If you want to improve your vlogging, the best microphone for vlogging and filmmaking is one of the best investments you can make. The majority of modern smartphones and cameras shoot good-looking video nowadays, but many of them lag behind in terms of their built-in audio quality – and poor audio is one thing an audience will not tolerate. So, get a mic!
In this article, I've gathered together the top buys, covering studio mics, lavalier mics and shotgun mics. If you're not sure of the difference, don't worry, I've included a section at the bottom where I explain the key points you need to know. I've also made sure to include plenty of budget options, and you may be surprised by just how cheaply you can get hold of a great mic.
My picks are based on the mics our review team has tried and tested. Indeed, as DCW's resident audio expert, I've penned 40 mic reviews and counting! Read on to see which mics made the cut, and don't forget to check out our guide to the best iPhone microphones for more great choices.
George has been freelancing as a photo fixing and creative tutorial writer since 2002. He also produces regular and exclusive Photoshop CC tutorials for his YouTube channel – where he has mastered the art of great sound recording in a range of situations.
The best microphone for vlogging & filmmaking
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Best studio mic
The Blue Yeti has been a near-ubiquitous sight in podcast studios and on streaming desks for years. It’s a plug-and-play microphone that almost anyone can use, yet it still delivers excellent sound quality. Whether you’re recording a solo voiceover or capturing a group conversation, it remains a versatile choice.
Its three-capsule system supports four pickup patterns, enabling you to tailor the way it captures sound to suit your studio or recording setup. The controls are clearly laid out and easy to reach, making it simple to adjust the headphone volume, alter the gain or quickly activate the mute button to hide a cough! It also has a distinctive and stylish design.
For several years, the Blue Yeti was my go-to microphone for recording high-quality voiceovers to accompany my Digital Camera World product reviews. However, the similarly specced Maono PD200W has now taken its place on my desktop, largely because it can transmit audio wirelessly as well as connect via USB-C or XLR.
See our full Blue Yeti review
Best wireless lav mic
The latest generation of RØDE's popular line of wireless lav mics, the Wireless Go Gen 3 delivers a real 'grab-and-go' quality, being simple enough to set up and operate that even inexperienced users can record great-quality audio. Like the previous Wireless Go II, this incarnation boasts the Intelligent Gain Assist feature, which automatically adjusts levels the way a sound recordist would to ensure that audio quality is clear and consistent.
The transmission range is excellent – in our testing, it held up even as our reviewer descended a staircase to a distance 50m away from the receiver, in a building containing lots of concrete and metal (which can interfere with wireless transmission). RØDE claims a range of up to 260m, though you're unlikely to realistically be recording from such a distance. There's also a near-zero latency codec, meaning you likely won't have to shift the audio track in post to sync up with your subject's lip movements.
See our full RØDE Wireless Go Gen 3 review
Best discreet lav mic
This is one of the most discreet and subtle lav mics you can buy – a stark contrast to the previous Hollyland Mark M1, which had a blocky transmitter that stuck out like a Lego brick on the subject's lapel. The newer Mark M2S version features a tiny omnidirectional microphone that also acts as a hook for a lapel or shirt, meaning the transmitter can be hidden.
In my testing, it also delivered excellent audio quality thanks to its high 24-bit depth and 48 kHz sample rate. Transmission range is very impressive, with a maximum of 300m being much more than anyone is realistically going to need. You may get some signal drop-out if you turn your back to the camera, but otherwise performance is very solid. I found the built-in noise reduction worked very well – much better than most wireless mics, where it tends to produce an unpleasantly warbly track.
See our full Hollyland Lark M2S Combo Kit review
Best mini lav mic
While the DJI Mic and its successors have become near ubiquitous on YouTube and other vlogging platforms, the DJI Mic Mini is likely going to be the best option for most people, especially new users. While you don't get the internal safety track of the bigger DJI Mics (which ensures a clean copy of your audio in case of drop-out), the Mic Mini instead records straight to your phone – which realistically for many social media users is the device you're going to be editing on.
Impressively well-priced and built to an incredibly lightweight standard, the DJI Mic Mini will significantly up the quality of your audio recording without adding too much cost or bulk. It's very simple to operate, and in our testing proved itself to be reliable recorder even when we put obstacles between ourselves and the mic in an attempt to fox it. There is no 32-bit float audio, but the 24-bit or 16-bit audio via Bluetooth is realistically going to be fine for most purposes.
See our full DJI Mic Mini review
Best for onboard recording
The Boyamic 2 is a significant redesign of Boya’s original Boyamic wireless microphone system. Its transmitters are slimmer, lighter and easier to grip, while understated icon-labelled controls give the kit a more professional appearance than the colorful, consumer-looking buttons on its predecessor.
The Boyamic 2 also offers specifications that should appeal to filmmakers and serious vloggers, including 48kHz audio, 24-bit wireless transmission and higher-quality 32-bit onboard recording. Onboard recording provides a valuable safety net as each transmitter can record a separate WAV file internally, so any wireless signal drop-outs can be replaced during editing. Onboard recording can be activated from either the transmitter or the receiver’s touch-sensitive OLED display.
The standout upgrade is the Boyamic 2’s AI-powered noise cancellation. Its built-in chip uses deep neural networks trained on more than 700,000 noise samples to identify and reduce distractions such as nearby traffic. In our tests, it removed background noise more effectively than the original Boyamic, while introducing less distortion to the speaker’s voice.
Although most users may struggle to hear a dramatic difference between the transmitted 24-bit audio and the onboard 32-bit recording, both sound impressively clear. Overall, the Boyamic 2 combines professional features, dependable backup recording and effective noise reduction at an accessible price.
See our full Boyamic 2 review
Best pro lav mic
DJI has been steadily improving its wireless mic design since the first introduction of the DJI Mic, and this latest incarnation is not just the bet yet, but is arguably one of the most fully featured and impressive wireless mic kits you can buy right now. It earned the full five stars in our review, blending superb sound quality with a fully rounded and well thought-out feature set.
One of the big upgrades to this third iteration of the DJI Mic is the significant increase of its internal storage. It features a generous 32GB of on-board storage, which gives you extra peace of mind that your recordings aren't going to get lost in the event of a wireless failure, while also providing some extra legroom to make use of its 32-bit float for top-notch pristine quality. Other major additions include two adaptive gain controls, to prevent clipping and maintain consistent performance, and tone presets that are designed to provide rich and bright-sounding voices.
Otherwise, this is the same DJI Mic that many content creators have come to love, with that useful charging case, easy clip-on design and handy furry shields. If you're just using your phone for no-frills vlogging, it's probably overkill, and the DJI Mic Mini is probably the better and more cost-effective choice. However, for high-end performance, the Mic 3 delivers like nothing else.
See our full DJI Mic 3 review
Best beginner lav mic
If you're a vlogger looking for your first lavalier mic set, I'd definitely recommend the Hollyland Lark A1. It gives a real boost to the audio quality of smartphone video content, bringing it in line with the visual quality, and it does this for a hugely impressive budget price.
Easy to set up and clip on via magnetic attachment, the Hollyland Lark A1 produces lovely-sounding 24-bit 48kHz recording, all very clean and clear. Its tiny transmitter can even keep sending a signal when line of sight is blocked, and the receiver is a considerable distance away (I managed to get to the bottom of a 77-step staircase and it was still going).
There are lots of smart extra features too, like AI noise cancelling, useful display lights that inform you when the connection is active, and even the ability to trigger your smartphone's video recording function via the mic's transmitter. Clever! At this price, it's the perfect starter kit for anyone who's starting to take vlogging a bit more seriously.
See our full Hollyland Lark A1 review
Best for multiple setups
The Boya Magic’s USP is that it can be configured in four distinct ways. Its two tiny 7g transmitters work as conventional clip-on lavalier microphones, attaching to clothing with either magnets or clips for hands-free presenting and interviews. However if you pop one transmitter inside the cylindrical charging case then you have a handheld interview mic! This is much more natural for vox-pop work, and the supplied larger furry windshield gives it the appearance and wind protection of a conventional handheld microphone.
The charging case (with transmitter mic inside) can also be mounted on the supplied mini tripod to create a desktop microphone for voiceovers, streaming or video calls. Connecting the compact USB-C receiver to a laptop and you can record a voiceover directly into compatible software such as Final Cut Pro. Finally, the tripod’s detachable ball head doubles as a camera shoe mount, turning the same cylindrical unit into an on-camera microphone for a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Despite its shape-shifting design, the Boya Magic doesn’t compromise on sound quality. It records at 48kHz/24-bit and captures a wide 144dB dynamic range. Its AI-powered noise cancellation was particularly impressive during testing, removing distracting sounds such as garden machinery, aircraft and urban traffic while leaving speech remarkably clean and natural.
There can be occasional wireless drop-out when the transmitter loses line of sight with the receiver, and the small magnets risk getting lost. Nevertheless, the Boya Magic is an unusually versatile and affordable kit that can replace several separate microphones in a vlogger’s or filmmaker’s bag.
See our full Boya Magic review
Best shotgun mic for phones
Though it has the form factor of a tiny shotgun mic, the Shure MoveMic 88+ is actually several mics in one. Its adjustable polar pattern means that while it can be used in the traditional manner of a point-and-record shotgun mic, it can also sit on a desktop or be carried handheld, as the situation requires (it is a little large to be clipped to clothing, but if you don't mind looking silly, you certainly could).
While you'll get the best bit-rate if you use the dedicated receiver, the MoveMic 88+ can also connect directly to your phone via Bluetooth and transmit its recordings that way, giving it extra utility in situations where attaching the receiver isn't desirable or practical (if your phone is on a gimbal, for instance). I found the recording quality of the Shure MoveMic 88+ to be excellent, with clear, rich voices captured and effective noise reduction.
See our full Shure MoveMic 88+ review
Best hybrid tabletop mic
The Maono PD200W is an unusual hybrid dynamic microphone that gives vloggers and filmmakers three ways to record sound. It can connect directly to a computer via USB-C, plug into professional recording equipment through an XLR cable, or transmit wirelessly to the supplied USB-C receiver.
Wireless operation is its biggest advantage for video creators. The receiver can be connected to a laptop or USB-C smartphone, allowing the microphone to be positioned on a desk, mounted on a stand, or carried as a handheld interview mic. During my outdoor test, audio remained loud and clear over a useful distance, although brief dropouts occurred when my body blocked the line of sight between the microphone and receiver.
Its cardioid pickup pattern captures sound primarily from the front, helping to reduce room echo and noise from the sides. Three levels of noise cancellation are available. The Moderate setting effectively reduced traffic and room reverb without making my voice sound noticeably artificial. Audio is recorded at 48kHz/24-bit and sounded clean, detailed, and well-suited to interviews, pieces to camera, and voiceover narration.
The Maono Link desktop and mobile apps provide gain adjustment, noise reduction, level monitoring and presets for different recording situations. An illuminated RGB ring on the mic can also add eye-catching colour and movement when the microphone appears in a vlog or studio-based video.
The supplied desktop stand is useful, while a (not supplied) Maono boom arm offers more positioning control. The plastic wireless receiver feels slightly fragile, but the PD200W’s USB-C, XLR and wireless connectivity make it a versatile choice for filmmakers and vloggers who want to record both indoors and on location.
See our full Maono PD200W review
How to choose the best microphone
There are multiple different types of microphone, all featured in this guide, and which one is right for you will depend first and foremost on how you intend to use it.
A shotgun mic is a good all-purpose option – it mounts to the camera's hotshoe, and records whatever you point it at. It's useful for all-purpose vlogging, reportage and and filmmaking. If you're shooting interviews, a wireless or lavalier mic could be a good choice, as these can be clipped to a person's clothing to capture their voice cleanly. Wired lavalier mics are also available if you don't want to run the risk of a wireless connection dropping out at a crucial moment, though naturally this comes with the trade-off of restricting your mobility.
For recording group discussions like podcasts, a studio microphone is the best choice. These work in all directions, and tend to be easy to plug into a computer for simple setup.
How we test microphones
We tend to get offered test microphones to play with before they are released which helps us keep up to speed with the latest technologies. Testing is the fun bit. From the supporting videos in the full reviews, you’ll see that our reviewers test microphones in a wide range of locations. This enables them to discover how effective the windshields and the software noise cancellation features are. Find out more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.
FAQs
Microphones have their own jargon. Here's a glossary of mic terms to explain what they all mean, what you need to know and how to use this to choose the best microphone.
An external microphone is an essential purchase if you're serious about getting quality sound recordings on your videos, but which type should you choose? To help you become more au fait with the world of sound recording, here's the lowdown on the audio jargon you can't avoid running into...
What is a polar pattern?
The direction from which a mic can pick up sound cleanly is known as its polar pattern, and this varies according to its design and intended use. In many ways, a mic's polar pattern is a bit like the audio equivalent of a lens's focal length, as it tells you how wide or narrow the pickup angle will be.
What is an omnidirectional mic?
Omnidirectional mics pick up sound from all around the capsule, and this polar pattern is popular on lavalier mics clipped to a presenter's clothing, as the wearer is likely to look up and down and turn their head from side to side while speaking. With omni lavs, it's also common to mount them upside down. This shields the capsule's top from plosives and nasal exhales, with only a small decline in high frequency response and sound level.
What is a cardioid mic?
Cardioid (heart-shaped) polar patterns are common on many types of mics. These pick up sound from the front and sides of the mic, and it falls off at the rear. Cardioid patterns are usually seen on handheld vocal and instrument mics, where the lack of rear response makes them less susceptible to feedback.
What is a supercardioid mic?
Supercardioid polar patterns offer a narrower pickup zone than regular cardioids, so they reject sound coming in from the sides much more. They are more sensitive to sounds from the rear than a cardioid though, so you need silence behind the mic when using them.
What is a hypercardioid mic?
Hypercardioid mics reject even more side-on sounds and are more focused on sounds directly in front. As they're very directional, and have a barrel shape, they're often called 'shotgun' mics, but they're also sensitive to sounds from the rear, so as with a supercardioid, you need to ensure all is quiet behind the mic to get a clean recording of the source you're targetting.
What is a bicardioid mic?
The figure-of-eight or bidirectional mic is the last popular polar pattern. This picks up sounds equally well from the front and rear, but strongly rejects anything coming in from either side. In essence, a figure-of-eight is used like a double-headed mic, so two sources 180 degrees apart can be cleanly recorded.
What is frequency response?
Sound waves are carried through the air, and are measured in cycles per second (also known as Hertz). This is essentially how many times the wave vibrates air molecules in a second to produce a 'note'. Soundwaves stretch from very low frequencies (think of a very low tone) to high frequencies (a very high, shrill note) and someone young with perfect ears may hear from as low as 20 cycles per second (20Hz) to a very high 20,000 cycles (20KHz).
This 20Hz-20KHz is the maximum frequency range of human hearing, though falloff occurs - especially at the upper limit - with age. By the time we pass 25, we're unlikely to hear beyond 15KHz, and this drops down to about 12KHz at 50 years.
To get natural-sounding audio, a mic needs to capture the frequencies we hear, and its frequency response reveals the lowest and highest-pitched sounds it is capable of recording. Professional mics often also have a frequency response chart, so the user can see how the mic may 'colour' the sound with an increase or reduction in sensitivity at particular frequency groups. If the frequency response is relatively flat across the range of human speech (about 100Hz to 8KHz), then the mic will produce a natural-sounding recording.
What are Phantom Power and Plug-in Power?
Unlike 'passive' dynamic mics, condenser mics require power to run, and mixing desks, field recorders and video cameras in the pro sector offer XLR mic inputs with switchable phantom power. This is sent down the mic lead to fuel the mic's electronics, so no additional power supplies are needed.
Enthusiast condenser mics also need power, but either take a battery or use a different standard with a low voltage, called Plug-in Power (PiP). This is sent through the mic lead from the device via its 3.5mm jack socket. Many audio recorders, camcorders and DSLRs offer this, so you can use PiP mics, but check your camera's manual. If your DSLR only offers a passive (unpowered) 3.5mm jack socket for external mics, you'll need a mic that offers its own power source in the form of a battery.
What is a shotgun mic?
A shotgun microphone is a 'barrel' shaped mic with a hypercardioid pickup pattern that's used extensively in film and TV production to isolate the sound coming from a specific direction. Shotguns may be mounted on the camera, so they target the sound that the lens is pointing at, or attached to a telescopic boom pole. The boom allows them to be placed as close to the source as possible, while keeping the mic itself just out of frame. The mic is suspended on a shock-absorbing mount, so the boom can be moved and the mic directed at the sound source without creating any handling noise.
What is a lavalier mic?
A lavalier microphone is a very small condenser mic that can be clipped to a lapel to remain in close proximity to the mouth of the speaker. It is also often called a tie-clip mic. Because they are visually unobtrusive and give great audio quality, lavs are now the default choice for TV presenters and interview subjects. A subset of the lav is the headworn mic, which is either hidden in the performer's hair or on a small boom that's clipped around the ears. This ensures the mic stays close to the mouth even if the head is turned.
What is a parabolic microphone?
A parabolic mic is a highly directional mic that works like a satellite dish to focus the sound waves onto a central point, where the mic is situated. They're sometimes used to isolate distant sounds in wildlife recording, but low frequency response is very poor on portable dishes, so they are more common in surveillance use.
See also: Video jargon explained - what the specs mean
Price comparison
