DJI has recently launched the successor to its 4.5-star Mic 2, with the aptly named Mic 3.
Whether you already own the DJI Mic 2 and are debating an upgrade or you just want to see what’s new with the popular wireless microphone, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve compared the specs of the DJI Mic 3 and Mic 2 below. Keep reading to see what’s new with the microphone.
Price and Availability
At the time of writing, both the DJI Mic 3 and DJI Mic 2 surprisingly have the same starting price in the US of $219. UK residents see more of a price discrepancy, as the Mic 3 starts at £169 whereas the Mic 2 starts at £139.
As the Mic 3 is the newer model, we would expect the price for the Mic 2 to drop in the coming months.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that both the Mic 3 and Mic 2 offer different bundle options to choose from.
Design and Build
- DJI Mic 3 looks more like the Mic Mini than the Mic 2
- DJI Mic 3 weights just 16g while the Mic 2 weights 28g, although both attach securely to clothes via a clip or magnet
- Both receivers have a slightly fiddly-to-use touchscreen
The DJI Mic 3 sits firmly between the Mic Mini and Mic 2 in terms of size. While it’s not quite as light as the Mini, at just 16g it’s still considerably lighter than the Mic 2 which weighs 28g.
Not only that, but the Mic 3 measures just 28.77×28.34×16.35 mm whereas the Mic 2 is longer at 46.06×30.96×21.83 mm. Although the difference is clearly noticeable, it’s worth noting that we still found the Mic 2 to be so lightweight that we couldn’t even feel that it was attached.
Speaking of attachments, both the Mic 3 and Mic 2 can be attached via a clip or a strong magnet.
Otherwise, both RX receivers sport a small touchscreen display which we found could be slightly difficult to navigate. Fortunately, both are fitted with a dial which allows you to navigate through the menu screens and change settings.
Winner: DJI Mic 3
Features
- DJI Mic 3 has a longer range of 400m when paired with the RX
- Both offer the ability to pair with Bluetooth connection instead, although this reduces the range
- Mic 3 offers longer battery life
The Mic 3 has undoubtedly improved upon many of the features found in the Mic 2, making it a solid upgrade. Firstly, when paired with the RX, you can expect a range of up to 400m with the Mic 3, whereas the Mic 2 offers 250m instead. However, the exact range can be affected by obstacles like walls, floors and electrical interference.
For example, we noted with the Mic 2 that sometimes audio could “pop” at points, which meant the resulting sound may not be deemed usable.
The Mic 2 was the first to feature Bluetooth and allows you to pair the device with a compatible device. Naturally, the Mic 3 also benefits from this addition too, although it’s worth remembering that this type of connection will reduce the exact amount of range.
Plus, you’ll need to ensure your desired device is compatible with either DJI Mic. For example, while we had no issues pairing the Mic 3 with an Android, we struggled to pair it with the native camera app of the iPhone 16 Plus. In this instance, there are third-party apps you can use, but it’s an annoying extra step to take.
Finally, the Mic 3 benefits from better battery life too. Not only does the TX and RX promise up to eight and ten hours respectively, but the charging case is now equipped with an additional 10 hours of use too. Comparatively, the Mic 2 promises up to 18 hours of life when used with the charging case.
DJI Mic 3 in case
DJI Mic 2 in case
Winner: DJI Mic 3
Audio Performance
- Although both offer noise cancellation, we were especially impressed with the Mic 3’s ability
- Both have the option to record in 32-bit float audio
DJI has always offered some of the best microphones around, and the Mic 3 is no exception. In fact, we were simply blown away by the Mic 3’s audio performance whether we recorded indoors or in noisy, outdoor environments.
We found the Mic 3 to have a “wonderfully soft quality” when recording indoors. When outdoors, we noted that its noise cancelling not only quietened the likes of street performers and busy London areas alike, but the Mic 3 still picked up our voice without any signs of distortion.
On the other hand, we found the Mic 2’s new intelligence noise cancelling to be an invaluable feature which allowed for clear vocals while cutting out most unwanted noises. If, however, you do want some environmental noise then it is possible to allow it in without disturbing your voiceover.
Finally, unlike the DJI Mic Mini, both the Mic 3 and Mic 2 have the option to record in 32-bit float audio.
Winner: DJI Mic 3
Verdict
If you’re deciding between the DJI Mic 3 and Mic 2, then we’d say it’s an easy choice to opt for the Mic 3. Not only is the price difference between them negligible, but the DJI Mic 3’s smaller body, impressive noise cancellation and long-lasting battery life makes the Mic 2 look outdated in comparison.
However, it’s a less clear-cut decision when it comes to upgrading from the DJI Mic 2. With a 4.5-star rating and hailed as “exceptionally portable and user-friendly”, the Mic 2 is still a brilliant option for most users, making an upgrade less of a necessity.
