Best Microphones of 2020
I've been producing video content for a while now, and in that time, I've used and tested a good number of microphones.
As with anything else, some of the mics I've used have been absolutely stellar. Others have been pretty bad. But most occupy the "perfectly fine" middle ground.
In this buyer's guide, I want to highlight some of the best microphones of 2020.
I've used each of these mics, I've tested them in various environments, and they have proven to be the cream of the crop for my audio recording needs.
You'll find microphones on this list at varying price points, the least expensive of which is barely more than $50! That means there are mics listed below for any and every budget.
Let's get to it!
Ikan Comica CVM-V30 PRO
I have to say that of all the microphones on this list, this one surprised me the most.
At just $53.99 (at the time of this writing), it is by far the least expensive mic listed here. But don't let the price fool you...this thing hits way above its weight class.
I've tested inexpensive mics before, and by and large, it has not been a good experience. That's why I typically avoid recommending microphones at this price point.
But the Ikan Comica CVM-V30 PRO is different...
When you're filming in an environment with a lot of noise, you can put the mic in low-cut mode and adjust the sensitivity adjustment to minimize all the ancillary noise.
When you're filming on the go, as I often do, the shock-resistant structural design helps keep the noise from vibrations in check.
The super-cardioid polar pattern of this shotgun mic gives you superb off-axis rejection of unwanted sounds and allows the viewer to hear the subject with greater clarity.
Truly, the audio quality I've gotten from this mic has surpassed many other microphones that cost double or triple the price - or more. In fact, the quality is excellent up to about 5-6 feet away. Not many budget mics like this can make that claim.
I create a lot of YouTube content, so high-quality audio is a must. This microphone delivers! With excellent build quality, technical specs you'd expect in a much more expensive mic, and extras like an excellent filter and travel case, you have the makings of the ideal budget-friendly mic.
Learn more about the Ikan Comica CVM V-30 PRO
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RODE VideoMic NTG
I began testing a pre-release version of the RODE VideoMic NTG about six weeks ago. I use the RODE NTG 4 for a lot of my studio work, and I was interested to see if this smaller, more portable mic could stand shoulder to shoulder with its bigger brother.
Needless to say, this mic has impressed!
Like the larger NTG 4 studio mic, the VideoMic NTG captures gorgeous, natural sound. There are various controls to assist you in doing so, including an infinitely variable gain control, a digital switch for controlling high-frequency boost and the high-pass filter, and it has a headphone output for monitoring audio.
Additionally, there is a peak decibel warning light so you can avoid distortion.
The best feature of this mic, though, is its sliding rail.
I've used RODE mics forever, and they are excellent. But my one complaint about them is that they protruded so far out from the camera that they can easily hit you in the face.
Well, the sliding rail system on the VideoMic NTG solves that problem, so if I'm shooting in selfie mode, I can slide the rail back and keep the microphone from hitting my face.
On top of all that, it has a battery that will last more than 30 hours on a single charge, it can be plugged into a USB port for recording on your computer, and it's price isn't bad at all, if you ask me - it's on sale for $249.00 at the time of this writing.
Learn more about the RODE VideoMic NTG
Deity D3 Pro
Yet another fine option for your audio recording needs is the Deity D3 Pro.
This super-cardioid directional condenser shotgun mic gives you a sensitivity range of -50dB to 28dB. It uses an on-board microprocessor that talks to the audio input it's connected with, which means it can work with your DSLR, mirrorless camera, smartphone, tablet...you name it! Basically, it's compatible with anything with a 3.5mm microphone jack. That's excellent versatility!
This mic has one of the best batteries in the business, too. You get up to 51 hours of runtime on a full charge. As an added bonus, it takes less than two hours to charge up!
The Deity D3 Pro has a stepless analog gain adjustment dial. It also has an on-board low-cut filter and a Rycote shock mount.
What all this means is that you get excellent audio (broadcast quality, in fact), that enables you to elevate the quality of your video productions.
It's priced at $199.00 at the time of this writing, so it's an excellent mid-range option.
Learn more about the Deity V3 Pro
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SHURE Lenshopper VP83F
One of the neatest features of this microphone is that is has integrated flash recording.
Just add a MicroSDHC card, and you can record and play back audio while the mic is mounted to your camera.
It has an electric condenser cartridge with a super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern for optimal audio quality and an integrated shock mounting system the helps isolate the mic from unwanted noise.
As you'd expect from Shure, this mic is well built, rugged, and offers an intuitive and easy-to-use design.
Speaking of the design, this is a small and compact shotgun mic that doesn't take up too much space or get in your way.
The high-definition audio has excellent low-end response while the single-button recording option allows you to initiate recording quickly and easily.
I appreciate that Shure integrated a headphone audio output, which makes it easier to monitor recording.
I also like how natural the audio sounds, which is thanks to its high sensitivity, low self-noise, and wide frequency range.
At $299.000 (at the time of this writing), this is one of the pricier mics on this list. However, the audio quality and features you get make it well worth the price tag.
Learn more about the Shure Lenshopper VP83F
RODE VideoMic Pro+
I've had the RODE VideoMic Pro+ in my kit for quite some time, and I have enjoyed using it with a variety of cameras in a variety of situations.
This true shotgun-style mic records super clean, broadcast-quality audio. That's thanks in part to digital switching that includes a two-stage high-pass filter that reduces low frequencies and a three-stage gain control with a +20dB functionality, which improves audio quality on DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
There is also a safety channel to ensure the signal doesn't clip with spikes occur, and a high-frequency boost to enhance the detail and clarity in the recording.
Like other mics on this list, the VideoMic Pro+ has a Rycote Lyre shock system that buffers the microphone capsule and electronics and the microphone mount.
In turn, the result is fewer vibrations of the mic that helps improve the quality of the audio recording that much more.
This mic has easy-to-use controls, intuitive operation, and excellent sound. It's simply a hard-working, lightweight mic!
Normally, all that performance would set you back about $400.00, but at the time of this writing, this microphone is on sale for just $249.00. That's not a bad deal at all!
Learn more about the RODE VideoMic Pro+
We Recommend
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500
Those of you that know me know that I have been dabbling in video work lately.
I have to say that it's been exciting to use my cameras in a different way and create content that differs so much from what I've always done.
Getting started can be a bit of a bear, though. Having little to no experience in creating video content meant that I wasn't completely sure what accessories I needed to get the job done.
Now that I have slogged my way through, made a ton of mistakes, and now actually have a clue what I'm doing, I thought I'd share my thoughts on a few video accessories that I've found helpful.
I shoot with a Sony a6300, so that's where my frame of reference is coming from. If you have a Sony a6400 or a Sony a6500, these accessories will work for you as well.
Let's get started!
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Ikan Delta DH5e-V2 Field Monitor
Having a field monitor is a must-have accessory for any videographer so you can actually see what you're filming.
But more than that, a field monitor like my Ikan Delta makes getting the correct focus and exposure miles easier
This rig is small, lightweight, and has stunning image quality. As you can see below, the monitor is crisp and bright, too.
The full HD screen offers 440 pixels per inch for a super clear picture, and the touch capability makes checking menu settings, exploring features, and zooming a breeze.
The Ikan Delta is equipped with software features that help me get better shots - guides, a histogram, and audio meters, as well as peaking, zooming, and false color.
This unit has HDMI input and output (with 4K UHD support), a USB port for loading 3D LUTs, and a 3.5mm audio jack as well.
It's the perfect companion for any videographer, but as a relative newbie, I can tell you it's one of the most valuable accessories I've bought thus far.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Litra Torch LitraPro
If you want to up the production value of your videos, you need a good light source (and great audio, too...but that's another topic).
The problem with lighting for video is that so many of the options are big, bulky, hot, expensive, or some combination thereof.
That's not the case with the LitraPro LED light...
The LitraPro has a whopping 60 LEDs that put out 1200 lumens. It's fully dimmable, too, so you can max it out at 100 percent power or rock it at 1 percent - whatever you need!
This thing puts out gorgeously even and clean light with 95 CRI and a 70-degree beam angle for broad coverage. It's bi-color and has an adjustable color temperature of 3000-6000k to meet your needs.
And, as you'd expect from a Litra Torch product, it's incredibly small and lightweight - just 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches and 6 ounces.
On top of all that, the LitraPro is Bluetooth compatible, waterproof up to 90 feet, and has a 10-hour battery life to boot.
If you need a high-quality light that's easy to use, rugged and reliable, and puts out beautifully crisp light, the LitraProshould be on your radar!
Check out my full LitraPro review for more details.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Joby GorillaPod 5K Kit
I waffled back and forth between the Joby GorillaPod 5K and the GorillaPod 3K, and ultimately went the 5K route even because it's Arca-Swiss compatible.
This little guy has been invaluable thus far because it allows me to use it as a tripod or wrapped around an object for stability, as well as a grip when I need on-the-go footage.
It also features Joby's BallHead 5K, which has independent 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt so you can get the precise positioning you need.
Setup is fast and easy thanks to the Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate, and with a weight rating of up to 11 pounds, you can stack a ton of gear on it and still have all the stability you need.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500 Ikan Stratus Cage
Another top accessory you need for videography is a rock-solid cage.
I chose the Ikan Stratus Cage because it's form-fitted to the a6300 (and a6400 and a6500) so you can add tons of accessories without having a big, cumbersome cage wrapped around your camera.
It's base on an Arca-Swiss plate, so you can mount it directly to an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod.
There are 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threaded mounts all over the cage so you can add all the accessories you need to get the job done. There's a shoe mount and an ARRI rosette for more options for mounting gear.
As you can see above, I just have my field monitor and mic attached to the cage, so I have plenty more room for more accessories down the line.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Rode VideoMic GO
As any seasoned videographer will tell you, your videos are only as good as the audio.
That means that a high-quality mic is a must so that 4K UHD video you shoot has crystal clear audio to go with it.
I chose the Rode VideoMic GO for a few of reasons.
First, Rode has a long-standing reputation for quality and performance, so a Rode mic was a must.
Second, I didn't want to spend a giant amount of money, so I wanted a budget-friendly option that would still get me great results (this mic is $99.00 at the time of writing).
Lastly, I wanted a mic that was compact and lightweight, and the VideoMic GO certainly delivers on that front.
As you can see above, it's not obtrusive in any way, and even though it's a tiny little thing, it still gets me excellent audio that picks up my voice while minimizing surrounding sounds.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Shure VP83F Lens Hopper
I know I've already recommended a microphone, but the Shure VP83F Lens Hopper is so good that it warrants inclusion on this list.
Though the Rode mic described above is a great microphone, this Shure mic is a step above.
Yes, it's more expensive, but that extra money gets you plenty of extra features...
The biggest benefit of this mic is that it can record digital audio by itself - no need to rely on the camera to do so (though that's an option if you need).
The shotgun design with electret condenser cartridge and integrated shock mounting system offers excellent audio quality with top-of-the-line isolation of unwanted noise.
Additional features include:
- Dedicated audio output so you can monitor audio in real-time
- Low self-noise and high sensitivity with a wide frequency range that results in natural audio reproduction
- Easy access to the MicroSD card for quickly swapping cards
- Highly directional supercardioid/lobar polar pattern that rejects off-axis audio
It runs on two AA batteries, mounts to the hot-shoe on your camera, and comes with a windscreen, too.
If you want to step up your audio game and have the budget to do so, I strongly suggest investing in the Shure VP83F!
Get more details on this fantastic little mic in the video above by Jason Vong.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Andycine Hot-Shoe Stand
An unsung hero of the Sony accessory world is a solid hot-shoe stand that you can use to mount accessories like a flash, LED lights, a monitor, and so forth.
For my money, it doesn't get better for this purpose than the Andycine Hot-Shoe Stand shown above and below.
With 176 degrees of viewing angles and 360-degree rotation, this stand makes shooting video a much easier task.
Installation is a breeze as is making adjustments, that way you spend less time messing around with your gear and more time actually making videos.
There's an upper 1/4-inch screw for fast attachment to accessories and on the bottom is a standard shoe and 1/4-inch screw so you can quickly attach the stand to your camera's hot shoe or other rigs.
It's small and lightweight, too, so you won't feel like you're carry around a ton of extra weight by adding this little guy to your camera.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Good Glass
Just like a microphone enables you to capture the audio that makes your video sing, a high-quality lens will make your camera more capable of capturing footage that makes your videos shine.
But don't confuse "high-quality" with expensive.
Sure, there's tons of really good lenses out there with giant price tags, but that's not the route I chose.
I picked up a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens and a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 version that are absolutely outstanding, and neither one was particularly expensive as lenses go (the 16mm was $400 and the 30mm was $289).
In both cases, these lenses are ultra-light, incredibly sharp, and have stepping motors that enable quick and quiet autofocusing that's so crucial to video.
Additionally, both lenses have a huge f/1.4 aperture, which is great for getting gorgeously blurred backgrounds in my videos and for shooting in low-light conditions.
I've been blown away by the ease of use of these lenses and with the quality they produce when I'm shooting video.
Combined with the other accessories I've highlighted above, I think I have a pretty darn good setup going!