Looking for the best microphones? Whether you're starting a YouTube channel, recording a podcast or whatever else, being able to capture clean, consistent, noise-free audio is essential. There are lots of microphones available, not to mention lots of different types of mics, so we have consulted with our in-house audio experts to help whittle down this list so you can find the right microphone for you.
We've divvied this guide up into categories to make it easier to navigate, allowing you to home in on the specific type of mic you need. But don't worry if you don't know your condensers from your dynamics; we've included a glossary section at the bottom of this page to help with the technical terms, so use the nav buttons below to jump there first if you're unsure.
If you're also looking for the visual element of your video setup, check out our guide to the best cameras for vlogging. Otherwise, read on as we count off the best microphones to buy!
Best Wireless Microphones
Wireless microphones are just that: mics that can be connected to your camera or phone without the need for a wire, giving you much greater freedom of movement and flexibility. Usually consisting of a kit with transmitters and a receiver, wireless mics are extremely popular on YouTube for the affordability, portability and convenience.
Pros:
- Incredibly lightweight and compact
- Timecode and multi-cam support
- 32GB of internal storage space
Cons:
- No 3.5mm lavalier input
Widely seen on YouTube, hugely popular for a reason, DJI's wireless mics are absolutely brilliant for anyone who needs a high-quality, wireless audio setup. These wearable mics are ideal for one-man bands and full crews alike, attaching easily to clothing, pairing efficiently with a phone or camera, and all stowing away in a complete charging case.
The kit consists of a receiver unit and two transmitters, including 'dead cat' furry shields for cutting down on wind noise. Transmitting lossless 24-bit audio, the mics also benefit from Adaptive Gain Control, which fine-tunes the gain for use in tricky conditions with lots of background noise. Wireless transmission range is up to an impressive 400m, and the battery life has been boosted from the previous DJI Mic 2, allowing you to keep shooting and recording for long periods.
Two-level noise cancelling adapts to your environment, and thanks to the 32-bit float internal recording, you'll have a high-quality safety track saved onto the mic unit itself. The DJI Mic 3 scales up well, too, with features like timecode support, allowing for perfect audio sync across multi-camera setups. For creators small and large, this is the wireless mic to beat.
Pros:
- 32-bit float recording
- Intelligent Gain Assist
- Includes 3.5mm jack connector
Cons:
- Doesn't have its own charging case
As a great DJI Mic alternative, the RØDE Wireless Go Gen 3 is a brilliant choice. It's a set of wireless mics that shares a lot of the same features, including the 32-bit float that saves a pristine, high-quality version of your audio track into the mic itself, givign you a clean copy that can be used to edit out noise, or called upon as a backup in the event of transmission failure.
Not that transmissions are likely to fail, as the RØDE Wireless Go Gen 3 establishes a strong, consistent connection between transmitters and receivers, with a range of up to 260m as long as you keep line of sight. This mic also benefits from Intelligent Gain Assist, which is essentially an automatic mixer that optimises the levels continually for a clear, pleasing sound. Also, unlike the DJI Mic 3, the RØDE Wireless Go Gen 3 offers a physical 3.5mm jack connection.
Unlike the DJI, however, the RØDE Wireless Go Gen 3 doesn't have its own charging case, instead relying on a charging bar that works well, but isn't quite as self-contained and convenient.
Best Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones are characterised by their sound sensitivity, accuracy, frequency response range and phantom power requirement. Now, how these microphones work differs from dynamic microphones but with the unifying result of producing an electrical signal by the movement of a diaphragm.
This type of microphone uses a capsule containing a diaphragm and an electrically charged backplate to form a capacitor. Soundwaves hit the diaphragm making it vibrate, and altering the distance between the diaphragm and the backplate. This fluctuating movement (matching the sound it’s picked up) produces an electrical signal that is amplified by an internal preamp. This feature requires the help of additional power - this can be provided by batteries, phantom power, an audio interface, or depending on the mic, a computer’s USB port.
Pros:
- Broadcast-level audio quality
- Multiple battery options and power-saving features
- Versatile digital switching modes
Cons:
- Not as tough as other mics
Widely regarded as one of the best on-camera shotgun mics you can buy, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ is an exceptional tool for recording high-quality audio on the go. It’s a condenser mic that slides onto the hotshoe of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, and as a true condenser mic, it covers a wide frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz. This means your low ends will be deep and full, while your high ends will be sharp and crisp. It’s a mic for coping with just about any audio situation.
Rode has also clearly reworked the design of the mic with portability and on-the-go use in mind – particularly with regard to its battery. The VideoMic Pro+ runs off an included RODE LB-1 Li-Ion rechargeable battery, but can also run on standard AA batteries if needed, or be powered via USB. This suite of options ensures that you can take steps to ensure you never run out of power when you need it the most.
Pros:
- Rich, clear sound quality
- Excellent off-axis audio rejection
- Small and lightweight
Cons:
- No battery (requires phantom power)
The short, lightweight Audio-Technica AT875R may look a little simple at first glance. However, this is a highly capable condenser shotgun microphone that can be mounted on cameras and stands with ease, and provides excellent sound quality that’s good enough for TV and film shoots.
The off-axis audio rejection of the Audio-Technica AT875R is particularly good – this is in part thanks to its supercardioid polar pattern and interference tube, which are designed to reject lateral sounds. In layman’s terms, the mic is great for recording what you point it at, and discarding the surrounding noise. It also comes with a practical foam windscreen for reducing ambient noise from wind, air conditioners etc. One thing to be aware of though is that the Audio-Technica AT875R does not have batteries, and requires phantom power to operate. This can be provided using a microphone pre-amp or an external power supply.
Pros:
- Works great with cameras and smartphones
- Excellent directional audio quality
- Integrated noise reduction
Cons:
- No physical gain control button
More and more creators are using high-end smartphones to shoot stunning video content. However, while the visual quality of smartphone cameras has skyrocketed, the same can’t quite be said for the audio quality of the built-in mics. The Sennheiser MKE 200 is one of quite a few mics released to plug this gap – working well with both smartphones and traditional cameras, it’s a directional condenser mic delivering a frequency response of 40Hz to 2KHz.
The MKE 200 doesn’t need batteries – just plug it in and you’re ready to go. It has a built-in windscreen to reduce wind noise, as well as a shock mount that’s designed to minimise handling noise – the bumps and knocks you get when the person holding a mic moves or makes an adjustment. It’s quite a simple mic design, lacking a few physical controls – there’s no on-mic gain control, for instance – but it’s an impressive little plug-and-play unit that’s particularly good for vloggers.
Best Streaming Microphones
If you’re planning on streaming games or other content, you don’t want to be relying on the built-in mic of your computer or laptop. You’ll be much better served by picking up a dedicated streaming microphone – and don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be expensive. Many of the best streaming microphones are simple devices that are easy on the wallet. What’s more, they’re often plug-and-play devices that work via USB, meaning even a total audio novice can easily get one set up and working.
Having a solid streaming mic will make a world of difference to the quality of your streams. Many are unidirectional, meaning you can point them towards where you’ll be sitting and speaking and they’ll pick up audio from that direction while blocking out everything else. Plus, as streaming tends to be an indoor activity, you don’t need to worry too much about weatherproofing or battery life.
Pros:
- Tiny and unobtrusive
- Excellent, clear audio quality
- Built-in pop filter
Cons:
- Fixed pattern
- No on-mic gain control
As the name implies, the Rode NT-USB Mini is a tiny little streaming mic that plugs in via – you guessed it – USB. Though if you were worried that having such a small mic would have an impact on audio quality, let us lay those fears to rest – the Rode NT-USB Mini delivers excellent sound, with a high-quality condenser capsule that captures exceptional clarity. There’s also a built-in pop filter to control for the plosive sounds in human speech – meaning you shouldn’t get unpleasant pops on your “P”s and “B”s.
The magnetic desk stand of the Rode NT-USB Mini serves two purposes – keeping the mic in one place, and reducing any unwanted sounds caused by it moving around. The Rode NT-USB Mini is a pretty straightforward device, meaning there’s no on-mic gain button, and its fixed cardioid pattern that’s optimised for vocals can’t be changed. However, mic needs for most streamers are going to be the same week-in, week-out, and the Rode NT-USB Mini excels at doing one job very well.
Best Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic mics are generally less sensitive than other microphones, such as condenser mics, and therefore need to be positioned close to the intended subject. While this could be seen as a negative, the lower sensitivity actually results in effective sound isolation. For example, if you were using the dynamic microphone for gaming or streaming, the microphone would isolate the voice without picking up background noises like clicks, keyboards, mouse movements etc.
Zoom ZDM-1 Dynamic Large Diaphragm Microphone
The Zoom ZDM-1 is a carefully constructed Dynamic Microphone offering impressively high sound pressure levels so you can bash away at your symbols without fear of distortion. Featuring an internal shock mount that protects the capsule from bumps and a built-in humbucking circuit that rejects electromagnetic interference, this microphone is the perfect recording companion for when things get noisy.
£53.00 View
Pros:
- Copes well when things get loud
- Built-in humbucking circuit
- Durable all-metal body
Cons:
- Included stand somewhat rudimentary
One of the strengths of dynamic microphones is their ability to handle high-volume sounds without distorting or clipping. The Zoom ZDM-1 Dynamic Large Diaphragm Microphone is one such mic, and if you’re a drummer looking for an affordable way to record crashing cymbals and cracking snares, it’s a great starting point. With an all-metal construction that includes a durable grille, the Zoom ZDM-1 is built for daily use.
This isn’t just a mic for recording gut-busting solos – its super cardioid polar pattern provides excellent isolation, making it a solid choice for speech recording such as podcasting. It has an internal shock mount to prevent handling noise from encroaching on the recording, and also boasts a built-in humbucking circuit, which rejects the kind of electromagnetic interference that can be caused by power lines, computer monitors and mobile phones. The 50 Hz to 18KHz frequency response also makes it great for recording lows and highs alike.
Best Podcasting Microphones
A good podcasting microphone does not need to be terribly complicated, but it does need to offer high enough audio quality to satisfy today’s discerning podcast listener. There are a lot of podcasts out there, and if yours is filled with plosive pops and audio that clips every time someone raises their voice, listeners aren’t likely to stick around for long.
It makes sense for podcasters to use a USB microphone, as you’ll likely have a computer running anyway during the recording, and will want the audio there as soon as possible for editing and sharing. With a good podcast microphone, you should be able to place it between your participants and have everyone picked up in good quality. A mic per person would be better of course, but not everyone has the budget for it, so we’ve picked out a couple of versatile mics that will give you everything you need to get set up and start podcasting.
Pros:
- Condenser-mic quality
- Headphones included
- Useful foam windscreen
Cons:
- Headphones quite plasticky
This Zoom ZUM-2 USB kit is designed to give you everything you need for podcasting from the moment you open the box. This means that as well as the mic itself, you also get a tabletop tripod and a handy pair of dynamic stereo closed-cup headphones, meaning you can get started right away.
The mic may have a plug-and-play setup, but its super-cardioid polar pattern does a great job of capturing pristine vocal audio, reducing background noise for a consistently clean recording. The included foam windscreen helps reduce plosive pops and other unwanted noises, and the 2m USB cable gives you plenty of flexibility and means you aren’t too tethered to a computer. The mic is relatively lightweight too, and the aforementioned tripod means it’s easy to set up anywhere – useful if your podcasting isn’t confined to a single location.
Pros:
- Omnidirectional polar pattern
- Wide frequency range
- No-fuss, plug-and-play operation
Cons:
- No headphones in the box
Many of the mics we’ve featured on this list offer only one polar pattern. However, the Thronmax Mdrill Dome Plus USB Microphone gives users the option to choose either a cardioid unidirectional polar pattern, or an omnidirectional pattern. The former isolates audio from a specific direction, which is great for picking up a single person’s speech. The latter captures sound from all directions, allowing for high-quality recording of conversations featuring multiple participants. If this describes your podcast, and you don’t have the budget for multiple mics, the Thronmax Mdrill Dome Plus is an excellent choice of do-it-all mic.
Like many good podcasting mics, the Thronmax Mdrill Dome Plus is easy to set up, with a plug-and-play USB interface. It supports headphones via a 3.5mm jack (though not Bluetooth), meaning you can monitor your audio as you record. Its 96KHz frequency range means it meets the standard demanded by the professional podcast industry.
Best Studio Microphones
Studio microphones are just what they sound like – mics that are designed to work best in a controlled studio environment. Throughout this guide, we’ve often discussed features like portability and external noise reduction when selecting mics – however, if you’re only going to be using your mic in the studio, such factors aren’t really a concern. This leaves you free to focus on mics that deliver one thing above all else – top-notch audio quality.
As such, condenser mics tend to make for great studio mics, and ideally you want one with a large diaphragm for a stronger signal. You may just be recording voices, or you may have musical aspirations in mind – either way, a good studio mic should be able to handle it all without difficulty. We’ve picked out a couple of excellent studio mic options for this last section of our guide – they’re sold as kits, meaning you should have everything you need to get started.
Pros:
- Absolutely superb vocal performance
- Effective rejection of electromagnetic hum
- Solidly built
Cons:
- Not many we can think of!
The Shure SM7B has an enviable reputation in the audio tech-geek community. It’s often regarded as one of the best studio mics you can buy without spending the top-most price, and once you’ve heard your own voice through this mic, you’ll probably understand why. The vocal quality on this thing is freakishly good – if you’re in a controlled environment like a studio, you’ll be absolutely wowed by the quality. Clarity is pitch-perfect, and there’s also plenty of oomph in the low-end to add a little body and warmth. Seriously good stuff.
The off-axis rejection on the Shure SM7B is also first-class, making it a good choice for podcasters. It can actively shield itself from interference stemming from electronic devices, ensuring that nothing interferes with your recording. The built-in pop filter and shock mount also work reliably well, eliminating the need to pick up extra accessories, and making this a comprehensively well-featured complete package for the studio.
How to choose
Wireless microphones - Small, portable and convenient, wireless microphones are great for vloggers and YouTubers who need better sound in a small, versatile package.
Condenser microphones - Condenser microphones offer superior sound quality, and are especially suited to recording vocals and high-frequency sounds (see the category below for a full explanation). They’re often favoured as studio mics for this reason.
Streaming microphones - Planning to stream video games or other content? The best streaming microphones will make your voice clear as a bell, with easy plug-and-play setup that’s straightforward even for those who have never used audio gear before.
Dynamic microphones - Dynamic microphones use electromagnetism to convert sound waves to electrical signals. They’re not as sensitive as condenser mics, but they tend to be more portable, more hard-wearing and easier to use. Also, if you’re going to be recording in noisy environments, a dynamic mic will probably pic up less of the unwanted background noise.
Podcasting microphones - Audio quality is of paramount importance in podcasting – nothing will turn off new listeners faster than muddy, indistinct voices. These are the mics that are perfect for group or solo podcast recording.
Studio microphones - If you’re crafting a recording studio setup and want a capable microphone to capture audio in pristine quality, these are the ones we’d recommend.
FAQs
Can I use a microphone on my iPhone?
No, not really. The microphones on smartphones are usually small, poor-quality, omnidirectional mics that are stuffed inside the phone along with all the other components. Sure, they’re fine for phone calls and if it was your only option for an on-the-fly interview, it is fine. But the audio quality is poor and a dedicated microphone will always be preferable.
Can I use any microphone?
Technically, yes! But should you? Perhaps not. As discussed, there are many types of microphones that are optimised for different uses e.g. condensers for singers or lapel mics for interviews.
Are camera microphones good enough for recording?
Modern cameras have much better microphones than earlier models and as such, they can capture better audio quality. However, a dedicated microphone will always provide more accurate audio.
What is best for video recording?
Many modern cameras will have a microphone input that allows you to use small on-camera mics for audio capture. Alternatively, you can record audio separately and sync up the audio to video in post-production. Either will offer better results than the in-built microphone on your camera.
Do I need a license for a wireless microphone?
Most users will not need a license. However, there are some professional applications where you will require a license and you learn more about that here.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography specialists, store staff, and industry partners work together to review our buying guides and advice articles. We also monitor emerging trends and listen closely to customer feedback, ensuring our recommendations stay current and relevant to what photographers and filmmakers are actually looking for.
By carefully curating the products we recommend, our guides are designed to offer clear, trustworthy advice that helps customers choose the right kit with confidence.
If you would like further advice, our contact centre team are here to help. You can also reach us via email or social media. And remember, if you purchase based on our recommendations, your order is covered by our full returns policy.
