DJI Mic 2: A solid choice for content creators seeking high-quality audio

DJI has expanded their compact wireless microphone offerings with the DJI Mic 2. Like the original DJI Mic, the Mic 2 combines microphone and transmitter into one unit. However, this new version comes with a few more bells and whistles, including intelligent noise canceling, Bluetooth connectivity, longer battery life and 32-bit float recording. Of course, these upgrades aren’t free. We tested out the DJI Mic 2 to see if these extra features are worth the extra cost.

Getting to know the DJI Mic 2

For this review, we tested the dual-transmitter option with a charging case and camera-mountable, two-channel receiver. The combo offers everything you need to record basic two-person interviews. With its simple setup, the Mic positions itself as a promising option for content creators and streamers. Pricing for this setup is $349.

The receiver

The DJI Mic 2 RX receiver connects to cameras as well as iOS and Android devices. The kit comes with a 3.5 mm camera audio cable as well as both a Type-C and a Lightning mobile phone adapter. That means the DJI Mic 2 comes ready to use with a wide variety of setups. The RX is light and compact enough to easily mount camera-top. It features a bright OLED display as well as a tactile dial for level adjustment. Plus, in addition to the main output, there is also a headphone out for audio monitoring.

All-in-one transmitters

Along with the receiver, the kit also comes with two TX clip-on transmitter/recorder microphones. These all-in-one units do not require a separate transmitter bodypack to work, and each TX can record up to 14 hours of audio internally.

The DJI Mic 2 kit offers windscreens for each microphone, but to take noise reduction even further, the mics also offer intelligent noise canceling to actively reduce background noise. Also new to the Mic 2 is 32-bit float internal recording. This gold standard in audio recording accommodates a much wider dynamic range, effectively preventing clipping and distortion from unexpected jumps in volume.

DJI promises the transmitters will work up to 820 feet away from the receiver, but we had a different experience. More on that later.

Battery and charging case

Each unit has built-in rechargeable batteries that last around six hours per charge. Paired with the charging case, the DJI Mic 2 can record in the field for up to 18 hours. It takes around an hour and 10 minutes to recharge the transmitters and receivers using the charging case. For the charging case itself, it takes around two hours and 40 minutes to charge up fully.

Testing

To test transmission distance and quality we walked from 0 to 300 feet with a direct line of sight. Then we walked and talked introducing cars between the transmitter and receiver to see how the signal was affected. Lastly, we walked to the other side of a building 300 feet away to see what significant obstacles would do to the signal.

The DJI Mic 2 system worked well with the transmitters up to 200 feet away. That’s not bad, but it’s a far cry from the promised 820 feet DJI claims. The system also struggled when anything came between the transmitter and receiver when past 125 feet. That includes even just the body of the subject, making it unreliable in certain situations. Our tests also revealed that the Mic 2 transmitters do not work at all when the receiver is not in the line of sight. Keep that in mind as you plan your shoots.

We also tested the optional lavalier microphone for this review. However, we found that the lav only makes the microphone more discrete. It doesn’t improve the sound quality.

Strengths and weaknesses

With tests concluded, there were a few strengths and weaknesses of the DJI Mic 2 that really stood out. First up, the DJI Mic 2 features 32-bit float internal recording in addition to the standard 24-bit recording. This is a great feature and one of the big upgrades from the original DJI Mic. 32-bit float recording allows you to capture dynamic scenes with unpredictable audio levels without having to ride the gain knob. The extra eight bits of amplitude information make room for sudden volume changes, meaning your audio won’t get clipped or distorted if your talent suddenly shifts from a whisper to a shout.

Another perk of the DJI Mic 2 is its six-hour battery life. With the charging case, the DJI Mic 2 can record for up to 18 hours, making it highly reliable for long recording sessions. We also like the receiver’s versatile connectivity options. In addition to support for 3.5 mm, USB-C and Lightning connections, Mic 2 can connect to a DJI Osmo Action 4, Osmo Pocket 3 or your mobile phone via Bluetooth.

However, this brings us to one of the system’s weaknesses — literally. Unfortunately, the Lightning adapter broke after only a few uses. Obviously, we would have liked to see a sturdier construction here.

Our only other complaint is that the large DJI logo on the transmitters can stand out in your scene. If you need a discreet microphone option, you might want to consider adding the optional DJI Lavalier to your setup.

Marketplace

Competing most directly with the DJI Mic 2 is the RØDE Wireless Pro wireless microphone system. Like the DJI Mic 2, the Wireless Pro offers compact all-in-one transmitter/recorder microphones capable of capturing 24-bit and 32-bit float audio. However, the Wireless Pro beats out the Mic 2 in terms of both battery life — seven hours — and record time — over 40 hours internally. The Rode system is also slightly more expensive at just under $400.

Final thoughts

The DJI Mic 2 offers several improvements over the original model, including 32-bit float recording, longer battery life and intelligent noise cancellation. However, its real-world performance falls short of DJI’s advertised range, and the fragility of the Lightning adapter raises concerns about durability. While the Mic 2 is a solid option for content creators with straightforward needs, its limitations and price point may make competitors like the RØDE Wireless Pro a more attractive choice for certain users. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual priorities and budget.

DJI Mic 2 2-person system

$349.00 at Amazon $349.00 at B&H Video

Strengths

• 32-bit float internal recording capability
• Up to six hours of battery life, with an additional 18 hours available via the charging case, making it highly reliable for long recording sessions​​
• Versatile connectivity options

Weaknesses

• The large DJI logo on the transmitters
• The Lightning adapter broke after a few uses

Tech specs