Saramonic SmartMic+ Lightweight Smartphone Mic 3.5mm/m Review: Is it Worth It?

Table of Contents

Introduction

In the world of smartphone videography, a good microphone can make all the difference. The Saramonic SmartMic+ is a compact and lightweight microphone designed to enhance audio quality for your mobile recordings. In this review, I’ll put the SmartMic+ through its paces, exploring its features, performance, and overall value.

Features

The Saramonic SmartMic+ boasts a number of features that aim to improve your smartphone audio:

  • Lightweight and Compact Design: Its small size and light weight make it easy to carry and use with your phone.
  • 3.5mm Input: The SmartMic+ connects to your smartphone using a standard 3.5mm jack, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.
  • Cardioid Polar Pattern: The cardioid pickup pattern focuses on the sound directly in front of the microphone, reducing unwanted background noise.
  • Anti-Shock Mount: The integrated anti-shock mount minimizes handling noise and vibration, ensuring clean audio recordings.
  • Windscreen Included: The included windscreen helps reduce wind noise, making it ideal for outdoor recordings.

Performance

I tested the Saramonic SmartMic+ in various recording scenarios, including:

  • Indoor Interviews: The SmartMic+ effectively captured clear and crisp audio, isolating the voice of the interviewee and minimizing room ambience.
  • Outdoor Vlogging: Even with moderate wind, the SmartMic+ paired with the windscreen provided decent audio quality. However, in very windy conditions, some wind noise was still noticeable.
  • Music Recording: While the SmartMic+ is not designed specifically for music recording, it delivered decent results when used with instruments like acoustic guitars.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Affordable price
  • Good audio quality for spoken word recordings
  • Effective wind protection (with windscreen)

Cons:

  • May not be ideal for recording in very windy conditions
  • Limited features compared to more advanced microphones

Final Verdict

The Saramonic SmartMic+ is a solid option for smartphone users looking to improve audio quality for their videos and recordings. Its compact design, affordability, and decent audio performance make it a good value for money. While it may not be the most feature-rich microphone on the market, it delivers reliable results for most everyday recording needs.

Specifications