Top USB Microphones: Mic Options for Excellent Audio

Best suited for: singing, podcasting, streaming, online tutorials, live performance, home studio recording - vocals, home studio recording - guitar, voiceover use

The overall most recommended USB microphone is the Blue Microphones Yeti. With nearly ten product offerings for USB mics alone, Blue Microphones is solidifying its place as the king of USB desktop mics. And none in the lineup are more impressive than the Yeti. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better USB mic, especially at this price point.

The Yeti is a winner on several fronts - sound quality, versatility, build quality, and of course the very budget-friendly price point.

Sound quality: For a USB mic, the Blue Yeti is praised for how good it sounds. Now, remember, we’re not comparing this to a $4000 Neumann mic! But compared to its competition, it’s powerful and clear. One reddit user remarked, "I've done some recording videos with a friend who has a Yeti Blue, and he sounds like he's in the room next to me."

Versatility: The Blue Microphones Yeti is amazingly versatile. The built-in gain control is a particularly important feature. Imagine you’re recording various sources - different speakers with differing voice volumes, or a loud instrument that’s causing distortion or feedback- you can simply adjust this mic’s sensitivity with the gain control. Another standout feature is the included 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. You’ll see the description of the Blue Yeti talk about “Zero-latency monitoring”... what exactly does that mean? Well, imagine if you were singing into the mic and had headphones on to listen to yourself. If there was latency, you would hear your voice with a slight delay after you spoke into the mic. As you can imagine, that would be extremely annoying. Luckily, this mic lets you listen to whatever you're recording in real-time, without any delay from latency.

The four polar patterns are also a feature we love about this mic. From reddit:

...also has a few polarity options, including the ability to record two stereo signals simultaneously on both sides of the microphone. (Good for getting two performers in a "live" setting…)

Build quality: Not much to say here, but to us the build quality feels great. Here’s a redditor’s viewpoint on it:

The stand is pretty good as is the build quality (it's heavy and solid). I would recommend a pop filter since it's a condenser mic and very sensitive…

Aesthetically, you’re in luck - the Yeti is offered in Silver, Platinum, Black/Silver, and the very cool looking Blackout edition.

Overall, for its features, its solid sound quality, and accolades it gets, the Blue Microphones Yeti is astoundingly inexpensive, and our top recommendation.

• Power Required: 5V 150mA
• Sample Rate: 48 kHz
• Bit Rate: 16 bit
• Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
• Dimensions (in stand): 4.7 x 4.9 x 11.6 inches
• System Requirements: Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher

Best suited for: podcasting, streaming, online tutorials, voiceover use

If the Blue Yeti is our overall choice, the "Best Bang for your Buck" award goes to the Blue Microphones Snowball USB Mic.

The Blue Snowball has the distinction of being one of the most recognized mics, due to its retro/modern appearance (it comes in several colors - we got the Brushed Aluminum version and it looks gorgeous).

The Snowball might be better suited for podcasting, gaming (Let's Plays, etc.), rather than hardcore use for recording instruments and vocals. But fear not - some of the users that reviewed it right here on Equipboard have said they regularly record guitar and vocals with it. That said, if all your budget allows is something in the $60USD range, you would be hard pressed to do better than this little gem. Here’s why:

In terms of features, it has a switch for 3 settings: cardioid, cardioid with -10dB pad, and omni. Some users have complained of issues when recording sounds that are particularly soft or loud. For instance, one user mentioned to get the most defined sound when speaking into the mic, being within 12 inches is necessary (i.e. definition suffers from far away). Another user noted that when recording loud vocals or instruments, the “cardioid with -10dB pad” setting is the only one of the 3 that won’t result in peaking/distortion. Your milage may vary, but the point is you’ll have to experiment with the ideal settings and recording distance depending on your intended use. When you do dial in the right settings, the sound of the Blue Snowball has been described as crisp and clear.

The build quality is also excellent; Blue Microphones seem to know what they are doing in this department. This USB mic comes with a mini tripod, but note you won’t be able to mount it on a traditional microphone stand.

• Transducer Type: Condenser, Pressure Gradient w/USB Digital Output
• Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional or Cardioid
• Frequency Response: Position 1-3: 40-18kHz
• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz/16 bit
• Weight: 460g
• Dimensions: 325mm (circumference)

We were impressed with prior versions of Audio-Technica USB mics, so we approached the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB with high expectations (especially since it often seems to get mentioned in discussions around USB mic recommendations). Known for its reliability, this versatile microphone indeed stands out in several key areas while having a couple minor drawbacks.

Right out of the box, the ATR2100x-USB impressed us with its substantial feel. It has a nice heft, making it clear that it's built to last. However, the included stand left us wanting more; it felt flimsy and plastic, and didn't match the solid build of the mic itself.

The dual connectivity feature is a game-changer. We appreciated the convenience of both USB-C digital output and XLR analog output. This microphone comes with both XLR and USB-C cables, making setup a breeze whether you're in a home studio or on the go. The cardioid polar pattern efficiently reduces unwanted noises from the sides and rear, and the built-in headphone jack for monitoring is a thoughtful inclusion. The high-resolution 192 KHz 24-bit recording capability is another strong point, offering professional-grade sound quality.

In our tests, the ATR2100x-USB indeed did deliver phenomenal sound quality. The audio was crisp, clear, and radio-quality, particularly when paired with a windscreen and pop filter (we had to buy those separately). It's similar in sound quality to the Samson Q2U, but not necessarily better. If you opt to hold the mic in your hand instead of using the flimsy stand, be aware it picks up a fair amount of handling noise, which might be a concern for some.

Bottom Line: For musicians and podcasters on a budget, the ATR2100x-USB offers incredible value coming in at sub-$100. While the low-quality stand detracts slightly from its overall value, it's hard to find any other major flaws with it. It’s an ideal choice for beginners and pros alike, providing exceptional sound without significantly denting your budget.

We took the Samson Q2U through its paces over several weeks of podcasting, live streaming, and even a bit of music recording. From the outset, this mic impressed us with its robust reliability and versatility.

Our initial impressions of the Samson Q2U were positive, especially considering its sub-$100 price point. The build quality feels solid, and it has endured a few accidental drops without any issues. However, the stand included is somewhat flimsy and has a tendency to droop, so investing in a better stand might be a smart move.

The dual output feature is a standout, allowing for both USB and XLR connections. This gives the Q2U tremendous flexibility for different recording setups. The included accessories, such as the XLR cables, pop filter, and mic stand, are of good quality. No-lag monitoring worked flawlessly, which is a huge plus for live recordings and broadcasts.

When it comes to sound quality, the Q2U delivers rich, full vocals perfect for podcasts, voiceovers, and live performances. It excels in rejecting off-axis and background noises, making it a great choice for home studios with less-than-ideal acoustics. That said, it can pick up unwanted keyboard and mouse clicks and tends to be sensitive to certain electronic interferences. While the sound is superb for voices, it falls short in brightness when used for miking instruments.

Bottom Line: All in all, the Samson Q2U offers excellent value for money. Its features and sound quality make it an outstanding choice for podcasters, live streamers, and budget-conscious musicians. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more, there are mics out there that might offer better overall performance if you need to record instruments or vocals that require a bit more detail and nuance.