This is due in part to the wider frequency response, higher sampling rate, and bit depth of these microphones. Some offer additional software, built-in buttons and indicators to help you sound even better. It’s virtually impossible to escape all the sounds of this chaotic world, whether it’s the hum of the gaming PC, the tapping on the gaming keyboard, or the garbage truck roaring outside, but a high-quality microphone offers different pickup patterns to eliminate the unwanted noise. Even the best phones and gaming headsets can’t match the sound quality of a standalone microphone. Sure, the little built-in mics in your devices serve their purpose when you’re chatting with your mom over FaceTime or strategizing with your teammates during a game, but those mics are often secondary to the other features of the device. And they’re not suitable if you want to stream games, create podcasts, or even record music. Listeners don’t want to hear choppy, distorted voices, and a high-quality microphone can make the difference between your subscriber numbers sinking or swimming. Below we have mentioned the best Microphones.
Check the List of Best Microphones
Blue Yeti X Professional
There’s a reason why Blue microphones always have a place on our list of best microphones. The Blue Yeti X is a blend of the Nano and the original Yeti, a fusion of the best features of both models. Even as new microphones hit the market, the Yeti X remains a reliable recommendation for anyone looking for a great-sounding microphone. The rugged microphone now features an LED-lit control panel that shows volume at a glance, and the sound quality is still top-notch. The “Smart Knob” functionality also allows you to tweak gain, headphone level (when using the built-in 3.5mm jack), and crossfade modes on the go. This means you can adjust how loud you are with your headphones, how loud you sound to others, and how loud your headphones are from the front of the unit.
HyperX SoloCast
The recording quality of the HyperX SoloCast is much better than it should be for a $59 USB microphone. The cardioid pickup pattern rivals the best microphones in this category and delivers rich, full vocals. You’ll notice a less audible reverb effect when recording, and background noise is minimal as well; sounds like mouse clicks and mechanical keys aren’t as intrusive. Such things makes it one of the best microphones on the market. We also like the compact design and adjustable stand that lets you position the microphone at different angles. There’s even a built-in mute button to prevent ambient noise from being picked up. The microphone is plug-and-play and meets the most basic requirements, such as simple controls and a single recording pattern, which is one of the few features available. Still, this does not detract from the overall value of the SoloCast.
Shure MV7
The design is second to none, as the best microphones feature a rugged, reliable metal form factor as well as XLR and USB connectors. This makes it perfect for use with your favorite DAW for a more professional, high-quality sound. You can also easily connect it to your laptop via USB for use on the go. You can even use both at the same time if you want to. With this option, you get the best of both worlds. The Shure MV7 has a lot more to offer, though. First, you can use the controls on the microphone to adjust the gain, monitor the mix, and control the volume. As a bonus, it offers access to Shure’s MOTIV app, which lets you make real-time adjustments to volume and tone without making things overly complicated. Even if you’re a newbie, you’ll be able to get to grips with it. It will also help you reduce the amount of time you spend in post-production.
Sennheiser MKE 400
Both beginners and amateur filmmakers should check out the Sennheiser MKE 400. This shotgun microphone uses a highly directional supercardioid pickup pattern to record speech clearly, even when shooting in locations with lots of background noise. Currently, this is one of the best microphones that you can buy. The MKE 400 is great for DIY content creation because it’s so easy to use. You can simply place it on your camera’s hot shoe and connect it via a 3.5mm cable. The MKE 400 also offers the same plug-and-play functionality for smartphones. Just plug it into your phone’s headphone jack, and you’re ready to record great-sounding clips without a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Audio Technica AE2300
Easily one of the best microphones, the AE2300 is a versatile cardioid microphone with a high SPL that is ideal for percussion, drums, guitar amps and horns. It is also quite compact (less than 10 cm long), making it perfect for discreet use in a live environment. Overall, this is a beautifully designed and crafted microphone. The proprietary dual-dome diaphragm improves high-frequency and transient response. The off-axis frequency response is quite linear up to 120 degrees and not bad at 180 degrees off-axis either, which can be quite an advantage when setting up a drum kit with multiple microphones.
Rode PodMic
Everyone seems to have a podcast these days, and you might want to join in the fun too. However, make sure you don’t make a rookie mistake by recording low-quality audio – nothing will scare listeners away faster. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable options that will ensure this doesn’t happen. Our favorite is the Rode PodMic, which is optimized specifically for podcasters. This broadcast-level dynamic XLR microphone may be a bit more complicated for beginners, but the smooth, sultry voice it emits is worth the extra effort. The Rode PodMic looks and is built like a much more expensive microphone, but it costs less than $100. Inside is a built-in pop filter that eliminates the annoying popping that occurs when too much air hits a mic – you can get excited about a subject without worrying about an editing nightmare later. If you plan to make EQ adjustments, the microphone responds well and produces a precise sound throughout. Overall, this is one of the best microphones on the market.
Elgato Wave 3
Sometimes you just want a microphone that you can plug in and sound great with, and the Elgato Wave 3 is just that. Setting it up is as easy as can be: you just plug it into your computer via USB-C and you’re ready to go. There are no extra cables or programs to deal with like there would be with an XLR microphone. To make life even easier, you get plenty of control options on the microphone. In addition to a mute button, you can use a knob to alternately control volume and gain, as well as adjust the balance between system level and side tone. There’s even a port on the back of the unit if you want to listen to your recording through headphones. Since it’s so easy to use, you may be wondering if the Elegato Wave 3 sounds good, too. Audio resolution is impressively high, with a 96 kHz sample rate and 24-bit depth.
Movo UM700
The Movo UM700 is essentially a more affordable variant of the Blue Yeti, albeit with a higher profile than the Blue Yeti Nano and is one of the best microphones on the market. We’ve chosen it here for its capable sound quality, excellent ease of use, and relatively low price – its MSRP is actually $30 less than the Blue Yeti. Although the UM700 is superior to its better-known competitor in overall recording capabilities – something to keep in mind if you want to start a professional-sounding podcast – it’s more than up to the task for gaming, meetings, and occasional chats. Just plug in the USB cable, increase the gain a bit, and the UM700 is ready to go.
Audio-Technica AT4033a
The Audio-Technica AT4033a is a versatile side-address condenser microphone that can be used for a variety of sources, from vocals to acoustic guitar to drum overheads. In the rap realm, this is also the most recent version of the microphone MF DOOM used to record the 2004 album Madvillain. The switchable high-pass filter at 80 Hz is especially handy if you want to record your talent with a close mic. This curbs the unwanted low-mid boost that comes from being too close to the mic, also known as proximity effect.
Conclusion
The Best Microphone depends almost depend on your setup. Microphones come in many different forms, and they all have different uses. In other words, a microphone that’s great for live vocals on stage may not be the best microphone for creating YouTube content.
