Best Cheap DSLR Microphone For Beginners
When you're making content, whether it is for reels or YouTube just having a high-resolution video is not enough. The purpose of attaching a shotgun microphone or a DSLR microphone is to ensure that you can target the specific sound you are looking to capture while cutting out unnecessary sounds that are present around the shoot location.
Another advantage is that these microphones can pick up lower sounds without compromising on the sound quality that you get. These features help your video sound professional, and if you want, you can also connect the mic with boom pole which will give a premium experience to anybody watching it.
The best part is that you don't have to worry about these microphones making a huge impact on your wallet. You can get them at reasonable rates. So here I have made a list of some of the best cost-effective models from which you can choose the best cheap DSLR microphone that meets your needs.
10 BEST CHEAP DSLR MICROPHONE REVIEW
1. MOVO VXR10 - BEST SHOTGUN MIC FOR DSLR
The Movo VXR10 takes value for money to the next level. It comes with some good accessories like a soft case and a Deadcat Windscreen to help you record a better quality of sound. The design of this microphone is made for beginners and amateurs to use without any kind of technical issues or hassles. ,
However, if you do run into any such problems, then there is always a support team that can help you in easing such woes. The ease of use from these features along with its competitive pricing is what makes the Movo VXR10 the best cheap DSLR microphone.
The microphone is constructed with some strong, durable aluminum and is built to last for a long time. The company has faith in the reliability and durability of these parts and has given 1-year warranty on the microphone and all the rest of the components that come with it. This compactly built microphone is ideal for any video maker that travels and has to carry their equipment with them to every shoot location that they go to.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
2) TASCAM TM-2X - BEST STEREO MICROPHONE FOR DSLR
The Tascam TM-2X is arguably the best cheap DSLR microphone because it picks up high-quality stereo sound while handling high sound pressures of unwanted noises up to 120dB.
This microphone is easy to connect to your camera and operate. Thanks to the built-in stereo mini-plug output that you can directly connect to the camera's mic input jack to add some high-quality sounds to the high-resolution video that your camera records.
I really liked this microphone because despite being a budget model, it could deliver optimum performance by picking up a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
What is even more amazing would be the sound isolation ability of this microphone. It isolates unwanted sounds to such an extent that it even eliminates small noises like your arm moving while you operate the camera to record the video. It has a versatile design that allows it to attach a number of accessories like tripods and other kinds of mounts.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
3) MOVO VXR280 - BEST CAMERA MOUNTED MICROPHONE
Movo VXR280 is one of the lightest and most compact cameras mounted microphones on the market, and the notable part is that it doesn't even cost a lot, which makes it the best cheap DSLR microphone.
This microphone is well known for providing a lot of good features at a really competitive price. A team of experts specifically designed this model for videography, sound field recording, and broadcast. You can even monitor the sound being recorded thanks to the inbuilt aux for you to attach a headphone jack too.
The small frame of this microphone makes it the ideal choice to attach it to any kind of camera right from a DSLR camera, camcorder, or even portable recorder. The one thing that really stood out for me would be that the quality of the stereo audio directly recorded from the top of the camera. It is power efficient and functions for long hours on nothing but two triple-A batteries. .
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
4) RODE VIDEOMIC GO - BEST RODE MICROPHONE FOR DSLR
Rode VideoMic GO is probably the best cheap DSLR microphone and here are some reasons why: This microphone uses a modern super-cardioid polar pattern, so it will pick most of its sound from the sources in front of it. It picks up a frequency range of the Rode VideoMic GO is 100Hz – 16kHz, which is excellent for close range videos and singular focus objects.
You also get a 3.5mm jack, so you can conveniently connect it to your DSLR camera. This microphone derives the power from your DSLR device, so you don’t need to purchase additional batteries to power it. The microphone is constructed with high-grade ABS plastic which means that it is durable and lightweight at the same time.
A body made of ABS plastic means that you don't have to worry about things like rust, rot, and many other forms of degradation which tend to happen during outdoor shoots. The input completely drowns out background noises and other sounds while completely picking up only the sounds made by the subject that you are focusing on.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
5) TAKSTAR SGC-598 - BEST MICROPHONE FOR INTERVIEWS
If you want to buy the best cheap DSLR microphone, the Takstar SGC-598. It comes with a cardioid polar pattern, meaning focuses on recording the sound in front of it and also picks up some from the side.
It is ideal for interviews that have multiple interviewers. This microphone is designed with a +10dB gain switch mounted on the side. It is compatible with cameras when you use a 3.5mm jack, and it uses one AA alkaline battery.
The frequency response is 50 Hz to 16 kHz, which is ideal for focusing on one or a few subjects, the sound quality is extremely reliable even if this is your only external microphone. And it is so cheap that you can l even buy one as a backup too for your other microphones.
Something I found worth noting in this model is that it uses a heart-shaped single-point pickup feature that can effectively reduce the noise of the surrounding environment and excludes it in the pickup.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
6) MOUKEY MCM-1 DSLR MICROPHONE
The Moukey MCm-1 can be considered the best cheap DSLR microphone in its class because of its universal compatibility. This microphone requires no additional battery and derives its power from your camera. It comes with a 3.5mm cable that makes it compatible with phones as well.
This model uses a cardioid condenser capsule which focuses the audio pick-up on the subject and cuts down the background noise. It is equipped with an integrated shock mount that reduces handling noise and unwanted vibrations. A Deadcat windscreen comes with this microphone, and it filters all wind and environmental noises from the recording.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
7) VEKSUN TLMIC M-1 VIDEO MICROPHONE FOR DSLR CAMERA
The M-1 Video Microphone comes from Boya and is designed to record interviews, sporting events, ambient audio, and music. The clear, precise audio capturing capacity and competitive price make it the best cheap DSLR microphone.
This microphone is powered by efficient energy-saving environmentally friendly triple-A alkaline batteries. This camera microphone has a wide frequency response that allows it to record a wide range of targeted sounds. The output of the audio recorded with this microphone always has a high-definition sound resolution. They are also known for reliably working for long hours without running out of charge.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
8) COMICA CVM-V30 PRO CAMERA MICROPHONE
The CVM-V30-PRO-R is undoubtedly the best cheap DSLR microphone that you get in the market. With this mic, you get some of the technology like low-cut filter function and 10dB Sensitivity Adjustment.
The CVM-V30 PRO DSLR microphone provides off-axis rejection, which is great for blocking out background noises. It is compatible with any camera that has a 3.5mm audio input jack. The design features a 1/4 external port which helps you mount the microphone to your camera. This microphone requires a Triple-A battery. Vibration noise is also something that you won't have to worry about with this model.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
9) Neewer CM14 Microphone for DSLR
Neewer CM14 undoubtedly deserves the distinction of being called the best cheap DSLR microphone. This battery free microphone is plug and play. It comes with two wires so it can be connected to different types of devices. The Neewer CM14 is universally compatible and can be connected to iPhones, Android smartphones, tablets, PCs, and DSLR cameras.
This microphone uses the best in class Hypercardioid pattern which precisely isolates and targets the source of sound while filtering out background noise. Wind noise is almost completely eliminated by the windfur and the foam cover effectively filters breathing noises.
This microphone is ideal for vlog, podcast, interview, and other uses. Compact and lightweight build to ensure it is easily portable and can be used on the fly.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
10) EMIRAL MIC-05 CAMERA MICROPHONE
The Emiral MIC-05 definitely pops up as an answer when you're wondering which the best cheap DSLR microphone is. This microphone comes in a unique and effective heart shape that sets it apart from the other models. It also uses state of the art dual-head complementary sound interference pickup technology, which helps it pick up sound from as far as twenty meters.
This model has a standard universal connector which makes it easy to mount on almost every mainstream camera. A 3.5mm stereo plug is used to make it compatible to connect with almost every video recording device right from cameras to phones.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Pros
Cons
CONCLUSION
I know that as an amateur blogger/ video maker that it can be really hard to choose the best cheap DSLR microphone. There are a lot of options in the market, and as a beginner/ amateur you won't be looking to spend too much, so you will need to keep your budget in mind when you look for the ideal microphone.
Keeping all of these factors in mind, I have shortlisted some of the best working models of DSLR microphones available (on a small budget of course).
Just listing them wouldn't be that helpful, would it? This is why I have explained the features, pros, and cons that every model has. This way, you can keep your priorities in mind while going through the entire list and choosing the model that feels right to you. Good luck!