The Ultimate Sound Studio: The Best Microphones for Podcast Recording

To make a great podcast, you need excellent audio quality. That’s where a high-quality microphone for podcast recording comes in. Whether you’re a professional podcaster or just starting, having the right microphone can make all the difference in the sound quality of your recordings.

But with so many options on the market, it can take time to figure out where to start. We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best microphones for podcast recording. So upgrade your audio game and start making great podcasts with the best microphones.

MAONO AU-A04

MAONO AU-A04

Explicitly designed for podcast recording, the MAONO AU-A04 USB microphone will deliver top-notch performance. The microphone’s condenser design and flat frequency response ensure that your voice will sound natural and free from unwanted distortion, making it the perfect choice for recording professional-quality audio.

With this microphone’s professional sound chipset, high-resolution 192 kHz/24-bit sampling, and a flat frequency response of 30 Hz-16 kHz, you can be sure that your voice will sound clear and crisp.

Price Range: £££
Brand: MAONO
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Easy set-up
Cons: Not suitable for interviews
Ideal for: Start podcasting
Compatibilities: Laptop, PC
Incompatibilities: Phones and other systems
Average customer rating: 4.3/5

The MAONO AU-A04 is also incredibly easy to use, with a USB 2.0 port compatible with all operating systems. Plug it in, and you’re ready to start recording. The package includes a condenser microphone, adjustable boom arm stand, metal shock mount, pop filter, foam microphone windscreen, table mounting clip, and USB-B to USB-A cable, so you have everything you need to get started.

Shure MV7 USB

Shure MV7 USB

The Shure MV7 USB microphone is an exceptional choice for podcasting. This versatile and durable microphone offers a dual USB/XLR output, allowing you to digitally and analogically record. The integrated headphone output is a bonus, enabling you to monitor your audio in real time while recording, giving you peace of mind and the chance to make adjustments on the fly.

One of the standout features of the MV7 is its optimized frequency response, which delivers rich and natural vocal reproduction, making it the ideal choice for close-distance microphone applications. In addition, the intuitive touch panel provides effortless control over the gain, headphone volume, and microphone mute. 

Price Range: ££££
Brand:  Shure ‎
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Professional sound, easy set-up
Cons: Not suitable for interviews
Ideal for: Go professional with your pod!
Compatibilities: Video camera, laptop
Incompatibilities: Need adaptors for certain phones and other systems
Average customer rating: 4.7/5

You will have access to the ShurePlus MOTIV desktop app. This app features audio processing, automatic level mode and adjustable EQ filters. To top it up, you can save custom user settings to completely control your audio.

The MV7 also boasts a sleek, professional look thanks to its metal construction. Its adjustable integrated fork makes it easy to position on arms or standard 5/8″-27 threaded mounts. 

If you’re looking for a microphone that offers versatility, durability, and exceptional audio quality, the Shure MV7 USB microphone is a must-have. 

TONOR TC-777

TONOR TC-777

The TONOR TC-777 is also a USB microphone but in the middle range. With the purchase of this product, you will get a tripod, a pop filter, a 1.5-meter USB power cable and a shock or spider mount. Please consider that this microphone is incompatible with cameras, smartphones or tablets.

This microphone is ideal for video conferencing from the computer. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, ps4 and does not require any sound software, connect it to the computer and start using it.

It is a reasonably affordable USB condenser microphone with excellent customer reviews on Amazon. This is a microphone with a Cardioid polar pattern; the sound is better recorded if you use it with the brand name on your mouth side.

Price Range: ££
Brand: TONOR
Dimensions and weight: 14.5 x 4.5 x 4 cm; 159 grams
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Non-removable cord
Cons: No headphone jack
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: Macs, PCs and PS4.
Incompatibilities: Cameras, smartphones or tablets
Average customer rating: 4.3 / 5.0

When you buy the TONOR TC-777, you will also get a rubber stand to avoid slipping with movements or slides. Furthermore, the cable is not removable, which is also safe in case of moves or bumps. Another critical point is that you do not need to use any software to increase the gain in post-production because the raw audio will already have an excellent gain.

Blue Yeti Nano

Blue Yeti Nano

Unlike its previous versions, the Blue Yeti Nano has a double polar pattern to record in several directions or one, depending on whether you want to register a conversation or a solo podcast.

This microphone is well known for monitoring without latency, which means you won’t notice the voice’s echo in the headphones when you broadcast live, and featuring Blue VO! CE voice effects.

It has a dial to control the gain, and you can mute the microphone with a single button. This microphone is very simple to use, even if you don’t know much about audio recording.

It is a pretty small microphone, the compact and most petite version of the Blue Yeti, and it is compatible with an articulated arm.

Price Range: ££££
Brand: Blue Microphones
Dimensions and weight: 10.9 x 9.6 x 21.1 cm; 0.63 kg
Polarity Pattern: Omnidirectional, Unidirectional
Pros: Dual polarity pattern
Cons: Little angle adjustability with bracket
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: Mac or a PC
Incompatibilities: You need adapters for some phones and systems
Average customer rating: 4.6 / 5.0

The Blue Yeti Nano features integrated support, making it easy to use and handle and an anti-slip surface to avoid accidents.

HyperX QuadCast S

HyperX QuadCast S

It is also a Plug n ‘Play USB microphone, meaning you only need to connect it to Mac or the PC to start working. Among its main advantages over other microphones of its type is that the sound is much more natural since it captures a much more comprehensive range of frequencies.

The HyperX QuadCast S has a headphone input that allows you to monitor the audio through the microphone in real time. It is a highly recommended microphone for live audio. It has a gain controller, and you can mute it only by tapping on the top.

This microphone is beautifully designed to fit gaming aesthetics since it is manufactured mainly for that, making it ideal for live podcasting.

Price Range: ££££
Brand: HyperX
Dimensions and weight: 25 x 12.9 x 10.3 cm; 600 grams
Polarity Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional and Stereo
Pros: Multiple polarity patterns and mute control
Cons:
Ideal for: Podcasters in the gaming world
Compatibilities: PC, PlayStation
Incompatibilities:
Average customer rating: 4.8 / 5.0

The HyperX QuadCast S has an anti-pop filter built into its structure, so you won’t need to purchase a separate one, but not only that, when you buy this microphone, you will get an anti-movement spider-shaped structure. In addition, you can choose to record with a polar pattern to cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional and stereo mode, depending on the podcast you want to make.

TONOR TC30

TONOR TC30

This microphone has a unidirectional polar pattern, which means it is designed to capture the sound or voice more accurately from one direction, preventing background sounds or noises in your podcast.

It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and does not need additional software or driver to operate: you plug and play. You will get a damper, an anti-pop filter, and a USB cable when you buy this microphone. It is ideal for PC streaming but is not compatible with mobile phones or Xbox.

Price Range: ££
Brand: TONOR
Dimensions and weight: 23.5 x 10.5 x 14.2 cm; 400 grams
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Price-quality ratio
Cons: Can record background static
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: Windows, Mac and Linux
Incompatibilities: Mobile phones, Xbox
Average customer rating:

The TONOR TC30 is ideal to start in podcasting, but it is also perfect for recording audio for YouTube videos, Streaming by Twitch, Zoom or Skype.

It is a condenser microphone that offers good value for money and is one of the cheapest of the TONOR brand. Therefore, it is an excellent option for someone who wants to start recording their audio at a semi-professional level.

TONOR Q9

TONOR Q9

The TONOR Q9 is a cardioid condenser microphone and is one of the cheapest USB condenser microphones you can find on Amazon.

This microphone is designed for semi-professional music recording, video audio recording, podcasting, or streaming. It has the feature of Plug and Play.

The microphone is relatively compact. And when you buy it, you get a steel transmission arm, an anti-pop filter, a spider and a 1.8-meter USB cable. In addition, the microphone turns on an LED light when it is on and transmitting, which is an advantage for live audio streaming.

Price range: ££
Brand: TONOR
Dimensions and weight: 16 x 14 x 7 cm; 1050 grams
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Quality x Price
Cons: Can record background static
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: PS4, Mac, Windows, Linux
Incompatibilities: Xbox
Average customer rating: 4.5 / 5.0

You do not need special software to start using this microphone, which is compatible with PS4, Mac, Windows, and Linux. However, it is not compatible with Xbox. It has a wide frequency response. It is the most accessible microphone of the TENOR brand and one of the most purchased.

Although it is a very efficient microphone, it can sometimes pick up some background static. But in conclusion, considering the price, it is one of the best cheap microphones for podcasting.

Marantz Pro Pod Pack 1

Marantz Professional Pod Pack 1

This is one of the best options to invest very little and have excellent audio quality. In addition to buying a microphone for no money, you will get all the accessories.

When you buy the Marantz Pro Pod Pack 1, you also get a steel arm to adapt the microphone to your work table as soon as you unbox it. It has a pure aluminium housing, but the microphone’s basic design is quite simple.

This microphone’s polar pattern is cardioid, which makes it ideal for recording voice clearly and professionally.

If you want to start recording audio better than with your mobile phone or your laptop’s built-in microphone, buying this microphone can be a good start.

Price range: ££
Brand: Marantz
Dimensions and weight: 38.1 x 30.48 x 7.62 cm; 950 grams
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Complete equipment
Cons: Not recommended for streaming
Ideal for: Podcast with post-editing
Compatibilities: Mac and Windows
Incompatibilities: ps4
Average customer rating: 4.2 / 5.0

It’s excellent for recording and editing audio with audio software but not great for streaming or live audio streaming.

Blue Snowball ICE

Blue Snowball ICE

This microphone fits perfectly in one hand, just like a snowball would do, hence its name: it is a sphere of approximately 10 centimetres in diameter and is the cheapest USB microphone of the Blue brand.

The Snowball ICE has a unique unidirectional polarity pattern, which records audio from the front. This is convenient if you want to cleanly record a voice, attenuating noises in the room or background.

When you buy the Blue Snowball ICE, you will get a tripod with rubber feet, so you don’t move it by accident.

Price range: £££
Brand: Blue Microphones
Dimensions and weight: 26.92 x 13.97 x 23.11 cm; 0.46 g
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Quality materials
Cons: You have to get very close to the microphone
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: Windows, Mac, Linux, ps4, Camera
Incompatibilities: Mobile
Average customer rating: 4.5 / 5.0

This microphone is ideal to start podcasting and audio recording for YouTube videos and other platforms. However, it is not recommended for streaming or live audio transmission.

The Snowball ICE does not have a gain control built into the microphone body, like other models of this brand. However, it has a good value for money, as is the case with most products of this brand.

Razer Seiren X

Razer Seiren X

It is a USB-type condenser microphone with a super-cardioid pickup pattern. This is why noises or background sounds don´t leak into the audio, but it also requires that we speak close to the microphone.

Its compact and slim design includes a suspension bracket to withstand shocks and impacts on the table. One of the best features of the Razer Seiren X is that it has no latency: the annoying echoes that usually occur in live audio transmission are not heard, which makes it an excellent option for live use.

It’s a relatively small microphone that you can carry around without hassle.

Price range: ££££
Brand: Razer
Dimensions and weight: 9 x 9 x 18.5 cm; 383 grams
Polarity Pattern: Supercardioid
Pros: Broadcast live with clean sound
Cons: Can get hot
Ideal for: Semi-professional use
Compatibilities: Windows, Mac
Incompatibilities: psp4
Average customer rating: 4.4 / 5.0

For all the above said, this is one of the best microphones for streaming, and it is also a good option if you want to record a podcast with clean audio: thanks to its polar pattern, it picks up reasonably crisp and clear audio. It also has a mute button.

Blue Yeti

Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti microphone is a Plug and Play USB microphone. It is an ideal model for recording semi-professional audio and making your first steps into the world of audio in a profound way.

This microphone is multi-pattern regarding the polar pattern; it has Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo modes. The latter is very important and adds versatility to this microphone when recording audio. In addition, this microphone comes with two recording software and one for mastering, Pre Sonus Studio One Artist Blue Microphones Edition and Izotope Ozone Elements.

This microphone has accessories: support for the table, a pop filter and anti-noise. Remember that this is not an XLR microphone; however, its older brother, the Blue Yeti Pro, does have this feature.

Price range: ££££
Brand: Blue Microphones
Dimensions and weight: 12.5 x 11.99 x 29.49 cm; 1,590 g
Polarity Pattern: Multi-pattern
Pros: Quality x Price
Cons: Very responsive
Ideal for: Beginners who want to invest
Compatibilities: Windows and Mac
Incompatibilities: ps4, Xbox
Average customer rating: 4.7 / 5.0

This microphone has a dial for headphone volume, microphone gain, and a polar pattern mode selector in its structure.

This microphone is compatible with mobile phones and ideal for podcasting, and recording audio from YouTube videos, Twitch, Zoom or Soundcloud.

FIFINE T669 USB

FIFINE T669 USB

When you buy this mic, you will also get a scissor arm, studio-grade shock mount, double pop filter, and additional tripod mount. The legs of the additional support have anti-slip rubber at their end, which gives the microphone a lot of stability if you prefer to use a tripod.

Like the other microphones Plug and Play, you don’t need an audio interface to use it.

The Fifine T669 microphone is relatively compact and weighs 700 grams.

The USB cable that comes with the purchase is 2 meters long, which is very comfortable. In addition, the microphone features a dial to control the gain in its structure.

Price range: £££
Brand: FIFINE
Dimensions and weight: 41.9 x 24.4 x 7.6 cm; 700 grams
Polarity Pattern: Unidirectional
Pros: Has dial to control gain
Cons: Bad sound reaction after editing
Ideal for: Beginners
Compatibilities: Mac and Windows
Incompatibilities: Xbox and phones
Average customer rating: 4.6 / 5.0

It is a microphone with a unidirectional pattern. It is an excellent first purchase for those who want to make home recordings for the first time. FIFINE has an excellent reputation in the audio world, and this microphone is no exception, giving good value for money.

So far, you have a wide range of the best USB microphones for podcasting. From the best cheap microphones for podcasting to professional and semi-professional options, all with great value for money. You don’t need a big budget to record decent audio, so you have no excuse to improve your recording set and audio projects.

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