If yous consider yourself a mobile creator and you're not using some sort of dedicated microphone, you lot might exist holding yourself back. We're not judging, merely your audience likely is. Sound, especially dialog, is often overlooked but nothing screams amateur more than than subpar sound. At that place are many, many options for the dwelling house or function/studio, but there are a surprising amount of mobile-specific (or at least, mobile-friendly) solutions out there to elevate your on-the-get recordings be that for social, a jam session, making movies, podcasting and beyond.

What "the best mic for your iPhone or Android" is volition vary depending on the task you demand it for. If you want to record a TikTok or a Podcast or even a jam session, all have slightly different needs simply the selection below covers almost bases (and perchance even a few you lot didn't think of yet) for recording loftier-quality sound with lilliputian more than a telephone.

The gear

This guide is all about recording on the go, free from the constraints of a studio or role, merely also far away from luxuries like power outlets, acoustically friendly rooms and a full-size PC. As such there are 2 styles of microphone that really shine here: Lavalier (lapel) and shotgun. Nosotros'll be covering a few other types, too, just between those, most tasks are covered.

We'll also show you how you lot can use the USB mics you may already have with your telephone and even ways to connect heavy-duty studio classics (XLR) to your humble handset, merely all that volition exist through accessories. For now, let'southward offset with the archetype clip mics.

Pictured are the Sennheiser XS and Rode Lavalier II microphones.

James Trew / Engadget

Lavalier mics

The obvious benefit of a lapel mic is size. Their modest profile makes them perfect for presenting to the camera with the flexibility to motility effectually while maintaining consistent audio quality. If you lot're a budding TikTok or YouTube creator it's definitely worth having one of these in your purse.

The main trade-off, yet, is that they're simply expert for recording the person they're attached to. If you have two people talking and merely i is wearing the mic, yous'll only go good audio for 1 half of the conversation, and so for multi-person recordings yous'll need a mic for each guest and a way to record them at the same time, and then costs can go up speedily.

Fortunately, lapel mics take get a very competitive marketplace with skilful, feasible options costing every bit niggling as $14.95. For an accented bargain with a long string and some connectivity accessories, the Boya BY M1 is difficult to argue with. Only, while these upkeep choices are bully value, if you lot want something that should either last longer, is more versatile or but sounds better it's worth paying a little bit more.

Best three.5mm mic: Rode Lavalier II

Rode'south Lavalier Two is a slick-looking low-profile lavalier that sounds great. At $95, it's somewhere in the sweet spot between budget and higher-cease options. It's easy to recommend the Lavalier II only on its sound alone, but information technology comes with a rugged case and a practiced pick of accessories. For even more flexibility you tin can pair this with Rode'southward AI Micro interface ($79) which provides easy connectedness to an iPhone or Android (or even PCs) and adds support for a second mic – perfect for recording podcasts or interviews.

Buy Rode Lavalier Ii at Amazon - $95

All-time USB-C mic: Sennheiser XS

At $60 Sennheiser's XS (USB-C) lav mic is fairly affordable, sounds great and plugs right into your phone (or laptop) without needing an adapter. This not only makes it convenient simply reduces the overall cost as you lot don't need a headphone adapter for your phone. What's more, the XS has a two-meter long cable which gives you plenty of scope for movement or framing.

Buy Sennheiser XS at Amazon - $lx

The Rode Wireless Go II and Mikme Pocket wireless microphone systems.

James Trew / Engadget

A word on wireless systems

Recently at that place has been an explosion in mobile-friendly wireless systems but there are 2 nosotros really similar. The beginning is Rode's Wireless Become 2. Arguably the original defined this category, just the 2nd generation improves on it with two wireless transmitters making this podcast and interview friendly. The Wireless Go Ii is besides incredibly versatile as information technology doubles every bit a standalone recorder, tin can exist mounted in a camera cold shoe and even has its own "reporter" mic adapter. Oh, and you tin can make any 3.5mm mic (including the lavaliers in a higher place) wireless by plugging it into one of the receivers.

The second is the Mikme Pocket. This Austrian-designed wireless pack is a high-end lavalier mic arrangement designed to be particularly mobile-friendly. There's a comprehensive app for both video and audio recording and internal storage and then you won't ever experience dropouts. It too means yous can enjoy a practically infinite range. At $399 it's a college spend, but if loftier-quality audio and most-infinite range are what you need and so this is the one.

Adapters

So we've already touched on this with the AI Micro, which is an adapter of sorts. 1 of the first things you might bump upward against when dealing with mobile audio accessories is TRRS vs TRS connectors. But put, 3.5mm TRS is what you might know as the age-old archetype headphone connector while TRRS became common for its support for headsets and inline mics. You can hands tell them apart equally TRS connectors have two black bands on them while a TRRS has iii.

For you, the budding creator, it can be a bit of an annoyance as many 3.5mm lavaliers are going to exist TRS and won't work when plugged into your telephone'southward headphone adapter. Sometimes your lavalier might include what you lot demand in the box, just otherwise, you'll want to pick up a TRS to TRRS adapter like this. Of course, some smartphone-specific mics have TRRS connectors already – for those, you'll want a cable that goes the other way should you want to employ information technology with other devices like a DSLR.

The Rode VideoMic Go 2, alongside the Shure MV88+ and Sennheiser MKE400 shotgun microphones.

James Trew / Engadget

Shotgun mics

You may be more familiar with shotgun mics when it comes to video. Information technology'south the manner of microphone most ofttimes found atop a DSLR or mirrorless photographic camera, but they make great companions for other portable devices as well, your phone included.

The do good of a shotgun is that they tend to be highly directional, which makes them perfect for podcasts, recording instruments, foley sounds and much, much more.

For u.s. mobile recordists, another benefit is that they tend to exist low-cal and portable, perfect for slipping into a backpack or even a laptop bag. Fifty-fifty amend, there are some great mobile-specific options.

Best shotgun mic for video / music: Sennheiser MKE 400 (2d gen)

You shouldn't buy a mic just because of how it looks, only the MKE 400 from Sennheiser ($200) definitely makes its rivals look wimpy. More important than aesthetics, though, is how it sounds and the MKE 400 records very cleanly without obvious coloration to the audio. What's more, the bombardment-powered mic won't steal power from your telephone or camera, and with 3 gain levels to choose from you tin can boost things when needed, or avoid clipping on louder subjects. The MKE 400 also comes with both TRS and TRRS cables for compatibility with a variety of devices.

The MKE 400's physical gain controls and loftier pass filter (unlike the other 2 beneath that are updated via an app) accept the stress out of worrying if your audio source moves or changes volume equally you lot can adapt that on the wing. If you're a musician looking to record loud drums and then softer vocals on the move, for example, these tactile proceeds settings are a massive plus.

Purchase Sennheiser MKE 400 at B&H - $200

All-time budget shotgun mic: Rode VideoMic Go Ii

When nosotros tested the VideoMic Become Two nosotros were surprised at just how good it sounded correct out of the box. At $150 it rivals many desktop microphones that price three times the cost. You lot'll demand a companion app to alter settings, otherwise this performs well beyond the board.

Buy Rode VideoMic Go Two at Amazon - $150

Best shotgun mic for portability: Shure MV88+

Non to be confused with the older MV88 that plugged directly into a Lightning port, the MV88+ is a diminutive shotgun mic fabricated with the smartphone in listen. Often sold as a vlogging kit ($249) with a tripod and phone grip, the MV88+ has modular cables for connecting directly to Androids and iPhones.

Buy Shure MV88+ at Amazon - $199

Desktop and USB mics become mobile

Mobile-specific mics are cracking, but at that place'southward zilch stopping you from using the mic you might already have (if it'southward somewhat portable). You'll definitely need to do a picayune dance with some adapters, but that's one-half the fun. Below are a couple of recommendations for "regular" microphones that pair well with a phone and so the cables and adapters that you lot'll need to get setup.

The HypeMic from Apogee is a versatile microphone that's just as at home with a PC as it is your phone.

James Trew / Engadget

Apogee HypeMic

Arguably, at that place are few microphones that are could be described as "mobile-friendly" than the HypeMic from Apogee. While it looks similar a regular handheld mic, it'southward actually deceivingly small, making it very light and portable. It also comes with cables to directly connect it to iPhones and Android handsets — no adapters needed. Don't allow the small-scale size deceive you though, the HypeMic has a big flim-flam upwards its sleeve: a built-in analog compressor for professional-sounding vocals. Whether y'all record podcasts, vocals or instruments at that place's a setting on the HypeMic just for y'all. At $349 it's a little on the spendy side, merely you get a very versatile device that'southward only every bit useful for the desktop too.

Purchase HyperMic at amazon - $349

Samson Q2U

This dynamic mic is a favorite with podcasters, with many production companies using it as their standard mic to send out to remote guests thank you to its excellent quality to value functioning. The Q2U features both USB and XLR connectivity making it versatile for both desktop and mobile applications, but it'due south the former we're interested in hither equally that's what allows you to connect it to your telephone with nothing more than a USB cable and an adapter (run across beneath).

What's more, the Q2U is solid enough to endure a little bit of rough and tumble, so volition happily alive in the bottom of your backpack set for when you need it. Meanwhile, the handheld pattern is versatile enough it can plough its mitt to singing/instruments, podcasts, interviews and more.

Purchase Samson Q2U at Amazon - $69

Tula

You may not be familiar with the proper noun, but Tula snuck into our hearts with its versatile, vintage inspired debut microphone. From a mobile perspective, the Tula connects to Androids directly over USB-C or iPhones with the right USB-C to Lightning cable (more than on this beneath) or a USB "camera kit" adapter. What makes the Tula special is that information technology's too a desktop mic and portable recorder with lavalier input and 8GB of storage and even features noise cancellation – perfect for cutting downwardly on outside groundwork sounds. With the Tula you could theoretically have one mic for home, mobile and standalone recording.

Buy Tula mic at Amazon - $229

The best microphones to use with iPhone or Android.

James Trew / Engadget

IK Multimedia iRig Pre two

If you already have a stash of XLR mics or really do demand a studio condenser mic with phantom power and then the iRig Pre two is a portable interface that will feed whatsoever XLR mic into your phone. It runs off two AA batteries which it uses to supply phantom power when needed and won't drain your phone. There'south also a headphone port for monitoring, gain controls and LEDs to help prevent clipping.

Buy iRig Pre 2 at Amazon - $sixty

A word on cables

Connecting USB microphones direct to phones is rarely equally simple as but one cable, although that's starting to go more common. In general, Android makes this simpler, only also, thanks to the broad range of manufacturers and software versions y'all can't always guarantee things volition work smoothly.

The iPhone is a whole other situation. USB microphones have a proficient run a risk of working via the USB photographic camera kit we mentioned earlier, simply that's still inelegant sometimes. Frustratingly, some USB-C to Lightning cables volition play overnice with microphones, only sadly most will not – including Apple'due south own. One confirmed option is this cable from Fiio or this generic alternative. These are cheap plenty that information technology's worth having a couple around if you work with audio a lot (they of course can also be used to charge your phone as a bonus).