With today’s technology, you can turn your Android phone into a professional recording device in your pocket.
The trick is to find a reliable external Android microphone. While smartphones offer impressive video quality, we can say otherwise about their audio recording capabilities. A built-in phone microphone is subpar compared to the audio a microphone can capture.
Read on to find out how to choose the best external microphone for your Android device. We’ll cover factors to consider and review some of the top Android mics.
Can I use an external microphone with my Android?
Yes. External microphones for Android phones are a great way to easily improve your audio quality. An Android microphone works by connecting a mic to the aux input or USB port of your phone.
An external mic is preferable to using the Android microphone that comes with your device. The mic that comes with your device is designed for making phone calls and maybe recording some cute home videos, not for podcasting, producing video content, or any type of dedicated audio recording.
How do I use my Android phone as a microphone?
There are a few options for recording using your Android phone. You can use the video or audio recording software pre-installed on your device to start recording. This is especially great if you have a lavalier or Bluetooth microphone since you can put your phone on a stand and move further away to record video or audio.
If you want to use your external mic to record audio onto your computer, you can do so with programs like WO Mic or EZ Mic. This software will connect your Android phone to your PC or Mac via Bluetooth, USB, or Wi-Fi connectivity. This way, you can use the built-in mic on your Android or an external one to record audio directly to your computer.
Feel free to use our mic test to check your microphone is working and set to go before recording anything.
Different microphone types for Android phones
There are various types of mics you can use and each are suited for different purposes.
Lavalier Microphones
The lavalier microphone is one you see clipped onto the shirts of people on TV. There are both wired and wireless varieties. They have 3.5mm headphone cables that connect to a headphone jack or aux input. For wired lav mics, this is the entire device setup. For wireless, there is a receiver that is connected to the headphone jack, and, by using radio signals, the audio from the attached lav mic is transmitted into the recording device.
Shotgun Microphones
Despite its dangerous-sounding name, shotgun microphones are easy to use and get started with. They are called shotgun mics due to their shape. They are round and point directly at you. This is a type of unidirectional microphone, which collects high-quality audio straight from the front of the device. Shotgun mics for Android phones are usually connected to a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is the normal headphone input on an Android.
Bluetooth Microphones
This refers more to the connection format of a microphone, meaning that other microphone types such as lavalier microphones can also be bluetooth mics. Bluetooth microphones require a receiver connected to your device. This is because the signals are at a different frequency, so your phone cannot communicate with a microphone without a connection directly into your device. There are clip-on and handheld options for Bluetooth microphones for Android.
USB Microphones
Another type of connector is USB microphones. As their name suggests, these are microphones that connect to your recording device with a USB cable and port. Considering we’re talking about Android microphones for mobile devices, when we talk about USB mics here we’re not necessarily talking about the same USB port you’d find in a laptop or computer. Most newer phones come with USB-C ports, but other models may have Micro USB ports and many iPhones even have lightning ports. It’s important to make sure that the microphone you choose is compatible to your device, or at least that you can connect it through an adapter.
How to choose the best Android microphone for your needs?
To get the best external microphone for an Android phone, you will need to consider your goals with your audio recording projects. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a microphone:
Mobility
Most phone microphones are pretty portable, so that shouldn’t be too much of something to concern over. We do recommend that you think about mobility though. Will you need to move around a lot during recordings, or are you going to be in a steady position to hold your phone throughout? If you’re going to be moving and need your hands free, then clearly a lavalier or bluetooth microphone is the way to go. Note that if you are using a bluetooth microphone you’ll want to make sure that it has a sufficient battery life so you can record without having to stop and re-charge.
Polar patterns
Polar patterns refer to the directionality of a microphone and where they best pick up sound from. As we mentioned above shotgun microphones are unidirectional and pick up sound most sensitively from the front. These are good for noisy environments as it’s less likely they’ll pick up background noise. If you’re in a quieter environment, recording a group of people talking from one mic, or want to capture sound in the background then you can try omnimdirectional microphones. These mics pick up sound from all directions.
We go into depth in this in our microphone guide if you’d like to learn more.
Connectivity and compatibility
This is an important thing to consider! You’ll want to make sure that the microphone you choose can easily connect to your phone. The connecting cable or options should be compatible with your phone and we suggest checking what connection ports your phone offers first. As we said before many have USB-C ports as well as bluetooth options available, but it’s best to check your device and see.
Ease of Use
It’s great to have a top-end microphone but if you’re unsure how to work with it and it becomes complicated to set it up each time it’s not worth it. Make sure that the microphone you choose is easy to set up and that you’re able to use it without any hassles.
Considering these factors to fully understand your recording environment will pave the way to finding the best external microphone for your Android phone or other smartphones.
Now, are you ready to see what the best microphones are? Read on!
The Best Android Microphones for 2024
Best Lavalier Microphone for Android
Rode Lavalier GO
- Price: $79
- Connectivity: 3.5mm TRS jack
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Range: 20Hz to 20kHz
Rode is a popular audio recording brand, and this lavalier mic is known for being exceptionally good. The Rode Lavalier Go is a wired lavalier mic, meaning it plugs into the headphone jack of your Android and stays connected to your device via a long aux cable. It is discreet and records omnidirectionally, meaning you can clip it under your shirt and it will pick up audio from any angle.
BOYA BY-M1
- Price: $14.95
- Connectivity: 3.5mm TRRS Connector
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Response: 65 Hz to 18 kHz
The Boya BY-M1 is another great low-budget option for a wired lavalier Android microphone. It’s ideal for vlogging, streaming and can connect to your computer, camera and, of course, mobile device. It also comes with a carrying pouch so you can safely take your microphone with you wherever you go.
Rode SmartLav+
- Price: $79.99
- Connectivity: TRRS Connector
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Another Rode lavalier microphone we recommend is the Rode SmartLav+ . The microphone comes with a pop filter and has a Kevlar cable proving to be pretty durable. It’s compatible with most recording apps and you’ll also be able to connect to Rode’s dedicated Reporter App.
Best USB Microphone for Android
AKG Lyra
- Price: $124
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
The AKG Lyra is our favorite USB mic for Android because it gives you that professional studio feel right from your smartphone. It is made to be stood on a desk or table and has dials on the front to adjust your audio input levels. With this mic, you can record a video or podcast without the audience realizing you are using your smartphone to record.
Shure MV88+
- Price: $249
- Connectivity: USB-C or Lightning
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Bidirectional
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
One of the best things about the Shure MV88+ is that it gives you the flexibility to adjust the polar pattern of your microphone. This means you can use the microphone in various settings without having to worry it will pick up too little or too much noise. This mic connects to the ShurePlus MOTIV Desktop App and is a great option for a portable and light mic.
Rode VideoMic Me-C
- Price: $79
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
If you’re looking for a cardiod mic, the Rode VideoMic Me-C is a good option. This usb-c microphone for Androids records high-quality audio which you can monitor through Rode’s Reporter App and it comes with a clip to keep your mic stable. You also receive a windshield so you’re ready to record in outdoor and windy environments.
Best Shotgun Microphone for Android
Zoom Am7
- Price: $69.99
- Connectivity: USB Type-C connector
- Polar Pattern: Mid-side Cardioid
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
This shotgun mic for your Android device plugs directly into the USB-C port. There is no cable extending the mic, so this one is for projects that allow for audio to be recorded close to your device. There is a dial on the front of the device for adjusting input levels as well as an attached headphone input for audio playback.
Comica Audio CVM-VM10-K1
- Price: $49.99
- Connectivity: Lightning -3.5mm TRRS
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Range: 60 Hz to 20 kHz
The Comica Audio CVM-VM10-K1 is a cardiod Android external microphone that comes with anti-interference to help you capture high-quality sound. In this mic kit, you’ll receive a shock mount, hand grip, and carry case to make sure your microphone is stable and well-protected.
YELANGU MIC06
- Price: $17
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 16 kHz
With built-in noise reduction and HD sound capturing, this is a great shotgun microphone for your Android device. The Yelangu Mic 06 compact and portable, connects with a type C cable and is compatible with a wide variety of recording apps. You also don’t need to charge this mic as it operates from your phone’s power.
Best Bluetooth Microphone for Android
Sabinetek SmartMike+
- Price: $139
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack input
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Sampling Frequency: 48 kHz
With 6 hour battery life and a 15m distance range, the Sabitek SmartMike+ is an impressive bluetooth microphone for Androids. You can choose your own level of noise reduction and you can mix your sound live through the mic’s iOS and Android microphone app, Smart Mike+. Overall, this is a great option and records in high-quality at up to 48kHz.
Lewinner Wireless Bluetooth
- Price: $79.99
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Range: 20 to 2400 MHz
The Lewinner Wireless Bluetooth Smart Mic also operates for around 6 hours and takes only 1 hour to charge. Just like the Sabitek SmartMike+, this bluetooth mic has noise reduction features and works through the SmartMike+ app. It’s important to note that this mic doesn’t connect to all phones and needs to work with the app in order to operate. It does offer high-quality recording though and comes with clip on.
Which mic is best for Android phones?
The best mic for your Android device depends on your project. If you are recording a video podcast, you may want to have wireless or lavalier mics. If you are recording interviews or solo conversations, you may want to look for a shotgun mic to make your phone recordings clearer. The best mic for your project will meet all your needs and give you high-quality audio recordings. You can look at the options above to see which is best suited for you.
How do I use my Android phone as a microphone?
There are a few options for recording using your Android phone. You can use the video or audio recording software pre-installed on your device to start recording. This is especially great if you have a lavalier or Bluetooth microphone since you can put your phone on a stand and move further away to record video or audio.
If you want to use your external mic to record audio onto your computer, you can do so with programs like WO Mic or EZ Mic. This software will connect your Android phone to your PC or Mac via Bluetooth, USB, or Wi-Fi connectivity. This way, you can use the built-in mic on your Android or an external one to record audio directly to your computer.
Try ourmic test to check your microphone is working and set to go before recording anything.
To get the best out of your external microphone, ensure you’re recording on an app or software that doesn’t compromise your resolution quality. Try Riverside’s mobile app which can record WAV or MP3 audio files at up to 48kHz, and video at 4K resolution. You’ll also receive separate audio and video tracks for more editing flexibility. Learn more, or sign up and turn your phone into a professional remote recording studio.
FAQs
Can you plug a microphone into an Android phone?
Absolutely. There are many options for connecting a microphone to an Android device. The most common is by using the headphone jack. There are also options for phones that no longer have headphone jacks. There are USB-C-connected microphones for the more modern models of Android devices. You can also use an aux adapter in your USB-C port to gain access to external microphones that use the headphone jack.
What is the best microphone for smartphones?
An external microphone is the only real way to get around a major problem that smartphones still have- mediocre audio input quality. If you want to get started with a podcast or video project on your smartphone, then getting an external microphone is the only way to ensure you will have clean audio that delivers your message.
How do I select an external microphone on Android?
Fortunately, there is no need to wonder how to turn on the microphone on an Android phone. For most if not all external microphones, you will not need to select anything in your phone’s settings to start using your external microphone. Since it is connected to your aux input or charging port, your device will begin using it automatically.
How can I improve my microphone quality for Android?
Unfortunately, Android devices are not inherently designed for audio recording, and there are little to no settings for mic input levels in the phone’s settings.
However, you can get better audio recordings on your Android device if you download an app designed for it. There are free programs like Titanium Recorder and Smart Voice Recorder available in the Google Play store.
If you are looking for a more premium audio recording experience, however, then the Riverside.fm mobile app is great to pair with your new external mic. This app will allow you to record podcasts and videos with your peers remotely while saving everyone’s audio and video files locally, ensuring the final product is in sync, backed up in the cloud, and at the highest possible quality.
Final Thoughts
The microphone pre-installed on Android devices just doesn’t cut it these days. Your smartphone is fully capable of creating stunning audio and video projects, it is just the outdated microphone that is holding you back.
Investing in an external mic can help you get started on your video or audio-producing plans. If you are a newcomer to content creation and want to try things out before investing in a full recording setup, then starting with an external microphone is a great way to see what you can do. Adding in a quality recording application like Riverside.fm will strengthen your projects even further.
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