For everyday uses, the iPhone has a decent built-in microphone. But if you want to get any level of professional sound, whether it be to film a movie, record a song, or conduct an interview, you’re going to need an external mic for quality sound. There’s a wide variety of options, but it’s definitely the type of product where you get what you pay for.
Apogee MiC 96k Professional Quality Microphone ($229)
Far and above, Apogee seems to be the favorite mic above any other. It’s also extremely easy to use; hook it up to your device via the lightning cable, use your favorite recording app, and you’re ready to go. The mic has a pretty short cord, which means your iOS device will have to remain quite close to the mic, but in most instances that shouldn’t be a problem.
Rode iXYL Condenser Microphone ($199)
Another big favorite is the Rode iXY-L; this mic plugs into your lightning port and snugly clips on the end. Reviews for the product are overwhelmingly positive with people generally surprised by how clear the sound actually is. The biggest negative for the product is the app. Rode has an awesome recording app to let you utilize the best sound from the iXY-L, but it doesn’t come free with the mic so expect to hand over an extra six dollars.
Rode smartLav+ Lavalier Microphone ($79)
I would only buy a lavalier mic if you’re specifically looking for or need one. They are super handy in a lot of situations but tend to have the most ‘hiss’ in the background. This is a higher quality lavalier, also by Rode. Unlike our previous mics, the smartLav+ plugs into your headphone jack making it more ideal for casual uses such as Periscope broadcasts. If you’re in the market for a lavalier, Rode is a trusted brand.
Blue Microphones Spark Digital Lightning Condenser Microphone ($199.99)
Considered the best mic from Blue Microphones, this looks like a particularly good mic for Podcasts and stationary web videos. The largest of the bunch, Spark Digital can hook up to either your iOS device or your computer via USB. It records directionally from the front, so mic placement and what you’re trying to record will factor into overall quality.
