Microphones

On-Camera

• under $100: Rode VideoMic Go II ($99) / Sennheiser MKE 200 ($79)
• under $200: Sennheiser MKE 400 ($199)

Shotguns (outdoor boom mics)

You can also get equipment for much cheaper by renting!

• under $200: Audio-Technica AT875R ($169)
• under $300: Rode NTG2 ($269)
• under $400
  • Sennheiser MKE 600 ($329)
  • Rode NTG4+ ($399)
• under $500: Rode NTG5 ($499)
• under $1000: Rode NTG3 ($699)

Hypercardioid (indoor boom mics)

You can also get equipment for much cheaper by renting!

• under $200: Synco Mic-D2 ($199 $169)
• under $300: Oktava MK-012 ($269)
• under $1000: Audio-Technica AT4053b ($699)

Lavalier

• wired
  • budget: cheapest one available
  • under $50: DJI Lavalier ($49)
  • under $100: Rode Lavalier II ($81)
• wireless (has option for on-camera receiver)
  • Hollyland Lark M2 ($119 for full set, ~$100 for single receiver and transmitter, $99 for Lightning only, $36 for single transmitter)
  • DJI Mic 2 ($349 for full set, $219 for single transmitter + receiver, $99 for single receiver)
  • DJI Mic Mini ($169 for full set, $89 for single transmitter + receiver, $59 for single receiver)
  • Rode Wireless Pro ($349)
  • Saramonic Air ($159 for full set w/ lav mic, $139 w/o lav mic)

The DJI Mic 2 and Rode Wireless Pro are both good options and have many QoL features such as 32-bit float and, for the Rode, timecode support and a locking audio jack. However, they are larger and much more expensive than the Hollyland Lark M2.

The DJI Mic Mini is closer in price to the Hollyland but is still quite a bit more expensive. It is smaller than the Mic 2 and has no 32-bit float.

The Saramonic Air is more affordable than the DJI Mic Mini and offers unique features over the latter such as the option to use a lavalier mic (albeit using a different plug instead of a 3.5mm jack)

• wireless (for mobile devices only)
  • Hollyland Lark A1 ($69 for full set, $49 for USB-C receiver only, $34 for no charging case)
  • Rode Wireless Micro ($149)

The Rode Wireless Micro is much more expensive than the Hollyland Lark A1. You could buy two Lark A1s for less than the price of the Wireless Micro!

Audio Recorders

• voice recorder: Tentacle Track E ($289 recorder only, $349 with lavalier)
• field recorders
  • under $100: Zoom H1n ($89)
  • under $250: Sony A10 ($229)
    • very pocketable, great w/ lavalier mic for everyday voice memos
  • under $300: Zoom F3 ($299)

Timecode

• timecode: Tentacle Sync E ($249 for one, $439 for two)