Saramonic Air SE Mic Review

This is a review of the Saramonic Air SE microphone.

Content creators increasingly rely on smartphones for production, with audio quality still lagging behind smartphone camera technology.

The new Saramonic Air SE microphone offers a significant improvement in audio recording in a compact, pocket-friendly format.

This review breaks down the features and audio results you can expect when adding the Saramonic SE mic to your workflow.

What is the Saramonic Air SE Mic?

• Recording Quality: 48 kHz / 24-bit HD resolution.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 80 dB
• Max SPL: 120 dB.
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• AI Noise Cancellation: Filters up to 40 dB of background noise using neural-network technology, offering selectable weak (-15 dB) and strong (-40 dB) modes, as well as an “off” setting.
• Safety Track & Limiter: Built-in real-time limiter and a -12 dB safety track.
• App Integration: A dedicated app provides control over EQ presets, routing, and noise cancellation levels.
• Operating Range: Up to 200 meters (line of sight).
• Total Battery Life: Up to 24-28 hours when utilizing the charging case.
• Transmitter Battery Life: Approx. 6 hours per charge.
• Mounting: Built-in magnetic mounts and clips for quick attachment to clothing. 
• Handheld Functionality: The charging case doubles as a handheld interview microphone.
• Transmitter Weight: 5 grams.

Saramonic has emerged as a serious contender in the audio recording industry for content creators, offering everything from entry-level mics to dedicated lavalier setups for professional settings, such as the Saramonic K9.

The Saramonic Air SE falls squarely into the former category, providing an ultra-compact, low-cost microphone solution for smartphone-first content creators and vloggers.

While smartphones have become adept at producing high-quality images, their built-in microphones are lacking when it comes to delivering audio that complements the footage.

With the Saramonic Air SE, users can quickly upgrade their audio via a simple plug-in adapter and connect to two magnetically attachable microphones that record dialogue at 48 kHz / 24-bit HD resolution.

It takes the previously released Saramonic Air as its foundation, stripping away the mini OLED screen display to streamline the design for a fully pocketable experience.

The result is a compelling all-in-one microphone system for budget-conscious vloggers and smartphone filmmakers who want to up their game with minimal additional gear and setup hassle.

Technical Specifications

The Saramonic Air SE delivers impressively specced performance at its low price point, beginning with the aforementioned 48 kHz / 24-bit HD resolution for precise audio capture.

Its 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio further elevates quality, using an ultra-low noise floor to preserve as much detail as possible without compromising fidelity.

Likewise, the max SPL of 120 dB allows the device to handle loud environments cleanly, combined with effective noise reduction processing that maximizes overall balance.

With a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz, the system covers the full nominal range of human hearing, so non-dialogue audio is captured accurately.

The Air SE includes a real-time limiter to reduce clipping, alongside an optional -12 dB safety track that provides a lower-level backup recording.

There's also an operating range of up to 200 meters in line of sight, which is more than adequate for any practical shooting scenario you might need.

Design and Build Quality

Saramonic has positioned the Air SE as the go-to mic for on-the-move content creators, and with its slick, compact form and ergonomic build quality, it has delivered on this front.

It's shorter in length than the average pen and can be easily slipped into a pocket, while the form-fitting design makes it incredibly simple to set up when needed.

Simply attach the receiver to a smartphone's USB-C port and, once the app has been installed, set up the audio recording parameters and activate the clip-on microphone.

The charging case, receiver, and microphones are all designed with smooth edges that enhance comfort when handling, locking swiftly into place when reinserted into the case.

Built-in magnetic mounts for the two included microphones are on the small side (something to be mindful of as they can be easily misplaced), but they keep the microphones in place securely.

They also come with windscreens for shooting outdoors, which are well-made and fit snugly over the microphones when clipped or used with the charging case as a handle.

While the components are made from plastic, the quality is high, and this construction approach also helps keep the overall weight to a minimum.

Performance and Sound Quality

Operating the Saramonic Air SE requires a straightforward setup in the Saramonic app, where basic settings are established, before exiting the app and using your primary recording app.

Once this setup is complete, audio quality is surprisingly polished for a microphone in this price range, with natural voice reproduction that retains clarity and a sense of personality and presence.

Bass depth is solid, with a well-balanced approach across the frequency range that brings out the subject's vocal inflections with minimal distortion or unwanted artifacts.

Enable the AI noise reduction, and the results are equally impressive, with gusts of wind and other unwanted sounds effectively cut out without compromising the intended recordings.

Noise distortion comes in two primary settings, with the -15 dB “Weak Mode” ideal for indoor use to remove noises such as humming computers, and “Strong Mode” delivering -40 dB for more challenging environments.

Both are well-calibrated for these scenarios, although the latter's application can sometimes result in voices sounding slightly less natural due to the noise reduction processing.

The Saramonic Air SE microphones are also sensitive enough to record voices at a whisper, while still retaining clarity that some mics often fail to capture.

At the other extreme, the device's 120 dB maximum SPL allows it to record loud shouting and other high-volume noises without distortion and cracking.

This results in a pleasingly balanced range of performance that enables excellent recordings indoors and outdoors, whether battling against the elements or competing with background noises at a convention.

Wireless Connectivity and Range

The Saramonic Air SE uses the globally license-free 2.4GHz wireless spectrum, allowing for use in all locations without having to be concerned about local radio regulations.

As such, linking your receiver to the two included microphones is seamless and near-instantaneous, with auto-pairing of all devices out of the box.

Remove the receiver from the carry case and attach it to your phone, and once you've turned it on and activated the microphones, everything pairs automatically.

Saramonic lists the Air SE's range as up to 200 meters in line of sight; in tests, the connection remained stable at distances of up to roughly 100 meters.

While some budget-friendly microphones suffer from connection instability and interference in environments with heavy Wi-Fi congestion, the Air SE circumvents these issues with its adaptive frequency-hopping technology.

This ensures the receiver switches to the cleanest possible sub-channel on the fly, allowing use in crowded venues without unwanted audio drops.

Battery Life and Power Options

Fully charged, the Saramonic Air SE delivers up to 6 hours of performance, which can be extended to up to 28 hours when using the charging case for extended shoots.

This longevity is built around its internal batteries that can't be replaced or removed, with the internal battery helping keep weight to a minimum.

For the receiver, power is drawn directly from your smartphone via its USB-C pass-through port, with the option of connecting the phone to a power bank or wall charger without detaching the device.

This can be accomplished without having to stop recordings by plugging the power source into the receiver, making it suitable for long-form content creation, interviews, and other scenarios.

Recharging the transmitters is also relatively swift, taking approximately one and a half hours to fully recharge both microphones from completely drained to 100%.

When recharging the case itself, expect to wait around two hours to fully power it back up from 0%, using the USB-C port to connect to an appropriate power source.

Ease of Use and Setup

When it comes to setting up the Saramonic Air SE, the process is incredibly simple and user-friendly, with just a few steps that mostly focus on app-based settings.

Physical setup involves attaching the receiver to your smartphone and turning it on along with the microphones, which then automatically pair using the built-in 2.4GHz wireless connection.

From here, you can adjust a range of settings in the Saramonic app to balance the EQ, apply noise reduction, and adjust output gain before you begin recording audio.

Output gain can be established independently for each of the two included microphones, which is handy for situations where subjects are in different environments or if someone's voice is softer.

There's also the option to switch between stereo, mono, and safety track modes, in the event these settings are required for your particular workflow.

EQ tuning is another useful feature, albeit with limited applications for generalist content creators, that elevates the overall functionality of the Air SE above and beyond what you'd expect at the price point.

Since the device doesn't include onboard recording (instead working alongside your chosen video recording app of choice), there's no hassle migrating audio from your phone to a computer.

The result is an exceptionally accessible, compact microphone that's virtually effortless to use, designed for casual content creators who don't need advanced tools in their workflow.

Price and Value for Money

The price point of the Saramonic Air SE is perhaps its biggest draw, offering a highly affordable option for casual users or as a backup audio recording device for more serious videographers.

Indeed, its combination of high-performance audio quality and low price makes it one of the best value options for content creators in its category.

Some of its features, such as the AI noise cancellation and -12 dB safety track, are more commonly found on higher-end models that cost significantly more.

At the same time, the modular design – complete with the option to use the charging case as a handheld interview microphone – further adds to the Air SE's overall value for money.

While it may lack onboard recording functionality, which may be a deal-breaker for some users, those looking for a streamlined and portable audio recording setup will find everything they need here.

How I Tested the Saramonic Air SE Mic

When testing the Saramonic Air SE, I conducted a variety of indoor and outdoor recordings to assess audio quality in controlled environments and in locations with background noise.

The noise cancellation settings were applied outdoors to evaluate how effectively background noise from traffic and wind was isolated, both with and without the included “dead cat” wind covers.

Distance tests were also conducted to evaluate the microphone range and measure how far away they can be used before the audio quality begins to diminish.

Tests to assess the nuanced performance of the EQ parameters were also conducted and compared with audio quality from recordings captured with the microphones deactivated.

In all tests, the Saramonic Air SE handily outperformed the standard audio output from the Sony Xperia smartphone, with richer vocals and a greater sense of dynamics evident in the comparisons.

Alternatives to Saramonic Air SE Mic Review

There are several alternatives to the Saramonic Air SE that share its design, audio quality, affordability, and target audience.

The BOYA Mini 2 is arguably the closest competitor, with a similar price point to the Air SE, albeit lacking the dedicated smartphone app to control settings and a shorter effective range.

Slightly more expensive than BOYA's model is the Hollyland Lark M2, which reflects some of the Air SE's achievements but falls short due to the lack of a real-time audio limiter or a safety track mode.

For those willing to up their budget, the Rode Wireless Micro introduces the impressive GainAssist tech, allowing for automated balancing of audio levels, but expect a slightly lower battery life as a trade-off.

Saramonic Air SE Mic Review | Conclusion

With its compact form and impressively detailed audio capture, the Saramonic Air SE exceeds expectations for its price point.

Easy to use and with an intuitive physical setup combined with a straightforward app, it's a beginner-friendly microphone that's ideal for casual users.

More seasoned content creators might be deterred by the lack of onboard recording and OLED interface for adjusting settings outside of the app, but these are minor shortcomings that don't detract from casual use.

If you're making smartphone-based social media content and want a serious audio upgrade on a budget, the Saramonic Air SE is a lightweight, plug-and-play solution.