4 Cheap Gadgets That Can Upgrade Your Phone's Audio Recording

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The need for bulky camera setups and laborious post-processing has been removed since the video recording quality on phones has drastically improved since the inception of mobile phones, letting vloggers, musicians, and videographers alike record videos on their smartphones. While video quality has improved, smartphones still have a long way to go when it comes to audio recording quality.

Most flagship phones from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus have good audio recording, but fall short of the kind of quality that could give a video or sound recording a pro-level upgrade. Luckily, there are a lot of accessories that can take phone-based audio recording to the next level. Depending on your field of content creation, accessories such as smartphone-compatible microphones like the Boya Mini 2, adapters like the Røde AI-Micro pocket interface, and kits like the one from Godox can give content creators a noticeable improvement in sound quality.

There are some useful accessories every amateur podcaster should have if you're looking for some pro tips on getting set up for podcasting, but we researched four budget-friendly accessories around $100 that content creators can use to up their sound recording game significantly. Whether you are taking vlogging seriously now, recording your next beat, or recording walking interviews, our top four picks for audio recording accessories for your smartphone will have you covered.

If you're a vlogger or videographer looking for studio-grade audio quality with wireless connectivity, the Boya Mini 2 is one of the best budget-friendly external mics you can try. It comes in a compact size, not much larger than an average AirPods case and features a USB-C dongle that can be connected to newer iOS and Android phones, and two wireless microphones that can record sound independently. With a transmission distance of up to around 330 feet, it gives the creator the flexibility to record continuous sound from a distance while sounding crisp and clear throughout.

The Boya Mini 2 also features AI noise reduction and a battery life of about six hours per transmitter. Since this is a budget-friendly recording accessory, some caveats are worth noting. While the microphones can record from up to 300 feet away, turning out of direct line of sight of the dongle can result in some cutouts. The wind shielding also has limited effectiveness when the device is used in windy conditions, but the AI noise reduction should help on this count. The Boya Mini 2 is available on Amazon for $38.

For beginner vloggers looking to start out with a pre-packaged kit, the Godox Vlog Kit VK2-UC is a pretty good starting point to get you recording vlogs with better sound and lighting. The bundle comes with a portable mini tripod, smartphone clamp, LED light panel, and plug-and-play microphone. The microphone connects directly to your phone's USB-C port, and it also comes with an optional 3.5mm headphone jack for Android devices that still have one.

The VK2-UC kit also comes with a wind cap that you can use if recording in windy conditions. The kit's LED light panel is called a Video Light LED6Bi, and it has a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with a USB-C port, 10 brightness settings, and 10 color balance levels as well. It also comes with a removable light diffuser for users who want a softer glow. The Godox's Vlog Kit VK2-UC is available on Best Buy for just under $100.

If you're setting up to record a podcast, chances are that you're going to be looking to record two independent, higher-quality microphones at the same time on your phone. The Røde AI-Micro pocket interface can enable this functionality on your phone with ease. It has two 3.5mm input jacks that have auto-sense capability capable of distinguishing between TRS/TRRS microphones. A third output jack allows the videographer to monitor the combined input from both mic jacks with zero latency while recording.

The interface comes with sufficient cabling that's compatible with USB-A, USB-C, and even Lightning devices, making it suitable to use on just about any modern smartphone or tablet using iOS or Android. For additional features and to suit your needs, the pocket interface works with the Røde suite of apps, including Røde Central, Røde Connect, and Røde Reporter. The Røde AI-Micro pocket interface is available at Best Buy for $89.

For users who intend to record voice-overs or even vocal performances, the Røde NT-USB Mini is a great addition to a mobile recording setup. This microphone has great sound quality that you can get for just over $100. The Røde NT-USB Mini uses 48 kHz, 24-bit audio sampling, and for clearer audio, you can get a microphone cover or windscreen separately. The microphone comes with a single volume dial that you can press to activate its latency-free headphone monitoring mode, and turn it to adjust the volume — obviously. 

The Røde NT-USB Mini comes with a magnetic desk stand, but a higher mounting option is recommended for most people who prefer not to bend down to reach the mic. It can connect directly to most Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or Windows devices via a USB-C cable. If you're going to record podcasts, pair this mic with apps like Riverside or even Spotify for Creators to get your conversations recorded and ready for airing. There are a slew of great Android apps for making a podcast. iOS users who are getting their musical careers off the ground, meanwhile, should try the GarageBand app for recording and using studio tools to create music.

We chose our top four audio recording accessories with the intention of providing a variety of devices to achieve professional-level sound recording on your phone for general video recording, podcasting, and music-making. We wanted to make sure that these devices are compatible across iOS and Android (even if they need adapters), all coming in at around $100. We focused on recording devices for office/studio use, mobile uses like walking interviews, and accessories that take audio quality a step further. There are also some audio upgrades for your smartphone that can work if you want to upgrade your phone's audio in addition to its recording quality. 

While we presented two options from Røde, which does particularly well with budget audio devices of great quality, other brands like Hollyland, DJI, and Sennheiser should also be considered. Prices vary, and users should consult reviews carefully to make sure that these audio devices are compatible with their smartphones. Users also need to know that not all camera or social media apps support external microphones natively. Be sure to research your smartphone's camera app as well as any third-party or social media apps you intend to record with.