Rode goes tiny with the Rode Wireless Micro for smartphones

Rode, the company that kicked off the wave of compact wireless microphones seen over the last few years, has scaled down even further for its latest release. It’s the Rode Wireless Micro ($149), a tiny wireless microphone system for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Available in both USB-C and the now-obsolete Lightning flavours, the receiver connects directly to your phone without any cables. The transmitters, Rode says, feature a new acoustic chamber design that allows for the clearest sound while blocking wind noise.

Rode Wireless Micro – Built for Smartphones

If you’ve ever tried to shoot a video with your smartphone using the built-in microphone, you’ll know it’s not the best. Even when you’re quite close to the phone, if you’re handholding, the audio can often be mired by things like handling noise or wind, reducing the sound quality – or even preventing you from being heard at all.

The simple solution is to get the microphone away from the phone. Many users already do that with the Rode Wireless GO II ($249.99) or other solutions. And we’ve seen plenty of options from other manufacturers, such as the Godox Cube-S ($109+), Hollyland Lark C1 ($79) and SmallRig S 60 ($89.99).

Rode has now responded to that competition with the Rode Wireless Micro. The tiny microphone system is built specifically for smartphones, although you could probably plug the USB-C version into your computer, too, if you really wanted to.

The receiver plugs straight into the bottom of your smartphone, and there are two versions available. There’s a USB-C model for Android devices and recent iPhones, as well as a Lightning version for older iPhones. The transmitters weigh only 12g each and have both a built-in clip as well as a magnet for attaching to clothing.

The transmitters also have a splashproof design – which does not mean waterproof, don’t go swimming with them – which means they can handle some rainy weather. The charging case holds both transmitters and the receiver to provide up to 21 hours of use.

It looks like a good, compact option for smartphone vloggers and vertical content creators who use their smartphones for social media.

Price and Availability

The Rode Wireless Micro is available to pre-order now for $149 in USB-C or Lightning port versions. Both versions are available in either black or white. Shipping is expected to begin in the coming days.

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