Best USB Microphone
Today we’ve picked and reviewed the five best models for you. We’ve spent many hours researching these products and we’ve ranked them by many different factors, such as price, quality, durability, performance, and more. You can see their prices and find out more information about these products by using the links in the table down below to make it easier.
Image | Product | Feature | Price |
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1
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Audio-Technica AT2020USBi
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We have the best Audio-Technica AT2020USBi microphone in the market. The Audio-Technica AT2020USBi. This microphone delivers superior sound quality. Just like every device in the audio technical range. It delivers a lag-free monitoring experience. | Check On Amazon |
2
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Blue Yeti Nano
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I love a product that delivers Beesly performance for the price that it comes at. And if you’re looking for such a USB microphone, then the blue Yeti Nano is the right option for you. This mic is also a superb choice for streamers as it has a great broadcast, sound quality, great ease of use, | Check On Amazon |
3
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HyperX Quadcast
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We have the HyperX Quadcast. This is one of the most interesting microphones out there, and it’s the best one for gamers. It delivers great clarity, some nice accessories, three diaphragms, four polar patterns, | Check On Amazon |
4
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Samson G-Track Pro
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We have the Samson G-Track Pro, which is one of the more expensive USB microphones out there, but with a performance to back it up. So everything falls into place exactly as it should. The Samson G-Track Pro is very versatile, delivering superb experiences for different purposes, | Check On Amazon |
5
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Rode NT-USB
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Most users buy USB mics, mainly for convenience reasons and because they’re generally very easy to use. So for that reason, I’m going to kick off this list with the Rode NT-USB, which is the easiest one to use without sacrificing any type of sound quality. | Check On Amazon |
Things You Should Know Before Buying
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Application
Before choosing a USB microphone, you have to determine the application you’re going to use it for, and I have to say there are different purposes you can use you might for. For example, you can buy a microphone for podcasts that don’t require a lot of features, but a great sound quality. Another frequent purpose is for voiceovers, a purpose that requires good sound quality and ease of use. Interviews are a bit more complicated, but some nice USB mics can get the job done. Also, gaming and streaming mics you can buy, regardless of the budget or other factors, determine the general purpose and application of the microphone.
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Microphone Polar Patterns
Different microphones are designed and engineered to pick up sound in a different way than others to better suit different applications. The most popular ones are cardboard pattern mics. These mics capture mainly the front with reduced responsiveness to the sides, and these are very popular. Next up, we have the omnidirectional mics, which are the optional choice. When you want to capture the full sound of the room, which is situated in meaning that you can use it for recording several acoustics and vocals at once. Multipotent mics are also very popular and are excellent choices for users that require more versatility. Let’s say you sometimes might need a cardio mic and sometimes an omnidirectional one. If that’s the case, multipotent mics are the best.
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Condenser or Dynamic Mics
Condenser or dynamic mics. You should know that microphones are generally divided into two camps condenser and dynamic ones. Condenser microphones are more designed for studio purposes because they deliver a better frequency response range, a more consistent response. On the other hand, dynamic models are more popular with live performances. So for that reason, most of the USP mic options are condenser types. But there are exceptions here as well.
Best USB Mic for Podcasting
This next option is one of the best-sounding models out there.
1.
Audio-Technica AT2020USBi
We have the best Audio-Technica AT2020USBi microphone in the market. The Audio-Technica AT2020USBi. This microphone delivers superior sound quality. Just like every device in the audio technical range. It delivers a lag-free monitoring experience. It’s extremely versatile, works at great distances, and is one of the best options in the market for podcasts. The Audio-Technica AT2020USBi looks like a capable studio device that’s ready to get the job done and I’m pleased with that. Actually, one would be wrong to accept anything else from Audio-Technica because it would be so out of character.
No flash, no RGV, just a clean and streamlined design. The Audio-Technica AT2020USBi. It also comes with a pleasing tripod which was pretty sturdy, despite looking a bit fragile, making itself a great choice for podcasts. On the microphone itself, you’ll spot the knobs again and volume controls that, combined with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and monitoring level are just to deliver a perfect job. You’ll also find an adapter for boom arms in the package and an adequately padded leather carrying cage that reassures the quality. The Audio-Technica AT2020USBi.
I have some interesting specs as it has a 44-kilohertz sample rate with a 16-bit rate moving on the fixed charge backlight condenser that’s permanently polarized with its cardio pattern as a frequency range that spans from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz, which is more than enough. It delivers CD-quality audio and as far as USB microphones go, it is the best one you can buy.
Pros
- Excellent sound features
- Long Frequency
Cons
- Cheap Accomplices
- Restricted to cardioid polar patterns
- Moderate Resolution
Best USB Mic for Streaming
Next up, we have a model which gives you the best value for your money.
2.
Blue Yeti Nano
I love a product that delivers Beesly performance for the price that it comes at. And if you’re looking for such a USB microphone, then the blue Yeti Nano is the right option for you. This mic is also a superb choice for streamers as it has a great broadcast, sound quality, great ease of use, nice build quality, and lots of other features to please even the most nitpicky. The Blue Yeti Nano is made out of aluminum metal alloy, just like the larger, more expensive devices in the company’s lineup. It’s a pretty solid and sturdy device with a nice touch, a style that I’m a big fan of.
Before moving on, I should state that it comes in different finishes, including shadow grade Cubano, gold, red onyx blackout, and vivid blue. And I can’t say that all of them look pretty good. So just choose the one that fits your style the most. On the front of the device, you’ll find a knob that has multiple uses. For example, when you rotate it, you control the volume and when you press it, it neuters the microphone. And you can notice that, by the way, the ring light shines red, the muted green for active on the back of the device, you’ll spot the pattern button that lets you select between cardboard and omnidirectional patterns. On the bottom part of the device, you’ll spot the micro USB plug and the 3.5-millimeter low latency headphone port.
The initial setup with the blue Yeti Nano is nonexistent as its plug-and-play. No drivers or software are needed for it to function. However, I would recommend the Blue Yeti Sherpa software for controlling the gain of the microphone. But it’s not necessary at all. The two cardio microcapsules are attuned and specifically optimized to deliver more satisfactory recording results. And I’m more than pleased with the performance of this device.
Pros
- Great audio feature
- Two capsules provide a cardioid or polar pattern in each direction
- Low delay monitoring headphone jack
Cons
- Editing the acquisition level needs a desktop Sherpa app (or OS adjustment)
Read Also: Best True Wireless Earbuds For Working Out
Best USB Mic for Gaming
If you’re a gamer, then you’ll love this next model. I think that it will be the perfect option for you.
3.
HyperX Quadcast
We have the HyperX Quadcast. This is one of the most interesting microphones out there, and it’s the best one for gamers. It delivers great clarity, some nice accessories, three diaphragms, four polar patterns, easy-to-use controls and so much more. This one is absolutely pleasing, but unquestionably one of the best choices for its price by HyperX Quadcast is a pretty different thing than you would actually expect, as the company doesn’t necessarily deliver these kinds of devices. But it’s done a pretty good job at delivering a great starting point for gamers that have grown weary of headset microphones that generally deliver a pretty tinny experience.
But then again, these inspire you to spend even more on high-end headphones. To be honest, the overall design of the device is classic hyper X, with aggressive angles and red accents scattered all over the body of the microphone. But it doesn’t look bad at all. I have to mention that the hyper X Quadcast is generally designed and engineered to deliver a great up close vocal recording with reduced background noise, and it truly makes those things happen. It’s built around the electric condenser design. That’s pretty standard overall. Working in the same manner as your headset microphone, however, it differs from it with its size and because it has multiple diaphragms, for that reason, the hyperX Quadcast delivers a super accurate, low-end frequency change experience that makes the whole ordeal rather smooth.
Like I said earlier, the hyperX Quadcast. As for polar patterns, which make it a pretty suitable choice for studio applications, cardio made by directional stereo and omnidirectional. I was pretty confused with stereo since microphones in this price range can’t deliver stereo properly and in testing, it feels pretty similar to the bidirectional setting. The cardio pattern for gaming, though, is what made the difference as it worked well to capture the vocals with excellent clarity, detail and so much more.
Pros
- RGB Lighting
- Feature-heavy
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Moderate Resolution
Best USB Mic for Recording Music
We have the most versatile model out there. Let’s take a look.
4.
Samson G-Track Pro
We have the Samson G-Track Pro, which is one of the more expensive USB microphones out there, but with a performance to back it up. So everything falls into place exactly as it should. The Samson G-Track Pro is very versatile, delivering superb experiences for different purposes, being a multipotent mic. It also has special features for recording music. And it’s the best choice for those kinds of applications. The Samson G-Track Pro is a completely black 3.5 pounds, substantially heavy microphone that measures about 3.5 by 4.5 by 10.5 inches in total. However, that is when it’s connected to it, super sturdy and stable desktop swivel mount stand. The stand is weighted to deliver more stability. You can angle your mic to different angles for better pick-up.
I should mention that the grille covers a windscreen foam layer for a more stable performance. I wouldn’t say that the Samson G-Track Pro is a good-looking microphone, but it is a sturdy one on the front of the device used by all the switches and knobs that allow you to control the device. I can’t say that it’s the easiest one to use, but if you require versatility and professional performance, you know it’ll come with tons of adjustments. You can switch between figure eight you made and omnidirectional patterns. In addition to that, you’ll see the mono and two-track mode, which were pretty surprising. The three knobs below the switches off again, instrument input level, and headphone volume. The port for headphones provides a zero-latency experience, which is just perfect. I should note that this is not a stereo microphone and it doesn’t have that option.
But I was extremely impressed with the two-track model that I mentioned earlier. This mode allows you to record the signal and send it directly to your PC in one track and the instrument output on the other track, which is great for musicians. Mono mode is great, the instruments as well. And I notice that this microphone can handle the output even of a hygiene electric guitar, which shows just how good it is.
Pros
- The clean, central focus signal
- Dedicated device input can be used simultaneously as a mic
- Three selected samples
- Get knobs for both mic and device input
- Desktop stand included
Cons
- No adapter for a conventional mic stand is involved
- Buildable construction standards
Best USB Mic for Voiceovers
If you’re looking for a model that’s easy to use, then you should take a look at this one.
5.
Rode NT-USB
Most users buy USB mics, mainly for convenience reasons and because they’re generally very easy to use. So for that reason, I’m going to kick off this list with the Rode NT-USB, which is the easiest one to use without sacrificing any type of sound quality. I should mention that the Rode NT-USB delivers a priceless experience for voiceovers and can be comfortably used for different applications as well right from the get-go. You’ll notice that the Rode NT-USB is a pretty serious device. But then again, when has Road ever not been used as a sophisticated all-black finish with a pretty slim body and great attention to all the details I should state that is made with aluminum, making it a quality piece of equipment and a durable device? Overall, I can say it’s a simple microphone. Like I said in the beginning, it’s pretty easy to use with a two-piece grill covering half of each side and controls on the side for easy access.
I think it looks pretty good, even on camera. The Rode NT-USB is equipped with plenty of qualities to make it a great microphone. Mainly, it has the point five-inch condenser caption in it that’s connected directly to the sturdy analog to digital converter to deliver one of the most pleasing condenser experiences in a USB body. The frequency response range of the Rode NT-USB spans from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz, which is as much as the human ear can pick up, and it has a max speed of 110 decibels. This means that this microphone can get plenty done. Before moving on, I should say that the two rotary knobs, which control a great overall for controlling the microphone without making the whole ordeal complicated, ushered state that there’s also a headphone output that’s great for monitoring.
It also comes with plenty of accessories that make it great for professional and semi-professional applications. In the package of the device, you’ll find a nice pop shield, a tripod desk, stand a ring, and mount a storage pouch and 20 feet of the USB cable to make everything easier for you.
Pros
- Excellent Sound features
- Ease of use via USB connectivity
- Integrated pop shield
Cons
- Not more
Conclusion:
Thanks for reading, I hope you like the article if you found it helpful. Please remember to leave a comment on my blog to see more articles like this in the future. If you have any questions related to these products, you can leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.