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Built-in webcam mics are terrible. I wanted better audio without wires, and a wireless handheld mic with a USB receiver turned out to be plug and play.
I bought the Fifine K034 in silver for about $36 (black was about $39). It’s a UHF wireless handheld mic that talks to a small USB receiver on your computer. The K034 isn’t listed on Amazon anymore, so the button goes to a current UHF handheld mic with a USB receiver that works the same way. Here’s the unboxing, setup and how it sounded.
- Truly plug and play on Windows 10
- Wireless, so it’s easy for two people to share
- Huge step up from a webcam mic
- Comfortable to hold
- Line-out jack for monitoring or a recorder
- Runs on AA batteries
- Handheld, so you have to hold it near your mouth
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why I wanted a USB mic
When I was chatting on my computer through a built-in webcam mic, it was not particularly good. Podcasters use tabletop mics, but I thought a handheld wireless would be easier, especially if I’ve got someone with me.
What’s in the box
It’s kind of an Apple-like unboxing. You get the microphone, a 3.5mm cable and the USB receiver. The receiver looks like a big thumb drive, glossy and vented.
The receiver has a line-out jack, so you could send the audio to an external recorder or plug in headphones to listen while you record.
Setup
Slide off the textured panel on the mic and put in 2 AA batteries. Press the button and the little LCD says hello, then shows the channel and frequency along with the battery level.
Plug the USB receiver into your computer and that’s it. I didn’t change a thing. If you get interference, for example at a church or a production with several wireless mics, triple-click the button to change the channel.
How it sounded
I held it about 4 or 5 inches from my mouth and recorded with a free app from the Windows 10 store, without adjusting any settings. The difference from my webcam mic, which skews on the terrible side, was huge. Playing it back, the quality was phenomenal to my ears.
It’s comfortable and kind of melts away in your hand. It’d be great for a two-person podcast, singing, or your best Optimus Prime voice for YouTube.
FAQ
Is it plug and play?
Yes. I plugged the USB receiver into Windows 10, turned on the mic and recorded without changing anything.
What batteries does it use?
2 AA batteries.
How do I change the channel?
Triple-click the button on the mic.
Can I monitor the audio?
The receiver has a line-out jack for headphones or an external recorder.
Is the Fifine K034 still sold?
It isn’t listed on Amazon anymore, so the button goes to a current UHF handheld mic with a USB receiver.
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