Fancy becoming a content creator? We’ve all thought about it. But there’s far more gear involved than you’d think. From your camera to lighting and, of course, the audio.
Crisp audio can make all the difference when it comes to engagement and getting your point across, so you’ll need to invest in one of the best microphones. But if you’re a beginner, you may want to try something a little cheaper before committing, and that’s where the Insta360 Mic Air comes in.
This tiny microphone is only $69, so it’s budget-friendly, but the lower price means there are some trade-offs.
What I like about the Insta360 Mic Air
Value for money
The best thing about this microphone has to be its price. It costs just $69 for the transmitter and receiver. Since the sound you get is mostly good, this is a great option for anyone looking to try microphones for the first time.
Whether it’s upping your content creation game, recording voiceovers, or using the mic to take personal notes, the Insta360 Mic Air does a great job.
Compact and lightweight
With a diameter of just 1.3 inches, the Insta360 Mic Air is seriously small. It’s a little larger than a quarter, which means that it can be totally discrete when you’re wearing it, so it doesn’t become too distracting for the viewer when you’re filming with it.
Since it weighs 0.3 ounces, there’s absolutely no risk of it weighing you down. I hardly even notice I’m wearing it. Storing the microphone is simple in the provided carry case, as all of the provided accessories for attaching the mic to clothing can be neatly stored so they’re always on hand.
Ease of use
You never want to spend too much time trying to get something to work, so it’s a good thing the Insta360 is fast and easy to connect to any device with a USB-C port. I simply plug the receiver into my phone and start recording.
The controls are easy to use, with just one button that does it all. This is where you can mute the mic if you need to, start recording even when you’re standing away from your device, or activate noise cancellation.
What I don’t like about the Insta360 Mic Air
Not top-tier audio
As I mentioned, the mic provides decent quality sound, but it’s not the best out there. That’s kind of a trade-off for such a budget item — you can’t expect the world. It struggles particularly with plosives, and this can be quite off-putting depending on the scenario.
But then, if you want crisp, professional audio, you’re looking at spending upwards of $200, so it all depends on what you need the mic for.
Receiver can drain your device
The receiver for the microphone doesn’t hold any charge, and this means it only turns on when plugged into your filming device, from which it can draw power. This is because it uses pass-through charging.
That means the battery of your device – whether that be a phone, tablet or camera — is going to dwindle slightly. It’s not major, but could be something you notice a bit more with older phone models, or when using the mic for extended periods of time.
To find out more about the tiny microphone, you can read my full Insta360 Mic Air review.
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