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Insta360 Mic Air: two-minute assessment
Following within the footsteps of DJI, Rode, Saramonic, Hollyland and extra, Insta360 brings us the Insta360 Mic Air, a compact, cheap wireless microphone designed with video creators in thoughts – notably those that use the Insta360 X5 or Insta360 Ace Pro 2 motion cameras.
The button-sized, ultra-lightweight Mic Air transmitter (aka the TX) can join wirelessly to both of the above Insta360 cameras, both changing or teaming up with the on-board mics. The concept is that it provides an prompt improve to sound high quality, providing 48kHz / 24-bit audio, non-compulsory noise discount, and a furry attachable defend to chop down on distracting wind noise.
Having examined the Mic Air on a usually breezy day on the English coast, I’m very pleased with the outcomes. With the windshield fastidiously hooked up, the noise from occasional robust gusts was fully eliminated, because the video beneath illustrates. I say “fastidiously” as a result of Insta360 has opted for a barely unconventional technique for attachment: the defend is mounted on a rubber ring that slips over the edges of the TX, and a few care should be taken to make sure that it’s sited instantly above the mic grille.
There’s additionally a type of noise discount out there, accessed by double-tapping the TX’s energy button. It’s pretty efficient, serving to negate background drones and hums with out overly distorting the ultimate audio. You can too alter the mic’s acquire within the X5 or Ace Professional 2’s menu screens, and there’s an on-screen indicator whilst you’re recording to offer you an at-a-glance view of the present acquire.
Related on to the X5 or Ace Professional 2, the Mic Air has a brief vary – about 30 to 50m. However add the receiver (or RX) and issues get lots roomier, with the theoretical vary going as much as 300m (the real-world outcomes are much less because of interference and obstructions).
Word – at launch, the Mic Air is appropriate with the X5 and Ace Professional 2 solely. Insta360 says a firmware replace is coming for the X4, whereas the Go 3 / 3S will not be appropriate with it. The X3 and the Ace Professional aren’t appropriate both, however might be additional down the road.
The receiver, which can be tiny and light-weight, has a USB-C connector that allows you to plug it into smartphones, tablets, laptops and different merchandise, akin to Insta360’s Circulate vary of smartphone gimbals. It then establishes a wi-fi reference to the transmitter, in order that if you hit the report button in your machine the audio recorded comes from the transmitter moderately than your machine’s personal microphone.
I nonetheless use an older iPhone mannequin with Lightning, so I wasn’t capable of take a look at this technique on my smartphone (Insta360 has advised me {that a} Lighting model is a particular chance for the long run). Whereas I perceive the choice to not provide a Lightning choice at launch, it does go away some individuals out of the loop, as does the shortage of a 3.5mm output for connection to cameras. Another small, reasonably priced mics, just like the DJI Mic Mini and Fulaim X5M, provide wider connectivity.
I did, nonetheless, put the Insta360 Mic Air by way of its paces hooked as much as an Android pill, and located the audio high quality an enormous enchancment over that provided by the built-in mic. You don’t have to make use of it only for video seize, both – it will additionally enhance the standard of voice notes and recordings, Zoom calls, and the rest that requires the usage of a mic.
One factor Insta360 has finished rather well with the Mic Air is provide quite a lot of mounting choices. Within the field there’s a button magnet, which helps you to connect the TX to skinny clothes, in addition to a clip magnet that may grip onto collars, lapels, bag straps and even cap brims. I’ve seen these with just about each wi-fi mic I’ve reviewed, however right here there’s additionally a magnet pendant, so the consumer can put on the TX round their neck. It’s good to have that further choice.
The magnet additionally comes into use when recharging the TX battery, locking it into place on its charging plate. The charging plate makes use of USB-A, which stunned me a bit in 2025 the place USB-C is ubiquitous, however I doubt many individuals will battle to search out someplace to plug it in.
As regards to the battery, the TX affords about 10 hours of use on a full cost, which is rather less than the DJI Mic Mini’s 11.5 hours, however nonetheless very respectable.
Insta360 Mic Air: specs
Dimensions: |
26.9 x 26.9 x 11.6mm / 1.3 x 1.3 x 0.6 inches (TX) |
Weight: |
7.9g / 3.7oz (TX) |
Vary: |
As much as 300m |
Connectivity: |
USB-C |
Bluetooth: |
Sure |
Battery: |
As much as 10 hours |
Noise cancelling: |
Sure |
Insta360 Mic Air: worth and availability
The Insta360 Mic Air is accessible now, with two choices out there. For patrons who personal an Insta360 X5 or Ace Professional 2 digital camera and simply want a mic transmitter to connect with it instantly, the Mic Air Transmitter package deal prices $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89.99. It comes with a single TX unit, charging base, button magnet, magnet pendant, clip magnet, windshield and carry case.
For these in want of extra flexibility, there’s the Insta360 Mic Air (1 TX + 1 RX bundle), which incorporates all the above plus one USB-C Receiver unit that may plug instantly into smartphones, tablets, computer systems and extra. This prices $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.99.
Insta360’s pricing appears very reasonable to me, though current worth drops have seen the DJI Mic Mini (1 TX + 1 RX) bundle fall to only $89 / £59 / AU$199, or £78 / $139 with a Lightning adapter. That’s most likely a greater deal than Insta360’s, if you could find it.
Ought to I purchase the Insta360 Mic Air?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Insta360 Mic Air: additionally take into account
How I examined the Insta360 Mic Air
- I used it for one week
- I examined it with an Insta360 X5 digital camera and Android pill
- I used it indoors and open air
I examined a full manufacturing model of the Insta360 Mic Air over the course of per week, utilizing it each with the Insta360 X5 and my OnePlus Pad Android pill. With the X5, I went outdoors on each calm and windy days, vlogging with the setup as a way to check its wind-negating and noise-reduction capabilities.
First reviewed July 2025