Most people planning an event don’t think much about which type of microphone they need. They just assume a mic is a mic. But the type of microphone you use has a real impact on how comfortable your speaker feels, how clearly the audience hears them, and how much can go wrong on the day.
We stock and hire out four types of microphone and each one suits different situations. This guide explains what each one does well, where it falls short, and which events it’s best suited to.
The four microphone types we hire
Type 01
Handheld wireless microphone
The most familiar type of microphone. The speaker holds it in their hand and it transmits wirelessly to the PA system. No cables, full freedom of movement, and most people instinctively know how to use one.
The main advantage is simplicity. There’s nothing to clip on, nothing to forget about, and the speaker always knows where the mic is because they’re holding it. It also tends to pick up voice very cleanly when held correctly.
Best for: keynote speakers, auctioneers, hosts and MCs, Q&A sessions where the mic gets passed around the audience.
Watch out for: speakers who hold the mic too far from their mouth or let it drift down as they talk. The audio level drops noticeably and the engineer has to compensate constantly.
Type 02
Lapel microphone (lavalier)
A small clip-on mic that attaches to clothing, usually on the lapel or collar. The transmitter pack clips to a belt or waistband. Once it’s on, the speaker can forget it’s there and use both hands freely.
Lapel mics are ideal when the speaker needs to move around, gesture, or refer to slides and a screen. They’re popular at conferences and presentations where the speaker is on stage for a while and doesn’t want to hold anything.
Best for: conference presenters, panel speakers, keynotes where the speaker moves across a stage, events where both hands need to be free.
Watch out for: clothing noise. Fabric rubbing against the mic is one of the most common audio problems at events. Positioning matters, and some clothing types work better than others. Tell us what your speakers are likely to be wearing and we can advise.
Type 03
Headset microphone
A lightweight mic that wraps around the ear and positions a small capsule close to the corner of the mouth. It stays in a fixed position relative to the speaker’s face regardless of how much they move, which gives very consistent audio quality.
Headsets are popular with performers, fitness instructors and presenters who move a lot or speak at varying volumes. Because the mic is always at the same distance from the mouth, the sound level stays consistent without any effort from the speaker.
Best for: presentations with a lot of movement, performers and entertainers, fitness or activity-based events, speakers who are confident and happy to wear one.
Watch out for: speaker reluctance. Some people find headsets uncomfortable or feel self-conscious wearing one. It’s worth confirming your speaker is happy with this option before booking it.
Type 04
Lectern or podium microphone
A fixed mic mounted on a stand or built into a lectern. The speaker stands at the podium and speaks into it. No wireless transmitter, no clip-on, nothing to manage. Just stand and speak.
For formal events where speakers will be at a fixed position, a lectern mic is often the cleanest and most reliable option. There’s nothing to go wrong with batteries or wireless transmission, and it suits the formality of a podium setting.
Best for: formal speeches, award ceremonies, academic events, religious services, any event where speakers will be at a fixed position for the duration.
Watch out for: speakers who turn their head away from the mic. A lectern mic picks up sound in a fairly narrow zone in front of it. If a speaker looks to the side to address a screen or another person, their voice level can drop significantly.
Quick reference: which mic for which event
| Event type | Recommended mic | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Conference keynote | Lapel or headset | Hands free for slides, consistent level as speaker moves |
| Panel discussion | Lapel per panellist or handheld passed between speakers | Keeps each speaker clearly audible without needing an engineer to switch between them |
| Award ceremony | Lectern mic plus handheld for on-stage winners | Formal and clean at the podium, flexible for unscripted moments |
| Wedding speeches | Handheld wireless | Simple to pass between speakers, intuitive to use, no setup on the speaker |
| Charity auction | Handheld wireless | Auctioneer can move, project energy, and the mic level stays strong |
| Outdoor event or fete | Handheld or headset | Wireless avoids cable trip hazards, headset handles wind better than handheld |
| Religious service or funeral | Lectern mic | Dignified, unobtrusive, reliable for a fixed speaking position |
Can you use more than one type at the same event?
Absolutely, and for many events it makes sense to do so. A conference might use lapel mics for the main speakers on stage and a handheld for audience Q&A. A gala dinner might have a lectern mic for formal speeches and a handheld for the auctioneer. An outdoor event might combine a headset for the main presenter with a handheld for guest speakers.
Mixing mic types at the same event is straightforward as long as the system is set up to handle it. We’ll manage all of that when we plan your setup.
Not sure what you need? Tell us about your event, how many speakers you have, and roughly what they’ll be doing. We’ll recommend the right combination and make sure everything is ready to go on the day.
One thing that matters more than mic type
Whichever microphone you use, the single biggest factor in how good it sounds is placement and technique. A great mic used badly will sound worse than a basic mic used well. For managed events with an engineer on site, we handle this. For self-managed hire, we’ll make sure you know how each mic works and what to watch out for before we leave.
We hire all four microphone types individually or as part of a full PA package. Get in touch with the details of your event and we’ll tell you exactly what we’d recommend.
