6 Best External Microphones for Action Cameras

Action cameras are great for recording high-octane sports, and even travel videos. You can even vlog with action cameras since they’re small yet powerful. That said, eye-catchy visuals are just one part of the equation — vlogging also warrants good-quality audio. And for that, you will need to use an external microphone for your action camera.

While most action cameras and 360-degree cameras have built-in mics, the audio quality is not up to the mark. So, if you’re looking to record professional-quality audio, here are some of the best external mics for action cameras that you can buy.

Before we get to the mics though, here are some other articles you may be interested in –

• Looking to buy a 360-degree camera? Here are some of the best 360 cameras under $500.
• Take a look at some of the best GoPro alternatives with 4K recording if you want an affordable action camera.
• Looking to buy an SD card for your camera? Check out the best SD cards to buy for 360-degree cameras and action cameras.

Now, here are the recommended products.

1. Boya BY-M1 3.5mm Lavalier Microphone

Boya BY-M1 3.5mm Lavalier Microphone

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Let’s begin with one of the most basic mics that you can buy for your action or 360-degree camera. The Boya BY-M1 is a lav mic that can be connected to either a camera or a smartphone. It’s affordable, and the audio quality you get is better than a lot of mics that cost four times as much.

If you don’t want to spend too much on a wireless microphone for your action camera, a wired lav mic like the one from Boya is your best bet. It has two modes — one for using it with a camera and the other with a smartphone. You just have to plug the 3.5mm jack into the mic port on your action camera, and you’re good to go.

The only drawback of a wired lav mic is that you will have to hold the camera close to you at all times. If you want to vlog with your action camera, this shouldn’t be an issue. There are closer to 5,000 user reviews for the Boya BY-M1 mic, and most of them mention how the mic punches well above its weight in terms of audio quality.

Why you should buy: You should consider getting the Boya BY-M1 if you’re tight on budget and want a mic for vlogging. It’s a good mic for any type of action camera or a 360-degree camera with a 3.5mm jack.

2. Movo VXR10 Shotgun Mic With Shock Mount

Movo VXR10 Shotgun Mic With Shock Mount

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Just like the Boya BY-M1, the Movo VXR10 is also a wired mic. However, it’s a shotgun mic instead of a lav mic. Some users might prefer Movo’s approach, as the company’s shotgun mic doesn’t come with a dangling wire. As such, the mic is more convenient to vlog and recording all sorts of videos.

Unlike a lav mic that comes with a clip-on microphone to attach to your clothes, a shotgun mic mounts on the camera directly. The brand has also bundled in a shock mount and a windscreen that blocks out external noise. While it’s more convenient than a lav mic, the space constraints on an action camera might be a deterrent.

The Movo VXR10 shotgun mic needs to be mounted onto the camera facing the user. But most action cameras don’t have a mount for external mics. That means you will have to buy additional accessories. If you’re willing to do that though, the Movo shotgun mic is highly recommended, as per the user reviews.

Why you should buy: Do you record yourself a lot using your action camera? If yes, the Movo VXR10 mic makes a lot of sense. However, ensure you have a place to mount the mic. It’s a great mic for the insta360 X3 provided you also pick up the insta360 mic adapter and mount.

3. AIKELA Dual Wireless Lapel Mic

AIKELA Dual Wireless Lapel Mic

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The dual wireless lapel mic system from AIKELA is the first of the many wireless mics that you will see on this list. A wireless mic is the most convenient way to record audio using an action camera. You don’t have to deal with any cables and you can be away from the camera.

One of the biggest strengths of the AIKELA dual wireless mic is that you get a versatile receiver that can plug into any device. You can use the mic with your action camera, iPhone, Android device, and even a PC. You also get two mics in the box which should come in handy if you’re recording an interview or if you have two people in the frame.

Despite being cheap, the AIKELA wireless mic has good reviews with users saying that the mic does an adequate job in standard conditions. Where it does fall short though is in windy environments. When not using the mic with your camera, you can also use it for video calls or presentations on your phone or computer.

Why you should buy: The versatility of this mic allows you to use it with any device of your choice. As such, you can plug the mic straight into the Insta360 X3 or any action camera with a USB-C port without needing an adapter.

4. Hollyland Lark L1 Wireless Lavalier Mic

Hollyland Lark L1 Wireless Lavalier Mic

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We’re now moving to professional mics that will give you great audio quality but will also cost slightly more. The Hollyland Lark M1 is a wireless lav mic that comes with a tiny transmitter. It also has noise reduction algorithms for clearer audio.

Clean and crisp audio ups a video’s charm tenfold. And that’s exactly what the Hollyland Lark L1 wireless lav mic promises to offer. Apart from good audio quality, the range of 650 feet promised by the brand is quite impressive. You also get eight hours of battery life on a single charge so you don’t have to worry about charging the mic often.

The reason why we’re recommending the Lark L1 from Hollyland is that the reviews opine that it comes quite close to the Rode Wireless Go II which costs much more. In fact, it’s even better than the Rode mic in terms of design since it’s more compact — something that’s extremely important for a mic that’s going to be used with an action camera.

Why you should buy: The Hollyland Lark L1 is one of the more affordable wireless mics with crisp audio and a tiny form factor. It’s a good fit for a GoPro microphone, especially if you’re in windy environments.

5. Rode Wireless Go II

Rode Wireless Go II

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Rode’s Wireless Go II mic is heralded by content creators. The brand has been making audio accessories for years now and the company’s expertise can be seen firsthand with the Rode Wireless Go II mic.

What you’re getting here is an excellent mic with nominal issues. The sound quality is excellent making it a great choice for anyone who wants professional-grade audio. The receiver also features a small display to indicate the connection status, which is a nice touch.

Of course, no product is perfect and the Rode Wireless Go II is marred by subpar connectivity chops. Some reviews mention that the mic randomly disconnects from the receiver from time to time which can be catastrophic when you’re in the middle of a shoot. Another inconvenience would be that the receiver is quite big so you would have to find a good place to clip it on the action camera.

Why you should buy: If you have used Rode’s microphones previously, you would know that the unit captures surreal audio. Moreover, the Wireless Go II is a reliable wireless mic that fairs well in all conditions, including outdoor shoots.

6. DJI Mic With Noise Cancellation

DJI Mic With Noise Cancellation

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The Rode Wireless Go II was certainly the dominant player in the wireless mic space — until the DJI Mic showed up with some excellent features. For starters, the mic and the receiver are smaller and the noise cancellation is said to be much better on the DJI Mic.

In terms of design, the DJI Mic has several improvements compared to the Rode Wireless Go II. It’s easier to attach to an action camera since it’s smaller. And it comes in a charging case like a pair of TWS earbuds making it extremely convenient to stow when not in use. You also get up to 15 hours of battery life with a single charge which is mighty impressive.

When used outdoors, DJI’s noise cancellation algorithms are superior to that of Rode’s. You also get a discreet magnetic mount using which you can attach the mic to your clothing without revealing its location. The DJI Mic is slightly more expensive compared to the Rode Wireless Go II but the improvements are well worth it.

This one’s a pack of two mics but there’s also a variant with just one mic if that’s what you want.

Why you should buy: The DJI Mic is feature-packed making it one of the best action camera microphones for Go Pros and 360-degree cameras. If you don’t have a fixed budget and want the best possible audio, the DJI Mic will not disappoint you.

Upgrade to Better Audio

A video’s audio quality does not play second fiddle to the visuals, especially if you’re going to upload your recorded clips online. Unfortunately, the internal mic on most action cameras is not up to the task in this regard. So, it’s advisable to pick up an external microphone for your action camera to take your audio quality to the next level.