5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone [2023 Review]

The competition between Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems is fierce. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone, and a year later, Google released the first Android phone. Android systems are developed by
Google, with Samsung being one of the most popular users.

Both methods are frequently used by external producers. When looking for the Best External Android Microphones, keep in mind that many of them will also work with iOS. As phones and tablets get smarter,
this is a growing industry.

We included 5 Best External Microphones for Android
Phone in this article to make things easier for you. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Shure Microphone, Black with Red Foam (MV5-B-LTG)

Features: It features a quarter-inch screw thread, so you can place it on any regular camera tripod, which is useful if you’re out and about with it, or you can use a tripod to microphone stand adapter to install it on any microphone stand.

The retro-looking MV5 is a roughly 2.5-inch sphere with a plastic silver faceplate facing the front and connectors on the rear panel and is available in two colors or gray variants. The audio is picked up by a cardioid-pattern 16mm condenser within the MV5’s housing.

If you are looking for the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone you can find.

The Shure MV5 is unquestionably capable of delivering high-quality audio. It features a wide dynamic range and can readily withstand high SPL levels without clipping while creating low noise levels.

The hiss that you typically hear with cheap or in-built microphones is absent. Despite its modest size, the MV5 has very complex electronics on board that handle signal processing.

Three alternative DSP settings as well as a downloaded program, which is still optional, may be used to change how it’s processed.

Runner Up: Rode VideoMic Me Compact TRRS Cardioid Mini-Shotgun Microphone for Smartphones

Features: On the performance aspect, it performs exactly what it says on the box, improving the sound quality of the inbuilt condenser mic while drastically lowering background noise, all for £50.

It’s the perfect match if you’re serious about music creation, especially on an iPad with Garageband.

If you are looking for the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone you can find.

There are a plethora of solutions if you want to capture films or live streams on your smartphone and improve the audio quality. The Rode VideoMic Me, a shotgun-type microphone that plugs straight into a headphone port, is unboxed, comparison tested, and reviewed.

As long as the camera lens is on the other end of the headphone socket, it works with Apple, Android, and other smartphones and tablets. Otherwise, it can appear in your field of view.

The mic performs admirably, especially as you got closer to it. This would be an excellent enhancement for vloggers or anyone live streaming on Periscope or Meerkat in a loud area or if the wind is present.

Best for Budget: CVM-VS08 Microphone for Smartphones

Features: The microphone’s polar pattern is super-cardioid, which concentrates on the sound you’re pointing at while rejecting unwanted noises from the back and sides.

The microphone is compatible with a variety of mobile devices and is great for recording voice and ambient noises for interviews, podcasts, films, and other applications.

If you are looking for the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone you can find.

The Comica CVM VS08 Shotgun Mic for Smartphones is a great option if you’re searching for a low-cost approach to improve the quality of your smartphone video.

The VS08 shotgun mic is a really simple and innovative gadget that will significantly improve the audio quality of your movie. Its direct connection to your smartphone keeps the form factor small, and there are no batteries, wires, or cords to worry about.

The VS08 also has a headphone connector on the back of the mic, which is a wonderful addition. This allows you to listen to your video without having to remove your microphone; simply put in some earbuds and you’re ready to go.

You may be able to watch the recording as it happens to depend on your recording app.

Best Lavalier: Rode SmartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

Features: You won’t need a high-end microphone for a smartphone anyhow. The usability is even more important: this gadget does not require any extra software or complicated adaptors; simply plug it in and you’re ready to go.

You will receive far better sound quality with this mic than with any built-in, without a doubt. It works best for recording a single person’s speech, both with and without video.

As long as you operate the Rode smartLav+ appropriately, it produces excellent sound. Rode is a well-known brand in the microphone industry, and the majority of their microphones work admirably. Each microphone model, on the other hand, has a distinct use.

If you are looking for the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone you can find.

The smartLav is a 3.5mm omnidirectional microphone that can be easily connected to most smartphones, tablets, and PCs.

The mic comes with a lapel clip that allows it to be attached to the wearer in a variety of ways, making it suitable for recording content such as speeches or interviews. It might also be utilized instead of a wireless audio system, which can run into thousands of dollars.

Because it’s an omnidirectional mic, it can pick up sounds from all directions, making it excellent for recording speech.

Best Versatile: Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone

Features: The microphone is well-made, has a metal structure, and is also quite compact, measuring only 8cm in length.

The grill on the front of the microphone will face your audio source, while the rear of the microphone has a 3.5mm output that connects directly to your camera.

The microphone is powered by the camera due to its lower size. This means you won’t have to worry about bringing extra batteries with you when recording audio. With the provided SC2 3.5mm cable, just connect the microphone to the camera and you’re ready to go.

If you are looking for the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone you can find.

In filmmaking, getting crisp, clear, and rich sound out on an expedition is crucial. Because sound accounts for 90% of the information we receive from watching a film, having a small, lightweight microphone to carry on the trail shows through in the final cut.

It’s compact, light, and has the exceptional sound quality for such a little directional microphone.

It’ll fit most DSLR cameras, and it works great with many cams. When editing, you can see the difference between using the built-in microphone and utilizing the external microphone.

Buyer’s Guide for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone

Smartphones (which mainly run on the Android operating system) come with built-in microphones, however, they aren’t the best. External smartphone microphones, fortunately, have a market. Keep reading our buying guide to get more information about this topic.

A Great External Microphone For Android Smartphones Must Meet These Criteria

Let’s look at the characteristics of a good external Android smartphone microphone:

• How effectively does the microphone attach to or otherwise connect to the smartphone on a physical level? Is the microphone going to fit on the smartphone if it’s in a protective case?
• When attaching an external microphone to a smartphone, the transfer of audio, whether analog or digital, is crucial. For proper signal transfer, how dependable and clean is the electrical connection?
• How accurate is the microphone transducer at translating sound to audio? How successful is the analog-to-digital converter on digital connections (USB), and what specifications does the mic emit digital audio?
• Durability. Is the microphone made of high-quality materials that will not break easily?
• Overall functionality. How simple is it to use the mic, and what software, if any, is required for the mic to work correctly with an Android Smartphone?
• Is the microphone equipped with a variety of features (polar patterns, headphone monitoring, digital signal processing, and so on)?

Port for Charging

When it comes to hardwiring microphones to smartphones, charging port hookups are now the most popular. This is due to the fact that, as previously stated, many smartphones no longer have analog headphone connectors.

The USB C-Type connector is the most common charging port on Android smartphones. This USB-C system has a 24-pin connection that is two-fold rotationally symmetrical.

It resembles Apple’s Lightning connection, and the two are frequently mixed up. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

External smartphone mics with USB-C outputs are developed with built-in analog-to-digital converters since the USB-C connector transports digital audio.

Micro-USB is also prevalent, however, it’s largely seen on older devices that don’t have a headphone port.

Bluetooth

Finally, there’s Bluetooth, although many Bluetooth microphones use the traditional transmitter/receiver arrangement, which necessitates hardwiring the receiver into the smartphone. There are popular Bluetooth microphones that connect without a receiver. Although most of them are successful at wireless audio transmission, you should still do your research.

Choosing the Best Microphone for Android

Unfortunately, external iOS microphones are far more plentiful than external Android mics (for now). For some reason, it hasn’t spread as much on Android smartphones, which we assume is because of the “greater popularity” of the operating system and device type among microphone makers (their loss).

But don’t worry, there are some hidden jewels out there that we were able to uncover. Apart from your budget, you’ll need to consider the sort of microphone you want for your Android handset. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

The major types of mics covered in this article are lavalier mics (small microphones that clip onto your shirt), shotgun mics (which mount on your phone and protrude out to record), and classic condenser mics (which must be placed on a flat surface to record).

Finding your kind will mostly be determined by your own preferences, as well as how you want to use it (if you have one). If not, we recommend at least imagining if you want a mic that is tethered, wireless, mounted, or rests next to you or on a desk.

Examine what is required

When purchasing any microphone, the first step is to determine exactly what is required. Diverse types of microphones have highly different features, and different applications have quite different needs.

The basic kind of microphone may be selected by matching the requirements to the properties of the microphone. Then it’s only a matter of examining the various requirements and selecting the microphone that best fits the application.

Types of microphones

When shopping for a microphone, it’s a good idea to review the various types of microphones to discover what’s available. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

Moving Coil

Frequently used for stage voices, PA usage, and other applications. This microphone is extremely durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. High sound volumes can also be handled by dynamic microphones without distortion.

They often have a low output impedance and a reasonably high output level, and they don’t require phantom power since they don’t require an inbuilt pre-amplifier.

For many years, the Shure 57 and its brethren have been the go-to microphones for many pop groups and vocalists, and they still perform well. These microphones are typically utilized as hand microphones
and are frequently used in close proximity.

Crystal Mic

Crystal or ceramic microphones are often low-cost instruments that deliver a high output voltage into a resistor, requiring a high input impedance amplifier.

The microphones are at the low end of the market since they do not have a very wide frequency sensitivity and are not extensively utilized these days due to their high impedance.

Because of the high impedance, the microphone wires are sensitive to interference and accidental pickup. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

Condenser Mic

For high-quality audio, including voices and instrumentals, a condenser microphone is frequently employed. It doesn’t like being overloaded, and it needs electricity to supply a bias to the capacitor as well as power for the preamplifier.

They don’t have the same durability as dynamic microphones. The output impedance is typically low to allow for the usage of longer leads.

A good microphone might cost anywhere from $100 to $200 to thousands of dollars, GBP or Euros, or other currencies. It may be worth adopting an extra pop filter for vocals or general speech to decrease pops from plosive noises.

Many microphones come with an optional model-specific microphone, or a generic one can be purchased at the same time.

Directionality vs. directivity

When purchasing a microphone, the directivity or directionality of the microphone is an essential issue to consider. Cardioid directional microphones are commonly utilized for singing and PA applications. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

Impedance

When purchasing a microphone, it is critical to check that the impedance is correct. The majority of microphones have a low impedance and are intended to work with low impedance loads.

However, certain microphones, such as crystal or ceramic microphones, have a high input impedance, which necessitates a high input impedance in the amplifier or other amplifier into which it is attached, often about 1 M.

Frequency reaction

It’s crucial to make sure the frequency response is adequate for the applications. Some instruments, such as strings, may require a wide frequency response while simultaneously requiring a good high-frequency response, necessitating the purchase of a more costly microphone.

Flatness of response

While a flat response may appear to be optimal, a treble lift can occasionally be beneficial, especially for vocalists.

However, keep in mind that in PA applications, this might make the system more prone to howl round, which occurs when the signal from the speakers enters the microphone and creates a howling noise.

Many dynamic microphones have some treble lift, which works well for many vocalists. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

Budget

Cost is a crucial consideration for anybody purchasing a microphone. In general, the more expensive the microphone, the better it is, although this is not always the case.

However, higher-end microphone manufacturers such as Sennheiser, AKG, R0DE, and others have a wide range of good microphones to choose from. Other brands are available for more budget-conscious purchasing and can provide exceptional value.

The decision to purchase a microphone is influenced by a variety of variables, including technical, financial, aesthetic, and practical considerations. Keep reading for 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone.

When purchasing a microphone, be sure it fits all of the present criteria, as well as others that may arise in the future. Purchasing a decent microphone is usually a wise investment. Saving money may seem like a good idea in the short term, but it isn’t always the best option in the long run.

FAQs: External Microphones for Android Phones

Conclusion: 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone [2023 Review]

You must have excellent audio quality whether you’re filming a video or recording a new podcast episode.

The good news is that video quality bundled with your Android smartphone has probably been top-notch for the couple of years.

Your Galaxy or Pixel phone’s built-in microphone, on the other hand, isn’t up to the task. In 2021, there are numerous good external mics that will work with your Android phone, and they come in a variety of designs to suit your preferences.

We hope you liked our 5 Best External Microphones for Android Phone review and it was helpful.