Read our reviews of the best tie microphone for professionals and buy a quality lapel mic for your needs.
Lapel microphones are tiny devices that clip onto your tie or shirt, allowing you to record with complete freedom of movement. After installing it properly, you will no longer have to think about it and you will be able to dedicate yourself completely to the content you produce.
They are small and very discreet devices, therefore, they are more common in sports or conference presenters, news reporters, churches and other settings. They are ideal for live podcasting or creating audiovisual content for YouTube and other platforms.
Also, please see our selection of the top free Android microphone apps.
Now, lapel microphones are available in two presentations: wired or wireless, and both have positive aspects and others do not so much. For this reason, we tell you everything about features, prices and configurations that fit your needs.
Why trust us?
Our editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products to find the best value for money.
We do not publish any sponsored articles. We sometimes receive a commission when you buy a product via our links. It allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial.
Best tie microphones on the market: Gaming, Streaming …
After several hours of research, I finally made my selection of the best lapel microphones. For this, we have tested more than thirty commercial models currently available on the market. The one I found most interesting from a price-performance, durability and reliability point of view is the Audio-Technica PRO70. You will also find at the end of this article a shopping guide. It will allow you to find the micro tie of your dreams … Or at least the one that best suits your needs and your budget. Are you ready? Let’s start then.
Rode Lavalier GO – Professional result for less than 100 dollars
It is a discreetly sized device that has good-quality clip support; it is only 4.5 mm in diameter. In addition, it has a Kevlar-reinforced cable that prevents damage from pulling, bumping or entanglement. Likewise, it includes a pop filter and mounting clip.
Rode Lavalier GO is protected against radio frequency interference, which means that your recordings are free of hum and click. It is the right microphone to produce podcasts or create content for Tik Tok, YouTube and other audio applications. As you can see, this Lavalier microphone is designed for broadcast applications, as it guarantees excellent professional results at all times. In addition, it has an omnidirectional polar pattern that serves to capture audio clearly and flawlessly.
+ PROS
- Kevlar reinforced cable;
- Also suitable for other devices with a 3.5mm microphone input;
- Very shock resistant;
- It has no interference.
– CONS
- It does not have its own power supply and requires an external power supply to function;
- The cable can be short sometimes (1.2 meters).
Discover more and the price
Rode Lavalier II – Revolutionary design for less than 110 dollars
It is a microphone that has a frontal design that lies flat on the clothes, giving a low profile to the eyes. The Rode Lavalier II has integrated cable routing, and is flexible, making it much more comfortable and easy to conceal under clothing.
This device offers great results for different recording applications, flat frequency response, rich bottom end and sparkling highs. It has a relatively low self-noise, which is why it protects against RF interference.
Besides, it has a locking connector that ensures the connection with other devices and a security ring that can be removed when necessary. It also comes with several Premium accessories, such as a pop filter, artificial leather, low profile, microphone clip, colored rings and much more.
+ PROS
- Pairs perfectly with any audio device with a 3.5mm input;
- You can easily camouflage it. They hardly even notice that you use a microphone;
- It has protection against interference.
– CONS
- Although it is a robust product, its appearance makes it look fragile.
Discover more and the price
Shure WL184 – Sound reinforcement for less than 120 dollars
It is perfect for sound reinforcement applications, which require high rejection of ambient noise and a low pickup range. And the Shure WL184 is a super-cardioid Lavalier microphone that has a 115-degree pickup angle.
In addition, it comes with a 1.2-meter cable that ends with a miniature 4-pin connector. Similarly, it includes a tie clip that can rotate 90 degrees for even more flexible use. It features CommShield technology, which protects against interference from other devices. The sound it offers is excellent, even with the cheapest transmitter and receiver, the quality is second to none.
+ PROS
- No coupling, good workmanship;
- The use of the windshield is recommended;
- Its cable is quite long.
– CONS
- Its performance is excellent as long as the speakers are not too close, otherwise, it loses quality.
Discover more and the price
Sennheiser MKE 2-EW Gold – Unbeatable sound for a fair price
The Sennheiser MKE 2-EW Gold is a miniature omnidirectional microphone that is ideal for TV broadcasts and theater productions. The sound result is neutral and natural, without interference or distortion.
It is one of the best known designs for offering quality and robustness in the same device; This is a strong and therefore durable microphone. The sound it provides is first class for just over 300 euros. It has excellent levels, for example, the maximum SPL is 142 dB, and its impedance is low, with a sensitivity of 5 mV/Pa at -3 dB. That is why it offers magnificent results for an excellent price.
+ PROS
- It is easily hidden;
- It does not have any interference in the audio;
- Offers sweat resistance without affecting sound quality.
– CONS
- The set includes some small parts and does not come with a case or bag.
Discover more and the price
Movo WMIC80 UHF Wireless Lavalier Microphone
We start our selection of the best Lavalier microphone with a top-rated and, of course, quality mic currently available on the market. It is
The system consists of a transmitter with a belt clip, a receiver with a photo/video attachment or a tripod, a lavalier microphone with a windshield and 2 earphones.
It comes with internal antennas with a range of 50 meters. The headphones of the receiver have a second microphone isolated to communicate with the transmitter’s headphones.
Its technical features include RF modulation GFSK, the 2.4GHz frequency band (2405-2478MHz), with a frequency response of 35Hz-14KHz ± 3dB. The Signal / Noise ratio is 76dB. The transmitter and receiver are powered by two AAA batteries each, which offer up to four hours of operation. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
+ PROS
- Cordless recording
- Great wireless sound
- Affordable
– CONS
- Plastic-feeling transmitter
Discover more and the price here
Rode smartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone
If you are looking for a good tie microphone, it is impossible to ignore the range of models presented in the Rode brand catalog. Indeed, this is a brand that cannot be ignored in the world of sound reinforcement. The Smartlav+ model is one of the most popular products of the moment. Featuring a miniature omnidirectional condenser capsule, this necktie mic offers a frequency response of 60 to 18,000Hz.
Also, please see our selection of the best professional mic for Android smartphones and tablets.
The Rode SmartLav+ also has a windshield, clip, and carrying case. Note that this model has a Kevlar-reinforced cord with a TRRS plug. This necktie mic works with all audio and video applications. To use it on a computer, you’ll need a Rode SC3 adapter or TRRS-to-TRS adapter. Another drawback is that the cable length is limited to 116cm. However, this length is sufficient for conference and wedding use.
+ PROS
- Sounds crispy and natural
- Low self-noise
- Great quality for the buck
- Works with all smartphones
- Sturdy, Kevlar-reinforced cable
– CONS
- Short cable, may require an extension
Discover more and the price here
Audio-Technica ATR-3350IS
The Audio-Technica ATR3350iS is another lavatory mic that’s marketed as “for smartphones,” but it’ll also work with a DSLR or audio recorder. It comes with an adapter to plug into the headphone jack of smartphones. The TRRS connector allows you to connect this microphone to mobile devices such as Android and Apple smartphones or iPads.
The cable is nearly 20 feet long and this is a huge step up from the phone’s built-in microphone for only $30 or so.
The battery lasts about a month with heavy use and it comes with a windscreen.
I have used this outdoors near a river and it barely picked up the sound of running water in the background. It’s a great choice if you want a longer cable. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
+ PROS
- Extremely affordable
- Small microphone
- Long 20 foot cord
- Solid construction
- Comes with a 3.5mm to 1/4″ adapter
– CONS
- The power pack with switch has a very stiff clip
- Long cable
- Not a high-end Lavalier microphone
Discover more and the price here
Sennheiser Condenser Microphone
Sennheiser’s ME 2-II EW series is one of the most popular necktie microphones. The ME 2-II EW-Series is one of Sennheiser’s most popular necktie mics and is a testament to the brand’s build quality and affordability given its features. With a frequency response of 50 to 18,000Hz, it is an omni-directional model with a condenser capsule. Producing a fine sound with almost no feedback, this lapel microphone is an ideal addition to most HF systems.
For weddings, interviews, dissertations and other public engagements, this necktie mic has a 1.6m cable, which is more than enough to keep you free to move while speaking. You will also appreciate its robustness, even if users let themselves go a bit. The only drawback of this model is that the jack connection tends to snap less well, which requires some vigilance to avoid surprises.
+ PROS
- Good tonal balance
- Sounds crispy and clean
- High gain with no distortion
- Decent sound quality overall
– CONS
- Costs a bit high for an entry mic
- Not for heavy duty use
Discover more and the price here
Sony ECM-44
Sony’s ECM-44 is a step up from previously wired Lavalier microphones. It uses an XLR connector, which means you’ll need a mixer, USB interface, or other devices (like a Zoom recorder) with an XLR input. These can easily be used both on stage and with a portable Zoom recorder.
It comes with two metal clips: one for a single mic and one for two lavatory mics. The cable is thick and robust and you have the option of using battery power.
Sound quality is accurate and feels natural – though you should consider this a cross between the “entry” mics mentioned above.
+ PROS
- Good unobtrusive brightness
- Natural frequency response
- Not muddy
- Long and thick wire
- Battery powering option
– CONS
- Relatively noisy
- Non-detachable cable
Discover more and the price here
What is the tie microphone for professionals?
This versatile device owes its name to a jewel in the form of a pendant that once was placed around the neck. Most of those who use it briefly call it a “lav mic” (but is also known as a “lapel microphone” or “pin microphone”).
In fact, it is a microphone with reduced dimensions for professional use, “wearable” and specifically designed for a wide range of applications and wherever it is essential to camouflage it (ie make it virtually invisible in the shooting), continuing to offer very high intelligibility of effects voice.
They are mainly dynamic microphones, so they are more versatile and more suitable for general use.
Price of the Lavalier microphone?
An appreciable thing about these devices is that they are quite cheap! They do not have a high price (at least compared to other types of microphones). However, for more expensive items, the quality increases considerably.
It is therefore advisable to orientate yourself in choosing a slightly higher band model if only the budget allows it.
Wired or wireless Lavalier microphone?
Both are valid solutions but with wireless, you will have more freedom of movement.
An example is when speaking at a conference. You can wear a table microphone with cable, but if you move even to illustrate data on the board, it is better to use the wireless one.
Lavalier microphone connection?
It is important to know what kind of connection it has: a portable audio recorder. the smartphone? a camera?
You need to check the output on your recording device and make sure that the Lavalier microphone input you have chosen is able to connect to it, especially via Bluetooth.
What are the benefits of the Lavalier microphone?
Among the advantages of using this microphone is certainly the fact that it guarantees you great freedom of movement and above all to have both hands free. The only limit is clearly the microphone itself should not be bumped.
The compactness of the Lavalier microphones is the second great value: some microphones are barely visible to the wearer.
But there is a need for the wireless microphone to be amplified. Many types of Lavalier microphones are equipped with a signal transmission system. It is a box tied to the belt that sends the electrical impulses collected by the microphone toward the amplifier.
This does not give big movement problems, but care must be taken to receive the signal. In fact, if it is too far away, the amplifier may receive the distorted signal and return a clean sound. At worst, it may not receive any signal. And it’s a decidedly not pleasant situation, especially during a live performance.
Also, please see the best wireless microphones.
That’s all for now, folks. These are some of the top tie clip microphones available right now. All of them are of good quality and recommended by people who already use them. However, if you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know. You can use the comment section below. We will try to answer as soon as we can. And, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family. Thank you.