Almost 28% of the mobile phone users of this world use the iPhone. Even though iPhones are amazing devices, they can be a bit troublesome to work with. iPhones usually don’t support traditional microphones as they don’t come with a USB port. Rather, they feature the thunderbolt port.In this article, we’ll take a look at the best external microphone for iPhone, and we’ll also share a buying guide that’ll provide information that’ll help you choose the most suitable product for yourself. So, let’s get started!
Buying Guide:
Here, we’ll discuss the factors that you need to consider while choosing the best external microphone for iPhone.
Frequency Range:
The frequency range determines the quality of the sound that’s being recorded. Two mics with the same frequency range might not sound the same if they’re put in two different rooms. This is why it’s important to consider a mic with a frequency range that suits your room or recording space.
Type:
There are usually two types of mics that you can buy for your iPhone. There are cardioid mics, and then there are omnidirectional mics. The cardioid mics have a special design that allows them to receive a different volume of sound from different directions. For example, it will gather the highest volume from the front, and the least from the back. The volume of sound recorded decreases gradually along the sides.
On the other hand, omnidirectional mics gather the same level of noise from all directions. This is why these are more suitable for meetings and conferences, while cardioid mics are better for stage performance.
Stereo or Mono:
This one is quite self-explanatory. If you speak from the left side of a stereo mic, then you’ll hear it from the left lobe of the headphone when you listen to the headphone. This feature isn’t present in the mono headphones.
Top 5 Best External Microphone for iPhone in 2021
| Product Name | Product Features | Price Range | Check on Amazon |
| Shure MV88 |
|
$100-$200 | Check the price |
| IK Multimedia iRig |
|
$-$$ | Check the price |
| Rode i-XLR |
|
$100-$300 | Check the price |
| Zoom iQ7 |
|
$50-$150 | Check the price |
| Rode VideoMic Me |
|
$50-$100 | Check the price |
1. Shure MV88
If you’re looking for the best external microphone for iPhone, then the Shure MV88 is the product for you. This is an expensive mic, there’s no denying that. However, it offers some great features.
This mic offers a multi-polar pattern and it comes with a lightning connector. These are fully adjustable, so you won’t face any problem tilting them. It also offers a foam windscreen that’ll help you block the noise of winds.
Pros:
- Comes with windscreen
- Multipolar pattern
- Fully adjustable
- Can be carried in a pocket
Cons:
- Expensive
- Too heavy
2. IK Multimedia iRig
iRig always comes up with great accessories for iPhones, and the Multimedia iRig Mic Cast is a great tool for recording. You can use this mic for podcasting as well as recording in noisy areas. No matter where you use them, you’ll always get a great sound output that’ll be free of noise.
There’s also a headphone output in these kits. If you plug your headphone in these, you’ll be able to monitor the recorded sound in real-time. You can also set the sensitivity of these mics to either high or low. This is a unique feature, and it will allow you to adjust the frequency range according to your necessity.
Overall, these are great products for recording on iPhone.
Pros:
- Unidirectional
- Two sensitivity settings
- Easy to use
- Real-time monitoring
Cons:
- Feels a bit flimsy
- Sometimes the sound has distortion
3. Rode i-XLR
The Rode i-XLR isn’t a mic, but it’s a gateway to using top-end XLR mics on your iPhone. It comes with a high-quality adapter that converts from XLR to lightning. Thus, with this device, you’ll be able to connect any XLR mic to your iPhone easily.
It also comes with a companion app that’ll help you fine-tune it. There’s a built-in control panel on this device that’ll allow you to control different functions, making usage much easier. It also features a headphone passthrough that’ll help you monitor your recording in real-time.
Pros:
- Real-time monitoring
- Control panel
- Companion app
- XLR to lightning converter
Cons:
- Not actually a mic
- Expensive
4. Zoom iQ7
The Zoom iQ7 is considered the best external microphone for iPhone because of the versatile features it offers. This mic features a lightning connector, and it’s so compact and easy to use that it’ll stick right onto your device.
You can use this device with any iPhone and it performs great even when used with a free hand camera. If you’re willing to record videos with better audio quality, then this is one of the best mics that you’ll get.
Pros:
- Works great with video recording
- Adjustable
- Good control panel
- Easy to use
Cons:
- The software isn’t that good
5. Rode VideoMic Me
Finally, we have the Rode VideoMic Me. This is indeed the best external microphone for iPhone that you can get if you have budget constraints. This mic doesn’t feature a lightning port, so you’ll need to connect it using the headphone ports. So, this is definitely not for you if your iPhone doesn’t have a headphone port.
It features a robust build, and it’s capable of providing a noise-free audio signal. We highly recommend it.
Pros:
- Doesn’t come with extra noise in the recording
- Unidirectional
- Extended design for better audio capture
- Includes furry windshield
Cons:
- Doesn’t support lightning port
Final Words:
Among the listed products, you’ll be able to find the best external microphone for iPhone. We highly recommend following our buying guide, as it will give you useful insights on how you can choose the right microphone for your iPhone.
You may also like to read: Best Lavalier Microphones For iPhone.