TechRadar Verdict
DJI appears hellbent on wiping out rivals in every market it's positioned in. Take the Mic Mini – it's half the size and half the price of its own Mic 2, which makes it a sensible alternative for content creators who primarily shoot with a phone, and takes on the smartphone-only Rode Wireless Micro with greater versatility, while only costing a fraction more. The Mic Mini is tiny, discreet, available in two colors, and is super-reliable, whatever device you're pairing it with, delivering high-quality audio with minimal fuss. Bang for buck, I can't think of a better wireless mic out there, and it's one that I would trust on shoots all day.
Pros
Tiny and super-reliable
Can be used with phones and cameras
Components can be purchased individually
Cons
-
Receiver sticks out when attached to a phone
-
No easy way to monitor audio levels
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Apple's Lightning adapter is a separate purchase
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DJI Mic Mini: one-minute review
You're hardly short of options if you're looking for a new wireless mic. My recent favorite is the DJI Mic 2, which is one of the best wireless mics on the market, boasting pro-quality features such as 32-bit float audio. However, for many content creators, especially those who shoot mostly with a smartphone, the Mic 2 is overkill. That's where the Bluetooth-equipped DJI Mic Mini steps in: it's a smaller, simpler and cheaper alternative, with the same DJI reliability that I've come to appreciate over years of using its devices.
The Mic Mini is positively tiny, weighing just 0.35oz / 10g (without magnet), and it pairs easily with smartphones and cameras for better quality audio on the fly. Oh, and it's half the price of the Mic 2.
Its natural rival is the recently announced Rode Wireless Micro; however Rode's new wireless mic is only for smartphones, whereas the Mic Mini can be used with cameras too, via its 3.5mm jack, which means it's more versatile. It's not a sweeping victory for the Mic Mini, though – if you're only going to shoot with a smartphone, the Rode Wireless Micro might be the better pick because its receiver is tiny and sits flush along the underside of your phone, whereas the Mic Mini's receiver sticks out awkwardly.
Audiophiles will probably prefer the Mic 2 over the Mic Mini too, not just for its pro audio quality with forgiving 32-bit float capability, but because the transmitters feature built-in storage and can be used independently, while you can monitor levels on the receiver's LCD touch display for peace of mind.
Having used all three of the above mics extensively, I would personally go for the Mic Mini. The audio quality from all three is fantastic, but for outright ease of use, value, reliability, and versatility for phones and cameras, it's the one that ticks all the boxes. DJI has created another trustworthy wireless mic; and trust me, reliability is an unsung attribute. I've ditched many other wireless mics for letting me down at crucial moments, leaving me without proper audio. I would have no such concerns with the Mic Mini, and it earns my five-star seal of approval.
DJI Mic Mini transmitter attached to clothing
The Mic Mini transmitters are tiny and discreet, much more so than the DJI Mic 2's. It's also available in white.(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
DJI Mic Mini: price and release date
$169 / £145 / AU$245 for the compete kit with 2x mics, receiver and charging case
Components available individually
Available now
DJI sells the Mic Mini components individually but also as a complete kit, whereas the Rode Wireless Micro is a complete kit only, and you need to select the USB-C or Lightning receiver version.
The Mic Mini transmitters (mics) are available in Infinity Black or Arctic White. One transmitter costs $59 / £49 / AU$69, a transmitter with receiver costs $89 / £79 / $AU125, while the complete kit, which includes two transmitters, a receiver and a charging case, costs $169 / £145 / AU$245. The complete kit is probably your best bet if you're starting from scratch.
The receiver is attached to a phone using a USB-C connector, but if you're using an iPhone with Lightning port you'll need to purchase the adapter separately for $19 / £19 / AU$39. When connecting to a camera, you use a 3.5mm jack instead.
The list price for the kit is similar to that of the Rode Wireless Micro, despite the Mic Mini's greater versatility – it's roughly $15 / £10 / AU$20 more than Rode's offering – while it's around half the price of DJI's Mic 2. I think it's excellent value.
DJI Mic Mini kit inside charging case on a wooden table
The complete kit includes the charging case, two transmitters, one receiver and a USB-C connector for the receiver. There are also windshields and USB-C cable in the box.(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
DJI Mic Mini: specs
Dimensions 26.55 x 26.06 x 15.96mm (L x W x H)
Weight 10g (transmitter, without magnet)
Range 400m
Connectivity Receiver: USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm jack
Bluetooth Yes
Battery 11.5 hours (transmitter), 10.5 hours (receiver), up to 48 hours with fully charged case
Noise cancelling Two-level, auto
DJI Mic Mini transmitter in the hand, wooden table background
Components can be bought separately; the transmitters by themselves, or a single transmitter with receiver (a small charging doc is included in absence of the charging case).(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
DJI Mic Mini: Design
Tiny, discreet and available in black or white
Easy clip or magnetic attachment
Receiver with manual audio levels gain, but no monitoring
The neat thing about DJI's Mic Mini is that there are several ways you can connect to your phone or camera, and several ways to buy; individual components, a mic and receiver kit, or the complete kit which contains two mics (with magnets), one receiver, a charging case, plus wind muffs for the mics.
I had the complete kit for this review with USB-C connector, though technically you only need a single mic to get going with the Mic Mini because it can connect to your phone via Bluetooth. For manual control of audio levels, plus the added stability and richer audio quality, I prefer connecting a phone to the mic through the Mic Mini receiver, rather than relying on Bluetooth.
The mics, also called transmitters, are tiny and easily droppable, but they attach easily to clothing using the built-in clip, or the magnetic mount, one half of which fixes to the back of the clip, with the other half going inside your jacket or similar – DJI knows how to make a powerful magnet with a reliable hold. If you want a discreet mic in your shots, you'll struggle to find a smaller alternative, plus you can buy the mics in black or white to blend in with clothing.
When using a camera, you can slot the receiver into the camera's hotshoe / coldshoe and then connect it using a 3.5mm jack (the cable is provided). The receiver is a good fit for cameras, but it is a little awkward with a phone when attached via the phone's USB-C / Lightning port, because it sticks out a lot and the connection feels a little loose (see image below).
The receiver is a simpler offering compared to the one you get with the Mic 2. It features a power button, pairing button, 3.5mm jack and a ±12db audio level dial. That's it. The Mic 2 receiver features a basic LCD touch display through which you can monitor audio levels for both mics and make more advanced audio adjustments. The bulkier Mic 2 transmitters also feature built-in storage, and can be used independently of your camera of choice, or used as a backup device.
DJI Mic Mini receiver connected to a phone
The receiver is a little clunky when attached to a phone. It's a better fit slotting into the hotshoe / coldshoe of a camera(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
DJI Mic Mini: Performance
Two-level noise reduction, and Automatic Limiting to prevent audio clipping
11.5 hours battery life (transmitter), 10.5 hours battery life (receiver)
Omnidirectional audio and up to 400m range
Where DJI's wireless mics differ here is that the pricier Mic 2 features 32-bit float audio that can more effectively avoid clipping when your audio suddenly gets loud, and internal storage for direct recording so that you can use it independently of a camera or as a backup, while its receiver features a display to let you monitor audio levels.
The Mic Mini is a much simpler device, with its receiver offering basic manual ±12db audio level control, but otherwise it's really for those who want the mic to capture excellent quality audio with minimal fuss.
I used the Mic Mini complete kit over several weeks and found it to be completely reliable and glitch-free, whatever phone or camera I paired it with. It's transmission range is rated up to 400m (with clear line of sight), which is plenty enough for any conceivable scenario – I've never been even close to that distance from my camera when recording audio wirelessly.
As for audio quality, I've recorded clips using a Bluetooth connection and the receiver in the quiet indoors, outside in the wind, and in noisy environments, and in general the Mic Mini captures clear audio in any of those scenarios. Vocals aren't quite as rich as with the Mic 2, but for 99% of people the difference won't be noticeable. You should also note that audio drops from 24-bit to 16-bit if you connect via Bluetooth, so there's not quite the same richness in vocal quality.
Having such relatively limited control over audio settings was a little disconcerting at first, especially compared to using the Mic 2, but the real plus to the Mic Mini is its sheer simplicity – you can rely on its connectivity and two-level noise reduction to do the job, including the one-touch denoise control when in particularly loud environments.
What I didn't do for this test was pair the Mic Mini kit with a DJI camera, such as the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – a top-rated vlogging camera – or the Osmo Action 5 Pro. Doing so affords additional benefits courtesy of the DJI ecosystem – for one, the cameras have a built-in receiver, so you only need a transmitter from the Mic Mini kit. I've previously paired the Mic 2 with the Osmo Pocket 3 and found the experience completely seamless, so if you're using a DJI camera it makes sense to opt for a DJI mic over rivals.
DJI Mic Mini kit on a wooden table
The transmitters have just a power and a pair buttons, while the receiver also includes a ±12db audio level control(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
Should I buy the DJI Mic Mini?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
DJI Mic Mini: also consider
Header Cell - Column 0 DJI Mic Mini Rode Wireless Micro DJI Mic 2
Dimension Transmitter: 26.6 x 26.1 x 16mm (L x W x H)Receiver: 46.5 x 29.6 x 19.3mm (L x W x H) Transmitter: 40 x 27 x 17mm (L x W x H)Receiver: 44 x 24 x 9mm (L x W x H) Transmitter: 46.1 x 31 x 21.8mm (L x W x H)Receiver: 54.2 x 28.4 x 22.5mm (L x W x H)
Weight 10g (transmitter, without magnet) 12g (transmitter, without magnet), 102g for the whole kit 28g (transmitter, without magnet)
Transmission range 400m 100m 250m
Connectivity Receiver: USB-C or Lightning, 3.5mm jack Receiver: USB-C or Lightning Receiver: USB-C, 3.5mm jack
Battery 11.5 hours (transmitter), 10.5 hours (receiver), up to 48 hours with fully charged case 7 hours, plus two additional charges from the fully charged case for a total of 21 hours 6 hours, plus two additional charges from the fully charged case for a total of 18 hours
Audio 24-bit (drops to 16-bit via Bluetooth) 24-bit 32-bit float, 24-bit
Noise cancelling Two-level, auto No AI
Bluetooth Yes No Yes
DJI Mic Mini transmitter attached to clothing
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
How I tested the DJI Mic Mini
Used for several months
Paired with cameras and smartphones
Used Bluetooth and receiver connection methods
I've been using the DJI Mic Mini on and off for months, both with mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and smartphones such as the Google Pixel 6. I've paired the Mic Mini to a phone using Bluetooth and via the receiver attached to my phone. I haven't used the Mic Mini with DJI cameras such as the Osmo Pocket 3 and Osmo Action 5 Pro (though I have used the Mic 2 with them), for which the compatibility is even easier given they both feature a built-in receiver.
I've made sure to test the mic in a range of environments: the quiet of indoors, in still outdoor conditions and in wind, and in noisy places too, with and without denoise applied. I've also been able to compare it directly to the Rode Wireless Micro which I was testing at the same time.
Cameras editor
Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other.