Best Microphone for iPad of 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Credit where credit is due, Apple’s iPad is quite a remarkable device. Ever since its inception, the iPad has always remained a great option for people who want to use a tablet PC, largely thanks to its stellar hardware and versatility in use.

That being said, the Apple iPad’s microphone does leave a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to recording good audio. The passable quality of the built-in microphone is only suitable for video calls or voice memos, which is why an external iPad microphone is necessary if your needs are much more refined.

Worry not, for we have compiled a comprehensive list of the best Microphone for iPad on the market right now. Using our list and our handy buyer’s guide, you’re bound to find something you like.

Best Microphone for iPad 2021

1. Blue Raspberry Premium – Best Microphone for iPad

Ask anyone who knows their microphones, and they’ll be sure to tell you that the Blue brand is top of the line. This is why it should come as no surprise that our pick for the best microphone for your iPad is the Blue Raspberry microphone.

There’s so much the Blue Raspberry has going for it: great condenser audio quality, a durable body, easy to use controls, internal acoustic diffusers to limit noise, and plug and play compatibility with all devices running iOS. 

And did we forget to mention the vintage aesthetic in their microphone design? While everyone out there is clamoring over the modern look, it’s refreshing to see a company throwing back to the good old days.

2. Uniwit Mini Portable Vocal/Instrument Microphone – Best Budget 

Let’s be honest, the Uniwit Mini Portable is far from what you would call a premium microphone. And to be perfectly frank, the microphone looks and feels less like a useful gadget and more like a toy. 

So, imagine our surprise when we found out that the Uniwit actually has decent audio quality, which is bafflingly even better than a lot of premium looking microphones on the market right now! And at the price that it’s listed, makes this device almost too good to be true!

Is this microphone a good choice if you want to do some professional-level recording? No, but if you just need something decent for recording your vocals or karaoke night, the Uniwit Mini Portable is not a bad choice at all.

3. Shure MV88+ Video Kit with Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone – Best Premium

Few microphones are as suitable for using with your iPad as the Shure MV88+. Even fewer have all the necessary features down pat. And only the Shure MV88+ stands out on top with its stellar audio quality, durable materials, and seamless compatibility.

The MV88+ is especially great for video recording or vlogging with your iPad since the video kit it comes with lets you clip your iPad on to the stand and adjust the camera however you like, while at the same time allowing you to record high-quality audio without a hitch.

And with all these perks, how could we NOT put the Shure MV88+ as the best premium microphone on our list?

4. ZaxSound Professional Cardioid Condenser Microphone – Best for Professional use

When you’re recording audio in a studio or for other professional reasons, it makes sense to use a setup that will give you the best output. And while using your iPad to record audio isn’t exactly studio-grade tech, with the ZaxSound Professional Microphone by your side, we’re willing to bet you’ll get something super close.

There’s no denying the fantastic audio quality the ZaxSound microphone provides, thanks to it being a condenser microphone that picks up even the slightest of sounds. But that doesn’t mean the microphone is too sensitive to background noise; its cardioid polar pattern means it only picks up sound from the front, effectively canceling any noise from the back or sides.

5. Zoom iQ7 Stereo Mid-Side Microphone – Best Portable

Need something to record audio on the go? Not too keen on messy wires or awkwardly shaped stands? Well then, the Zoom iQ7 Stereo microphone might be just the product for you!

The Zoom iQ7 is the perfect iPad microphone for those who want to take their audio recording sessions on the go! Small enough to fit in your pocket, yet capable enough to give professional-grade microphones a run for their money, the Zoom iQ7 is certainly a powerhouse in its own right.

And the best part? It’s literally made to run on the iPad without any hitch whatsoever. Simply plug this bad boy into the lightning port connector on your iPad, and you’re good to go.

6. Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel Microphone Kit – Best Lavalier

Microphone stands are great and all, but what if you intend to move around as you record your audio? And even if you can pick up your microphone, how long before you get tired of holding it close to your mouth all the time?

This is where lavalier microphones truly shine since they’re able to clip on to your lapel and record audio seamlessly. And as far as lavalier microphone for iPad goes, there isn’t a product as good as the Purple Panda 10771328 lavalier microphone.

And when you consider this microphone comes with its own kit full of connectors and even a windscreen cover, you truly understand what a special product this is.

7. Hotec UHF Wireless Headset Microphone – Best Wireless

What’s better than a simple lavalier microphone? A lavalier microphone that’s wireless of course! The Hotec UHF Wireless is the best wireless microphone you’ll find for the iPad, which is just as well since you now won’t have to carry your iPad on your person when recording. 

And thanks to the dedicated wireless receiver modules, you don’t have to worry about loss in audio quality when recording; as long as you’re in range, you’ll experience no drops in audio quality throughout your recording sessions.

The only qualm we have is that this product is significantly more expensive than the Purple Panda lavalier microphone. If it weren’t for the higher price, we’d definitely be recommending the Hotec UHF wireless microphone higher on our list.

8. MAONO AU-303 Dual Omnidirectional Condenser Lapel Mic – Best microphone for interviews

Recording an interview with someone can be stressful for both the interviewer and interviewee and having to constantly pass a microphone back and forth in between doesn’t do much to ease the tension. Or if you’re performing a duet with someone, it can get pretty awkward if both of you are leaning super close on the same microphone.

In cases like these, it’s best to have a dual-microphone system, and the MAONO AU-303 is the most convenient iPad microphone to help you do just that. How? The microphone wire hosts a headphone jack itself allowing you to plug in a second microphone for your guest. 

And the fact that you aren’t even restricted to using the already provided second lavalier mic (can plug-in compatible microphone with ease), makes this a truly special product indeed.

9. MODAR Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone – Best for Karaoke

There’s no denying that Karaoke is a pretty fun party game, and even people who can’t really sing can still have a great time participating. But how do you up the fun a notch? By using a microphone that was designed specifically for fun times like these obviously!

Enter the MODAR Bluetooth Karaoke microphone. It may not be a high-quality studio grade microphone, but with its sleek design, light-up speakers, and decent audio quality, it’s still one hell of a party starter! It’s even built sturdy, meaning it can totally handle being tossed around from one corner of the room to the other. 

Best of all, the MODAR microphone is fully compatible with all Bluetooth devices and works with all popular karaoke apps. Which is great, because who wants to go through a tedious setup just to have some fun?

10. Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone – Best Dynamic

When it comes to dynamic microphones, few products can match the quality of sound the Shure SM58-LC can, and none can match the stellar build quality and materials on this product. Simply put, the Shure SM58-LC is the best Dynamic microphone out there.

Dynamic microphones have a considerable advantage over condenser microphones in noisy stage environments, so if that’s something you’re looking for, the Shure SM58-LC is the way to go.

We must, however, point out that you’ll be needing an XLR to the lightning port adapter to be able to run this microphone on your iPad. Highly inconvenient, but if you really need a dynamic microphone for your iPad, then we’re afraid this is more or less your only choice.

iPad Microphones Buyer’s Guide

Step 1: Determine what you need the microphone for

Before you can go about selecting the best microphone for you, you need to be clear what you need the microphone for. You probably already do have an idea of why you want a microphone, but it’s best to be as clear as you can at this phase. 

For example, do you need a microphone just for recording your vocals, or do you need it to pick up instruments too? Or do you intend to use the microphone in an enclosed studio environment, or in loud, bustling outdoor environments? Or perhaps you need something that’s extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of cases?

Ask yourself these questions and more, and even look into the what other people in your position are using; remember, the better an idea you have of your use case, the higher the chance you’ll be able to find something closely suiting your needs.

Step 2: Choosing the right features for your microphone

Now that you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, here’s how it translates into the features these microphones have:

Here are the 5 things to keep in mind when buying a microphone for your iPad:

1 – Condenser vs. Dynamic microphones

There are two types of microphones available commercially: Condenser and Dynamic microphones. Both types have certain advantages that make one favorable to use over the other, given your use case.

Condenser microphones are especially suitable for use in quiet, indoor environments. This is mostly thanks to their high sensitivity and better frequency range, making their sound quality top-notch and are thus the standard in recording studios.

Condenser microphones, however, don’t fare so well in noisy, outdoor environments, with their high sensitivity to noise and fragility being the key reasons for this. This is where Dynamic microphones shine, with a decreased sensitivity and higher durability making them ideal for situations like a live-stage performance.

Dynamic microphones are cheaper than their counterparts too and don’t even require a phantom power source to operate either. However, don’t expect the same quality of sound from a dynamic microphone as a condenser one; it just won’t happen.

2 – Polar patterns

A microphone’s polar pattern, or better known as its directionality, basically defines the direction respective to the microphone from which it picks up sound. Here’s a quick guide for all the directionality types and what situations they work well in:

• Unidirectional: Picks up sound from a single direction, usually the front face of the microphone. Popular for voice recording by a single person.
• Bidirectional: Picks up sound from two opposing directions. Useful when performing a duet, for example.
• Omnidirectional: Picks up sound from all directions. Optimal for recording sounds from a choir or an entire room.

Again, remember to pick out one that best suits your needs. Though going for an omnidirectional microphone might be a good choice if you want something versatile. Just be sure to use it in a quiet indoor environment for recording vocals, though.

3 – Jack and adaptors

What with all the fuss surrounding Apple’s decision to do away with the headphone jack way back in 2016, I don’t really need to tell you to be ready for some port-related drama when buying a microphone for your iPad.

If you’re on an older model, you won’t necessarily be troubled by this, since you’d be able to use microphones both with lightning connectors and 3.5mm jacks. However, if you’re on the newer iPad versions, you’ll probably have to invest in an adaptor to be able to use microphones that have a jack interface.

And speaking of adaptors, you don’t necessarily have to buy a microphone that’s designed for use with iOS either. In fact, almost any microphone setup can (theoretically) work with your iPad, so long as you have an iOS audio interface/adaptor ready by your side. 

4 – Wire length

While this may seem like a trivial matter, in reality, the length of the wire on your microphone has a huge impact on how you’re able to use it in the end. And there’s a lot of choices here too, from microphone attachments that simply plug in and stick on top of your iPad, to longer wired ones, to even a couple of wireless ones on the market too.

Generally speaking, the longer the wire on your microphone, the easier it’ll be for you to use it physically since you’ll have more options on how to set it up or carry it around. Setting up your microphone properly can have a huge difference in the sound quality after all, so it’s best to go for something that gives you as much freedom as you need.

That being said, if you really have no need for long wires or wireless models, then the smaller attachable microphones would do just fine too.

5 – Materials

Last but not least, you need to be wary of the materials your microphone is made of. It goes without saying that the better the quality of the materials used to make the microphone, the better sound quality it’ll have. 

And as for durability, you need not absolutely look for something that’s made of metal; a decent grade of plastic will do just fine too. Though if you’re not the most careful person out there, or if you really can’t help your microphone getting bumped around here and there, invest in something that can handle a decent amount of physical abuse just in case.

Step 3: Some essential accessories

Pop filter

You might have noticed all professional voice actors and vocalists have this soft foam ring in front of their mics every time they’re recording. That foam ring, as you may have well guessed, is a pop filter, an accessory designed specifically to normalize plosive sounds when recording vocals.

What are plosive sounds? To put in layman’s terms, plosive sounds are the ones you make by completely stopping the airflow from your mouth, like when saying the letters “p” or “b” (I can bet you’re trying to make these sounds right now :P). 

Why do you need to normalize plosive sounds? Because these sounds tend to be picked up higher than others when you’re speaking into a sensitive microphone up close. Which ends up causing your audio to be quite distorted and uncomfortable to hear, kind of like if someone keeps flicking their fingers on your headphones.

Besides, a pop filter is probably the cheapest microphone accessory you’ll ever have to buy. Well worth the investment, since it greatly reduces the annoying plosive sounds and increases the quality of your vocal recordings.

Microphone stand

Are you going to be doing long sessions of recording with your microphone on your iPad? Get a microphone stand. Seriously.

Thinking you can skip out on buying a microphone stand because you’ll be able to hold it steady for the entire recording sessions is a laughable prospect and one you’ll dearly come to regret 10 minutes into the recording. Just try it; if your arm isn’t screaming with pain within 20 minutes, I’ll eat my own head.

Besides, there’s no way you can hold your microphone steady for long periods of time, and a moving microphone can lead to some seriously choppy sound quality. 

So, just buy a microphone stand already, or a microphone that comes with its own. That way, you can relax your arm muscles and focus on working the muscles that actually matter when recording: your larynx (better known as your voice box).

Quality cables

While you don’t really have to worry about this for most good microphones that come with quality connecting cables, if you’re connecting a stand-alone microphone or using an iOS interface to link your microphone, ensuring you have quality cables is key.

Bad quality cables drastically reduce the quality of your audio, making it sound noisy and choppy, so investing in good cables might save you a lot of trouble in the long run after all.

Frequently Asked Questions