Best Video Microphones 2026
Top-rated video microphones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Video Production
For DSLR
For Camcorder
For YouTube
For Vlogging
For Documentary
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
SE Electronics sE 6160
Vlogging
Video Production
DSLR
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional video standard
- • Often include shock mounting
✗ CONS
- • Limited to video applications
- • Quality varies significantly by price
SE Electronics sE 6160Condenser Directional MicrophoneSmall diaphragm true condenser capsulePolar pattern:...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619575
$561
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sanken CS-1e
by
Sanken
DSLR
Documentary
Vlogging
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • May need external power or batteries
- • Can be affected by wind outdoors
Sanken CS-1eCondenser Shotgun MicrophonePerfect for use with a camcorder – or on a fishing rod in confined...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 489871
$783
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Audio-Technica BP 4029
YouTube
Documentary
Camcorder
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • Quality varies significantly by price
- • May pick up camera handling noise
Audio-Technica BP 4029Condenser Stereo Camera MicrophoneEspecially for broadcastingVideo and recordingSwitchable...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 204375
$1,044
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Sennheiser Profile Wireless
by
Sennheiser
Video Production
DSLR
Documentary
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • Quality varies significantly by price
- • Can be affected by wind outdoors
Sennheiser Profile Wireless, 2-Channel Wireless Set, Compact complete system consisting of a 2.4 GHz two-channel...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 601914
$328
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Rode VideoMic Pro+
by
Rode
Documentary
Vlogging
DSLR
Key Feature:
• Lightweight for handheld use
✓ PROS
- • Designed for camera mounting
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited to video applications
- • May need external power or batteries
Rode VideoMic Pro+Directional condenser microphone for mounting on a camera1/2" capsule with supercardioid polar...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 419329
$307
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
SE Electronics sE 6160 Stereoset
YouTube
DSLR
Camcorder
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Often include shock mounting
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • Can be affected by wind outdoors
- • Limited to video applications
SE Electronics sE 6160 StereosetCondenser Directional MicrophoneSmall diaphragm true condenser capsulePolar pattern:...
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619577
$1,154
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Rode VideoMic NTG
by
Rode
DSLR
Video Production
YouTube
Key Feature:
• Directional pickup reduces background noise
✓ PROS
- • Often include shock mounting
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • Limited to video applications
- • May need external power or batteries
Rode VideoMic NTGDirectional Condenser Microphone for Camera MountingSupercardioid polar pattern with high directivity...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 482057
$263
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Rode VideoMic Pro Rycote
by
Rode
Camcorder
Video Production
Documentary
Key Feature:
• Designed for camera mounting
✓ PROS
- • Lightweight for handheld use
- • Designed for camera mounting
✗ CONS
- • May need external power or batteries
- • Quality varies significantly by price
Rode VideoMic Pro RycoteCondenser Directional Microphone for Camera AssemblyDirectional characteristic:...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 366721
$241
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sennheiser Profile Wireless 1-Channel Set
by
Sennheiser
Video Production
Vlogging
Camcorder
Key Feature:
• Directional pickup reduces background noise
✓ PROS
- • Lightweight for handheld use
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
✗ CONS
- • May pick up camera handling noise
- • May need external power or batteries
Sennheiser Profile Wireless 1-Channel Set, Compact Complete Wireless System for Camera, Consists of 2.4 GHz receiver, 2...
⭐
4.5/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616230
$218
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Audio-Technica AT8024
Camcorder
Vlogging
YouTube
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Lightweight for handheld use
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
✗ CONS
- • Can be affected by wind outdoors
- • Quality varies significantly by price
Audio-Technica AT8024Electret Video MicrophoneFor mounting directly on the hot shoeSuitable for video and DSLR...
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 353781
$252
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Shure VP83 Lenshopper
by
Shure
DSLR
Video Production
Vlogging
Key Feature:
• Often include shock mounting
✓ PROS
- • Often include shock mounting
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
✗ CONS
- • Quality varies significantly by price
- • May need external power or batteries
Shure VP83 LenshopperDirectional Condenser Camera MicrophoneSupercardioid and lobe polar pattern50 - 20000 HzSwitchable...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 320367
$252
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Sennheiser MKE 440
by
Sennheiser
Video Production
DSLR
YouTube
Key Feature:
• Professional video standard
✓ PROS
- • Lightweight for handheld use
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited to video applications
- • May need external power or batteries
Sennheiser MKE 440Stereo Video Microphone for CamerasWith two connected tuned mini shotgun microphonesEfficient...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 398122
$355
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zoom M3 MicTrak
by
Zoom
Documentary
YouTube
Video Production
Key Feature:
• Lightweight for handheld use
✓ PROS
- • Directional pickup reduces background noise
- • Lightweight for handheld use
✗ CONS
- • Limited to video applications
- • Can be affected by wind outdoors
Zoom M3 MicTrakStereo Shotgun RecorderStereo M/S microphone (polar pattern: supercardioid) with 2 selectable recording...
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 557323
$186
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Rode Stereo Video Mic Pro Rycote
by
Rode
Documentary
YouTube
Vlogging
Key Feature:
• Designed for camera mounting
✓ PROS
- • Professional video standard
- • Designed for camera mounting
✗ CONS
- • May need external power or batteries
- • May pick up camera handling noise
Rode Stereo Video Mic Pro RycoteX/Y Stereo Condenser Microphone for Camera MountingWith integrated Rycote lyre...
⭐
4.4/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 398595
$241
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sennheiser MKE 600
by
Sennheiser
Video Production
Vlogging
Documentary
Key Feature:
• Directional pickup reduces background noise
✓ PROS
- • Professional video standard
- • Designed for camera mounting
✗ CONS
- • Quality varies significantly by price
- • May pick up camera handling noise
Sennheiser MKE 600Condenser Camera Directional MicrophonePolar pattern: Supercardioid / LobarFrequency range: 40 -...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 296554
$307
How to Choose the Best Video Microphones
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced video microphones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
