When it comes to creating a cinematic masterpiece, it's important to get every aspect just right. That means finding a good balance between video and audio quality.
Hey, even if you're just shooting some home videos with your family, you still want to be able to look back on these memories and be able to hear what's going on!
Most cameras come with a built-in microphone that gives you the necessities for recording audio, but it will often end up sounding shoddy and crackly.
Instead, home filmmakers and vloggers alike are turning to external microphones that can be plugged into a camera to produce super high-quality audio results.
All the big tech companies definitely haven't missed out on this development in the camera world and there are now hundreds of different microphones to choose from online. It can be pretty tricky to know where to even begin!
That's why we're here to help, with this handy guide to the best microphones you can get for your camera.
Stick around till the end to find out what sort of technical features and properties you should be looking out for in a high-quality microphone.
By the time you've read through all this, you'll be putting Spielberg to shame with your home movies!
Best Camera Microphone – Comparison Table
Best Camera Microphone – Reviews
The first microphone we're taking a look at is from one of the most reliable brands out there for audio recording equipment: Rode.
This shotgun condenser microphone has been designed for use on a variety of different cameras.
The mic itself is lightweight and easy to carry around when filming, so you don't have to worry about losing it or forgetting to bring it along.
You can connect this microphone directly to your DSLR via the included 3.5 mm cable or alternatively, you could use a USB adapter to plug it straight into your computer.
One of the best features of this microphone is the variety of audio settings and options that can be adjusted on the microphone itself.
Once you get the hang of all the buttons and what they mean, this saves you a bunch of time in editing and post-production.
It also has plenty of convenient features such as a built-in battery door that makes it nice and easy to replace dead batteries.
Also, the automatic power function switches the microphone off as soon as it's unplugged from your camera.
This avoids the common issue of forgetting to turn it off manually and draining the battery without realizing!
Overall, this camera represents one of the highest audio qualities of any on the internet. This high quality is met with a similarly high price tag, but it's definitely not overpriced.
The only downside is that customer reviews have highlighted some inconsistent results with this microphone.
Some people herald it as the greatest mic ever created, while others have found plenty of issues.
This could easily be a result of the complicated settings not being used correctly so make sure you give this camera some time and get to grips with all the settings before leaving a 1-star review!
- Convenient – Plenty of features help with keeping batteries charged and making it easy to replace them
- Audio quality – This mic has some of the best audio quality on the market
- On-board audio settings – Saves you plenty of time in post-production
- Inconsistent results – Some users love this mic while others have said they hated it, though this is likely due to people not using the complicated settings correctly
This is the second Rode microphone we're looking at for this list, but it represents a much cheaper, compact option.
This video mic comes with a shock mount and uses a 3.5 mm jack connector, meaning you can connect it to just about any kind of camera.
It's also very light and portable, weighing just 0.09 pounds, so you won't feel weighed down if you need to travel with it.
It also includes a deluxe furry windsscreen which is great for protecting the microphone against harsh weather conditions.
If you want something really small and simple, then this would be perfect.
You'll find yourself carrying it around everywhere with you and having it ready whenever you need to record sound.
However, there are a couple of downsides. Firstly, the quality isn't quite up to scratch compared to other mics on our list.
Secondly, the 3.5 mm connection may not suit everyone – especially if you're using it with a new iPhone that doesn't support this kind of connection.
However, if you're after a smaller, more lightweight option, then this would be ideal.
Also, if you're someone who needs to travel often or use it outdoors then this might be the right choice for you.
- Lightweight – The weight of this microphone means it will fit into most bags
- Compact size – Small enough to carry anywhere
- Deluxe furry windscreen included – Great protection against harsh weather conditions
- Not suitable for newer iPhones – If you're using an iPhone 7, or later you won't be able to use this microphone because it requires a 3.5 mm plug
- Noise reduction – This microphone does suffer from noise reduction which can cause problems when recording audio
This next microphone set is just about the perfect option for someone who needs flexibility and versatility when it comes to recording audio.
That's because this set comes with a small VXR10 microphone, shock mount, furry windscreen, 3.5 mm camera cable, 3.5 mm smartphone cable, and even a travel pouch.
This gives you just about every option you could ever need while out and about, all contained in one handy travel pouch.
The VXR10 is designed to work with both DSLRs as well as smartphones and tablets.
That means you can easily switch between these devices without needing to buy different microphones.
You can also use the VXR10 as a standalone microphone by connecting it directly to your computer via USB.
However, if you do choose to use it this way then you'll lose access to some of its features such as headphone monitoring and volume control.
You can also use the VTXR10 as a wireless microphone thanks to its built-in Bluetooth connectivity.
One thing worth noting here is that unlike many other microphones on this list, the VXR10 has no built-in pop filter.
So if you're going to be shooting videos in noisy environments then make sure you have one of those installed before you start filming.
- Versatile – Works with DSLRs, smartphones, and tablets
- High quality – High-resolution mic makes it easy to capture high definition video
- Flexible – Can connect to multiple devices at once
- No pop filter – No built-in pop filter means you'll need to invest in one separately
- Noisy environment – Not great for capturing audio in noisy environments
This is the second condenser microphone we've looked at on our list and another one with exceptional audio quality.
It's made by Shure, and it's called the VP83.
Sadly, it's not as compatible with smartphones and tablets as it is with cameras because you can't mount it very easily to your phone.
However, the 3.5 mm audio jack does mean you can plug it into some smartphone and tablet devices.
Meaning you could always use this mic to record audio completely separately to your video, for an interview, perhaps.
The lens hopper design allows you to attach it to any type of camera lens.
That means you can use it as a standard microphone, a shotgun mic, or even with a wide-angle lens.
In fact, this mic also uses an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mounting system, similar to the Rode mic we looked at earlier.
This mount is fantastic for reducing messy noises created by vibrations and mechanical components in your camera.
It uses some trusty cardioid technology to ensure it only picks up sound from in front of the camera, reducing all the unwanted background noise that can ruin a video.
To top things off, this microphone even has a 125-hour battery life, making it one of the most long-lasting on the market!
- Compatible with a variety of cameras – You can attach this mic easily to just about any camera
- Great for recording interviews – Plug the mic into a laptop or smartphone to record crystal clear audio
- 125-hour battery life – You won't have to change batteries every couple of hours with this mic
- Not compatible with smartphones – Unfortunately, you can't mount this microphone to your smartphone, though you can still plug it in and hold the mic
If you want something really simple but don't mind sacrificing a little bit of quality, then Comica's CVM-VM10 II might be what you're looking for.
It's a budget option that comes with a few drawbacks, but it will get the job done.
Like its predecessor, the CVM-VM10, this model doesn't come with a pop filter, so you'll need to purchase one separately.
However, it does include a windscreen which should help reduce unwanted sounds.
There are two different color options available, red and black, giving you the creativity to choose one that suits your setup.
Both versions feature a 3.5 mm stereo input/output port, allowing you to connect it directly to your device.
There's no XLR connection included, so you'll need to buy one separately if you want to hook it up to a mixer.
The CVM-VM10II also includes a windscreen, which helps reduce unwanted sounds.
The microphone itself features a cardioid polar pattern, ensuring that it only records sound coming from in front of the camera.
The microphone also uses a unique power supply, drawing power from the batteries of your camera or smartphone when connected.
This is great because it means you don't need to buy an extra set of batteries, but it does mean you'll drain the power quicker from whatever device you're using.
The CVM series microphones are designed to work with both DSLRs and mirrorless models, meaning they're compatible with almost any camera out there
- Simple to use – No fancy buttons or controls, just plug and play
- Good value for money – Comes with everything you need, including a windscreen
- Cardioid polar pattern – The best way to record audio in front of the camera while eliminating background noise
- No XLR connector – If you plan on connecting this microphone to a mixer, you'll need to buy an additional cable
- Simple to use – This is both a pro and a con because, if you're an experienced filmmaker, this microphone could limit your technical abilities with audio recording
Best Camera Microphone – Buyers Guide
When choosing which mic to purchase, you'll need to consider a number of factors. For example, how much do you expect to spend?
Do you want to invest in a high-quality mic with lots of bells and whistles or would you rather save some cash and go for a more basic model?
In this section, we'll be going over all the key features and components you should be thinking about when making your decision.
Compatibility
The first thing you should consider when it comes to microphones is what kind of device you'll be using them with.
Pretty much every camera available on the internet will have some kind of connectivity option with any microphone on our list, so you won't need to worry too much if you have a regular, handheld camera.
However, things are different if you want to use the microphone with a smartphone or tablet.
The 3.5 mm jack cable will connect to the headphone port of most smartphones or tablets, except for newer iPhones.
These new phones have different ports so a 3.5 mm jack won't be compatible.
If you're desperate for this connectivity option, you can always buy an adapter cable online, but this is just another thing you'll have to worry about.
By far the most standard connectivity option is the 3.5 mm jack so if a microphone doesn't even have this, you should stay well away from it.
Windscreen
The windscreen is often that fluffy gray coating you see on some microphones, and they're great for filming outdoors.
The whole point of a windscreen is that it blocks out the unwanted noise created by wind, which can completely ruin your audio.
No windscreen ever works completely perfectly, so you might still have problems on a particularly windy day, but it's definitely better to have one than to not.
Most microphones come with their own windscreens included, although you may find yourself having to order one separately.
Some manufacturers include a small box of extras with their mics, so check around before buying.
Power Supply
The last important feature to look at is whether the microphone has its own power supply.
This means that there is no external battery pack needed to operate the mic.
Instead, the mic uses batteries inside itself, meaning that you don't have to worry about running out of juice halfway through a shoot.
This also makes it easier to travel with as you won't have to carry a bulky battery pack along with you.
You'll probably only get a choice between two types of battery: AAA or AA. The former is cheaper and lasts longer, but the latter is cheaper to buy and lasts less time.
Alternatively, some cameras won't use any batteries at all and will feed off the power supply of the device it's connected to.
For example, if you use one with your smartphone, the mic will drain your phone's battery to power itself.
In general, this isn't a great option unless you have plenty of power for your camera or smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mic Do YouTubers Use?
While many YouTubers differ on which brand and style of microphone to use, most agree that cardioid microphones are the way to go.
These use directional technology to pick up audio only from right in front of the camera and eliminate background noise from behind it.
How Much Is A Good Recording Mic?
A really good quality microphone costs anywhere from $100-$300 depending on the model.
However, you can easily get away with one that costs around $50-$60 if you only want a minor upgrade on the built-in mic on your camera.
What's The Difference Between A Shotgun Mic And A Boom Pole?
Shotgun mics are usually used for capturing sound from multiple angles. Boom poles are generally shorter and more flexible and are best suited to getting close to people.
Conclusion
So now that you know everything there is to know about microphones, you can start shopping!
Don't forget to take into account all the other important aspects of cameras and photography equipment such as lenses, tripods, lights, etc.
And remember, when it comes to choosing a good microphone, you can never have too much information. So keep reading and learning until you've got all the knowledge you need!