The Neewer CM28 Pro wireless lavalier lapel microphone system is built with content creators in mind. Featuring simultaneous connection support, standalone recording and multiple audio track modes, this two-transmitter, single-receiver setup is designed as an all-in-one audio recording solution. While the CM28 Pro aims to be a cost-effective choice for creators, the real question is whether this sub-$150 system can stand up to the competition.
Following the same design philosophy as Neewer’s CM31 wireless microphone, the CM28 Pro is slightly more compact and streamlined. It features a smaller display on the receiver (RX), a reduced footprint for the transmitters (TX) and lighter overall hardware. In hand, the CM28 Pro feels more portable, while the build quality remains similar to its predecessor, with a durable plastic casing covering all components.
Though it lacks the finesse of more premium wireless systems, Neewer has done a solid job of delivering a sturdy, functional design. The charging case also provides reliable protection and offers an additional 16 hours of battery life, which translates to about two full charges for the microphone system.
“The Neewer CM28 Pro wireless lavalier lapel microphone system is built with content creators in mind.”
Along with the two microphones, receiver and charging case, the CM28 Pro also includes a generous selection of accessories to help you connect to everything from an iPhone to a PC. This includes two windscreens, two magnets (one of the two mounting solutions for the transmitters), one 3.5mm TRS to iOS cable, one 3.5mm TRS to USB-C cable, one 3.5mm TRS to TRS cable, and one USB-A to USB-C cable for charging. In short, the CM28 Pro can connect to almost any recording device you might use.
The only accessory missing from the CM28 Pro’s box is an external lavalier microphone for the transmitters—something that was also noted with the CM31. While not included, it’s an understandable omission at this consumer-friendly price point. To house all of these accessories and the CM28 Pro itself, Neewer has included a travel pouch, making it easy to store the whole system in your camera bag.
Looking at the transmitters and receiver, each features just two buttons that control every function of the CM28 Pro. While this minimalist design fits with the compact approach, it does introduce a bit of a learning curve. Features like recording, noise cancellation and muting are all controlled through combinations of single taps or press-and-hold gestures, which take some time to memorize.
The receiver works on a similar principle and handles track modes, frequency range controls, and gain settings. While everything functions well, it does take a bit of time to become familiar with the system. It’s a cost-effective solution, no doubt, but in my experience, keeping a digital copy of the manual on hand during the first few days with the CM28 Pro is a smart move.
As a truly plug-and-play system, the CM28 Pro is exceptionally easy to set up and use. With its multiple connection points, the CM28 Pro can record to up to three devices at once. I found this to be a standout feature—it provides excellent redundancy and is surprisingly simple to configure.
In testing, I connected a Sony a7R via the TRS cable, a Poco 7 Ultra via the TRS to USB-C cable, and a PC using the USB-A to USB-C cable. Hitting record on all three created the most redundant recording setup I’ve used to date. While this function is best suited to specific use cases, it’s an impressive feature for a system at this price point.
“While the CM28 Pro aims to be a cost-effective choice for creators, the real question is whether this sub-$150 system can stand up to the competition.”
Audio capture with the CM28 Pro is decent overall. In testing, I found that, with the default settings, the mic’s low-end capture lacked clean definition. This was partly due to my lower voice register but also reflects the limitations of the microphone. While not a significant issue—since this can be cleaned up in post—it could be a concern if you’re using the CM28 Pro in a live-streaming setting.
Thankfully, Neewer has included a helpful frequency range feature designed to address this. It allows for a low cut at either the 75Hz or 150Hz range in real time, which effectively reduces low-end rumble. In my case, setting it to 150Hz cleared up the muddiness in the capture. It’s a smart, affordable solution that compensates well for the mic’s shortcomings.
Mid and high-end frequencies come through cleanly, with spoken audio sounding especially clear. In my tests, the capture felt true to the source. While I’d still do some EQ work in post, the CM28 Pro—with the frequency cut engaged—performs well for both recording and streaming.
The only other consideration when recording is background noise. While the raw audio picks up ambient sound, Neewer’s active noise cancellation feature—rated for a signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB—does a solid job managing it. As mentioned, the system is activated on the transmitter, with an indicator LED showing the current mode.
In testing, I found the ANC handled background filtering reasonably well without introducing major artifacts into the recorded source. Some noise remains in the final capture, but it’s minimal—and given the CM28 Pro’s price point, it’s more than acceptable.
On the topic of recording, the CM28 Pro includes three track modes, a standard feature in modern wireless mic systems. Stereo, mono and safety (Ms) modes cover most content creation needs. Each works as expected and can be toggled easily using the receiver.
The CM28 Pro also supports onboard recording directly from the transmitter, with up to nine hours of storage (4GB internal memory). It records 48kHz WAV files and supports up to 60 minutes per session. Starting a recording is as simple as holding a button on the TX, and accessing files is just as easy—connect the transmitter to your PC using the included cable, and it functions like a standard drive. It’s a useful backup that can save your work in the event of unexpected issues.
“The CM28 Pro can connect to almost any recording device you might use.”
As for recording distance, the CM28 Pro is rated for up to 200 metres line of sight, and in testing, it performs well. While there is some signal degradation near the end of that range, it’s an impressive distance overall. Thanks to the LCD display, users can easily monitor signal strength if extended range is needed.
Battery life on the CM28 Pro is also worth noting. While not as long as some other wireless systems, it does deliver the advertised eight hours of recording—assuming onboard recording is turned off. Battery life drops if that feature is used, but for most setups, it’s more than sufficient.
While the CM28 Pro is a solid, budget-friendly wireless system, I’m a bit conflicted about recommending it. Compared to the CM31, it’s something of a trade-off. The CM28 Pro includes many of the same features, but with a shorter recording range, smaller onboard storage and slightly less effective low-end microphone capture.
It does make up for some of these deficiencies through its excellent frequency range feature, more compact design and slightly better signal-to-noise ratio on paper. Both models are relatively cost-effective and function well, though I would argue that the CM31 offers a better raw audio recording experience overall. At the end of the day, either will provide a reliable audio capture solution. With all this in mind, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.
The CM28 Pro from Neewer is a budget-friendly wireless microphone system that offers a functional solution for creators. While it brings some strong features to the table, it also has to lean on those features to make up for hardware limitations. That said, its price point and actual plug-and-play setup still make it a compelling option worth considering.
