15 Best Arduino Microphone Modules for DIY Sound Projects

Arduino’s single-board microcontrollers are some of the most fun hardware you can build with, and adding a good microphone module opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your projects. The company started in Italy, and they’ve built up a massive global community of tinkerers who use the platform to prototype and create digital devices of all kinds.

Electronics hobbyists and pro engineers both love Arduino for the sheer creative range it unlocks. Any mic designed to work with an Arduino board is usually called an Arduino microphone, and there are more good ones out there than you’d expect.

The open-source nature of Arduino means the ecosystem keeps growing. Passionate developers share their libraries, tutorials, and schematics with anyone who wants to dive in, which makes it easy for newcomers to get started and for experienced builders to push the platform in new directions.

Arduino boards are multitaskers at heart. They’ll run whatever code you throw at them, but to really show off what they’re capable of, you need good input and output components.

That’s where a solid mic module comes in.

Quick Comparison Chart

1. HiLetgo electret microphone amplifier — Best Overall

The HiLetgo electret microphone amplifier is a fan favorite based on reviews from users across the maker community. Electret mics, sometimes called condensers, use a thin dual flat no-lead package, typically a small rectangular or square surface-mount component.

This one comes with a high-frequency electret microphone soldered directly onto the board for clean, quality audio capture. The onboard MAX4466 amplifier gives the supply current and bandwidth product a good operating environment, which translates to consistent performance over long runs.

Power delivery is smooth, and it can run for hours at a time with very little noise creeping into the signal. Adjusting the gain when things get loud is straightforward, and the output tops out around 5V peak-to-peak.

Running from a 3.3V supply, this module is versatile enough for voice changers, audio recording rigs, and audio-reactive LED projects. The output is rail-to-rail, so when a sound gets loud it’ll push up to the full 5Vpp without clipping strangely.

2. Daoki high sensitivity sound — Runner Up

The Daoki sensitivity microphone sensor ships with three more pieces than the HiLetgo electret mic and at a price that’s genuinely hard to beat. It has three output levels and supports a decent power supply range from 4V to 6V.

These sensors detect ambient sound intensity and let you adjust the threshold easily for the environment you’re in. They work great for detection projects where you need to trigger events at a specific loudness, whether that’s a clap-activated light or a more complex voice-triggered relay.

The module measures about 8.16 cubic centimeters and includes a 3mm mounting hole, which makes attaching it to your project enclosure straightforward.

3. Makerhawk electret microphone — Best Value

The Makerhawk is a great pick for projects that don’t need high-voltage power, running happily on anywhere from 2.4V to 5.5V. They work best when paired with an Arduino supplying 3.3V.

You get three electret microphone amplifiers in the pack, and they’re surprisingly versatile. They’ll play nicely with mobile phones, headphones, portable computers, speech recognition setups, hearing aids, and general mic amplifier projects.

Makerhawk designed them so that even at low supply voltages, the bandwidth can push up to 600 kHz of stable gain.

These amplifiers handle noisy environments well thanks to solid power supply rejection and common-mode rejection ratios. The rail-to-rail output self-regulates as ambient noise changes, so the signal stays consistent even when the room gets loud.

When everything’s quiet, the output settles at a steady 2V, which is right where you want it for clean low-noise recordings.

4. Cylewet cylindrical electret — Top Pick

Cylewet’s microphones are an absolute bargain, with ten pieces for under ten dollars. Combined with solid reviews from the maker community, it’s hard to argue against giving them a shot for experimentation.

Each Cylewet module handles high current consumption gracefully, and the frequency range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz covers pretty much everything you’d want to capture in a voice or music project.

For optimum performance, 3V is the sweet spot, and current consumption peaks at around 500 microamperes. The voltage operating range sits between 1.5V and 10V RMS, so you’ve got plenty of flexibility depending on how you integrate them into your project.

5. Rakstore MAX9814 Electret Microphone — Top Pick

The Rakstore MAX9814 electret microphone amplifier board is a compact module that can be used in digital cameras, entertainment systems, portable recorders, conferencing devices, and Arduino projects.

The board measures just 30mm x 25mm, making it easy to fit into tight spaces in your projects.

The MAX9814 chip provides automatic gain control with selectable maximum gain of 40dB, 50dB, or 60dB via a jumper cap.

It operates on a wide voltage range of DC 3.6-12V, giving you flexibility in how you power it.

The AGC function automatically adjusts gain levels based on the input sound, so you don’t have to manually tune it for different environments.

The output amplifier offers low THD and excellent noise performance, making it a solid choice for audio-reactive Arduino projects.

6. Adafruit MAX9814 Electret Microphone Amplifier — Worth Considering

The Adafruit MAX9814 electret microphone amplifier is a well-regarded breakout board that comes with extensive documentation and tutorials.

It operates on a low power supply voltage of 2.7-5.5V, making it ideal for battery-powered Arduino projects.

The auto gain control automatically adjusts sound levels with selectable maximum gain of 40dB, 50dB, or 60dB.

The board features a built-in 20Hz-20kHz electret microphone and delivers an impressively low THD of 0.04%.

For the best performance, use the Arduino 3.3V supply for the quietest operation.

The digital input programs the attack and release timing ratio, giving you fine control over how the AGC responds to changing sound levels.

7. Comidox High Sensitivity Sound Detection Module — Worth Considering

The Comidox high sensitivity sound detection module comes in a 3-piece pack, giving you spares for prototyping and experimentation.

The module outputs both digital and analog signals, with the analog output providing real-time voltage readings and the digital output triggering high/low based on sound intensity.

It runs on 5V DC and features an onboard potentiometer that lets you adjust the sensitivity threshold — handy if you’re building a DIY security microphone or alarm trigger.

An LED indicator lights up when sound is detected above the set threshold, giving you visual feedback during testing.

The compact form factor with 3mm screw holes makes it easy to mount in DIY projects, smart home systems, or alarm setups.

The Arduino microphone sensor can detect sound up to a set level, and you can fine-tune the trigger point using the built-in potentiometer.

8. Organizer MAX9814 Electret Microphone — Worth Considering

Just like the name implies, the Organizer MAX9814 does a lot with very little board space. It’s a simple, thin, flat rectangular module, and it handles a wide temperature range from -40 to 85 degrees Celsius, which opens it up for plenty of environmental use cases.

It features an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit tuned for low noise. The module packs a low-noise preamplifier, an output amplifier, and AGC circuitry all on one tiny board.

The input programs the output amplifier to automatically manage gain within a set attack and release time, with a short 30ms hold period built in.

You can pick output amplifier gains of 8, 18, or 28 dB, and they can push up to 60 dB when needed. That makes it a great choice for low-voltage digital projects where signal levels vary constantly.

It’s a natural fit for anything that interacts with digital electronics: computers, phones, cameras, audio recorders, entertainment systems, and beyond.

9. LGDehome Microphone Amplifier GY-MAX4466 — Worth Considering

With its compact size and adjustable gain point, the LGDehome has a varied array of usage at its disposal which includes projects involving audio recording, audio-reactive, and voice changers among many others.

The microphone amplifier has an exceptionally well-powered noise rejection with an inbuilt 20 Hz-20 kHz electret microphone for quality sound.

This device is programmed for use as a microphone preamplifier and can reach the best performance levels if used with the Arduino 3.3 V power supply.

The LGdehome provides a bandwidth frequency of up to 200 kHz with an allowance to increase up to 600 kHz, especially if the power supply is maintained at five volts.

10. Oiyagai Sound Sensor Microphone Module — Worth Considering

The Oiyagai sound sensor microphone module gives you a 5-piece pack, so you have plenty of modules for multiple projects and experimentation.

Each module features high sensitivity voice detection that can alert you to the presence and intensity of sound in its environment.

The sensor provides both digital and analog signal output, with the analog channel giving you real-time voltage readings and the digital output switching between high and low based on the sound threshold.

The sensitivity threshold is adjustable via an onboard potentiometer, letting you fine-tune when the module triggers.

It’s compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and AVR development boards, running on a 5V DC power supply.

The compact design includes mounting holes for easy integration into your projects, and the onboard LED indicator shows when sound is detected above the set threshold.

11. CHENBO MAX4466 Electret Microphone — Worth Considering

The CHENBO MAX4466 offers surprising flexibility for a device that requires so little input. The output pin produces a waveform at about 2V DC common collector level, especially in low-noise environments.

If your project needs AC coupling, just add an electrolytic decoupling capacitor between the input and output pins for a clean power delivery path. Amplifiers that already have a separate input component won’t need that extra decoupling though, so you can skip it.

The onboard sensitivity potentiometer lets you increase or decrease gain with a simple clockwise or counterclockwise twist. If you want to feed a speaker directly from the amp, you’ll need a separate audio amplifier since the output pin can’t drive speakers on its own.

Connecting to a microcontroller is simpler because the OUT pin can feed straight into an ADC, so no extra amp or AC coupling is needed.

The CHENBO amplifier delivers bandwidth up to 200 kHz at 24 microamperes of current, and that frequency response climbs to 600 kHz when running from a stable 5V supply. For the cleanest performance, pair it with an Arduino’s 3.3V rail when wiring the ground.

The amplifier also balances power supply rejection and common-mode rejection in noisy environments, a little like a tiny small diaphragm condenser capsule shrunk down for breadboard experiments. It’s a great pick for voice changer projects, audio recording rigs, and audio-reactive builds, and the module is specifically optimized for use as a microphone preamplifier.

12. uxcell Microphone Sound Sensor Voice — Worth Considering

Hands-on learning is the best way to pick up electronics, and the uxcell microphone sound sensor gives makers a nice platform to experiment on. The module runs stably between 3.3V and 5.5V DC with adjustable sensitivity, so it slots into both Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects easily.

It detects sound strength in the environment, using an amplifier paired with a microphone to measure input intensity. The board measures around 525 square millimeters and includes a 3mm mounting hole for attaching it inside a project enclosure.

The sensitivity potentiometer sits at the edge of the board. Twist it clockwise to increase sensitivity or counterclockwise to tone it down.

There are two LEDs on the back, one showing power status and the other showing output activity. You get both analog and digital outputs, with analog providing the raw voltage signal and digital giving you a simple high/low threshold trigger for sound-based events.

13. LGDehome LM386 Audio Power Amplifier — Worth Considering

The LGDehome audio amplifier enjoys 200 times gain circuit board design which has a speaker wire holder within a 574 mm².

The device works within a voltage of 5-12 volts.

There is an incorporated variable resistor that can be used to adjust the sound.

There are also four input portals which include a positive and negative audio input, a power supply voltage drain, and a power supply connector.

The price is affordable for ten pieces and allows users the comfort to experiment and use various elements.

The power indicator element in the chip which has been coated with lead can directly input audio signals.

14. Onyehn MAX4466 Electret Microphone Amplifier — Worth Considering

The Onyehn MAX4466 electret microphone amplifier is a great option for projects that need clear audio capture, including voice changers, audio recording and sampling, and audio-reactive projects.

It comes in a 6-pack, giving you plenty of modules for multiple projects and prototyping.

The MAX4466 chip is optimized specifically for microphone preamplification and features excellent power supply noise rejection (112dB PSRR).

The adjustable gain ranges from 25x to 125x via the onboard potentiometer, letting you dial in the right sensitivity for your application.

It operates on a wide voltage range of 2.4-5.5V, and for the best performance, use the Arduino 3.3V supply.

When connecting to a microcontroller, you can wire the OUT pin directly to an ADC pin without needing an additional amplifier or decoupling capacitor.

15. DEVMO Microphone Sensor High Sensitivity — Worth Considering

Two signals emanate from the microphone, which are both digital and analog signals.

The signals received through the analog output inform users of the voltage whilst the digital signals on sound intensity.

The analog output gives real-time voltage microphone signals while the digital output will provide a high and low signal up to a certain threshold.

The DEVMO microphone sensor has high efficiency with a capacity to detect sound within its environment.

These devices are all designed with a 3 mm mounting screw to the hole enabling ease to install.

For the best output performance, it’s ideal to use a power supply of 5 V.

The device has an LED power light and the package comes in 5 pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of Arduino microphone module should I use for sound detection projects?

For basic sound detection like clap switches or noise-level monitoring, a simple sound sensor module with a digital output works great. If you need to capture actual audio waveforms for visualization or recording, go with an electret microphone amplifier module like the MAX4466 or MAX9814.

Can I record audio with an Arduino microphone module?

Arduino boards can capture basic audio samples, but they lack the processing power and memory for high-quality audio recording. For simple sound-reactive projects and threshold detection they work perfectly, but for actual audio recording you’d want to pair the mic module with a dedicated recording shield or a more powerful board.

How do I connect a microphone module to an Arduino board?

Most Arduino microphone modules have three pins: VCC for power, GND for ground, and OUT for the audio signal. Connect VCC to 3.3V or 5V on your Arduino, GND to ground, and OUT to an analog input pin.

From there you can read the audio levels using the analogRead() function in your sketch.

Final Thoughts

There’s a genuinely wide range of Arduino microphone modules out there, so whether you’re a student, hobbyist, developer, or full-time maker, the Arduino platform gives you endless options across different sizes and specs.

There are also countless project ideas built around these modules, and the Arduino community has documented most of them online with full schematics and code walkthroughs. As always, be careful with soldering and power handling to avoid damaging components or hurting yourself.

These mic modules can be combined with just about any other sensor or output device, letting you build electronics that actually respond to the world around them in cool ways.