Wireless microphones in comparison - Wireless microphones review
Wireless microphones under 150€ (Rode Wireless Me and alternatives)
Since March 2023, the market leader in this segment, Wireless Go, has been joined by Wireless Me, which is tailored to content creators. This wireless solution represents an affordable entry-level segment. We looked for and tested two alternatives! You can read the results of our test here.
3rd place: Hollyland Lark C1 (approx. 129$) - wireless microphone for the iPhone
The Lark is a dual system, i.e. there are two microphones with an integrated transmitter and a receiver. The receiver is plugged into the iPhone via a Lightning connector. To be honest, the Hollyland Lark C1* does not make such a high-quality impression. The case, which is actually practical, is not a perfect fit for the devices. They rattle loudly when you move the case.
We were personally very surprised by the speed of the connection, we were able to plug the receiver into the iPhone, waited 2 seconds and the signal was ready to be recorded via the Apple voice memo app. That’s incredibly fast. However, we had already discovered a function unintentionally during the first connection. As we assumed that the microphones had to be connected manually, we pressed the button on the side of the microphone and the microphone and transmitter lit up green instead of blue.
However, green means that the “noise reduction” mode is active. Blue means that the microphone is connected and noise reduction is not active. We strongly advise against making a recording with this function, as this “feature” totally destroys the microphone signal. Regardless of whether there is hiss or other background noise, the function severely affects the sound and makes it sound much worse.
This brings us to the sound of the Lark C1, which is identical to the Lark M1* except for the receiver. The sound is unfortunately very unclean, especially in comparison to the Røde and the Fulaim, you can clearly hear in the video that the Lark has the worst sound. It neither sounds full in the bass nor does the treble sound clean. It sounds unbalanced, muddy and not of high quality. What’s more, you can’t connect a lavalier microphone! Here’s our Hollyland Lark C1 Review.
★★☆☆☆
The Hollyland Lark unfortunately does not sound high quality, it sounds muddy and inferior
★★★★★
This is where the model shines, the connection works in seconds
★☆☆☆☆
The Lark looks a bit cheap, the case is not a perfect fit, components are rattling
2nd place: Rode Wireless ME (approx. 149$) - Audio quality is the priority!
The Røde Wireless GO set a new standard for wireless microphones in 2019. Its smart operation and low price brought pressure to the industry, which was otherwise dominated by Sennheiser, AKG and Shure. It was no longer about frequencies in mhz on which to transmit, but about simple, fast connections for content creators, for example. The technology became cheaper and simpler.
This is exactly where the Rode Wireless Me* comes in, because it was designed to be even cheaper and simpler. The fact that the Wireless ME has one microphone on the transmitter and one on the receiver saves one device.
You can still record an interview, for example, if you connect a lavalier (e.g. the Lavalier GO II) to both devices. You should then connect the receiver in your pocket to your smartphone using the supplied cable and you have two clean microphone signals for little money! You could even leave out the lavalier microphones, but then you would have to get a longer USB-C to Lightning (or USB-C to USB-C, depending on your smartphone) cable and hide it.
The sound is definitely convincing, in a direct comparison we clearly heard that the sound is the cleanest, the bass is clearly defined, the treble is clear but not too exaggerated. We personally think that the glossy surface on the transmitter and receiver looks classy, but scratches too quickly and constantly gets greasy marks. As the device is particularly suitable for use on the move, this is not a good combination.
The Røde apps help the Wireless ME in terms of connectivity, as the microphones do not connect as quickly as the other two in the test. However, this connection can be checked using the apps, and everything usually connects very quickly after the initial setup. You can also use the apps to adjust the level and the LEDs and adapt the recording configuration (merged or stereo split). The only disadvantage is that the new Rode Capture app is not available for Android. These users have to fall back on the somewhat older but still good Rode Central or Rode Reporter. Here’s our Røde Wireless Me Review.
★★★★★
1st place for the sound, which is balanced and of high quality
★★★★☆
Slight difficulties the first time, but still very good thanks to the Røde apps
★★★★★☆
Very good, feels high-quality, lacquer look unnecessary (scratches quickly)
1st place: Fulaim X5 (approx. 139$) - Our surprise
The Fulaim X5* also has the classic two wireless microphones and a receiver plus case. Like the Hollyland, the case is rechargeable and convenient, as it is more or less a power bank. If you put the devices in the case, they charge directly and are easily stowed away. The difference to the C1 is that the devices sit better in the case and it also looks much more valuable.
The microphones were connected super quickly and you can connect the receiver directly to a USB-C or Lightning device using a mini adapter, which is practical. However, the construction with the adapter seems a bit fragile, so you might want to get a cable adapter to prevent the receiver from breaking off if you do get to it.
As with the Røde Wireless, you can connect a lavalier microphone to the transmitter and also connect the receiver to a camera via a 3.5mm jack, for example, to record the sound there. There is also an internal memory. The Fulaim therefore combines the fast connection of the C1 and the flexible connections of the Wireless ME. The Fulaim also has two transmitters.
For the price, this is our big surprise, as we didn’t expect much from this model. The Fulaim also performs well in terms of sound, although it doesn’t come close to the Røde, as the treble sounds a little exaggerated. You can judge the sound for yourself in the video above. Here’s our Fulaim X5 Review.
★★★★☆
Good and relatively balanced, treble a little too emphasized
★★★★★
Very good, jack input and output, adapter for smartphones included
★★★★★★
Very good for the price, it doesn't look super cheaply made
Conclusion: Wireless microphones - better audio recordings simply, quickly and wireless
We are surprised that the Fulaim X5* could offer such a good performance! The Rode Wireless Me* keeps the first place in terms of sound, in the future we will also test the other Rode models including alternatives!
If you’re also looking for wired alternatives, we also compare interview microphones. Can’t get enough? Check out our comparison of podcast microphones and of podcast headphones! For clean sound recordings, check this out: microphone background noise removal.
Links marked with * are affiliate links. There are no additional costs for you, some of these links have an automatic discount for you. We mark these links for transparency and would never recommend bad products!
