Joby takes on Rode with huge microphone range for mirrorless cameras

Joby Wavo microphones on a blue background

(Paradigm credit: Joby)

It may be best known for its Gorillapod tripods, but Joby has boosted its sound lineup in a large way with the launch of 5 new microphones for video creators.

Collectively known as the Wavo range, the new mics sit beyond a range of price points and look like promising alternatives to the rival offerings we've seen from the likes of Rode, Sennheiser and Shure.

Its flagship microphone is the Wavo Pro ($299 / £258 / around AU$495), a shotgun mic that'south been designed for vloggers who use mirrorless cameras. Information technology comes with active racket reduction that's designed to filter out groundwork distractions, a companion app for iOS and Android to aid yous monitor audio levels, and handy LEDS on the front and dorsum for visual feedback virtually your recordings.

If that model'south slightly out of your budget, there'due south also the Moving ridge Pro DS ($249 / £228.95 / around AU$440, bachelor from March). This model doesn't have mobile app control, a secondary mic input or active noise reduction, and then is ameliorate-suited to those who mostly record indoors. But you do get a high-laissez passer filter to help clean the lower frequencies and, like the Wavo Pro, it also has an onboard 'safe rails' that's helpful if yous've accidentally clipped your recording.

Joby is clearly going later on every kind of YouTuber and vlogger with its new range because at that place are likewise wireless, condenser and lavalier mics in the Wavo lineup. If you like to roam around while talking to camera, the Wavo Air ($249 / £215, around $410) is a handy new wireless pick for smartphones and mirrorless cameras. Like the Rode Wireless Go II, information technology includes two prune-on lavalier mics plus a transmitter. The 2.4GHz wireless mic system promises a 50m range and six-60 minutes bombardment life, both of which are slightly less than its Rode rival (although it'due south slightly cheaper, also).

If yous're looking for something slightly more than discreet and don't need wireless connectivity, the Wavo Lav Pro ($79 / £69 AU$135) is a iii.5mm mic with a two.5m-long cable. The plainly 'pro-grade' capsule comes with a foam windshield and weighs just 12g. And lastly, for desk-bound-based creators and podcasters, there'due south the Wavo Pod ($99 / £86 / AU$165), which is a USB condenser microphone with 24bit/48kHz sampling rates and a colorful pop filter to reduce vocalization plosives (bursts of air that striking the mic and create a 'pop' audio).

With the exception of the Wavo Pro DS, which will be available from March, all of Joby's new microphones are available to purchase at present. Nosotros're looking forward to seeing how they compare to similar offerings from the likes of Rode, Sennheiser, Shure and, in the case of the Wavo Pod, the popular Blueish Yeti.

Assay: Boom fourth dimension for home creators

A hand holding a camera with a Joby Wavo microphone on top — (Epitome credit: Joby)

The then-chosen 'creator economic system' was already growing before the pandemic, but a combination of stay-at-habitation orders and increasingly affordable tech has seen it explode in the past couple of years. That's why we're seeing so many new accessories for video and audio recording, including this new Wavo range from Joby.

These aren't the beginning microphones nosotros've seen from Joby, which also makes Gorillapod tripods, mobile lighting and other accessories. But they are its biggest attempt however to steal some attention away from rivals similar Rode and Sennheiser.

Given the rest of Joby's range, it certainly makes sense for it to try and become a one-finish shop for fledgling YouTubers and other creators. Afterwards all, according to information analysts SignalFire, at that place are now over 50 million people (and counting) in the 'creator economy', who are classed equally independent content creators and community builders.

Nosotros'll have to see how its Wavo range performs in reality, but Joby is a part of the same Vitec Grouping equally Lowepro, Gitzo and Manfrotto, so has some considerable might behind it. And on paper, the Wavo microphones look like promising new options for most styles of video and audio recording.

The Wavo Pro is an obvious rival to the Rode VideoMic Pro+, another shotgun mic with a similar toll tag. And the Wavo Air is function of the increasingly competitive field of wireless, clip-on mics that includes the Rode Wireless Go II (our current favorite) and the DJI Mic, which we're in the process of testing.

Check out our guide to the best video cameras

Marking is the Cameras Editor at TechRadar. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world tape for the number of photographic camera bags hoarded by ane person. He was previously Cameras Editor at Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, also every bit Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he'southward contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won the Daily Telegraph'southward Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile.