Review: Hollyland Lark A1 Wireless Microphone
What It Is
The Hollyland Lark A1 is a compact wireless lavalier system that plugs directly into your phone via USB‑C (perfect for your Samsung S25 +) or Lightning for iPhones. It includes two tiny transmitter mics, a receiver that doubles as the plug into your phone, and a charging case — all for under US $70 in the combo version.
Hollyland Lark A1 and packaging.
Note: Please note I am by far NOT an audio specialist; this is just my opinion. Hollyland sent me the Lark A1 to trial and keep, but all thoughts are my own.
Portability & Ease of Use
Each mic weighs just 8 g and is barely 9 mm thick — super unobtrusive on-camera or clipped to a collar
Set‑up is plug‑and‑play: insert the USB‑C receiver into your S25 +, clip on the microphone, and start recording — no pairing menus needed
The compact charging case holds up to 54 hours of total use (by alternating mics) and even lets you charge your phone while recording.
Sound Quality for Podcasts & Travel Notes
Records at 48 kHz / 24‑bit, which packs more clarity and dynamic range than your phone’s built‑in mic
Intelligent 3‑level noise cancellation helps reduce ambient sounds — wind, traffic, or café hum — while keeping voice tone natural
The auto‑limit feature prevents clipping during loud sounds (like enthusiastic travel commentary or ambient noise spikes)
App Control & Customisation
The LarkSound app (Android / iOS) gives you 6‑level gain control, EQ presets (“balance,” “bright,” “low”), adjustable reverb, mono/stereo toggle, and even LED‑light colour coding per mic, useful for dual‑mic interviews or voice/year notes session.
Battery & Range
Each mic offers up to 9 hours of continuous recording (6.5h with noise cancellation), and the case can recharge both twice over, giving you up to 54 hours total freedom before needing a plug.
Wireless range is rated around 200 m (650 ft) line‑of‑sight — more than enough for solo travel captures and mid‑range interviews
Pros & Cons
✅ What’s great for your use case (podcasts/travel notes):
Excellent audio clarity and dynamic range for voice capture on the go
Ultra-light and minimal gear to carry
Easy plug‑in use, ideal for quick, spontaneous recording
Robust noise filtering and gain control via app
Long battery life and built-in phone charging support
⚠️ Potential drawbacks:
Build is all plastic (not premium metal) — though it keeps the weight low
No dedicated gain knob on the mic itself — all adjustments via app or smart defaults
Noise cancellation in Strong mode may slightly affect tonal vibe if you’re after full warmth
Real World Uses
Using the Hollyland Lark A1 with your Samsung S25+ is a smart move if you’re producing podcasts or jotting voice notes while travelling. It gives you broadcast-quality audio in a nearly invisible package, a literal lightweight champ without the heavyweight price tag. You get rich, clear recordings without lugging bulky gear or wrestling with audio settings every time you record.
If you're frequently on the move and need reliable audio capture that’s easy to set up, this is a strong match. For travel commentary and podcasts on the go, it’s hard to beat in its range, especially for under USD 70.
Sample audio
Quick Ratings Summary
Audio clarity 9/10
Set up simplicity 10/10
Portability 10/10
Battery life 9/10
App & control features 8/10
Build quality 7/10
Hollyland Lark A1 comes with USB-C for Android and Lightning for iPhones..
Final Thoughts
I genuinely loved using the Hollyland Lark A1 while travelling recently. It quickly became part of my daily kit. I teamed it with the Google Voice Recorder app on my Samsung S25+, and capturing clean, clear trip notes on the go was effortless. Whether I was walking through a national park or jotting down thoughts from the passenger seat, it just worked.
It also came to the rescue for a last-minute podcast interview on the road, no fuss, no setup dramas, just plug in and go. For creators, writers, or podcasters who want reliable audio without the bulk, this mic really delivers.
