I'm always a little bit sceptical of things that claim to be the best at something (the "No. 1 best-selling internet microphone worldwide", to be exact), but after giving Maono's products a go myself all these years, I have to admit - I've become a fan. It not only blew me away by packing so much into so little, but it also single-handedly stripped me of my creative writing skills because I just couldn't find the right words to describe it (more on this later).
It's not that the RGB lights somehow always lure me in, or the fact that Maono seems to know exactly the type of aesthetic I like when it comes to gaming peripherals. While looks are all well and good, it's the powerhouse chugging along underneath that truly matters at the end of the day - and after taking my sweet time with the Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone, I can honestly say it's beautiful inside and out.
The box, while small and unassuming, contains everything you'll ever need in one go - two clips, two windproof filters, a drawstring pouch, two magnetic necklaces, a charging box, and a hard case. You've also got your USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-A to USB-C cable, and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for flexibility, along with brand stickers because stickers are always fun.
I can't ask for a more complete package than this - it seems Maono thought long and hard about portability here, which makes sense given what lav mics are actually for.
And because portability is the name of the game on mobile, these lovely magnetic mics are perfect for on-the-go lifestyles thanks to their discreet designs and premium weight, adding a hefty feel to both mics that tells you the hardware isn't cheap (and it keeps you from misplacing them too).
Oh, right - the app. The official Maono app is a great accompaniment for the T5, letting you adjust the mic gain and Noise Reduction should you so wish. It easily detected my mics as soon as I plugged the receiver into my phone, with no complicated bits and bobs needed.
It's certainly handy to have, but the mics do well on their own, in my opinion, so you don't really need all the tinkering around on the app. Even the mute buttons are on the mics, along with the AI noise cancellation.
And because Maono has opted for receivers rather than Bluetooth tech, you can eliminate any latency woes and range issues (advertised as 300 metres) here. The magnets are incredibly strong too - they're really clingy despite me trying my best to shake them off, which is a godsend for clumsy me (because I just know I'll eventually lose a loosely clipped mic sooner or later).
And just in case sticking the mic onto clothing isn't possible, the clips and the necklaces do a good job of keeping the mics close enough to pick up your voice. Even ruffling my collar around didn't make much of a difference in distorting the audio, which is always a big concern for clip-on mics that are holding on to clothes for dear life.
Suffice it to say that Maono has once again won me over (if they haven't already). It's impressive to me how they can deliver such quality products at affordable price tags, which really proves you don't need all the bells and whistles when you've got the basics down pat.
Overall, the Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone knows its job and does it incredibly well, with painless connectivity, superb portability, and top-notch performance to boot. So, at the risk of using the most clichéd value-for-money description ever (and at the expense of my rapidly disappearing creative writing skills), if you're on the hunt for a good lav mic that won't break the bank, you can't go wrong with this one.