Quick list
1. Best Overall
2. Best Lightning
3. Best Value
4. Best Lavalier
5. Best for Interviews
6. Most Flexible
Q&A
If you do any amount of video filming with your iPhone, then you've probably found the built-in microphone... wanting. It's not that they're bad, per se, but they're not great if you're trying to get top-quality audio out of your iPhone. That's where a separate, USB-powered microphone for your iPhone comes into play — a dedicated recording device that improves the sound recording from your phone.
There are a couple of things to bear in mind when you're looking for an external iPhone microphone. First of all, is the plug that it uses to connect to your iPhone. Some of them will use a Lightning connector — those will work with the iPhone 14 line and older. If you've got an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, however, then you'll be looking for one with a USB-C port. This list contains microphones with both connectors, and we'll tell you which iPhone each model will work with.
Secondly, you have to work out how you want your microphone to attach. There are some options here that stick to the iPhone, clicking into place on a tripod or in the charging socket. Some, however, are lavalier mics, which have a receiver on the USB side and then a mobile, wireless mic that you attach to your subject. These are great for recording one person, such as during an interview.
Quick list
Best Overall
The VideoMic GO is an excellent portable Mic that's both super flexible and very well-priced indeed. It uses a USB-C connector so you can plug it into your iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, and with an adapter, you can hook it up to something older as well. It even comes with mounting hardware for a tripod.
Best overall
This microphone clicks into the lightning port of your iPhone, and then provides the extra sound quality that you want while recording video. It's a Lightning model so it won't work with an iPhone 15 without an adapter, but it's an excellent microphone with a solid price.
Best Value
This more affordable microphone connects over a 3.5mm adapter, so you'll need either a Lightning or USB-C dongle for it to work with the best iPhones. It's a wired lavalier Mic, perfect if you want to record one subject in particular.
Best Lavalier
This lavalier mic clips onto a shirt collar, and then plugs into your iPhone with a Lightning connector. If you want to use this one with an iPhone 15, then you'll want to add a USB-C adapter. There's a headphone adapter in the box as well so that you can use it with other devices as well.
Best for Interviews
This is the most expensive microphone on the list, but for good reason. The kit comes with a tripod to mount it for interviews, and it connects to iOS using a USB-C cable for iPhone compatibility.
Most Flexible
This option attaches to a camera with a special mount, and then plugs in with a 3.5mm headphone jack. You'll need an adapter for it to work with your iPhone, but it means it'll work for loads of different applications and devices.
Best overall
The Rode VideoMic Go II is about as easy to use as they come. It plugs into your iPhone with a USB-C cable, and then records sound when you record video. It's a darn sight better than the mic built into your iPhone 15 as well, so those recordings are going to sound loads better than they might otherwise.
There are some bonuses to the mic as well — it has a tripod mount, and it will even mount to the flash socket of a camera. There's a pop filter in the box as well, to make sure there's less noise and sibilance to recordings. It's light too, weighing just 89 grams.
The best bit? It's very well-priced, coming in at just under $100, so you get easily one of the best external mics around for a not ridiculous outlay.
Best Lightning
The RØDE VideoMic Me-L is a high-quality directional microphone that doesn't require a battery and effortlessly plugs into your iPhone via the Lightning port. The durable aluminum body makes it perfect for taking on adventures like camping and traveling. At the same time, the small and portable design means you can pop it into your bag without any hassle. The RØDE VideoMic Me-L can be paired with a fuzzy windscreen to keep the recorded audio as crystal clear as possible, which is why it's the best iPhone external microphone.
The RØDE VideoMic Me-L is a reliable and rugged external microphone with a cardioid polar pattern and windscreen to provide clear sound.
Best Value
This little powerhouse of an iPhone external microphone has an omnidirectional mic head that can plug directly into your device, from the iPhone 7 and earlier to newer iPhones with a headphone adaptor (not included), or even into your laptop with an included adaptor. The extra-long cable (155 inches) gives you plenty of room to move around. It comes with three wind muffs in different colors.
The PoP Voice Lavalier Microphone is a small but mighty microphone that allows you to record sound, speech, music, and more.
Best Lavalier
The PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone is a noise-canceling clip-on iPhone external microphone that lets you record your voice as crystal clear as possible. You'll need to have a Lightning to headphone jack adapter to use this microphone with newer iPhones. Simply clip and attach it to your clothing, plug it into your iPhone, unravel the 78-inch cord, and start recording your iPhone video.
The PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone is a noise-canceling clip-on mic that works effortlessly with your iPhone.
Best for Interviews
The Shure MV88+ comes in a variety of different kits, with our favorite being the Video Kit. That comes with all the extras you need for the microphone to be perfect for your video recordings, including a tripod, tripod mount, and phone clamp. If you want to buy the MV88+, this is the way to do it.
As for the mic itself, while it might be the most expensive on the list, there are some key reasons that you might want to pick one up. It's small and super portable for one, and Shure makes some of the best microphones around so you're guaranteed some excellent recording quality,
The easy-to-use Shure MV88+ Digital Microphone is portable with five different preset modes for the ideal recording in any situation.
Most Flexible
The shotgun-style Movo VXR10 Universal Cardioid Condenser Video Microphone will improve the sound of your video, whether you use it with your iPhone or DSLR camera. When using it with an iPhone 7 or newer, you will need a Lightning to headphone jack adapter. The mic's cardioid condenser capsule helps eliminate peripheral noises so you can focus on your subject. It picks up a wide range of sounds and pitches, so you'll need to do less editing later. The furry windscreen for use outside is included.
This well-priced video microphone can be used with your iPhone or your DSLR.
Q&A
Which iPhone microphone should I buy?
Whether you use an iPhone 15 or any other model, one of these microphones will improve the sound quality of your videos. Our top pick for the best iPhone external microphone is the RØDE VideoMic Go II for its quality and price. It's durable and scratch-resistant. The VideoMic provides sound clarity with its cardioid polar pattern, which eliminates background noise so you can focus on the subject directly in front of the mic.
