One would expect that making a simple but quality speaker-microphone is one of the easiest things to do. Yet complaints about this accessory are common: bad PTT keys, TX audio sub par, unreliable wiring — and the list goes on.

I acquired three commonly sold models: a generic, brand-less one, an original Wouxun and the latest offering from Baofeng. Below a picture of the three microhpones in the same order.

Generic, brandless

Pro: cheap, reasonably good loudspeaker, but with a tendency to resonate.

Cons: Nasal TX audio (both highs and lows mostly absent).

Wouxun

Pro: nice form factor (larger, more comfortable to hold), reasonably good loudspeaker, quality PTT key.

Cons: muffled TX audio, making the conversation hard to understand.

Baofeng

Pro: cheap, very good loudspeker, excellent TX audio, quality PTT key, shielding at the back.

Cons: wiring a bit stiffer than the competition.

Winner on almost all counts: Baofeng. Warning: this microphone has already been copied. The copy is recognizable by the lack of the metal shielding / mounting plate at the back. A picture of the original below:

Price: $ 7.79 (€ 5.63) on eBay. Link to seller I got this one from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171263089606.