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6 Best Camera Microphones for Vlogging You Should Buy

Vlogging is getting increasingly popular as more people show their lives on YouTube as a form of content. If you too plan to start a vlogging channel or wish to improve the quality of your content, one of the most essential accessories you would need is a camera microphone.

best camera microphone for vlogging

A good video is determined by both the visuals and audio quality. So, if your vlogs are lacking in the audio department, it’s time to get a good mic. Depending on your budget and usage, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best camera microphones for vlogging.

Before we get to the mics, though, here are some other articles that may interest you –

With that out of the way, here are all the mic recommendations for your camera.

1. Movo VXR10 Video Microphone with Shock Mount

Here’s one of the more affordable camera microphones for vlogging. It plugs into your camera and slots into the cold shoe mount so you can either face it towards yourself or in the opposite direction depending on what you’re recording. You get a shock mount which is useful if you’re walking or running with the camera along with a dead cat windscreen to cut down on wind noise.

The Movo VXR10 is essentially a shotgun microphone for vlogging. Since it’s an on-camera microphone, it won’t be visible in your shots nor do you have to worry about any type of wire or cable dangling in your frame. This provides a professional look when you’re filming. The brand provides you with two cables — one to connect the mic to your camera and another to connect it to your smartphone. This is surely handy.

The reviews say that this mic captures audio well from up to 20 feet away which is good. However, it’s not too good at canceling ambient noise so if you’re in noisy situations, you may hear some external noise creeping in. If you’re looking for a cheap shotgun mic for vlogging, this is a decent option. You can also use it to record audio via your phone.

2. Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone

This is yet another shotgun mic but this time from Rode, one of the most renowned brands in the industry. The Rode VideoMicro comes mounted on a shock-absorbing mechanism that then attaches to the cold shoe mount on your camera. This mic gathers power from the 3.5mm jack itself when connected to the camera and hence, doesn’t require any additional batteries.

Attaching large mics can get heavy and hence, uncomfortable if you’re holding the camera for long periods. To negate this issue, the Rode VideoMicro is small and lightweight and doesn’t protrude too much. The shock-absorbing mount is helpful when vlogging since you might be walking around or sprinting while recording.

You get a wind muff in the box that helps with recording outdoors. As per the reviews, the noise cancellation is impressive even in highly windy environments. However, the sound isn’t that clear as per some users. However, considering the size, it does a fairly good job. If you’re a professional moving from an existing mic to a better one, you might want to look away. It’s good for beginners who want a vlog camera mic.

3. Sennheiser MKE 200 Microphone for Cameras and Phones

Sennheiser is yet another brand that has grown in terms of popularity in the audio space. The MKE 200 directional mic from the brand is one of the best microphones for YouTube vlogging on a budget. It has a unique design that’s not like your typical shotgun mic. The suspension mount is built into the mic itself and is then attached to a cold shoe mount that goes on top of your camera.

Apart from looking different and having excellent, crystal-clear sound quality, one of the main advantages of the Sennheiser vlog mic is that it has both the TRS and TRRS cables in the box which means you can connect it to your camera or smartphone to record vlogs. If you shoot from both devices, this is an absolute godsend since you don’t need two different mics.

The entire mic enclosure is constructed out of metal for a premium look and finish. Considering the price, the audio you get out of this camera while vlogging or doing run-and-gun shoots is impressive as per the reviews. However, the noise cancellation isn’t as effective as on the Rode VideoMicro. So, you’ll have to pick your poison here.

4. Audio-Technica PRO 24-CM Stereo Condenser Microphone

The Audio-Technica PRO 24-CM is a condenser mic with an X-Y configuration. What this is means is that, unlike standard shotgun mics that pick up the sound from the direction they are aimed at, this mic is designed to pick up audio from all directions. While this can be a con to some people, it can also be considered a feature that’s nice to have if you’re recording with a group of people.

In terms of design and looks, this mic from Audio-Technica is similar to most mics on this list. It has a suspension mount that sits on the cold shoe slot on your camera. The mic provides a stereo surround-sound effect that is unique. If you’re in a room with multiple people and want to record all of them, this can be a good option.

Of course, there’s a downside to this as well. Since the mic records audio from all directions, you will also end up recording sounds like cars honking or other people talking if you’re shooting outdoors. If you’re a travel vlogger who records most videos outdoors in crowded environments, we would suggest getting a shotgun mic like the Sennheiser or Rode one that records only in one direction.

5. Rode Wireless GO II Dual Channel Wireless Microphone System

Alright, we’ve now reached the wireless section with the Rode Wireless Go II. This is undeniably one of the most popular microphones among YouTube creators due to its versatility and convenience. Albeit on the expensive side, you get a completely wireless mic setup with two transmitters and one receiver. The receiver connects to your camera and gets mounted on top. Then, you can clip the mic onto yourself and start recording.

The advantage of a wireless mic is that you can record audio while being far away from the camera. If you’re using a shotgun mic, you have to be close to the camera with the mic facing you. However, with a wireless mic like the Rode Wireless Go II, that’s not the case. Since there are 2 channels, it’s also a good option if you have multiple people in your frame most of the time.

The fact that the Rode Wireless Go II is so popular among content creators proves how good the audio quality is. Of course, it’s not a perfect product. Since it’s wireless it runs on a battery. So, you need to ensure you don’t run out of juice while you’re recording.

Moreover, some users have also reported interference of some kind creeping into the audio with some cameras due to the frequency at which the mic operates. We suggest watching a few YouTube videos of the mic working with your specific camera before picking it up.

FAQs for Camera Microphones for Vlogging

1. Do I need an external mic for vlogging?

The mic built into your camera may not be enough to capture sound in the best possible way. This is why we recommend getting an external mic for vlogging. A dedicated mic will enhance your audio while cutting out background noise.

2. Can I use my phone’s mic for recording audio while vlogging?

You can use your phone’s mic to record audio when vlogging with your camera. However, you will have to merge them later while editing the video which can get slightly complex.

3. Which type of mic is the best for vlogging?

A shotgun mic or a wireless lav mic is generally the best option for vlogging.

Record Crisp Audio

As mentioned earlier, audio plays an important role in your videos. So, if you want to improve the quality, get a camera microphone for vlogging. You can pick any mic of your choice from this list based on your usage and the amount of money you want to invest in your content.

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Last updated on 02 January, 2023

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