Best Vlogging Microphone for Youtube

When it comes to vlogging equipment, many vloggers focus their attention on finding the best camera, not realizing that sound plays a vital role in the quality of one’s vlogs. Having a crisp and clear sound in your vlogs increases the chance that your viewers will have a good experience watching (and listening to) your videos.

While having an excellent camera is important, you also need a good vlogging microphone to create high-quality videos.

A good vlogging microphone helps you reduce unwanted background and wind noise and increases the audio quality of your vlogs.

Quick Summary of Best Vlogging Microphones

You might be wondering – won’t the built-in microphone in my camera suffice?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.  And here is why.

Built-in microphones are terrible at filtering out unwanted noise. They don’t filter out wind noise or other unwanted background noise from traffic, crowds, and other sounds you don’t want in your video. This could be very distracting for your viewers and detrimental to your overall rating as a channel.

Even really expensive cameras don’t come close to the sound quality of a $100 external microphone. Investing in a good vlogging microphone will drastically increase the quality of your videos.

Check out the youtube video below for an example of a built-in microphone vs. an external microphone. 

Notice how all the wind noise gets filtered out with an external microphone and the overall sound quality is incomparably better?

So, what are the best vlogging microphones for YouTube that are currently on the market? Let’s find out.

Types of Microphones

Now that you know how important a good vlogging microphone is, let’s pick the best microphones for YouTube vlogs. There are a few types of microphones you can choose from.

The perfect vlogging microphone for you depends on the camera you own and the type of videos you produce.

Shotgun Microphones

Shotgun microphones are the most commonly used microphones by vloggers.

These microphones can easily be mounted on any camera with a hot shoe and a microphone jack (almost any DSLR or mirrorless camera) and provide great sound quality while filtering out unwanted background noise from your vlogs.

They are very easy to use and don’t require difficult setups. Just grab your camera and start recording without worrying about audio.

View the best shotgun microphones for vlogging »

Lavalier microphones

You’ve probably come across this type of microphone in your favourite TV programme. Lavalier microphones are tiny microphones that you can clip to your clothing. These microphones are great at capturing speech while allowing you to move around or face away from the camera.

These microphones are perfect for vlogging but can also be used in instructional videos, commentary, or other videos where speech is important.

Lapel/lavalier microphones can be plugged in your phone, tablet, or a dedicated recording device like a DSLR camera.

View the best lavalier microphones for vlogging »

USB Recording Microphones

If you record your vlogs near your computer, USB microphones are a great option. They are extremely easy to set up and use, and they provide great sound quality.

Whether you make tutorials, music videos, interviews, or commentary, USB microphones are super versatile and popular among many YouTubers.

View the best USB microphones for vlogging »

Dedicated Recording Devices

Portable recorders are a great option if you want more flexibility when you’re recording audio.

These devices record high-quality audio and have more advanced features such as audio playback, more file quality options, and file compression capabilities.

Often used in broadcasting but also perfect for vlogging, especially in combination with a lavalier microphone.

View the best Dedicated Recorder for vlogging »

Best Shotgun Vlog Microphones

Our shotgun microphone recommendations won’t come as a surprise as they are already incredibly popular among vloggers.

One of the best shotgun microphones for vlogging is the Rode VideoMic Pro R.

Design

The Rode VideoMic Pro R has a lightweight and compact design, with an integrated foam windscreen and shock mounting.

Specifications

The VideoMic Pro R has an all-new condenser capsule that records broadcast-quality audio via a regular 3.5mm microphone jack.

The microphone uses a super-cardioid pattern which minimizes unwanted background noise from the side and rear and focuses on the subject in front of the camera.

It also has a high pass filter to decrease low-end background noise from traffic or air conditioners and level attenuation controls for very quiet or loud sound sources.

The integrated shock mounting and foam windscreen minimize unwanted noise from shocks, vibrations, or wind noise. The microphone also comes with a 10 year extended warranty.

Battery Life

The VideoMic Pro is powered by a single 9V battery that can record up to 70 hours. Since the battery is long-lasting, you won’t need a spare battery, but make sure to carry your charger with you just in case.

Design

The Rode VideoMic has an attractive design, with windshield protection and ABS construction.

Specifications

The integrated shock mount isolates your microphone from vibrations and bumps that may interfere with your sound recording. The shock mount is constructed from a single piece of hard-wearing thermoplastic which does not wear out, unlike traditional elastic solutions.

Battery Life

This microphone is specifically designed to be easy to use for less-experienced users. It’s powered by your camera so it requires no batteries and it also doesn’t have any complicated settings or switches.

Just plug in your microphone and start vlogging without having to worry about batteries or audio settings!

Lavalier Vlogging Microphones

We chose to include one wired lavalier microphone and one wireless. A good wireless lavalier microphone is more expensive than a wired mic but allows for much greater freedom of movement.

Design

Another great microphone for vlogging, the PowerDeWise Lavalier, has a 3.5mm microphone jack so you can easily plug it into your camera, laptop, phone (Android and iOS), or audio recorder and start recording. The microphone has a 59″ (1.5m) cord and also comes with a 78″ (2m) extension cord to provide you with more freedom of movement.

Specifications

If you connect this to a dedicated sound recorder or a phone instead of your camera, you can get many of the advantages of a wireless lavalier microphone.

Just keep the sound recorder in your pocket and don’t worry about the camera’s distance!

Battery Life

The microphone doesn’t need any batteries but instead runs off the power of the device.

Design

The Comica WM100 is a compact and small mic you can place on any piece of clothing. 

Specifications 

This is one of the best lavalier microphones for vlogging.

This wireless microphone is capable of transmitting your audio over a distance of up to 330 ft (100 m) which should be enough for almost any vlog.

The transmitter has an LCD screen for real-time audio status monitoring, adjusting volume, signal strength, or to switch channels.

You can also perform a local audio test so you can prevent situations where your microphone was off after recording a video.

Battery Life

The transmitter and receiver use 2x AA batteries (not included), so add some rechargeable ones to your basket when ordering!

If you want a small, compact, wireless microphone that you can carry with you everywhere you go, then you should definitely look into Wireless GO.

Design

Also known as “the world’s smallest and most versatile compact wireless system”, the Wireless GO is conveniently built and easy to use. With every purchase, you get a pouch that you can use for transport and two USB-C cables. It comes in various colours and it’s quite easy to conceal on clothing. It’s lightweight and you can take it (and use it) anywhere you go without anyone noticing. You won’t have to worry about dealing with any long cables.

Specification      

This mic consists of two separate components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter holds the mic in place, but you can also use the clip to attach it to your clothing. The receiver connects to the camera through a cable.

The Wireless Go contains an omnidirectional condenser capsule, a 2.4GHz frequency band, and a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. Although it can pick up some ambient sound in the background, it delivers crisp and clear audio.

Battery Life

The battery life lasts up to seven hours with only one charge and you can even use external batteries if you run out of battery life.

Best USB Microphones

Both the best overall and the best budget USB microphones are from Blue Microphones. They provide great sound quality and are known for how easy they are to use.

If you’re looking for the best USB microphone for recording your videos, the Blue Yeti is a great option that’s used by many YouTubers.

Design

The microphone has a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack which allows you to monitor your recording in real-time. The microphone also has control dials so you can easily make adjustments on the fly or mute it completely.

Specifications

The Blue Yeti has 3 different condenser capsules for optimal sound recording in many different situations. You can use the microphone in 4 different modes:

• Stereo mode: The stereo mode uses both left and right channels and is ideal for capturing a realistic general sound image.
• Cardioid mode: Ideal for situations where the sound source is directly in front of the microphone like vocals, instruments, commentaries, voice-overs or game streaming.
• Omnidirectional mode: Picks up sounds from any direction.
• Bidirectional mode: Records the front and back of the microphone, very useful for interviews.

All of this is incredibly easy to set-up: simply plug in the microphone to the USB port, calibrate it with your operating system, and you’re ready to record!

The Snowball is one of the best microphones for YouTube if you’re on a budget. 

Design

As you can see from the picture above, the mic is quite small in size, but appealing and compact. It comes with its own tripod and USB cable.

Specifications

It’s a great alternative to the more expensive Yeti listed above. It’s the perfect option if you’re just starting out with vlogging and want an all-round high-quality mic. This entry-level USB microphone provides a lot of value for the money.

The microphone is incredibly easy to set up – just plug the USB cable into your computer and you’re ready to start recording. No need to install drivers or other software.

The Blue Snowball has 2 different condenser capsules to capture rich sound. You can use the microphone in 2 different modes:

• Cardioid mode: Ideal for situations where the sound source is directly in front of the microphone like vocals, instruments, commentaries, voice-overs or game streaming.

Omnidirectional mode: Picks up sounds from any direction.

Best Portable Dedicated Recorders for Vlogging

Both portable recorders we picked are by Zoom. A high-quality brand that produces great audio recorders.

When you record your audio on a separate device, you’ll need to sync your audio and video in post-production.

A simple trick to help you synchronize both is to clap your hands or shut a book while recording. That gives you a reference point to line the audio and video up with each other.

Our favourite portable audio recorder is currently the Zoom H4N Pro. It records incredible audio, has many features, and is easy to use.

Design

The body is rubberized which makes it perfect to travel with and the bright screen helps you see what’s going on.

Specifications

The H4N PRO is an improved version of the very popular Zoom H4N.

The two built-in stereo X/Y microphones have a very low noise floor but are able to handle up to 140 dB so they can record crystal clear audio in every situation.

It is capable of pristine stereo or four-channel recording (up to 24-bit/96 kHz) and records directly to SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB.

The Zoom H1 is a great budget alternative combining powerful recording capabilities with ease of use.

Design

The H1 features a newly designed user interface which puts all features such as track marker, auto record, low-cut filter, and level and volume controls at your fingertips instead of difficult setting menus.

Specifications

The Zoom H1’s onboard microphones are configured in an X/Y pattern for the best possible stereo imaging. The microphones are enclosed so you can put it in your pocket or throw it in your bag without worrying about damaging it.

The H1 is compatible with memory cards up to 32GB which should give you plenty of recording time depending on the bitrate and file format.

Best Microphone for Singing Videos on YouTube

Apart from recommending vlogging microphones, we also selected some options for specific YouTube channels that we believe will be of help.

Some YouTube channels are dedicated solely to singing and music videos, and such YouTubers usually need to invest in a special microphone that’s appropriate for singing. Although you could get away with using any regular microphone,  USB microphones seem to be the go-to option for singers on YouTube.

The best part about USB microphones is that they’re pretty easy to find, not to mention way more affordable than wireless vocal microphones. 

Here are our top picks for the best USB microphones for singing.

Design

If you’re looking for the perfect singing mic, then this is it! This microphone features a zero-latency 3.5 mm headphone jack and a pro filter located on the base of the mic. It comes with a tripod desk stand, a ring mount, a storage pouch, and 6 m long USB cable. 

Specifications

It has USB connectivity and it’s USB bus-powered. This mic is compatible with both Windows and Mac users. Apart from singing, you can also use it for recording regular videos or podcasts.

Design

The Shure SM7B has an appealing design and it comes with a high-quality pop filter that protects against any unwanted sounds.

Specifications

This mic delivers clean sounds and fantastic voice quality. It has a wide range of frequency response, so it’s a great option for both singing and recording other kinds of videos. This means that you won’t have to go out of your way to get a pop filter, so it’s a big plus.

This mic offers a range of frequency from 50 to 20,000 Hz and it shields from electromagnetic hum which can be detrimental for recording music.

Best Microphone for Gaming Videos on YouTube

Whether you’re filming multiplayer games or you’re by yourself while offering gaming commentaries, it’s crucial for any gaming YouTuber to have a good quality microphone. There are plenty of affordable options out there that won’t cost you a fortune but do deliver results. One of those options is the Razer Seiren Elite USB Microphone.

Design

It comes with its own desk stand and microphone windscreen, and a long USB cable. It’s easy to set up and compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Specifications

This mic is specially targeted towards gamers, which makes it a top pick for any gaming YouTuber. It has an elegant and timeless look to it, but it’s not just the aesthetics that made us put it on this list. The Razer Seiren has a built-in filter that mutes any unnecessary background voices and vibrations that might hinder the audio quality of your gaming video. This is especially useful if you’re living with other people who happen to make noise while you’re filming.

This microphone for YouTube comes with a bitrate of 16 bit and a frequency range of 50HZ to 20kHz.

Another good microphone for YouTube is the Samson G-Track Pro Professional.

Design

Even though you can use the Samson G-Track for multiple purposes, it’s definitely a go-to choice for gamers. It contains a dual 25 mm condenser capsule and three patterns to choose from depending on what kind of sound you are opting for at that particular moment: unidirectional, bidirectional, and omnidirectional.  

Specifications

No installation is required, so it’s quite simple to use. The sound quality of this mic is outstanding – it has 24-bit and 19Hz resolution and a ¼” audio input. The end result is a clear and crisp sound that any viewer will appreciate.

Best Microphone for ASMR YouTube Videos

As you may know, ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos have taken over YouTube in the past couple of years.

If there’s one thing a good ASMR channel needs, then it’s definitely a proper mic. Here are the best microphones for YouTube ASMR videos that can help you get all the tingling sensations.

Design

The Audio Technica AT2020 is one of the most beginner-friendly mics on this list. It’s quite easy to use and it has a very appealing design. The mic also comes with a tripod, although some customers have complained that it’s subpar.

Specifications

It has a smooth frequency response of 20Hz and it produces perfectly crisp and clear sound, which is exactly what is needed for ASMR.

This mic is compatible with both PC and MAC computers. You can easily monitor your microphone signal with the built-in headphone jack with volume control.

Other good microphones for YouTube ASMR that we’ve already gone through include:

• Rode NT microphone
• Blue Yeti Microphone

What Microphone Do YouTubers Use?

If you’re immersed in the world of YouTube videos, then you must have wondered what kind of microphone your favourite YouTubers use.

According to Soundrecord.com, the most used microphones among YouTuber creators include:

• The Apogee MiC 96K
• The Focusrite Scarlett Studio Pack
• Rode NT1-A

If you’d like to find out what cameras popular YouTubers use, check out our article on the topic. Alternatively, if you want an in-depth guide for the equipment some of the most popular YouTubers use, feel free to check out our guides on Zoella, Pewdiepie, and Casey Neistat, respectively.

How to Choose the Right mic for Vlogging

Finally, we have decided to include a couple of practical things to consider before you make your final purchase in the hopes of helping you make a better decision.

Think About What You Want to Film

As you saw in this article, we created a couple of different categories for the best microphones for YouTube. So, the first thing you need to consider before you make any kind of purchase is what you want to use the mic for. If you have a clear goal in mind, it’s going to make the process a lot easier. You’ll be able to find a specific mic that’s catered to your needs.

That being said, if you’re still unsure about the type of videos you want to make, then you can always buy a well-rounded mic that you can use for multiple purposes. If you do decide to make specific types of videos and need a new microphone, you can always sell your mic down the road.

Is There Any Specific Feature You’re After in Your Vlogging Microphone?

The second thing you want to consider is whether or not you’re after a specific feature.

If you’re dead set on getting a vlogging microphone that blocks all background noises, there isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t be that specific when browsing the web for a vlogging mic. Purchasing a vlogging mic is an investment, after all, so feel free to be as specific as you want.

How Big Is Your Budget?

Finally, you need to see how much money you’re able to spend on a mic. If you don’t have enough money to buy a vlogging microphone yet, you can start saving up in order to buy the mic of your dreams. There’s no reason to settle for a low-quality mic.

Comparison Table

That concludes our guide! Hopefully, this guide helped you find the perfect vlogging microphone for your needs, as well as some specific mic recommendations for your gaming, ASMR, or music channel.

Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Our editors may earn a small commission if products are purchased via our external partner links.