Review:

This shotgun mic from TAKSTAR is the most affordable option in its category, but this doesn’t mean that it’s to be underestimated.

You’ll find that this compact model is relatively capable, and it is much more reliable than other affordable shotgun mics, largely due to its excellent build quality.

As there are many reliable options to choose from, this is the least expensive one available on our list that would do all the work for you.

The microphone itself is a smaller model, meaning that it will be easier to fit into your equipment bag and that.

It will be suitable for smaller cameras as well as larger models so there is no reason not to purchase this item with your camera equipment as it is easy to carry as well.

Of course, as the design is a bit smaller, it is also less sensitive than more expensive models, though it makes up for it when it comes to rejecting off-axis sounds because you can always rely on the sound quality that is amplified with clarity which is recorded through this microphone.

Many affordable shotgun mics feature a cardioid pickup that will still detect a lot of noises to the sides of your target, though this model manages to reject quite a few of them.

Which makes this microphone better than its older ancestors as the company is still trying effortlessly to bring the advanced technology in use for their microphones.

While it will have difficulty rejecting louder sounds, the TAKSTAR SGC-598 is an excellent choice of shotgun microphone for anyone looking to save money while looking for the best outcome with a handful of bucks the consumers have to offer for this device. 

Review:

The VideoMic from the Australian audio company Rode is an excellent choice of shotgun microphone because of its combination of impressive features and excellent quality.

Whereas this shotgun microphone comes at an affordable price and is much of a contact and easy to carry microphone you can carry in your equipment bag anywhere and everywhere with you.

As with every Rode shotgun mic, this model is equipped with the Rycote Lyre shock mount which decreases mechanical noise and vibrations which makes this microphone better than its older versions on detecting and clarifying the audio quality to the very best.

Unlike other mountings, the Lyre makes this microphone relatively easy to fit your camera, and it is designed not to sag or lose its shape.

This microphone comes with a 10-year warranty, and that much is clear to see in its build quality, as this microphone is built to last longer than the competition available in the market up till now.

The acoustic performance of this model is also highly impressive due to its rejection of many off-axis noises and its remarkable sensitivity. You are always allowed to rely on the audio quality recorded by this amazing microphone.

Even if you’re recording at longer ranges, you’ll find that the VideoMic’s precise nature makes it an excellent choice for environments with too much ambient noise.

The inclusion of a high-pass filter means that this microphone is even more suited for the task, so if you’re recording in public, this is an excellent choice to choose from whereas there are other expensive microphones that possess.

This type of quality but also are extremely expensive and they carry it as a disadvantage.

Review:

Finally, our most impressive shotgun mic is the VP-83 from Shure, which is a pricey option that trades affordability for even better sound quality, whereas if you are here to have the finest shotgun microphone available from the market you would be happy to spend an extra penny for it.

This microphone provides you with lifelike audio for a lower price than many professional shotgun mics, some of which are up to five times its price.

A highly sensitive design means that this microphone is suitable for longer distances, though it is also versatile thanks to the inclusion of a three-option gain setting.

You can choose between -10 dB padding, 0 dB, and a +20 dB boost depending on whether you’re further away or closer to the subject as there are easy choices for you beforehand to choose from.

This microphone will also resist RF emissions, ensuring that your recording isn’t plagued with interference and other artifacts that can reduce the quality which is why this microphone lets you record your audio in the very best audio quality.

Along with its long-range performance, this microphone is capable of eliminating most off-axis sounds certainly making it a better option than any other microphone.

This model also comes equipped with the Rycote Lyre mount, which is arguably the best shotgun mic mount around thanks to its long-term resilience because the manufacturer has taken no step behind in the build quality.

While this microphone is a little larger and more expensive than competing options, it is certainly worth the extra money.

Review:

For such an affordable price, you can’t expect much from the XM-L lavalier mic, but you may be pleasantly surprised by this model as this great microphone hold some great specs which makes it in our list some of its great features starts with.

First off, it is compatible with smart devices, computers, and anything else with a 3.5 mm input, ensuring that you won’t need to purchase countless cable splitters and dongles.

Being a lavalier mic, you’ll need to position the XM-L somewhere on your body, and the inclusion of a longer cable makes this much simpler.

This microphone reduces your struggle with the stand at the very first which means you can easily and freely use both hands for performing different operations.

You won’t have to struggle with your microphone hitching on your clothes or being stretched uncomfortably taut. It sits attached to your lapel. Unfortunately, this microphone faces some issues when it comes to reliability.

Aside from the less reliable design, this microphone likely provides you with the best value for money out of any lavalier option.

Review:

Audio-Technica is one of the more popular audio companies, and their microphones are just as impressive as their headphones and turntables, as is evidenced by the ATR-3350IS.

This relatively affordable lavalier mic features superior recording quality when compared to other models in the same price range.

The smartphone splitter that comes included with this lavalier mic means that you can also use it with a smartphone or a smart device, allowing you to listen as you record.

As with most Audio-Technica products, this microphone features excellent build quality and reliable design. If you’re tired of your lavalier mics repeatedly breaking on you, then you can rely on this model for a long time to come.

You’ll also find that this microphone will be able to pick up your voice regardless of the direction in which it is positioned thanks to its omnidirectional pickup pattern.

Unfortunately, there are some minor issues, including the lack of a battery indicator light and the wire is a source of vibration, but these concerns are overshadowed by the mic’s performance.

Review:

If you’re willing to pay extra for your new lavalier mic, then the smartLav+ from Rode is a high-quality offering that comes with a few helpful features.

If you’ve ever gotten your mic’s cable snagged on something and it snapped, then the first thing you’ll appreciate is this model’s kevlar-reinforced wire.

As with most of Rode’s other mics, this product features excellent build quality, with a durable clip that also doubles as a cable manager.

The use of a professional-grade condenser on this mic also means that it will be able to record sounds coming from any direction with an excellent degree of fidelity.

The pop filter that comes with this microphone ensures that your pronunciation isn’t too aggressive on the listener’s ears and also doubles as a windshield.

One of the most impressive features is this mic’s compatibility with the Rode Rec app, allowing you to edit your work right after you record it.

While this microphone may be compatible with all iOS devices, it loses points for being unreliable when used with Androids.

Review:

The Blue Snowball iCe model is an affordable USB microphone that is meant to be versatile and reliable, and it succeeds in both of these areas as the manufacturer has taken no setbacks while creating the Snowball iCe USB microphone.

The spherical design of this microphone means that it is much more durable than comparable models, allowing you to toss it in your bag directly without the need for a separate pouch.

This microphone comes included with a tripod stand, making it ideal for use on your desktop, which is one of the features that makes it more suitable for streamers. This is one of the best choice for any gamer who has to talk while their hands are busy on the keyboard or mouse.

The cardioid pattern of this microphone will only pick up your voice, and it will reject sounds coming from behind and around it.

One of the main advantages of the Blue Snowball iCe is that the microphone is incredibly easy to use.

If you’re a beginner when it comes to using microphones, you’ll find the plug-and-play functionality of this model refreshing, as it is compatible with all recording software and won’t require drivers.

This model doesn’t come equipped with a shock mount, but one can be purchased separately. Overall, this microphone offers immense value for money.

Review:

The Blue Yeti is an impressive USB microphone that is as easy to use as most models of this type. All you have to do is plug in this microphone, and it should be ready for use.

This is one of the best microphones for YouTube and streamers because of its incredible degree of versatility, allowing for various types of videos.

The Yeti’s versatility is made possible by the inclusion of three separate condenser capsules, all of which are optimized for a certain angle. These condensers allow you to use four different recording patterns, depending on where the sound will be coming from

cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, and bidirectional.

The desktop stand is another feature that makes this microphone suited for streamers, as you can adjust the Yeti to get the perfect side-address angle.

Keep in mind that this microphone is also offered with bundles that are ideal for streamers, including one that comes with XSplit and OvrStream, and others that include games.

Despite the higher price tag, the Yeti’s versatility makes it more than worth the money..

Review:

The NT-USB is a high-end USB mic that is offered by Rode, and the build quality is everything that you would expect from the renowned manufacturer.

While the NT-USB is admittedly pricier than many other USB microphones, it is an excellent choice for advanced streamers and beginners alike.

This microphone can be used by such a wide range of Youtubers and streamers because it uses a USB connection, improving its compatibility with hardware and software.

The cardioid design of the capsule results in the elimination of sounds behind and around the microphone, leading to a precise pickup pattern.

The inclusion of a tripod stand made for desktop use also makes this microphone a more attractive option for streamers, and the included pop filter improves the quality of your consonants.

There is even a no-latency headphone jack that allows you to monitor your voice as you record.

Unfortunately, this product may not be ideal if you’re looking for a smaller microphone, as the NT-USB and the attached pop filter will take up quite a bit of space on your desk. Apart from the bulkiness, there are few notable downsides to this microphone.

Review:

The ZH1 H1 from Zoom is the most affordable recorder-type microphone, though it is still relatively pricey compared to the low-end options in the other categories.

Regardless, this model comes included with a wide range of features that help make it approachable for beginner streamers and functional for veteran Youtubers.

The first thing you’re likely to notice is how small, and lightweight this microphone with a recorder is. If you’re on the go, you won’t have a problem slipping this microphone into your pocket.

While it may seem like this model is made for portable use, you’ll find that it is quite versatile.

While the ZH1 H1 features a 10-hour battery life, you can also plug it into an in-line power source like a camera or another device so that it can run for a longer time.

With this model, you aren’t restricted to using it is a standalone product, as it has both input and output jacks.

This microphone even comes included with a 2 GB MicroSD card, but if you’re doing the serious recording, you’ll prefer a little bit more space. Overall, this product is well worth the money.

Review:

The H2n from Zoom is a little more expensive than the ZH1 H1, but it is also a lot more capable, coming equipped with five microphones.

Along with the expected X/Y stereo microphones, you’ll find that this model also comes equipped with a forward-facing condenser, and two that face sideways, all mounted on top of each other.

The inclusion of all of these microphones means that the Zoom H2n has four different recording modes which can be used for all kinds of different scenarios:

MS stereo, X/Y stereo, 2-channel, or 4-channel. There are also quite a few controls on the recorder so that you can adjust your recordings.

For example, you’ll be able to change the pitch or playback speed, add effects, normalize, divide, and so much more.

Couple this with a battery life of 20 hours, and you’ll be able to record the sound for an entire stream without having to use a separate device.

While this microphone comes equipped with an LCD screen, it is still somewhat complicated, and you may require some experience if you’re planning on getting the most out of it.

Review:

The H4N PRO from Zoom is a high end handy recorder that allows you to record top-quality sound wherever you are.

While this device’s portability won’t be that much of a benefit to streamers, it offers exceptional sound quality for a product of its size, and its build quality is unmatched.

Thanks to the inclusion of high-end X/Y stereo microphones, this product can register an impressive sound range, all the way up to 140 dB.

You also have the choice between four-channel recording or stereo, depending on the kind of experience you would like to give your viewers.

Moving on to matters of convenience and user-friendliness, this model features a rubberized housing that has to functions: making the device more comfortable and improving its durability.

Equipped with a back-lit LCD, you won’t have to worry about trying to navigate this mic’s menus in the dark.

Unfortunately, this model suffers from a short battery life that ranges from six to ten hours depending on the quality of audio you’re recording.

If you’re willing to carry around some extra batteries, there aren’t many mics with built-in recorders that can match this one.