Microphones

Best Cheap USB Microphone For Podcasting

Regardless if you are starting from scratch as a beginner, or already a podcaster seeking to improve or upgrade their equipment, our list below of the best cheap USB microphone for podcasting will surely have something for you.

Given you are in the business of recording podcasts, then it should be pretty clear to you that besides quality content, one other factor that determines the success rate of your show is making sure your sound quality is good.

Your topic might be very interesting, but the listener will easily lose interest if the quality of your audio isn’t clear enough.

Thus, you will need to place your investment on some quality podcasting equipment, including computer hardware and software, a recording device that is compatible, reliable studio monitors, and most definitely, your microphones.

Below you will find our handpicked best cheap USB microphone for podcasting, here we go: 👇


1. THE BLUE YETI USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE (BLACK EDITION)

BLUE YETI USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

For beginners, this is arguably one of the highest-ranked best cheap USB microphones for podcasting in terms of popularity.

Besides the fact that it is a top-quality mic with a highly affordable price tag, it is also tremendously versatile and not difficult at all to use.

Notably, it has the feature of three diverse condenser capsules combined in one, giving the option to make records in different circumstances.

Specifications:
• Record Resolution – 16-Bit, 48 kHz
• Beat Response – 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Tri-Capsule Array
• Cardioid, Omni, Figure 8, Stereo Polar Patterns
• 1/8-Inch Headphone Jack
• Zero-latency Monitoring
• Instant Mute Button
• Gain Control
Mac and Windows compatible
• USB connectivity

It also affords you the opportunity to choose between four distinct polar patterns out of a number of pattern selections: omnidirectional (best for two hosts or a host and a guest on the show), bidirectional, stereo, and cardioid (for much clearer podcasting audio).

And given its USB cord, you can directly plug it into your computer and begin recording straight up.

Also, it has a built-in headphone jack that enables you to monitor your recording in real-time without any form of delay. This is one the best cheap USB microphone for podcasting if it meets your desires, look further no more.

Pros
  • Hard metal body
  • Convenient headphone production
  • An outstanding richness and all-around sound quality
  • 4 option patterns plus stereo mode
  • No need for extra setup gear
  • Very affordable
Cons
  • Rickety controls/buttons
  • Non-standard size
  • Difficult to find a fitting shock mount

2. BLUE Snowball iCE USB CONDENSER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

BLUE Snowball iCE USB CONDENSER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

This is a very popular microphone owing to its super clear audio and cheap price. Owing to its custom condenser capsule, it can supply crystal-clear sound as well as top-quality performance throughout the process of recording podcasts, vocals.

Specifications:
• Recording Resolution – 16-bit, 44.1 kHz
• Frequency Response – 40 Hz to 18 kHz
• Cardioid Polar Pattern
• Adjustable Base Stand
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac
• USB Port

On the other hand, with the help of its cardioid patterns, unwanted sounds are eliminated.

It qualifies as one of the best cheap USB microphones for podcasting because you will absolutely get more the value of what you paid for.

Pros
  • Very clear sound ensuring nice recording
  • No other setup needed, just plug and play
  • It can easily be disassembled making it easy to put away and back anytime
  • It picks up only the sound in front of it, thanks to its cardioid voice pickup pattern.
Cons
  • Only good for a podcast, live streaming, gameplay, and YouTube. Not good for recording
  • A little quieter in volume, though can be adjusted in your DAW
  • The red LED that indicates if it’s working is too bright and annoying
  • There is the need for a pop filter because it picks the P’s and S’s

3. SAMSON GO MIC PORTABLE USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

SAMSON GO MIC PORTABLE USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

For on-the-go podcasting, the greatest option is most definitely the Samson Go portable USB condenser mic.

This is a travel-sized microphone that can easily be folded to suit a small convey case, a big pocket, or your wallet.

Specifications:
• Recording Resolution – 16-bit, 44.1 kHz
• Frequency Response 20 Hz to 18 kHz
• Switchable Cardioid and Omnidirectional Polar Patterns
• 1/8-Inch Headphone Jack
• Zero-Latency Monitoring
• Clips to Laptop, Integrated Desk Stand
• Windows and Mac Compatible
• USB Output

This best cheap USB microphone for podcasting also gives you good sound quality that can be found on other microphones that are way more expensive.

For recording interviews and acoustic strings, it gives you the option of switching between the cardioid pattern, as well as the omnidirectional polar pattern, when recording a complete band or seminar.

Pros
  • Long-lasting, the mic got some weight to it.
  • The mic may be cheap, but the sound coming from it isn’t, rather it is crisp.
  • Very good carrying purse and case.
  • Both practical and portable. It provides ease of use.
Cons
  • Mic clip not long enough to when opened for attachment to a desktop computer.
  • After lengthy use, the holder is likely to break off.
  • It is observed that it doesn’t work with windows 8.1.

4. BLUE YETI PRO USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

BLUE YETI PRO USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

The Yeti Pro is hugely popular, just like the cheaper Blue Yeti.

They both look virtually alike and offers almost the same features, like the Blue Yeti, it offers the same three custom condenser capsules and four diverse polar pattern settings, to carry out recording in different circumstances.

Specifications:
• Recording Resolution – 24-bit, 192 kHz
• Frequency Resolution – 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Tri-Capsule Array
• Cardioid, Omni, Figure 8, Stereo Polar Patterns
• 1/8-Inch Headphone Jack
• Zero-Latency Monitoring
• Instant Mute Button
• Gain Control
• Headphone Volume Control
• Windows and Mac Compatible
• USB and XLR Connectivity

Also, it offers an integrated headphone amp that provides latency-free monitoring and controls for instant mute, pattern selection, headphone volume, and microphone gain.

The major difference, however, includes its upgraded recording resolution of 24-Bit/192 kHz and XLR connectivity adding to the USB output. It is one of the best cheap USB microphones for podcasting professionally.

Pros
  • Extremely multipurpose, can be used as a standalone microphone with a mixer or as a USB microphone.
  • Professional quality recording resolution.
  • Extremely low noise; full-bodied and sizeable; nice looks.
Cons
  • Huge and weighty, thus, not very portable
  • It mutes itself on Mac.

5. SAMSON METEOR USB STUDIO CONDENSER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

SAMSON METEOR USB STUDIO CONDENSER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

Just like the Blue Yeti, the Samson Meteor is yet another compact and cheap option that presents professional-quality features for podcasters.

You probably won’t find amazing qualities in it, but it is one the best cheap USB microphone for podcasting, it is a highly recommended USB condenser cardioid mic especially for those with tight budgets.

Specification:
• Recording Resolution – 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz
• Frequency Resolution – 20Hz to 20kHz
• Cardioid Polar Pattern
• Headphone Volume Control
• Microphone Mute Switch
• 1/8-Inch Headphone Jack
• Zero-Latency Monitoring
• Compatible with iPad
• USB connectivity

It has a relatively small, compact profile that won’t occupy too much space, thus, it qualifies as a great addition to your workspace. You can also take advantage of its adjustable legs that can be bent to the optimal position to suit all sorts of recording applications.

Also, it can be folded upward to make it very easy to be stored in a pack. Notably, it has other features, such as a headphone jack for no-latency monitoring, headphone volume control, mute switch, as well as its ability to work with an iPad through the lightning to USB Camera or 30-pin Camera Connection gear.

Pros
  • Folds ups very attractively for on the go circumstances.
  • Excellent sound.
  • Very durable, makes you feel you can drop it and it will survive.
  • Very easy to use, just plug it in and start your business.
  • Monitors with no background noise.
Cons
  • It could take a while to be recognized by your computer.
  • No gain adjustment on the mic
  • On Windows OS, some driver issues may become obvious.
  • There are reports of soldering issues with the mini USB connector and port, to the point where the unit basically comes apart in this area.

6. RODE NT-USB STUDIO CONDENSER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

RODE NT-USB STUDIO CONDENSER CARDIOID MIC

You just can’t get enough of this microphone. The presence of a USB output in this very model makes it possible to record directly to audio applications such as GarageBand on your Mac laptop.

As much as it is hard to believe, you can also record podcasts directly to the RØDE Rec app on your iPad through an Apple Camera connection gear.

Specifications:
• Recording Resolution – 16-Bit, 48 kHz
• Frequency Resolution – 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Cardioid Polar Pattern
• 1/8-Inch Headphone Jack
• Zero-Latency Monitoring
• Direct Mix Control
• Windows and Mac Compatible
• iPad Compatible
• USB Connectivity

What more? You can easily tweak audio effects and EQ levels through this dictated RØDE audio recording app, thus giving you much more control over the output and quality of your audio.

The Rode NT-USB will definitely give you the very best of bang for your bucks, with its 16-bit/48 kHz resolution capture, and assimilated headphone amplifier, a no-latency stereo headphone jack, including on-mic Direct Mix Control (that enables you to switch between mic input and source output), as well as important fittings like a top-quality desktop stand, and a premium pop filter.

Pros
  • Outstanding sound quality.
  • An extended response, crispiness.
  • Low noise.
  • Nice design.
  • Free pop-shield, decent stand.
Cons
  • You need to set your gain lower to get a better recording
  • It does not have a volume gain button.
  • To set the recording gain, you have to open the recording properties on your computer.

7. EXCELVAN BM-800 CONDENSER SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONE

EXCELVAN BM-800 CONDENSER SOUND RECORDING MIC

This microphone comes accompanied by a shock mount, it is one of the best cheap USB microphones podcasting among other recording activities.

Its incredibly low price will make you expect only fairly reasonable features, but truthfully, you are definitely in for a shock, a very pleasant one at that.

Specifications:
• Polar Pattern Type – Unidirectional (Cardioid)
• Frequency Response Category – 20Hz to 20kHz
• The material used – Steel net and Zinc alloy
• Equivalent Noise Level – 16dBA
• Color – Blue
• Electric current – 3mA
• Output interface – 3.5mm
• Voltage Usage – 48V Phantom Power Supply

You get way beyond what you pay for this microphone and that one thing that has placed well in the market, comes with a tailored frequency response, which simply implies that the microphone produces the very best of high frequencies and makes sure that the end sound quality is exceptionally good.

Though an external sound amplifier like the 48V phantom power supply is needed to give out the preferred quality.

It also has a high signal to noise, which means it can effectively pick out signals and accurately deliver it in spite of the existence of noise in the recording environment.

This microphone is also highly sensitive to sounds right in front of it. With features such as the steel net and the part held by the hand being made up of zinc alloy, there is the great durability of the product.

Pros
  • Great sound quality for its price.
  • Well-controlled handling noise.
  • Screw adaptor that can be used to mount the microphone on all stands
  • Very cheap price
Cons
  • An external sound amplifier like the 48V phantom power supply is needed to give out the preferred quality and effect of final sound output.
  • Not compatible with Smartphones and tablets.

8. The APOGEE MiC 96K USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE

APOGEE MiC 96K USB CONDENSER MIC

This is a cardioid condenser mic, it comes with high sampling rates designed to offer professional quality both for mobile recording and in the studio.

Its low cost makes it one of the got to microphone when considering the best cheap USB microphone for podcasting.

Specification:
• Type: Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: Unspecified
• Sampling Rate: Up to 96 kHz
• Bit Depth: 24 bits
• Maximum SPL: Unspecified
• Power Requirements: USB powered

It is widely used by a variety of singers/songwriters. It comes with iOS Lightning and Mac USB cables, a tabletop stand, as well a stand adaptor to enable you to use its normal microphone stand.

Also, it has the feature of a gain dial right on the side of the mic. In terms of compatibility, it works with iOS 8 on the iPad and iPod. Similarly, it works with Mac OS 10.0 or later on Intel processors.

Pros
  • Best USB mic for iPad and iPhone.
  • Superior quality
  • Easy to use, just plug and play
  • Very portablenLow latency
  • It can be used in place of more expensive studio condenser microphones.
Cons
  • It comes with short cables.
  • No headphone jack.

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