Best Microphone Types for Videos and Vlogging
When most people plan to start creating videos, they focus on finding the perfect camera. But the right mics for vlogging are just as important, if not more so. Think about it: you’re far more likely to sit through a video with average visuals and great audio than one that looks beautiful but sounds terrible.
If your viewers can’t hear you clearly, they’ll click away. Simple as that.
The type of microphone you need depends on the kind of videos you’re making. Should you grab a shotgun mic, a wireless lavalier, a handheld, or a podcast mic? Let’s break down the four main types so you can pick the right one.
1. Shotgun Microphones
Shotgun mics are designed to replace the built-in microphone on your camera. They capture audio from wherever you point them (think of aiming at the sound source). Sounds coming from behind or to the side get rejected, which helps isolate the audio you actually want.
In a noisy environment, you may still pick up some background sound, but it’ll be much less than what your camera’s built-in mic would capture. Setup is dead simple: plug it in, mount it on your camera, and start recording.
Shotgun mics are a popular pick among vloggers whether they’re traveling, walking around, or recording in a studio. They work with cameras and phones, and they’re great for recording conversations with multiple people.
- RODE VIDEOMICRO
- RODE VIDEOMICRO PRO+
- RODE NTG4+
2. Lavalier or Lapel Microphones
Interested in this area? We go deeper in our how to start vlogging guide.
Lavalier mics are the small clip-on microphones you’ve seen on TV interviews. They clip onto a shirt collar or tuck under clothing, sitting close to the speaker’s mouth.
The big advantage here is consistency. Even if the speaker moves around, the distance between their mouth and the mic stays the same, so the audio level doesn’t fluctuate. They’re ideal for interviews, speaking events, and studio recordings.
Lavalier mics come in both wired and wireless versions. Wired options are cheaper and simpler, while wireless gives you freedom to move without trailing cables.
- Best for Interviews, Speaking Conferences and Studio Recording. They capture audio from a person, not from the surrounding environment.
- WIRED: BOYA BY-M1
- WIRELESS: RODE FILMMAKER KIT / RODE WIRELESS GO
3. Handheld Microphones
These are the microphones you see news reporters and event hosts carrying. They work similarly to shotgun mics in that they’re directional, picking up sound from wherever you point them.
The big advantage of a handheld mic is mobility. During an interview, you can move the mic back and forth between yourself and the person you’re talking to. The audio stays clear and consistent because the mic is always close to whoever is speaking.
Handheld mics block out more background noise than shotgun mics because they aren’t mounted on a camera at a distance. They come in wired and wireless versions. Just remember to point the mic directly at the sound source, or you’ll end up with very little usable audio.
- Great for interviews and events
- RODE REPORTER. It can be wired or wireless.
4. Podcast Microphones
For the complete picture, our video editing software for beginners guide fills in the gaps.
Podcast mics need to be close to your mouth. The farther away you are, the more background noise and echo they’ll pick up.
On the plus side, this close-up recording produces a rich, deep, bassy voice quality that sounds fantastic for spoken content. Most podcast mics plug into a USB port, so there’s no battery to worry about.
They’re typically mounted on a boom arm, a desk tripod, or an adjustable stand that positions the mic right next to your face. The drawback is that you need to stay close to the mic, which means they’re not great for videos where you move around.
There are two types of podcast microphones: Dynamic and Condenser. The right choice depends on your recording environment.
Dynamic mics are less sensitive, which actually works in your favor if you’re not recording in a proper studio. They won’t pick up as much background noise from air conditioning, traffic, or other room sounds.
Condenser mics are more sensitive and capture more detail in your voice. They sound more accurate and natural, but they’ll also grab more of the room noise around you. Best used in quiet, treated spaces.
- Podcast recording, Streaming, Radio, Voice Recording
- CONDENSER: Audio-Technica AT2020 / Rode NT2-A / Rode NT1 / Blackout Spark SL
- DYNAMIC: Shure SM7B / Rode Procaster / Shure SM58
At the end of the day, your microphone choice depends on the type of content you create. But remember that audio and video go hand in hand. You need both to be solid if you want your content to stand out.
If you’re a gamer looking to stream, there are gaming headsets with mics built specifically for broadcasting.
For a full mic comparison, see our best microphones for podcasting roundup.
