Choosing the best microphone for vlogging is an important step in creating a successful vlog channel. Though the picture quality of your vlogs is a highly important factor, the sound quality is just as important, if not more. Most vlogs rely on speech as the main feature of its entertainment and/or informational value. Therefore, making sure that the sound quality of this speech is audible and pleasant to listen to is one of the easiest ways to improve the quality of your vlog.
The 3 most common types of microphone used for YouTube vlogging are:
1. Lavalier Microphone
Lavalier microphones are very small and they can be attached to your clothes. Most lavalier mics have an omnidirectional pickup pattern, which isn’t always good for all senarios but when the mic is close to your mouth they work quite well.
They are really good for vloggers because when you clip them on your clothes they are quite discreet. Also, when you are speaking directly into the microphone it will not pick up too much of the background noises.
If you don’t like carrying a big microphone with you, then using a lavalier mic can be quite a good option. The only downside with this type is that you’ll need to make sure that everyone speaking in your video has their own microphone.
2. Shotgun Microphone
Shotgun microphones are a unidirectional type of microphone which means that they only capture the sound in front of them and reject any noise from other directions. This helps reduce unwanted sounds, such as people talking behind you or a noisy event going on outside your recording area. They also have excellent quality for crisp recordings that pick up your voice talking even if you’re far away.
Many popular vloggers use a shotgun microphones attached to the hot-shoe of their camera. Shotgun mics can also be used as boom microphones, by attaching them with long boom poles that can be positioned in different angles for versatility. Some shotguns come bundled with these boom poles although most will require you buy one separately if needed or desired.
3. USB Microphones
USB microphones are great for using in youtube studios when you want to plug a mic directly into your computer. Here are some example uses for a USB microphone:
- Voiceovers
- Music
- Interviews
- Tutorials
- Product demos
- Gaming walkthroughs
- Commentaries
There are a lot of vloggers and YouTubers using USB microphones just for their convenience and ease of use. USB microphones plug directly into your computer with a USB cable and you can record using any audio recording software.
Our Top Picks
| Name | Type | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ | USB |   |
| 2. Blue Yeti USB | USB |   |
| 3. Blue Snowball USB | USB |   |
| 4. Rode Wireless Go | Wireless Lavalier |   |
| 5. Rode Smartlav+ | Lavalier |   |
| 6. Audio-Technica ATR-3350xiS | Lavalier |   |
| 7. Movo LV1 | Lavalier |   |
| 8. Rode VideoMic Pro+ | Shotgun |   |
| 9. Sennheiser MKE 400 | Shotgun |   |
| 10. Audio-Technica AT875R | Shotgun |   |
| 11. Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro | Stereo on-camera |   |
11 Best Vlogging Microphones
Lets have a look at these microphones in a bit more detail.
Best USB Microphones for Vlogging
1. Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+
Best USB Microphones for Vlogging
Audio Technica is both an influential and iconic brand when it comes to studio recording. They are behind the M50X, which has been deemed some of the best headphones for monitoring in a professional setting; Audio-Technica’s deep knowledge and expertise can be seen on their AT2020 USB+ microphone, which happens to rank among one of our favorites microphones out there today!
The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ is a USB microphone that can be used in your youtube studio setup. It has an excellent frequency response and high SPL handling, making it perfect for recording vocals, musical instruments, or any other audio source. It comes with a tripod desk stand, pop-filter, a protective pouch, mount, and a USB cable.
You won’t have to worry about sound quality when you use this mic! It will make sure that all of your videos are crisp and clear so people can hear every word you say without having to strain their ears. If you want better sound quality then this is the product for you!
The best thing about this microphone is that you can monitor the sound in real-time with zero latency. With a headphone jack and volume control, it’s perfect for recording audio at home or on location! If you want the best audio quality, always make sure to monitor your recordings while recording. This way you can tell when something is not working and fix it before much time has been wasted.
PROs
- Headphone jack with volume control
- Cardioid Pattern
- Tripod desk stand
- Protective pouch
- Mount
CONs
- Slightly more expensive than the other two USB options listed
Audio Technica AT2020 USB+ Verdict
This is one of the best USB microphones out there. The design and build quality are excellent and the audio quality is equally good. It’s also a reputed brand in audio recording. This may be a great choice for you if you want to shoot vlogs in a studio setting.
Check Price & 890 Reviews at Amazon
2. Blue Yeti USB
The Blue Yeti USB microphone is a popular choice for vloggers. It’s been used by all different types of vloggers and features a triple capsule design that gives you the option to choose between cardioid, bi-directional or omnidirectional modes.
The sound quality is second to none with the triple capsule design. You can use this microphone for almost any situation and with its mute button, headphone jack, and zero latency you will hear your vlog recordings flawlessly!
You can monitor the audio being recorded in real-time by connecting a pair of headphones, so if notice a problem with your audio you can fix the problem while your recording, rather than having to create the video again. It comes with a USB cable and an adjustable stand and is compatible with both Windows as well as Mac OSX.
PROs
- Triple capsule design
- Headphone jack with zero latency
- Mute button
- Adjustable stand
CONs
- Sound capturing gets a little too much of everything
Blue Yeti Verdict
Overall, it’s a fantastic USB microphone for vloggers. The audio quality is clear and crisp and it’s compatible with Mac & Windows. The build quality and design are both good. This is an excellent choice if you’re planning on starting vlogging or want to improve your vlogging game.
Check Price and 13,374 Reviews at Amazon
3. Blue Snowball USB
The Blue Snowball is on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to price and construction quality. As a result, it’s suggested for novices. However, it is without a doubt an excellent USB microphone to start your vlogging career with. This microphone has a unique design, with a double capsule construction that allows you to pick between omnidirectional and cardioid modes.
The microphone is versatile and can be used for a variety of applications, but it isn’t ideal in every scenario. The cardioid mode works well and you can produce decent video quality audio with it. It includes a desktop stand as well as a USB cable. The microphone’s construction quality is adequate. You’ll notice that the sound is clear, sharp, and free of distortion.
It works with Windows and Mac OSX, allowing you to utilize different operating systems. It’s a plug-and-play gadget that doesn’t require any additional software installation.
PROs
- Design with dual capsule
- It runs on both Windows and Mac, as well as Linux.
- Tripod desktop stand
- Decent audio quality
CONs
- No mute button
- In omnidirectional mode, it is very sensitive
Blue Snowball Verdict
Overall, it’s a decent microphone. Many beginning vloggers on YouTube utilize it. It’s an easy microphone to use for podcasting and vlogging. It includes a desktop stand, which is quite robust. The design and construction quality is decent. On the other hand, it picks up everything, which can be a major problem if you’re not in a quiet location.
Check Price & Reviews at Amazon
Best Wireless Microphone for Vlogging
4. Rode Wireless Go
Best Wireless Mic for Vlogging
This is, without a doubt, one of the best wireless microphone systems available on the market (in the cheaper price range). It’s really compact, easy to set up and has excellent sound quality. If you want a wireless mic kit that is easy to travel with and simple to use then this one might be for you.
Included in the box is a transmitter and a receiver which are both exactly the same when it comes to their size. Both of them have internal batteries that are charged via USB-C and they have around 7 hours of runtime, which is really good.
On the transmitter, there are two blue LED lights signifying power and linked to the receiver. The transmitter also has a built-in microphone which is quite handy for a quick setup. You also get a 3.5-millimeter (non-locking) input, so you can plug in a lav microphone of your choice.
The non-locking 3.5-millimeter input would be my only complaint about this microphone, as there is a risk that the mic could get pulled out. Other than that though I have very little else to complain about. Overall it’s a superb compact system.
PROs
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Excellent audio quality
CONs
- The microphone input socket is not equipped with a locking system.
Rode Wireless Go Verdict
It’s difficult to find a better wireless mic system at such a low price. It’s such a compact system which makes it great to travel with and to carry with you all the time. My only slight issue with this system was the non-locking mic input. But I can overlook that really because everything else about this wireless mic system is excellent.
Check Price & 452 Reviews at Amazon
Best Lavalier & Lapel Microphones for Vlogging
5. Rode Smartlav+
Best Lavalier Microphone for Vlogging
The Rode Smartlav+ is a popular smartphone microphone. Many famous YouTubers rely on it. This microphone’s most distinguishing feature is its great sound and construction quality. It’s constructed of top-of-the-line plastic and metal alloy. It has a premium feel to it, with a high degree of robustness.
The audio quality of this microphone is very good, and it almost equals that of a USB microphone. It has an omnidirectional condenser capsule, which means it can record audio from all directions.
It includes a foam pop shield to help you block wind noises and vocal plosives. The kit also contains a mounting clip and carry pouch. Because these lapel microphones are delicate, it’s critical to have a carrying case.
You won’t have to be concerned about the microphone getting damaged while traveling with it. It comes with a one-year warranty. This shows us how much faith they have in their product.
PROs
- Broadcast-grade audio
- Mounting clip
- Foam pop shield
- Carry pouch
- 12-months warranty
CONs
- Omnidirectional
Rode Smartlav+ Verdict
Overall, it’s one of the best smartphone microphones available. You’ll be getting all of the essential features of a good microphone, such as fantastic design, high audio quality, and compatibility with most devices. This microphone is used by most of the world’s top vloggers, and it’s also recommended for amateurs and professionals alike.
Check Price & Reviews at Amazon
6. Audio-Technica ATR-3350iS
The Audio-Technica ATR-3350iS is a small, portable video microphone that’s ideal for all your video needs. It has excellent sound quality and can pick up voices in most directions. This microphone is also an Omni-directional mic, which makes it perfect for interviews, discussions, and normal speech.
This microphone includes a 3.5mm mini-plug microphone jack that works with almost any camera with audio input. The 20ft cable, while not wireless, provides enough reach to enable vloggers to film from a distance and it may be connected into a dedicated audio recording device for total mobility. A tie clip, a battery, foam windscreen, condenser element, and a 1/4-inch adaptor are all included in the package.
Pros
- Low price and good quality
- Small and light
- Non-obtrusive
Cons
- Wired
- There is no battery life indicator
Audio-Technica ATR-3350iS Verdict
This is a good choice for anybody who is unfamiliar with lavalier microphones and wishes to record interviews, discussions, or general speech.
Check Price & Reviews at Amazon
7. Movo LV1
This is also a great choice for vloggers who are just getting started and are searching for a good starter microphone. It’s omnidirectional, so it’ll pick up all of the sounds in the environment. However, if you speak straight into the mic at a close distance, it will only pick up your voice.
This microphone includes a 20-foot long cable, so it should be sufficient for most uses. This microphone has a sturdy yet lightweight build that is quite comfortable to use. It also comes with 2 clips, 2 windscreens, a wind muff, and a carry case.
The clips are required since they wear out over time, or they may be lost. Although the wind muffs aid in lowering the impact of the wind on your sound quality, it will not significantly enhance it.
Carrying cases are essential for these types of small items, especially if they are delicate. If you don’t treat it with the appropriate care, it will certainly break. As a result, you may safely store the mic in the carrying bag and not need to worry about it.
The sound quality is adequate. The audio is clear, sharp, and precise. When compared to shotgun microphones, it isn’t that great. However, when compared to budget lapel mics, you can really tell the difference.
PROs
- Build quality is good
- Sound quality is good
- long cable (20-foot)
- Compatible with all devices
- 2 clips, 2 wind muffs, and a carrying case are included.
CONs
- Mic is very sensitive
Movo LV1 Verdict
Overall, it’s a solid choice for vloggers who plan to shoot a lot of videos in their studio or on location. Because this microphone picks up a lot of background noise when used outdoors, as well as omnidirectional, it will pick up unwanted sounds. It will not reflect much if you record in a closed setting.
Check Price & 305 Reviews at Amazon
The main issue with these lav microphones listed above is that they’re wired, which may restrict your movement. There are two options for going wireless. Either purchase an audio recorder such as the one reviewed below or you can go for a more expensive wireless lavalier microphone system.
Best On-Camera Mics for Vlogging
8. Rode VideoMic Pro+
Best Shotgun Microphone for Vlogging
If your camera accepts an external microphone, the Rode VideoMic Pro is a shotgun microphone that you may attach to it. It features a broadcast-quality condenser and a cardioid pickup pattern. This microphone has excellent sound quality overall. And it’s extremely lightweight; this mic weights only 85 grams, making it easy to mount on your camera.
Its battery life is 70 hours. This microphone boasts an outstanding battery life of 70 hours. Because you won’t have to worry about battery life when using it, this is a significant benefit. A 9-volt Alkaline battery powers the device. When shooting outside, keep a few 9-volt alkaline batteries on hand just in case.
When it comes to filming vlogs, we always suggest using a camera with excellent image stabilization. Because you’re more likely than not to produce vlogs while walking or moving, and if your camera doesn’t have a good image stabilization system, your vlogs will appear shaky. If your microphone doesn’t have a good shock mount, the sound will not be of high quality. This model has an integrated shock mount to guard your audio from interference.
The build quality of this microphone is excellent. It’s constructed of heavy-duty plastic and appears to be quite robust. If maintained correctly, it will last a long time. An integrated windshield is included with the device. When recording outdoors, the audio will be clearer and noiseless thanks to the windshield.
PROs
- Integrated windshield
- Integrated shock mount
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Good build quality
CONs
- It is difficult to change the batteries
Rode VideoMic Pro+ Verdict
It’s ideal for vloggers who use a camera with a hot-shoe connection and want a high-quality microphone. The audio quality is excellent, as is the build quality. It includes an integrated shocking mount and a windshield. The battery life is also quite long. The batteries are difficult to replace, but it isn’t a major problem. If you want to vlog outdoors a lot, this is an excellent option for you.
Check Price & Reviews at Amazon
9. Sennheiser MKE 400
The Sennheiser MKE 400 is a fantastic vlogging shotgun microphone. It’s constructed of all metal. One of the most appealing features of this microphone is its build quality. It has a solid, sturdy feel to it because it’s composed of metal rather than plastic. This microphone’s sound quality is excellent.
The base of this mount is made of metal, but it also features a shock mount to assist you in rejecting the handling and camera noises. When you record audio with a microphone on top of the camera, it will pick up your voice but it will also pick up the noises generated by your camera as you change the lens or press a button. With the aid of a shock mount, all these noises are filtered out and only your voice is recorded.
It has a very long battery life of about 300 hours. The device uses one AAA battery to operate. For most vloggers, this is a significant help. You won’t have to worry about changing the battery for at least a month, which is fantastic. You may use it on outdoor shoots without having to worry about battery life. To be safe, you may also bring a few spare batteries with you.
It has a foam windshield that aids in the reduction of wind noise. The wind may be a significant adversary when shooting outside. In the end, your audio will sound terrible, and your video will be ruined. You can use a windshield to reverse this situation though and produce really sharp and clear audio even when filming outside.
It’s small and light. If you’re going to vlog on a daily basis, it’s important to have a very light filming setup. The camera and microphone should be as lightweight and portable as possible so that you can vlog all day without getting tired.
PROs
- Intergrated Shock mount
- Metal casing
- Long life battery (300 hours)
- Lightweight & portable
CONs
- Windshield isn’t very securely attached
Sennheiser MKE 400 Verdict
Overall, this is a really excellent microphone for daily vloggers. It’s lightweight, has an outstanding battery life, great audio quality, and a sturdy build. A windshield and a shock mount are included. A vlogging microphone like this one with such important features as is a windshield critical for excellent vlogging.
10. Audio-Technica AT875R
The Audio-Technica AT875R Short Shotgun Microphone is ideal for recording audio for video production. It’s one of the shortest shotgun microphones available, making it ideal for small cameras.
It’s built with a unidirectional pickup pattern that picks up voice and ambient noises while suppressing sounds from the microphone’s side and rear.
The sound produced by this microphone is well-balanced, which means it has no harsh or piercing edges. It also features a narrow pickup pattern angle that allows the focus to be placed on sound from the front rather than sides. Because of its tiny pickup pattern angle, this microphone is well suited for collecting long-range sounds.
PROs
- Great design for video production
- Ideal for smaller cameras
- Reduces camera and handling noise
- Excellent at rejecting sound from side and rear
Cons
- For mounting on a camera, a separate shock mount is required
- There is no stand included as shown in the image
- Standard acceptance angles will result in you must keep your face toward the microphone while recording your vlog for your voice to be picked up
Audio-Technica AT875R Verdict
This is a fantastic entry-level vlogging microphone for anybody who wants to produce a professional-sounding video without spending a lot of money on it. If you want to turn this shotgun microphone into a boom mic, you’ll need to buy an On Stage MBP7000 Handheld Boom Pole, which is perfectly suited for accommodating microphones like this.
Check Price & Reviews at Amazon
The next vlogging mic that I want to feature on this list isn’t a shotgun mic, but it’s a stereo on-camera mic. I wanted to feature this microphone as a bit of a bonus on this list as a stereo microphone can be useful for capturing more environment and ambient sounds in your vlogs.
11. Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro
Best Stereo Camera Mic for Vlogging
This stereo vlogging mic by Rode has a really good build quality and sturdiness. If you are going to vlog in outdoors environments, then this one is maybe for you. The audio quality is great, it provides broadcast sound quality. The sound is clear, crisp and super precise. The dual cardioid condenser capsules are positioned XY pair, this means that the Stereo VideoMic Pro provides a wide stereo image with natural depth. It will pick up the sound from the front and sides of the microphone while giving you a really good rear rejection.
The battery life of this microphone is around 100 hours and it is powered by a 9-volt battery. As far as battery life is concerned you won’t have any problem with it. It will last you for almost a month and you can always carry a couple of extra batteries with you as they are very cheap.
It has an integrated windshield and a shock mounting system that’s built in. All of these features work together to give you that amazing crystal clear sound quality. It does an excellent job of blocking out distractions while still maintaining the main audio. Overall, it gives you a very good sound quality.
It comes with a standard Rode 10-year warranty. It’s just great to have a long-term warranty. And this clearly shows the immense confidence of the company in its product. It is very portable in nature and easily mounts on the top of your camera.
One of the downsides of this mic is that it doesn’t have a battery life indicator. It’s not a deal-breaker, to be honest. But still, you won’t know how long the battery will last until it dies.
PROs
- Stereo microphone
- Good rear rejection
- Good battery life
- Integrated windshield
- Integrated shock mount
- 10-year warranty
CONs
- No battery life indicator
Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro Verdict
Overall, it is one of the best stereo microphones for vloggers. It has incredible sound quality, solid build, long battery life, and integrated shock mount. It comes with a 10-year warranty as well. You won’t find a better combination at this price range. If you are a daily vlogger or going to shoot a lot of videos where you are recording atmospheric sounds, then this is one of the best options for you.
Check Price & 261 Reviews at Amazon
Why does audio matter?
If you listen to any of the popular vloggers, you’ll notice that they all have outstanding audio quality. I suppose it’s now become a requirement on YouTube for videos to have the absolute best audio quality, and it should be clear and sharp with no background noise.
Although high-quality audio appreciation is not usually something that vlog watchers consider while watching a video, it is likely to influence the viewer’s unconscious evaluation of the video’s quality. It is possible that it will influence whether or not fans of their videos and channels decide to keep watching them or sign up for their channel. Because most YouTubers are unaware of the significance of excellent audio, this is a fantastic and easy method to distinguish your vlog from the competition.
Why You Should Avoid Built-In Camera Microphones
Most of the popular vloggers never use their camera’s built-in microphone, regardless of how expensive and high quality their camera is. Most video-capable cameras come with a built-in microphone, however, due to space and cost constraints, rarely is this the primary focus of the camera’s design. Therefore, no matter what camera you have, a microphone or audio recording device is a great investment for your vlog.
Most of these cameras have omnidirectional microphones. Which basically means that these microphones will capture all the sounds in the environment. In conjunction with your own voice, it will also capture the noise of the wind and all of the background noises. This is what makes it a really bad option for our vlogging channel as it will be difficult to hear your voice amongst all the background noise.
Not all cameras come with built-in audio jack outputs and therefore an external microphone cannot be plugged directly into the device. For these cameras, a dedicated audio recorder may be necessary to record high-quality audio.
Dedicated Audio Recorders
Dedicated audio recorders require a little extra work to implement into your vlog, however, they will have a great effect upon the quality of your audio. Dedicated recording devices are how audio is recorded in movies and are the reason why sound clapboards are used at the start of a take. You can create your own sound clapboard by simply shutting a book quickly or clapping your hands, this will help you synchronize the film and audio when it comes to editing your vlog.
Types of dedicated recording devices can include a portable recorder, a smart device or a computer. So if you can’t connect a microphone to your camera you can connect it to one of these devices instead.
What Type of Microphones are Best for Vlogging?
Now it is time to discuss the features of different types of microphones and the purposes of these features for vlogging. The most common type of external microphone used for vlogging is the unidirectional type of microphone. These mics usually have a cardioid pickup pattern and are commonly used for interviews in order to only pick up sound from the front side of the microphone.
Conversely, there are also Omni-directional mics these types of microphones are great for picking up ambient sound from all directions. This type of microphone is commonly used for picking up the sounds of a landscape or cityscape (ambient sounds) in order to give a natural representation of the environment.
For vlogging, the best type of microphone is the Cardioid and Shotgun type. These are unidirectional microphones and are designed to pick up sound only in front of the microphone.
Conclusion
An external microphone is quite crucial when it comes to vlogging. If you want to succeed in your vlogging business, don’t hesitate to spend a little money on a decent microphone. Because, no matter how amazing your story is, how amazing your video is, how amazing the lighting is, or how fantastic you are acting; if the audio isn’t good enough, everything else will just flicker. On the other hand, if the audio quality is excellent it will lift up your entire film.
There are many different microphones available for vloggers of various sorts. If you want to shoot a lot of vlogs outdoors, a Shotgun microphone is the way to go; if you want to shoot a lot of vlogs indoors, a decent Lavalier microphone will suffice. We’ve compiled a list of the finest “bang for your buck” microphones for both beginners and pros.
Most people who wish to start a vlog would spend considerable time looking for the ideal vlogging camera for their needs and taste. However, most vloggers neglect to pay attention to their audio content and it’s a significant blunder. So, in order to produce truly great high-definition vlogs, we strongly suggest you select a good vlogging camera as well as a decent microphone.
