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GoPro is arguably the best action camera. The compact size coupled with its high definition surely makes it one of the top contenders when it comes to action cameras. As for the audio, it is not as good as the video which is why you may need an external microphone.
You would find hundreds of different cameras on the market but there are only a few that can complement GoPro’s video quality. In this article, we would help you find such best Gopro microphones that will improve the audio quality manyfold. Let’s get started.
But before that, let’s take a bird’ view of some of the specifications of the best GoPro microphones.
Best GoPro Microphones | Our Top Picks
| Microphone | Connector | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rode VideoMicro | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | Check Price |
| BOYA WM2G | 3.5mm Jack | Wireless | Check Price |
| Purple Panda | USB | Wired | Check Price |
| Comica CVM-VM10II | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | Check Price |
| Removu RM-M1+A1 | USB | Wireless | Check Price |
| Rode Wireless Go | USB | Wireless | Check Price |
| Rode VideoMic Go | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | Check Price |
| Sennheiser MKE 400 | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | Check Price |
| Rode VideoMic Pro | USB | Wired | Check Price |
| Movo VXR10 | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | Check Price |
1. Rode VideoMicro – An Affordable Portable Mic To Go With Your GoPro
Rode’s microphone is Amazon’s choice on Amazon.com with over 300+ ratings from verified users. It speaks for the shear value of the microphone. The design of the Rode Microphone is compact and weighs very light. It is not something that would weigh you down while recording the footage.
Furthermore, it uses a 3.5mm audio jack to connect with the other device which makes it compatible with all GoPro action cameras. The sound quality of the microphone is beyond amazing. It is clear, sharp, and free of noise which lets you capture the true essence of any given scene.
The microphone even comes with a sort of shock mount accessory. It not only helps in mounting the microphone over the cameras but also acts as a shock absorber. A windshield is also included in the package which reduces the noise of air.
The polar pattern on the microphone is cardioid which picks up sound from a source that is pointed directly towards it. It is also a mechanism that helps in reducing noise pickup.
Moving on, the price of this unit is on the affordable side of things. It costs just under 60$ which is nothing compared to prices of other mics of the same quality. The price and the quality of Rode’s microphone make it suitable for beginners and professionals alike. People who are into vlogging would find this microphone an absolute peach.
2. BOYA WM2G Lavalier – Wireless Mic For Recording Interviews
BOYA’s WM2G is the next entry to our list of the best Gopro microphone. It is a lavalier type microphone which comes with a receiver and a mouthpiece. It would make an ideal device for people who are into recording interviews.
You can attach the camera with the receiver and use a transmitter to attach the mouthpiece with speakers’ clothes. As it is in close proximity to the source of the sound, it would pick up audio clearly. You can mount the receiver on the top of cameras as well. The transmitter can be easily hidden behind the speaker’s back.
The mic uses USB and the 3.5 mm jack to connect with another device. Multiple connectivity options make it versatile and compatible with pretty much all smart devices. You can use it with a standard camera, GoPro Hero, smartphones, and even PCs.
As a wireless microphone, it has a range of up to 15m which is more than enough. While interviewing the subjects you are not even at a distance of 2m.
Moving on, we have a mixed opinion about the quality of audio. It is not exactly a mic that sounds natural but it has sharp and clear results. It is not very sensitive as well. However, given that it would be attached to the collar of the speaker, the results would be great.
The thing you need to be cautious about is its polar pattern which is omnidirectional. Such microphones can pick up sound from all directions. If you want to capture the ambient sound it would work well. But it would not be able to isolate the speaker from the ambiance. The windshield does a decent job at reducing the influx of wind but it cannot silent other sound sources in the proximity.
Anyways, it is not something that the manufacturer has hidden. It is all there in the product description. All we want is for you to be aware of what you are getting into.
The battery lives of both transmitter and receiver are about 3 hours. It should be enough for most people. As for those who want a little more, they can purchase extra AA DC batteries and use them as a backup.
3. Purple Panda Lavalier – An Inexpensive Microphone For Vloggers
Purple Panda’s is the most affordable versatile lavalier you can get your hands on. It has received nearly 4,000 ratings from verified customers and is Amazon’s choice. It speaks to the quality of this microphone.
One of the key selling points of this microphone is its compatibility with virtually any device. Be it computers, tablets, gaming consoles, you name it, everything works with it. But the catch is you have to purchase the needed accessories separately. With that said, none of those accessories are expensive and are readily available.
The mic comes with a 3m long extension cord, mini-USB adapter, windscreen, and a filmmaking e-book for beginners. It is one of the best Gopro microphones for vloggers, gamers, and interviewers.
The quality of the audio is great especially considering the price tag it comes with. The company has not provided us with a specification table. However, in our testing, we found out that it is quite capable. It captures a broad range of frequencies effectively and is decently sensitive as well. As a vlogger or interviewer, you would be able to record your subjects effectively.
Moving on, it features an omnidirectional polar pattern which picks up sound from all directions. Because of such a pattern, you can record in stereo, capture a wide sound source or even record the ambiance around the subject.
We believe that one of the best features of this mic is the furry windshield. It uses a very fine fake fur that is really effective at reducing wind noise. As a vlogger, you would find this particular accessory very handy.
You may experience mosquito-like buzz whenever there is dead air around. Customer service provides a few tips to manage it in some situations. However, in most cases, it still remains but luckily it is not that hard to edit it out in post.
4. Comica CVM-VM – A Decent Value Microphone
CVM-VM is a value microphone that falls somewhere in between budget and a little expensive range of products. It is a shotgun-type microphone with a cardioid polar pattern and is compatible with pretty much all the devices.
What makes it stand out is the Aluminum that has been used in the construction of this microphone. It not only imparts strength into the microphone but also enables it to provide an anti-interference quality. The Aluminum reduces the vibration and keeps the audio free of any noise.
You can realize the benefits only after experiencing them. As a microphone intended to be used on smartphones and cameras it is something that is highly needed. The radio waves emitting or coming towards the devices can produce static in the audio. And this best Gopro microphone is equipped to ensure it is able to reject those interferences.
And also, while using these devices one has to move a lot which can produce significant vibration. It is why having a material that can resist vibrations makes a difference.
Furthermore, the microphone comes with a shock mount which also does a similar job but with a different mechanism. It comes in the package and the quality is also quite decent. And it mounts easily on any device be it a smartphone or a camera.
As for the connectivity, the microphone uses a 3.5mm jack. It would work with all the devices that have the female port for it. In case the other device has a USB port, you can get an adapter for connection. It is advised that the original adapter must be purchased for better results when using it for iPhone 7 or above.
One of the benefits of using a wired microphone is that you do not have to worry about the battery. It takes the power from the device it is connected with. So, as long as the battery of your camera or the smartphone lasts, the microphone will keep working.
Moving on, the polar pattern on the microphone is cardioid which can pick the sound only from one direction. It provides an off-axis noise rejection which isolates the sound source from the noise.
With all that said, the frequency range of the microphone is somewhat narrow. However, within the given range, it works meticulously and delivers rich and natural responses.
5. Removu RM-M1+A1 – GoPro’s Perfect Companion Around The Water
GoPro cameras are notorious for the audio quality and it gets even worse when you have to use the water-protective gear. The footage and audio need to be recorded separately which is not an ideal way to produce content. It takes a lot of effort in the post edit and despite that, results do not come out as good as one would expect.
If you also experience the given problem the RM M1 and A1 have to your rescue as best Gopro microphone. It has been designed specially by keeping the stated problem in the account. As a wireless mic, it enables you to record both audio and videos simultaneously with the GoPro.
The best part is it is compatible with all GoPro cameras including the models above HERO 5
RM has two components, a receiver, and a mic. The receiver connects directly with the GoPro and has such dimensions that can fit in the protective covering. The receiver connects with the mic via Bluetooth and has a decent working range. A microphone can be attached with a collar or any other part of the subject’s apparel.
The connection between the devices is seamless although it takes a few seconds to pair up. After the pairing, it would connect automatically from the next time and onwards. Audio and Video footage are perfectly in sync with each other without any lag or distortion.
As for the sound quality, it is as clear as it gets and far better than GoPro’s built-in microphone. With that said, we are comparing it only with the microphones in the same niche. There is even a feature of amplification that helps while you are using the mic in housing. It amplifies the sound and delivers a clear output.
The power is supplied by two lithium-ion batteries which provide very decent power back up. On a single charge, the batteries last for about 5-6 hours which is good enough. Furthermore, they do not take much time to charge as well which is another plus point.
The only problem we could find out was with the stripes on adapters which looked like substandard ones. Some users have also complained about them online. However, it is covered in the warranty which is a little reassuring.
Lastly, the price of the product is reasonable. It is a bit more expensive than the other best Gopro microphones that we have discussed so far. But if you are someone who records footage around or under the water, this mic would make an ideal option for you.
6. Rode Wireless Go – The World’s Smallest Wireless Microphone
Rode Go is a premium wireless microphone system. As per the manufacturer, it is the smallest wireless microphone system in the world. So, if the size of the microphone matters to you, it is the best GoPro microphone for you.
The unique feature of the microphone is that the transmitter itself also acts as a speaker. It is a lightweight and compact unit that can easily be attached to the subject’s collar. In case you do not feel comfortable with such a setting you always use a lavalier microphone. The 3.5mm TRS input is available on the product.
The receiver connects to the other devices via USB which makes it compatible with virtually every device that has a USB port. The connection with GoPro is seamless and the pairing of two components also does not take much time. Though the functional range is about 70m, it works best when you are in close proximity to the receiver.
As for the audio quality, it is what you expect from a company like Rode. It is right there with the top-tier products. The output is crystal clear and crisp. And also, the sensitivity of the microphone is topnotch. It can capture a wide spectrum of frequencies in a clear fashion.
The polar pattern on the microphone is omnidirectional which picks up sound from all directions. It works best when you want to record ambiance as well. And also, it adds a bit of stereo effect in the output.
Power is supplied via rechargeable batteries which provide a backup of about 7 hours. It can be pushed even more even if you switch on the saver mode. But, that mode somewhat compromises the quality of audio which is why we do not recommend it. 7 hours is good enough to last through the entire day and given how quickly it charges, you would not need saver mode anyway.
7. Rode VideoMic Go – A Value Product With Premium Touch
VideoMic by Road is probably one of the most selling devices. It has a highly popular model and has collected thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.com. Price is probably the key factor in driving the sale of products but the performance is also just as good.
At just 0.16 pounds, it is one of the lightest microphones you would come across in the market. Despite the weight, it does not feel cheap and has a sturdy and rugged feel to it. The microphone connects to the GoPro via TRS cable and mounts via a shock absorber that is included in the package.
Since it is a wired microphone, you do not have to worry about the batteries. It would work as long as your camera is functioning.
It features an omnidirectional or cardioid polar pattern and picks sound only from a single direction. The off-axis rejection ensures that the sound source remains isolated and the microphone does not pick any noise. The integrated lyre shock mount also works to reduce the noise in the audio.
As for the quality, it is clear and crisp, in fact, one of the best in this price bracket. The best thing about this microphone for Gopro is that it does not have complex switches. It is a simple and straightforward device that would make an ideal microphone for vloggers and other content creators.
Looking at the specifications, you would be surprised by realizing its frequency range and maximum SPL. It is by far, one of the widest ranges that you could get in this price range. And the SPL is also relatively high which enables you to capture loud sounds effectively. It is what makes it the best microphone for Gopro.
8. Sennheiser MKE 400 – Loaded With Options For You To Experiment
Sennheiser’s MKE 400 is the second premium microphone to make it to our list of the best GoPro mic. It is also a popular product amongst professionals and received excellent reviews from the community. And I think it speaks to the quality of performance that the microphone delivers.
The best mic for Gopro features all-metal housing which makes it a rugged and strong unit. The shoe mounts ensure that it fits with all the cameras. Despite the metallic body, it weighs only about 0.13 pounds which is very light. Because of the solid mount and lightweight, it almost feels like a camera’s own component.
The feature that I found most appealing is the switchable sensitivities. You can select one for long and the other for short distances to optimize the audio received from different distances. It can also be used to balance the loud and quiet sound sources. At first, it takes some time to get used to the feature but once you get a hold of it, you can produce rich and balanced audio.
Furthermore, you can experiment with the frequency responses of this best Gopro mic as well. A switch changes the response from flat to low-cut depending on the sound that you are recording.
It requires AAA to power the unit which provides almost 300 hours of backup. Replacement of the battery is also readily available.
The polar Pattern on the microphone is unidirectional which provides an off-axis noise rejection. Only the sound source that is directly pointed towards the active part would make it into the microphone. It comes in really handy when you are recording where there is a lot of noise around.
9. Rode VideoMic Pro – Premium Microphone To Record Loud Sounds
Rode has made yet another entry to our list of the best mic for Gopro. It simply goes on to show the quality of products Rode has produced over the years. The microphone at hand is one of their high-end products that is targeted at professionals.
It is a shotgun-type mic that is by far the most equipped product mentioned in our list of the best external mic for Gopro. Be it design, frequency range, sensitivity, or the quality of audio it leaves the other product far behind. But all of it comes with a higher price tag.
The polar pattern is a super-cardioid that provides a strict off-axis noise rejection. It is the best external mic for Gopro to isolate the sound when there is noise around. Besides that, there are a variety of other noise cancellation mechanisms in place as well. One of them is a shock mount that absorbs unwanted vibration and prevents unnecessary boost in the bass.
Amongst other features, it has 2 stages high pass filter, stage gain control, a high-frequency boost, and a safety channel. All of this works together to deliver the crisp and clear audio for the GoPro footage.
With an SPL of 150, it is the external microphone for Gopro to record loud sounds. It is capable enough to record instruments like drums and electric guitars effectively. If your content involves loud music, it would be hard to find a better option than Rode VideoMic Pro.
10. Movo VXR10 – Microphone That Does Not Break The Bank
Movo VXR10 is a budget mic designed for people who are just getting started. It is priced at just under 40$ and is the cheapest of the lot. However, the quality of the audio is one of the best that you can find in the budget category.
It is a wired mic that connects via a 3.5mm jack which makes it compatible with most models of Gopro. The company has used aluminum to construct it which is surprising given the price tag it comes with. It makes it a sturdy and solid-looking product.
Furthermore, it comes with a suspension system that defeats shake noise produced during the movements between the shoot. And you would absolutely enjoy the windscreen as it eliminates the noise during outdoor shoots.
For me, the biggest selling point is TRS to TRRS cable. It enables you to make a seamless connection with smartphones, cameras, or any other device that has the given port.
The overall quality is great but sometimes it feels as if the pick-up is a little thin. Other mics in the same category have a little warmer touch to them.
The polar pattern on it is unidirectional which is not as tight but it definitely provides a decent degree of off-axis rejection. Together with other accessories, you would find that it reduces the noise by a lot and keeps the audio clear.
As if all of it wasn’t surprising enough, it also comes with one year of warranty. And it covers a whole lot of things.
So, if you were looking for the best Gopro microphone that does not break the bank, you would find a better option than VXR10.
Buyer Guide To Find The Best GoPro Microphone
While browsing for the best Gopro Microphone you need to be mindful of a few things. We would discuss them in this section of the best GoPro Microphone.
1. Compatibility
The first and foremost thing to check while looking for the best Gopro microphone is to check for compatibility. Most of the mics are compatible with Gopro models up to 4 but there are only a few that support the models above. So, if you happen to have the latest model make sure that the microphone is compatible with it.
2. Connectivity Option
There are a variety of adapters that can switch between TRRS to USB or vice versa. However, using these adapters does compromise the quality a bit. It is why one must opt for a mic that has the same connector as your camera.
3.Waterproofing
Most of the mics are not water-resistant which makes it an important aspect to look at. If you are someone who shoots around the water a lot, this is something you cannot afford to ignore. It is why you must look for the water-resistance while searching for the best Gopro microphone.
4. Max SPL
Max SPL is given in the “dB” which basically tells you how loud a certain mic can capture. While browsing for a microphone, it is important to look for SPL especially if you record musical instruments. An SPL below 130 would not be able to capture musical instruments effectively. It may work for acoustic guitars but not for anything else.
5. Accessories
If you want an external mic for Gopro, chances are you mostly work outdoors. And it brings a lot of challenges that include wind and other noise sources in the area. The microphone may need some accessories to work effectively in these conditions. Therefore, while purchasing the best Gopro microphone make sure that includes all the accessories that you need.
Conclusion-Best GoPro Microphone
This is all that we had on the best Gopro microphone. We hope this has helped you in narrowing down your options. In case, there is anything that you want to add or ask about the best Gopro microphone, let us know the given section. We would love to respond.
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