Best Shotgun Mics that Will Blow Your Mind in 2023

The supercardioid polar pattern on the VideoMic NTG makes it highly directional and perfect for rejecting background noise.

Its flat frequency response gives a natural and warm sound quality, and it sounds surprisingly identical to the Rode NTG5 XLR shotgun mic, which is almost double in price. The difference with XLR mics like the Rode NTG5 is that you need expensive DSLR audio mixers to use the microphone with a DSLR camera. In contrast, the VideoMic NTG can be connected directly to a DSLR video camera with a TRS cable.

You can also connect this shotgun microphone to your computer through USB, turning it into a USB microphone without needing an audio interface. This same USB port is used for charging the mic. In USB mode, the 3.5mm output jack doubles as a headphone output that can be used for zero-latency direct monitoring.

The VideoMic NTG uses an internal rechargeable battery, which provides 30+ hours of audio recording per charge. Since this shotgun mic can provide its own gain, you don’t need to rely on your DSLR camera’s low-quality mic preamps to get audible sound. Simply turn up the mic’s stepless gain dial and lower the camera’s audio levels to get clear, noise-free audio.

Another great feature is the auto-sensing 3.5mm output that detects whether you connect to a DSLR video camera or mobile device. All you need to do is connect the provided TRRS to TRRS cable, and this shotgun microphone will detect the connected device like magic. No more fumbling and figuring out whether to use a TRS or TRRS cable.

Also, this shotgun microphone automatically turns on with the camera and vice versa. This ensures you never forget to switch on your microphone and miss out on an audio recording.

One of the best features of the Rode VideoMic NTG is its safety channel, which records a separate audio track onto the right channel at -20dB (the original audio recorded on the left channel). This will save you from situations where the original audio is clipping, and you cannot record the event a second time. You can still use the second track recorded at a lower gain.

It has useful features for live situations where you have to give the audio some quick processing. It has a -20db pad for places with loud sounds, a presence boost where you want to add clarity to the audio, and a low-cut filter (75hz or 150hz) for removing low background noise such as fans, air-conditioning, and wind noise.

The provided Lyre cold shoe shock mount has sliding rails to adjust the mic’s position, allowing it to be moved out of sight of a wide-angled lens or brought forward when using the camera’s viewfinder. The shock mount also features cable management slots to keep your cables organized and prevent them from dangling.

There are a few things to remember with the VideoMic NTG, though. The 120 db Max SPL might not be high enough to record loud instruments, so close miking an electric guitar amp may sound distorted.

Additionally, the rechargeable battery may start to lose its charge over time, and unfortunately, the battery cannot be replaced.

For just $99, this mic is an absolute steal. The V-Mic D4’s audio EQs beautifully with a well-balanced sound that slightly favors mids. Its supercardioid polar pattern provides excellent sound isolation, perfect for capturing your voice along a bustling city street.

This shotgun microphone also has pleasantly low self-noise and excellent protection against radio frequency and electromagnetic interference, making it ideal for use in quiet places and critical audio recording.

The Deity D4 operates with a user-replaceable AAA battery, lasting up to 60 hours with a lithium battery. You no longer have to worry about those irreplaceable rechargeable batteries losing their charge over time.

Like the Rode Videomic NTG, the battery power allows the Deity D4 to provide sufficient clean gain using its stepless gain knob, which ranges from -5 to +10 db. Hence it does not have to depend on the gain provided by a DSLR camera.

The Deity D4 has a USB-C output port that lets you connect to digital or analog devices, from DSLR cameras and audio recorders to PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.

The provided shock mount effectively eliminates handling noise and vibrations, perfect for your on-the-go vlogging needs.

The shock mount is attached to a cold shoe mount with a sliding rail that allows for attaching a wireless transmitter like the Rode Wireless GO II. The sliding rail also allows for adjusting the mic’s position to get it out of the way of wide-angle lenses or when using the viewfinder.

The cold shoe mount can swap between 3/8″ and 1/4″ mounting solutions using a thread adapter to mount the mic to a boom pole or mic stand.

One downside is that it doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone monitoring output, so you’ll need to listen through your computer – which can have some latency.

The NTG3 is Rode’s flagship microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern. This long shotgun microphone effectively isolates sounds directly in front of it while rejecting noise from the sides.

The NTG3 has a flat frequency response that gives accurate sound representation and excels at capturing the low ends of human voices while maintaining the clarity of the high frequencies.

It delivers smooth, warm audio on par with the industry-standard Sennheiser MKH 416. Plus, with a low equivalent noise level of just 13dbA and extremely low handling noise, you won’t have to worry about unwanted background noise ruining your recordings.

But the NTG3 isn’t just great for recording in the studio or controlled environments. It has an RF condenser design that makes it highly resistant to moisture and condensation, making it an excellent choice for outdoor shoots and adverse conditions. Even in humid environments, the audio quality remains crisp and clear.

The NTG3’s all-metal body is incredibly durable and well-built, able to withstand shocks and multiple drops. And with a 10-year warranty, you can trust that this shotgun mic will be with you for the long haul.

When you’re not using the NTG3, you can store it safely in the provided water-resistant aluminum storage cylinder with interior protective foam.

If you want to get rid of wind noise, you might want to consider investing in the Rode WS7 Deluxe Windshield, which is a Deadcat furry windscreen to protect your mic from the elements.

For the ultimate shock and wind protection, you’ll want to go for the Blimp with the Dead Wombat windshield. This industry-grade system features a Rycote Lyre suspension system for superior isolation from handling noise and an ultra-lightweight and ergonomic handle.

The downside to the Rode NTG3 (other than the price) is that it is not ideal for run-and-gun vlogging due to its length. It’s better to attach it to a boom pole rather than make your DSLR camera look like a fishing rod.

Additionally, you’ll need to spend extra to get a DSLR audio mixer like the Comica CVM-AX3 to convert XLR to 3.5mm TRS and provide phantom power to the mic. Otherwise, you would have to go through the trouble of recording on a standalone audio recorder and syncing the audio and video during post-processing. But then again, who needs money for food when you’ve got a mic this good?

The Sennheiser MKE 400 is a supercardioid shotgun mic that delivers crystal clear quality audio with a crisp high-end and a mid-range boost unmatched by other portable shotgun mics, like the Deity D4 Mini or the Rode Videomicro. Plus, its off-axis rejection capability is top-notch, it does very well at rejecting unwanted noise from the sides.

Unlike other shotgun mics that stick out like a sore thumb, the MKE 400 is a compact shotgun mic that blends seamlessly with your camera setup.

Remember, I mentioned unique features? The most amazing feature is its integrated wind protection and internal shock mount, a total game-changer. It’s like Sennheiser decided to take one of its great-sounding shotgun microphones and enclose it in a miniature Blimp.

The integrated shock mount and wind protection are so effective at removing handling and wind noise, and the best part is you don’t have to bring along a Deadcat windshield or one of those Rycote Lyre shock mounts with you.

This on-camera DSLR mic also has a built-in 200Hz low-cut filter which removes low-frequency rumbles like air-conditioning, car, and wind noise, further enhancing its ability to reject unwanted background sounds.

It has a 3-step sensitivity gain switch to adjust your gain sensitivity to optimize recording levels in different environments as well as a headphone output jack with volume adjustment for direct monitoring.

The MKE 400 has interchangeable 3.5 mm TRS and TRRS cables for connecting to mirrorless cameras, DSLR cameras, or mobile devices. It has a lockable microphone output jack positioned in front of the mic, ensuring the mic cable does not come loose or block the viewfinder of the DSLR video camera.

Similar to other smart mics like the Rode Videomic NTG and Deity D4, it has an automatic power on/off feature, which powers up the shotgun microphone when you turn on the camera, a great feature, especially if you’re a forgetful person.

This DSLR mic operates on two AAA batteries that provide up to 100 hours of usage, and it even has a red indicator light that comes on when there are 3 hours of battery life left. This gives you enough time to swap out the batteries before they go flat.

The downside to this already incredible DSLR microphone is that the self-noise is quite audible, especially when the sensitivity switch is turned to ‘+.’ But it might not be a deal-breaker if you use this DSLR mic for vlogging in a noisy environment.

What sets the Sennheiser MKE 440 DSLR mic apart is its innovative V-shaped dual shotgun mics that amplify frontal sounds and give a sense of spatial perception in the video. You’ll feel like you’re in that same physical space and hearing what your camera sees.

The MKE 440 has a similarly warm, crisp, high-quality audio to the Sennheiser MKE 400. It also has a built-in low-cut filter for cutting out low-frequency rumbles and a 3-step gain sensitivity switch for stepping up or down the gain in various environments.

Like the MKE 400, the MKE 440 has the same amazing integrated wind protection and internal shock mount that effectively removes wind noise and handling noise without requiring you to bring a shock mount or windscreen.

Additionally, the wind protection is a stainless steel micromesh shielding against electromagnetic interference so you can get crystal-clear audio every time.

The MKE 440 DSLR mic runs on 2 x AAA batteries that can last up to 100 hours, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of power during a shoot. Plus, the red indicator light comes on when there are only 4 hours of battery life left, giving you plenty of time to swap out batteries before they go flat.

One downside is that the 3.5mm cable is hard-wired into this DSLR microphone and cannot be detached if damaged. You will have to send the MKE 440 back to the supplier to get it fixed.

Also, the microphone does not automatically turn on with your DSLR video camera. You will have to remember to do this manually, or else you will be left with an empty audio track in your video.

But with all the other amazing features this DSLR mic offers, I think it’s a small trade-off for the incredible audio experience you’ll get.

The Sennheiser MKE 600 is excellent for both indoor and outdoor audio recording. It’s perfect for podcasting and professional studio work, as well as for mounting on a boom pole or DSLR camera for interviews, indie or documentary-style filmmaking.

It has a supercardioid polar pattern with better directionality and off-axis rejection than similar shotgun microphones, which is ideal for capturing high-quality audio in noisy environments.

The Sennheiser MKE 600 captures the smooth low end of human voices without sacrificing the crisp and intelligible high end that only a shotgun microphone can provide. In terms of audio quality, I would say it is superior to the Rode Videomic NTG but slightly inferior to the Rode NTG3 (or Sennheiser MKH 416) on this list, which is remarkable.

It also has a low-cut filter at 100 Hz, which effectively removes low-frequency rumbles from fans, air conditioning, and other background noise. Its low self-noise and radiofrequency interference rejection makes it a great choice for professional recordings.

The Sennheiser MKE 600 has versatile connectivity. It can be connected to an audio interface via an XLR cable or a DSLR camera using the provided KA 600 XLR to TRS adapter cable. You can also purchase the KA 600i XLR to TRRS adapter cable to connect this shotgun mic to a smartphone.

The mic requires phantom power but can be operated with a replaceable AA battery, which can last up to 150 hours and lights up with an LED when it’s down to 8 hours of battery life.

However, there are a few downsides to the Sennheiser MKE 600. It does not have a headphone jack for audio monitoring, and despite being battery-operated, it doesn’t have other filters like a treble boost or adjustable gain levels. Additionally, it doesn’t automatically turn on or off with the camera, so you must remember to manually turn it on and off.

The VideoMicro is a featherweight at just 42g, making it an ideal option for those always on the go.

But don’t let its small size fool you – the VideoMicro can be used as an external microphone to deliver crisp and clear audio quality better than the cheap internal microphone of DSLR video cameras.

Its cardioid polar pattern is great for focusing on sounds in front while rejecting side and back noises. And thanks to the included Lyre shock mount, you don’t have to worry about any knocks and bumps ruining your recordings.

It’s also a plug-and-play shotgun microphone, meaning you can easily attach it to your camera and start recording immediately – no batteries required. And the best part of all, if you are a beginner, is it doesn’t have any complicated controls to meddle with.

The VideoMicro is also built to last, with an aluminum body coated in a high-grade ceramic black anti-glare finish, so you don’t have to worry about dropping this thing.

Despite being a compact mic, the V-Mic D4 Mini is an affordable on-camera DSLR mic that provides crisp and clear audio quality, a step up from the cheap internal microphone of DSLR video cameras. However, don’t expect it to sound like a Shure SM7B, especially when it’s so cheap.

One great thing about this shotgun mic, like the Rode VideoMicro, is that it doesn’t require any batteries. It’s handy as a backup or travel mic that you can easily use without any complicated setup.

The shotgun mic output jack is cleverly located at the side instead of the back of the mic, preventing the cables from getting in the way of the camera’s viewfinder.

The standout feature of the V-Mic D4 Mini is its 3.5mm mic input at the side of the shotgun microphone. When you plug another mic into this input, audio is sent to the right channel of your camera. This gives you versatility for plugging in a wired mic or even a receiver that can be used with wireless lavalier microphones.

The V-Mic D4 Mini ships with a TRS to TRRS cable, making it compatible with mobile devices and even adaptable to iPhones using a TRSS to lightning cable adapter.

One of the best things about the ECM-B1M is that it is lightweight, compact, and has many integrated features that you won’t need to bring along any connecting cables, batteries, or shock mounts. This makes it a breeze to use on the go.

It has three switchable polar patterns – supercardioid, cardioid, and omnidirectional, to give you maximum flexibility for picking up sound in different scenarios.

The ECM-B1M has 8 microphone capsules that use beamforming technology to achieve extremely sharp directivity, effectively rejecting off-axis sound. The audio quality is incredibly clean and crisp when used in digital mode with a Sony camera that has a digital audio interface.

Since the ECM-B1M is connected and powered by the camera’s Multi-Interface Shoe, you won’t experience mechanical noise transmission through cables and connectors. And it doesn’t require any batteries, one less accessory you need to carry!

The integrated shock and vibration suppression is excellent at minimizing handling noise. The low-cut filter effectively removes low-frequency rumbles from fans, air-conditioning, and other background noise.

But what’s really incredible is the noise cancellation filter, which can remove a drastic amount of background noise; this enhances the ECM-B1M’s already impressive off-axis rejection capabilities, making it one of the best DSLR microphones for noisy environments. However, you might still want to add a windshield in case of strong winds.

Another great feature of the ECM-B1M is the sound attenuation switch, which allows audio padding in steps of 10db and 20db for situations with very loud sounds. On top of this, you can manually adjust the gain of the microphone, giving you complete control over your audio.

The only downside of the ECM-B1M is that Sony made one of the best DSLR microphones that can only be mounted to Sony cameras with a Multi-Interface Shoe.

Also, if you want to connect it to a boom pole or mic stand, you’re out of luck. Additionally, there’s no indicator light to tell you if the camera’s microphone or the ECM-B1M is in use, but this is a minor issue that can be easily overlooked.

Many claim that you would have heard this shotgun microphone being used in many famous movies and TV shows, but I could only verify that Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) has used the Sennheiser MKH 416 as one of their shotgun boom mics.

Regardless, the audio quality of the Sennheiser MKH 416 is impeccable, the built quality is highly durable, and its RF condenser design makes it moisture-resistant, making it perfect for outdoor filmmaking.

The highs are crisp, the lows are tight, and the mids are great. It’s so good that you won’t need post-processing to get a good sound quality, other than adding some gain to increase the levels.

This long shotgun microphone has impressive feedback rejection and low self-noise, making it suitable for critical audio recording in quiet places.

The highly directional pick-up pattern is perfect for capturing dialogue and excellent at rejecting plosives, but you need to follow your talent tightly if you are using it as a boom mic above them.

However, this shotgun microphone is not designed for music production which is better suited for dynamic mics and condenser mics. Ribbon-type microphones are also great for recording music; they give vocals and instruments a warm, vintage sound quality that is pleasing and smooth to listen to.

If you are not particular about the brand, the Rode NTG3 performs equally well as the Sennheiser MKH 416. The difference is that the MKH 416 is more well-known and sought after, which might be a deciding factor if you want to land professional gigs with your clients.

Similar to the Rode NTG3, if you intend to use the MKH 416 with a DLSR video camera, you would need to get a DSLR audio mixer like the Comica CVM-AX3 to convert XLR to 3.5mm TRS and provide phantom power to the microphone. Otherwise, you would need to go through the hassle of recording audio separately on a recording device and sync up the video and audio later.