Last updated on November 2nd, 2022 at 10:29 am
The best thing about the advancement of technology is the abundance of various products available on the market at affordable prices. Who would have thought that it would be possible to buy the best wireless microphone under 100$? Well, it is possible now!
[wptb id="4571" not found ]In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know to find the perfect affordable mic that fits in your price range.
How to Choose the Best Wireless Microphone under 100$
Picking the right microphone that suits you the best would require you to have some knowledge of what to look for in a wireless microphone. The following are some things that you should always consider before buying a microphone.
Operating Range
Whenever we talk about any wireless device, the range at which it can operate is very crucial. The same is the case with wireless microphones. You buy a wireless microphone so that you can move around freely. Therefore, there is no use of a wireless microphone if you have to restrict yourself to a small area.
A minimum operating range must be 1,000 feet. Microphones that have a short operating range are usually prone to interference problems. The recommended range for a wireless microphone is twice as much as you think you need.
Usually, the UHF microphone systems have a wider operating range as compared to VHF systems.
Frequency
The frequency range at which the microphone falls is the most important factor in a wireless microphone. UHF (Ultra high frequency) that ranges between 300Mhz to 3Ghz has been the standard for a wireless microphone. Microphones that fall in between 470Mhz to 548Mhz are usually the best in terms of performance.
Reliability
The reliability of a microphone is another important factor that one should look for. Cheap microphones have many reliability issues, especially with their components. So, to find a reliable mic, look out for the ones that are low-dropout, low-noise, and low-static.
Noise reduction
All microphones don’t use the same type of noise reduction. Some noise reduction operates poorly and produces pumping noise which turns out to be very irritating for the listeners.
Digital vs Analog
There are usually two types of wireless systems that are analog and digital. Digital wireless mics provide a high-quality, natural sound as compared to analog mics. The quality is better because they transmit a signal that provides a full dynamic range of voice.
In comparison to digital mics, the analog mics squeeze the entire range of frequency into a narrower range.
Another advantage that a digital mic has over analog mic is the longer battery life. The digital mics have at least 40% more battery life as compared to analog mics. Providing these benefits, digital mics are a bit expensive as compared to analog mics.
Wireless Microphone Features
Following are the additional features that you should look for in a wireless microphone:
- Separate Mute and Power Switches
To avoid unnecessary interference, having a different switch for mute and power is a must. In case of not having a separate mute button, you would be forced to turn off your transmission switch and your receiver will start picking signals from another system that is on the same frequency.
However, with the mute button, one can always mute the audio signals and keep the transmission switch on. In this way, the transmitter and the receiver will stay locked with each other, resulting in not providing room for any system to interfere in between.
- Antenna Diversity
Our advice is to look for a system that comes with two antennas. Single antenna systems are not the most reliable as they drop out easily. Two antennas make sure that even if one drops out the other takes care of the operations.
- Rechargeable Batteries
Modern wireless mics have replaced the normal batteries with rechargeable batteries that save a lot of money. The quality of the batteries is key. Look for the batteries that take less time to charge and provide longer life.
List of top 7 best wireless microphones under 100
1. Sound Town 200- best wireless microphone under 100$
Key features:
- Operating range: 300 feet
- Item weight:84 pounds
This is a highly rated wireless microphone that comes with a frequency UHF ranging between 530-580 Mhz. Due to its high-frequency range, it is less likely to face interference from outside. It contains two channels and each channel contains 100 frequencies.
To provide professional use, its receiver comes with two output options that are XLR and 1/4” mix out. Setting up this product with a home receiver, PA speaker, or mixer, is very easy. It comes with an LED display, 2 detachable antennas, and independent volume controls.
If you are looking to achieve a high sound quality, its crystal oscillation stabilizes receiving and transmitting frequency that is a key for sound quality. It minimizes all the unnecessary noise with the help of it expanding-compressing technology
Despite having 2 antennas, users reported that it drops out frequently.
Pros
- Crystal oscillation stabilizes the frequency
- High sound quality
- 2 detachable antennas
- Expanding-compressing technology minimizes unnecessary noise
Cons
- Drops out frequently
2. Phenyx Pro PTV-1A – best budget wireless microphone
Key features:
- Operating range: 130-150ft
- Item weight:7 pounds
This affordable product belongs to the system of wireless devices that fall in Very High Frequency (VHF) range. The product is designed to achieve smooth sound transmission, which provides you with effective performance.
The operational range of the mic is between 130 to 150ft in open space. However, this mic will not provide the same range at places having a glass, metal block, and thick walls in between.
The product is very easy to operate as it comes with two separate channels for the two mikes provided. In addition to that, each mike offers individual volume control. Due to their plastic construction, the mics are lightweight and are very easy to carry.
Customers find the material of the product to be cheap. In addition to that, they also questioned the product’s durability by reviewing that it stopped working after a few months.
Pros
- Designed to achieve smooth sound transmission
- Each mike offers individual volume control
- Easy to operate
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Low-quality construction
- Un-durable
3. Innopow WM200- best low cost wireless microphone
Key features:
- Operating range: 200-240Ft
- Item weight:91 pounds
This highly-rated product, unlike other mics, is made of metal. This product provides you with a maximum battery life of 17 hours, which is more than enough. The operational range of the mic is between 180 to 240ft in open space.
To provide professional use, its receiver comes with two XLR outputs and one 1/4” mix output. The sound quality that the product offers is excellent. The product is suitable for use in any event like conferences, classrooms, small karaoke nights, birthday parties, weddings, etc.
The microphone is not made for professionals. Some customers reported that the microphone stopped working after a few uses.
Pros
- Offers battery life of 17 hours
- Comes with two XLR outputs
- Great sound quality
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Not made for professionals
- Microphone stopped working after a few uses
4. Kithouse K380A – best wireless mic system
Key features:
- Operating range: 50ft Indoor; 100ft Outdoor
- Item weight:15 pounds
The product comes with a Bluetooth receiver that falls in an Ultra High-Frequency range. It is one of the cheapest in the list and still provides great ease of use. The product is best suited for casual use e.g. small karaoke night with friends and family.
The product offers 10 different frequency channels. These channel options allow you to switch from one channel to another, which helps you in avoiding signal interference. Moreover, the system’s receiver comes with a rechargeable battery that gives you a battery life of only 2.5 to 4 hours.
You don’t have to manually connect the microphone with the receiver. Once you turn on both, the microphone and the receiver, they automatically lock on to the same frequency. The operational range offered by the product is 50ft indoor and 100ft outdoor.
Although it has mostly good reviews, some users reported that the Bluetooth adapter that comes with the product has a poor connection. They also reported some durability issues with it.
Pros
- Affordable
- 10 different frequency channels
- Once on, the microphone and receiver automatically connect
Cons
- Bluetooth adapter has a poor connection
- Durability issues
5. NASUM UHF Dual – best cheap wireless microphone
Key features:
- Operating range: Up to 98ft
- Item weight:77 pounds
This affordable dual wireless microphone falls in the Ultra High-Frequency band. The receiver is made of metal which makes it quite durable. Furthermore, the receiver is lightly weighted which makes it easier to carry.
For minimizing unnecessary noise, the mics come with a sponge filter. This sponge makes sure that the quality of the sound is not compromised. Moreover, the mics have a unidirectional polar pattern that receives only the voice that is coming from the front, while ignoring all other noises.
The receiver offers individual volume control for each mic which proves to be very handy. In addition to that, the system also offers speakers, amplifiers, or mixer connectivity. It provides an operational range of up to 98ft.
Some customers faced issues with it not working in the outdoors. So, its better to not use it in outdoor functions.
Pros
- the receiver is made up of metal
- sponge filter
- unidirectional polar pattern
- offers individual volume control
Cons
- The product has issues working in the outdoors
- Unreliable
6. Fifine UHF Dual – professional wireless microphone
Key features:
- Operating range: 80 Feet
- Item weight:89 pounds
This system belongs to one of the most highly rated products under the 100$ price range. It comes with two microphones that fall in Ultra High-Frequency range. Through its interference rejection technique, the system ensures that the mics don’t drop out on crucial occasions.
The system operates in about 80 feet diameter. Despite coming with two microphones, it provides an option of a third microphone as well. We would advise you to directly plug it into the mixer to avoid low-end sounds.
You can mix the music signal and mic signal without needing a mixer with the help of its adjustable echo effect. The system is quite compact and occupies lesser space, which makes it ideal for taking it on the go.
Some reviewers reported that it worked excellently for a few months and then suddenly stopped working. In addition to that, they reported that the sound kept cutting when using both the microphones simultaneously.
Pros
- Comes with interference rejection technique
- Provides with an option of the third microphone
- Offers adjustable echo effect
- Compact
Cons
- Un-durable
- Sound cuts while using both microphones simultaneously
7. TONOR UHF Dual – best wireless vocal microphone
Key features:
- Operating range: 200ft
- Item weight: 3.64 pounds
This highly-rated product offers 15 different frequencies per mic. These channel options allow you to switch from one channel to another, which helps you in avoiding signal interference. Moreover, it can stay operational in a diameter of 60 m.
This microphone has a metal construction with a steel mesh grille, which is quite sturdy and makes it one of the most durable products on the market. The system’s receiver offers individual volume control for each mic which helps in adjusting the volume according to the situation.
When you turn on both microphone and the receiver, they automatically lock on to the same frequency. Once locked, the microphone provides you with great sound quality. With the help of its cardioid dynamic capsule, the mic focuses only on one voice while eliminating all the other sounds.
The microphone is not compatible with mobile phones, tablets, or laptops. Customers reviewed that it doesn’t come with proper instructions on how to set-up the product.
Pros
- 15 different frequencies per mic
- Mics have a metal construction with a steel mesh grille
- Offers individual volume control for each mic
- Offers great sound quality
Cons
- The microphone is not compatible with mobile phones, tablets or laptops
- The system doesn’t come with proper instructions on how to set it up.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options available in the market. There are options in 50$ range too but customers reported a lot of durability issues with them. We would advise you to spend a little more and buy wireless mics that are around 100$.
We have provided you with everything you needed to buy the perfect wireless mic. Now it is up to you to decide which mic suits you the best.
FAQs
1. What is the recommended operational range of a wireless mic?
A minimum operating range must be 1,000 feet. Microphones that have a short operating range are usually prone to interference problems. The recommended range for a wireless microphone is twice as much as you think you need.
2. What are the benefits of a dual antenna wireless system?
Two antennas make sure that even if one drops out the other remains functional.
3. What are the benefits of separate power and mute switches in a wireless system?
In case of not having a separate mute button, you would be forced to turn off your transmission switch. As a result, your receiver will start picking signals from another system that is on the same frequency which could cause interference problems. Separate power and mute switches ensure you never face such a problem.
4. What is an ideal frequency range for a wireless microphone?
UHF (Ultra high frequency) that ranges between 300Mhz to 3Ghz has been the standard for a wireless microphone. Microphones that fall in between 470Mhz to 548Mhz are usually the best in terms of performance.
5. Which of the two provide better sound quality? Analog mics or digital mics?
Digital wireless mics provide a higher quality, natural sound as compared to analog mics. The quality is better because they transmit a signal that provides a full dynamic range of voice.
6. What are the things that ensure the reliability of a wireless mic?
To find a reliable mic, look out for the ones that are low-dropout, low-noise, and low-static.
