Wireless microphone for interviews UK: lavalier vs handheld

What to take away

Seated interviewa lavalier clipped to the collar usually wins, because both hands stay free and the mouth-to-capsule distance stays fixed.
Piece to camera, stand-mounted panel or noisy rooma handheld puts a close, visible capsule where you want it.
Most UK kits run licence exemptChannel 70 at 863-865 MHz and Channel 38 at 606-614 MHz, both capped at 10 mW ERP, plus 2.4 GHz at 100 mW EIRP.
Compare the Rode Wireless GO II, DJI Mic 2, Rode Lavalier GO, Shure SM58 and Sennheiser MD 46.
Budget about £69 for a wired lavalier, £250-£350 for a two-transmitter kit, £340-£400 for a wireless handheld.

Lavalier and handheld on six criteria

The format should follow the shot rather than the badge on the box. Both types record broadcast-quality speech. They differ in how they are worn, held and cabled.

Lavalier (clip-on)

Mounting: Clipped to a collar, lapel or tie
Hands-free: Yes, the subject can use both hands
Mouth distance: Set once, then stays consistent
Signal path: Radio link, or a cable to the recorder
Typical UK cost: From about £69 for the capsule
Best for: Seated and two-person interviews

Handheld

Mounting: Held in the hand or set on a stand
Hands-free: No, unless stand-mounted
Mouth distance: Moves with the hand and the head
Signal path: Radio link, or an XLR cable with no radio
Typical UK cost: £100-£400 including the capsule
Best for: Pieces to camera, vox pops, loud rooms

Lavalier vs handheld

Lavalier

Placement: Collar, below chin
Hands: Free
Handling noise: Low
On camera: Small, easy to hide
Cable or radio: Either
Best for: Seated interviews

Handheld

Placement: Hand's width from mouth
Hands: One hand occupied
Handling noise: Higher without shock mount
On camera: Visible, sometimes deliberately
Cable or radio: Usually cabled
Best for: Pieces to camera, vox pops

Choosing between a hidden lavalier and a visible handheld is also a framing decision, and the lighting kit guide for YouTube videos compares a softbox with a ring light for a two-person shot.

A capsule at the collar keeps the frame clean while the subject turns, and the guide to lavalier microphones explains the clip and capsule types in common use. Wired handhelds usually end in an XLR connector, the balanced standard on recorders.

Named lavalier and handheld systems sold in the UK

Vague advice is no help when you are ready to order. Andertons, Gear4music, PMT and Wex Photo Video stock the systems below at the prices shown.

Wired lavalier: Rode Lavalier GO, typically £69-£80.
Wireless pair: Rode Wireless GO II, two transmitters and one receiver, typically £250-£290.
Wireless pair: DJI Mic 2, typically £300-£350, with recording inside each transmitter.
Wired handheld: Shure SM58, typically £100-£115, or Sennheiser MD 46, typically £300-£360.
Wireless handheld: Shure BLX24/SM58, typically £340-£400.

Makers of the 2.4 GHz kits cite six to seven hours per transmitter and 100-250 m line of sight. The UHF Shure BLX24 quotes about 100 m and up to 14 hours on two AA cells.

Check your camera before you buy a receiver: not every body has a headphone jack or a clean 3.5 mm input, and the best camera for YouTube guide sets out which models give you both.

Licence-exempt frequencies and power limits for UK shoots

Ofcom permits most interview radio mics under exemption rather than a per-user licence, so the same kit works at a wedding and in a studio. The overview of wireless microphones covers the diversity receivers and channel scanning that help in crowded spectrum.

Channel 70 covers 863-865 MHz at 10 mW ERP. Channel 38 covers 606-614 MHz at 10 mW ERP. The 2.4 GHz band covers 2400-2483.5 MHz at 100 mW EIRP.

Operating above those limits needs a licence, and the 700 MHz band, 694-790 MHz, is no longer available to UK radio mics. Check the band printed on the kit, because a system built for the United States may sit on frequencies you cannot use here.

Example: a two-person interview kit cost

Two-person interview kit cost

Rode Wireless GO II two-transmitter kit£250-£290.
Spare 3.5 mm TRS cable for a camera input£10-£15.
Wired lavalier back-up with a 3 m cable£25-£70.
Power bank or a set of AA cells£20-£30.

Total: roughly £305-£405 before VAT, which is where a two-person interview kit usually lands. Confirm the current quote with the retailer on the day you order.

Add VAT at 20% where a supplier quotes ex-VAT prices, and budget a second battery set.

Range, dropouts and what to do on the day

Run this check before the first take rather than during it.

Scan for a clear channel, and set the receiver manually where the kit allows it.
Keep the transmitter and receiver in line of sight; bodies and walls absorb 2.4 GHz more than UHF.
Raise the transmitter to chest height and keep it clear of metal zips.
Record a safety track where the receiver offers one.
Swap to the wired lavalier if the band stays congested.

Room noise can spoil a good radio link, and the soundproofing guide for recording rooms covers cheap ways to cut echo and rumble before you chase a signal fault.

Common questions

Do I need an Ofcom licence for a wireless microphone in the UK?

Not for the licence-exempt bands above, provided you stay inside the power limits. Running above 10 mW ERP on Channel 70 or Channel 38, or using other frequencies, needs a licence.

Is a lavalier better than a handheld for a video interview?

For a seated interview, usually yes. The lavalier keeps both hands free and holds a steady distance from the mouth. A handheld suits a piece to camera, where the mic belongs in shot.

What should I do if the signal drops mid-interview?

Stop the take and check the receiver channel. Move the transmitter and receiver closer, keep the path clear of bodies, and switch to the wired back-up if the fault repeats.

How long do the batteries last on a wireless interview kit?

Most 2.4 GHz transmitters run six to seven hours per charge, and UHF handhelds run up to 14 hours on AA cells. Carry spares or a power bank for a full shooting day.