Best external microphones for iPhone to record sound anywhere

If you’re a content creator, streamer, vlogger, or rely on your iPhone’s mic for work purposes, you’re probably aware that while the iPhone’s mic is good, an external microphone performs better in these circumstances. They’re better at canceling out background noise and delivering crisp audio after processing.

So, if you’re looking for the best external microphones for your iPhone, this article is for you. These mics have been arranged according to preferences, utilities, and budgets. Let’s have a look at the entries.

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1. Logitech Blue Yeti USB Mic – Editor’s choice

• Connector type: USB
• Power source: Corded electric
• Audio sensitivity: 120dB

An all-purpose microphone must do plenty of things well, from recording voices for a video to answering calls. It shouldn’t break the bank either and must showcase durability.

Considering all these things, the Blue Yeti USB mic is a favorite at iGeeks. We use it to record our videos.

The microphone comes with a custom three-capsule array that produces crisp audio for different kinds of videos, whether music videos or vlogs. Moreover, if you like adding extra effects to your voice during processing, the Blue VO!CE software provided with the mic gives you a range of custom enhancements.

You won’t need multiple mic setups either, as this mic has four pickup patterns to minimize audio loss: omni, stereo, flexible cardioid, and bidirectional.

The mic’s quality is also good. Despite the lower price tag, the premium finish and onboard controls provide a more holistic audio recording experience. Lastly, you can adjust the positioning and pivot of the mic to suit your recording process.

Besides, every product by Logitech, the parent company of Blue, boasts parts that can be recycled to create another product. Hence, the microphone is eco-friendly and boasts Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly icon.

Unfortunately, the only caveat with this mic isn’t with the mic itself—it’s with the customer support. Recently, the customer support experience for multiple buyers has been poor.

Check out on: Amazon | Blue Mic | Best Buy

2. Movo VRX10 Universal Video Microphone – Best for interviews

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: No battery required
• Audio sensitivity: 76dB

When you’re interviewing someone, you need a microphone that isn’t too expensive and doesn’t weigh you down. The Movo VRX10 passes both of these criteria with flying colors.

Thanks to its 3.5 mm jack, this microphone is compatible with almost any device, from camcorders to iPhones. Moreover, it isn’t powered by a battery, so you don’t have to worry about charging it lest it run dry in the middle of your vlog.

The mic is constructed using aluminum, adding a strong layer of durability to the product. Even if the microphone slips from your hand and falls a few feet, you can rest assured that it is intact.

Last but not the least, this microphone comes with a 1-year warranty and US-based customer support to ensure that your product’s aftercare is in safe hands.

However, the vocal pickups seem to run slightly on the colder side.

Check out on: Amazon | Movo

3. HyperX QuadCast S – Best for gaming

• Connector type: USB
• Power source: Corded electric
• Audio sensitivity: ≥ 90dB

When you’re gaming, you require a good mic for two purposes. Firstly, you should be heard clearly over the deafening chat of your teammates in-game. Secondly, when you’re streaming on Twitch or YouTube.

The HyperX QuadCast S is near perfect for gaming. The first thing you notice about the mic is its beautiful design with RGB lighting. Once it’s been synced with the HyperX Ngenuity Software, this lighting is dynamic and can change according to your music or gameplay.

The mic’s elastic rope suspension absorbs shocks, rumbles, and associated sounds, resulting in clear audio even in the loudest situations.

Depending on the situation and what you want to be heard the most prominently, you can choose between 4 different polar patterns, such as omnidirectional and bidirectional. If you’re worried about unwanted sounds being picked up by the mic, thanks to its tap-to-mute feature, you can mute the mic instantly.

Pair this mic with great headphones, and you’re good to go. Besides, HP is the parent company of HyperX, adding to its reliability!

However, the headphone jack and USB port are provided at the back of the mic. Understandably, this placement isn’t the greatest as it can clash with many gaming setups.

Check out on: Amazon

4. PowerDeWise Lavalier – Best lapel mic

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: Corded electric
• Audio sensitivity: 74dB

Lapel mics are used in a variety of situations. They’re often used for interviews and public speaking scenarios. As such, they should filter out most of the background noise and reduce any distortions in the voice.

PowerDeWise does all of this and takes it up a notch. The latest iteration of the mic includes a shielded cord that prevents external noise from ruining your experience.

It’s also universally compatible with a host of mobile phones, camcorders, laptops, and audio recorders. However, if you’re buying this for your iPhone, you must buy an adapter separately.

You don’t need to install fancy drivers for this mic, either. You can just plug the mic into your device and use it directly without the need for time-consuming software installations. Instead, you can use this extra time to plug the mic into the 2m extension cord provided with the mic. In the pandemic era, this mic allows some much-needed social distancing.

This isn’t a lapel mic for audio professionals, though. Its noise cancellation feature can be extra sensitive and cut off your recording along with the background noise.

Check out on: Amazon

5. Shure MV88 – Best portable mic for professionals

• Connector type: Lightning
• Power Source: Battery
• Audio sensitivity: 120dB

Shure has been at the top of the audio recording world with its products. The Shure SM57 has been a mainstay in many concerts featuring professional artists, which proves the company’s longevity and reliability.

The Shure MV88 has been nothing less than a boon for audio recording professionals. Gone are the days when you had to carry expensive and heavy equipment around to process different sounds without compromising on quality.

One of the biggest reasons this mic is perfect for iPhones is the proprietary iOS app. This app can be used to change settings and DSP channels (digital signal processing). Additionally, you get a durable body complemented by a metal design.

This microphone can also be swiveled in most directions, making it ideal for professionals who travel frequently and record their audio on the road.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t satisfied with the mic’s battery life. It tends to drain rather quickly, especially if there’s a lot of background noise. It’s also quite expensive.

Check out on: Amazon

6. PoP Voice Professional Lavalier Lapel Microphone – Best budget lapel mic

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: AC
• Audio sensitivity: 30dB

Let’s say you’ve barely enough money to buy a new microphone, but your iPhone’s mic just isn’t cutting it. If this seems like a relatable situation, you could consider the PoP Voice Professional Lavalier Lapel Mic.

This lapel mic is compatible with all iPhones, from iPhone 6S to iPhone 13, other mobile devices, and most PCs or laptops.

The mic doesn’t require batteries to operate either. Instead, it functions on a plug-and-play basis. However, it’s only effective in one polar pattern – omnidirectional.

I didn’t like the microphone’s build quality, however. While you can’t expect high build quality in this price segment, I feel that the manufacturers could’ve done slightly better.

Check out on: Amazon

7. Comica CVM-VM10-K2 – Best microphone under $50

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: Battery
• Audio sensitivity: 100dB

Content creators who delve into content that doesn’t require a heavy emphasis on audio recording and processing would find this Comica offering to be of good value.

The Comica CVM-VM10-K2 doesn’t set you back by a huge amount of money. For around $50, you get a complete smartphone video recording kit that comes with a tripod for more stability during recording sessions.

There’s also a shock mount and furry windscreen to reduce background and white noise. This microphone’s polar pattern is flexible cardioid.

It’s also easy to set up. You can use the microphone by setting up the tripod and connecting the mic with a 3.5mm jack. The shock mount and windscreen can be added just as easily.

You can’t use this recording kit if you’re charging your phone or if the phone isn’t on airplane mode. In either case, the mic picks up on the disturbance, ruining your audio recording.

Check out on: Amazon

8. Rode VideoMic Me Compact TRRS – Best mini-shotgun microphone

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: Corded electric
• Audio sensitivity: 94dB

Mini-shotgun mics are perfect for making Instagram reels and TikTok videos. These small microphones focus directly on the sound source in front of you.

Rode is a big name in the audio industry, and the VideoMi Me Compact TRRS is a great choice for new content creators to make videos with amazing sound quality. The mic has an omnidirectional polar pattern and thus dismisses any background noise that can hamper your recording.

This external microphone for your iPhone is compact and durable and includes a furry windshield for making videos in diverse weather conditions.

One of this mic’s caveats is that it isn’t flexible. It fixes perpendicularly to the mobile device and could hamper your video recording if combined with the windshield.

Check out on: Amazon | Best Buy

9. Moukey Vlogging Kit – Best iPhone microphone for vlogging

• Connector type: 3.5mm jack
• Power source: No battery required
• Audio sensitivity: 43dB

Vlogging can be tricky, especially considering the amount of equipment you may have to carry around. Thankfully, the Moukey Vlogging Kit can help you create premium-quality vlogs without the need for multiple pieces of equipment or accessories.

The mic provided in the kit is unidirectional and best used when pointed directly at the source of the sound. It has a cardioid condenser capsule inside and pairs well with different DSLRs.

The aluminum body also adds durability to the mic and prevents interruptions from high-frequency sounds. Additionally, you’re provided with a mic windscreen, foam cover, and a 3.5mm TRS Output cable.

However, the manufacturers should have provided a mount that connects the stand to the smartphone. While you can use it sans the mount, this missing piece results in an added expense when setting up your smartphone for vlogging.

Check out on: Amazon

10. Piy Painting USB Microphone Kit – Best microphone for podcasts

• Connector type: USB
• Power source: Corded electric
• Audio sensitivity: 45dB

I wonder how many of us have sat with friends and thought about starting a podcast on various topics. I know that I’ve had this conversation with my friends enough number of times. Regardless of whether I start a podcast or not, don’t let budget restraints stop you from starting your own!

The Piy Painting USB Microphone Kit is a good, budget-oriented alternative to the more expensive mics used for podcasts. When you’re starting out, this microphone kit will cover all the basics.

The mic has a 16mm diaphragm for filtering the audio, and the high sampling rate of 192kHz/24Bit results in a crisp recording. The C-clamp and boom arm are sturdy enough to hold the mic’s weight and even adjust the tension, securing the setup to your desktop.

Most importantly, this huge kit can be assembled well within 15 minutes, plugged into your device directly, and used. You don’t even have to install any software to use this mic.

The manufacturers haven’t added a dedicated mute button on the mic despite these parts. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it can be a hassle if you need to mute the recording at certain times.

Check out on: Amazon

Boom, Mic-drop!

Ever since the pandemic, a lot of professional work has moved online. At the same time, many have found the time to start their music channel or podcast stream. It’s no wonder that the demand for external microphones has increased exponentially.

I hope that this list of the best external microphones for iPhone has clarified the budget and preferences you should consider when buying your own. Are you a fan of external microphones? Would you be willing to try them out if you haven’t already? Let me know your opinions in the comments below!

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Editorial Note: When you purchase through our links, we earn a small commission. However, this does not affect our opinions or evaluations. Learn more about our Editorial Process and Disclaimer.

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