At a Glance#
Product : RØDE VideoMicro II
Brand : RØDE
Best For : Content creators and vloggers who need professional audio without adding weight to their camera rig
Form Factor : Ultra-compact on-camera shotgun microphone, 80mm x 22mm
Buy Now : View on Amazon
Key Highlights:
- Supercardioid pickup pattern captures focused audio while rejecting side and rear noise
- No batteries required — draws power directly from the 3.5mm connection
- Innovative HELIX isolation mount eliminates handling noise and vibrations
- All-metal construction in a 39-gram body that fits in any pocket
- Complete kit with foam windshield, furry windshield, and dual cables for cameras and smartphones
Who Should Buy This#
The RØDE VideoMicro II hits a sweet spot for creators who want a real audio upgrade without the complexity or bulk of larger microphones. RØDE rates it at 79 dB signal-to-noise, 110 dB SPL of headroom and 95 dB of dynamic range, from a body that weighs 24 grams.
Perfect for:
- Vloggers and YouTubers who need clear, focused voice capture without carrying a separate audio recorder
- DSLR and mirrorless camera users who want to replace their camera's mediocre built-in microphone with something professional
- Smartphone filmmakers whose phone still has a 3.5mm jack, or who already carry a 3.5mm adapter, and want a compact mic that runs off the included TRRS cable
- Run-and-gun shooters who need a reliable microphone they can mount in seconds without fiddling with batteries or settings
Design & Build Quality#
The VideoMicro II is built like a miniature tank. The all-metal body feels solid and premium despite weighing less than two AA batteries. At just 80mm long and 22mm in diameter, it disappears on top of a camera — you barely notice it is there.
RØDE redesigned the shock mount for this generation. RØDE's claim for the new HELIX isolation mount is that it gives "superior protection from knocks, bumps and handling noise". RØDE describes the base as a cold shoe mount with a 3/8-inch thread, so it drops onto a camera shoe and also takes a boompole or stand adapter, and it keeps the mic stable during active shooting. The integrated cable management keeps your setup clean and tangle-free.
Key Features#
Annular Line Tube Technology for Focused Audio#
The VideoMicro II uses RØDE's proprietary annular line tube technology — a first in a microphone this small. The supercardioid polar pattern captures sound directly in front of the mic while rejecting noise from the sides and rear. This means your subject's voice comes through clearly even in noisy environments like busy streets or crowded events.
Zero-Battery Operation#
There are no batteries to charge, no power switches to forget, and no complicated menus. The VideoMicro II draws all the power it needs through its 3.5mm TRS connection. Plug it into your camera's mic input and hit record. This simplicity makes it the most reliable microphone in your kit — it works every single time.
HELIX Isolation Mount System#
Handling noise ruins more video audio than anything else. The HELIX mount uses a suspension system that isolates the microphone from knocks, bumps, and vibrations transmitted through your camera body. Whether you are walking, panning, or adjusting settings mid-shot, the mount absorbs movement so your audio stays clean.
Dual Windshield Protection#
RØDE includes both a deluxe foam windshield for light indoor use and a deluxe furry "dead cat" windshield for outdoor shooting. (The Amazon listing labels the furry one WS12; RØDE's own user guide numbers it without a model code.) The furry shield significantly reduces wind noise, making it viable for outdoor recording in moderate conditions. For heavy wind, you may need additional coverage around the shock mount area, but for most shooting scenarios, the included windshields handle the job.
Universal Compatibility#
The box includes two cables: an SC13 TRS-to-TRS cable for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and an SC7 TRS-to-TRRS cable for smartphones and tablets. This dual-cable approach means one microphone covers your entire kit — any camera with a 3.5mm microphone input takes the SC13 directly, which covers the mirrorless and DSLR bodies from Canon, Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm.
The limit is the socket, not the mic. A device with no 3.5mm input needs its own adapter: current iPhones and many Android phones dropped the headphone jack, and action cameras such as GoPro require the manufacturer's own 3.5mm mic adapter. Check your device has a 3.5mm input before assuming the included cables finish the job.
Two smaller details worth knowing: the mount has a thread for a boompole as well as the camera shoe, so the mic is not locked to the top of a body, and RØDE designs and manufactures it at its own facilities in Sydney, Australia.
Technical Specifications#
Acoustic Principle : Pressure gradient electret condenser
Polar Pattern : Supercardioid
Frequency Response : 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio : 79 dB
Output Impedance : ~2.6 kΩ
Maximum SPL : 110 dB SPL
Dynamic Range : 95 dB
Sensitivity : -30 dBV (31.62 mV @ 94 dB SPL) ±1 dB @ 1kHz
Dimensions : 80mm length x 22mm diameter (3.14 x 0.85 inches)
Weight : 24g (mic only), 39g with HELIX isolation mount
Connector : 3.5mm TRS output
Power : Plug-in powered (no batteries)
Included Accessories : HELIX isolation mount, deluxe foam windshield, deluxe furry windshield, SC7 TRS-to-TRRS cable, SC13 TRS-to-TRS cable
Pros & Cons#
Pros:
- Professional-grade directional audio from a 39-gram microphone
- No batteries needed — zero maintenance, always ready to record
- HELIX mount is rated by RØDE for superior protection from knocks, bumps and handling noise
- All-metal construction survives drops and daily abuse
- Includes everything you need: SC7 and SC13 cables, deluxe foam and furry windshields, HELIX mount
- Mount carries both a camera shoe and a boompole thread, so it is not stuck on top of a body
Cons:
- Wind noise can be an issue when wind hits the shock mount from the side or rear
- No USB output — cannot connect directly to computers for streaming
- Highly directional pickup means off-axis subjects sound noticeably quieter
- Needs a 3.5mm input: modern phones and action cameras require their own adapter
- A step up from budget alternatives, though it outperforms them significantly
Final Verdict#
Buy it. The RØDE VideoMicro II is the rare compact microphone that delivers genuinely professional audio quality without compromise.
Our recommendation: If you shoot with multiple cameras or devices, grab two — you can outfit your entire rig without stepping up to a premium wireless system. Check current availability: View on Amazon
FAQ#
Does the RØDE VideoMicro II need batteries?#
No. It is plug-in powered, drawing what it needs through the 3.5mm TRS connection, and RØDE states there is no battery required and no switching to set.
Will it work with my iPhone or a GoPro?#
Only through a 3.5mm adapter. The included SC7 cable ends in a TRRS plug, so the device needs a 3.5mm socket. Current iPhones and many Android phones no longer have one, and action cameras such as GoPro need the manufacturer's own 3.5mm microphone adapter.
What comes in the box?#
The VideoMicro II, the HELIX isolation mount, a deluxe foam windshield, a deluxe furry windshield, an SC7 TRS-to-TRRS patch cable and an SC13 TRS-to-TRS patch cable.
How much does it weigh?#
24 grams for the microphone alone and 39 grams with the HELIX isolation mount fitted. It is 80mm long and about 22mm in diameter.
Is it better than the original VideoMicro?#
The VideoMicro II adds RØDE's annular line tube technology, a true supercardioid pattern and the HELIX isolation mount, which RØDE rates for superior protection from knocks, bumps and handling noise.