Key takeaways
The Rode Lavalier II is the best wired lav for most interviewers: a low-profile omni capsule, a locking 3.5mm plug and a Kevlar-reinforced cable for about $100.
The Deity W.Lav Pro uses a Microdot connector with adapters for Sennheiser, Sony, Shure and Lectrosonics packs, so one mic follows you across systems.
For a phone with a USB-C port, the Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C plugs straight in with no adapter or plug-in power.
Cameras, recorders and wireless packs take TRS plugs, while older phones take TRRS. A mismatch gives silence or hum, so check the plug before you buy.
For two-person interviews, put a lav on each speaker and record them to separate channels so you can balance the voices in the edit.
How we chose
An interview lav has to sound natural on a voice at chest distance, stay quiet when it rubs against clothing and connect to what you already own. Sound and self-noise come first, then the connector and what it plugs into, cable length and toughness, accessories in the box and price. Specs come from each maker, and prices from US retailers on November 2, 2026.
Wired lavs for interviews at a glance
Mic | Connector | Frequency response | Cable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rode Lavalier II | 3.5mm TRS, locking | 20Hz to 20kHz | 1.2m | About $100 to $109 |
Deity W.Lav Pro | Microdot with adapters, or 3.5mm | 20Hz to 20kHz | 1.8m | $100 |
Rode Lavalier GO | 3.5mm TRS | 20Hz to 20kHz | 1.2m | About $79 to $89 |
Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C | USB-C | 70Hz to 18kHz | 2m | $59.95 |
Audio-Technica ATR3350xiS | 3.5mm, phone adapter included | 50Hz to 18kHz | - | About $24 to $29 |
1. Rode Lavalier II: Best overall wired lav for interviews
Rode designed the Lavalier II to sit flat against clothing.
What works: Its omni capsule has a flat response from 20Hz to 20kHz and about 27 dBA of self-noise, quiet enough for a seated interview in a calm room. The 3.5mm TRS plug locks into Rode's wireless transmitters, and it works in any camera or recorder input that supplies plug-in power. The Kevlar-reinforced 1.2m cable resists tugging, and the box includes a pop filter, a furry windshield, a clip and colored ID rings for telling two mics apart.
What doesn't: Phones need a TRS-to-TRRS or USB-C adapter, and the 1.2m cable is short for running straight to a camera across a room.
Best for: Interviewers using Rode wireless kits or recording to a camera or recorder.
2. Deity W.Lav Pro: Best for working across wireless systems
Deity built the W.Lav Pro around a Microdot connector so one capsule can serve several packs.
What works: Screw-on adapters fit Sennheiser locking 3.5mm, Sony UWP, Shure TA4F and Lectrosonics TA5F packs, so the same capsule moves between kits, and a plain 3.5mm version is sold too. The 4mm omni capsule covers 20Hz to 20kHz, the 1.8m cable gives more slack than most and it's rated IP57 against dust and water. Deity sells it for $100.
What doesn't: Adapters for each pack type cost extra, and there's no published self-noise spec to compare.
Best for: Crews who switch between wireless systems or rent packs on location.
3. Rode Lavalier GO: Best budget pick for wireless kits
The Lavalier GO is Rode's smaller, cheaper lav for its Wireless GO systems.
What works: It runs on 2.7V plug-in power through a 3.5mm TRS plug, so it plugs straight into Wireless GO transmitters and most camera inputs. The omni capsule covers 20Hz to 20kHz with 27 dBA of self-noise, and the Kevlar-reinforced cable is 1.2m long. Street prices run about $79 to $89.
What doesn't: The capsule is bigger than the Lavalier II's and harder to hide, and phones still need an adapter.
Best for: Wireless GO owners who want a clip-on mic instead of the transmitter's built-in one.
4. Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C: Best for phones
Sennheiser's XS Lav USB-C skips analog entirely, plugging into phones, tablets and computers with a USB-C port.
What works: It plugs straight into USB-C phones, including iPhone 15 and later, with no adapter needed, and the 2m cable reaches from a seated subject to a phone on a tripod. The mic costs $59.95, and a Mobile Kit with a phone clamp and a mini tripod is about $100.
What doesn't: Its 70Hz to 18kHz response is narrower than the others here, and it can't plug into a camera or wireless pack.
Best for: Interviews recorded on a phone.
5. Audio-Technica ATR3350xiS: Best under $30
The ATR3350xiS is Audio-Technica's long-running budget lav.
What works: It runs on an LR44 battery, so it does not need plug-in power, and it includes an adapter for phones with a mic and headphone jack. Coverage runs from 50Hz to 18kHz, and the box adds a clip and foam windscreen. It sells for about $24 to $29.
What doesn't: It's easy to forget to switch on, and a dead battery ends the take.
Best for: First interviews and backup mics on a tight budget.
For broadcast and film work, the DPA 4060 series costs about $595 per mic and comes with connectors for most professional packs. The Shure MVL, a TRRS lav for phones with headphone jacks, is another option at about $69 to $95.
How to get clean interview audio from a lav
Clip the mic to the center of the chest, about a hand's width below the chin, and favor the side the speaker turns toward.
Keep it clear of jewelry, ties and loose collars, which rub and crackle.
Run the cable under the shirt and tape a small loop below the capsule, so a tug pulls the loop, not the mic.
Match the plug: TRS for cameras, recorders and wireless packs; TRRS for phones with headphone jacks; a USB-C adapter or a digital lav for USB-C phones.
Check that your input supplies plug-in power, or use a battery-powered mic. XLR inputs need an adapter that converts phantom power.
For two people, use two lavs on separate channels of a recorder or dual-channel wireless receiver, so each voice can be adjusted on its own.
Record a few seconds of room silence before you start, which helps noise reduction later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wired lavalier microphone for interviews?
The Rode Lavalier II is the best wired lav for most interviews, with a flat 20Hz to 20kHz omni capsule, about 27 dBA of self-noise and a locking 3.5mm plug for about $100. The Deity W.Lav Pro suits crews using several wireless systems, and the Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C is the pick for phones.
Can I plug a lavalier mic straight into my phone?
Yes, if the connector matches. USB-C phones work directly with a USB-C lav such as the Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C. A 3.5mm TRS lav needs a TRS-to-TRRS adapter for a headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter with a built-in preamp.
What's the difference between TRS and TRRS?
TRS plugs have three contacts and fit camera, recorder and wireless-pack inputs. TRRS plugs have four and fit phone headphone jacks, which carry the mic signal on a different contact. Plugging one into the other usually gives silence or hum, so use an adapter.
Do lavalier mics need power?
Most do. Condenser lavs need plug-in power, a low voltage supplied by camera inputs and wireless transmitters, or phantom power through an XLR adapter. Battery-powered lavs such as the Audio-Technica ATR3350xiS carry their own.
How do I record two people with lavalier mics?
Put a lav on each person and record them to separate channels, using a two-channel recorder, a camera with two inputs or a dual-channel wireless kit. Separate channels let you balance the voices and fix crosstalk in the edit.
Is a wired lav better than a wireless one?
A wired lav needs no charging and can't drop out, and it costs less. Wireless lets the subject move freely, which matters most for walking shots.