Rode Wireless Me review: Grab and Go audio for under $150

Plug and play with multiple devices is the name of the game for Wireless Me, making it the perfect choice for everyone from beginners to advanced shooters who need premium sound that’s quick to set up.

The Rode Wireless Me ($149) is the company’s next installment in the content maker’s lineup of wireless microphones; This, though, is similar in popularity Wireless Go II technology, its slight asymmetry is more than just cosmetic. You will immediately notice that there is no LCD screen on the receiver. An interesting design change is a microphone on the receiver that allows it to be used as a second microphone. This eliminates having two separate transmitters and creates a smaller footprint, as you no longer need a second device.

Read on to learn the ins and outs of Rode’s recent home run.

Pricing and availability at Rode Wireless Me

The Rode Wireless Me costs $149 and comes with a transmitter and receiver, which also has a built-in omnidirectional microphone, connection cables, and a quick carry case to keep everything secure. From the moment you open the box, you can connect to just about anything and start filming your content while recording some great sounds whether in stereo or mono.

For just $149, running and gun creators can switch this off and start working right out of the box and charged.

If your budget is very limited and you only need one wireless mic setup, $99 Razer Seiren BT It can be an affordable option. You can also take a file Movo WMX-2 Duo For $149.95, it also comes with everything you need to jump right into creativity right out of the box. If you have a bigger budget and want a more premium setup, you should look into Rode Wireless Go II (Opens in a new tab) For $299 or DJI Mic for $329.

Designed by Rode Wireless Me

The Rode’s build quality and performance are some of the best in the line, which is true of the Wireless Me. The Rode Wireless Me comes with what appear to be two identical black boxes.

However, one is the transmitter unit with a built-in omnidirectional microphone that you connect to your subject, and the other is the receiver, which you connect to your recording device (smartphone/tablet/camera) via one of the included cables.

Both arrive with cold shoe clips that double as clothespins to clip onto a jacket or shirt. As mentioned earlier, both have omnidirectional microphones and USB ports for charging and connecting to your computer, smartphone, and tablet. There’s also a 3.5mm TRS jack on the transmitter for attaching a lavalier mic if you’d like to be more discreet about your mic placement.

The main difference between the Wireless Me and the Rode Wireless Go II is that the receiver has its own microphone.

This allows the person operating the camera to record and interview or chat back and forth simultaneously. Having two individual audio channels also helps post with general sound quality.

When you open the box, you’ll find a set of four cables for connecting the receiver to a camera’s 3.5mm TRS microphone jack, a 3.5mm TRRS cable for smartphones with a 3.5mm jack, a USB Type-C cable for Android devices and computers, as well as a Lightning cable for iPhone. You also have a clip-on windshield that comes in handy when recording outdoors, especially if it gets a bit windy.

Although this is a two-microphone setup, you can add a third microphone if needed. Who doesn’t like options? In keeping with this mindset, you’ll find that the Wireless Me is compatible with Rode’s Series IV wireless setup, allowing it to be used with the company’s other wireless products.

Unlike its predecessor, the Wireless Go II, or DJI Mic, the Me doesn’t have onboard recording capabilities due to a lack of storage. So remember to back up the audio to any device your Wireless Go II is connected to.

Rode Wireless Me setup and controls

The Wireless Me is very much plug and play. So you should take advantage of the free Rode Connect app, which is available for download on both your smartphone (Android / iOS) and computer (Windows / macOS) and gives you more intimate control settings to take advantage of.

All microphone controls can be found in the Rode Central desktop and mobile app. When you connect the transmitter or receiver to your computer for the first time, you may receive a prompt to update your firmware. It’s something you’ll see many times over the life of your machine because Rode has a good habit of optimizing performance.

You’ll notice the output levels settings and whether or not you want to set Gain Assist to Auto or Dynamic. The options provide automatic level monitoring that helps prevent audio clipping during recordings.

Rode Wireless Me sound quality

From the streets of Brooklyn, New York, to the quiet hutch that graces my backyard, Wireless Me has recorded flawless sound in every environment. The microphone built into both units focuses on your vocals and captures the full tonal range of your voice. When combined with the lavalier, you get a tighter sound, but honestly, the Wireless Me kit was a win every time.

I set up my camera and walked 150 feet down my street, filming myself walking toward my building, while talking to myself. Sure, my neighbors think I’m weird, but the resulting audio recording was excellent, with the unit clipped into the lapel of my suit, capturing the natural sound of my voice against the gentle backdrop of birdsong and light traffic.

When the wind picked up, it was the perfect time to test windshields, and they produced the desired effect. When I attached a lavalier mic to the transmitter unit, the recorded audio, while hidden close to my neck, was really nice and usable at every level of production.

Rode scored major points for maintaining a winning design while also making small changes to offer an affordable wireless microphone kit for beginners and novices alike while maintaining high-quality vocal recording performance.

Rode Wireless Me Program

Over time, Rode has developed a range of free audio software to improve user experience and expand the capabilities of its products. As mentioned above, it starts with the Rode Connect software, which helps you choose the options that work best for you, while also allowing you to quickly upgrade your firmware.

Rode’s Reporter App is an easy-to-use recording application that works seamlessly with Wireless Me and other Rode wireless microphone products while providing an intuitive interface. The Rode Reporter app is great for recording a solo podcast or when interviewing someone while using the Wireless Me microphones.

Finally, Rode Capture is a new app for iOS devices that lets you capture excellent audio and video using just your smartphone. The easy-to-use iOS Video app comes with some powerful features and offers direct in-app control for compatible Rode microphones. You can use it to capture professional audio while also recording video in dual camera mode using both front camera and selfie camera. It’s a great feature if you’re interviewing. There are also picture-in-picture and split-screen recording modes, allowing you to take full advantage of the Wireless ME’s built-in dual microphones. Tandem is an excellent combination for those who create content for TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube.

Rode Wireless Me battery life

Both the Wireless Me transmitter and receiver are rated for seven hours of continuous recording. In my testing, I got about ten hours, but turned it off once or twice while moving my camera around and taking short breaks to take calls and answer emails.

I will add that unlike DJI or the Movo WMX, the Wireless Me doesn’t come with a charging case, which is a bit disappointing. However, you will find that it can be charged using most portable chargers. It charges fairly quickly if connected to a laptop, and I notice a full charge takes about 45 minutes. Rode should consider the charging case because most of its competitors offer that at a similar cost.

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For under $150, finding a premium wireless microphone combo is tough. The Rode Wireless Me is a great little dual-microphone combo that’s simple enough for first-timers but also useful for serious filmmakers or content creators. The addition of a microphone built into the receiver is a clever touch that can be a huge help for those who tend to shoot a lot of solo projects or interviews.

In the past year, many cheaper options have hit the market, but the Rode Wireless Me, is a premium, professional-grade device that’s easy to use and gives users plenty of options. From connecting to a DSLR camera or a smartphone, you are assured of excellent quality recordings time and time again.