Best Shotgun Microphones
Top shotgun microphones ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Rode VideoMic NTG
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 30+ hour internal battery
- USB recording to computer
- Safety channel at -20dB
Cons
- Heavier than simpler on-camera mics
- Auto-sensing sometimes fails
Don't buy this if…
- The auto-power feature may not detect all cameras immediately so manually powering on is recommended for reliable recording.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Professional broadcast quality
- Phantom or battery powered
- Excellent off-axis rejection
Cons
- Larger size for on-camera use
- Premium price point
Don't buy this if…
- The length of this microphone may extend past the edge of wide-angle camera lenses and appear in the frame.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-low 6dBA self-noise
- Brass body rejects RF interference
- Excellent off-axis rejection
Cons
- Requires phantom power only
- Heavier due to brass construction
Don't buy this if…
- No battery option means this mic requires 48V phantom power from your recorder or interface at all times.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-light at 76g for boom use
- Includes PG2R pistol grip
- Natural broadcast sound
Cons
- Premium professional price
- No on-camera shock mount included
Don't buy this if…
- This is a phantom-powered professional mic that requires a field recorder or mixer and is not designed for direct camera use.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-compact 6.9-inch length
- Very light at 86g
- Excellent on-camera form factor
Cons
- Less directional than longer shotguns
- Phantom power required
Don't buy this if…
- The short length means less directional rejection than full-size shotguns so it works best at closer distances.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Tiny 39g weight
- No batteries needed
- Helix isolation mount included
Cons
- Limited directionality vs full shotguns
- 3.5mm output only
Don't buy this if…
- Camera plug-in power is required so verify your camera provides bias voltage on its 3.5mm microphone input.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Internal shock mount system
- Both TRS and TRRS cables included
- Built-in wind protection
Cons
- Pickup pattern is less tight than pro shotguns
- No battery power for gain
Don't buy this if…
- The built-in windscreen provides basic wind protection only and a furry dead cat cover is recommended for outdoor recording.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Dual XLR output for backup
- Ultra-low 7dBA self-noise
- Professional cinema build quality
Cons
- Heavy for extended boom use
- Less brand recognition than competitors
Don't buy this if…
- The dual XLR output design adds weight and bulk that makes this better suited for camera mounting than extended boom operation.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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