Wireless microphones have become so popular in the creator space that the market has split into two categories: pro-level microphones with all the bells and whistles, and miniature kits designed for creators on the go who shoot primarily with their phones. RØDE has long been a major player in the former category and is now aiming to take the latter group by storm with the RØDE Wireless Micro, a wireless mic kit designed to be compact and simple, while still delivering the signature RØDE sound.
In the box, the RØDE Wireless Micro includes a mic kit with two wireless transmitters (each with a magnetic attachment) and one receiver, all housed in a charging case. You’ll also find fuzzy windscreens for each transmitter and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. The Wireless Micro is available in black or white, with accessories—aside from the cable—matching the kit’s colour theme.
The receiver features two LED indicators that show whether your microphones are connected. These lights flash while the device is in the charging case, but turn solid once it is removed and paired. The transmitters are omnidirectional and include a small LED to indicate power and connection status. While they include a standard clip for attaching to clothing, the preferred method is the powerful magnetic attachment, allowing for flexible and secure placement wherever you choose to wear it.
“The RØDE Wireless Micro also does something many other mini kits don’t quite manage: it actually feels mini.”
The windscreens on the RØDE Wireless Micro connect in a way that’s quite unique compared to other kits. Rather than securing to the top of the transmitter by clipping or screwing in, RØDE’s solution this time is a windscreen that wraps around the transmitter using a flexible, translucent frame. And just as an aside—the white mic’s windscreen looks a lot like Albert Einstein’s hair, if that means anything to anyone.
The RØDE Wireless Micro also does something many other mini kits don’t quite manage: it actually feels mini. The charging case measures approximately 2.8 by 2.3 inches, thanks largely to the smaller form factor of the receiver. It fits comfortably in your pocket, more so than most competing kits, whose charging cases are only marginally smaller than those of full-size sets. No space is wasted, with the transmitters and receiver resting snugly and securely inside.
Connection issues can plague some wireless mic kits, but not so with the RØDE Wireless Micro. The transmitters come pre-paired with the receiver, so you never have to worry about speaking into a mic that isn’t transmitting—a common risk with smaller kits that don’t record directly to the transmitters. RØDE has also diversified the product line, offering versions of the Wireless Micro for phones with USB-C ports, as well as for older iPhones with Lightning ports.
“The sound quality from the tiny transmitters is excellent, with vocals coming through crystal clear.”
What’s more, if you’re using RØDE Capture on an iOS device, you can connect to the transmitter directly via Bluetooth, without needing a receiver. What’s disappointing, though, is that this is where the wireless connectivity ends. While other companies have enabled Bluetooth connections to devices like action cameras, that doesn’t appear to be in the cards for the RØDE Wireless Micro, at least not yet. That said, the wireless support for RØDE Capture was added through a firmware update, so it’s possible more features could be added down the line.
Battery life on the RØDE Wireless Micro should get you through any shoot. It offers up to seven hours of use on a single charge, and the charging case’s 490 mAh battery provides two full charges, totalling 21 hours of use without needing to plug into a wall. That should be more than enough for most creators.
Quality is never a concern when it comes to RØDE, and the Wireless Micro is no exception. With 24-bit depth and a 48 kHz sample rate, it’s not the highest-spec RØDE kit available, but for a compact and more affordable option, its audio performance is perfectly aligned with its purpose. The sound quality from the tiny transmitters is excellent, with vocals coming through crystal clear. There’s no onboard noise reduction, and gain is controlled at a basic level through the RØDE Central app. Still, the Wireless Micro is, at its core, a fantastic-sounding microphone, and any ambient noise can easily be cleaned up in post.
Speaking of rudimentary app controls, the RØDE Central app doesn’t offer much in the way of microphone customization. You can adjust the channel routing, deciding whether each transmitter appears on its own audio channel or if they’re mixed into a single stereo pair. Beyond that, there’s output gain control, with three available settings: Low, Mid and High. I’d recommend keeping it on Low or Mid, depending on how softly you speak, to minimize ambient noise and avoid clipping.
The RØDE Wireless Micro has an MSRP of $149, though prices may vary since RØDE doesn’t sell directly through its website. It’s a reasonable price for the RØDE name and level of quality. And while it’s a mini kit with a smaller feature set, that’s expected at this price point. I would have liked to see RØDE take the lead by offering a few more pro-level features, but overall, the Wireless Micro lands in a comfortable spot among its competition.
