Rode SmartLav+ Review
Lavalier Microphone for Smartphones
- Low-Profile Lapel Mic
- For ENG, EFP & Vlogging
- Compatible with Built-In Mobile Apps
- Broadcast-Quality Audio Capture
- Windshield, Clip & Durable Cable
- Omni Polar Pattern for Fuller Pickup
- Tailor Made for RODE Reporter APP
- Powered via Phone over TRRS Jack
- App Allows Recording Media
- App Available for iOS
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 140,312 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode SmartLav+. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode SmartLav+. For example, 76% of 61,188 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Rode SmartLav+ have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 21 to 40 of 244 Reviews
Perfect for the Rookie
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
As someone new to the Audio/Video world, this was a great product for me to start with. The sound quality is fantastic and it's so simple to use with a phone. I didn't have to worry about the learning curve associated with aligning the audio and video, just upload and splice together in your video editor. I've found over time that it's not just an introductory product, lots of video makers love this product too and we found that we too had no need to upgrade our mic system at all. Overall, couldn't have chose a better product to start with! ... More
Its OK
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Beware if you have an iPhone 6. Rarely does it work on the 6 or 6 plus. They dont tell you this, all this say is that it's compatabile with iphones and ipods.
Excellent tool for high school media arts students
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by mediateacher on B&H Photo Video
I teach a media arts program in a public high school. When choosing equipment I need to select 'bomb proof' products that hold up to a lot of use. This external microphone is performing very well. Ease of use = 5 stars. Plug and play. Convenience = 4 stars. It works with any smart phone. Only draw back is the chord should be longer. I purchased the extension chords (20ft) with them, but it's overkill. A slightly longer chord on this one would suffice. Effective capture of sound = 5 stars. While it does not purport to be a directional microphone, the sound captured is very high quality and specific. Great value for money. ... More
Impressive sound quality and wind rejection
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Andrew on B&H Photo Video
I have wanted this mic since it's introduction. I finally buckled down and bought one. So glad I did. The sound quality I get on my iPad Pro with this mic is supreme! With the RODE SC1 20' extension cable I can get a good distance from my iPad in the studio or in the field and keep my audio really close. What I found most impressive was this mics ability to reject wind noise. Check out my test video with wind gusts of 20-30 miles per hour. The audio is un-altered, straight off the mic.
Works better than cameras internal mic, but issues
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Dania on B&H Photo Video
I wanted to do a video interview with someone using my iPhone. I thought the Rode SmartLav mic would work, and it did give better quality than the internal iPhone mic. Unfortunately I didnt realize that I wouldnt be able to utilize the Rode app while shooting video. You either need a second phone to record the Lav audio (and then sync it in editing) or use something like Filmic Pro. That means you get cleaner, clearer audio with this SmartLav, but it also picks up more of the room noise than I thought it would. You also cant monitor audio or adjust gain, which is unfortunate. This isnt Rodes fault. Perhaps in further iPhone models youll be able to do this. Im looking into getting a second used phone to use for next time. ... More
Ads
easy to use versatile mic
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Shea on B&H Photo Video
This is the first lav mic I've purchased. I'm sure more money could get you a wider sound range, but if all you need is to improve your current set up, (like I did since I only had a shotgun mic), this is a great piece of kit for interviews and talking head bits of video. While it will work in a phone, I actually used an extension cable and plugged it directly into my camera. Be aware that many video recorders will require mics to have an external power source, which this does not have.
So far, perfect.
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Dillon Wall Creative Services on B&H Photo Video
So far I've been extremely impressed. Used it for two interviews so far, once running the audio into the Voice Recorder app on my iphone 5, and once running directly into Adobe Audition on my Macbook. Both times, the audio quality was excellent, without any glitches or mic-humming. Only thing that would make this mic better is a longer chord. But I've read that it works with a receiver, so that would be the obvious workaround. Well worth the low cost.
Works well
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Baltoshooter on B&H Photo Video
Got this for better audio recording while shooting video with my iPhone. It is noticeably better with less background noise than the on board mic.
Buy this mic
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Frederick on B&H Photo Video
If you are doing videos or live-streaming with you IPhone - get this mic!! The audio quality is nice and warm and really keeps the background noise out of the mix. I would strongly recommend getting the additional cable as the one the mic comes with is kind of short if you are any distance from your phone. Such a huge difference compared to iPhone audio - especially if you want to be further from your phone. Highly recommended- Awesome stuff.
Very hand Lav Mic
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by LTfilms on B&H Photo Video
This mic is great if you need something simple for on the go filming. I wanted a nice lav mic but didn't really want to have to always bring along a separate recorder since I shoot mostly on DSLR cameras. I like that this mic works with my iPhone. It's simple the app is easy to use. The sound quality is good. Compared to other lav mics I've use over the years the audio quality of the SmartLav is as good. Quality audio in a portable format, over all a nice lav mic. I'm happy with it.
Would not work with a phone with only USB-C connection
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Nathaniel on B&H Photo Video
I have a Moto Z Force phone with a USB-C connector. I purchased the SC3 adapter and I have a USB to 3.5mm adapter. I could not get this mic to work with my phone. I am not sure whether this is the phone or the mic but most likely it is the phone since this is specifically designed to work with a phone headset and I have to go through two adapters to get to USB-C. It seems to be well constructed and Rode has an excellent reputation therefore I am giving it 5 stars and letting you know that it won't likely work with a phone without a headset jack even with adapters. ... More
Easy Setup and Great Sound Quality
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by hai n. on B&H Photo Video
I have a tram tr50 lav mic with a tascam dr05 which is roughly a $ wired setup. The rode smart lav plus costed me $ bucks and I hooked it up to an old itouch3. After dropping both sound clips into adobe audition, I could not tell which mic set up had better quality. The rode smart lav plus provided me with a cost effective solution to get one more lav mic setup for my wedding cinematography business. Since most churches do not let me tap their sound system. I am able to mic up both the groom and priest now. ... More
Works Great! Finally.... CLEAR Audio!
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by TJay on B&H Photo Video
I use this lav mic with my Tascam DR-05 recorder. I had to purchase the Rode SC3 TRRS-TRS adapter in order for it to be compatible. Works perfectly. Gives me superb audio. Crystal clear. Mic has a lapel clip and it's plenty long enough for me to keep the recorder in my pocket while using. Very good price too!
WASTE OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Sonja on B&H Photo Video
This item is USELESS. It is supposed to record audio onto your phone. Only it stops the recording every ten seconds. I gave up and recorded the audio without the stupid microphone. Unfortunately i had already thrown the packaging away or i would have RETURNED THIS useless item. It clearly needs an external power source but is not set up to have one. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Great for new videographer...
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by James on B&H Photo Video
I'm just now beginning to get into creating YouTube videos and podcast. This microphone is definitely better for recording than my iPhone or iPhone headset. I wish the instructions showed you how to remove the plosives filter as I was trying to pull off the sponge part of the filter. I did not know it is glued to the little rubber base that slides over the mic. I can see myself using the smartLav a lot and love how compact it is. I will most like purchase a studio microphone someday.
It's cute, nicely made, and works great
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Olga on B&H Photo Video
I wanted to use it for the dictation while I am at home as well when I'm walking on the streets. Even on the noisiest streets I could make voice recordings very well. When I would try to use it for the speech to text apps, it would improve the quality of typing _very_ much if I was talking in the quiet room, but on the busy streets it will pick up many loud sounds, and app will type funny things in addition to what I'm saying. I use it with a Motorola phone.
Excellent Product!
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The audio pick up is outstanding. I used the microphone for (video) interviews as well as audio only interviews and in both instances it exceeded my expectations. Perhaps the cable could be a bit longer. Nevertheless, an excellent piece of kit for the serious iPhone videographer and/or interviewer.
Be smart and get this SmartLav+. Gamer changer my friend.
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by William on B&H Photo Video
Bro, get this mic. For the price...even for more than the price, this mic is really good. Rode makes solid gear and having the option to go to your smart phone or adapting to a TRS connection (SC3) for other recorders/preamps is a game changer. The free app for the iPhone is ok, but the full app is much better. Great sound, great price. (make sure to turn on line power on your other-than-smartphone recorders)
On a budget? Use this instead of a wireless system.
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Mike on B&H Photo Video
Pleasantly surprised with the sound quality, either directly into my iPhone or (with the SC3 adapter) into a field recorder. This wired lav plus an iPhone is much more cost effective and reliable than a wireless system, and likely delivers better sound quality.
Must have for Weddings
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Condenser Microphone for Smartphones with TRRS Connections
Reviewed by Nick on B&H Photo Video
I use this to mic up the groom or officiant during weddings. I downloaded an app called RecForge II Pro to work with my android phone. I put my phone on airplane mode and this has never failed me yet. I would purchase another one.
