This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Amazon Japan is full of wireless lavalier mics for around ¥2,500–3,000. I bought one — the BILIWAL wireless lav kit — and recorded it at the same time as a DJI Mic Mini. While recording it sounded surprisingly usable; listening back during the edit, it was clearly behind the DJI. It is not a main mic, but it makes sense as a cheap backup you won’t mind getting muddy or wet.
What I tested
- BILIWAL wireless lavalier mic (two transmitters + USB-C receiver), about ¥3,000 at the time of recording
- DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + charging case), which I described as just under ¥15,000
- My usual camera-mounted shotgun mic (MKE 600) as a reference
- Plugged into an iPhone, recording at the same time, then a quick walk out of the room
What I found
- Everything in the box: two transmitters, a receiver, indoor and outdoor windscreens, clips, a pouch, and adapters for USB-A and Lightning.
- Build: plasticky and cheap-feeling. That’s not what you’re paying for.
- Charging: the transmitters charge over USB-C, and a USB-C to USB-C cable works fine. The receiver draws power from the phone, so it needs no charging.
- Setup: long-press the power button on the back of the transmitter, plug the receiver into the iPhone, and it pairs. Gain seems to be automatic.
- Sound: played back on the iPhone it was much better than I expected. Compared side by side in the edit, the DJI Mic Mini is clearly cleaner.
- Range: it still picked up my voice after I walked out of the room. I didn’t test the maximum distance.
| BILIWAL wireless lav | DJI Mic Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price I mentioned (at the time of recording) | About ¥3,000 | Just under ¥15,000 |
| In the box | 2 TX + RX + adapters + windscreens + pouch | 2 TX + RX + charging case |
| Sound | Usable live; noticeably worse in the edit | Clean |
| Carrying | Everything fits in the pouch | The charging case is bulkier |
Who it’s for
People who want a mic they won’t worry about: filming kids playing in the mud, shooting in the rain, or just trying a lav mic for the first time. Because there are two transmitters, you can also mic up someone playing further away. If you edit carefully and want clean voice, spend ¥10,000–15,000 on something like the DJI Mic Mini instead.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese, but the sound comparison is the point: the side-by-side test starts at 04:16, and the out-of-room test at 07:28.
Limitations
I used it with an iPhone only, for a short session in my studio. I didn’t test battery life or maximum range. Budget mics like this are sold under many brand names and listings change often, so check the exact listing before you buy.
Products
BILIWAL wireless lavalier mic (3-in-1 receiver): on Amazon Japan
DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + charging case): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Earbuds, Speakers & Audio (35) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.