The MAONO DM40 PRO USB/Wireless microphone is a budget-friendly, wireless condenser microphone built with gamers in mind. Featuring onboard noise cancellation, large range compatibility and impressive battery life, the DM40 PRO is designed to provide clear capture for gamers and content creators alike without the need for major cable management or mic arms. Streamlined and simple to use while still packing some impressive features and settings controls, there is a lot to like about the MAONO DM40 PRO.
While I’ve had the opportunity to take a look at MAONO’s portable WM620 Series Wireless Microphone, the DM40 PRO is the first studio microphone from the manufacturer I’ve spent time with. The design provides an all-in-one solution for gamers and creators alike, with a built-in shock mount and desktop stand provided along with the condenser mic. Out of the box, the DM40 PRO provides everything needed to be up and running in mere moments.
The mic comes pre-installed in the shockmount with an attached pop screen and is meant to act as one unit without the need for additional support. This unit is then attached via a standard mic stand thread to the weighted desktop stand. While it is comprised of a dense plastic, the DM40 PRO feels sturdy when handled and, thanks to the aforementioned desktop stand, does not risk being top-heavy when sitting on your desk.
For those who prefer a boom arm for their gaming setup, the DM40 PRO can be detached from the included stand and fits a standard boom arm thread. This allows for a very adaptable condenser mic that can fit easily with your particular setup. If you choose to continue with the included stand, though, there is an additional thread screw joint that allows for vertical tilting, making it easy to adjust the microphone to meet your needs.
The DM40 PRO also comes with a USB-C receiver, USB-A adaptor and USB-C cable for charging the unit. The condenser mic proper houses a few key controls that make usage exceptionally simple. The bottom of the mic houses a power/RGB switch, a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring, a monitoring control switch and a USB-C port for charging. The front lower section of DM40 PRO provides gain control for both the mic and monitoring headphones in a single dial.
Swapping between the two modes requires a simple click of the dial, with a small LED located below the controller providing an easy indicator of which mode the dial is currently adjusting. The top of the mic houses both the Noise Reduction control and mute functions, with the latter taking up a large portion of the top surface area, ideal for quick selection.
“The overall build quality of the MAONO DM40 PRO is solid, though the choice to use plastic for the outer shell does make the unit feel a bit underwhelming.”
As previously mentioned, MAONO has incorporated an RGB LED into the DM40 PRO’s capsule housing, which provides a fun, unique and customizable aesthetic to the unit. RGB controls can be handled from both the mic via the aforementioned power/LED button as well as through the MAONO Link software. While it is a fun feature, at present, it only offers some basic lighting functionality with single colour selection or light cycling.
The overall build quality of the MAONO DM40 PRO is solid, though the choice to use plastic for the outer shell does make the unit feel a bit underwhelming. I do worry about long-term use, specifically with the plastic housing for the mounting bracket, as this can be a weak point on mic stands with prolonged use. At present, though, the mount and stand functionally provide everything needed to use the DM40 PRO to its full extent.
Setting up the DM40 PRO is a plug-and-play experience. Once connected via the included wireless dongle, the mic was immediately recognized by Windows 11. Even without the MAONO Link software, the DM40 PRO is ready to record or broadcast as soon as it’s powered on. Thanks to the onboard controls, you technically don’t even need to use the software. As for compatibility, I’ve tested the condenser mic on PC, Mac and Android, all of which worked seamlessly and without issue.
If you want to get the best experience out of the mic, though, I do recommend installing the MAONO Link software. It provides a host of customization for the DM40 PRO, including preset and custom EQ profiles, basic gain control for mic and headphone monitoring, RGB control, noise reduction and AI Voice selection. While I’ve noticed a few small bugs with the software, namely delays between input and response to commands, MAONO Link allows for full customization and optimization of the DM40 PRO, allowing you to cater it to your particular setup.
“Even without the MAONO Link software, the DM40 PRO is ready to record or broadcast as soon as it’s powered on.”
As for performance, the DM40 PRO surprised me. I’ve worked with a lot of mics over the years, with wireless condensers being the bulk of my most recent testing. For a near $100 wireless condenser microphone system, I’m impressed.
All initial tests are performed flat without any custom EQ adjustments. In the case of the DM40 PRO, it provides a solid representation of voice, managing to capture accurately my lower register, a feat many microphones struggle with. The mids and highs are also clear and present accurately from the source.
The range of capture, likewise, is impressive. As a desktop-mounted microphone, I was slightly concerned about range when first working with the mic. However, I’ve found that even at two feet from the source, the DM40 PRO has no issue capturing my voice clearly with minimal background noise. This has not been the case with a lot of budget-friendly condenser mics I’ve worked with. Usually, once the distance is increased, the overall clarity of the capture goes with it, leaving the recording with a hollow undertone.
As for background noise, the DM40 PRO features built-in noise reduction that comes in three presets with the option for a customizable fourth preset. While there is slight artifacting at its most aggressive setting, the overall noise reduction capabilities of MAONO’s wireless darling are quite impressive. Testing in a compact space with three PC running and a ceiling fan set to high, the DM40 PRO filtered out the vast majority of the background noise while still presenting a clear capture of voice tests. For a budget-friendly condenser mic, this is impressive.
Battery life is another impressive aspect of the DM40 PRO. Boasting a 75-hour battery life, the DM40 PRO can function for days without the need to plug in. While leveraging the RGB does reduce battery significantly according to the official manual, in my two weeks of testing, I’ve not plugged the DM40 PRO in once to charge. For a wireless system, longevity is key, and in this regard, MAONO has achieved the goal.
For those wanting to have some fun with the DM40 PRO, it also features an AI voice changer baked into the MAONO Link software for PC. While it works fine, it does require creating a login with MAONO, which feels a bit odd. Additionally, while it can provide a few moments of fun, I cannot see it being something I’d want to leverage in any practical way for recording, gaming or streaming.
While there are a few solid wireless desktop condenser mics on the market, MAONO’s DM40 Pro is the first 100-ish-dollar mic I’ve seen that hits above its weight class. It provides a solid capture experience, impressive battery life and clean noise cancellation options in a single plug-and-play package. While there are other options for gamers looking to level up their audio capture, the MAONO DM40 Pro is a solid, budget-friendly option.
- Instant Wireless Connection: DM40 Pro Wireless Condenser microphones offer unmatched freedom with no cables to limit your movement, making them ideal for gamers, streamers, and content creators. With up to 75 hours of battery life, you can enjoy long, uninterrupted sessions without worrying about recharging. They provide flexibility, easy setup, and reliable performance across various environments. Whether you’re gaming or streaming, wireless microphones ensure a seamless, high-quality audio experience
- One-tap Noise Cancellation: This gaming microphone features a one-touch noise cancellation button with four preset levels—Low, Medium, and High—along with a customizable noise level. You can adjust the settings directly on the mic or through the accompanying maono link, offering flexibility to suit different environments. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or recording, you can easily fine-tune the noise cancellation to ensure crystal-clear and professional audio with minimal interference
- Instant Wireless Connection: DM40 Pro Wireless Condenser microphones offer unmatched freedom with no cables to limit your movement, making them ideal for gamers, streamers, and content creators. With up to 75 hours of battery life, you can enjoy long, uninterrupted sessions without worrying about recharging. They provide flexibility, easy setup, and reliable performance across various environments. Whether you’re gaming or streaming, wireless mic ensure a seamless, high-quality audio experience
- One-tap Noise Cancellation: This gaming microphone features a one-touch noise cancellation button with four preset levels—Low, Medium, and High—along with a customizable noise level. You can adjust the settings directly on the mic or through the accompanying maono link, offering flexibility to suit different environments. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or recording, you can easily fine-tune the noise cancellation to ensure crystal-clear and professional audio with minimal interference
