Last week, I received an email from Saramonic. They wanted to sponsor a video featuring their new Ultra Mic System. But unlike every sponsored video request I've ever gotten, they didn't want control over the video, they asked for a fair and honest review, comparing their product to two of the industry leaders: DJI and Rode. I’ve been reviewing audio equipment for 15 years, and no company has ever made a request like this. It was clear they had unusual confidence in their product. So, I’m going to give them exactly what they asked for—a completely unbiased review.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Saramonic Ultra Mic System comes packaged in a battery charging case that looks very similar to DJI’s. Inside the case, you’ll find:
• One receiver
• Two transmitters
• USB-C and Lightning adapters for direct plug-in to phones or laptops
• Two lavalier mics (larger than usual)
• Two clips and two wind screens for the lavalier mics
• Two dead cat wind covers for the transmitters (not shown in the photo)
• A USB-C charging cable
• An optional external antenna for extended range
Comparing the Design with DJI and Rode
The Saramonic Ultra's design is almost identical to DJI's Mic 2 system. DJI's charging case, transmitters, receiver, and lav mics are all smaller than Saramonics. Like DJI, Saramonic features a standard clip and a built-in magnet for mounting.
Rode’s Wireless Pro system has always felt less convenient due to its USB-C charging method. Because the units are square, you always have to search for the USB port before inserting them into the case. DJI and Saramonic use a magnetic snap-in system, which is faster and more intuitive.
Size-wise, DJI is the smallest, followed closely by Saramonic, with Rode being slightly largest of the bunch.
User Interface and Functionality
The Saramonic receiver’s menu system is almost an exact copy of DJI’s, featuring a horizontal touchscreen and a selection wheel/button for navigation. While the touchscreen is intuitive, the selection button doesn’t always function consistently. I personally would have preferred a larger touchscreen without the rotating dial.
Despite this, Saramonic’s interface is still better than Rode’s, which requires button combinations to navigate the menu. The touchscreen makes setting up the mic system much faster and easier.
How the Transmitters Work
Each Saramonic transmitter features two key indicator lights:
• A blue light that blinks when disconnected and turns solid when paired.
• A red light that indicates internal recording is active.
All three mics have an "always record" option which I prefer. Once enabled in the menu, internal recording happens automatically, ensuring you never forget to hit the record button. This eliminates the risk of accidental loss of audio.
There is also a noise cancellation button on each transmitter. When activated, the LED turns green, and noise reduction is applied only to the wireless transmission. The internal recording remains unaffected, giving you both noise reduced and unfiltered audio options.
The Game-Changer: 32-Bit Float Recording
All three mic systems—Saramonic, DJI, and Rode—feature internal 32-bit float recording, a feature that has revolutionized audio capture.
In the past, audio levels had to be carefully set to avoid clipping. With 32-bit float recording, you no longer need to worry about gain settings. The microphone captures a full dynamic range, allowing volume adjustments after recording.
Saramonic claims to have the widest dynamic range of the three, with a 130dB SPL rating. This means it can handle extreme sound levels, like explosions or jet engines, without clipping. While this is difficult to test in everyday use, it’s an important feature for extreme audio recording scenarios.
Audio Quality Test
To evaluate sound quality, I recorded identical voice tests using all three mic systems. After listening on studio monitors and headphones, a clear ranking emerged:
1. Rode sounded the best, delivering a full, rich tone.
2. Saramonic came in second, with clear highs and strong mids.
3. DJI sounded the worst, with a noticeably thinner and less detailed sound.
Repeating the test with lavalier microphones, the results between Saramonic and Rode were too close to call. Both offered excellent audio quality.
Range Test: Saramonic Dominates
Wireless mic systems often struggle with range, especially when the signal has to pass through obstacles like the human body. I tested all three systems outdoors, walking away from the camera while speaking.
• Rode failed after just a few steps when I turned my back to the camera
• DJI performed only slightly better
• Saramonic maintained a clean signal the entire time, over the longest distance I've ever tested, even without the optional antenna.
The optional antenna should have improved range even further, but in my testing, I encountered two quick signal drops when using it. Despite this, Saramonic still performed significantly better than both competitors.
Additional Features: Timecode and Water Resistance
Unlike DJI’s mic system, both Saramonic and Rode support timecode synchronization. This is a crucial feature for professional film and TV production, allowing audio to sync perfectly with video across multiple cameras.
Saramonic also offers water resistance, a feature not found in DJI or Rode. This provides extra protection in rainy or humid conditions, which can be invaluable for outdoor shoots.
Final Verdict: Which One is Best?
• DJI Mic 2 has the smallest and most convenient design but lacks timecode and has the worst sound quality.
• Rode Wireless Pro has the best sound quality but the worst range, size, and UI.
• Saramonic delivers the best range, the largest audio dynamic range, water-resistance, and has the second-best sound quality and ergonomics.
Current Prices:
• Saramonic Ultra (without lav mics): $270
• Saramonic Ultra (with lav mics): $300
• DJI Mic 2 (without lav mics): $349
• Rode Wireless Pro (with lav mics): $315
With a lower price and superior performance in key areas, Saramonic has built a legitimate competitor to DJI and Rode. While it isn’t perfect, it is better than Rode and DJI's mics in a few key areas. Is Saramonic the best choice for everyone? No, but depending on the features you find to be the most important, the Saramonic Ultra may be the clear winner for you.
