If you are relying on your camera’s microphone for sound quality, you will most likely be disappointed at some point. Bad sound quality is more of a turn-off in video than bad video quality.The onboard microphones in action cameras are never that great.
The same goes for any video camera on the market, actually.
Quick Overview
Before we dive into the details, here are our top picks:
Rode Wireless GO II 
Rode VideoMic Pro R
Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone
SENNHEISER Condenser Microphone, MKE 400 7 Best Action Camera Microphone Attachments in 2025
1. Rode Wireless GO II Single Channel Wireless Microphone System
RØDE is one of the better-known brands in the audio space.
Its microphones and attachments are popular choices amongst amateur and professional videographers.
The Wireless Go II system is ultra-compact and very easy to use. It features dual channel microphones in a package that ways just 45 grams.
Rode Wireless Go II is a great example of why they’re so popular. There are two versions, with either one or two transmitters.
They are compact, square, and easily portable. The transmitter provides onboard recording. This means you won’t lose the audio even if transmission drops out.
2. Rode VideoMic Pro R Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
RØDE’s VideoMic Pro is a larger option, and something more suited to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. The quality of the sound is suitable for a wide range of recordings.
Not every setup requires the microphone to be mounted on top of the camera.
A good choice if you’re trying to record audio where the source is at a distance.
For such a situation, a shotgun microphone is ideal. It’s still a compact system at 23cm in length and weighing just 85 grams. Note the foam covering too.
That’s great for reducing wind noise and will make for clearer audio recordings.
3. Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount
Not another one!? Yes, the RØDE VideoMicro is third on this list as it’s ideal for those situations where the VideoMic Pro is too big.
At 8cm long and only 42 grams, it has a much more compact form factor than the VideoMic Pro.
Despite its size, it still sports a microphone mounting attachment that will isolate the microphone from interference.
The included windshield will reduce wind noise, but it may get in the way of the camera depending on how you mount the microphone.
So this is something to be aware of.
4. SENNHEISER Condenser Microphone, MKE 400 (508898)
The Sennheiser Professional MKE 400, which measures 13 cm in length and weighs more than 300 grams, is the largest action camera microphone attachment on this list.
But don’t give up just yet. Unsurprisingly, Sennheiser provides excellent sound quality; however, the price slightly reflects this.
Another shotgun microphone, it’s probably best positioned off to the side rather than on top of the camera. Using a variety of different attachments, such as a noga arm, this is simple to accomplish.
5. Sennheiser Professional MKE 200
Back to the tiny, the Sennheiser Professional MKE 200 is its smaller sibling.
Again, a shotgun microphone, this 113-gram system is better suited for smaller camera setups where space is limited.
Sold in a “mobile kit,” the microphone comes with a small Manfrotto tripod and with corded wires to allow you to create quite a neat little setup.
6. DJI Mic
The DJI Mic was created specifically for the DJI Osmo Action. It includes a cold shoe adapter for use with other cameras, including your action camera.
A receiver and two microphone/transmitter units are included. And they can all be stored safely in a sturdy charging carry case.
This simplifies transporting, pairing, and charging the units.
The transmitters can be attached to clothing. If that isn’t an option, they also have a magnetic mount.
This is a good option for T-shirts or unbuttoned shirts, for example.
The battery life is 15 hours, far exceeding the recording time of any action camera. Furthermore, the included deadcats will reduce wind noise.
The DJI Mic, like the Rode Wireless Go II, has onboard recording and a safety track (of -6 dB). It also has adjustable gain levels, allowing you to tailor the output of the receiver to the needs of your action camera.
7. Boya BY-MM1
In terms of sound quality, the Rode VideoMicro and the Boya BY-MM1 are nearly identical. Your wallet, on the other hand, will notice the difference because the latter is roughly half the price.
The BY-MM1 includes all of the extras we’d expect from a microphone of this caliber. It includes a deadcat, shock mount, cables, and a carrying pouch.
The BY-MM1 is a solid performer, and I prefer the Boya sound over the Rode. However, the slightly lower performance in the wind may be a deciding factor for you.
What Mic Adapter Do You Need for your Action Camera?
To connect an external microphone to your camera, you’ll also need an additional Mic adapter.
This is because most action cameras lack a dedicated 3.5mm audio input port. The adapters listed below work by connecting the external 3.5mm jack external microphone to your action camera’s USB port.
- Mic Adapter for GoPro Hero Cameras (Hero5 and onwards)
- Mic Adapter for DJI Osmo Action Cameras
- Mic Adapter for DJI Osmo Pocket
- Mic Adapter for Insta360 ONE R
- Mic Adapter for Insta360 ONE X2
You can find them all on Amazon right here.
It should be noted that not all GoPro models will accept an external microphone; here are the models that will: HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black, HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black, HERO5 Session, HERO4 Black / Silver, HERO3+ Black, HERO3 Black, HERO3+ Black, HERO3 Black
What Type of Action Camera Microphone Attachment is Right for You?
Which of the many external microphones available in 2022 is best for your needs?
Microphones can be classified based on how they record audio, the connection, the polar pattern, and even their shape or application.
Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of microphones that work with action cameras:
- Dynamic mics:This category is based on how microphones record sound; they use electromagnetism to convert sound into an electrical signal. These are the most adaptable microphones. They are typically not very expensive and are ideal for studio setups.
- Condenser mics:These microphones are more accurate and deliver a higher quality of audio than dynamic mics – they are also more expensive. Most of them are omnidirectional or bidirectional.
- Shotgun mics: Because of the design that resembles a shotgun barrel, these microphones are highly directional (hence the name). Off-camera mics are more directional than on-camera mics and are ideal for isolating environmental noise and focusing on a single sound source. However, to better select the sensitivity, consider the pickup pattern, which can be super-cardioid, hyper-cardioid, or ultracardioid.
- Lavalier mics: These small microphones are frequently referred to as lapel mics or clip-on mics because they are designed to be worn by the broadcaster or directly attached to their body. As a result, they are mostly used in broadcasting and films where dialogue must be recorded. For clear audio, mount the lavalier about 20-30cm from the mouth (or the sound source).
Another option to using an action camera microphone attachment is to use digital voice recorders.
In this case, no microphone adapter or microphone attachment is required; simply place the voice recorder near the source to capture audio.
Keep in mind that if you’re filming someone talking and using digital voice recorders, you’ll need to time sync the audio in post-production to ensure it matches the source.
Conclusion
Let’s go over why we’re interested in external microphones. An external microphone improves the sound quality of your video recordings significantly. This is true in almost any situation.
You must consider the type of recording you do, the conditions under which you do it, and your budget. This will help you decide which of these external microphones is best for you.
The Rode Wireless Go II is an excellent choice for a lavalier microphone in terms of simplicity and ease of use. If you have the extra cash, the DJI Mic is a very appealing option.
The charging travel case and magnetic mounting options are fantastic.
The choice with a shotgun microphone is to balance performance and personal preference.
The Boya BY-MM1 is my personal favorite due to the richness of its sound. The best action camera microphone attachment will be a balance of performance, price, and personal preference.
An external microphone for an action camera is a great way to increase the production quality of your videos.
And If you are using something as compact as a GoPro, I’d be more inclined to choose the VideoMicro or MKE 200 options due to their size.
After all, audio is key to immersing the viewer!
