SabineTek SmartMike+ Review: A Great Wireless Lavalier Mic for Content Creators

With advancements in mobile device technology, phones and tablets now rival photo and video quality of DSLRs. As such, many folks simply rely on a smartphone for everyday photography and videography needs. But built-in microphones on even high-end phones, tablets, and laptops universally disappoint. And audio fidelity is crucial. For vlogging or mobile podcasting, the SabineTek SmartMike+ is a fantastic choice. It’s a wireless lavalier mic that makes audio recording on the go a breeze. Learn why this is essential for your vlogging, podcasting, and work-from-home journey in our hands-on SabineTek SmartMike+ review!

Overview: What is the SabineTek SmartMike+?

The SabineTek SmartMike+ is a wireless lavalier microphone that works with iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. A built-in clip lets you attach the SmartMike+ to your shirt or jacket. It features a two-way Bluetooth microphone that simultaneously transmits and synchronizes real-time stereo audio with video. There’s 48kHz stereo audio support.

As its core, the SmartMike+ boasts a Qualcomm CSR8670 with CVC noise cancellation. The SmartMike+ companion app offers a bevy of different features for recording and editing including a teleprompter, subtitle transcription, and noise reduction.

In the box, you’ll find an array of accessories such as an earphone for real-time listening, micro USB charging cable, wind-proof cap, and microphone sponge cover. Three modes, vlog, record, and interview, let you use the SmartMike+ for a variety of purposes.

SabineTek SmartMike+ Specs

• Bluetooth 5.0 wireless lavalier microphone
• Compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
• CVC noise cancellation
• Qualcomm CSR8670 processor
• Included accessories: earphone, micro USB charging cable, microphone sponge cover, wind-proof cap
• Sampling frequency 48kHz
• Recording bandwidth: 22.05 kHz full-band
• Dual-channel stereo recording
• 110mAh battery capacity (up to 5 hours of battery life)
• Inputs/outputs: micro USB charging port, 3.5mm headphone-out jack

Sabine SmartMike+ Review Verdict

The SabineTek SmartMike+ is a nifty wireless microphone that’s slew of applications. It’s great for content creators and vloggers producing videos for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, of Facebook. And with its excellent audio capture, the SmartMike+ enables mobile podcasting. In my testing, I was impressed with its great recording quality which trounced my Samsung Galaxy S9+’s onboard mic.

In the SmartMike+ app, you’ll find three different modes: vlog, record, and interview. The vlog setting captures audio and video, while record is audio-only. Interview lets you pair two SmartMikes together for audio and video interviews or multi-host podcasting.

Its 110mAh battery lasts up to 5 hours which should be more than sufficient for most people. I was able to go for a few weeks with occasional use before needing to juice up the SmartMike+.

The companion app boasts a bevy of features for audio/video editing and recording. There’s video resolution adjustment, beauty effect filters, subtitle transcription, a teleprompter, noise reduction, and more. While I appreciated the feature-rich SMIKE+ Android app, a required third-party app isn’t ideal.

Outside of the accompanying app for Android and iOS, the Sabine SmartMike+ works with several third-party applications including Zoom, MoviePro, LU-Smart, and FILMIC Pro. However, functionality with most other apps requires a combo pack that includes two SmartMikes. This limitation isn’t a fault of the SmartMike itself, rather with third-party app audio handling.

With two mics paired in send/receive mode, most mobile devices recognize the SmartMike+ as a wired mic and use that over your phone or tablet’s internal mic. However, with apps like Zoom that let you select a recording device, a single SmartMike+ works great. I wasn’t too bothered by this limitarion since exporting audio and video from the SMIKE+ app is simple enough. And considering its superb audio quality, that’s a minor complaint.

A USB-C port instead of the outdated micro USB would have been nice, but isn’t a major issue. Still, having to download one more mobile app is slightly annoying. On the whole, if you can get past the required SMIKE+ app or splurge for a double pack, the SabineTek SmartMike+ is a fantastic solution for vloggers, content creators, podcasters, and digital nomads.

SabineTek SmartMike+ Design and Build

SabineTek’s SmartMike+ is a tiny, lightweight portable Bluetooth lavalier mic. At just 14 grams (under a half ounce), and 5.8cm x 1cm x 1.5cm (2.3 in. x 0.4 in. x 0.6 in.), the SabineTek true stereo wireless microphone is barely noticeable clipped to a shirt or jacket collar.

On the right-hand side, you’ll find a multi-function push-button control and microphone.

In front, there’s an LED status indicator.

Around back, you’ll find a built-in clip.

The top of the unit features a 3.5mm audio-out jack.

Underneath, there’s a micro USB charging port.

SmartMike+ App Experience

The SabineTek SmartMike+ is intended for use with the SmartMike+ companion app for Android and iOS. It’s robust yet easy-to-use. There are loads of video settings for switching between front and rear cameras, setting the video resolution. bitrate, frame rate, and more.

You can apply various preset filters or smooth out video.

A teleprompter allows you to write a script, an inclusion that I found handy for recording clips to use on my YouTube channel.

For both audio and video recording, I found the SmartMike+ app feature-packed but intuitive. My only complaint is the SmartMike+’s middling third-party app support.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the SabineTek SmartMike+?

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the SabineTek SmartMike+. It delivers excellent audio recording quality, comes in a small form factor, and works in wired or wireless modes. Additionally, its companion SmartMike+ app gives you plenty of video and audio settings. Third-party app support with a single mic leaves a bit to be desired, although that’s no fault of the SmartMike+ itself. Since most mobile apps for Android and iOS lack selectable audio drivers, it’s tough to blame the SabineTek. For vloggers, podcasters, social media content creators, and even digital nomads, the SmartMike+ is a solid upgrade over internal mobile device mics.

Your turn: What mics are YOU using for mobile content creation and work?