Buyer's Guide | Lavalier Microphones
- Joel Edelblute
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
Updated March 1st, 2025
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We’ve split this guide into two groups: lavalier microphones (standalone mics) and lavalier systems (wireless system bundles). We made this split because some of the self-contained systems (like the DJI Mic) don’t actually come with a traditional lav mic. With many self-contained systems the transmitter (TX) is also a mic, but many videographers will want to avoid having the transmitter seen on camera and purchase a separate lav mic to connect to the transmitter instead.
Pricing Tier Key
The Hobbyist: Entry-level gear for video shooters to improve their skills without a large investment.
The Independent: Prosumer gear designed for serious creators that balance performance and real-world budgets.
The Industry Pro: High-end gear for professionals that meets the demands of industry-tier production environments.
Lavalier Microphones
This first section is for standalone microphones (no wireless or self-contained recording system included.)
The Hobbyist
Shure MVL Lavalier | $69
A decent quality lavalier microphone with a TRRS connector to work with most 3.5mm mic jacks. Plain and simple but worth buying from Shure, which is a reputable brand, instead of a random Amazon brand that cut all kinds of corners to get their mic into sub $50 or even <$10 range.
The Independent
Rode Lavalier II | $99
An affordable lavalier microphone known for its solid sound quality. The design of this sequel is intended to be more discreet. The flat shape of the capsule head does make it easier to hide, but if you leave it out on the collar area I’m not sure it’s really that much more discreet than the original.
The Industry Pro
Sennheiser MKE 2-EW | $389
Favored by industry insiders for its excellent sound quality and reliability. It’s perfect for corporate video production, broadcast journalism, and documentary filmmaking.
Lavalier Systems
This section is for wireless and self-contained systems. Keep in mind that the Hollyland’s and DJI’s transmitter units are also microphones themselves.
The Hobbyist
Hollyland Lark M2 | $139
A budget wireless microphone system that offers decent audio quality. These transmitters do not give the option to connect your own lavalier microphone so you are stuck with the transmitter on screen, however the buttons are quite small so it’s not a terrible tradeoff for the price.
The Independent
DJI Mic 2 | $349
In case you didn’t already catch it, we love the DJI Mic. It covers so many bases in one product: self-contained recording, wireless system, and mobile shoots with a clean and easy-to-use UI. Purchasing a quality lav mic makes this an always-on-hand audio tool for solo shooters.
The Industry Pro
Ideal for corporate video production, broadcast journalism, and documentary filmmaking. Sennheiser sells this wireless system in several different permutations so make sure you get the right bundle for your needs. For example, this bundle comes with an RX (blue piece) that has an XLR connection.
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