RØDE has released a wide range of wireless microphone kits and, while the company remains a leader in audio quality, each iteration has felt just short of complete. Whether it was a design limitation, such as not being able to monitor levels as a viewer, or missing components, my reaction to most of the kits has been the same: they almost get it right. The latest version, the RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit, comes closer than any before.
A bit of context helps explain why. RØDE released the original RØDE Wireless Micro about a year ago. It was a compact setup with two transmitters and a phone receiver, but it lacked a camera receiver. At the time, that seemed intentional, a way to keep the kit small and focused on mobile creators. About eight months later, RØDE introduced a separate camera adapter for the Wireless Micro. Unfortunately, it felt like an afterthought. With no place in the charging case, the adapter came across as an extra piece added to an otherwise complete kit.
Fast-forward another four months, and RØDE announced the RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit. This version includes a newly designed camera receiver that is fully integrated into the system and charges alongside the transmitters, without significantly increasing the size of the case. What stands out most is that RØDE has implemented features with this receiver that it has not yet brought to its previous kits. As a result, there is now only one small omission keeping this from being a near-perfect wireless microphone solution for creators who need a compact, on-the-go setup.
“No previous RØDE wireless system has come closer to meeting all of my needs.”
The transmitters included with the RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit can be covered fairly quickly, as they are unchanged from the original release. They are simple to use and sound excellent, which is consistent with RØDE’s track record. They do not offer pro-level features such as 32-bit float recording or onboard recording capabilities, but that appears to be an intentional choice. This kit is clearly designed for creators with more straightforward needs, prioritizing ease of use and a lower price point.
The transmitters’ intelligent GainAssist does a good job of keeping audio levels consistent. When paired with the RØDE Central app on a mobile device, users gain solid control over key settings, including input levels and GainAssist behaviour. This integration provides a reassuring amount of control for a kit positioned at the entry level of RØDE’s wireless lineup.
The RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit also continues to include a mobile receiver, and this is where my main design criticism emerges. There is no dedicated space for it in the charging case. While the receiver does not require charging, it becomes the one loose component in an otherwise well-contained kit. It is arguably the easiest piece to misplace and would have taken up very little space. Even a simple slot inside the lid would have helped keep everything together and made switching between camera and phone use far more convenient.
The new camera receiver is what truly defines this kit. The first thing longtime RØDE users will notice is that the receiver can finally be oriented forward or backward. On previous kits, including the RØDE Wireless Pro, the display faces straight up, which is largely impractical for camera operators and vloggers. This long-standing design choice has been a frequent point of frustration, and it is encouraging to see RØDE finally address it.
The receiver includes on-board menus that mirror much of the control offered through the RØDE Central app, allowing users to adjust transmitter settings directly from the camera. Beyond that, the receiver’s primary role is to preserve the audio quality delivered by the transmitters, and it succeeds. Audio output from both the camera and mobile receivers sounds excellent. The addition of a screen that is actually usable in real-world shooting scenarios is a welcome improvement and adds meaningful value to the kit.
The RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit is available for pre-order at retailers and is priced at $149 US, which represents strong value for a RØDE wireless microphone system with a dedicated camera receiver. Customers who purchased the original RØDE Wireless Micro before Oct. 31 remain eligible for a free receiver, although that offer applies to the older design. The new receiver is only available as part of the Camera Kit. If you have little need for a camera receiver, the original kit remains a viable option. For new buyers, however, the Camera Kit is the more complete package and offers everything most creators will need.
As noted earlier, the RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit still stops just short of perfection. While the new receiver is a major upgrade, the lack of storage space for the mobile receiver means the kit does not stay fully contained. Even so, no previous RØDE wireless system has come closer to meeting all of my needs. It represents a strong step forward and a genuinely impressive effort from the company.
