Freesound Forums
Best windjammer for handheld recorder?
Started September 12th, 2025 · 8 replies · Latest reply by kevp888 6 days, 15 hours ago
I’ve been looking for a better windjammer for my Zoom H5 recorder, since the Zoom WSU-1 windjammer included with it can only block out wind speeds under 6 km/h (1 on the Beaufort scale and lower) without a lee. Very restricting since I live by the coast.
I’ve heard that the Rycote Mini can block out Beaufort 2 winds, which is more reasonable and what I’m thinking of getting if I can’t find a better solution. A blimp is of course better, but it doesn’t seem compatible with my handheld recorder for now.
However, I came across a post by Philip Goddard (quite useful even though the comparison is 10 years old) (https://www.broad-horizon-nature.co.uk/windshield-comparison.htm#how_effective_Deadkitten), which said that the original version of the Røde Dead Kitten could handle 3-4 Beaufort winds without much of an impression. This seems like a perfect fit since it still allows for some pleasant wind and much more flexibility in where to record.
Nowadays it apparently isn’t made, but is there a modern windjammer that is equivalent to these abilities, or one that is better than the Rycote Mini?
Hi,
Looks like it's complicated to put a handy recorder in a blimp, it would be cool if someone had an accessory to mount a tripod thread handy recorder inside a blimp.
Budget permitting, you could buy some small condenser microphones and Rode WS8 windshields, I find them quite effective. It is a level up investment though...
Up sides is you can play with different mic setups, a upgraded noise-floor, I trust the WS8.
You could eventually get blimp too and use a single pen mic in one for those really windy days. And if you upgrade mics or recorder, your windshield investment will still hold.
Otherwise, I don't know what's on the market for handyrecorders or the H5, id trust the rycote the most as a off the shelf product but I expect id want more.
You could to DIY an extreme wind cover. My idea is to have a bucket around/behind the microphone, and probably a front cloth to shield it all.
I know these aren't clean responses but I hope they help in some way until someone with the appropriate knowledge can shine in 
Pro brand windjammer
https://www.thomann.nl/rycote_mini_wind_screen_for_zoom_h5.htm
Yes it does seem that the Rycote Mini is the best option for now.
If I get another microphone with a decent stereo set in the future up I'll look for one that works with a blimp.
On the topic of DIY, I have noticed that even the hood on my hoodie can block wind decently, and I've also seen that people sowing their own windjammers can get good results, but for now I'm just looking to purchasing one.
Hi vhio !
Honnestly, you don’t have many to expect with lots of these mini windjammers I’m afraid, especially if you’re recording in a coastal area.
Rycote products are renown for their quality.
Gutmann products are quite nice too, as well as bubblebee windkillers for handheild recorders.
However, this will probably not be night and day compared with the zoom windjammer, because the main point is to create a ‘windfree’ area as big as possible in front of the capsules of your recorder, which is hard to achieve with those small windshields.
If you can, try to avoid the wind as much a possible, protecting your recorder with your body, or with a wall/tree/cliff.
Also, I’ve read somewhere that a famous French sound recordist named Yann Paranthoen often used an umbrella to shield his microphones from the wind, which might be a good tip in some circumstances.
Hope it could help !
Wishing you all the best !
Kevin
Thanks for the recommendations Kevp888.
After looking at some reviews and comparisons of the brands you’ve mentioned I’ve decided to buy the Bubblebee Windkiller SE as I think it can block out Beaufort 3 winds. It costs a little bit more than the Rycote but I’ll post an update here when I’ve been able to test it for myself.
As for the umbrella trick it does sound interesting and flexible enough, I’ll try it sometime.
the umbrella picture
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1339442-Yann-Parantho%C3%ABn
vhio wrote:
Thanks for the recommendations Kevp888.After looking at some reviews and comparisons of the brands you’ve mentioned I’ve decided to buy the Bubblebee Windkiller SE as I think it can block out Beaufort 3 winds. It costs a little bit more than the Rycote but I’ll post an update here when I’ve been able to test it for myself.
As for the umbrella trick it does sound interesting and flexible enough, I’ll try it sometime.
