If you’re looking for a microphone that pairs easily with your smartphone, there are plenty of options on the market that connect to Android or iOS devices for high quality recording.
We tested and researched the top 5 best smartphone microphones, useful whether you’re working as a media reporter or just want something easy to clip to your shirt for portable recording. These mics deliver efficient, high quality sound capture for video and audio recording alike.
Quick verdict: the Rode smartLav+ is the best overall pick for vlogging and on-camera interviews. The Blue Raspberry is the better choice if you want a more versatile mic for music, calls, and streaming rather than just on-the-go video.
Top 5 Best Smartphone Microphones
1. Rode smartLav+
Rode is a well-regarded brand with a loyal following, and the smartLav+ is another strong example of what the company brings to the table.
This lavalier mic is a great choice thanks to its reliable quality and easy positioning anywhere, anytime. It includes a 3.5mm connector designed to fit into a standard headphone jack. You can clip the mic to your shirt or jacket near your mouth and start talking right away.
In our testing, the cable stayed discreet once clipped to a shirt, thanks to its small size, so an audience won’t notice it. The cable tucks neatly out of view, letting you use the mic with your phone without constantly readjusting it.
This is a condenser microphone with a frequency response of 60Hz to 18kHz and a sensitivity of -35dB. Sound recording stayed clear in our testing, helped by the small windscreen that reduces wind interference and other external noise.
It does a strong job focusing on your voice while filtering out unusual background sound, making it a great pick for on-camera recording. It’s especially useful for news reporters who need high quality sound without interference.
This mic isn’t really built for much beyond that specific use case, so it’s best suited for discreet recording, interviews, or conference coverage rather than music or general vocal performance. For more on how this microphone type works generally, see our guide on what a lavalier microphone is.
Pros
- Easy to connect with a smartphone
- Best for vlogging
- Easy plug-and-play setup
- Pop filter to reduce wind interference
Cons
- Not designed for off-camera audio recording
2. Movo PM10
Movo has built a reputation as a reliable choice for everyday microphones, and the PM10 is one of its standout smartphone mics.
The PM10 is a great fit for anyone who wants a mic without getting bogged down in expert-level controls or extra features. It’s a tough little lavalier mic with simple controls at a lower price point than many competitors.
It’s not necessarily the flashiest smartphone microphone, but it performs well for basic vocal recording, including for YouTube and similar platforms. The design feels simple and reliable in hand, and overall performance won’t leave you disappointed.
The Movo PM10 uses an omnidirectional pattern and is less sensitive to background noise and random interference than you might expect. Despite its small size and modest price, it delivers surprisingly clear, accurate sound. It has a signal-to-noise ratio of 74dB SPL and a frequency response of 35Hz to 18kHz.
It handles noise well and records clearly across a range of environments. It’s a small, lightweight, battery-free unit, making it easy to bring along for field recording. Sound quality stays crisp and clear for interviews and conferences.
The PM10 works with current iOS devices as well as Android and Windows phones, making it one of the more versatile picks in this list. It’s well suited for single-track, fundamental recordings of sound and music in smaller spaces.
Pros
- 74dB SPL signal-to-noise ratio
- Good noise handling and easy controls
- Compatible with multiple smartphones and other devices
- Frequency response of 35Hz to 18kHz
Cons
- Can be damaged on impact
3. Rode VideoMic Me
The Rode VideoMic Me is another small, trusted option worth considering. It’s a compact microphone at a reasonable price, best suited for use with iPhone and other iOS devices.
In our testing, this proved to be a dependable mic for recording mobile audio, with results genuinely worth the price. You can record video on your phone while capturing solid, high definition audio at the same time using the VideoMic Me.
It connects directly to the TRRS headphone jack and includes a flexible mounting bracket that fits both the rear camera and front-facing selfie camera. A quality windshield is included to help manage plosive consonants like “P” and “S” sounds.
The price is genuinely reasonable, making this an appealing choice if you want an affordable smartphone microphone. It has a frequency response of 100Hz to 20kHz and a noise handling ratio of 20dBA. It’s not necessarily the best smartphone mic overall, but it’s far from the worst either.
We’d recommend the Rode VideoMic Me for clean audio levels when recording indoors in a smaller room. For the price, it genuinely earns its spot on this list, and the sound quality and response will likely impress once you try it.
This mic suits anyone who enjoys vlogging on the go, including hiking or climbing while recording the surroundings, especially in quieter outdoor settings where there’s less competing noise.
Pros
- Compact, reduced size
- Easy TRRS headphone jack attachment
- Excellent sound receiving capability
- Very affordable
Cons
- Sound quality is somewhat limited given the low price
4. Blue Raspberry Studio Mic
The Blue Raspberry Studio Mic is worth considering specifically if you’re recording podcasts, streams, or music sessions. The brand has put real effort into delivering a strong microphone in a compact size suited for smartphone use.
The Blue Raspberry Premium Microphone with Lightning connectivity works well for conference calls, Skype calls, and music creation. It offers versatile USB connectivity along with an internal acoustic diffuser that helps capture vocals clearly. It includes a standard camera mount and a 3.5mm jack for stable recording.
This mic has a genuinely appealing vintage-style design that feels good in hand. The look alone has won over plenty of customers, and the performance backs it up. The Raspberry handles both voice and instrumental tracks with attention to detail.
It uses a unidirectional polar pattern for steady recording of music and vocals, with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. You can use it over USB for voiceovers, recordings, podcasts, live streams, or tracks for platforms like SoundCloud.
Sound stays deep and clear when recording with Android, Mac, iOS, or PC devices. Its internal acoustic diffuser improves recording quality in studio-style settings, and the overall frequency response delivers crisp, natural sound.
It includes a shock and vibration-resistant filter and body, helping minimize vibration and noise picked up by the mic. You can start recording within minutes, and it also connects to DSLR cameras for additional flexibility.
Pros
- Easy compatibility across devices
- Strong frequency response
- Attractive design with a clear body
- Works well for multiple recording use cases
Cons
- Fairly sensitive to physical damage
5. Miracle Sound
The Miracle Sound microphone rounds out this list as the most budget friendly option, helping save significant cost if you just need basic sound recording. The brand has packed in a solid feature set at a genuinely affordable price.
This is a budget pick best suited for beginners who don’t need maximum performance from a smartphone microphone. It delivers average sound quality when recording in a calm, quiet room.
The design isn’t the most polished, but it can pick up sound from a distance, making it useful for recording outdoor activities or capturing someone speaking from farther away.
You won’t need to rely on your phone’s built-in mic once you start using this for distant audio capture. That said, the same sensitivity that helps it pick up distant sound also means it tends to pick up more surrounding noise as a tradeoff.
This is mainly an option for anyone without access to a higher quality smartphone microphone who still wants to capture sound reasonably well, even with its limitations. It works well for casual outdoor recording, like preserving memories from a trip or activity.
Pros
- Variety of configuration options
- Easy to use
- Custom fitting
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Not compatible with iPhone
FAQ
Which is the best smartphone microphone?
Strong options include the Rode smartLav+, Movo PM10, Rode VideoMic Me, Blue Raspberry Premium Microphone, and Miracle Sound microphone, each suited to slightly different use cases.
Can I rely on a smartphone microphone?
Yes. A dedicated smartphone microphone is a solid alternative when your phone’s built-in mic isn’t performing well, letting you record high quality audio more easily.
Conclusion
This covers the top 5 best smartphone microphones, each offering different features depending on price and intended use. Not every mic here serves the same purpose, so it’s worth choosing based on your specific recording needs.
Before buying, check the latest price and availability, since pricing and product availability can change over time. For more on related gear, see our guides on best 3.5mm microphone, best microphones for podcast, best microphone for YouTube, and how to record audio on iPhone.
