If you’ve thought about upgrading your audio hardware beyond your phone, the Maono PD200W mic makes a strong case for it. It offers versatility, quality and a simplicity that isn’t common with audio gear. And, just as important, it’s under US$100.
Out of the box, the PD200W feels solid – metal body with a sturdy mount and desk stand – that’s insanely easy to put together. As someone who is guilty of trying things out before reading any instructions, I had it set up in seconds. It isn’t super light – weighing around 374 g (0.82 lb) without the stand, and about 1,084 g (2.39 lb) when mounted. So, no, it’s not a clip-on DJI microphone by any stretch, but nor is it trying to be. Having reviewed the more portable Maono Wave T5 a few months ago, this one has a very different purpose.
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One of the PD200W‘s biggest assets is that it combines three traditionally separate microphone roles in a single device: A wireless microphone via a 2.4 GHz dongle, a USB-C system with built-in audio interface and a standard XLR unit for use with mixers or audio software. Most microphones manage to just one of these, so bringing the three together offers the user serious – and, let’s face it, rare – versatility.
At its core, a dynamic cardioid capsule is made for voice capture, delivering clean, warm audio that works well for podcasts, livestreams and anything else requiring speaking. Background noise is kept reasonably in check, even in untreated rooms, and the mic sounds consistent whether you’re running it wired or wireless. This alone is a strong point, offering more flexibility than most entry-level USB mics. The soft-foam windscreen is also excellent, muting the “breath blasts” that come from certain consonants, offering a professional finish to recordings even if you’re just sitting on the floor in your closet (we call this a “home studio” in the podcast world).
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In wireless mode, the microphone uses a 2.4-GHz receiver that plugs into any USB-C port on laptop or phone (you’ll need an adaptor if requiring an older Apple lightning connector). I was impressed with this mode, expecting some latency compared to a wired setup – it captured audio better than expected, essentially turning anywhere into a portable studio.
You can expect to get a good run out of a single charge – Maono says 60 hours of battery life with the RGB lighting off and around 38 hours with the LEDs on, and this didn’t feel too far off the mark. While I wasn’t recording nonstop, I didn’t need to charge it anytime in the week I was playing around with it. When the battery power drops below 20%, an orange LED ring flashes around the control knob (it’s green when at full charge). This LED ring also reacts to muting (flashes then goes off) or mode switches, making it incredibly easy to see what’s going on at all times.
The versatility does come with some slight trade-offs, though. The gain knob feels a little loose and imprecise, making fine adjustments a little fiddly, and the physical mute button produces an audible click if pressed while recording. The wireless receiver can also block neighboring ports on laptops, however this isn’t a major gripe. And while its cardioid pickup is ideal for solo creators, the setup is a little stretched for interviews and group recordings.
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Still, those compromises are pretty reasonable given the price tag. The PD200W isn’t trying to replace high-end studio gear, but instead provides a way for anyone to easily capture quality audio either at home or on-the-go. For podcasts, streams, voiceovers and video calls, this unit punches above its weight. And while it won’t completely silence a noisy room, it handles everyday background clutter well. And anyone who has tried to record a podcast while the neighbor has the leaf-blower out or their dog is barking will know that this sort of environmental control saves a whole lot of post-production time and headaches.
The Maono PD200W isn’t going to outperform top-line equipment, but that gear and setup is not a reality for most people. And its accessibility is one of its drawcards: It’s not daunting – it’s basically plug-and-play –and can work with everything from desktop streaming to field recording. So while it prioritizes connectivity and versatility over refined controls and studio polish, it feels like a pretty fair trade – especially given the price tag of US$99.99 (and only $84 on Amazon).
Product page: Maono
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