Whether you’re a YouTuber, streamer, or podcaster, you need a high-quality mic to create the best possible content. After all, the modern microphone is a powerful device! It allows people to share their stories, create an engaged community, and fulfill their dreams in a way that radio stations never could.
Still, you need to know how to select the product for your needs. For instance, the best microphone for podcasting doesn’t have to be pricey or fitted with high-end audio accessories, but it must be designed for voice applications.
How do you know that? We’ll tell you in the How-To section below. In addition to this, we reviewed several high-quality products in a wide range of prices, so everyone can find the right device.
So, whether you’re just starting or looking to upgrade your gear, make sure to read our guidelines and reviews carefully!
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Last update on 2022-06-28 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How To Choose The Best Microphone For Podcasting
A mic for podcasting is not an impulse purchase! You shouldn’t buy one just because you think it will look good or it’s being promoted by an online celebrity. You need one that has the right accessories and internal setup to suit your needs.
To give you a head start, here are some of the features that you need to pay attention to:
Polar Pattern
This feature explains the directional capability of the mic, or how it picks up sounds. Usually, there are four patterns: cardioid, stereo, bidirectional, and omnidirectional.
Cardioid is the most popular pattern for podcasters, YouTubers, and streamers because it picks up sounds from the front and sides (no sounds from the back). On the other hand, the bidirectional pattern is perfect for podcasts with a guest, where the sound comes from two different directions. On the same note, the omnidirectional pattern picks up sounds from any direction, so it works great in larger meetings.
Output Interface
There are two types of mics for podcasting: USB and XLR. As you probably can imagine, a USB mic uses a USB cable to connect to a computer and can be used as soon as the connection is established.
An XLR microphone requires an audio interface between the mic and the computer.
While you may read/hear that an XLR mic is better than a USB one if you are just starting it’s best to keep things simple. A USB mic is just as capable and, with the right filters and accessories, it can prove an extremely valuable device.
Filters & Accessories
Pop filter, windscreen, headphone amplifier, and other accessories are quite important when you’re recording a voice-over, a narration, an audiobook, or a close-talk session. These reduce surrounding noises, explosive breath, and other interferences that could distract the audience’s attention from what is being transmitted.
Durability
Mics are hard-working devices that must endure quite a lot. Not only do they have to keep dust and other debris as far away from their sensitive insides, but they are also in close contact with saliva (most podcasters speak closer to the mic for better quality).
Even more, the best products are designed to withstand shocks and bumps.
Stand Compatibility
Whether you’re using an extendable boom arm or a desk stand, the mic should be easy to mount and dismount. It should also come with shock protection (to avoid noises during handling) and easy to reach controls for volume, switching between patterns, and gain.
Best Microphones for Podcasting
Shure SM7B
Entry-Level Mic for Professional Audio Applications
This is a cardioid dynamic microphone which makes it perfect for podcasting, streaming, singing, and other activities where you don’t want background sounds to interfere with your performance.
Its smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response and the added A7WS windscreen makes it perfect for music, speech, and close-talk applications. In addition, the mic has excellent shielding against the electromagnetic hum that’s usually produced by computer monitors, neon lights, and other electrical devices usually present on a stage or a studio.
The SM7B is a mic with internal air suspension, which eliminates mechanical noises and it has a very effective pop filter, which takes care of weird breath sounds (quite common in close-up vocals).
Lastly, the Yoke mounting with captive stand nut allows you full control of the mic’s position while in use.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
Blue Yeti USB Mic
The Best USB Microphone for Podcasting
The Blue Yeti is one of the most advanced and versatile multi-patterned USB mics on the market. Fitted with three capsules, this device features four different pattern settings (stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional) and doesn’t need any additional devices.
You can connect it to a computer (compatible with Windows & Mac OS X) and start your podcast or streaming! The high-quality A-D converter makes it perfect for vocals, voiceovers, conference calls, podcasting, streaming, and even musical instruments.
The stand that comes with it makes it easy to use on a desk or other flat surface, but it can also be mounted in different stands. As a plus, it has direct controls for volume, mute, pattern selection, and gain. There’s also a 3.5mm port for headphones (it has a built-in headphone amplifier for zero-latency).
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
The Best Cheap Microphone for Podcasting
Easy to use for digital recordings, this condenser microphone with USB output is perfect for any beginner podcaster or streamer. It has a high-quality A/D converter with a 44.1/48 kHz sample rate, 16-bit bit depth, and an internal headphone amplifier. In plain words, the audio quality is superb with advanced clarity and detail!
In addition to this, it has mix controls that allow the user to blend pre-recorded audio with mic signals. There’s also a headphone 3.5mm jack with volume control so you can monitor the mic signal without delays.
The USB output makes it incredibly easy to set up and use since it works with most modern Windows and Mac OS X computers. Lastly, the mic comes with a pivoting stand mount for 5/8″-27 threaded stands, a tripod desk stand, and one USB cable. In short, it is ready to use out of the box.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
Rode Procaster
Specially designed for no-compromise performance in voice applications, the Rode Podcaster may be the best mic for podcasting professionally. The tight polar pattern, the internal pop filter, and the frequency response customized for voice make this a broadcast quality mic.
If we add to this the high output dynamic capsule and the balanced low impedance output, it’s easy to see why many professionals who create voice-related content favor it. It’s also easy to mount in a boom stand and has an internal shock mounting that protects the capsule from low handling noise.
To make it easier for at-home users, the mic is delivered with a stand mount, a zip pouch, and a 3/8-inch adaptor.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
HyperX QuadCast
Great for Gaming, Streaming & Podcasting
The HyperX QuadCast is quite a beast for its price! It is a USB condenser microphone with four polar patterns (cardioid, stereo, bidirectional, and omnidirectional), pop filter, gain control and an anti-vibration shock mount.
In addition, it looks amazing! The black and red color combination is extremely appealing from a visual point of view. As such, many gamers who stream their activity like to use it. Of course, regular gamers, streamers, and podcasters like to use it as well.
Now, whether you see it or not, this is a great mic for beginners in the art of creating voice content. First, it is easy to use due to the USB interface that lets you connect it to a PC, laptop, or gaming console (compatible with PC, PS4, and Mac).
The tap-to-mute functionality with an LED status indicator is incredibly useful as it lets you know when the mic is active (light on – the mic is active, light off – the mic is muted). Also, the pattern selector and gain control dial make it easy to customize the sound quality on the go. Considering these features, you understand why the HyperX QuadCast is considered great for gaming and streaming in general.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
TechZone Audio Products Stellar X2
Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser XLR Microphone
While many people who use their voice to create content will say that condenser mics are too sensitive for podcasts or streaming, the X2 makes it work. The balanced and neutral frequency response and the high-quality diaphragm allow it to be used for a variety of sources.
The X2 mic works for musical instruments (stringed, pianos, and percussion) and for vocals such as podcasts or streaming. In fact, since it can pick up the more subtle sounds, it can help you create a unique experience for your audience.
The mic has a low noise circuit due to a proprietary custom-made transformer-less circuit with gold traces that has a tolerance of 1%. As a result, the noise floor (self-noise) is less than 13dBA.
Lastly, the microphone is durable and features a high-grade steel body that protects the pure brass capsule inside. This aspect is important since the capsule is a high-precision mechanism design to reproduce sound as accurately as possible.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
Samson Go Mic
A Small & Portable USB Condenser Mic
If you’re recording on the go (vlogging on the street or streaming while traveling) you need a portable and capable microphone.
The fold-up design allows users to install it in almost any location by attaching it to a desk, monitor, laptop lid, or a stand. Since it has a USB interface, it can be easily connected to a computer (compatible with most Windows & Mac computers) and used.
Go Mic supports two polar patterns (cardioid and omnidirectional) and has a built-in headphone amplifier that lets users monitor their performance in real-time. The same port can be used for connecting powered speakers, in case you want your voice to be heard by everyone.
This tiny device is perfect for recording voice, conference participation, streaming, and more. Furthermore, it can be connected to an iOS device using an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter or an Android device with a host OTG Adapter. None of the mentioned adapters are included in the mic package, but they can be purchased separately.
- Easy to use
- Simple setup
- Reliable
- Good quality software
- A decent scanning speed
- No network and mobile connectivity
Summary
There is a lot to take in from this article, especially as a beginner. But you don’t have to feel intimidated by the amount of technical detail – it takes some time, but you’ll learn to understand the features that matter.
For starters, if you work from a computer, it’s best to get a cardioid dynamic mic with a good desk stand and USB interface. These are easy to set up and are compatible with most PCs and laptops while still being affordable for most folks. As your channel grows, you will have the opportunity to upgrade your gear and get better.