The Best Cheap USB Lavalier Microphones

Author: Tosh Lubek Published: 4th October 2023

Lavalier microphones, which are often referred to as Lapel, Lav, or Clip mics, are frequently used by content creators, presenters, remote workers, as well as others where clear audio is required while keeping the microphone discrete or hidden. Wired lavalier mics can be inexpensive and enhance the audio quality of recordings.

In this blog post, I’ve selected the three best budget-friendly USB Lavalier microphones:

• FIFINE K053 USB Lavalier Microphone
• Purple Panda USB-C Lavalier Microphone
• MOVO LV1-USB Universal Lavalier USB Microphone

You can find others on Amazon or eBay, but FIFINE and MOVO are established and known brands in the budget microphone market. There is also a good USB Lavalier mic option from Purple Panda. Although I also own this mic, it is about twice the price of the MOVO and FIFINE USB Lavalier microphones. Nonetheless, the Purple Panada is also a good choice.

Both the MOVO and FIFINE mics provide a convenient and cost-effective way to improve your audio setup without breaking the bank. I’ll delve into their features, benefits, and versatility to help you decide which one suits your needs best.

Here are links to the best deals on Amazon.

BEST FOR COMPUTER

BEST FOR SMARTPHONE

BEST ZERO LATENCY MONITORING

MOVO LV1-USB-A

Purple Panda USB-C

FIFINE K053 USB-A

Movo LV1-USB Lavalier Microphone for Computer, Lapel Microphone for iPhone...

Purple Panda USB-C Lavalier Lapel Microphone - Professional Omnidirectional...

Fifine USB Lavalier Lapel Microphone, Clip-on Cardioid Condenser Computer...

Mic Capsule

Condenser

Condenser

Condenser

Polar Pattern

Omnidirectional

Omnidirectional

Cardioid

Connector Type

USB-A and 3.5mm TRRS/TRS

USB-C and 3.5mm TRRS

USB-A

Compatibility

PC, Mac, DSLR Camera, Audio Recorder

PC, Mac, and Smartphone (DSLR Camera and , Audio Recorder with TRRS to TRS adapter)

PC and Mac

$12.95

$29.99

$17.99

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

BEST FOR COMPUTER

MOVO LV1-USB-A

Movo LV1-USB Lavalier Microphone for Computer, Lapel Microphone for iPhone...

Mic Capsule

Condenser

Polar Pattern

Omnidirectional

Connector Type

USB-A and 3.5mm TRRS/TRS

Compatibility

PC, Mac, DSLR Camera, Audio Recorder

$12.95

Buy on Amazon

BEST FOR SMARTPHONE

Purple Panda USB-C

Purple Panda USB-C Lavalier Lapel Microphone - Professional Omnidirectional...

Mic Capsule

Condenser

Polar Pattern

Omnidirectional

Connector Type

USB-C and 3.5mm TRRS

Compatibility

PC, Mac, and Smartphone (DSLR Camera and , Audio Recorder with TRRS to TRS adapter)

$29.99

Buy on Amazon

BEST ZERO LATENCY MONITORING

FIFINE K053 USB-A

Fifine USB Lavalier Lapel Microphone, Clip-on Cardioid Condenser Computer...

Mic Capsule

Condenser

Polar Pattern

Cardioid

Connector Type

USB-A

Compatibility

PC and Mac

$17.99

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2024-03-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

FIFINE K053 USB Lavalier Microphone

The Fifine K053 is a unidirectional lavalier microphone that is connected directly, and permanently to a USB adapter.

The Fifine K053 uses a cardioid condenser microphone capsule which is about 12mm in diameter and 25mm long. It tapers at the base where the cable emerges.

The top of the mic includes a fine metal mesh grille that can be unscrewed, should it need cleaning. There is a mesh-covered interference slot on the side of the mic capsule, presumably to help make the microphone unidirectional. This can be a useful feature when recording where there is some background noise. But remember, condenser mics tend to be sensitive, even if directional. 

The cardioid polar pattern means this mic differs from most lavalier microphones, which tend to be omnidirectional. Being directional helps in rejecting background noise but be careful if you regularly move your head from side to side.

If you’re recording videos, streaming, or taking part in Zoom calls, this shouldn’t be a problem, since you’ll probably always face the camera or your computer screen.

This microphone does not need an internal battery since it will draw power from the USB port on your computer.

The microphone capsule is connected to the USB adapter by a 6ft (2m) cable. The adapter uses a USB-A type connector, and the mic is hardwired to the USB adapter. This is a shame since this means the microphone cannot be used with devices with 3.5mm jack inputs. The USB connector is also a little old-fashioned these days since it restricts the use of this mic to computers with USB-A ports. It’s not compatible with other devices like an Xbox and smartphone.

The Fifine K053 USB mic is Plug and Play, so your computer should recognize it as a USB Audio Device and set it up automatically. I didn’t have any problems on my Windows 11 PC, and I was able to use the microphone within seconds of plugging it in. 

The USB adapter includes a 3.5mm audio output socket for monitoring on headphones. You can hear yourself near latency-free, as well as listen to the output of your computer.

The adapter and mic capsule are connected by a thin plastic coated 2m (6.5ft). It’s flexible, so it’s easy to run under clothing if your laptop or desktop is close by (the cable is only 2m long).

A detachable foam windscreen and metal alligator clips are also included.

The foam windscreen has a fine texture and is about 2cm across and 2.5cm long. It fits snuggly onto the mic capsule and should not fall off accidentally. When I spoke directly into the end of the microphone from 6 inches, the foam windscreen did not stop voice pops. But at 8 inches the performance was much better. However, in normal use, the mic capsule will be clipped to a lapel or shirt, and therefore out of the way of direct wind blasts.

The mic holder on the metal alligator clip is plastic. This is a standard design used on many inexpensive Lavalier microphones. Be careful, I managed to snap the plastic holder from the Fifine microphone when I tried pulling the mic capsule off the alligator clip. If you need to remove the mic capsule, I suggest sliding it out of the clip rather than pulling it away.

FIFINE K053 USB Lavalier Microphone Pros and Cons

Movo LV1-USB Universal Lavalier USB Microphone

The MOVO LV1-USB is basically the well-known LV1 microphone (also sold as the BOYA BY-M1 and others) plus a compact 3.5mm analog audio to USB adapter.

The mic capsule on the MOVO LV1-USB microphone is smaller in diameter than the Fifine K053, measuring just over 8mm in diameter and 18mm long. The diameter is smaller near the base of the capsule due to the size of the alligator clip mic holder.

Sound enters the top of the mic capsule through a ring of 8 small holes and a slightly larger central hole. These are not covered with a metal mesh grille and there are no slots on the side of the capsule.

Unlike the Fifine K053, the MOVO LV1 microphone has an omnidirectional polar pattern, so picks up sound equality from all directions. This means you can mount the mic capsule facing downwards if necessary. This will help prevent voice pops while still picking up the sound of your voice.

The mic capsule is connected to a 3.5mm jack by a 20ft (6m) flexible cable. A metal battery pack is incorporated into the cable about 4ft (1.2m) from the mic capsule. This includes a two-position switch.

Sliding the switch to the red position turns the microphone off and reconfigures the 3.5mm jack for use with TRRS jacks used on older smartphones. Sliding the switch to the green position powers on the microphone and reconfigures the 3.5mm jack for use with TRS connectors, as found on DSLR cameras.    

A separate USB Audio Adapter is included. It has a USB-A connector on one side and two 3.5mm jack sockets on the other. One is for the microphone and the other is for headphones. Because the microphone and USB Audio Adapter are separate means this microphone is much more versatile. It is compatible with the USB port on Windows and Mac computers, but if the USB adapter is put aside, the LV1 microphone can also be used with DSLR/Mirrorless cameras and portable audio recorders.

The 20ft (6m) cable liberates you from sitting behind your laptop or desktop monitor. With so much cable you can freely move around, without having the expense of a wireless microphone. Unfortunately, the length of the cable can also be an issue since it can cause tangles and needs to be carefully put away after use.

A detachable foam windscreen and metal alligator clips are also included.

The foam windscreen will not stop voice pops when close to your mouth, but at 8 inches distance or more, it proves effective. Careful placement of the mic capsule can also help, for instance mounting it below your shirt or blouse will also cut wind blasts. 

As with the Fifine microphone, the mic holder on the metal alligator clip is plastic and easily snaps. My advice would be to attach the holder to the mic capsule and leave it there.

The MOVO LV1-USB microphone is plug-and-play, so easy to install. Plug the mic into the USB Audio Adapter and then connect the adapter to a USB-A port on your computer. The mic should be recognized as a USB Audio Device and your computer will set it up automatically. Just like the Fifine K053, I didn’t have any problems using the LV1 on my Windows 11 PC.

Unlike the Fifine microphone, the USB Audio Adapter that comes with the LV1 produces too much delay in your headphones. Trying to speak while hearing yourself slightly delayed will cause you problems, and the result is that you end up sounding as if you’re drunk.

The sound quality is good, with some warmth and none of the treble boost of the Fifine microphone. However, the output level is a little lower than the Fifine.

MOVO LV1-USB Lavalier Microphone Pros and Cons

Purple Panda USB-C Lavalier Lapel Microphone

Purple Panda was founded in Toronto, Canada in 2016. This USB Lavalier mic seems to be their standard Lav mic bundle with a USB-C to 3.5mm digital adapter.

The Purple Panda’s mic capsule is just over 20mm long and approximately 7mm wide. The end, which has seven holes in it, can be unscrewed to reveal the mic element. The middle of the microphone body has a couple of mesh-covered slots.

Like the MOVO LV1 microphone, this has an omnidirectional polar pattern and will pick up sound equality from all directions.

The microphone’s cable is 4.9ft (1.5m) but a 9.8ft (3m) extension cord is included, giving a total length of 14.7ft (4.5m). But if you also use the Y-Splitter you’ll get a little extra. It’s nice to have the option of a shorter or longer cable length depending on the recording situation.

The Purple Panda mic does not need an internal battery. However, this does mean that the output level is lower than the FIFINE and MOVO microphones.

I like the fact that this microphone uses the more modern USB type-C connector rather than the USB-A used by MOVO and FIFINE. The benefit is that as well as being compatible with your Windows or Mac computer, you can also record on smartphones with USB-C ports.

There’s no need to install anything when using the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. You can just plug the mic into the adapter and then insert the adapter into a USB-C port on your computer or phone.

The main downside is that the USB-C to 3.5mm digital adapter is a retro-fit onto the original Purple Panda Lavalier microphone. However, because the basic microphone uses a TRRS jack, if you get a cheap TRRS to TRS adapter, you’ll also be able to use the microphone with a DSLR/Mirrorless camera or portable audio recorder.

For wind and pop protection the Purple Panda comes with a foam windscreen and a furry or fuzzy cover. As expected, the foam windscreen is only partly effective, but the furry cover is very effective, even outdoors in a breeze. But make sure the furry windscreen is pulled down and covers the two slots on the side of the microphone, otherwise your recording will be spoiled by wind blasts.  

The included alligator mic clip is the same type as on the MOVO and FIFINE microphones, so the plastic mic holder can snap. That’s probably why there are two included with the microphone.

The fact that you need to use the Y-splitter cable to use headphones along with the mic is a little clunky. So far, I’ve not been able to successfully monitor myself in real time on my computer. But the company does say that “the Y-Splitter allows you to connect both your mic and headphones together into your smartphone or tablet”. So perhaps the splitter is specifically for use with mobile devices.

The audio quality is good and doesn’t have the treble boost of the Fifine microphone. However, when recording into Adobe Audition on my PC the output level peaked at about -18dB, which was a good bit lower than either the MOVO or FIFINE mics. It wasn’t a big issue, since I could boost it in post. When recording on my Samsung A53-5G phone with the iRig Recorder app, the level was much less of an issue.

Purple Panda USB-C Lavalier Microphone Pros and Cons

FIFINE K053 vs MOVO LV1-USB vs Purple Panda USB-C

All three microphones are condenser mics so they are sensitive and can pick up clear sound. However, the Fifine is unidirectional while the MOVO LV1 and Purple Panda are omnidirectional. So, if you need to deal with background noise, the Fifine might be the microphone to choose.

Although the LV1 and Purple Panda mics have a wider frequency range than the Fifine Lavalier microphone, the latter seems to have a boosted treble end. This can be useful if you need your voice to cut through the audio mix, however, I prefer the warmer and more natural sound of the MOVO LV1 and Purple Panda.

The FIFINE and MOVO microphones are very cheap, at under $20 and under $15 respectively. The Purple Panda is a bit more expensive at around $30. However, they’re all quite inexpensive compared to mid-range and professional Lavalier microphones. Of these three, I would say the MOVO LV1 offers the best value and flexibility.

The Fifine K053 does score some points over the LV1 and Purple Panda mics. For instance, the LV1 needs an internal battery and the Purple Panda’s output level is lower. In contrast, the Fifine draws power from the computer’s USB port and the output level is the highest of these three mics.

When it comes to cable length, Fifine’s 6ft cable is ideal when working with a laptop computer. You’re not going to have excess cable strewn around the floor. However, the 15ft of cable with the Purple Panda and the 20ft of cable on the LV1 do give you the freedom to move around or move away from your computer.

The alligator clips on all these Lav mics are similar and probably identical. They are a combination of metal and plastic, and I have snapped the plastic mic holder on both the MOVO and FIFINE mics. But that’s because I was being deliberately rough in my testing. If you are careful, you should be OK. Even if you do have a breakage, spare clips are cheap and can be bought on Amazon or eBay. In the case of the Purple Panda, a spare mic clip is included with the mic.   

The foam windscreens on these mics are equally effective (or equally ineffective). They are OK for indoor use and at 8 inches from your mouth. If you need to record outside on a laptop, get a furry windscreen to avoid wind noise. The Purple Panda includes one, so that may account for the higher price of the bundle.

If you also need to record on your smartphone or tablet, you can do that with the Purple Panda Lavalier microphone since it’s the only one to include a USB-C to 3.5mm audio adapter.

If you need to monitor yourself in headphones, the Fifine K053 offers near latency-free monitors. So, you’ll be able to speak normally because there is only a very slight delay in hearing yourself back in the headphones. The MOVO LV1 has a greater delay, which will make it more difficult to speak while listening back to yourself. I couldn’t properly monitor myself in real-time on the Purple Panda, which is a shame since I liked this microphone.

All of these Lavalier microphones are good, especially considering their price. Depending on your requirements you may find one suits your needs more than the other. But my top pick would be the MOVO LV1 and the Purple Panda USB-C.

Microphone setup for zero-latency monitoring on Windows 11

Both these microphones are Plug and Play, so they should be set up automatically by your computer. However, one feature that you might need to do manually is to enable near-zero latency monitoring in your headphones.

If like me, your PC or laptop has the latest version of Windows 11, you won’t see anything in the Sound Settings to let you listen to the microphone in your headphones. This is the case whether you go to the Sound Settings by right-clicking on the speaker icon or going to Settings > System > Sound.

Instead, you’ll need to find the Control Panel by typing “Control Panel” into the Windows search bar. Once you see it, click on Control Panel, and then look for Sound. This will open the older Sound panel, as shown in the user guides of both these microphones.

In the Sound Panel click on the Recording tab and you should see a list of available microphones, with Microphone USB PnP Audio Device selected as the default. Click the Properties button, then in the Microphone Properties panel that opens, click on the Listen tab. Part way down you should see Listen to this device. Click to check the box beside Listen to this device, click the Apply button, followed by OK. Finally, click OK on the original Sound panel to close it.

You should now be able to hear yourself in your headphones. My experience with these mics is that the monitoring was near zero latency. There was a very small delay, but not enough to put you off or make it difficult to speak.

Final thoughts

The MOVO LV1 offers a great deal of versatility and value because it can be used with and without its USB Audio Adapter. Its 20ft cable also allows you to move around, and it has a warmer and more natural sound. However, if it’s important that you can hear yourself in your headphones while speaking, the LV1 microphone may cause problems due to the slight delay. If you need near latency-free headphone monitoring, the Fifine K053 microphone might be the better choice. For creators who use smartphones or tablets, the Purple Panda Lavalier microphone is ideal since it is the only one of the three mics that is USB-C compatible.

All three Lavalier microphones are inexpensive and can be very useful if you’re starting out as a creator or need a Lavalier microphone for Zoom meetings and conference calls. I would recommend the MOVO LV1-USB if you record on a laptop or desktop computer but also have a need to record with DSLRs and older smartphones with headphone sockets. The Purple Panda is ideal for smartphone users. Finally, the FIFINE K053 USB is good when recording on computers and you need near latency-free monitoring.