10 Best Lapel Microphones in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Sound Engineer

Jojo Ariola has been working as a front-of-house live sound engineer for almost 20 years. He also has trained several students regarding the field. He has worked with famous local bands, and he has also worked as a DJ in bars and clubs around the metro. He is the audio engineer for music videos of artists like Miguel Escueta and Leanne & Naara. Lastly, he is also a vendor of sound and lights system rentals.

Below are some of the best lapel microphones that you can get online! Don't forget to look at the information table of each product to make sure that you get one that fits your needs.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period** 

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in EC sites like Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particular order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

You might have seen news presenters or bloggers speaking to a tiny microphone clipped to their collars to improve the volume of their voice. Those are lapel microphones. They are usually weightless and allow users to be hands-free. Due to this convenience, they are heavily used in speaking engagements like teaching, hosting, and even in giving homilies in churches. 

Also known as lavaliers or lavalier microphones, lapel microphones work by picking up the sound from the source and sending it to a transmitter. In turn, the transmitter converts the audio signal to a receiver, which can be either a laptop or a camera recorder. Nowadays, you can even plug your lapel microphones into phones and DSLRs. 

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Get to know the lavalier mic types.
2. Check for compatibility with your existing devices.
3. Choose between wired or wireless microphones.
4. To get optimum mobility, check the battery and transmission range.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Lavaliers are categorized according to their pick-up pattern. The two most common types are directional and omnidirectional lavaliers. Read on to know the differences between the two.  

Directional lavaliers have a focused pick-up pattern. By reducing feedback and lowering crowd noise, directional microphones normally concentrate on only one sound source instead of also picking up the background noise. Also known as proximity lapel microphones, they emphasize the speaker's voice and are generally placed close to the speaker's mouth or chest. 

When looking for a mic that will give you an announcer feel, this type is an excellent choice, which is why it is a mainstay in the radio and broadcasting industry where the microphone has to be in close proximity to the speaker. This is also ideal for videos where you conduct outdoor interviews since it has great wind resistance while resisting ambient noise. 

Omnidirectional lapel microphones pick up noise from everywhere, regardless of distance. This means that they need not be as close to the source as the directional type. You can wear an omnidirectional lav around the ears, head, eyeglass frames, or hats, and it will still be able to pick up sounds. 

Otherwise known as transparent lavaliers, they produce a more natural sound, giving the audience an experience much like listening to a normal conversation. However, it might distract your listener with its characteristic pick-up pattern as it catches many surrounding sounds.

Are you plugging the mic into a headphone jack or will you need a dongle or adapter cable? The hardware and/or software combination should be one of your topmost considerations when selecting a lavalier. 

A mismatch leads to the microphone not working. You must check the compatibility of your lapel microphone with your other video production devices, such as phones and DSLRs, to name a few. 

For phones, check for those which allow for a hands-free operation. For your DSLRs, take note of the microphone inputs as well, as these often differ in size from those of professional video cameras. To be safe, choose lapel microphones specifically made for DSLRs.  

Lapel mics are available in wired and wireless models. Take a closer look at the pros and cons for each type to determine which one is best for your needs.

Mobility is one of the obvious reasons for choosing a wireless lapel microphone. If mobility affects your overall video production and creates unnecessary fuzz for you and your actor, then get a wireless one by all means. For outdoor use, check if the wireless lavs are waterproof or at least water-resistant, as electronics are naturally vulnerable to water and humidity. 

You may invest in an IPX7 or IPX8 rating microphone that can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as an into-the-jungle coverage or an open-air concert while it's drizzling. An IPX rating means that the object is dust-, weather-, or water-resistant. The level of protection ranges from 0 to 8, with level 8 being the highest. 

An IPX7 rating indicates that the lapel mic has complete protection against water submersion up to a depth of 1 meter. Also check the frequencies that the wireless lapels are using in order to avoid RF interference.

The reliability of wired lapel mics lies in the fact that there is enough stability and battery life to get you through your conference, video production, or lecture. Besides being reliable, it is more cost-efficient than the wireless ones and maintains a consistent sound quality through your video recording and other long-term live streaming.

Keep in mind that the length of the wire cable should be appropriate for specific activities. For instance, wire cables for news reporting should be at least 79 inches, which is more than enough for close distance interviews. 

In very unpredictable events, such as event videography, where mobility is key, wireless lapel microphones take less time to set up, and you can walk freely with no worries about the length of your wire cable. However, it's common to have battery issues with the wireless type, as it runs down very fast compared to the wired counterpart. Aside from this, a high-powered wireless lavalier can be quite expensive.

Wireless lapel microphones work at an operating distance. The transmission distance is normally defined by the power of the transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver. Some manufacturers provide a "typical" range instead of quoting a specific maximum distance operation. Operating ranges may vary from within 100 feet (30 meters) to 1000 feet (300 meters).

Working from home may have given you the idea of creating content on the side, with all the time you save from staying home and not commuting. Now that you have your dream lavalier in mind, here's Sidney Diongzon for tips on how to actually use your lapel mic and make the most out of it. 

1. Since most lavaliers come with a clip, make a loop that allows the wire to be hidden under the shirt. This also prevents tension on the shirt.
2. The rule of thumb is to place the lapel mic above the nipple line and under the chin. You may also hide the mic under the collar with the use of some gaff tape. 
3. Fold the gaff tape into a triangle and leave a space for clipping the mic into the tape. Attach the tape under your collar.
4. If the person you are filming has long hair or wears a cap, you can hide the mic underneath the hair or under the cap.

While you may be fiddling with the idea of becoming a vlogger, it won't hurt to think of adding these items to your own personal space. With these suggested items, you can create not just online content for your future followers, but your own personal mementos. 

Most vloggers will attest that having poor video resolution quality is forgivable, but poor sound quality is an utter no-no. Now that you have ideas on which lapel microphones to bet your money on, start or continue creating content that stems from the heart. Share your thoughts with us on our Instagram and Facebook page!

Author: Aibel Ugay

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.