REVIEW – One of my goals for 2022 is to greatly improve my YouTube channel. I’ve been including a lot more video snippets in my reviews, but I also plan to do some stand-alone videos that may or may not be paired with a written article. One big thing that I need to improve when it comes to video is sound. Right now, I’ve just been using the built-in microphone in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I know I can do better, so the first dedicated microphone that I’m testing is the Baokua wireless lavalier microphone. Let’s take it for a spin.
What is it?
The Baokua lavalier microphone is a small clip-on lapel-style wireless microphone.
What’s in the box?
- Zippered storage case
- Battery storage case
- Baokua wireless lavalier microphone
- USB-C Transmitter
- USB-C to Lightning adapter
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- USB-C charging cable
- User manual
Design and features
When the Baokua wireless lavalier microphone is not being used, it lives in a black plastic storage case that doubles as a charger which itself charges via USB-C.
When you open the clamshell case, there are three slots. One for the microphone, one for the USB-C transmitter, and one for the dead cat microphone cover. You’ll also notice the small LCD display which shows the microphone’s battery level.
The slots that hold the microphone and the transmitter use magnets to hold everything in place.
The Baokua lavalier microphone is a small plastic clip that is X inches long and X inches wide.
The right edge of the microphone has a small pairing button that is used in conjunction with the transmitter.
It’s easy to figure out which end of the clip is the actual microphone.
The opposite end has the pairing / power LED.
Here we see the dead cat in place. If you’re not familiar with a dead cat (sorry), it’s a cover that fits over the microphone to prevent wind noise.
To use the BoaKua wireless lavalier microphone, you need to plug the included USB-C transmitter into the recording device which can be a laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone. The BoaKua comes with adapters if you need to use the transmitted with an iPhone or need a full-sized USB connector (USB-A).
Once you plug the transmitter into the phone or computer, you can pair it with the microphone by pressing the small button on the side of the microphone. The status LED on the mic will toggle between red and blue and when it’s paired, it will be solid blue. Pairing takes only a couple of seconds and requires no special app to use the microphone on your device.
But having said that, there are some limitations to the Boakua wireless microphone when you’re using it with an iPhone. It will not work with the standard iOS camera app which is pretty disappointing. It will work with 3rd party apps like Filmic Pro which is the app that I used while testing this microphone with my iPhone 13 Pro Max.
See (and hear) it in action
What I like
- Convenient charging case
- Includes adapters to convert the transmitter’s USB-C connection to lightning and USB-A
- Easy to pair microphone with the transmitter
What I’d change
- Disappointed that I can’t use the microphone with the stock iOS camera app
Final thoughts
When it comes to ease of use and charging convenience, the Baokua wireless lavalier microphone has both of those features covered. I’m just not sure I like the audio quality that it captures. To my ears (watch the video above) it sounds a little muffled or muddy unless you hold the microphone up to your mouth which no one is going to do…
Price: $65.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Baokua.
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As one who has worked for decades in the television show production field (ten Emmy nominations, three wins), I’m not surprised that the audio quality from this is not great. Only a quality clip on cardioid lavaliere with a separate transmitter pack will truly give you what you are looking for and it is going to cost far more than 65 bucks… Oh, and the lack of audio integration is an Apple issue.
Tom, thanks for those comments. I love it when experts weigh in.
Nice flex Tom!