Best Microphones For Vlogging

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Creating content on YouTube is one of the most popular ways to express yourself in the past decade or so. The original content creators used all the equipment they had on hand. Those early videos, although legendary in the meantime, were rather low in quality. Nowadays things are very different. To be a successful YouTuber, you need a good camera, but also one for the Best microphones for vlogging.

That is why we have compiled a list of Best Microphones For Vlogging. After we have discussed our choices, we discuss what makes these models good. All rules for condensers also apply here, although you do not have to be that strict. The models on our list represent a large number of options for beginners and advanced users.

List of the best microphones for vlogging

If we had to choose one model from the complete list, Blue Yeti would take over the business. The reason for this is because it offers the best combination of performance, functions, and functionality for the price. That said, all of these are great.

Blue Yeti

The world’s favorite studio microphone

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Studio/desk
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional, cardioid, bi-directional, stereo
• Frequency response: 15Hz-22KHz
• Power source: USB
• Supplied windscreen: None

The Blue Yeti was voted best studio microphone by many for a reason: it’s affordable, versatile, the sound quality is excellent, and thanks to its plug-and-play operation, you can start recording with a minimum of fuss. If you’ve ever watched YouTube videos or livestreams on Twitch, you’ve no doubt seen the Yeti on the desks of many content creators – and you’ve probably noticed the chic retro design, too.

All the buttons you need are within easy reach: on the front you have the volume control for your headphones and a cough/mute button, while the back is home to the gain dial and pattern selector. The three-capsule system delivers four recording patterns, so you can tailor the audio recording to your studio or circumstances-whether you’re recording solo or sitting around the mic in a group to record a podcast. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Rode Rodelink Filmmaker Kit

Superb miniature wireless mic system that you can take anywhere

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Lavalier
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 35Hz – 22kHz
• Power source: 2 X AA Battery or MicroUSB
• Supplied windscreen: pop shield

This is a high-quality wireless microphone system – and at a price to match. It consists of three main components: the receiver, which connects to your camera via an included cable; the transmitter, which can be clipped to a belt or tucked into a pocket; and a broadcast-quality lavalier microphone. The Filmmaker Kit can operate on eight channels, each with 1,000 transmission frequencies, meaning two kits can use the same channel without interfering with each other. It uses 2.4 GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption, which can be used anywhere in the world without a license. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Saramonic Blink 500 B2

A budget-friendly option that’s perfect for interviews

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Lavalier
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 50Hz-18KHz
• Power source: Built-in Li-ion or USB-C
• Supplied wind screen: Foam windscreen

This economical system offers an open door to working with dual transmitters without the expensive price tag. The 500 B2 system operates on the widespread license-free 2.4GHz frequency and offers a line-of-sight distance of up to 50 meters. It has a battery life of four hours on a single charge and can be powered by (or run on) a power bank thanks to the USB-C input. The antennas are internal, so the units are built round and compact and the transmitters weigh just 34 grams each.

The clip on the receiver fits into your hotshoe mount, and if you want, you can choose to connect the receiver to a smartphone via the TRS cable instead, although most will prefer to record directly to the camera. The transmitters have a built-in microphone so you can literally clip them onto your interlocutor and press record, but in addition they have inputs so you can plug in a standard lav microphone (the SR-M1 model comes with the kit) if you want.

The units are paired by pressing the buttons and from then on they are ready to use, which, again, will speed up operation and setup time. The big attraction of this kit is the dual-channel receiver, which allows two people to be connected to the microphone for recording interviews. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Rode VideoMic Go

A good choice for budget-conscious shooters

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Supercardioid
• Frequency response: 100Hz-16KHz
• Power source: None (plug-in power)
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

Rode makes a wide range of video-specific audio equipment, from enthusiast level to high-end broadcast equipment. The RØDE VideoMic GO is at the lower end of the spectrum and mounts on a hotshoe, with an effective shockmount to reduce noise. It is powered from the camera’s microphone jack, so doesn’t need a battery, and there are no switches on board to attenuate the output or change the polar pattern. This means you just plug it in, set your recording level and start filming.

It comes with a foam windshield to reduce wind noise, but there is an optional windjammer for windy conditions that costs another £20/$25. The frequency response runs from 100Hz to 16KHz, but the recordings were rich and full, so we found that the bass was not lacking. The sound is clear and the response curve rises gently to boost at about 4kHz, but there is some noise at the high end of the frequency ladder. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Rode VideoMic Pro

A good choice for those prepared to invest in audio

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Supercardioid
• Frequency response: 40Hz-20KHz
• Power source: 1 x 9v battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

Slightly larger and heavier than the Rode VideoMic Go is the Rode VIDEOMICPRO. This hotshoe shotgun mic has a similar size and design, but adds extra features for those seeking more flexibility and higher quality recordings. Although it hangs on a similar shockmount to the Go, it includes a chamber for a 9V battery (not included), which serves as a power source for about 70 hours.

On the back are two switches to adjust performance, and these change the output gain (-10, 0 or +20 dB) or offer the choice between a flat response or one with a low frequency cut. Sound quality is excellent, with rich tonality in the 40Hz-20KHz range and a flat response all the way up to speech frequencies. Impressive is the very low noise floor similar to that of the Boya BY-M1 lav mic, so only the very discerning listener will be concerned about the trace of microphone noise present. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Sennheiser MKE 200

Premium performance at a palatable price

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Unidirectional
• Polar pattern: Super-cardioid
• Frequency response: 40Hz ~ 20KHz
• Power source: Camera/phone
• Supplied windscreen: Deadcat

With a product from Sennheiser, you know you’re going to get premium audio performance – and despite its affordable price point, the Sennheiser MKE 200 is absolutely true to form. Whether you’re using a camera or a smartphone (cables are supplied for both), this microphone captures rich, robust audio even in challenging conditions (thanks to the built-in windshield with optional dead cat if you need it). The build and design are top notch in both form and function.

The integrated shock protection works very well, and the lack of an external shock mount bouncing around makes this look more professional than competitors like the Rode VideoMicro Compact On Camera Microphone. However, the MKE 200 is more expensive than the Røde – with sound performance about the same, the VideoMicro may be more attractive if looks don’t interest you. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Sennheiser MKE 400

A much-loved mic gets a 2021 refresh

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Supercardioid
• Frequency response: 50Hz-20KHz
• Power source: 2 x AAA battery
• Supplied windscreen: Internal (furry also provided)

The original Sennheiser MKE400 was a popular microphone among budding vloggers and filmmakers, so it makes sense that the company felt it necessary to give it a little 2021 refresh. There’s actually quite a bit different about this new version; it’s a redesign from the ground up.

There has clearly been an emphasis on making it attractive to a new generation of vloggers who film with a smartphone, as the new MKE400 is very easy to install and use with a smartphone. It comes with 3.5mm TRS and TRRS locking cables, and can also be purchased as part of a Mobile Kit with a GorillaPod tripod and smartphone clamp. With a significant improvement in sound quality over a smartphone’s internal microphone, this is certainly a smart purchase for any smartphone photographer.

It also works with cameras, of course, and vloggers of all persuasions will find that it does a commendable job in most circumstances. The windshield is now internal, although a furry extra is provided for super-blustery days. A headphone jack on the side is handy if you’re using a camera that doesn’t have one, and the controls, though not the most sophisticated, allow you to easily turn off unwanted low-frequency noise. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Comica Traxshot

This transforming mic is the most versatile ever

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Mono/stereo/bi-directional shotgun
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
• Power source: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Supplied windscreen: Deadcat

The Comica Traxshot is without a doubt the most versatile microphone available, a transformational shotgun mic that allows you to record in four different configurations thanks to its dual capsule arm system. By rotating the arms, it can capture mono (both arms facing forward), two-level stereo (with the arms at a 30° or 90° angle) and bi-directional (one arm forward, one back, to record subjects both in front of and behind the camera) audio patterns.

The Traxshot is impeccably built, with a sturdy metal construction that feels reliable and robust. The back-lit OLED panel provides useful feedback and allows you to easily set your desired recording configuration, while the built-in Air-float Shock Mount delivers impressive stabilization. Best of all, it features a USB-C rechargeable battery – and you can charge the device while it’s in use if the power runs out. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Joby Wavo

A lightweight microphone for smartphone shooters

• Transducer type: Electret condenser
• Form: Clip-on with Rycote Duo-Lyre and Hytrel shock mount
• Polar pattern: Cardiod
• Frequency response: 35Hz-18KHz
• Power source: None (plug-in power from phone/camera)
• Supplied windscreen: Deadcat

Bad audio is the biggest enemy of smartphone vloggers, and even a small microphone like Joby’s Wavo Mobile can greatly improve the viewability of a video. Measuring 81x22x22 mm in the palm of your hand and weighing just 50 grams, this compact and well-made microphone is designed specifically for vloggers using a smartphone.

The Wavo Mobile has a directional cardioid polar pattern for bringing out and isolating voice noise and comes on a Rycote Duo-Lyre and Hytrel shock mount. The cold shoe can be attached directly to any camera, the top of Joby’s mobile smartphone mount, or to a 1/4-inch tripod thread. It also comes with cables to attach it to any phone or camera, and with a windshield that makes a big difference when you’re out and about. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Comica CVM-VM20

A solid run-and-gun mic with a useful OLED screen, this suits DSLR and mirrorless users

• Transducer type: Super-caridoid condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Super-cardioid
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz
• Power source: Lithium-ion battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

Designed as a sort of do-it-all microphone, the Comica CVM-VM20 is useful for DSLR and mirrorless video recording where you may encounter many different situations. The lithium-ion battery life is particularly impressive; it’s estimated at 60 hours, and practically speaking, you can record with it for at least a few days before you need to recharge it. The Comica CVM-VM20 is solidly built and offers reliable sound quality, with two low-cut frequency modes to suppress noise in different situations.

This gives you even more versatility when recording, while the stepless gain control allows you to make quick and seamless adjustments as the situation changes. The handy OLED screen helps you keep an eye on battery levels, while the microphone’s slim profile makes it an especially good companion for mirrorless systems. It lacks some of the more advanced features of other microphones, such as the ability to record multiple tracks at different levels simultaneously. But then again, that’s why those mics cost more! Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Sevenoak MicRig Stereo

Stabilizer and microphone to fit any camera

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Stereo-only
• Polar pattern: Wide-field stereo
• Frequency response: 35Hz-20KHz
• Power source: 1 x AA battery
• Supplied windscreen: Furry Windjammer

The MicRig is a unique product that offers a stereo microphone integrated into a camera rig cum stabilizer. The MicRig can accommodate anything from a smartphone to a DSLR (brackets for phone and GoPro cameras are included), and the microphone connects to the camera via an included cable. A hairy windjammer is included for outdoor use in windy conditions, and the frequency response ranges from 35Hz-20KHz.

A low-cut filter can be turned on to reduce the rumble of bass, and there is a -10dB attenuation switch if you need to reduce the output to match your camera. It runs on one AA battery, and although the housing provides a convenient handle, the plastic construction flexes under the weight of a DSLR. The sound quality of the stereo-only microphone shows a bit of high-frequency noise, but provides a good, natural response with a wide stereo field.

The size may prove too large for some, and although there is a 1/4-inch thread at the base of the plastic thumbscrew that attaches the camera, it does not provide a particularly secure hold on a tripod, so the unit is more suited to handheld use. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Audio-Technica AT8024

Big on price, but has the features to match

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Cardioid mono + Stereo
• Frequency response: 40Hz-15KHz
• Power source: 1 x AA battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam + Furry Windjammer

The AT8024 is a shoe-mount shotgun mic that offers a wide range of features. It has a rubber mount to isolate the mic from camera and handling noise, and offers two pickup patterns for either wide-field stereo or cardioid mono. Although this is the most expensive option here, it comes with a foam windshield and a furry windjammer that very effectively filters out wind noise – even in a stiff breeze. It runs for 80 hours on one AA battery (included), and has a frequency response of 40Hz-15Khz.

Overall, this is a great pass-and-forget microphone that is well-built and well-equipped with accessories. The noise floor of the microphone is not perfect, so it does suffer from a bit of high frequency noise, but the recordings are full and natural sounding. The ability to record stereo at the touch of a button is a bonus, and a roll-off filter to attenuate bass plus a 3-stage gain option to match the microphone’s output to your camera’s input meets all requirements. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Shure VP83 LensHopper

Good, well made mic, but sounds rather thin

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Shotgun
• Polar pattern: Supercardioid
• Frequency response: 50Hz-20KHz
• Power source: 1 x AA battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

The Shure VP83 is a short, hotshoe shotgun microphone that operates for 130 hours on a single AA battery (included), and has a supercardioid recording pattern. It suppresses sound from the side very effectively and focuses attention on where your lens is aimed. The capsule is mounted on a shock-absorbing Rycote winch system that isolates the microphone from contact noise, and amplifications of -10, 0 and +20dB are available to match the output to your camera’s input.

There is the option of a flat or low-cut response to reduce any bass noise, and in our tests with the Canon 5D Mk III, the VP83 gave the lowest noise floor of all, so hardly any noise was heard in our recordings. Although the VP83 has a frequency response of 50Hz-20KHz, the response curve is not as flat as that of the Rode Video MicPro, and there is less bass in the output, resulting in a thinner-sounding recording, with an emphasis on mid and high frequencies. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Audio-Technica ATR 3350

Well made budget-level microphone

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Lavalier
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 50Hz-18KHz
• Power source: LR44 battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

Like the Boya BY-M1, the ATR 3350 is a lavalier microphone that operates on a switchable power supply unit powered by an LR44 button cell, but offers a wider frequency response that runs from 50Hz to 18Khz. A long 6m cable allows the wire to be tucked away out of view, and it is quite possible for presenters to walk in or out of the frame while wearing the microphone. A foam windshield is included, but it’s worth investing in a small furry windmuff (cheap online) if you plan to use it outside.

When recording voices, the quality is reasonable, and the omnidirectional polar pattern means that sound is picked up from all directions. Although the BY-M1 gives a little more bottom end in recordings, it produces at a lower level than the BY-M1, and is also noisier, with more noise in the high frequencies. The construction is a little more refined and the capsule is a little smaller, and were it not for the fact that the BY-M1 is cheaper, the ATR 3350 would be worth it. It’s certainly not a bad microphone, but the lower noise level and price of the BY-M1 kill it. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Rode Lavalier Go

Use this tie-clip mic on its own, or with the Wireless Go

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Lavalier
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Power source: via mic socket
• Supplied windscreen: pop shield

Although designed for use with the Rode Wireless GO wireless microphone, the RODE Lavalier GO is compatible with most cameras and recording devices, with a 3.5mm TRS microphone input. It is a professional lavalier microphone with an omnidirectional condenser capsule and a Kevlar-reinforced cable. It comes with a foam pop shield, a metal clip and a soft bag for storage.

The RODE Lavalier GO delivers great sound when used with the Wireless GO or when connected directly to a camera. However, the pop shield does not provide much protection from wind, and it is recommended that you purchase a windshield (such as the RODE Minifur-Lav) if you plan to shoot outdoors regularly. This also allows you to hide the microphone under your clothing if you want it to be really discreet. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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Boya BY-M1

Amazing value and impressive sound quality

• Transducer type: Condenser
• Form: Lavalier
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 65Hz-18KHz
• Power source: LR44 battery
• Supplied windscreen: Foam

The Boya BY-M1 is a wired lavalier microphone with a switchable power source. It runs on an LR44 button cell, and should be turned on when using a “passive” source, or off when recording through a device with plug-in power. It comes with a lapel clip and a foam windshield to help attenuate wind noise and plosives. The device has an omnidirectional polar pattern and a frequency response of 65Hz to 18KHz. While it is not as broadly applicable as some of the other microphones here, it is still well suited for voice recordings.

The capsule’s plastic construction is a bit more bulky than professional lavs, but the 6-meter cord is long enough to give your presenter a microphone and keep things neatly in frame. Given its low price, the BY-M1 delivers audio quality that far exceeds expectations. It does have a hotter output than the others here, and there’s no attenuator to lower the volume, so it’s possible that the signal could distort on some equipment. Overall, this is one of the best microphones for vlogging.

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