We help you find the best microphone for YouTube, iOS devices and IGTV with our extremely handy best YouTube microphone guide so you can start Vlogging in high quality and start creating your own exciting (and great sounding) content sooner.
We round up the best youtube microphones so you can create content that not only looks good, but sounds good too. These are the best microphones for live streaming and essential live streaming gear!
Whether you want to be the next Gary Vee, Jenna Marbles or Casey Neistat, you want to take the fitness world by storm on YouTube or Instagram TV (IGTV) or you just want to create your own Vlogs from the comfort of your own home via your smartphone or iOS device, you’ll need a decent vlogging microphone. Now there’s no such thing as a YouTube Microphone per se, but there are plenty of microphones that could be considered best for the likes of vlogging and a few that we would consider the best microphone for YouTube and IGTV.
So today we’re going to offer up 7 of the best options that could take the crown of best YouTube Microphone or at the very least best microphones for iOS and smartphones.
Before we get into our list though, we should state that we’re looking at a selection of different video and broadcast mics including USB microphones, iOS microphones, lavalier mics/lapel mics and your regular condenser mics with XLR connections so you can decide which style might be best for your type of video.
Ok there's more than 7 in this blog - but we simply had to include a few of these thanks to the fact they're so useful!
1. Shure MV88+ Video Microphone Kit
Let's face it, if you want to vlog, create content for YouTube or IGTV - the new instagram TV update that allows you to create up to an hours worth of content via the instagram app - you need to be able to create great quality audio via your iOS device at a moments notice.
Fortunately the Shure MV88+ Video Microphone Kit has just been released, allowing you to create superb quality audio via the lightning cable on your iPhone or iPad. The Shure MV88+ Video Microphone Kit easily attaches itself to your lightning cable connection on your phone meaning you can create studio quality audio for YouTube and IGTV anytime you like. The USB connectivity also allows you to hook up to your laptop pr PC and record.
This has been designed to cope with all types of weather conditions and shooting outdoors making it one of the best microphones for IGTV and YouTube. You can also monitor everything you’re recording due to the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear. If you need a lightning compatible microphone for your iOS device you need this!
2. Shure Portable Videography Kit
The Shure Portable Videography Kit is perfect if you film YouTube or IGTV content as it has everything you need to get going. This will provide users with extremely high audio quality in an instant. This one of the best microphones for YouTube, IGTV, roving journalism and podcasting as you are able to record audio at a better level than usual, giving you the edge over the competition. You have extremely low self-noise and a great frequency range.
3. AKG Lyra Ultra-HD Multimode USB Microphone
The AKG Lyra Ultra-HD Multimode USB Microphone is an ideal YouTube microphone and one of our favourite vlogging microphones for the likes of IGTV thanks to the fact you can hook it up to your phone and start recording in high quality within seconds. If you’re an active vlogger on the go or you want to create long-form quality content on IGTV, this is a great option as you can easily clip the lavalier mic to your collar or lapel and start recording in typically high Shure quality.
There’s no need to worry about those pesky plosive sounds or wind as the AKG Lyra includes a windscreen to ensure crystal clear recording at all times. Whether you’re recording podcasts or filming on your phone for your latest YouTube viral hit, this is a great budget-friendly option. The fact it records in Ultra HD and is 4K ready means you're always recording in high quality.
4. Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone
The Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone is one of the best YouTube microphone options out there able to plug directly in to your computer via USB for instant performance in studio quality, 16-bit audio.
Whether you’re using it for spoken word, podcasting or publishing your latest song on YouTube, the Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone can handle it all and is fully supported on most recording software packages including Logic, Garageband, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason to name a few.
We think this is one of the best microphones for YouTube thanks to the zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring (3.5mm) jack, dials to monitor levels and mix as well as the premium pop-filter and stand mount that allows the mic to sit securely on a flat surface.
This is a fantastic, high quality vlogging microphone that will allow you to capture studio quality audio, whether you’re speaking or singing and allow you to create high quality content on YouTube whether you’re filming on an iPad or utilising a full suite of recording programs – ideal for beginners to seasoned professionals.
5. Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio MKII USB Audio Interface (2nd Gen)
If you’re just starting out in the world of recording audio or video production for YouTube, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio MKII USB Audio Interface (2nd Gen) is a great, budget friendly choice. You get everything you need to start recording audio including a CM25 large diaphragm condenser microphone, HP60 closed-back headphones, 3 metre / 10' XLR mic cable as well as all the software you need such as Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite.
Of course, you also get the 2nd Generation Scarlett Solo MKII USB audio interface, too which is a world class audio interface relied upon by musicians and home studio enthusiasts all over the world. If you record music for upload directly to YouTube, you’ll appreciate the zero-latency recording from the interface and the fact the microphone utilises it for phantom power. However, it’s the CM25 large diaphragm condenser microphone that easily makes it into our best YouTube Microphone category thanks to its high-quality recording capabilities, ease of use and ability to record vocals whether spoken word or singing, acoustic instruments and more in high quality.
6. Rode Lav Go Clip-On Lavalier Microphone
When inspiration strikes, you need to be ready to record as well as look the part. The Rode Lav Go Clip-On Lavalier Microphone is super portable, allowing you to throw it in your pocket or laptop bag with ease. The discrete clip-on design will make sure you look professional as well, whether you're recording video in the field, studio or home.
The reason we think this is one of the best Microphones for YouTube and IGTV is down to the fact that this will deliver broadcast-quality results and offers up a sense of discretion and professionalism. Due to the affordability of these microphones, they're also ideal if you need more to accommodate for guests of co-presenters.
7. Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser Podcasting Microphone
The Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser Podcasting Microphone is ideal for all manner of podcasting applications and YouTube videos and sits comfortably on any flat surface whilst you direct your next YouTube hit. The cool retro look actually provides a great focal point on screen too!
This highly responsive microphone is actually a great option for recording acoustic instruments too thanks to the three preset recording modes; Voice, Instrument and Flat. These presets adjust settings for gain, dynamics and equalisation optimising the microphone to bring out the best from any source.
In addition the Shure Motiv MV5 microphone can be used in a number of applications thanks to the fact you get a Micro-B-to-USB cable for connection to a PC, Mac or Android device, and it’s also available with a Micro-B-to-LTG cable for connection to Apple mobile devices too. This is a great YouTube microphone that can even be mounted on to any standard 6.35mm camera tripod for those of you who film on the go.
Check out the full Shure Motiv range in our handy video:
Shop a full range of microphones ideal for vlogging, YouTube and more over at PMT Online today or call in to your local PMT store to speak to one of our experts about the best microphone for YouTube.
Updated 2019-12-10
