10 External GoPro Microphones for Better Audio on Every Shoot

GoPros changed what vloggers can do in the field, but let’s be honest about their biggest weakness: the built-in mic is rough.

Audio quality matters as much as visuals in video content, and the stock GoPro mic makes even gorgeous 4K footage feel amateur the moment someone starts talking. Wind noise, muddy voices, echo in small spaces.

It’s all there.

Fortunately, there are plenty of external mics that solve this problem in seconds, and GoPro compatibility is wide enough that you’ve got real options. I’ve put together the research here so you don’t have to wade through dozens of product pages to figure out which one fits your shooting style.

Add the right one to your kit and you’ll hear the difference immediately.

Quick Comparison Chart

1. SARAMONIC G-Mic Stereo Ball GoPro — Best Overall

If you hate juggling extra batteries or you’re the kind of person who keeps losing adapters on shoots, the Saramonic G-Mic solves both problems in one move.

It’s lightweight, portable, and connects directly to your GoPro Hero’s USB port with zero adapter required. Plug it in, record, done.

One less thing to pack, one less thing to lose.

Calling it “just a mic” undersells it, honestly. It’s a whole little audio upgrade kit that slots seamlessly into your GoPro workflow, whether you’re setting up for an indoor interview or filming in a windy canyon.

Motor vloggers, travelers, hikers, and anyone filming in chaotic outdoor environments will get the most out of it. The G-Mic delivers surprisingly clear audio even when loud ambient noise is happening all around you.

Saramonic throws in both a foam windscreen and a furry deadcat with the package, which is generous at this price point. Too many mics in this category ship bare and leave you buying wind protection separately.

Just because the mic cuts down on harsh noise doesn’t mean it misses the quiet stuff. It captures stereo audio across a 6-12 dB range, which means you won’t be scrolling through playback wondering if you caught what someone said.

One important compatibility note: this mic only works with the Hero3, Hero3+, and Hero4. If you’ve got a newer GoPro, you’ll need to check other options in this list because the newer cameras need a Media Mod for external mic input.

Saramonic backs it with a 1-year limited warranty, plus you’ll usually get a 30-day return window if you buy from a reputable online retailer.

2. EDUTIGE ETM-001 Omnidirectional — Runner Up

If you want a sensitive mic that pulls in sound from every direction equally, the Edutige ETM-001 is hard to beat at this size.

This one’s best for indoor settings where you want to capture the whole room rather than just one speaker. Lecture recordings, roundtable interviews, ambient capture for b-roll.

The omnidirectional pattern is a genuine advantage there.

The -23 dB sensitivity rating means it picks up quiet sounds easily, so it’s a great choice for situations where your subjects might not always be right next to the camera.

Its compact, subtle size makes it ideal for discreet filming where you don’t want a visible mic drawing attention. Just know that you’ll need a mini-USB connection to pair it with a GoPro.

Small mics usually feel fragile, but the ETM-001 is genuinely well-built. Solid construction that can take normal field abuse, and the gold plating on the connector.

The gold doesn’t really improve durability, but it does resist corrosion over time and makes the mic feel considerably more premium in hand.

Compatibility covers HERO2, HERO3, HERO3+, and HERO4. It also works with DSLRs from Canon, Sony, and similar brands, plus laptops, PCs, and audio recorders for multi-purpose use beyond just GoPro rigs.

3. RODE VideoMicro II On-Camera — Best Value

The RODE VideoMicro II is the second generation of RODE’s incredibly popular compact on-camera mic, and it’s even better than the original.

At just 80mm long and 39 grams, it’s one of the smallest shotgun microphones you can mount on a GoPro or any camera.

The VideoMicro II uses RODE’s annular line tube technology, which is a true shotgun design that captures sound from directly in front while rejecting noise from the sides and rear.

No batteries are needed because the mic draws power from its 3.5mm connection, so you never have to worry about running out of juice during a shoot.

RODE’s HELIX isolation mount is custom-built for the VideoMicro II and provides outstanding shock and vibration protection, which is essential for action footage.

The mic ships with both foam and furry windshields, plus TRS and TRRS cables so you can connect to cameras and smartphones.

The all-metal build is incredibly rugged for its size, making it a perfect companion for the rough-and-tumble world of GoPro filming.

4. BOYA WM2G Lavalier Wireless Microphone — Top Pick

If you shoot on more than just a GoPro, the BOYA WM2G is built for you.

Most mics in this category stick to Sony, Canon, and generic DSLR compatibility, which leaves smartphone shooters out in the cold. The WM2G covers both camps, pairing with cameras and phones alike through the included adapter cables.

You can run it with your iPhone on days when the GoPro isn’t right for the shot, which adds a lot of flexibility to a travel kit.

The standout feature isn’t just the compatibility, though. It’s the operating range.

At up to 49 feet, you can capture audio from well off-camera. Concert footage, field interviews at distance, big-space vlogging.

All of it is more manageable with that much range.

This isn’t just a bare mic either. It’s a full mini-kit with every cable and accessory you need to hit record the moment it arrives.

The adapter works with cameras, phones, and PCs, so you’re not stuck scrambling for the right connector.

For travelers who lose gear in backpacks constantly, the hard case is a legit nice touch. Keeps the transmitter, receiver, and cables safely together between shoots.

BOYA backs the whole package with a 1-year limited warranty.

5. REMOVU RM-M1+A1 Wireless Microphone — Top Pick

Wired mics work beautifully when you’re holding the camera in your hand, because the short distance between mic and source keeps the audio clean.

But the second you put the camera down on a tripod or table mount, wired setups start to struggle. You’re suddenly filming from across the room with a mic that was designed to sit inches from your face.

This is where the REMOVU RM-M1+A1 saves the shoot. It’s a wireless mic you clip onto your shirt collar and forget about, recording clean audio no matter where the camera ends up.

If you own a GoPro HERO3, HERO3+, or HERO4, this one’s a strong pick for most outdoor vlogging situations.

Worried about outdoor interviews or concert recordings? The RM-M1+A1 handles both thanks to its 120-foot working range (depending on line-of-sight obstacles), so you can capture stereo ambience and crowd noise without losing your voice in the mix.

Battery life is the other thing videographers complain about with cheap wireless kits. You record for two hours, the battery dies, and suddenly you’re re-recording everything in post.

The RM-M1+A1 ships with two Li-ion batteries that last roughly 6 hours each, and better yet, they’re rechargeable. Throw them on the charger overnight and you’re set for a full day of shooting.

6. RODE VideoMicro Compact On-Camera — Worth Considering

The original RODE VideoMicro is still a fantastic pick if your shooting is mostly indoors.

Its unidirectional pickup pattern keeps peripheral noise out of the frame and delivers clean, focused audio. It won’t match studio mic clarity, but it’s more forgiving than some of RODE’s pricier options, which can actually work in your favor.

Instead of sounding heavily produced, recordings come out natural and effortless. That’s a genuine advantage for vlog-style content where you want your voice to sound like you, not like a radio host.

The body is built from high-quality aluminum, which makes it both lightweight and tough. Compact enough to stash in any camera bag without feeling like you’re carrying extra weight, and rugged enough to survive regular field use.

Aluminum holds up well to daily abuse, so this mic will easily last you years of shooting. If you accidentally drop it (and you will eventually), there’s a good chance it’ll still work perfectly.

Should something actually break, the one-year limited warranty has your back. That’s free and standard on all new RODE mics, but you can bump it up to two years just by registering your purchase on their website.

Two genuinely useful accessories come in the box too. The Rycote Lyre shock mount isolates the mic from handling noise and camera movement, which is crucial for avoiding those thud sounds when you adjust your grip.

The second is a furry windshield. Even though this mic is aimed at indoor shooting, popping on the windshield makes it surprisingly capable outdoors too.

7. Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel Microphone — Worth Considering

Under deadline pressure with no mic and no accessories? This one’s for you.

Assembling an audio kit piece by piece is a time suck, and half the time the pieces you order don’t play nicely with each other. Purple Panda solves both problems by bundling everything into a single package.

This isn’t really just a mic. It’s a complete mini audio kit, ready to hit record the moment it arrives.

That’s the main appeal.

So what’s in the box? First is the lavalier mic itself, which uses an omnidirectional capsule so you don’t have to worry about exact positioning.

It picks up sound from every direction equally.

Audio stays clean and free of background noise in most indoor settings. If you’re working outside, wind can become a problem fast, but the included furry windshield handles most of that.

Heads up: this isn’t a direct GoPro plug-in mic. Wired lavs generally need an adapter to connect to a GoPro, which can be a dealbreaker for some people.

Purple Panda solves it by including the adapter right in the box, so you’re not paying extra to get it working.

The lav clips to your shirt collar and delivers high-quality audio hands-free. It’s the closest thing to a professional broadcast setup at a budget price.

Storage-wise, Purple Panda throws in a free drawstring bag to keep the mic and accessories organized. If you’re just getting started with video, the included audio-recording e-book is a decent primer too.

Compatibility is wide: HERO2, HERO3, HERO3+, HERO4, HERO5, HERO6, HERO7, and HERO8 all work with this kit.

8. SLINT Lavalier Lapel 2 Microphone Kits — Worth Considering

Recording interviews with a single mic is one of the most frustrating things you can do as a videographer.

You’re constantly turning the mic back and forth to catch both parties, which kills the audio rhythm and makes editing a nightmare. The fix is dead simple.

Use two mics. One for each person.

Problem is, buying two separate mic kits usually blows your budget. That’s exactly why Slint put together a dual-mic bundle that solves the problem for a fraction of the cost of two standalone setups.

The kit includes two complete lavalier mics plus all the accessories you need for both of them. Even better, you don’t have to use both at once.

Keep one as a backup in case your primary mic fails mid-interview, which is the kind of insurance that pays for itself the first time it saves a shoot.

Build quality is solid. These mics are made from decent materials and will survive normal field conditions and occasional drops without failing.

They pick up sound across a reasonable range and deliver clear audio with minimal background noise pickup. Outdoor work is where the included wind muffs save the day, and the drawstring bag keeps everything organized.

The best feature, though, is the universal compatibility. These mics work with GoPro cameras, but they’ll also connect to iPhones, MacBooks, PCs for Zoom calls, plus Canon, Sony, and other DSLRs.

One purchase, multiple use cases.

9. Sony ECMCS3 Clip style Omnidirectional — Worth Considering

The Sony ECMCS3 is a compact clip-style omnidirectional stereo microphone that Sony designed for hands-free recording.

It clips right onto your shirt collar, lapel, or pocket, so your hands stay free for whatever you’re doing on camera.

The omnidirectional pickup captures sound from all directions, which makes it a solid choice for run-and-gun GoPro filming where you can’t always control your mic placement.

With a 3.5mm adapter, this microphone connects easily to your GoPro for improved audio capture.

The rotating mic head lets you angle the capsule for optimal recording position, which is a nice touch at this price point.

It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, so you’ll barely notice it while you’re filming.

The ECMCS3 draws power from whatever device it’s plugged into, so there are no batteries to worry about.

If you need to record interviews or two-person conversations, you can pick up two of these and run them into a splitter for a budget-friendly dual-mic setup.

The metal construction makes the microphone durable, meanwhile, as it’s lightweight, it increases the portability of the product.

The product doesn’t come with any extra accessories, but you can use a regular windshield with this item to get a better result outdoor.

10. MXL Mics MM-165GP Lavalier Microphone — Worth Considering

One of the pricier microphones in this lineup is the MXL Mics MM-165GP Lavalier Microphone.

This microphone works with the GoPro Hero3, Hero3+, and Hero4 cameras.

It has a built-in mini-USB jack instead of your usual 3.5mm jack, so no adapter is needed, you can plug-in straight to your GoPro.

The mini-USB jack is also right-angled to be compatible with protective cases should you use one.

Sporting a 5ft Mogami cable, it’s ideal for one on one interviews or selfie-stick vlogging sort of activities.

Two windscreens come with this microphone, one standard foam windscreen, and a bonus furry windscreen.

A furry windscreen applies to windier conditions although there should be some precautions taken with this.

This microphone is great for relatively calm situations such as walks in the park or talking with people.

Situations such as motor vlogging (motorcycle vlogging) are not an ideal use for this microphone although there has been some success towards that.

Some suggest running the microphone inside your helmet or a place where you won’t get much noise interference to get the best out of the microphone.

Being omnidirectional, you don’t need to talk directly to it.

Weighing at 40 grams and sporting a compact design, it’s an ideal microphone for those that want something light and doesn’t draw much attention.

The cable is high quality so you won’t have to worry about wear from frequent use.

Last but not least, it comes with a carrying pouch and cleaning cloth to keep up with device maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a media mod or adapter to connect an external mic to my GoPro?

Most newer GoPro models like the Hero 9 and above require the official Media Mod to add an external microphone. Older models with a mini USB or micro HDMI port can sometimes use a 3.5mm mic adapter, but you’ll want to check your specific model’s compatibility first.

What type of microphone is best for recording GoPro vlog audio outdoors?

A compact shotgun mic or lavalier mic with a furry windscreen works best for outdoor GoPro vlogging. Shotgun mics focus on the sound in front of the camera while rejecting wind and ambient noise, and a deadcat wind cover makes a huge difference in gusty conditions.

Will an external GoPro microphone make my camera waterproof case unusable?

Yes, plugging in an external mic means you can’t use the waterproof housing since it needs an open port for the mic connection. If you need waterproof recording, you’ll have to rely on the GoPro’s built-in mic or use a separate waterproof audio recorder.

Final Thoughts

For GoPro vloggers who want a direct-connect mic without adapters or extra batteries, the SARAMONIC G-Mic Stereo Ball is the simplest upgrade you can make — plug it into the USB port and the audio improvement over the built-in mic is immediately obvious. If you shoot in environments where sound comes from all directions, the EDUTIGE ETM-001 is an omnidirectional alternative that also works with laptops and audio recorders.

Always use the furry windscreen (deadcat) when shooting outdoors, because even a light breeze will ruin your audio on a bare microphone capsule.