Add in the fact that most only require a single USB cable to operate and USB microphones prove themselves to be unmatched tools for creating content with very limited equipment and a no-brainer for mobile content creation. Many USB microphones also contain built-in controls or come with companion software that allow users to process and compress their sound for production on the front end, which makes them a great solution for saving time during the editing process. Here are our suggestions for the best USB microphones you can buy today, as well as a few key considerations to keep in mind when making a selection.
Best overall: Elgato Wave:3Best for podcasting: Shure MV7Best for vocals: Blue Yeti XBest for gaming: Razer Seiren EliteBest budget: HyperX SoloCast
Methodology
USB microphones come in a wide range of designs—from incredibly simple devices to all-in-one production tools. To make this comprehensive list of the best USB microphones on the market we eliminated all options that didn’t have a great reputation among users and critics. We then took into consideration the following key criteria to make sure our selections offer something for everyone: Sound. Unlike traditional microphones, many USB microphones are specifically tuned to provide optimal sound clarity for the human voice. Beyond that baseline, some designs allow users further customization over that sound through the use of EQ filters, compression, and other effects. We selected microphones with user-customizable sound whenever possible, but all of them offer a voice-tailored sound regardless. Controls. The ability to make quick sound adjustments is crucial in content creation settings, especially when streaming or podcasting. All of the microphones except for our budget pick offer onboard controls that allow users to tweak their settings on the fly. Brand. All of the USB microphones on this list are made by reputable, established brands, many of which have a hand in manufacturing other types of audio, video, gaming, or streaming equipment. Going with established brands increases the likelihood of customer service follow-through and quality control, both of which are especially important when considering a critical piece of content creation equipment like a USB microphone.
Best overall: Elgato Wave:3
Why it made the cut: Manufactured by an industry leader in high-quality A/V capture devices, the Wave:3 is packed with thoughtful design features that aim to satisfy a wide range of audio recording needs. Specs
Frequency Response: 70 to 20,000 HzMax Recording Quality: 24-bit/96 kHzSystem Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pros
Capacitive mute button allows for click-free control while streamingBuilt-in clip guard prevents accidental distortion from loud sourcesSoftware allows real-time granular control of an entire mix
Cons
Mixer software and onboard controls take practice to useRequires USB 3.0 to operate
Elgato is well-known in the video production world for being an industry leader in capture cards, and as the best USB microphone overall, the Wave:3 packs a lot of the quality, innovative spirit, and sleek design for which the company’s flagship products are known. Powered by a single USB-C cable and plug-and-play ready for both PCs and Macs, the Wave:3 offers a smooth broadcast-grade vocal sound and analog-to-digital conversion at an extremely high 24-bit/96 kHz resolution. Its onboard controls include a multifunctional dial for volume and headphone control, as well as a silent capacitive button for quick muting, which is particularly convenient for live streaming and gaming applications. A built-in software clip guard also prevents the microphone from ever going “into the red” due to overloads, ensuring that recorded content is production-ready regardless of unexpected spikes in volume. The Wave:3 works seamlessly with Elgato’s downloadable Wave Link software, which grants users access to a nine-source mixer interface for fine-tuning of multiple simultaneous audio sources like browsers, gaming applications, DAWs, chats, and more. This makes it a great choice for users who require flexibility and full control over their audio recording setup in a variety of creative settings from streaming to podcasting. The Wave Link software does require a bit of tinkering to learn due to its complexity and its ability to combine many different sources, and some users may have difficulty configuring it to communicate with all types of software. It’s also imperative that the Wave:3 is plugged into a USB 3.0 port to function properly because, otherwise, it may partially function and deliver a staticky, unusable sound.
Best for podcasting: Shure MV7
Why it made the cut: This podcasting mic from Shure is designed with a broadcast-friendly yoke mount and offers a suite of onboard DSP including ambient noise cancellation to deliver crisp and clear voice quality. Specs
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 HzMax Recording Quality: 24-bit/48 kHzSystem Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pros
Includes studio-grade XLR output for outboard gear compatibilityUnique close-talk windscreen offers maximum deadening of plosivesBuilt-in voice isolation and speech-enhancing effects
Cons
Capacitive controls are easy to accidentally touchSound is tailored for voice rather than instruments
The Shure MV7, the best USB microphone for podcasting, is a rugged and stylish USB dynamic microphone that excels at capturing and delivering broadcast-ready vocal audio, making it an excellent choice for podcasting and content creation, as well as a high-quality substitute for a computer’s built-in microphone when teleconferencing. While its exterior design takes several cues from Shure’s legendary SM7B vocal microphone, the MV7 has its own thing going on under the hood with unique features like onboard DSP compression, EQ, and voice isolation that allow users to sculpt a production-perfect sound before they even press record. Though the MV7 can function as a standalone USB microphone when plugged into a computer, it also features an industry-standard XLR connector that allows it to connect with virtually any professional audio interface (just like a standard microphone). All of the microphone’s DSP configuration and sound-shaping is done via its computer software, but users can access basic gain and volume controls on the body of the microphone itself. While this is convenient for making on-the-fly changes when recording is in progress, the onboard controls are capacitive and thus sensitive to touch and, unfortunately, they’re placed in an area that users may grab when making positioning adjustments. This quirk requires users to stay aware of how and where they handle the microphone. Also, the MV7’s overall sound and frequency response are custom-tailored for speech, which makes it fantastic for vocal applications but not as appealing for use on instruments.
Best for vocals: Blue Yeti X
Why it made the cut: The Yeti X’s selectable pickup patterns offer an advanced level of sound-shaping according to users’ needs and the acoustics of their space, delivering crystal-clear audio and crisp vocal tones. Specs
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 HzMax Recording Quality: 24-bit/48 kHzSystem Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pros
Four polar patterns to fit a variety of recording scenariosIntuitive two-knob controls with high-resolution level monitoringCustomizable LED lights for a personalized appearance
Cons
USB cable can come loose while moving the microphoneSensitive condenser design may pick up ambience
The Yeti X from Blue Microphones is the company’s flagship USB microphone, sporting a unique four-capsule condenser design that gives it excellent detail capture and high sensitivity when compared to other USB microphones in its price range. While this microphone is packed with thoughtful features that make it well-suited for podcasting and streaming use, its level of clarity and four switchable pickup patterns make it one of the best USB microphones for vocals and recording warm and clear vocals in a variety of spaces. Using a dedicated rear knob, users can select between single-direction, bidirectional, stereo, and omnidirectional recording modes, allowing the Yeti X to capture clear vocal audio from multiple sources without the need for extra microphones. This function is particularly useful for recording groups of people and capturing conversations with room ambience, which makes for a natural and lifelike recorded sound. A front array of high-resolution LEDs allows users to view their gain at a glance and make adjustments to avoid overloads, and these LEDs can even be color-customized via downloadable G HUB software from Logitech. Condenser microphones are one of the types of microphones typically more sensitive than dynamic microphones, which is why the Yeti X is particularly good at capturing the nuance and range of musical vocal performances. However, this increased sensitivity makes the Yeti X more prone to capturing a high ratio of ambient noise from, particularly echoey or noisy spaces. For this reason, it’s best to use this mic in acoustically treated spaces or rooms with minimal reverberation. The Yeti X also features a heavy-duty USB cable that hangs from the bottom of the microphone that’s prone to falling out during use, which can be annoying at best and disruptive at worst, so users should take care when moving around the mic.
Best for gaming: Razer Seiren Elite
Why it made the cut: An incredibly easy-to-use design and a sound that’s tailored for dynamic performances make the Seiren Elite the best USB microphone for gaming. Specs
Frequency Response: 50 to 20,000 HzMax Recording Quality: 16-bit/48 kHzSystem Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pros
Clear and present stream-ready sound with no adjustment requiredZero-latency monitoring allows users to hear themselves while playingBuilt-in limiter and switchable high-pass for consistent audio quality
Cons
The integrated limiter can’t be turned offDoesn’t record in resolutions above 16 bits
Gamers and streamers who want to enjoy a marked improvement over the sound of a standard gaming headset microphone without sacrificing ease of use and esthetic appeal will love the Razer Seiren Elite USB microphone for its plug-and-play functionality and clear, robust sound. It features very few onboard controls apart from a dual-function mute/record button, a headphone volume knob, a microphone gain knob, and a high-pass filter button for cutting out low noise from air conditioners and louder environments. To provide reliable performance and endure the vocal outbursts and volume spikes often associated with competitive gaming, the Seiren Elite features a built-in limiter that’s always on, ensuring that the captured audio never distorts. Unlike many competing USB microphones that require companion software to access their controls, the Seiren Elite excels at user-friendliness and easy setup thanks to its limited controls and always-on limiter. While this makes its sound appealing and consistent for streaming use and some podcasting applications, some content creators may be turned off by the inability to switch off the limiter when recording quieter material, which can result in more ambient noise coming through. The microphone’s analog-to-digital sample rate is also fixed at 16 bits or the quality of a CD. This is more or less a technicality that will be rendered moot by streaming compression, but this rate does offer marginally less dynamic range than the 24-bit standard used in modern audio production.
Best budget: HyperX SoloCast
Why it made the cut: This tiny USB microphone is incredibly easy to use and costs a fraction of its competitors, making it a convenient and portable choice for users who desire a barebones setup. Specs
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 HzMax Recording Quality: 16-bit/48 kHzSystem Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pros
Easy-to-learn streamlined designCompatible with boom arms and mic standsIntegrated tap-to-mute button for streaming
Cons
Lacks gain control; prone to picking up background noiseSound is not customizable or adjustable
The HyperX SoloCast is one of the best budget USB microphones available thanks to a compact and easy-to-use design that requires minimal setup. It promises plug-and-play compatibility with Mac and Windows systems running a variety of streaming software, and because it includes no onboard controls except a single tap-to-mute button, users don’t need to spend time fiddling with knobs or extra software to operate it. The mic is installed on its own freestanding desk mount, but it also features a standard thread on its underside for mounting on standard boom arms and microphone stands. The downside to the SoloCast’s streamlined functionality is that its sound is more or less set in stone, and it doesn’t offer access to any EQ, compression, or limiting of more expensive competitors that allow users to improve or custom-tailor their vocal tone. This makes the SoloCast more likely to appeal to users who are experienced with editing their sound using software of their choice and less likely to produce a desirable sound in acoustically untreated spaces or loud environments. Still, when considering its portability and ease of use, it’s hard to find a much better bang for your buck if you’re looking for the best USB microphone on a budget.
Things to consider before buying a USB microphone
Will you use it primarily for recording or livestreaming?
Because USB microphones include their own built-in analog-to-digital conversion and send their audio directly to computers, it’s important to take note of their maximum audio resolution. If you’ll be using your USB microphone for creating recorded content like podcasts or music and you want to achieve the best possible sound, a microphone with a resolution of 24-bits and 48 to 96 kHz like the Elgato Wave:3 will provide quality on par with that of professional audio interfaces. In live-streaming scenarios, audio quality usually becomes highly compressed before reaching the end listener, making USB microphone resolution less of an important factor. For this reason, many gaming and streaming USB mics are limited to resolutions of 16-bits/48 kHz, like the Razer Seiren Elite.
Will you use it in an acoustically treated space?
If your space is treated to minimize excess reverberation and echo, a USB condenser mic like the Blue Yeti X will provide a highly nuanced and lifelike recording. Condenser microphones fall short in untreated or noisy spaces due to their high sensitivity, making dynamic microphones like the Shure MV7 a better choice for those scenarios.
Do you require compatibility with professional outboard gear?
One of the most appealing features of USB microphones is their ability to function without any extra gear, unlike traditional microphones. For this reason, they’re usually not built with the XLR connectors required to work with outboard studio gear. In the event that you want the flexibility to connect your USB microphone to XLR equipment, the Shure MV7 is one of the very few options on the market that can do just that unless you use an additional interface/converter, such as the Elgato Wave:3.
Final thoughts
Finding the best USB microphone for your creative endeavors depends largely on the type of content you’re creating and the context in which it’ll be heard. If you’re looking for a jack of all trades that can handle streaming, podcasting, and voice recording duties, the Elgato Wave:3 is a well-rounded option. Podcasters and streamers may prefer the speech-oriented DSP features of the Shure MV7 or the Razer Seiren Elite, which are tailored to decrease dynamic range and increase clarity in crowded audio mixes. If you’ll be using your USB microphone for musical vocal recordings, the four-capsule condenser construction of the Blue Yeti X will deliver some of the most nuanced and detailed vocal sound available in this product category.
