8 Best Wireless Microphones for Singers

Martin Kristiansen

My name is Martin Kristiansen and I’m the founder and chief editor of HomeStudioIdeas.com. I’ve been playing, recording and producing music for the last 10 years.

Tired of walking around on stage restricted by the length of a cable? Cordless microphones sends audio signals over the air, rather than through an XLR-cable. Today we take a look at some of the best wireless microphones for singers. Let’s dive right in!

At a Glance: Our Pick of the Best Wireless Microphones for Singers

I tested 30 different microphones and found the Shure PGXD24/BETA58 to be the best wireless microphone for singers.

However, this experience comes with a caveat: microphones function in different ways, and what’s best overall might not be the right choice for your situation. That’s why I don’t want to convince you to buy that microphone immediately.

Shure’s microphone offers an excellent balance of features and performance. However, for that perfect capture of your voice, it’s important to consider all of your options and how they vary. Some microphones work better in specific ranges, while others are better at capturing subtler notes and even whispered vocals.

Keep reading to learn more about the eight microphones that made my final list and how they might be the best choice for you. 

Product Mini-Reviews

Here are the best cordless microphones I’ve found. Before we get into these, however, there’s one more thing I’d like to add: It’s okay to get multiple mics. Most studios and serious, professional singers have a range of microphones for different purposes, and they’ll test their songs on several mics to see which one works best.

Shure PGXD24/BETA58 – Best Overall

Shure’s PGXD24 looks like a classic handheld microphone on the outside, but that belies the advanced technology they’ve packed into this device. The PGXD24 transmits 24-bit audio, which is the current professional standard.

Contrary to popular belief, most systems don’t use the full range of 24-bit audio. However, recording at this rate helps produce sharper and more accurate recordings in the range that systems play, which is usually 5-7 bits total in a 24-bit range.

Shure’s microphone here also offers an outstanding 200-foot range as long as you have a line of sight, which makes it an excellent choice for performance halls where you want to move around a lot. The digital signal also avoids most other frequency ranges, which helps mitigate the risk of interference when your audio is going to the speakers.

If I have to pick one thing to dislike here, it’s that the battery life is only about ten hours. That’s not a bad lifespan for a wireless microphone, but it’s fast enough that you may need to change the batteries every day or two when you’re making music. 

Bietrun Wireless UHF Microphone – Best Value

If you’re a singer who is just trying to establish a career, you may need to choose a budget option like the Bietrun Wireless Microphone. This model delivers clear sound, but at a price point that even the tightest budget can afford.

While this is a wireless option, you still need a mic jack as this comes with a receiver  that connects to the microphone via FCC frequency. That means you don’t need to worry about pairing your mic, and you can move up to 160 feet away from the rechargeable receiver before you sacrifice sound quality. The mic itself takes two AA batteries, has a volume control on the mic itself, and a frequency modulator that you can adjust to prevent any interference as you perform.

Shure ULXD2/KSM9 – Best Premium Pick

Shure’s ULXD2 has an eye-popping price tag, but if you can afford it, it’s widely compatible with systems around the world and offers outstanding audio quality. Several features immediately set it apart from the competition.

First, this unit has an interchangeable microphone cartridge. That means you can change the microphone itself while still benefiting from the other systems, and that can make a real difference when you’re recording. It also has 256-bit audio encryption, which provides a level of security for sensitive situations that most microphones don’t offer.

The overall ULX-D system supports up to 47 systems simultaneously, across multiple spectrum options. That means you can use VHF or UHF in America, switch to 1.8 GHz in Europe, and even drop by Japan for their 1.2 GHz systems, all with one unit.

The one caveat for this microphone is that you need a compatible receiver to use it properly. There are benefits to that, including the ability to monitor power levels remotely, but this is only one part of a professional sound system. Be prepared to shell out a lot of money if you want this microphone, but for pure features and quality, it’s your best option.

PROZOR Wireless Microphone – Best Budget Pick

I’ll be honest: I had a hard time picking a budget option for this list. Price directly correlates to quality for wireless microphone systems, and anything too cheap is objectively and measurably worse than a premium mic.

If you’re looking for a cheap system, though, PROZOR’s dual-pack of wireless microphones is among the best options. Although not professional-grade, these microphones are an excellent option for amateurs and will work well for karaoke, weddings, and similar environments where it’s okay if the audio isn’t perfect.

I particularly like the controls on the unit, which allow you to modify the echo, treble, bass, and overall volume directly from the mic. A small LED screen shows the remaining power and current frequency band, too. PROZOR’s microphones have unusually broad compatibility, too, with the system supporting up to 100 microphones.

Keep in mind that these microphones connect best to products like outdoor speakers and mixers. They don’t connect straight to Bluetooth speakers, tablets, or laptops unless you get some extra components. That’s not unusual for wireless microphones, but it’s worth knowing before you buy.

Tonor TW-820 – Best For Durability

There’s no denying that Sennheiser and Shure are the top brands for pure quality, but from a durability sense, the Tonor TW-820 is worth considering. This microphone system has several functions that set it apart from its more well-known competitors, including the use of UHF transmission frequencies that reduce the risk of signal interference.

From experience, I can attest that avoiding interference is a major consideration for singing. It doesn’t matter how good your voice is if your signal gets distorted along the way. The TW-820 is an indoor microphone set, complete with a transmission base that gives it a range of up to 200 feet.

Less obviously, this system is essentially a plug-and-play setup that automatically matches the microphones, even when you’re changing frequencies. This helps prevent disconnections and problems when you’re trying different frequencies.

However, what I think sets this system apart is that you can expand the connection to as many as 15 microphones. It’s one thing to buy a microphone for yourself, but if you’re singing as part of a group and everyone needs their own mic, it’s hard to understate the value of linking everything together.

The TW-820 is a good choice for amateur and intermediate singers, but like all mics, you ultimately get what you pay for. It’s not quite good enough for experienced singers who will want to look for something in a higher price range.

Shure BLX288/PG58 – Best For Beginners

These mics are arguably too expensive for beginners, but if you’re serious about singing, it’s better to get good equipment and learn how to use it. Lower-quality mics perform objectively worse, and it can be hard to find and fix errors in your singing if your microphone isn’t catching them.

This particular kit comes with two microphones in case one breaks, plus two handheld transmitters and a dual-channel receiver. That gives it more flexibility than a one-microphone purchase, especially if you want to sing with anyone else.

The BLX288 also stands out as a comfortably basic system, with minimal controls to worry about. However, what makes this stand out is that it’s tuned specifically for vocals, rather than general instruments and sounds. That focus on singing is significantly more valuable for beginners.

These microphones also have a 300-foot operating range within line of sight, which is longer than most other systems. Experienced users will intuitively know how far they can go before their signals start to lose quality, but the higher range here gives amateurs some more wiggle room. The integrated pop filter is standard these days, but always appreciated.

Finally, Shure’s QuickScan frequency system quickly checks several different bands to find the best open option. That simplifies things for users who aren’t familiar with different frequency bands, and it’s a nice touch. Overall, there’s a lot to live with this system. 

BONAOK Q78 – Best For Karaoke

If all you want to do is sing, without the necessity of great recording equipment for producing songs, it’s hard to go wrong with BONAOK’s Q78 karaoke microphone. Unlike most of the other options on this like, the Q78 has Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it compatible with a much wider range of systems.

Its basic material is a sturdy aluminum alloy, while the frequency is a respectable 100Hz to 10KHz. It’s also highly compatible with most modern karaoke systems, and the built-in speaker gives even more compatibility for singing.

Essentially, this is a microphone for having fun while singing. It’s not my go-to choice because I focus on professional recording, but you don’t need a thousand-dollar Shure mic if you’re only singing for fun. In that regard, the Q78 is arguably the best wireless microphone for singing. 

Sennheiser EW 100-ME3 – Best Hands-Free Mic

One thing all of the other options on this list have is that they’re handheld mics. I’m not going to mock hands-free microphones because you can easily mount the best wireless microphone for singing onto a stand and use it that way. However, an innately hands-free system is a different matter entirely.

Most headset-style microphones aren’t as good as regular mics because they don’t have the size to provide the same level of quality. On the other hand, you have a problem if you want to do something like play an instrument and sing while moving around the stage, where a mounted microphone won’t be enough.

Sennheiser’s EW 100-ME3 addresses this by offering an all-in-one system that works for about 100 feet. This specific option is an omnidirectional microphone for picking up instruments, but a cardioid-pattern version (the ME4) is also available if you want to focus entirely on vocals. If you need to keep your hands free, this is the mic to start with.

Buying Guide – Choosing the Best Wireless Microphone For Singing

Ultimately, the thing that matters most when you’re trying to find the best wireless microphone system is whether it provides the specific sound quality you’re looking for. I prefer microphones that have more controls so you can get the exact recording you want, but other people prefer simple, one-touch systems that don’t require any adjusting.

Common features to look for include multiple frequency ranges (more is always better), overall durability, frequency range, and pickup patterns.

Problems with wireless microphones include issues with the components and wearing out too quickly. High-quality microphones typically last much longer than budget models. Also, sometimes online stores end up selling cheaply-made knockoffs. If you buy something and it doesn’t work well, there’s a real chance it’s a fake, so exchange it immediately.

Finally, consider testing microphones in different locations. As I mentioned before, the best wireless microphone for singing at home isn’t necessarily the best choice for singing in a noisy venue. Engineers develop microphones for different situations, so choosing the right tool for the job is essential. 

Condenser vs. Dynamic 

This is a relatively simple choice. Condenser microphones work well with high frequencies and delicate sounds, including a lot of studio vocals. Dynamic microphones are better for louder sounds and live settings, especially for things like drums and aggressive vocals.

Polar Patterns

Polar patterns cover the range a microphone gathers sound from. This can help reduce unwanted noises. Most singers will want to get a cardioid-pattern mic, which picks up audio close to the head but not from below or behind the mic.

Type of Frequency

Wireless microphones transmit in many possible frequencies. High-quality mics may even offer several different options, making them more compatible with local regulations.

VHF vs UHF vs 2.4GHz

VHF and UHF are different bands of wireless frequencies. VHF is generally cheaper and more affordable but may have some interference from other devices that use it. UHF is more expensive but offers better quality with its higher transmission range.

2.4GHz is part of the digital spectrum for transmissions. You can legally use this signal range in almost every country, but many other wireless and Bluetooth systems use the same frequencies. That makes interference more likely, and the extra power requirements shorten battery life.

2.4GHz isn’t fundamentally bad on its merits, but if you’re looking for professional quality, UHF is better.

Analog vs. Digital

Digital is usually better for wireless microphones. Analog systems need to compress their audio into specific frequencies, which can result in losses, especially so with cheaper mics. Digital systems tend to work better, though you will need to check the latency and ensure everything is playing at the right speed.

Number of Antennas

This doesn’t matter much for home situations, but in larger venues, you may need to set up many antennas to fully cover the stage and ensure no drop in overall quality. That’s on the technical side of things that don’t relate to microphones directly, however.

Conclusion

Overall, I like the Shure PGXD24/BETA58 as the best overall microphone. It offers excellent range, performance, and features at a reasonable price, and that’s what most people want. There are plenty of better microphones if we’re rating them by pure quality, but you can expect to pay a premium for those.

Outside of my top recommendation, I also recommend buying a Shure SM57 no matter what other microphones you’re getting. Its sheer durability and focus on vocals make it a reliable workhorse you can turn to anytime you’re having problems with other systems.

There’s no substitute for quality when buying the best wireless microphone for singers, so consider which options in this list are right for your needs and order your mic today.