones are convenient for filming dynamic events in real-time. Their hypercardioid polar pattern captures sound directly in front of the camera while minimizing unwanted noise from behind and the sides of your iPhone. This microphone type is ideal for documentary creators or wedding videographers.

However, if you need to shoot from a distance (or interview someone while walking and talking), a wireless microphone system is the better choice. With a wireless system, you can simply connect a lightweight receiver to your iPhone via a cable and let it hang while it picks up sound from a transmitter attached to the subject.

Unlike wired microphones, wireless microphones can lose signal, but the ones featured in this guide are quite reliable, and many have built-in recording capabilities, allowing you to replace lost signals in post-processing.

Lastly, our recommended microphone kits often come with two transmitters, but you can save money by looking for kits with a single transmitter, such as the Godox Virso M1, which is priced more than 6,300 rubles lower than the M2 kit featured in this guide.

Connecting a Shotgun Microphone to iPhone

For shotgun microphones, you will need a smartphone holder or tripod with a cold shoe mount for attaching the shotgun microphone, for example, the JOBY GripTight. The microphone is inserted into the cold shoe mount and then connected to your iPhone.

Do You Need an Adapter to Connect Your Microphone to iPhone?

Most microphone kits come with a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS audio cable, compatible with smartphones in general. To connect this cable to an iPhone 14 or earlier model, you'll need an adapter, such as the Ugreen Lightning to 3.5mm cable. To connect a microphone to an iPhone 15, a 3.5mm to USB-C cable is required. Some wireless kits (like the 7Artisans DMic-S) come with an adapter cable for iPhone.

In conclusion, choosing the right microphone for your iPhone can significantly impact the audio quality of your content. Whether you are vlogging, podcasting, or streaming, the right tools can ensure that your audience enjoys high-quality sound that matches your visuals.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What microphone is best for iPhone video recording?
  • The DJI Mic Mini is highly recommended for its compactness and audio quality, making it ideal for video recording.
• Are shotgun microphones better than lapel microphones?
  • It depends on your needs; shotgun microphones are great for capturing sound from a distance, while lapel microphones offer more freedom of movement.
• Can I use a regular microphone with my iPhone?
  • Yes, as long as you have the right adapters to connect the microphone to your iPhone.
• Do I need a special app to use a microphone with my iPhone?
  • While many microphones can work with the iPhone's built-in camera app, some may require specific apps for optimal performance.
• How do I prevent wind noise when recording outside?
  • Use a windscreen or furry cover on your microphone to minimize wind noise during outdoor recordings.

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