Is the Moment Mobile Mic Worth It? A Beginner’s Review

Who Is the Microphone For?

The Moment Mobile Shotgun Mic is definitely a niche tool, so it’s not for everyone. But if you’re a beginner creator looking for better audio without spending hundreds (or thousands), it’s a great place to start. Buying a mic can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s why I like gear that keeps things as simple as possible.

Shotgun mics are a solid, all-around choice. They’re great for picking up natural sounds, interviews, vlogs, and storytelling without needing extra pieces. Lav mics work fine, too — but they clip to your shirt, and you’ve got to worry about rustling or mic placement. The Moment mic skips that stress and mounts directly on your phone to pick up sound from wherever you’re filming. It's way less of a hassle.

To be clear, this isn’t trying to replace a professional mic rig. It’s here to upgrade your phone’s built-in mic, and that’s the comparison that matters. I tested it against my Redmi Note 11’s and MacBook’s (2024 M3) mic to see how it stacks up in real-world use. So, if you shoot on your phone and feel like your audio is holding you back, this is an easy step up.

How Does It Compare To The Audio You Already Have?

I ran some test recordings, and the results were pretty impressive in terms of the price. Compared to my phone — the Redmi Note 11 — this mic was a clear winner. The difference is immediately noticeable. My voice sounds less ambiguous and more streamlined, with much less background hoopla.

Now, the Redmi isn’t known for stellar audio, so I also tested the Moment mic against my MacBook’s built-in mic (2024 M3) for a more fair comparison. That test was slightly closer, but the shotgun mic still came out ahead. My voice was bold, and it cut through the noise better. The MacBook mic picks up sound from all directions (omnidirectional), so you get a lot of room tone and unwanted extra noise. The Moment mic uses a super-cardioid pickup pattern, which narrows in on what’s right in front of it where the mic is pointing, the obvious choice for voice-focused video work.

And yes, I know many newer phones have AI features to cut out background noise. But here, I’m comparing the raw audio straight from the mic without any software processing or noise removal, which has always seemed disingenuous to me as a creator. If I wanted better audio in the first place, I want to make sure the gear I use is a testament to my work with honesty.

If you’re using a newer iPhone, the difference won’t be huge, but it’s still very noticeable. For budget phones like mine, it’s a true game-changer. As for MacBooks and similar laptops, the mic can hold its own, but I wouldn’t recommend using it for calls or meetings where background noise is minimal. It shines in videography, where you want focused, clear voice capture.

Quick Overview:

• Priced at a budget-friendly $70, way more affordable than a pro setup.
• Comes with both USB-C and Lightning cables, so it works with any phone.
• Tailored for aspiring creators just starting out with their iPhones.
• Supercardioid pickup pattern cuts ambient noise and zeroes in on your subject.
• Includes a windscreen and shock mount to reduce handling noise and wind interference.

Design and Build Quality

While design isn’t the most critical feature for a mic, the Mobile Shotgun Microphone scores well here. Its clean, minimalistic look fits well with most camera phones. I especially like the red shoe mount — it’s a small detail, but it gives the mic a bit of personality and makes it easy to spot on your rig. It’s super tiny, too. With the windscreen attached, you barely see much of the mic itself, which is nice for keeping your setup sleek and unobtrusive.

The windscreen itself does a solid job of cutting down wind noise and popping sounds. But the one feature I found really handy is the 3.5mm headphone jack on the back. This allows you to monitor your audio life while recording if you want to make sure everything sounds right in real time. There’s also a little switch at the back to toggle power or settings, which is straightforward but super handy.

The build quality is solid and what you'd expect for $70. It feels sturdy and well put together, and it is a lot more trustworthy than the cheaper Amazon knock-offs. It’s designed to withstand bumps and drops if you throw a bunch of gear in the bag to quickly get to your next destination for a shoot.

Travel-friendly, unbreakable, and does the job well.

Moment Mobile Shotgun Microphone vs. Joby Wavo Mobile

The JOBY Wavo Mobile Mic is a reasonably equivalent market comparison. They look similar, function nearly hte same, and operate simply at this price point. Both mics hold up well against long shoot days, and they quite honestly sound the exact same. Unless you're an avid endanger who lives off picking up any nuances in sound, you won't be able to tell the difference if you primarily shooting for TikToks or quick audio bursts or videos on YouTube. So, if I had to pick, Moment’s mic edges out slightly due to its lower price point with similarly solid features.

That’s obviously not to say the Joby Wavo Mobile is lacking; JOBY is among the best in the business for audio mics and content-friendly products. Their lineup offers slightly better audio quality, and for creators who want the best sound regardless of cost, it’s worth weighing. But if you just want a great mic without breaking the bank, Moment’s mic is the smarter buy.

In the end, your choice depends on what features matter most to you and how much you’re willing to spend.

Final Thoughts

To wrap things up, this mic is a fantastic option for creators who want an easy, affordable way to get better audio straight from their phones. It’s simple to use, well-built and delivers clear, focused sound that blows your phone’s built-in mic out of the water.

The downsides are few and mostly come with the territory itself, as shotgun mics need to be close, and they’re no substitute for complete professional setups to deliver that true crisp sound. But for beginners or anyone who wants to level up their mobile video sound without extra nuisance, it's genuinely a great choice.