Wireless Lavalier Mics for Vloggers: Ten Systems Rated (2021)

Clip-on wireless microphones solve a problem every vlogger runs into: the camera is a few steps away, but the voice needs to sound close and clean. A lavalier is far smaller than a shotgun or desk mic, and a wireless kit removes the cable between speaker and camera. This roundup compares ten complete systems, each with a transmitter, a receiver and a clip-on mic, ordered from a top-tier broadcast kit down to inexpensive sets for phones and karaoke.

The ten wireless lavalier systems

• Sennheiser EW 100 – called the most expensive kit on the list and the one for serious YouTubers. It sets up in about a minute, records broadcast-grade sound through an omnidirectional lav, covers roughly 100 meters, runs about 8 hours and has an LCD for readouts. Its drawbacks were cost and a poor fit for beginners.
• Rode RodeLink FM – the review's pick for DSLR shooters. A compact kit that mounts on top of a camera, reaches about 100 meters and has an OLED screen on the receiver that tracks the link. The one complaint was that it hides the indicator lights while recording.
• Comica CVM-WM300 – a 96-channel system that works with Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras as well as iPhone and Galaxy phones, with a 120-meter range, more than 10 hours of battery and live monitoring. Setup was described as a bit complicated.
• Shure BLX14/CVL – aimed at filmmakers. It offers an omnidirectional lav, adjustable gain, easy frequency matching, a 91-meter range and compatibility with DSLR, mirrorless and phone setups. There is no screen, so you cannot see the recording status.
• Comica CVM-WM100 – a 48-channel kit with LCD screens on both units, real-time monitoring and around 6 hours of battery. The review found its range too short for outdoor vlogging.
• Dazzne FotoWelt WM-100 – popular with YouTubers thanks to wide camera compatibility, a 50-meter range, noise reduction suited to outdoor shoots, 6–8 hours of power and a monitoring port. No major cons were listed.
• FIFINE Wireless Microphone – presented as the cheapest option and a good match for iPad. It offers 20 channels, an omnidirectional pattern, about 19 meters of range and 5–6 hours of runtime; the short range was the drawback.
• Hotec UHF Wireless Mic – a compact, easy-to-connect set with 25 channels, about 30 meters of range, roughly 3 hours of battery and a screen for status. The mic has to sit near the mouth to pick up well.
• Samson Wireless Microphone – suggested for iPhone users. It runs on two AAA batteries for 3–4 hours and uses an omnidirectional lav, but has no LCD.
• Pyle PDWM12UH – a budget kit with LCDs on transmitter and receiver, 3–4 hours of power and uses ranging from interviews to karaoke. Humming noise was the reported weakness.

The roundup's three quick recommendations are the Sennheiser for an unlimited budget, the Comica CVM-WM300 as an external mic for iPhone, and the Hotec for the tightest budget.

Five things to weigh before buying

1. Budget. Prices vary enormously, and spending more generally brings better specs.
2. Purpose. Interviews, voice-overs and outdoor travel vlogs each place different demands on a mic, so decide what you will actually record.
3. Compatibility. The review favors kits that connect to DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and smartphones alike, for maximum flexibility.
4. Operating range. Pricier systems such as the Sennheiser reach around 100 meters, while budget kits sit closer to 50 meters or less.
5. Battery life. Aim for at least 3–4 hours so a recording session does not stop halfway.

Keeping these points in mind, the review suggested, makes it much easier to match a lavalier system to the kind of videos you make.