Top 10 Best iOS Microphones For Your Budget 2023 Reviews

When Apple first introduced the iPhone, it would begin to influence all areas of audio and video production. Since that very first iPhone, many things have changed and evolved. Now, iPhones and mobile iOS devices are the preferred choices for recording audio in every kind of situation imaginable. The professional “Eyewitness News Team” is almost a thing of the past.

Thanks to advances in iOS technology and the advent of Lightning connectivity, everyone can get out there and cover the news. Not only that, people are recording full albums with nothing more than an iPad and a good microphone.

The microphones are the key, you see. On any given smartphone the mic is never that good. To get the best sounding audio capture from your mobile device, iOS or Android, a good microphone is crucial.

But which one is the right one?

We put together a list of the best iOS microphones available to help you decide. So, if you’re ready, let’s do this thing.

Top 10 Best iOS Microphones To Buy In 2023 Reviews

1 Rode IXYL Cardioid Condenser Microphone For iOS with Lightning Connector

The Rode IXY-L is a cardioid condenser microphone that offers stereo recordings for your iPhone and other iOS mobile devices. You can count on this microphone to give you high-quality audio capture without unwanted noise.

The IXY-L features two 1/2-inch cardioid condenser capsules. They are in a 90-degree “near-coincident” alignment. As a result, your recordings are highly detailed stereo recordings that are realistic and surrounding. Both of the capsules have a frequency response range of 20Hz-20,000Hz. This is a great range for recording face-to-face man on the street interviews.

This microphone can provide up to 24-bit/96kHz recording. This along with the onboard, high-fidelity analog to digital conversion means your recordings will be smooth, accurate, and rich.

A strong metal casing for the capsules enhances their durability. The casing also works to eliminate electromagnetic interference. And it comes with a windshield for outdoor recordings.

Furthermore, this microphone features a software-switchable 72Hz high pass filter. This allows you to reduce low-frequency noise and interference, which is advantageous when you are recording in loud, crowded settings like festivals and parades.

The Rode IXY-L is lightweight and attaches securely to your iPhone. You can, therefore, rest assured that this microphone will deliver quality stereo recordings in diverse situations. And your iPhone powers it; therefore, you can record for as long as your phone’s battery lasts.

In the field journalism or a simple sit-down interview, you can count on this microphone giving you excellent audio recordings.

Our rating: (3.1 / 5)

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2 Apogee MiC 96k Professional Quality Microphone For iPad, iPhone, and Mac

A studio quality cardioid condenser microphone, the Apogee MiC delivers excellent audio capture and reproduction. This microphone can works fantastically anywhere, and it can be used to record vocals, interviews, and video narrations. It is versatile and dynamic enough to also record acoustic guitars, pianos, and even drums.

The MiC was first introduced in 2011 and quickly became the preferred microphone for use with mobile devices. This was because it delivered big studio-sound in a small package for both up-and-coming artists and professionals.

It has now been redesigned and optimized for the latest iOS devices. It offers accurate, pristine audio recording fidelity with 24-bit/96kHz. As a result, you get studio-quality sound from a small microphone.

There is no configuration needed either, simply plug in and start recording. This microphone gives you the ability to record at a moment’s notice. Not only that, you can easily it is up at home for personal use with nothing more than an iOS device.

The Apogee MiC also comes with a standard USB connection cable. You can plug it directly into your notebook or desktop computer. Again the USB cable powers the condenser microphone so you don’t need to worry about the sound quality.

With this best iOS microphone, you are actually getting three components. There is the cardioid condenser microphone, a digital preamp, and an analog to digital converter. This means you are getting the highest quality sound signal with incredibly low noise.

The cardioid polar pattern accurately captures sounds in front of the mic and eliminates background noise. The preamp delivers additional sound clarity and definition, while the A/D converter seamlessly transforms your audio into high-fidelity digital formats.

Rugged and ready for anything. This microphone is portable and durable. It can attach to most mic stands and is small enough to fit in your pocket. Designed with musical artists in mind, the Apogee MiC 96k is a great addition to any home or professional recording studio.

Our rating: (3.6 / 5)

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3 Rode smartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone For iPhone and Smartphones

A highly versatile, wearable microphone that delivers broadcast-grade sound quality. The Rode smartLav+ was designed to handle diverse situations for film, TV, and broadcast applications.

The microphone is a lavalier style microphone, so is worn on your body for complete hands-free operation. It is also very discreet and unobtrusive. It comes with a sturdy mic clip that also allows you to keep the cable hidden from view while recording.

This microphone uses a 3.5mm input jack. It will work with pretty much any mobile device that has a TRRS port. Furthermore, it has been specifically designed to work in tandem with the Rode Rec App and Apple iOS devices.

The Rode Rec App offers lots of additional functions and features that allow you to get the best possible recording with an iOS device. There are various EQ presets, environment settings, and editing functions.

The Rode smartLav+ features an omnidirectional condenser capsule. As a result, it picks up sound from all around the microphone. This is great for conducting interviews, reporting from the scene, or simple video narration.

With a frequency response of 60HZ to 18,000Hz, ideally suited for recording up-close vocals while also reducing background noise. The sensitivity is not too high nor too low. It is made to capture vocal audio close to the microphone with rejecting any external interference.

The Kevlar reinforced cable means you won’t need to worry about stretching or snapping it. While the Rode smartLav+ is a strong and sturdy little microphone that also includes a foam pop filter.

Never miss a word when live-on-the-scene with this microphone. Super easy to use and portable, you’ll love how much this microphone can improve your voice recordings.

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

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4 Blue Raspberry Premium Mobile USB Microphone (0304)

Recording vocals and instruments with a mobile microphone have never sounded easier with the Blue Raspberry USB Microphone. This microphone is super simple to use, portable, and versatile. And it allows you to record effortlessly and with crystal clear fidelity and definition.

This is an incredibly dynamic unidirectional condenser capsule. The frequency response is 20Hz to 20,000Hz which is wide enough for capturing vocals as well as acoustic instruments. It also features an adjustable gain level of up to +40dB.

The 24-bit audio delivers clear and accurate sound capture and reproduction. The sound pressure level is an amazing 120dB, which means you can record some pretty loud sounds that won’t distort or degrade. While the capsule was designed to provide great sounding up-close vocals. However, it will still work just as well when placed a tabletop distance from the speaker.

With a standard camera mount option, you can use this microphone for in the field video recording. It can also be attached to a standard mic stand for recording acoustic instruments or voice-overs.

It features Raspberry’s own patented capsule technology that eliminates distortion and provides you with the studio-quality sound of a large diaphragm microphone. The difference is that this microphone is small and portable. Therefore you have the freedom to record any place, quickly and easily.

The Internal Acoustic Diffuser (IAD) is designed to recreate the sound of a studio or concert hall. The result is it focuses in on your voice while reducing the sound of the room. It’s like having a mini-recording studio right at your fingertips.

Also, there is 3.5mm headphone output jack with its own volume control knob. This means you can listen in real-time to your projects with zero latency. There is also a microphone gain control and mute button for making live-streaming that much easier.

This best iOS microphone uses a USB cable for power, but can also use a Lightning connection to power it as well. Plug the microphone into your computer or laptop and start recording or even streaming live. The Lightning connection cable makes this microphone perfect for use with iOS devices. Plug into your iPhone or iPad, and you have a completely mobile and portable recording setup.

This microphone is perfect for those who want to make YouTube videos but is also great for live-streaming, journalism, and documentary reporting. Your sound will come through beautifully, and with the ease of USB and Lightning connectivity, your recording projects will not be restricted by time and place.

Our rating: (3.6 / 5)

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5 IK Multimedia iRig Mic Cast Podcasting Mic For Smartphones And Tablets

If you are podcasting or reporting from the field, the iRig microphone has you covered. This handy little condenser microphone delivers wonderful sound quality and has been designed specifically for recording vocal presentations.

Use it to record speeches, lectures, interviews, and even voice memos. This microphone is ready to meet all your vocal capture needs.

It is a compact unidirectional condenser capsule that offers a flat response. Therefore, not only is it capable of recording voice audio accurately but can also be used to record acoustic instruments. The unidirectional design works to reduce and eliminate background noise.

This microphone features a Hi/Low sensitivity switch, which can adjust the sensitivity to match with your recording environment. You can use the Hi setting when you are recording video with your smartphone. While the Low setting is better suited for pure voice recordings like a lecture or video voice-over.

IK Multimedia iRig Mic is literally and plug-and-play microphone. There are no cables of any kind. It uses a 3.5mm input jack that works with most smartphones and mobile devices. It is powered directly by your mobile device. Therefore, it is one of the easiest microphones to use, extremely small, and highly portable.

And the microphone is fully compatible with all iOS mobile devices. While the best part is there is no software that needs to installing. This microphone is basically a massive upgrade to the built-in mics found in most smartphones and tablets.

So, this best iOS microphone is not only great for recording interviews and lectures, but it is also ideal for Skype calls, Facetime, and other VOIP apps. A built-in headphone output jack further enhances the convenience of this little microphone.

For the perfect portable microphone that works with smartphones, the iRig gets the job done right. It reminds you that big things really can come in small packages.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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6 Movo Smartphone Video Rig With Stereo Microphone

Turn any smartphone into a professional-grade field recorder with the Movo Smartphone Video Rig and can take your video and audio projects to new heights of excellence.

The perfect solution for live action journalism and reporting. This microphone can be handheld, mounted to a camera, or attached to a tripod with three different 1/4-inch tripod mounts allowing you to position the microphone how you want. The means extra flexibility in capturing audio sources. Additionally, there is a cold shoe mount that lets you attach lights, extra mics, and other accessories.

The universal mounting clamp fits most smartphones. This has an adjustable width of 2.2-inches to 3.6-inches, which means it can fit an iPhone 7 Plus or a Galaxy Note snugly and securely.

The padded grip handle feels comfortable and won’t slip out of your hand easily. This mounting clamp will add stability to your videos while delivering great sounding audio. There is also wrist strap that attaches to the clamp mount. As a result, you can operate more freely, knowing it is safely secured to your person.

The microphone features an adjustable stereo pattern. The response direction can be set at 90-degrees for a tight unidirectional response. And it can be set to 120-degrees for a wider response angle. This means you can capture multiple audio sources at the same time with clarity and definition.

Therefore, this microphone is a great tool for when you are recording in crowded settings. Catch all the action you want with pristine stereo sound.

The Movo Smartphone Video Rig connects directly to your smartphone with a 3.5mm input jack. This makes setting up the microphone simple and painless. And it is fully compatible with iOS and Android devices. It also includes foam and furry windscreens, making it perfect for outdoor recording. But is also ideal for capturing indoor performances as well as sit-down interviews.

Make your mobile video into something awesome with the Movo Smartphone Rig, which is changing how the world hears and sees itself.

Our rating: (3.3 / 5)

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7 Focusrite Portable Studio Recorder, Black and red (AMS-ITRACK-POCKET)

Designed with YouTube performers in mind. This portable studio recorder allows you to record quickly and easily. And you don’t have to know a thing about recording to appreciate its simplicity. The iTrack Pocket is specifically designed for use with iPhones. The Lightning cable connects the iTrack to your iPhone and provides all the power it needs to operate.

The built-in stereo microphone delivers clear and detailed recordings of your instrument or voice. But, it is not designed for up-close talking. So, you will need to stay back from the microphone when recording for the best results.

However, the microphone has been designed for capturing musical performances. This makes it a nice little device that you can use when inspiration strikes.

With the free Focusrite Impact App, you can master and upload your recordings to YouTube. The App includes sound quality adjustments, mastering effects, and editing tools.

The iTrack Pocket holds your iPhone at the perfect angle to make you look and sounds incredible. You can record your performances in High-Definition video along with full stereo sound to ensure the best finished product.

Furthermore, The Impact App increases the ease-of-use by automatically selecting the best settings for you. This means you can make your video look and sound amazing with just a touch to the screen.

Use can also use this portable recorder to capture live instruments. There is a quarter-inch input jack so you can plug in guitars, basses, keyboards, and other instruments and microphones. Included on the App are amp simulations to better refine your desired sound. And we have to admit that it is pretty impressive how something so small can handle electric guitars so well.

The iTrack is super small and can fit in your pocket. It is lightweight and durable. Built to offer the highest quality sound and video capture for YouTube artists, this compact recorder is helping thousands get their music heard.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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8 Handheld Microphone Smartphone Vlog Selfie, Saramonic SmartMixer Recording Stereo Mic System

This is a two-channel personal audio mixer that works with iOS and Android smartphones. A compact and lightweight audio interface which features phantom power and an amplifier, it is best suited for video recording with iOS mobile devices.

The SmartMixer audio interface features two 3.5mm stereo microphone inputs. And the two condenser microphones included can be used with these inputs, or you can use any other microphone that has a 3.5mm jack.

With two 3.5mm inputs, you can use the condenser microphones included, or you can use mics with longer cables, like lavalier microphones. This allows you to have two separate sound sources recording at the same time. For one-on-one interviews and live podcasts, this is a nice feature that gives you a greater amount of versatility in your recording and positioning.

In addition to two standard stereo inputs, it includes a mini-XLR input. There is also a mini-XLR cable that comes with it. The XLR input means you can use dynamic and condenser microphones with the interface.

This function allows you to vary the kind of recording tools you want to use. The built-in phantom power makes using condenser and dynamic microphone a piece of cake. Just switch on the +48V when using the XLR connection and hit record.

It comes with independent Left/Right monitor levels. And there is a volume control knob and a level meter so you can adjust the levels to your liking. A headphone input allows you to listen to your recording in real-time. The unit uses a 9V battery for power and includes a battery life monitor on the main display.

The interface unit mounts onto an aluminum handheld clamp mount. The clamp mount can fit almost all mobile devices. Therefore, be it an iPhone or a Galaxy smartphone, the clamp will hold it securely and safely in place.

The handle can be detached, allowing you to mount it on a tripod stand. The clamp mount is very well balanced and delivers solid stability to your videos. And it is adjustable, which gives you greater flexibility in how you frame your shot.

Add variety and professionalism to your video and audio recordings. The SmartMixer is great for recording live performance, speeches, and presentations.

Our rating: (5 / 5)

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9 V88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone

No matter what your audio needs are, thanks to the Shure MV88, everyone can enjoy high-quality stereo recordings on any iOS device. Perfect for any situation, this little microphone plugs into your iOS device with a Lightning connector and captures clear and defined audio.

This best iOS microphone is lightweight and easy to take anywhere. You can record lectures, speeches, concerts, interviews, and voice-overs quickly and easily. And it is very small and compact, which makes it very convenient to transport.

There is no cable with this microphone. The Lightning connector attaches the mic directly into the Lightning port on any iOS device. You can record great sounding audio while on the move, outdoors, or in the car.

Simply connect the microphone to the Lightning connector, open the ShurePlus MOTIV App, and start recording great sounding audio. The App comes with all kinds of presets and sound editing features, so you can optimize the recording to match any setting you are recording in. You can even share your audios files by email and SMS.

The microphone can also rotate to adjust for better positioning for when recording video at the same time. And the Shure MV88 won’t get in the way of what you’re filming.

This microphone features matched cardioid and bi-directional cartridges which deliver the best in class audio quality that is clear and precise. Furthermore, this microphone includes automatic EQ and compression adjustments. Therefore, you just let the mic decide what is best for the environment you’re recording in. And the mid-side architecture ensures phase-free clear audio capture.

There are 5 DSP presets included as well. The presets are speech, flat, singing, acoustic instruments, and loud. These allow you to enhance the sound of your recording further.

Shure is one of the best microphone makers in the world. With the MV88 they may have just cemented it as the best iOS microphone as well?

Our rating: (3.8 / 5)

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10 Line 6 Sonic Port VX Audio I/O and Stereo Microphone

The power of a studio for songwriters who are on the go. This audio interface features three built-in condenser microphones, so you can record your music with high-quality sound and fidelity.

Matched stereo microphones allow you to capture live performances with exceptional clarity and definition. The front-facing mono microphone is great for recording vocals, guitars, and even drums. This microphone captures your music with brilliant dynamics and accuracy.

There is a 1/8-inch stereo line input as well. This means you can hook up drum machines and keyboards with ease. In addition, there is 1/4-inch input that allows you to plug your electric guitar or bass directly into the interface and offers 120dB of dynamic range.

This interface has its own preamp with 45dB of gain. Therefore, you can really push this little interface, and the sound quality will never falter. It records your music with 24-bit/48kHz audio quality. And there is a headphone input so you can monitor your recording with zero latency.

This interface includes the POD iOS App. This helps to shape and sculpt your sound with 32 amp simulations, 16 effects, and 16 cabinet models. You can take your latest track from zero to hero with a few touches to the screen. This App lets you turn your iOS device into a miniature recording studio. You can record multi-track songs when, where, and how you want.

It can also work with other recording software like GarageBand and CoreAudio. This means you have lots of options to enhance and perfect your sound.

This interface can be mounted on to most camera tripods. It also comes with its own tabletop stand and mic stand adapter.

It can be powered via a USB connection. The really awesome thing is that it charges your iOS device at the same time. So, you can record for longer without worrying about the battery running out.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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Best iOS Microphones Buyers Guide

Now that we’ve gone over the best iOS microphones, we want to give you a little bit of advice.

All of the microphones we’ve reviewed are excellent and will serve you well. However, when choosing one for your iOS device, it is important to find one with Lightning connectivity. The Lightning connection works better with iOS devices than either USB or 3.5mm inputs.

Your audio recordings will sound better when using a Lightning connector. It’s just a quirk of iOS systems, but it doesn’t mean the other connections are terrible, they are not. It simply means that Lightning offers the highest sound quality, which therefore obviously makes it the best choice.

So, What’s The Best iOS Microphones?

All of these microphones are excellent. Yet, there is one which stands out. The best iOS microphone, therefore, is the…

This one is just perfect for iOS devices. It delivers excellent sound quality and is super easy to use. It has three components rolled into one. And while is designed for musicians, it works great for vocal capture in interviews and reporting. It is durable, versatile, and best of all, affordable.

Create a recording studio in your home or get the latest scoop for your YouTube videos. Whatever the task, this is one microphone that will make you love your Apple product even more.

We hope this information has been helpful. Enjoy your new iOS microphone and have fun creating new and amazing audio and video projects.