Action cameras – whether they are GoPros or the ones from DJI – are becoming increasingly popular these days. But, when it comes to the sound quality of their in-built mic, you don’t achieve really impressive audio quality because these action cameras are usually covered with protective cases. This causes distortion in the audio signal a lot of times.
Therefore, it’s a great idea to use an external microphone with your action camera, especially if you’re a vlogger and need professional sound quality for great-looking vlogs.
In this article, you’ll discover the seven best external microphones that you can buy for your action camera.
7 BEST External Microphones for Action Cameras
Here are the 7 best external microphones for action cameras:
#1. Rode VideoMic Pro | Premium Shotgun Microphone
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 5 onwards, Osmo Action, Action 2, Insta360 ONE R & Insta360 ONE X2 (with Adapter)
- Best uses: Interviews and Sporting Events & Dialogue to Camera.
- Included accessories: Windshield
- Broadcast recording quality condenser microphone
- Compact design (only 150mm/6 inches length)
- Ultra lightweight (only 85g/3oz)
The Rode VideoMic Pro is a high-end, lightweight, and easy-to-use shotgun-type microphone that you can use with your action camera. This mic offers a runtime of up to 70 hours with top-notch audio quality. It also features a 3-way control switch that assists in the selection for ambient noise reduction. Plus , you also get ettings leading to +20dB, 0dB, and -10dB.
The Rode VideoMic Pro can be used in two modes: without any filter and with a hi-pass filter that can cut frequency less than 80Hz.
#2. Rode Wireless GO | Wireless Microphone System by Rode
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 5 onwards, Osmo Action, Action 2, Insta360 ONE R & Insta360 ONE X2 (with Adapter)
- Best uses: Filmmaking, On-camera Presentation, Interviews, and Vlogs
- Included accessories: Windshield, Carrying Pouch
- Combo Clip-On Microphone Or Beltpack Transmitter For Lavalier/Headset Mic/ Built-In...
- Audio Delivers Crystal Clear Audio Under Any Conditions/ Up To 70M Range But...
- Power Tx And Rx Have Built-In Usb-C Rechargeable Batteries/ Up To 7 Hours On A Full...
An ultra-compact digital wireless microphone system – the Rode Wireless GO features a unique in its ‘clip & go’ design, incredibly compact form-factor, and unmatched economic accessibility. It includes one transmitter and one receiver. This microphone is the perfect choice for you if you’re looking for a wireless microphone system for your action camera. Free from those annoying bulky wires, the microphone is highly portable and super easy to use.
The Rode Wireless Go microphone allows you to capture excellent audio with your action camera, which is why it has been hailed as “the best lavalier microphone available”.
#3. Rode VideoMicro | Budget Microphone
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 5 onwards, Osmo Action, Action 2, Insta360 ONE R & Insta360 ONE X2 (with Adapter)
- Best uses: Dialogue to Camera, Interview, Sports, Music
- Included accessories: Rycote lyre Shock Mount & a deluxe Furry Windshield
- Compact microphone designed to improve the audio quality of your videos - only 80...
- No battery required (powered by camera plug-in power - min 3V)
- Includes Rycote lyre shock mount and deluxe furry windshield
The Rode VideoMicro is for those who are looking for a budget external microphone for their action camera. It is powered by the camera’s plug-in power so you don’t need a battery for it to work.
The Rode VideoMicro mic system features a deluxe Furry windscreen that lets you shoot high-quality audio for your footage even in windy situations. Overall, it’s a wonderful budget option for recording crystal-clear audio for interviews and vlogs.
#4. Rode VideoMic GO | Compact On-Camera Microphone
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 5 onwards, Osmo Action, Action 2, Insta360 ONE R & Insta360 ONE X2 (with Adapter)
- Best uses: Interview, Music, Ambient Audio, Sporting events, and Dialogue
- Included accessories: Windshield, 3.5mm TRS patch cable
- Supercardioid Shotgun Microphone with Windshield
- Integrated Rycote Lyre Shockmount
- Plug--play Operation
The Rode VideoMic GO is another wonderful microphone that has no complex switches or settings. It’s super quick to install and convenient to use. The mic itself is exceptionally light, so you can carry it anywhere without exhausting yourself.
The Rode VideoMic GO microphone is designed to focus the tight pickup area directly in front of the mic. So, this lightweight mic does a great job of reducing the surrounding sounds and ensures that your subject is isolated from any background noise.
#5. Sennheiser MKE 400 | Compact Shotgun Microphone
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 5 onwards, Osmo Action, Action 2, Insta360 ONE R & Insta360 ONE X2 (with Adapter)
- Best uses: Interviews and Sporting Events
- Included accessories: Windshield
- Highly directional, super-cardioid shotgun microphone for isolated and enhanced...
- Integrated wind protection and internal suspension mount to minimize handling noise
- Built-in low-cut filter and 3-step sensitivity switch for added flexibility and...
The Sennheiser MKE 400 is a compact yet rugged shotgun microphone for your action camera. One special feature of this miniature microphone is that it includes an external shock mount that eliminates handling noise.
What’s more, the Sennheiser MKE 400 mic switches the sensitivity mode depending on the distance. So, you can record sound with absolute precision whether you’re interviewing somebody in front of a subject or shooting wildlife in their habitat from afar.
#6. Vidpro XM-L | For Older GoPro Action Cameras
- Compatibility: GoPro HD Hero, Hero4 Black, Hero4 Silver, Hero Plus, Hero3 (no need for Adapter)
- Best uses: Interviews or Voice Recording.
- Included accessories: Windshield
- Vidpro XM-L Wired Lavalier microphone - 20' Audio Cable
- Includes lapel clip and foam windscreen
- Sensitivity -30dB +/- 3dB / 0dB = 1V/Pa, 1kHz
Another wonderful budget external microphone solution for your action camera – the Vidpro XM-L Wired Lavalier microphone lets you record crystal clear audio. It includes a good 20 feet of cabling and clips. Therefore, it’s perfect to record clear audio even if your subject is a bit far.
In addition, the Vidpro XM-L mic also includes a foam windscreen which provides for shock or wind protection.
Do You Need an External Mic With an Action Camera?
While the built-in microphones in action cameras have improved over the years, they still have their limitations. The audio quality from built-in mics is often not good enough, especially in noisy or windy environments. To get better audio quality, using an external microphone is highly recommended.
An external microphone will capture audio from a closer source, which means the audio will be clearer and less affected by background noise. It will also allow you to use different types of microphones that are suited for specific situations, such as lapel mics for interviews or shotgun mics for directional audio.
It’s worth noting that not all action cameras have an external microphone input, so make sure to check the specifications of your camera before purchasing an external mic. Additionally, using an external microphone may require an adapter, which can add to the overall cost.
Overall, while using an external microphone may not be necessary for every situation, it can significantly improve the audio quality in many cases and is highly recommended for anyone looking to produce high-quality video content.
Can You Connect a Microphone To an Action Camera?
Yes, you can connect a microphone to an action camera like a GoPro. Most action cameras have a built-in microphone, but the audio quality may not be suitable for professional or high-quality video production. To get better audio quality, you can connect an external microphone to your action camera.
Some action cameras have an audio jack, while others require a separate adapter to connect an external microphone. You can also use a wireless microphone that connects to your action camera via Bluetooth. By using an external microphone, you can capture better audio for your videos and improve the overall quality of your content.
Mic Adapters
Before we proceed towards the list of some of the best microphones for action cameras, there’s one thing that you should know. In almost all the latest action cameras (irrespective of the brand), you’ll need an additional mic adapter in order to be able to connect an external microphone to your camera. That’s because these cameras do not have a dedicated 3.5mm audio input port.
Therefore, you need to buy a mic adapter separately. This adapter works by connecting the external 3.5mm jack microphone to the USB port of your action camera.
Here are the compatible mic adapters for different action cameras:
– For all the latest GoPro Cameras – HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black, HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black:
- Enables high-quality audio capture when using a pro-level external mic.Mounting Type:...
- USB-C power and data extension with 90° connector
- Connects a wide range of external 3.5mm mics
More mics and adapters for all GoPro models:
- 7 Best GoPro Microphones + Mic Adapters
- 3 GoPro Audio Adapter for External Microphones
- 7 GoPro External Microphones for Supreme Audio
– For DJI Osmo Action, Action 2
- Customised for Osmo Action: CYNOVA Audio adapter specially designed for DJI Osmo...
- Extensive compatibility：Precisely fit the camera protection frame, supports...
- High-end quality material: Made of high-quality ABS, tough and hard, making CYNOVA...
– For DJI Osmo Pocket
More mics and adapters for DJI Osmo Pocket: TOP 6 DJI Osmo Pocket Microphone for High Quality Audio
– For Insta360 ONE R
- [Add 3.5mm MIC Port to ONE R] – The adapter converts the USB C port of your ONE R...
- [Compatibility] - The adapter could be only used with ONE R. Please note: The adapter...
- [Crystal Clear Sound] – The adapter is made with OFC wires to minimize signal loss...
– For Insta360 ONE X2, X3
Best Microphone for Your Action Camera
As per my opinion, the Rode VideoMic Pro microphone is the best choice (our top pick) for your action camera, irrespective of what the brand of your action camera is. It has all the high-end features and specs that you would need for top-notch audio quality.
Rest, it’s all up to your own preferences – whether you want a wired microphone or wireless, what your budget is, what your purpose of buying an external microphone is, and so on… So, choose the best one for your accordingly!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you know about some of the best external microphones available on the market for action cameras. 🙂
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