Table of Contents
USB microphones are a great choice for many people because they are simple and easy to use. Plug-and-play devices like these are a popular choice, especially if you don’t need very high-quality sound. Best USB microphones are often used by professionals because they are easy to use. They are also great for improving the sound quality in meetings, making music, or streaming content.
The best thing about USB microphones is how easy they are to set up. After you take them out of the box, you’re already halfway done. This is by far the easiest way to do it. Even though XLR microphones are needed to get the best sound, it’s surprising how many people use USB microphones to get great sound. Using the Yeti Blue USB microphone, a lot of professionals have been able to podcast for years without any sound problems.
The technology behind USB microphones has advanced to the point where even cheap ones do a great job. Even if you’ve never used a microphone before, you can use these to their fullest potential. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you some of the best USB microphones on the market right now. We will also talk about some of the reasons why these microphones have become so popular.
At the end of this guide, you’ll find more information about how to buy the best USB microphones and what to think about when shopping for one. If you’d rather look at the products right away, you can keep scrolling.
Best USB Microphones Comparison Table
Product | Elgato Wave 3 | Blue Snowball iCE | Blue Yeti X | Shure MV7 | HyperX Quadcast S | Elgato Wave 1 | Samson Meteor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser | Condenser | Condenser | Dynamic/Condenser | Condenser | Condenser | Condenser |
Sample Rate | 48 kHz | 44.1 kHz | 48 kHz | 48 kHz | 48 kHz | 48 kHz | 44.1 kHz |
Bit Depth | 24-bit | 16-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 16-bit |
Frequency Range | 70 Hz – 20 kHz | 40 Hz – 18 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 50 Hz – 16 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 70 Hz – 20 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
Headphone Output | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gain Control | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Compatibility | PC, Mac | PC, Mac | PC, Mac | PC, Mac, iOS | PC, Mac | PC, Mac | PC, Mac |
Elgato Wave 3

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 70Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 96kHz |
Bit Depth | 24-bit |
Max SPL | 120dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Boom arm or desk stand |
Software Control | Wave Link app |
The Elgato Wave:3 is a USB microphone that can do a lot for $160. It sounds great right out of the box, and it can also be tuned even more. You can also easily adjust the mic while streaming thanks to a mute button and a physical dial that controls mic gain, headphone volume, and cross fade, which is the balance between your mic and PC volume when headphones are linked.
The great sound comes from a 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital converter, a large condenser capsule that picks up voices of all volumes, and a single cardioid polar pattern that keeps the attention on you and not on noises in the background. Overall, voices that come through the Wave:3 sound realistic, and the changes between loud and quiet speech are smooth. The only thing we would change about this mic is that the mid-tones could be a little sharper.
The Good
- Wave Link app lets you control software and make changes to it.
- Built-in headphone output lets you listen in real time
- Compatible with desk stands and boom arms for flexible placement
The Bad
- Compared to other options, the price may seem high.
- Needs a computer for recording and controlling
Blue Snowball iCE

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 40Hz – 18kHz |
Sample Rate | 44.1kHz, 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 16-bit |
Max SPL | 120dB |
Headphone Output | No |
Mount Type | Desktop stand included |
Connection | USB |
The Blue Snowball has become the standard microphone for streamers and podcasters who are just starting out. It’s cheap and cheerful for a high-quality condenser mic. It’s small and comes with a tripod stand that lets it work from many different directions. You can put it on a stand or shock mount if you’d rather not have it on your desk.
The Snowball is smart because it’s better and more flexible than you might think. For general recording, you can switch between an omnidirectional mode and a cardioid mode. The cardioid mode is best for vocals and podcasts. The sound quality, on the other hand, is very good for the price. It picks up a lot of information and has no background hum. This is the mic to buy if you’re just getting started with streaming or podcasting.
The Good
- Affordable and budget-friendly option
- The USB connection makes it easy to set up.
- Small and easy to carry
The Bad
- Compared to higher-end models, it has a lower sample rate and less bit depth.
- There is no headphone output for monitoring in real time.
- Might not pick up as much detail as better microphones.
Blue Yeti X

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Patterns | Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo |
Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 24-bit |
Max SPL | 122dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Desktop stand included |
Connection | USB |
The Blue Yeti X is the best of the bunch. It feels sturdy and well-made, and it has a lot of features that make it easy to use every day. It has a single button on the front that lets you change the gain and volume of the headphones, as well as mix the sound coming through them. That means you can choose to hear only what the microphone picks up with no delay, or you can also hear the sound coming from your computer, which is important if you’re recording music or tracking conversation.
If you need to sneeze or cough while listening to a podcast or in a meeting, you can use the same front button to stop the sound. A front LED meter also shows how loud the sound is that is coming in. You can see if it’s too loud and change the volume on the microphone.
The Good
- Versatile microphone that can be used in a variety of recording situations.
- Wide frequency response accurately picks up a large range of frequencies
- High-quality sound with 48kHz sample rate and 24-bit depth
The Bad
- More expensive than options for beginners
- Some latency may be caused by a USB connection.
Shure MV7

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Dynamic microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 50Hz – 16kHz |
Sample Rate | 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 16-bit |
Max SPL | 140dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Desktop stand included, compatible with boom arms |
Connection | USB, XLR |
The $249 price tag for the Shure MV7 is well worth it. It is without a doubt the best microphone I have tested so far. It is made of metal and has a Voice Isolation Technology that lets it record professional studio-quality audio that focuses on your voice. The Shure Plus Motiv EQ program makes the whole thing even better, getting the most out of the microphone and your voice.
Simplifying things is a good thing, and the user experience is a joy to use. The Shure MV7 is better than the rest because you can use either the USB connection or the more professional XLR connection. As soon as you take the Silver Shure MV7 out of its box and touch it, you know it means business. It looks like a professional studio and is made of high-quality metal. It says, “You better bring your A-game.” Get your voice ready and drink some hot tea with lemon. It’s time to get down to business.
The Good
- Dynamic microphone for professionals
- Cardioid polar pattern blocks out background noise very well.
- Wide frequency response picks up vocals and instruments accurately.
The Bad
- Higher price range than options for beginners
- Best settings require some knowledge of how to record audio.
HyperX Quadcast S

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 24-bit |
Max SPL | 120dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Included stand, compatible with boom arms |
Connection | USB-C |
This HyperX microphone (8/10, our Recommends) sounds almost as good as the other options on this list. However, it has some pretty cool-looking LEDs that will make it stand out on your Twitch shows. The touch-sensitive tap-to-mute button on top turns off the LEDs to let you know it’s muted properly, which is a nice touch.
The gain knob on the bottom makes it easy to make the mic more sensitive. The QuadCast S comes with a shock mount that stops it from moving when you type quickly or kick your desk in anger after losing a game. It has stereo, panoramic, cardioid, and bidirectional polar patterns.
The Good
- Design that is sleek and stylish
- Cardioid polar pattern for focused recording that is flexible
- High-quality audio playback with a wide range of frequencies
The Bad
- A little more expensive than entry-level models.
- Some devices with a USB-C connection may need an adapter.
Elgato Wave 1

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 70Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 24-bit |
Max SPL | 120dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Boom arm or desk stand |
Connection | USB-C |
Even though the Elgato Wave:1 doesn’t have as many fancy features as its big brother, don’t write it off. It still has the same great large condenser capsule, safety from plosives and clipping, and sensitivity and clarity of tone as the Wave:3. This mic works well with almost any voice because it has warm, full tones in the low end and clear tones in the high end.
Even worse is that the hardware settings are very simple. The Wave:1’s control ring can only be used to mute the mic and change the volume of the headphones. You can still control the mic’s gain and crossfade with Elgato’s Wavelink PC software, but it’s not as easy as having settings on the mic itself. We think the Wave:3 is worth the extra $30, but if you don’t have much money, this $130 mic is still one of the best on the market.
The Good
- Studio-quality condenser microphone
- Sound with a wide frequency response is full and clear.
The Bad
- A little more expensive than options for beginners
Samson Meteor

Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 44.1kHz, 48kHz |
Bit Depth | 16-bit |
Max SPL | 120dB |
Headphone Output | Yes (3.5mm) |
Mount Type | Included desktop stand |
Connection | USB |
The USB mic from Samson has a lot going for it, starting with how it looks. The Meteor looks like it was made in the 1950s because it is made of all metal and has a chrome finish. It also feels as strong as it looks. The design is also useful because the three legs of the built-in tripod stand fold flat against the mic, making it easy to carry. On the back, there is a mini-USB port for connecting the microphone to your computer and a speaker out for listening to the sound. At the front, there is a handy stop button and a tiny volume control for the headphones.
The Meteor is very sensitive to sound, so in your live or recording app, you’ll need to turn down the gain to get the best results. It’s also pretty one-sided, with no choice of polar patterns, and it sounds best when you’re close and the mouth is in front of you. But if you place it right, the sound is clear and detailed, with a great tone and good pop control. The Meteor has its limits, but it’s great for streaming, podcasts, and easy demos. It’s also the perfect cheap mic to throw in a bag and carry around.
The Good
- Affordable and budget-friendly option
- Small and easy to carry
The Bad
- Compared to higher-end models, it has a lower sample rate and less bit depth.
FAQs
A USB microphone is a type of microphone that uses a USB cable to link to your computer or other devices. It gets rid of the need for extra audio interfaces or power sources, so you can record music straight into your computer.
There are a few brands that are known for making good USB speakers. Some of the most famous are:
Blue Microphones
Audio-Technica
Rode
Shure
Samson
Apogee
AKG
Sennheiser