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Both Rode and Deity refreshed parts of their shotgun mic lines recently, so a couple of once-standard recommendations (Deity’s S-Mic 2/3 series) have since moved north of $300 and are left off this list on purpose. Below are eight current-generation shotgun mics confirmed under $300, from sub-$50 camera-mount mics up to Rode’s professional-grade NTG5.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deity V-Mic D4 Mini | $40-$50 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Rode VideoMicro II | $79 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Rode VideoMic GO II | $99 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Comica CVM-VM20 | $120-$125 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Audio-Technica AT875R | $159-$190 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Rode VideoMic NTG | $199-$240 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Sennheiser MKE 600 | $260-$295 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Rode NTG5 | $280-$290 for the mic alone | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Deity V-Mic D4 Mini
The cheapest mic here, a compact on-camera shotgun for vloggers and interviews on a tight budget.
- Ultracompact camera-mount design
- Dual audio input (TRS/TRRS)
- 20mph-rated faux-fur windshield included
- Lowest price of any current shotgun mic worth buying
- Genuinely compact for gimbal/vlogging use
- On-camera mics trade off some reach/isolation versus larger shotguns
Rode VideoMicro II
Rode’s current ultra-compact on-camera shotgun, the 2nd-generation successor to the original VideoMicro.
- Ultracompact camera-mount shotgun
- Current 2nd-gen model (not the discontinued original)
- 3.5mm TRS output
- Very light, minimal footprint on small cameras/gimbals
- Rode’s build quality at an entry price
- No USB output, unlike Rode’s pricier hybrid mics
Rode VideoMic GO II
A step up from the VideoMicro II with USB output added, still well under $100.
- Analog and USB-C output
- Lightweight camera-mount shotgun
- Compatible with cameras, phones and computers
- USB output adds direct-to-computer/phone recording flexibility
- Good value step up from the VideoMicro II
- Still an on-camera mic, not a boom-pole professional shotgun
Comica CVM-VM20
A super-cardioid shotgun with a built-in rechargeable battery and OLED display, a common budget alternative to the Rode/Deity on-camera mics.
- Built-in rechargeable battery with OLED power display
- Adjustable low-cut filter modes and gain
- Rycote-style shockmount included on kit versions
- More onboard controls than most mics in this price band
- Good value for interview/DSLR work
- Less established brand reputation than Rode/Deity/Sennheiser
Audio-Technica AT875R
A line-plus-gradient XLR shotgun that’s been an industry budget staple for years, still current and widely stocked.
- Line + gradient condenser capsule
- Short shotgun form factor (175mm)
- XLR output, phantom powered
- Clean, simple sound with minimal coloration
- Long track record in run-and-gun video production
- Requires a separate shockmount/windscreen and an XLR input (camera or recorder)
Rode VideoMic NTG
A hybrid analog/USB on-camera shotgun built around the same acoustic design as Rode’s professional NTG5.
- Hybrid analog (3.5mm) and USB output
- Same acoustic design lineage as the NTG5
- Onboard gain control and safety channel
- Broadcast-grade capsule in a camera-mount form factor
- USB output works directly with a computer for podcasting/streaming
- Priced above simpler on-camera mics like the VideoMic GO II
Sennheiser MKE 600
A long-standing favorite for balancing professional sound quality against price, powered by battery or phantom power.
- Shotgun condenser with battery or phantom power options
- Low self-noise, broadcast-oriented tuning
- XLR output
- Widely regarded as one of the best value-for-sound-quality shotguns available
- Flexible powering options for field use
- Pricier retailers list it close to the $300 ceiling; shop around
Rode NTG5
Rode’s broadcast-grade professional shotgun, confirmed still Rode’s current flagship (no NTG6 has replaced it) and just under the $300 line for the mic alone.
- Ultra-lightweight, moisture-resistant broadcast shotgun
- Very low self-noise (10dBA)
- RF-bias-adjacent acoustic design shared with the VideoMic NTG
- The most professional-grade mic on this list that still fits the budget
- Confirmed current (not superseded) as of 2026
- The full location-recording kit version runs well over $300 — buy the mic-only SKU to stay under budget
Buying tips
- Deity’s current S-Mic 2/3 line has moved to $340-$400, so it’s excluded here on purpose — don’t buy an old listing expecting a $300 price.
- On-camera mics (VideoMicro II, VideoMic GO II, D4 Mini) are lighter and simpler but pick up more handling/camera noise than an XLR boom mic like the AT875R or MKE 600.
- If you’ll ever want a boom pole and separate recorder setup, buy an XLR mic now (AT875R, MKE 600, NTG5) rather than upgrading from a camera-mount mic later.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.