DJI Mic Mini review

When it comes to content creation, having a quality audio recording can make or break your video. Following the success of the DJI Mic and the DJI Mic 2, the DJI Mic Mini has arrived. Offering a similar dual-transmitter, all-in-one charging case design, is the Mic Mini the new go-to mic system for your next streaming session or vlog through the woods? Let’s see if the latest offering from DJI is up to the task in this DJI Mic Mini review.

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the DJI Mic Mini?

Like the DJI Mic 2, the new Mic Mini and its components are stored in a latched charging case. It’s not much smaller than the Mic 2 case and made out of plastic, compared to the Mic 2’s all-metal design. This is the first sign that the Mic Mini is a more budget-friendly option, but it still feels pretty good in the hand. Inside, there is enough room for the two transmitters, receiver, and a pair of windscreens, which you can leave attached to the transmitters without issue. DJI also includes a soft carrying bag, an extra set of windscreens, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.

The transmitters are much smaller and lighter than those included with the Mic 2 but still feature omnidirectional microphones. They also still include the handy magnet attachment for various discreet placement options on a shirt or jacket. Unfortunately, its smaller size comes with a compromise. The Mic Mini transmitters do not offer any internal recording as a backup. If you experience any signal interruptions while recording, the take you get is the take you’ll have to use. The Mic Mini does, however, now feature “Auto Limiting,” which will automatically prevent your audio from clipping, which is one less thing to worry about.

The receiver is also bare-bones. It still offers a cold shoe mount and 3.5 audio jack for use with a camera and a USB-C adaptor for use with a phone, but it does not provide the touchscreen display and wheel control you find on the Mic 2 receiver. It also does not have a 3.5mm audio out for headphone monitoring. That said, the transmitters can connect to your phone or device directly via Bluetooth for use with the DJI Mimo, third-party video app, or any current DJI Osmo device, meaning you can forgo the use of the receiver altogether, depending on your setup.

How do you control the DJI Mic Mini?

The DJI Mic Mini offers some physical controls, but fewer than you’ll find on the Mic 2. However, some of them are dual-purpose. Each transmitter contains a physical power button and a link button to establish a connection with the receiver. When you’re ready to start recording, quickly pressing the link button while using the DJI Mimo app, for example, will activate both audio and video recording.

The power button also has a second function. A quick press button will cycle through your two noise canceling modes: strong and basic. You can also adjust these settings via the DJI Mimo app, but it’s worth noting that if you’re not using the receiver and have a transmitter connected to your device via Bluetooth, your noise canceling setting will automatically default to strong.

Lastly, the receiver contains a physical power button, a link button, and a manual input gain wheel, which increases or decreases the input signal in + or—6db increments. Since the receiver doesn’t provide an input meter, you’ll need to monitor your signal levels via the DJI Mimo app. Fortunately, thanks to the new Auto Limiting feature, you shouldn’t have to worry about distortion or clipping.

How does the DJI Mic Mini connect?

The DJI Mic Mini connects to your device or laptop via USB-C or Bluetooth 5.3 for use with the DJI Mimo or any third party- filming apps. The Mic Mini is also designed to work seamlessly via Bluetooth with existing DJI Osmo products, like the Osmo series gimbals. If you’re using a camera, DJI provides a 3.5mm TRS cable for a wired connection.

How does the DJI Mic Mini sound?

I ran some tests with the DJI Mic Mini in a few different environments, both indoor and outdoor; check out our video below to hear the results:

Note: All tests were performed using the Mic Mini receiver, an ASUS Zenfone 10 phone, and the DJI Mimo app for video.

Using the DJI Mic Mini instead of my phone’s microphone is a night and day difference. Once connected, my voice is clear, loud, and upfront. While it undoubtedly improves the sound quality in our indoor testing at SoundGuy’s HQ, you can still hear a bit of natural room reverb on my voice. Once outside, again, there is a massive improvement. We discover that engaging the noise canceling doesn’t completely suppress all the sounds of a busy city environment; you can still hear an emergency siren as it passes in the distance. That said, it does a decent job at reducing the steady low-end rumble of city noise, ensuring people will hear your voice mostly distraction-free.

Lastly, in my distance test, at the 2:20 mark, you can hear some signal interruptions as I move, although the signal regains strength once I stop walking. As mentioned in the video, DJI advertises a transmission range of 400ft, but this really depends on your surroundings. A distance test in a vast open park may yield different results, but if you’re creating most of your content in city environments, you need to stay aware of these limitations. Without the transmitters offering an internal recording, there is no way to recover any compromised audio when this happens.

Should you buy the DJI Mic Mini?

While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as the more expensive options in the DJI lineup, if you’re a casual content creator on a budget, or you’re using existing DJI products like the Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, or Osmo Pocket 3, the DJI Mic Mini is a safe buy to help capture a quality audio recording of your voice. It’s compact, offers stereo recording for interviews, and thanks to the charging case, it will always be ready when you are.

However, suppose you often create content in the heat of battle, conduct interviews at trade shows, or are a professional videographer. In that case, you may want to consider saving your pennies for the more expensive alternatives. The premium alternatives listed below come with a variety of safety features, ensuring you never lose a take.

What should you get instead of the DJI Mic Mini?

In roughly the same price range as the DJI Mic Mini, you can check out the Hollyland Lark M2. ($111 at Amazon) It offers a similar dual transmitter design in a lightweight package and universal compatibility with smartphones and cameras, not to mention roughly the same battery life as the Mic Mini. The Rode Wireless Micro ($149 at Amazon) is also worth a look if you’re on a budget. However, its receiver only offers a USB-C connection. The Wireless Micro is not compatible with older iPhones that use lighting connection or cameras that require a 3.5mm cable connection for audio.

As far as premium alternatives are concerned, if you’re keen on more visual control over your inputs and settings, or perhaps you want to make sure you can recover any compromised audio, you might want to consider shelling out for the DJI Mic 2. ($349 at Amazon) Check out our video above to learn about its valuable safety features.

Another unit to consider that offers a similar dual-channel, all-in-one design is the Rode Wireless Pro. ($499 at Amazon) You still get a charging case, magnetic transmitter attachments, and universal compatibility, but the Rode Wireless Pro offers “Intelligent GainAssist.” When enabled, it will automatically adjust your levels on the fly. Each transmitter also comes with 32GB of internal storage, 4x the amount provided on the DJI MIC 2.

Frequently asked questions