The trend of getting internet fame through podcasting, streaming and making YouTube Vlogs has exploded over the years. And for creators that are new to this side of the entertainment business, getting a quality microphone is essential in creating appealing content that captures the viewer’s attention.
Whether you're seeking a mic for PC desktop use or for your Mac/Windows, here are the best USB microphones in the market you can consider that’s bound to make a statement on your next voice recording session!
Top 8 USB Microphones for Recording
Table of Contents
Why it’s our top pick?
“Want a simple no-frills USB microphone that’s easy to use while providing rich and clear audio-recording quality that captures directional sounds effectively? The Blue Yeti is the way to go.”
Overview
A main feature of the Blue Yeti is its ability to change pickup patterns and customise the way audio is recorded for many different occasions, giving users the maximum amount of versatility. Its custom three-capsule array also gives the microphone a well-balanced sound that is clear and loud enough for any type of occasion, whether it is streaming, podcasting, or music.
Details
- Custom three-capsule array: produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound
- Four pickup patterns: cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, and stereo pickup patterns offer incredible flexibility, allowing you to record in ways that would normally require multiple microphones
- Onboard audio controls: studio controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone
- Unique position able design: adjust and pivot the microphone in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality
- Plug 'N play on Mac and PC: instantly start recording and streaming on Mac or PC
Who is this for?
Its ability to change pickup patterns makes directional audio capturing incredibly effective, giving recordings a lifelike and engaging feel to them. Though at times the microphone can be a little sensitive, picking up some ambient noises in the surroundings. Moreover, the eye-catching design of the microphone also gives it a retro aesthetic and adds character to your workspace.
Overview
Capturing the pure sounds of vocals in detail is a daunting task for most microphones. Not the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ though. It specialises in recording natural-sounding audio with great accuracy and detail with the simplicity of a USB connection.
Thanks to its cardioid polar pattern, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ captures the clarity of your voice with incredible accuracy and detail. These are done while being able to achieve isolation from undesired background noises.
The custom-engineered diaphragm also extends the frequency response of the audio captured, giving extra emphasis to the highs and lows of your music recordings with an excellent transient response.
Details
- Condenser microphone with USB output for digital recording
- High quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio
- Designed with headphone jack and a volume control
Who is this for?
Recordings done by the Audio-Technica AT2020USB are superb according to existing users. Therefore this microphone is great for producing audio that's extremely lifelike while providing additional boost across the audio frequency range. The overall production are that vocals and music sound extremely pleasant.
However, the tripod stand that comes with the microphone is quite unstable, causing some users’ microphones to tip over easily when in use.
Overview
Especially for those hosting a podcast or will be doing a lot of voiceover recording, you would definitely want a Cardioid mic that can be left alone on your desk while you do your thing and not worrying about the littlest details being left out.
Consider the Maono PD400X USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone which picks up sensitive sounds from the front all the while suppressing off-axis noise so that unnecessary sounds aren't picked up. Be it for podcasts, gaming or live-streaming, the microphone is designed with built-in Maono-Link software which allows you to control features like microphone gain, headphone volume, microphone tone, equalizer, limiter, and compressor for the perfect sound.
Maono PD400X is also made easy to use without sacrificing audio quality thanks to its intuitive design. Moreover, for quick access when you're recording, enjoy manual controls on the microphone such as as the 3-in-1 digital knob, the 'tap to mute' button, and the ease of handling digital or analog recording thanks to its USB/XLR Input.
Details
- Mic Gain Range : 0 to +42dB
- Sampling Rate : 48kHz / 24bit
- Frequency Response : 40Hz-16kHz
- Sensitivity : XLR:-51dBV : USB:-8.5dBFS/Pa(Max)
- Equipped with a Cardioid pattern with excellent off-axis noise suppression performance.
- 3-in-1 Multifunctional Compound knob to adjust the microphone gain, headphone volume, and monitor ratio.
- Has a 3.5mm headphone and real-time monitoring output.
Who is this for?
As it is a Cardioid-patten microphone, this option works best with a solo user that wants to record sensitive sounds, be it for ASMR content, podcasts or singing. Plus it's priced at a great value for its quality that makes it affordable for budding users looking to take their recording game to the next level.
Overview
Do not be fooled by the inexpensiveness of this microphone. With a compact all-metal construction and simple fool-proof USB connection, this cheap microphone is one of the most bang-for-your-buck microphones you can get in the market.
For the price, its compact all-metal construction does give the microphone a premium look and feel while boosting its overall durability. The volume knob also comes in handy when you want to adjust the loudness of your recording, giving you the ability to make quick adjustments to your voice on the fly.
Details
- S/N Ratio: 78dB
- Recording in wide frequency response (20-20K Hz)
- Fool-proof USB installation: plug-and-play
- Cardioid pattern reduces irritating noise for crystal clear communication
Who is this for?
Most reviewers are amazed by the microphone's ability to capture raw and clear-sounding audio relatively well. Though, the lack of a headphone jack means monitoring your recordings at the same time impossible and requires additional hardware.
However, the design of the microphone does make up for it with its compact and lightweight all-metal body, which makes it easy to carry around while remaining durable.
Overview
Tailored for streamers in mind, the Elgato Wave 3 doubles as a mixer with its multifunctional dial that could seamlessly blend the audio from your mic or your PC. The steel grille of the microphone is not only for show either, as it handles sound diffusion more efficiently while offering additional protection to the inner capsule of the microphone.
The sound quality of the microphone also works to provide emphasis on spoken words, making it great for podcasts and such.
Details
- Its steel grille design provides smooth sound diffusion and tltimate capsule protection
- Crafted with a heavy duty stand attached with a U-mount and padded base
- Comes with built-in intuitive software, custom-built for content creation
- 24-bit / 96kHz analog to digital conversion
Who is this for?
Aimed directly at streamers, the Elgato Wave 3 is an amazing microphone with broadcast-grade recording capabilities that easily link up to your streaming setup without much hassle.
Streaming with the Elgato Wave 3 is a pleasant experience as described by its users, being able to perfectly blend yet distinct the verbal and the PC’s background audio from your recordings. This is especially helpful for streamers that are looking to play games while providing their commentary.
Overview
If you’re planning on joining the ever-growing bandwagon of podcasting, you are going to need a capable microphone. The Shure MV7 is an icon in the podcasting world because of its versatility and ability to capture professional-grade audio recording that’s guaranteed to make an impression on your listeners.
Offering both an XLR and USB output, the Shure MV7 provides incredible versatility in the way you record your audio. The microphone also has a dedicated app - ShurePlus MOTIV, to allow you full control on the customisation of your audio recording, letting you optimise your recordings for the best possible quality.
Details
- Integration With ShurePlus™ MOTIV Apps
- Customizable Sound Signature; choose from ‘dark’, ‘natural’ or ‘bright’ within the ShurePlus™ MOTIV app
- Optimized Mic Position Presets
Who is this for?
The recording quality of the Shure MV7 is best at capturing spoken words with richness and depth according to reviewers. Although the dedicated app is also handy to use, you can also manually operate the microphone for full control over your microphone. However, the microphone is on the expensive side of the spectrum with its hefty price tag.
Overview
For such a small microphone, the Rode NT-USB mini packs several features. Recording audio in a cardioid polar pattern through its high-quality condenser capsule, this microphone provides a professional sound free of any ambient noises.
The built-in pop filter also helps reduce plosive noises, whereas the steel and reinforced nylon resin construction give the tiny microphone a compact yet modern and minimalistic design.
Details
- Directional cardioid pickup pattern optimised to reduce room sound and other extraneous noise
- Smooth frequency response that sounds incredible in a wide variety of applications
- Integrated 360-degree swing mount for quick and easy positioning on a desktop, mic stand, or studio arm
- Class-compliant USB output that works seamlessly with computers and tablets
Who is this for?
Small and tight workplaces may be a huge factor when shopping for a USB microphone. Though it is tiny, the Rode NT-USB mini is a very competent microphone that records audio extremely well for its size without being too cumbersome and taking up too much of your workspace.
Despite its tiny size, the microphone does capture sound respectably well with little background noises. In fact, its built-in pop filter is effective in reducing the amount of popping noises from your recordings. However, the audio is described to be gain-heavy by some users, and there’s no option to adjust it due to the lack of a gain dial.
Overview
The Samson Go is a handheld-sized microphone that can be clipped onto your laptop or sit at your workplace comfortably, making it a perfect companion to carry to your next recording session. There’s also a built-in headphone jack to provide you with convenient live monitoring of your recorded audio with negligible latency.
Details
- Smooth, flat frequency response and CD quality 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution
- Switchable cardioid or omnidirectional pickup patterns
- Stereo 1/8" (3.5mm) headphone output for no latency monitoring
- Standard 3/8" mounting hole and the included adapter allow you to attach the microphone to a stand
- 360° rotation for finding the best recording position, flexible to use
Who is this for?
For content creators that’s always on the move, a good quality microphone that is easy to carry around is crucial. Despite being nearly a decade old, this microphone still proves to be one of the best USB microphones for on-the-go recording with its portable and easy-to-carry size.
Users can expect a very portable USB microphone that’s small and lightweight enough to be carried around. Although it does capture sounds effectively in indoor settings, when it comes to outdoor settings, audio recordings might be plagued with background noises as some critics have pointed out.
Do USB microphones sound better than analog mics?
Amidst the vast array of microphones in the market, comparing which type of microphone is better, whether USB or analog proves difficult as factors like quality, price, and build quality comes into play.
However, there are a few key differences between a USB and an analog microphone that you should know before buying. Here’s how to ensure which is better than the other for you:
1. Audio processing
One of the key factors that separate a USB microphone from an analog one is how the audio is processed.
- In analog microphones, the sound is picked up and converted into analog audio signals, by which can be converted into digital signals with a separate audio interface.
- The quality of the digital signals would have to depend on the audio interface quality.
- However, USB microphones process audio internally, meaning that sound is instantly converted into digital signals without the need for an additional audio interface.
2. Latency
- Since analog microphones only collect sounds and convert them into audio signals, latency is practically non-existence when in use with a quality audio interface.
- However, because sound is captured and processed internally in USB mics, there will a little lag to the audio output as it requires time to process the digital signals into audible audio.
3. Ease of use
Due to its plug-and-play nature, USB microphones are much easier to use compared to analog microphones.
- For microphone USBs, just plug them into a USB outlet and you’ll be recording in no time.
- For analog microphone users, you’ll probably need to get adapters to plug into newer hardware as they might not have suitable input drivers.
In conclusion, whichever microphone is better is up to the user’s preference.
For USB microphones, audio recorded will have the same quality in whatever hardware you’re using as the microphone processes the audio by itself. These microphones might work better for PC users who are just looking for a simple microphone that is easy to use.
However, analog microphones might be more beneficial for professional users with a separate high-end audio interface. This is because the audio output is dependent on the quality of the audio interface used. That way, the audio output quality and latency can be adjusted based on the user’s preferences with an analog microphone.
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