Last Updated on
The best microphone for vlogging and filmmaking is an important tool for anyone who is serious about creating video content as audio is a critical part of the video. Nothing speaks amateur as a bad audio recording. It can make or mar your journey as a video content creator. If you want your audience to take you seriously, it is time to invest in a good microphone whether you are a vlogger, a YouTuber, a podcaster, or a filmmaker.
Dedicated microphone systems have become more affordable as manufacturers keep expanding their offerings to capture the width of the market. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the best audio quality in your video anymore. The new dawn is here. No, your camera’s mic won’t do you any favors. The online audience now demands the best quality (in everything) from creators. You either level up or you can’t engage your audience.
Therefore, it is worth thinking of the best microphone to use and familiarizing yourself with the features available on each of them. Here, we take you through the details and leave the decision to you.
Take a look.
1. Blue Yeti
Could this be the most famous mic yet? Who knows? If you haven’t heard about the Blue Yeti or know anyone who has used it, we will forgive you. It is a very popular mic among podcasters and YouTubers. It has become an almost ubiquitous microphone for a reason, especially on streaming desks and studios. It is a plug-and-play mic that pretty much anyone can figure out how to use while it produces its excellent quality.
With the Blue Yeti, you are devising its three-capsule system which allows you to contour the audio capture around certain aspects of your setup thanks to the four recording patterns. Whether all you need is a simple recording of yourself or you want to capture a group conversation, Blue Yeti is a great choice. It has well-laid-out controls that are easy to access, making it pragmatic to toggle the volume or adjust the mute button. The design is also a plus.
2. Joby Wavo POD
Here is the best budget microphone for creators. It is a good alternative to Blue Yeti although it doesn’t come with as many polar patterns as the Blue Yeti. It nonetheless captures great audio quality, especially for podcasters and YouTubers who speak in front of the mic. It has a detachable pop shield which adds splash thanks to its orange color. This handy mic has multifunction knobs that will help you adjust headphone volume as well as your sound input. It offers great value for the price.
3. DJI Mic
The DJI Mic has been a very great tool during our reviews, staying up there with its peers and bettering several pieces. This two-mic lavalier system comes as a wireless device with magnetic clips that make it quite easy for you to attach a transmitter to another’s wear or any object at all. Its audio quality has also been lauded by many users, thanks in part to its impressive 250m transmission range. Its charging case is however its biggest selling point. Its simple and compact charging case is where you can keep both the receiver and the transmitter when not in use. This helps you to charge both items when you are not using them, thereby extending the amount of time you are able to shoot with the mics the next time. The case also automatically re-pairs the receiver with the transmitter the moment they are placed in it, making the case a time-saver and placing it atop our recommendation list of the best microphone for content creators.
4. Rode Wireless Go
The Rode Wireless Go competes favorably with the DJI Mic which we have reviewed above. Even better, it costs a fraction of the DJI Mic. It is one of the most versatile mics you can find anywhere right now. It has been described as the world’s lightest and smallest mic, especially considering the fact that the transmitter and receiver weigh 31g each it is not far from believable. The pieces also have built-in rechargeable batteries, another great selling point of the Rode Wireless Go. It is excellent for capturing top-quality audio in a crowded environment. The Rode Wireless Go is a mic we recommend every vlogger to have.
5. Hollyland Lark 150
There is so much to love about this super small, smart microphone system. One of the most flattering things we found about the Lark 150 is the availability of physical dials. Goodbye to navigating menus and buttons, the Lark 150 has raised the bar higher, making it more intuitive to use this brilliant microphone. The mic can record a Safety Track at -6 decibels (dB) so as to prevent unintentional clipping for those who may get their levels wrong or totally forget to check. It also comes with a charging case, albeit an AirPod style which makes it possible to charge every unit at the same time. Additionally, it comes with a large battery that helps you juice up the units on the go. The transmitters on the Lark 150 are smaller than those on the Rode Wireless Go, while the whole unit is more affordable, we will like to know which one you eventually decide to buy when you get one.
ALSO READ
- Top 5 Game Changing Tripods for Vloggers and Influencers
- 15 Best Gadgets For Music Production In 2022
6. Rode Rodelink Filmmaker Kit
This top-quality wireless mic comes with three major components including the transmitter which you can clip on a pocket or to a belt, the receiver which connects to the camera through a cable, and a broad lavalier microphone. The Rode Rodelink Filmmaker Kit has the capability to function across eight channels, with each having 1,000 transmission frequencies. This implies that the same channel can be used by two kits without any interference. The system uses 2.4GHz digital transmission coupled with 128-bit encryption.
7. Saramonic Blink 500 B2 2-Person Kit
This mic system works as a dual transmitter without the price tag of a double mic system, thereby offering great value for money. The Saramonic Blink 500 operates the widely-used 2.4GHz frequency like the Rode Rodelink above, as well as a distance of 50 meters line of sight. It comes with a battery life of up to four hours on a single charge and you can power it up using a power bank since it is USB-C powered. It has internal antennas that enable its units to be compact and rounded with transmitters weighing 34g each. The receiver comes with a clip that can fit well into your camera’s hot shoe. You can also record directly into your camera. The transmitters have a built-in mic. So, you can clip them on the other person and keep recording.
8. Saramonic Blink 500 Pro B2
The original Saramonic Blink 500 Pro B2 is not much different from its sibling above. This unit has the same size as the 2-person kit. However, it has some sped-up specs that we are excited about. This includes a 60% improvement in the battery hours, a 2x improvement in its operating range, and a better signal-to-noise ratio. Add to that a dedicated 3.5mm HEADPHONE RECEIVER, OLED screens, furry shields, better mic sensitivity, and the addition of a 3000mAh charging case (another AirPod style). The Blink Pro offers really “Pro” choices to its users which is worth noting. While it is worth about the same amount as the Rode Wireless Go which we place above it, it doesn’t have as much latency as the Rode which may be the reason it is down here. Nonetheless, this is a good choice for your buck.
9. Boya BY-M1
The Boya BY-M1 is another wired mic system on our list. It comes with a switchable power source running on an LR44 button cell. It needs to be put on if you are on a passive energy source, and off if you are using a plug-in source. The mic comes with a lapel clip that includes a windscreen which helps to dull wind noise. You also have an omnidirectional polar pattern whose frequency response is a range of 65Hz to 18KHz. While this is not as wide-ranging as others that we have recommended here, it offers you great audio quality. Considering the low price of this mic, it delivers beyond our expectations. It definitely has better output than some that we have listed here, and is able to keep the presenter’s voice in a great mode.
10. Rode Lavalier Go
The Lavalier Go is designed to pair with the aforementioned Wireless Go, so it may not be a standalone mic per se. Despite this, it is a great mic for your interviewee or co-star. It is also super compatible with most cameras and recording gadgets, and it comes with a 3.5mm mic input. What’s more, it also has a foam windshield, a soft storage bag, and a metal clip. It continues the Rode blueprint of delivering great sound quality whether paired with the Wireless Go or with a camera. As the windshield doesn’t help much from the wind, we recommend that you buy an additional shield if you intend to shoot outdoors more often.
