Looking for the best wireless lavalier mic for DSLR? Solo shooters know the importance of keeping their gear hassle-free. Show me one project where there wasn’t some sort of gear-related hiccup, slowdown, or complete malfunction and I’ll show you a 57-leaf clover. Wired lavs are prone to tangling, tripping, and your talent feeling like they’re on a leash. But a wireless lav system means one less variable in the ever-unpredictable gear equation. And that’s one more reason to look forward to your next project.
In this buying guide, we’re going to stay out of the weeds of the “under $100” category. Which is not to say that you should be snooty about “budget” wireless mics, because come on, everyone’s gotta start somewhere. It’s just to say that this guide is for the intermediate videographer; for those willing to shell out several hundred dollars on a wireless lav that’ll make your audio production feel professional without opening a new credit card on the $1,000+ Hollywood systems.
If you’re looking for affordable lavalier mics, check out our buying guide here.
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Last updated: 4/8/2023
Short on Time? Here’s Our Top 3
7 of the Best Wireless Lavalier Mics for DSLR
Movo WMX-1 2.4GHz Wireless Lavalier Microphone System
Based in Los Angeles, Movo welcomes the dreamy attitude of the City of Stars with an offering of products aimed at scrappy DIY filmmakers . Their website talks a lot about enabling more creators to do what they do best by providing quality products at accessible prices. For better or worse, Movo has diversified their product portfolio across audio, video, photography, and smartphone gear more widely than any other company on this list. It’s no wonder they make the cut for our list of the best wireless lavalier mics for DSLR.
As a money-minded fellow, I really appreciate when companies are willing to be seen as the “budget-friendly” brand while still delivering quality products. Movo does just that with the WMX-1.
The audio quality is good and the self-noise is reasonably low. I’d love to be more descriptive but if I’m being honest, it’s hard for me to distinguish a huge difference in audio quality with this category of lav mics. Take a listen for yourself in the YouTube link below.
The transmitter and receiver are pretty small which makes them a lot easier to hide on the talent and keeps your setup lighter. Movo undersells the range at 200 ft but you’ll see tests, like the one below, with the signal still going strong at 600 ft. I’m not sure when the talent would ever need to be that far away from the camera, but don’t let that limit your imagination! The system transmits on the 2.4 GHz band which can be heavy on radio frequency traffic, so you’ll want to make sure you monitor the audio for any RF interference. There’s only one channel available which could become an issue if you have to shoot in a space with a lot of WiFi or other RF-activity.
Neither the transmitter or receiver have an LCD screen which I’ve found to be helpful on other systems for checking battery life and volume levels.
It’s a little thing, but I appreciate that the WMX-1 comes in a sturdy carrying case. For years, I’ve been stuffing my RodeLink system in my open backpack pockets and wondering if the transmitter and receiver would look like they were in better condition if they weren’t loosely bumping around.
Features & Specs
- Wireless transmission: Digital 2.4 GHz
- Range: 200 ft
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Mic pickup pattern: omni-directional
- Power requirements: 4 x AAA batteries (two for transmitter, two for receiver)
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Accessories: transmitter w/ belt clip, lavalier mic with lapel clip, receiver w/ belt clip and shoe mount, 3.5mm TRS output cable, TRRS output cable, carrying case
- Warranty: 12 months
Rode Wireless Go
You’d be hard-pressed to find an audio gear blog or YouTube channel that doesn’t mention at least one Rode product. A giant in the microphone industry, Rode is an Australian company that’s been around since 1990. Rode really took off around 2008 with the advent of DSLR camera’s increasing capacity for cinema-quality video. Since then, Rode has been a constant audio companion to a new breed of filmmaker and a self-described “global powerhouse in pro audio.”
The Wireless Go is basically an ultra-compact miniaturization of the popular RodeLink wireless technology. Rode was like, “Hey dawg, we heard you like innovation so we put a breakthrough in your breakthrough.”
Since 2019, the Wireless Go has become the bar by which compact wireless systems are measured. Many a clickbait-y YouTube thumbnail beg you to watch and see if they’ve discovered the next Wireless Go “killer.”
“What’s up guys, today we turn the super-niche world of compact wireless audio devices into yet another bloodsport.”
The Wireless Go is ten times smaller than the RodeLink with an impressive range of 230 ft and a battery life of 7 hours. It should be mentioned that the wireless connection seems to heavily rely on a line-of-sight signal, an issue the RodeLink doesn’t seem to have.
The Wireless Go also runs on 2.4 GHz but, unlike the WMX-1, will automatically adapt to the strongest frequency with a feature called the “agile digital system.” This means you don’t have to worry about being stuck on one RF-heavy channel or manually searching for available frequencies.
The clip-on transmitter has a built-in microphone which makes casual recording a breeze. Since the transmitter is also the microphone, it’s a little bit harder to hide. But if you have a spare 3.5 mm wired lav you can use that as the microphone with the transmitter’s 3.5 mm input. If you’re able to hide the wired lav behind clothes, hiding the transmitter has never been easier because it is just so dang small. Unfortunately, the 3.5 mm jack doesn’t lock.
The sound of the built-in mic is Rode quality (which, in case you haven’t guessed, is quite good) and if you’re able to use an excellent 3.5 mm lav, the quality gets even better.
As much as I have loved my RodeLink, it’s hard to deny the convenience of “the world’s smallest beltpack transmitter for a lavalier microphone.” I’m already determined to supplement my RodeLink lav mic with the Wireless Go. “Hey dawg, we heard you like synergy, so here’s a Rode system in your Rode system.”
Features & Specs
- Wireless transmission: Digital 2.4 GHz
- Range: 230 ft
- Max systems per location: 8
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Mic pickup pattern: omni-directional
- Power requirements: USB-C rechargeable batteries
- Battery life: 7 hours
- Accessories: receiver, transmitter, 3.5 mm TRS coiled cable, 2 USB-C to USB-A cables, 2 fur windshields, and carrying pouch
- Warranty: 12 months
RodeLink Digital Wireless Filmmaker System
While the RodeLink is a little older at this point, it still offers some clear advantages over the Wireless Go. If you need better battery life (a whopping 30 hours), better range (325 feet), and a more reliable signal, the RodeLink is still a great product. It’s worth noting that some people prefer AA batteries over built-in rechargeable batteries.
Perhaps most importantly, the RodeLink comes with Rode’s 3.5 mm wired lav which the Wireless Go is missing (though you can buy it separately).
You also still get 8 channels on 2.4 GHz with Rode’s “agile digital system.” By today’s standards, the receiver and transmitter are pretty bulky but they’re well built and both come with locking 3.5 mm jacks.
If it makes you feel any better buying a product that is like 75 years old in tech years, I still use this system on all of my shoots.
Check out our full review here.
Features & Specs
- Wireless transmission: Digital 2.4 GHz
- Range: 325 ft
- Max systems per location: 8
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Mic pickup pattern: omni-directional
- Power requirements: 4 x AA batteries (two for transmitter, two for receiver)
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Accessories: transmitter w/ belt clip, receiver w/ belt clip and shoe mount, lavalier microphone and lapel clip, foam windshield and fur windshield, 3.5mm TRS output cable, and carrying pouch
- Warranty: 12 months
Deity Connect Wireless Lavalier Microphone
Deity’s company attitude is unabashed. “We just want to make really cool gear for people who get excited about creating content… We make microphones; damn-good microphones.” A relatively recent startup, Deity Microphones has broken into the industry with about a dozen well-received products. Deity also has a huge social media presence on YouTube and Facebook with a neat pop-culture approach to teaching their users professional audio technique.
With the Deity Connect, we take our first step into the advanced realm of professional wireless systems. While still not Hollywood production status, Deity has clearly left the ultra user-friendly systems behind to compete with Sennheiser’s upper-echelon gear.
The Deity Connect pretty much comes with two of everything: two transmitters, two lavalier mics, and two channels. If you’re working your way into the territory of multi-talent videography and need more than one lav mic on set, the Connect is for you.
The transmitters and receiver are cut from CNC aluminum, which is a significant step up from the previous systems’ overwhelmingly plastic builds. The antennae and 3.5 mm mic outputs are all locking jacks. The OLED displays are bright and responsive with a detailed overview of all critical statuses.
The range is great at 300 ft. The battery life is also great at 10 hours, though the batteries are built-in and not replaceable.
Interestingly, the Connect sticks with the 2.4 GHz band where other professional-tier gear would choose to operate on UHF (ultra-high frequency). Like Rode’s products, the Connect compensates for high traffic with adaptive frequency hopping. It also has a higher transmit power, which is pretty much like getting more attention by talking louder than everyone else in the room.
The transmission latency is a little high with a 19 ms delay (the RodeLink is 4 ms) but it is able to store fragments of audio and retry sending up to three times if the signal isn’t strong. Basically, that just means that all of the audio will be recorded and able to be synced up in post but it probably isn’t great for live performances.
All this to say, the Deity Connect requires a bit more technical knowledge of wireless transmission than the push-to-start functionality of the Rode and Movo systems. If you’re still learning your way around terms like dual-channel, RF-activity, and encrypted transmission it might be a good idea to hop over to Deity’s social media to school yourself.
Features & Specs
- Wireless transmission: Digital 2.4 GHz
- Range: +300 ft
- Max systems per location: 18
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Mic pickup pattern: omni-directional
- Power requirements: Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Accessories: Two lavalier microphones, one receiver, two transmitters, 1 cold shoe mount, two type-C charging cables, two 3.5mm TRS to 3-pin XLR audio cables, one TRS coiled audio cable, two TX antennae, two RX antennae, one sync cable, six screws, one hook and loop strap, one USB-C to USB-A firmware update adapter, and one safe case
- Warranty: 24 months
Sennheiser EW 512P G4 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System
Founded in Germany just a few weeks after the end of World War II, Sennheiser has grown to be a global leader in audio electronics while still managing to remain an independent family business. Sennheiser is responsible for an extremely dense product line of industry-standard microphone, headphone, and telephone accessories, many of which are frequently regarded as industry-standard equipment. It would have been a shame to not include them in our list of the best wireless lavalier mics for DSLR. In short, you just can’t go wrong with Sennheiser.
Talk shop with any successful videographer and pretty much all of them generally consider their leap to a Sennheiser product as the first time they felt like a bonafide audio professional. While the most expensive wireless system of the bunch, the Sennheiser G4 is worth its weight in gold medals.
There are dozens of combinations in the G4 lineup that range from the 100, 300, and 500 series but for the purpose of this buying guide we’re just looking at one of the 500 series bundles. For a detailed breakdown of the different series and further clarification check out our G4 comparison article here.
This particular G4 bundle includes a transmitter, receiver, and the highly praised MKE 2 lavalier microphone. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better sounding lav in this category. The MKE 2 makes most voices sound extremely natural and many recordists report rarely and barely touching the EQ.
Perhaps the most important reason the G4 series is regarded as a professional step-up over the previous systems is manual frequency tuning. Sennheiser’s wireless systems operate on the UHF band in the 470 to 558 MHz range with 32 channels and 3520 tunable frequencies. I know, right? Granted you are diligently monitoring audio, the ability to switch between that many frequencies means you’ll never have to worry about RF interference taking over your audio again.
Another advanced feature of the G4 500 series is the ability to switch between 10, 30, and 50 mW of transmit power. If you’re in need of a stronger signal because your range requirements are larger, the 50 mW setting is ideal. If you find yourself recording in a small, quiet, and cozy environment, the 10 mW setting keeps your audio from over juicing and saves battery life.
Speaking of battery life, the G4’s is about 8 hours with replaceable AA’s. Yay. The range is 330 ft. And if you ever needed it, you can have a maximum of 32 systems in one location.
If you love the G4 system but want to cut costs a little, the cheaper ME 2 lavalier mic is also available in one of Sennheiser’s infinitely variable product bundles. But with a better frequency response, lower self-noise, and a smaller mic head, the MKE 2 takes the cake.
Features & Specs
- Wireless transmission: Analog UHF
- Range: 330 ft
- Max systems per location: 32
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Mic pickup pattern: omni-directional
- Power requirements: 4 x AA batteries (two for transmitter, two for receiver)
- Accessories: receiver, bodypack transmitter, lavalier microphone, four AA batteries, 3.5 mm jack cable, XLR to 3.5 mm jack adapter cable, fur windscreen
- Warranty: 24 months
Sony ECM-AW4
The Sony ECM-AW4 consists of two components: a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, both of which are battery-powered and easy to use. The receiver can be attached to your camera or held separately. This mic has a range of up to 50 meters or roughly 150 ft and operates on a 2.4GHz frequency, which minimizes interference from other wireless devices.
One of the standout features of the Sony ECM-AW4 is its water-resistant design, which makes it a great choice for outdoor use. It also has a mono/stereo switch that allows you to adjust the recording mode depending on your needs.
In terms of battery life, the mic can last for up to 9 hours on a single charge, while the receiver can last for up to 3 hours. The microphone and receiver can be charged using a USB cable, which is included in the package.
This mic is great addition to any DSLR rig and would be suitable for vloggers and YouTubers, independent filmmakers, wedding videographers, and amateur filmmakers who are looking for a budget-friendly wireless lav mic that’s easy to use and offers good sound quality. Its water-resistant design also makes it a great choice for outdoor shoots. At the end, you can’t go wrong with the brand authority that Sony brings to the table.
Features & Specs
- Type: Wireless lavalier mic
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Wireless range:50 m (164 ft)
- Battery life: 9 hrs (mic), 3 hrs (receiver)
- Wireless frequency: 2.4GHz
- Power: Battery
- Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS
- Weight: 0.65 lbs
Shure BLX14/P31
The Shure BLX14/P31 is a wireless lavalier microphone system that is designed for use in live performance settings such as stage productions, presentations, and lectures. The system has a range of up to 300 feet (91 meters) in optimal conditions, which allows performers and presenters to move around freely without losing audio quality.
The BLX14/P31 system has a frequency response of 50Hz to 15kHz, which provides clear and natural sound quality for vocals and speech, and of course comes with a wearable lav mic that can be easily clipped onto clothing. The mic features a cardioid polar pattern, which reduces background noise and feedback.
The system includes a BLX1 bodypack transmitter that can be clipped onto a belt or waistband, and the BLX4 receiver that can be mounted on a rack or stand. The receiver features a front-panel display that provides information on the audio level and frequency.
The mic is easy to set up and operates on a one-touch QuickScan frequency selection feature, which finds the best available frequency in the area to minimize interference. It also has a battery life of up to 14 hours, providing ample power for a full day of filming.
All in all, the Shure BLX14/P31 is a reliable and high-quality wireless lav mic that is ideal for live performances filming with your DSLR. The system provides clean and natural sound, simplicity in set up and use, and offers a long battery life for those marathon filming sessions.
Features & Specs
- Wireless range: Up to 300 feet (91 meters) line of sight
- Pickup pattern: Cardioid
- Battery life: Up to 14 hours with 2 AA batteries
- Transmitter RF output power: 10 mW
Choosing the Best Wireless Lavalier Mic for DSLR
Microphones can be tricky to work with and purchasing the right one for you can also present a challenge, especially when shopping online. Let’s take a look at the top 3 features and why they’ll help you choose wisely on your search for the best wireless lavalier mic for your DSLR camera.
Audio quality
The most feature-rich wireless system is pretty worthless if, at the end of the day, it doesn’t sound any good. The great irony is that most lav mics sound pretty similar… but don’t tell anyone I said that.
But hey, didn’t I just say the MKE 2 was the best of the lot? Yeah, I guess technically that’s true, but if I asked you to YouTube search a lav mic sound comparison and listen to it blind, would you really be able to tell the differences in any great detail?
A lot of times, I’m not really sure I can. Perhaps it’s just my inferior headphones (or plebeian ears), but when I can’t detect a huge difference in quality I kind of start to feel like I’m at a wine-tasting event scratching my head as my peers start to detect notes of Christmas tree and bananas.
Feel free to @ me and teach me your ways, but I’m not sure I can be convinced that your average client will ever know the difference, much less ever care to. It seems like, for the majority of the time, clients are just asking one question: does it sound good or does it sound bad? In my humble opinion, all of these products will flip that switch in the affirmative.
Wireless range
Much like the Force, RF (radio frequency) energy is a field created by all powered things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the modern world together.
More often than not, you will find yourself in RF-rich environments like office spaces, households, and other public spaces. Computers, phones, lightbulbs, pretty much anything powered, even cosmic radiation waves are all responsible for our environmental noise.
While a wireless system can change your life and give you more mobility than you ever dreamed, you have to keep RF interruptions in mind. Physical barriers like buildings and walls can cut your range shorter than your range would be if you were out on an open country road.
Wireless transmission type: 2.4 GHz vs. analog UHF
I’ll try to make this snappy because it can be a bit of a technical concept to get straight.
2.4 GHz is a band of frequencies that we use for just about everything. Your Nintendo Switch, your garage door opener, your baby monitor, your AirPods, and your neighbor’s three different WiFi routers all shoot out radio waves to form our great and mighty techno omnisphere.
While there are other bands of radio frequencies used by airplanes, boats, and the military, the 2.4 GHz band doesn’t require a license to operate. This is awfully convenient so prosumers like you and me can continue making Downton Abbey fan films without going to jail, but it does make for fierce competition trying to find a free frequency amongst a gillion other devices in the 2.4 GHz band.
That’s where Sennheiser’s use of the UHF band comes in handy. That’s not to say that there’s not any traffic on UHF, but there is a larger range available than 2.4 GHz. As it stands, 2.4 GHz product features like Rode’s “agile digital system” do a pretty good job of avoiding interference, but from personal experience, I have had a few tracks ruined by an obnoxious buzzing. Shame on me for not monitoring.
Wrap-Up: Best Wireless Lavalier Mic for DSLR
Just remember that just because the Sennheiser G4 is the most expensive and “best-in-class,” doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. There’s no shame in being frugal, buying a cheaper system, and slowly working your way into the pantheon of gold-standard gear.
Like I was trying to say earlier, nine out of ten clients won’t care which mic you picked, but that your work sounds professional. Each of these mics can do that, bringing you new projects, exciting adventures, and far horizons… all this and audio heaven too.
