In the past few years, technology has made incredible advances. Nowadays, everyone can get professional results using everyday devices. Smartphones serve as a great example, with mainstream artists creating entire music videos on iPhones, and photographers frequently showcasing images captured with their phones on social media. Unfortunately, it isn’t the same for audio.
So, if you're interested in starting a podcast, you'll need a good microphone. And if you’re new to the audio world, you may be wondering what microphone suits you better based on your budget and needs.
In this post, you’ll find our 5 favorite podcasting microphones for beginners, along with their pros, cons, and some tips to help you make the right choice.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
How to Choose the Best Microphone for Podcasting: Condenser vs. Dynamic mics
Before you can compare different options, you should understand what you’re looking for. Each specific microphone has its own pros and cons. But in general, as a new podcaster, you’ll be looking for either a condenser microphone or a dynamic microphone.
Condenser Microphones vs. Dynamic Microphones
Condenser microphones are great at:
- Pick up sound in great detail
- Responding across a high-frequency range
However, it’s worth noting that condenser microphones may have unwanted results in outdoor settings or when handling high volumes. They’re very sensitive and can have trouble filtering background noise if they’re too loud. Hence, they’re best for indoor recording.
Meanwhile, dynamic microphones are excellent for:
- Recording loud sounds
- Responding across a narrow-frequency range
- Filtering background noise
Dynamic microphones are better at filtering background noise than condenser microphones. However, your voice tone will also be less rich due to this characteristic.
On the other hand, high-quality condenser microphones are more expensive than dynamic mics of similar quality. So, if you invest in a dynamic mic, you’ll get exceptional sound at a very competitive price.
But, if you’re short on budget, a dynamic mic won’t be convenient. The reason is quite simple: Dynamic microphones always require an audio mixer, which leads us to our next point.
XLR Microphones vs. USB Microphones
When looking for a microphone, aside from dynamic vs. condensed, you’ll also find two other big categories:
- USB microphones
- XLR microphones (microphones that require an audio mixer to connect to your PC/Mac)
If you choose a USB microphone, you’ll be able to directly connect it to your PC/Mac and record without an intermediary. Non-USB microphones, in contrast, will require an audio interface. You won’t be able to just plug them into your computer, open your software of choice, and get going.
So, if your budget’s really tight or you’re unsure about your podcasting journey, we recommend you go the affordable route and get a USB condenser microphone.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at specific options.
The 7 Best Podcast Microphones for Beginners
In this section, we’ll share our 5 favorite podcasting microphones for beginners. We’ll be covering:
- Pros
- Cons
- Pricing
- Best use case
Let’s dive in!
Budget Mics For Podcasting (under $100)
RØDE Podmic
The Podmic is a dynamic podcast microphone from the Australian audio powerhouse RØDE.
Pros
- It was designed for podcasting, live streaming, and detailed speech recordings
- It includes an internal pop filter
- It includes a sturdy shock mount, which reduces vibrations
- Its integrated swing mount allows you to position it to taste, so you can record comfortably for long periods of time.
- This microphone is extremely robust, it has a highly durable all-metal body
- It captures a wide frequency range (20Hz ~ 20kHz)
- Its XLR connection allows future upgrades to the audio setup
Cons
- It weighs 937 grams, which can make it difficult to manipulate and transport
- Although high quality, it only provides one pickup pattern: Cardioid, meaning that it doesn’t capture sound in a 360° range
Pricing: You can get a Podmic for 99 USD online.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti condenser microphone is a favorite among content creators and has become a classic at this point. It offers great recording quality at a relatively low price. And, since it’s a USB microphone, it doesn’t require an audio interface.
Pros
- Thanks to its 11-segment LED meter, you can check your sound level at a glance and easily adjust it, which makes it ideal for live broadcasts
- It offers versatile pickup patterns, including bidirectional (so it can be shared by two speakers) and omnidirectional (for group recordings)
- You won’t need an audio interface to use it
- It comes with a multi-function smart knob, which you can use to calibrate its key settings without opening your recording software
- It comes on a stand, so you won't have to buy one separately
TIP: Getting a separate boom arm slightly enhances the microphones’ audio quality.
Cons
- It doesn’t include DSP presets. This could be inconvenient if you’re looking for EQ/compression baked into signal
- The mic doesn't come with a built-in pop filter
Pricing: The Blue Yeti comes in multiple colors and retails at 84.99 USD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTSlI9KUcOI&t=7s&ab_channel=LogitechForCreators
Samson Q2U
Featuring both an XLR and USB connection, the Samson Q2U dynamic microphone stands out as an affordable and versatile option for beginners.
Pros
- Its dual output (USB and XLR) allows you to start recording with your software of choice. In the future, you can upgrade your setup by getting an audio interface.
- You can also back up your recordings with the dual-output
- Solid audio performance
- Minimizes background noise
- A headphone jack is built-in so you can monitor your recordings in real-time. This will greatly reduce post-production time
- It comes with basic microphone accessories, so you can start recording right away. These accessories include an XLR cable, foam windscreen, and a desktop tripod stand
- User friendly
Cons
- It’s sensitive to plosives (i.e. strong sounds produced when saying K, P, and T)
- The USB connection has poorer audio quality than the XLR connection
- It doesn’t come with a smartphone/tablet adapter
- It isn’t available in all regions
Pricing: The Samson Q2U microphone retails for 59.99 USD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-y_kc15g3s&ab_channel=SamsonTechnologies
Mid-Range Mics For Podcasting ($100-$200)
If you have more cash to invest in a microphone, here are some mid-tier options that might catch your interest.
Samson Q9U
Also known as an upgraded version of its predecessor Q2U, the Samson Q9U is a condenser microphone specially designed for recording detailed speech.
Pros:
- It has an XLR and USB output, making it highly versatile
- It’s sturdy, weighing 800 grams
- It is cheaper than microphones with similar features
- You can upgrade your audio setup with an audio interface in the future, thanks to its double output
- It includes a windshield and a USB-C cable
Cons:
- It doesn’t include a stand
- It isn’t a handheld device. A boom arm would be ideal for mounting it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ScZ1wumopM&ab_channel=SamsonTechnologies
Rode NT-USB
Rode is an industry leader that any podcaster can trust. And the Rode NT-USB is definitely worth taking a look at. It’s a versatile condenser mic praised by streamers.
Pros
- Highly versatile side-address microphone, perfect for recording vocals with the recording app of your choice
- You can monitor mic-input with an integrated zero-latency 3.5mm headphone jack
- Sophisticated design
- It includes a premium pop-filter, ideal to minimize plosives
- It comes with a stand mount, a desktop stand, and a storage pouch
- Minimizes ambient noise by focusing on the front sound source with its cardioid polar pattern
- USB connection, so you won’t need an audio interface, just plug and use
Cons
- The plastic accessories aren’t sturdy enough
- It doesn’t have a gain knob
Pricing: The Rode NT-USB retails for 169 USD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObqLMHQElQU&ab_channel=R%C3%98DE
Sennheiser Profile
When it comes to audio gear, Sennheiser is a superb brand to choose. Sennheiser Profile is a USB condenser microphone known for its extra-detailed speech recording.
Pros
- Highly detailed speech recording for a very good price
- Multiple hands-on controls that are intuitive to use, including gain control, a mute button, mix control for balancing microphone and device levels, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- It comes with a metal desktop stand
- It’s small, so you won’t need much desk space for it
Cons:
- It requires macOS 10.15, iPadOS 14, Windows 10, or Android 9.0 and higher
Pricing: You can get the Sennheiser Profile USB condenser microphone for 129 USD.
Shure MV7X
Shure is one of the most reliable brands out there when it comes to studio and live performance mics. Let’s take a look at their MV7X microphone, a mid-tier option designed for crystal-clear voice recording.
Pros
- Easy to use and configure, it’s basically “plug-and-play”
- High-quality feeling, with a clean design and professional look
- It's sturdy, weighing 550 grams
- It comes with a two-year guarantee
- It has replaceable parts
- It’s designed to take in loud inputs without turning them into distortion
Cons
- It only has an XLR output
- It doesn’t have buttons, so you’ll need your recording software to adjust its settings or mute it
- It doesn’t come with an XLR cable
- You’ll need an audio interface to use it since it’s dynamic
- It doesn’t come with a desktop stand
- There are cheaper alternatives with more features
Pricing: The Shure MV7X retails at 179 USD.
Key Takeaways
In this post, we shared our 7 favorite podcasting microphones for beginners.
Starting a podcast may seem daunting. But, if you’re taking care of the specifics and putting together a solid plan, you’re on the right track.
Wondering how to market your podcast? Our suggestion is to share highlights across social media.
And with Audiotease, you can turn your podcast’s best moments into stunning videos, without expensive software or hours of heavy editing.
Discover Audiotease today and create your first video for free.