Ever since the Insta360 X5 360-degree camera dropped earlier this year, I’ve been obsessed. This camera is a game changer—the kind of device you don’t realize you need until you’ve tried it. I picked one up as soon as it launched in 2025, and I’ve been putting it through its paces in all sorts of environments.

One of the features that immediately stood out was the built-in microphone. Even when the X5 is attached to a six-foot stick, it picks up my voice really well. That said, the built-in mic isn’t perfect, especially in noisy locations, so I started exploring external microphone options to boost my audio game.

The Contenders: Insta360 Mic Air vs DJI Mic Mini
Shortly after the X5 launched, Insta360 released the Mic Air, a Bluetooth mic designed specifically for the X5. I was already using the DJI Mic Mini (another Bluetooth mic I’ve come to love), so naturally, the big question was: Do I stick with the DJI Mic Mini, or is the Insta360 Mic Air worth grabbing? Let’s dive in.

Testing the Built-in Mic
I began with the built-in mic on the X5, turning on the low and then high levels of noise reduction. On a weekend day, with the occasional car passing by, the built-in mic did an okay job in reducing ambient noise. The difference between the low and high noise reduction settings was noticeable, but far from perfect, background sounds still crept in.

DJI Mic Mini: Good, but Not Perfect
Next up: the DJI Mic Mini. Setting it up via Bluetooth was simple enough, but I ran into a snag, I couldn’t figure out how to enable noise cancellation. It was frustrating! With a few cars passing behind me, my voice was clear, but the background noise just wouldn’t quit.

Insta360 Mic Air: Simplicity Wins
Then, I switched to the Insta360 Mic Air. Right away, I appreciated the seamless integration with the X5. The best part? I could turn on noise cancellation by simply double-clicking the single button on the Mic Air, no fiddling with settings on the camera itself. Suddenly, all that background hustle melted away. Honestly, that level of convenience and control made the Mic Air stand out immediately.

Not only that, but I could start and stop recordings with a single tap on the mic. Yes, I love the gesture controls on the X5, but sometimes it’s just easier to have this tactile option—especially if you’re doing a lot of takes.

Dual Audio Recording = Peace of Mind
One powerful feature of the X5 setup: dual audio recording. While recording with the Mic Air, the X5 still captures a backup track through its built-in mic. So if I (yet again) forget to enable noise cancellation on the Mic Air, I can always fall back on the onboard audio. It’s a small detail, but one that removes a ton of stress when I’m filming on-the-go.

So… Which Bluetooth Mic Should You Choose?
After testing both extensively, here’s my honest take: If you already own the DJI Mic Mini, you can definitely use it with the X5. But if you care about on-the-fly noise cancellation and seamless integration, the Insta360 Mic Air is absolutely worth the extra $50 to $70.

Its single-button controls and direct connection to the X5 features make it seriously user-friendly in the real world.

Plus, Insta360 keeps adding support for more third-party Bluetooth mics, so if you have a favorite, there’s a good chance it’ll work. (I’m linking Insta360’s compatibility list at the bottom of this post, check there for the latest.)

If you’re mostly filming indoors and don’t need advanced noise cancellation, either microphone will do a solid job. But for outdoor creators who want to keep their setup light and fuss-free, the Mic Air is a no-brainer.

If you have questions or want to see how other mics stack up, check out the playlists I’m testing for different studio needs!

Happy filming!