Hollyland Lark A1 Review - The best affordable wireless microphone
What can a wireless microphone for under $40 do? We were surprised, because the Hollyland Lark A1 sounds really good.
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by
Johann
- last edited: 12.11.2025
TL;DR: Our Rating
★★★★☆
The sound is unbeatable in this price range! However, it is best not to use the noise reduction feature.
★★★★☆
The connectivity is good; you can use the system for USB-C and Lightning or a combination version. However, you cannot use it with a camera.
★★★★★
The workmanship is high quality, everything is easy to use, and there is also an app.
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Hollyland Lark A1: First impressions and scope of delivery
Let’s be honest: at this price point, you can’t expect a high-quality wireless microphone like the DJI Mic mini, so we went into this test with a slight bias. Hollyland is a Chinese brand that also has higher-quality models, but the A1 seemed “cheap” to us at first. But when we unpacked it and, above all, when we heard it for the first time… we were pleasantly surprised.
There is the Lark Sound app, which currently offers relatively few settings, but the connectivity with the smartphone is great, and we were able to record straight away. And the scope of delivery (we had the version with a charging case) is also good. You have everything you need, including a windshield. The sound without noise canceling is really good.
Technical Features
Of course, the Hollyland Lark A1 doesn’t have a ton of extra features at this price point, but it still has the basics: 6 levels of gain adjustment, 24-bit recording (which is actually more of a minimum standard), a range of up to 200m with line of sight, but without line of sight, it runs out of steam very quickly. The battery life per transmitter is 9 hours without noise canceling.
With 3 levels of noise cancellation, we find that this feature is best not used. You simply lose control over the sound, and noise reduction can really affect speech, especially with this model. It’s better to run software or AI over it later.
Here you can find out how to remove microphone noise.
Too cheap or really good?
There are many “junk” products in this price range on the market for wireless microphones. No-name brands from China in particular sell wireless microphones starting at $10, and you can be relatively sure that they cannot compete with the performance of a good microphone. But sometimes there are real “insider tips,” such as the Hollyland Lark A1.
The materials are, of course, not high-quality and are simple plastic, but it doesn’t look super cheap. The connection is stable, and the receiver for the smartphone fits well and doesn’t wobble. The charging case looks a little less robust when open, but when closed, it makes a very solid impression. Unfortunately, we don’t have any long-term test results, but it has really stood up very well to our use.
With or without a charging case? USB-C, Lightning, or combo? Or maybe in white?
There are five different versions of the Hollyland Lark A1, and you probably know best which one suits you.
If you use it in a small business or share it with other people, a combo version makes sense. We also think that the charging case is useful, as it reduces wear and tear. During transport, the transmitters are loose in the small bag and rub against each other. This can scratch them. In the charging case, they are safe and also better protected from shocks.
If you have a particularly small budget and don’t share the microphone with others, you can of course opt for the cheapest version without a case.
Conclusion: Is Hollyland's entry-level wireless microphone worth it?
The conclusion here is relatively short, because the price-performance ratio is just right! Sure, it’s not a DJI Mic 3 or Røde Wireless Pro, but it does its job really well and is almost unbeatable for this price.
This makes it ideal for beginners, content creators, or people who just like to shoot videos as a hobby. It’s small, handy, affordable, and sounds pretty good. We recommend it, because we haven’t found a better wireless microphone in this price range yet.
Check out our big blog article on the best wireless microphones. Here you’ll find alternatives and higher-quality microphones.
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