Our Top 5 Pick’s (Comparison Table)
Shotgun microphones have diverse use cases and are excellent at isolating the noise from the source of the sound. Shotgun microphones have a longer arm and a slender body, both of which contribute to crystal clear voice capturing of the required source. Best Shotgun microphones cost an arm and leg and are therefore to be purchased only with proper knowledge of the product.
I have scrounged the internet for the best shotgun microphones that have the narrowest field of capture, have increased sensitivity, and can deter outside noise with ease. In this post about the best shotgun microphones, I will cover the following subtopics.
- Which are the best shotgun microphones?
- Detailed Comparison and Review of best shotgun microphones.
- What are their pros & cons?
- Which are the best shotgun microphones that you should buy?
Excited? So Let’s Get Started
Best Shotgun Microphones
Sennheiser MKH 416 – Best Shotgun Microphone
The Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone tops our list for the best shotgun microphones that present an admissible blend of power and performance, all etched in a subtle design.
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Specifications:
| Frequency | 40 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 13 dBA |
| Weight | 73 grams |
| Impedance | 25 Ω |
| SPL | 130 dB |
Features:
Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone is metal construction and can sustain wear and tear for long before signing out. The shotgun microphone offers dual operation modes using AA batteries or a P48 Phantom power. I would advise sticking to AA batteries as phantom power isn’t available on many cameras.
Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone uses a switchable low-cut filter to curb the outside noise include wind noise, exasperating traffic, etc. It has appreciable directivity and tries its best to discard all noise except the one coming from the front of the microphone holder.
The shotgun microphones also use a combined foam windshield and hairy cover that reduces wind noise most effectively. Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone is weather-proof for use in moderate humid climates with ease. At a measly weight of 73 grams paired with a frequency range of 40 Hz to 20000 kHz, no sound goes undetected.
Verdict:
Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone is one of the stellar yet economical choices for the best shotgun microphones. It has phenomenal directivity and can pick the lowest frequencies with ease, making it your perfect audio recording companion.
“Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone is a great option for the best shotgun microphones.”
- Compatible with most Canon cameras
- Lightweight metallic design
- Vague battery indicator
Neumann KMR 81i – Shotgun Microphone 2021
Neumann KMR 81i stands firm in our list of the best Shotgun Microphones ever made for commercial purposes that are a near-perfect design with non-visible flaws whatsoever.
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Specifications:
| Frequency | 20 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 12 dBA |
| Weight | 145 grams |
| Impedance | 150 Ω |
| SPL | 138 dB |
Features:
Neumann KMR 81i has the ultimate sound rejection ever found on a microphone in this category. The design dates back to 1983 bit its efficacy still outperforms many offerings from Shure, Rode, etc. The shotgun microphone has the best natural sound that is devoid of any electronic interference whatsoever.
Neumann KMR 81i consumes very little power but is a hefty build that weighs more than 140 grams. It may not seem much but the camera paired with accessories surely bumps up the weight fast. It also has the least possible self-noise of just 12 dB which doesn’t hinder the audio capturing capability by even the slightest bit.
Verdict:
Neumann KMR 81i is an ultimate champion in the category of the best shotgun microphones ever to grace the earth. Its only downside is that it cannot keep up with the aggressive pricing of many competitors.
“Neumann KMR 81i is the best that the shotgun microphone industry has to offer.”
- Excellent noise rejection
- 90-degree acceptance angle
- Very expensive
Rode NTG5 – Shotgun Microphone For Streaming
Rode NTG5 is one of the best shotgun microphones from a veteran audio brand that supports impeccable audio capturing with a significant bump in the price.
Specifications:
| Frequency | 20 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 13 dBA |
| Weight | 76 grams |
| Impedance | 25 Ω |
| SPL | 130 dB |
Features:
Rode NTG5 is an acoustic design with circular port cutouts which is a great approach to noise cancellation. These cutouts facilitate a greater off-axis response with minimal electronic interference emanating from the microphone.
Rode NTG5 uses a Rycote Lyre shock mounting which is slightly peculiar for a shotgun microphone but does an excellent job of holding the microphone and impeding it from swaying here and there. Rode NTG5 is powered by AA batteries which are rechargeable and also can be powered using a USB Type-C port which allows it to directly connect to different handheld devices without any XLR to USB adapter requirement.
Rode NTG5 weighs slightly more than the Sennheiser shotgun microphone and but at 92 grams isn’t very heavy to carry or move around.
Verdict:
Rode NTG5 has excellent directionality that captures crystal clear sound with minimal electronic interfere. You can easily place your trust and money on the Rode NTG5 which is one of the best shotgun microphones ever made.
“Rode NTG5 captures the tiniest detail with maximum clarity.”
- Newer generation connectivity
- Can directly connect to devices
- No dead-cat included
- Expensive
Rode VideoMic Pro – Best DSLR Shotgun Microphone
Rode VideoMic Pro is probably the cheapest yet best shotgun microphone on our list that packs quite a punch for the asking price.
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Specifications:
| Frequency | 40 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 14 dBA |
| Weight | 85 grams |
| Impedance | 200 Ω |
| SPL | 134 dB |
Features:
Rode VideoMic Pro may not have the USB Type-C connection support like the one mentioned above but compensates it with the 3.5 mm jack that can be connected very easily. The shotgun microphone uses the Rycote Lyre shock mounting and can be installed you your DSLR cameras with ease.
Rode VideoMic Pro weighs just 85 grams, less than its counterpart mentioned above but runs on a single AA battery which supplies an uptime of almost 70 hours. It features an all-new 1/2 inch condenser capsule that is best at minimizing internal noise and keeping it below 14 decibels.
The new construction allows it to double up as a broadcast microphone fit for avid podcast creators. A selectable high-pass filter at 80Hz is included, which will prevent low-end noise such as air conditioners and traffic from being recorded with the primary audio source.
Verdict:
Rode VideoMic Pro retains a few necessary features and couples it with a new condenser microphone which is suitable for admissible sound recording at a distance. It is our recommended pick if you need the best shotgun microphones on a budget.
“Rode VideoMic Pro is fit for budding vloggers and video creators.”
- Slender body
- Effective background noise cancellation
- Needs manual tuning
- Average frequency range
Shure VP89M – Best Shotgun Microphone
Shure VP89M isn’t a typical shotgun microphone and instead is a modular design that can help you find the perfect one as per your surroundings and subject distance. Its modularity and preamplifier design makes it a worthy contender for the best shotgun microphones.
Specifications:
| Frequency | 40 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 15 dBA |
| Weight | 138 grams |
| Impedance | 115 Ω |
| SPL | 130 dB |
Features:
Shure VP89M, as mentioned above, is a modular shotgun microphone that can be extended or tapered as per your preferences. The company is gracious enough to bundle a case and a foam windscreen with it to make a complete package. Even a unique space-saving “double-barrel” adapter is bundled with the shotgun microphone.
Shure VP89M is a production-quality microphone that doesn’t come cheap at all. For the hefty asking price, you get a world-class rugged design with a wider target aperture and off-axis rejection for pure sound recording. Fix it on a boom mic stand or a camera, you won’t be disappointed with the quality at all.
The shotgun microphone by Shure also features a recessed low-cut filter to dampen the outside noise emanating from traffic, audience, or heavy movement. There isn’t any visible flaw that could deter this from being a studio-quality microphone.
Verdict:
Shure VP89M is a worthy competition to the Sennheiser shotgun microphone and the best offerings from Rode. It is modular, which no other shotgun microphone offers, and is, therefore, the most relevant sound capturing device fit for audience interaction.
“Shure VP89M is an expensive but modular approach to shotgun microphones.”
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- Narrow pick-up angle
- Modular design
- Expensive
Audio Technica AT897 – Shotgun Microphone For DSLR
Audio Technica AT897 captures our attention with a short length that blends in with the video production while not straining the hands too much. It is one of the reliable best shotgun microphones available for commercial purposes.
Specifications:
| Frequency | 40 – 20000 Hz |
| Self Noise | 15 dBA |
| Weight | 90 grams |
| Impedance | 25 Ω |
| SPL | 130 dB |
Features:
Audio Technica AT897 is meant for field activities and is a suitable choice for video production and broadcasting that requires a clean sound pick-up. The body is capped at eleven inches to make sure that it can be used in the top or bottom position respective to the sound source without being visible in the video frame.
Audio Technica AT897 is one of the most natural-sounding shotgun microphones with the best quality off-axis rejection and narrow acceptance angle for long-distance voice pickup. It is powered by a battery and phantom power, the latter of which isn’t widely available.
Verdict:
Audio Technica AT897 isn’t a widely popular offering but deserves more attention for its feature-rich design and better sound dampening. It is one of the best shotgun microphones that are widely underrated but pack the loudest punch.
“Audio Technica AT897 is a shotgun microphone suited for video production.”
- Impressive noise rejection
- Leather foam
- Buzzing problem
- Picks up slight background noise
Final Words
Neumann KMR 81i is one of the best shotgun microphones that money can buy. If you don’t have a budget constraint, Neumann KMR 81i should be your focus. Secondly, the Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone is a good option with ample ruggedness and diverse use case applications. If you crave modularity in the best shotgun microphones, Shure VP89M won’t disappoint you at all.
General FAQ
What shotgun mic should I get?
Neumann KMR 81i is one of the best shotgun microphones which usurps most offerings in many aspects.
How good are shotgun mics?
The best, period. Shotgun microphones have excellent sound capturing abilities with the narrowest range possible. They isolate off-axis noise, unlike any other microphones.
Where is the best placement for a shotgun mic?
Where is the best placement for a shotgun mic?
What is the difference between a boom mic and a shotgun mic?
Nothing major. The boom mic is any microphone attached to a boom pole but not all boom microphones are shotgun microphones. Shotgun microphones are favored most at the end of the boom pole.
Does a shotgun mic need phantom power?
If you have dedicated phantom power delivering condenser microphones, you can use them. Phantom power is not suitable for every microphone so check if it can support that extra power. Newer shotgun microphones are powered by AA batteries as well.
Is a shotgun mic good for vocals?
Yes. Shotgun microphones are the best for close-range voice capturing without any distortion.
Are shotgun mics good for streaming?
Yes, but their idea use is best suited for situations like documentaries, film production, live broadcasting, and voiceovers.
What is the fluffy thing on a microphone called?
It is called a wind muff that effectively absorbs the wind from directly hitting the microphone and distorting the audio.
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