Best Vlogging Microphone [2022] – which works for You

When you look at all the famous YouTubers, you will see that they have crystal clear audio, even if they are present in crowded areas. Have you wondered why? That’s because they use good-quality microphones that filter out any unnecessary noise.

Why You Should Invest in a Good Quality Microphone for Vlogging

You may have bought a good smartphone or a costly DSLR. You may think that the built-in mic present in them is good enough. But you are wrong. There are some reasons why all established vloggers use dedicated microphones.

1.  Their audio quality isn’t that good

Cameras are video recording devices. They don’t focus much on audio quality. So, they will never be as good as a dedicated vlogging microphone. Even if you buy a good vlogging camera that has a good built-in mic, it will still be overshadowed by vlogging mics.

No matter whether you are a newbie or an experienced vlogger, buying a vlogging microphone is crucial if you want to give your viewers some good content. You may be tight on budget when you start vlogging, but as soon as you have enough money, you should buy a good quality microphone.

2.  They may pick up unnecessary noise

Built-in microphones don’t have good noise filters. If you are vlogging in a quiet area or in a soundproof room, it will be good enough. But if you are a travel vlogger or are shooting in a place with lots of background noise, you will need to buy a microphone for vlogging.

External microphones come with special features. All of them can filter out the noise coming due to wind and road noise. The windshields present in them will also make sure that the sound of your breathing is not recorded.

So, if you want crystal clear audio, even when recording outdoors, a vlogging microphone is your best bet.

Things You Need to Consider When Buying a Vlogging Microphone

When you look at microphones, you will see that there are a lot of variants the internet has to offer. There are some factors that you need to see when buying a microphone.

What type of mic do you want to use?

There are different types of microphones available in the market (we have talked about them later), like shotgun mics, lapel mics, etc., based on the range of mic, denoising properties, sensitivity, mobility, and more.

If you want to vlog outdoors, a shotgun mic would be a good choice, while lapels are great for recording audio while moving around a lot.

Working Environment

Based on where you are shooting, you need to choose your mic accordingly. If you are recording outdoors or in a noisy environment, you need to buy unidirectional mics that are more sensitive to the direction where you point and have good noise filters.

If you are working in a calm and sound-controlled environment, like a studio, an omnidirectional lapel mic or USB mics will be good enough. Some mics come with a pop filter, or you can buy one. It will filter out any noise you make when breathing close to the mic.

Mic for Mobile Vs. DSLR Vlogging

Mics for mobile come with micro-USB, USB Type-C, 8-pin lightning, or 3.5mm jacks. Vlogging microphones for DSLR mainly come with 3.5mm jacks and XLR adapters.

Wireless Vs. Wired Vs. USB Mic

If you want the best quality sound with zero loss in quality, wired mics are your best bet. If you want to avoid tangling of wires and like to move freely, you can buy wireless mics, but they have a limited battery. Also, they may pick up some interference from nearby electronic devices.

USB mics are best for working in a studio where you will be recording the audio on your desktop or laptop. They have plug-and-play mechanisms and are easy to use.

Need for External Recorder or Sound Card Vs. Plugging into Camera

Depending on simplicity and the size of production, you need to choose between using external recorders and plugging a mic into your camera.

If you want simplicity, you can simply plug in the mic to your camera and let all the audio and video be recorded in a single device.

External recorders and sound cards allow you to have greater control over the audio and allows you to do more mixing in post-production. Also, some cameras may not have support for uncompressed audio formats. So external recorders give you higher quality sound.

Plugging into a camera means you need to carry your vlogging camera around all the time whenever you want to record something. This can be a disadvantage for long-distance shots if the best position to pick up sound is far away from the camera. Plus, you get a lot of freedom to move.

Types of Microphones

Now, let us talk about the different vlogging microphones available in the market.

Shotgun Microphones

Also known as boom mics, these are the most versatile microphones and are widely used by vloggers and is an affordable option in your vlogging kit. They record audio in a directional heart-shaped cardioid pattern. So, these mics will be the most sensitive in the direction where you aim them, making them the best microphones for YouTube vlogging.

If you are taking close-ups or making vlogs that contain a lot of interviews, then this is the best variant. You can attach a windscreen to it, making it a really great option for outdoor vlogging. You can also attach a shock mount between the mic and the stand. It can filter out any noise caused by a physical impact on the microphone.

These mics are attached to the camera in a way that they are not visible in the frames. So, your viewers won’t be distracted by the presence of your vlogging microphone.

There are several directional variants of shotgun microphones, like super-cardioid and hyper-cardioid, based on the sensitivity of the mic.

Since boom mics are directional, you need to point it in the right direction to get the maximum audio input. Also, due to their directional nature, these mics are only good for standing objects.

Advantages:

Disadvantages

Lavalier Microphones

Lavalier, also known as lapel microphones, is the smaller and lighter alternatives to shotgun microphones that you can use for moving subjects. They are pea-sized, and you can clip them to your shirt. Although, make sure that the mic does not pick up any noise from the rubbing of the fabrics of your shirt.

They are not obtrusive and won’t be distracting to your audience as well if you place them correctly. Lapel mics are available for low prices, making it great for vloggers who are just starting their careers.

If you move around a lot when shooting vlogs, then these are good options. They are mostly available in unidirectional, omnidirectional, and cardioid forms. Even though cheap variants cannot filter background noise, it does not become a concern as you can just put it close to your mouth. The background noise picked up by the mic will be negligible compared to the audio input from your voice.

It is better to go for the cardioid variants as they will block off any axis noise and are great for isolating your voice from ambient noise.

There are wired and wireless lavalier mics. You can buy the wireless one as it is convenient if you plan on moving around throughout your vlog. But these condenser mics have the risk of radio interference. If your transmitter fails to deliver a part of the audio, then it will be lost completely.

Advantages

Disadvantages

USB Microphones

If you plan on recording your videos in front of a computer or laptop, then these are the vlogging microphones you should choose. They are versatile, easy to set up, and are inexpensive.

It contains all the necessary wirings, and most of them come with a stand. So, all you need to do is to connect the mic to your computer, and you are good to go.

These are widely used for podcasts, conversation, gaming, commentaries, and interviews. Some even use USB microphones for singing and recording music.

However, these mics are mostly unidirectional and cannot pick up the voice of multiple people clearly. The bidirectional variants have poor range, so two people have to speak really close to the mic to get good input.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Wireless Microphones

Sometimes, your camera may not have a slot for inserting microphone jacks, or you may not be a fan of wires. In such scenarios, you can buy a wireless microphone.

They have been becoming more affordable every day and have been gaining popularity among vloggers. They are just a simple handheld device that gives you so much freedom and is great if you are moving around.

All the wirings are done inside the case. In fact, the audio is stored in its internal storage. So, you don’t have to worry about your wires getting tangled anymore. Some of the best vlogging microphones for iPhones, and other smartphones are wireless.

But all these conveniences come for a price. These mics don’t have a good range. Also, there is a risk of interference from other electronic devices present nearby the mic. The battery is also limited, so you may need to keep an extra battery pack with you if you are vlogging in a place with limited power.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best Vlogging Microphone (For All Purposes)

If you are looking for an all-purpose mic, then here is our recommendation for the best vlogging microphone that you can buy.

Rode VideoMic Pro R

This is the best shotgun microphone available right now and is the favorite of many vloggers. It is designed to be used with DSLR cameras, camcorders, and portable audio recorders.

It is compact and has a lightweight design. The windscreen and shock mounting comes integrated with it.

This mic has a condenser capsule that enables you to record broadcast-quality audio using a 3.5mm jack.

This uses a super-cardioid pattern, so you don’t have to worry about getting noise from the side of the microphone while you will get an amazing range at the front.

The high pass filter will make sure that any background noise from traffic is removed from the recording. The integrated shock mounts will minimize any noise coming from vibrations, impacts, or wind noise. There are level attenuation controls that will help you to record audio from very quiet and loud sources easily.

The battery is absolutely amazing, and you can record up to 70 hours, so you don’t need to carry an extra battery pack.

This mic aligns towards the costlier side. However, its sleek design and functionality make it worth every penny, and that is why we consider it the best mic for vlogging.

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Best Vlogging Microphone for iPhone or Smartphones

Rode SmartLav +

This mic is the best choice for mobile vloggers who want to record interviews and improve their presence when recording outdoors. It can record audio but will stay invisible to the viewers.

It comes with a 3.5 mm jack which fits almost every smartphone these days (Apple users need to use an adapter). Once you connect it, simply clip the mic under your shirt. For better audio, you can clip it on your shirt so that it remains close to your mouth.

This condenser microphone has a little windshield that will prevent the noise of wind from interfering with your audio.

The only drawback we observed is that it isn’t the optimal microphone for off-camera recordings.

The thin cable and the small design are great for hiding the mic from the frame, while the windshield will ensure that your audio remains clear. Although the 3.5mm jack may be a problem for a lot of phones manufactured these days, the functionality it provides makes it the best vlogging microphone for phones.

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Best Vlogging Microphone in Studio Environment

Blue Yeti – Best USB Microphone for Studio Environment

Be it for indoor vlogging, recording podcasts, or doing voice-overs, Blue Yeti is the favorite choice for most established vloggers.

The best thing about this mic is that it is extremely versatile. It allows you to set the recording pattern, like omnidirectional, cardioid, bidirectional, or stereo.

Some of the patterns like cardioid can pick up sibilant noise from the environment. But if you are sitting in a sound-controlled studio, this won’t be an issue.

It comes with a built-in metal base and has a plug and play mechanism – making it the best for a home setup. However, you may have a hard time placing this mic in uneven places.

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Shure SM7B

If you are looking for a good vlogging microphone for YouTube vlogging that you can attach to your camera, then this is the right choice. The initial models were released over a decade ago, but still, it is one of the best mics for indoor vlogging and podcasts.

It comes with an XLR connector, so you can attach it to most DSLR cameras. Lots of famous personalities have used this mic as well. There are three frequency responses in this mic that you can switch using two toggles. The mounting mechanism makes it easier for you to set up the mic. You can adjust the yoke smoothly while making sure that it has enough resistance to hold the mic in place.

It comes with a built-in pop filter, so you can save some money there. It also comes with a detachable windscreen and a user guide to use it properly.

It has a polar cardioid pattern, so your audio won’t clip when recording loud sounds.

Although it has a premium look, Shure SM7B falls towards the heavier side. It comes with tons of functionalities that might be overkill for beginners or casual vloggers. But it is still one of the best vlogging microphones if you want to become a full-time vlogger.

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Best Budget Microphone for Vlogging

Rode VideoMic Go – Best Wired Microphone for Vlogging

This on-camera shotgun is one of the best budget microphones that you can buy. It is affordable, lightweight, and does not need a boom operator.

The mic has a directional pattern, so you don’t need to worry about background noises. Even though this mic is wallet-friendly, no compromise has been made on the recording quality, and you can record crystal clear audio even when outdoors.

Vloggers from any genre, like travel, lifestyle, beauty, etc., can use it. It comes with a Rycote shock mount, so you can move around anywhere you want, and the mic will remain mounted on your camera.

This mic has an easy setup process, making it ideal for beginners.

Although, there are a few compromises Rode made to bring this amazing vlogging microphone at this price range. Firstly, the range of the mic is smaller compared to other shotgun mics. Also, the bass quality isn’t that good. Still, it is one of the best mics for beginners on a tight budget.

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Zoom ZH1 H1 – Wireless and Affordable

If you are looking for affordable microphones that are wireless, then this is our best pick due to its great audio quality and ease of use.

It comes with lots of features like track marker, auto record, low-cut filter, and more. The new UI ensures that you can access these features easily instead of scrolling through complex menus.

The mics are configured in an X/Y pattern for the best stereo imaging. The mics are protected inside a durable case, so you can keep them anywhere you want without worrying about damaging them.

You can insert memory cards up to 32GB in size. Depending on the duration of the record and the bitrate, it should be enough. You can always carry a spare.

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Blue Snowball – Affordable, Comes with USB Port

Compact, minimalist design, and affordability – all of these three are packed in this vlogging microphone. It has a round design with a metallic finish that gives a stylish look.

This is a plug-and-play microphone with no complicated buttons or settings, making it great for beginners.

This is the best affordable mic for podcasts, streaming, indoor vlogs, and more. It can pick up bass sounds easily while eliminating any background noise.

Although, there are a few drawbacks. The polar pattern switches are not numbered properly, and you need to read the manual to understand it. You don’t get much control when recording audio, plus there is no mute button.

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Best Wireless Mic for Vlogging:

Rode Wireless Go II Dual Channel Wireless Microphone System

Best Vlogging Mic for Travel Vlogs

Rode VideoMicro

If you want to make travel vlogs and want lighter equipment, then this compact shotgun mic is the best choice for you. You get a windshield with this, so you don’t have to worry about noise when vlogging outdoors.

Any beginner should definitely check it out as you can use it to quickly enhance the audio quality of your vlogs by connecting it to your camera or smartphone as it comes with a 3.5mm jack.

Rode also gives you a built-in shock mount which will limit any vibrations that may occur due to impact on the mic.

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Conclusion

These were our pics for the best vlogging microphones you can buy. These gadgets are extremely necessary if you want to deliver high-quality content to your viewers. There are different types of vlogging microphones. We hope that this article has helped you pick the right vlogging microphone for you.