What Is a Wireless Microphone?
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A wireless microphone sends the voice from the microphone to a receiver without a cable between them. The microphone has a transmitter, and the receiver plugs into a speaker, voice amplifier or PA system. The 4 systems below show the types: headset mics, a handheld mic and a plug-on XLR system.
How a wireless microphone works
A wireless microphone has a transmitter at the microphone and a receiver at the speaker or amplifier. The transmitter sends the voice over a radio link, and the receiver turns it back into sound for the speaker. The Bietrun and TONOR systems use UHF with 15 channels, the JOYO system uses 2.4GHz with 4 channels, and the MICVISTA system uses 2.4G for 2 people at once.
Match the receiver plug to the speaker
The receiver plug decides what the system connects to. The Bietrun receiver has a 3.5mm plug with a 6.35mm adapter included, the TONOR receiver has a 6.35mm plug, and the JOYO receiver plugs into a mixer or PA with an XLR connection. The MICVISTA headset supports 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch jacks. Check the jack on the speaker or amplifier before you buy, since the Bietrun system works only with a mic jack, not an Aux jack.
Check the range and the battery
Range and battery time decide how far the microphone reaches and how long it runs. The Bietrun system reaches 160 ft with about 6 hours of working time, the TONOR reaches 200 ft, the JOYO reaches 100 ft with 6 to 8 hours of battery, and the MICVISTA reaches 160 ft. The JOYO transmitter and receiver show battery power on 4-bar LED indicators, so the charge is easy to check before a session.
Set it up and mute first
Turn on the transmitter and receiver, and wait for the lights to stop flashing before you speak. The Bietrun and MICVISTA systems flash a blue light for about 2 seconds while they pair, and the light stops flashing when the match is made. The JOYO listing says to mute the mixer channel before turning the transmitter or receiver on or off, then unmute once power is stable.
What you need
Bietrun Wireless Microphone Headset
A UHF headset microphone system with a 160 ft range, about 6 hours of battery, 15 channels and a 2-in-1 headset and handheld design for speakers and PA systems.
- Wireless range: 160 ft
- Battery life: 6 hr
- UHF band
TONOR Wireless Microphone
A UHF handheld microphone system with a 200 ft range, 15 adjustable channels, a metal body and a rechargeable receiver for karaoke and speech.
- Wireless range: 200 ft
- Battery life: 3 hr
- UHF band
- 2-year warranty stated
JOYO 2.4GHz Wireless XLR Microphone System
A 2.4GHz plug-on XLR system that turns a dynamic microphone wireless, with a 100 ft range, 24-bit/48kHz audio and 6 to 8 hours of battery.
- Wireless range: 100 ft
- Battery life: 8 hr
- 1-year warranty stated
MICVISTA Wireless Microphone System for 2 People
A 2.4G dual headset system for 2 people at once, with a 160 ft range and 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch jacks for speakers and voice amplifiers.
- Wireless range: 160 ft
These come from our ranked list Best Wireless Mic, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Does a wireless microphone need a cable?
No cable runs between the microphone and the receiver. The microphone sends the voice over a radio link to the receiver, which plugs into the speaker or amplifier.
What is the difference between UHF and 2.4GHz?
The Bietrun and TONOR systems use UHF, while the JOYO and MICVISTA systems use 2.4GHz. The channel counts differ: 15 channels on the UHF systems and 4 channels on the JOYO system.
Can I use a wireless microphone with a phone?
The Bietrun and MICVISTA systems do not. The Bietrun system does not support phones, and the MICVISTA system does not work with a PC, iPhone, iPad, Mac or smartphone. Use them with a speaker, voice amplifier or PA system instead.
Ranked wireless microphones lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.