Rode Wireless Micro review: DJI-beating audio for smartphone creators?
Rode Wireless Micro: One-minute review
Rode’s Wireless Micro is the smallest wireless microphone system ever designed specifically for smartphone content creators, especially vloggers. It’s the audio giant’s simplest wireless microphone yet: You can be up and running in seconds and record audio quality that’s better than your smartphone, all while being cable-free and discreet.
It’s a complete kit that includes two microphones with magnetic attachments (also known as transmitters) and a receiver, all stored in the charging case – the components are available in black or white finishes. Additionally, you get two windshields and a charging cable, although neither of them fit in the case.
In total, the microphone, receiver and charging case weigh just 3.6 ounces/102 grams, with each microphone weighing just 0.42 ounces/12 grams and measuring 40 x 20 x 17 mm. This is a very small piece of kit, despite the physical size of the microphone unit being larger than the competition DJI mini microphonethe entire kit is much smaller and designed specifically for smartphones.
If you’re looking for a compact, dedicated wireless microphone that delivers great audio for your smartphone vlogging, look no further than the Rode Wireless Micro.
Rode Wireless Micro: price and release date
- Competition kit costs $149 / £134 / AU$259 and comes with 2 microphones, receiver and charging case
- The receiver is available in USB-C and Lightning versions
- Available now in black or white finishes
The Rode Wireless Micro is priced at $149 / £134 / AU$259, and you get a compact charging case with two transmitters (microphones, with magnetic attachments) and a receiver, all in black or white. Also in the box are two windshields and the necessary charging cables. You need to choose the receiver version you want: USB-C or Lightning, since the connector is built-in.
Different from competitors DJI Mic Mini, these components are not available individually and I think Rode is missing a trick here as not every user needs two microphones. However, probably 9 out of 10 users will want the complete package, and for these people the Rode Wireless Micro is great value.
Rode Wireless Micro: Specs
| aspect | Transmitter: 40 x 27 x 17 mm (L x W x H) Receiver: 44 x 24 x 9 mm (L x W x H) |
| weight | 12g (transmitter, without magnet), whole kit 102g |
| Transmission range | More than 100m |
| Connectivity | Receiver: USB-C or Lightning |
| Battery | 7 hours plus two additional charges |
| vocal | 24 bit |
| Noise reduction | No |
Rode Wireless Micro: Design
- The entire kit weighs only 102 grams and fits into a small charging case
- Components available in black or white finish
- Receiver has built-in USB-C or Lightning adapter
Rode designed the Wireless Micro to provide the most straightforward user experience for smartphone content creators, and it does that very well – you couldn’t hope for an easier-to-use and more reliable wireless microphone.
The microphone and receiver pair automatically as they are located in the same charging center. You simply plug the receiver into your phone and follow the message that flashes on your phone’s screen.
If you install Rode’s free app (available for iOS and Android), you’ll be taken to the app where you can pair the microphone and receiver and choose how to route the receiver input: split or combine left and right channels One channel of audio input. You can also update the microphone’s firmware and check the sound levels through the app.
For me, using Google Pixel 6, I need to select the wired microphone option in the phone’s video menu in the camera app (otherwise it automatically selects the phone’s built-in microphone). However, once these options are all sorted, the setup is complete and you’re ready to go.
Once you plug the receiver into your smartphone charging port, you can be up and running in seconds, complete with a wireless microphone system that handles all audio levels for you – with its Smart Gain Assist technology “getting perfect results every time,” says Rode Audio”.
The microphones can clip onto clothing or attach magnetically to thin clothing, and they’re available in black or white, so you can choose a finish that better suits your clothing.
The connection type is built into the receiver, so you’ll need to choose the USB-C or Lightning version when purchasing, and it’s fully compatible with Android and iPhone models. The DJI Mic Mini, on the other hand, has a slot that holds a USB-C or Lightning connector in place, so even if you use both connection types, you only need one receiver (although the Lightning adapter needs to be purchased separately).
The DJI Mic Mini also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can bypass the receiver entirely for 16-bit audio (although the receiver offers a more stable connection and, in the case of the Mic Mini, 24-bit audio), whereas the Wireless Micro relies on to its receiver.
The microphone has a built-in windshield as part of Rode’s patent-pending acoustic chamber design, and there’s an additional furry windshield in the box that clips around the receiver for clearer outdoor recordings on breezy days. , although these extra windshields don’t fit into the microphone. Charging box.
Rode Wireless Micro: Performance
- Transmission distance exceeds 100m
- 7 hours of working time, the charging box can provide two additional charges
- No noise cancellation, but smart gain assist gives you clear vocals
My experience with the Rode Wireless Micro has been as headache-free as I could have hoped. Once I installed the Rode app (although you don’t have to use Using the Microphone app), I was up and running and capturing high-quality 24-bit audio with my Google Pixel 6 phone in seconds.
Rode says the Wireless Micro has a range of over 100m, which is harder than you might think to fully test in the real world; how often (and indeed why) do you need to record audio to a phone camera 100m away?
The result is that for vlogging, the Wireless Micro provides a stable and reliable connection, with about 7 hours of operating time per microphone.
Extended working time is available via the charging case, which features a 490mAh battery that can recharge the transmitter two additional times, effectively providing 21 hours of total working time. In short, as long as the charging case is fully charged, you’ll have enough juice to get through a weekend of vlogging.
If you want to get a little technical, the Wireless Micro features 24-bit audio, 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, 135db maximum SPL, 73db signal-to-noise ratio and 21dBA A-weighted equivalent noise. For reference, these specs are broadly similar to those of the Rode Wireless ME, a pricier wireless microphone that also works with cameras.
Rode’s “Smart Gain Assist” technology automatically controls audio levels to achieve a balanced sound, enhance vocals and let you focus on your creation. You’ll miss out on noise cancellation, but unless you’re in a particularly noisy environment this isn’t an issue – I’ve been able to record my voice clearly in a noisy football stadium, even if the animated crowd adds to the feel of the video.
I’ve vlogged in a variety of situations; indoors, outdoors, and in noisy environments, and I’m very pleased with how crisp my voice sounds. In short, if you want better audio without all the fuss, this Rode microphone is sure to please.
Should I buy the Rode Wireless Micro?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Rode Wireless Micro: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 | rhode wireless micro | DJI mini microphone | DJI Microphone 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| aspect | Transmitter: 40 x 27 x 17 mm (L x W x H) Receiver: 44 x 24 x 9 mm (L x W x H) | Transmitter: 26.6 x 26.1 x 16 mm (L x W x H) Receiver: 46.5 x 29.6 x 19.3 mm (L x W x H) | Transmitter: 46.1 x 31 x 21.8 mm (L x W x H) Receiver: 54.2 x 28.4 x 22.5 mm (L x W x H) |
| weight | 12g (transmitter, without magnet), whole kit 102g | 10g (transmitter, without magnet) | 28g (transmitter, without magnet) |
| Transmission range | 100m | 400m | 250m |
| Connectivity | Receiver: USB-C or Lightning | Receiver: USB-C or Lightning, 3.5mm jack | Receiver: USB-C, 3.5mm jack |
| Battery | 7 hours (plus two additional charges after full charge, total 21 hours) | 11.5 hours (transmitter), 10.5 hours (receiver), up to 48 hours when the charging box is fully charged | 6 hours (plus two additional charges when fully charged, totaling 18 hours) |
| vocal | 24 bit | 24 bit (down to 16 bit via Bluetooth) | 32-bit floating point, 24-bit |
| Noise reduction | No | Two levels, automatic | AI |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes | Yes |
How I tested the Rode Wireless Micro
- Normal use for more than one month in a quiet and noisy environment
- Tested against competitor DJI Mic Mini
- Mainly paired with Google Pixel 6
There aren’t many ways to test the Rode Wireless Micro: it handles audio levels, clipping, and sound enhancement automatically, and that’s its appeal to most users. The microphone and transmitter sync automatically via the charging case, and you plug the receiver into your phone to use.
However, I did test the Wireless Micro’s audio quality in a mix of environments—quiet indoors, still outdoors, windy conditions, and noisy environments. I was also reviewing the DJI Mic Mini, so I was able to do a comparison test to see which one came out on top.
Almost all testing was done by pairing the Wireless Micro with my Google Pixel 6.
