BOYA M1 Microphone Review: A Budget-Friendly Mic for Beginner Content Creators

As someone trying to grow my YouTube channel with unboxing and tech reviews, finding the right microphone without breaking the bank has been a bit of a challenge. While my channel isn’t exactly successful yet, I’m still learning how to shoot better videos and improve my audio quality. That’s why I picked up the BOYA M1 Microphone — it’s affordable, versatile, and seemed like a solid option for a beginner like me. After using it for a while, here’s my honest take on how it performs.

Review of: Tonny Chung

We Like

Affordable and budget-friendly – Perfect for someone starting out.
Works with multiple devices – Cameras, computers, and phones (with an adapter).
Clearer audio than built-in phone mics – Noticeable improvement in sound quality.
Long cable – The 6-meter cable gives you flexibility, especially if you need to set up your camera at a distance.

We Don't Like

Needs an adapter for smartphones – A small extra cost if you want to use it with your phone.
Long cable can be annoying to store – While the long cable is useful, it also gets tangled easily when you’re trying to pack it away.
Not professional-level sound – It’s good for the price, but don’t expect studio-quality audio.

Specification

Transducer Type: Electret Condenser
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
Frequency Range: 65Hz – 18kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 74dB SPL
Sensitivity: -30dB ± 3dB (0dB = 1V/Pa, 1kHz)
Output Impedance: 1000 Ohm or less
Connection: 3.5mm (1/8″) 4-pole gold plug
Battery Type: LR44 (Included)
Cable Length: 6 meters (20 feet)
Weight: Lightweight and portable

First Impressions and Setup

The BOYA BY-M1 comes in a simple package with everything you need to get started:
✅ The microphone itself
✅ A lapel clip
✅ A foam windscreen
✅ A 6.3mm adapter
✅ An LR44 battery
✅ An instruction manual

Setting it up was pretty straightforward. The microphone has a 3.5mm jack, which makes it super easy to plug into my camera and laptop. However, if you want to use it with a smartphone — whether it’s my Android or my wife’s iPhone — you’ll need to buy a separate adapter. This was a bit of a downside, but not a dealbreaker considering the price.

Performance and Sound Quality

Honestly, for the price, the sound quality is better than I expected. It’s not studio-level perfect, but it’s a huge step up from recording directly on my phone. My voice comes through clearer, and the omnidirectional pickup helps capture sound from all directions without making it sound muffled or unnatural.

When I’m recording unboxing videos or talking to the camera, the BOYA BY-M1 does a solid job at isolating my voice from background noise. It’s not flawless — you might hear a bit of ambient noise if you’re in a noisy environment — but it’s more than good enough for beginner content creation.

Conclusion

For a budget microphone under $20, the BOYA BY-M1 punches above its weight. It’s not perfect, but if you’re starting a YouTube channel, recording unboxing videos, or just improving your audio for vlogs, it’s a fantastic value. The sound quality is noticeably better than using your phone’s mic, and the fact that it works with cameras, PCs, and smartphones (with an adapter) makes it super versatile. The long cable is both a blessing and a curse, but overall, it’s a solid investment for beginner content creators. If you’re on a budget and need a reliable mic, this one’s worth considering.

👉 Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely — especially if you’re starting out and don’t want to spend too much on gear.