7 Best YouTube microphones in 2023 [vlogging & steaming]

More and more successful YouTubers are now using professional gear, which sets a standard for quality. Although image quality is important, sound quality matters as well, which is why if you want to make YouTube videos, you will need a good microphone.

The exact type of microphone you will need depends on your setup, but there are some common factors that go into choosing a good microphone. In order to help you make a decision, here are some of the best YouTube microphones.


How to choose a microphone for YouTube video?


Type of Microphone: How are you planning to make your YouTube videos? Will you use a desktop computer, a camera, or your phone? A USB microphone is great if you are using your computer. If you plan to use a camera to record inside or outside without a computer, you would want a camera microphone. A lavalier microphone clips onto your shirt unobtrusively, and you can also get an iOS microphone if you want to use your iPhone to film YouTube videos.

Sound Quality: Some microphones deliver a better quality of sound than others. The type of video you are making also matters. Is it just talking, or will you be singing or playing music? Different microphones have different sound specialties. Be sure to look at the quality of sound when choosing a microphone.

Noise Reduction: Is the microphone able to deal well with background noise? Some microphones are built to keep outside sounds to a minimum. You will also need to think about whether the microphone makes a lot of internal noise. A microphone with a pop filter will usually have less internal interference. If you plan to do a lot of filming outside, it is a good idea to get a microphone with a windscreen to reduce noise caused by the wind.

Price: What is your budget for a microphone? You will want to find the best quality microphone possible for your budget. Oftentimes more expensive microphones are of higher quality or have better features, but it is possible to find a less expensive microphone that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. Be sure to look at reviews and find out which microphones give you the best quality at the lowest price.

Accessories: What accessories does the microphone already come with? This is an important question to ask. If additional accessories need to be purchased, that affects the total cost. Also, it is a good idea to check the quality of the accessories. A lot of times, a microphone will be really good, but the accessories that come with it are very poor quality.


7 Best YouTube microphones reviewed


1.Samson Meteor Microphone

The Meteor Mic will give you professional audio results for both music and podcasting. It has an attractive fold-back leg design as well as a mic stand adapter on the bottom, so it can be placed directly on the desktop or on a mic stand. It is perfect for recording music in your home studio as well as Skyping or podcasting.

Samson Meteor Mic
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Samson’s Meteor Mic has a large 25mm condenser diaphragm that will give you rich audio recording for any application. It has a cardioid pickup pattern, smooth frequency response, and 16-bit 44.1/48kHz resolution, combining to give you professional audio results whatever you are recording.

The Meteor Mic is compatible with most computers, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Mac OS X. It uses universal drivers that load when you plug in the USB cable, so it should work with most computer versions, and also works fine with Windows 10. It also comes with an Apple USB connector, so it can be connected to an iPad as well as a computer.

The Meteor Mic has good sound clarity and is a good universal solution for recording on your home computer. It has a 1/8 inch headphone output and a headphone volume knob as well as a mute switch, so you can have control and privacy while you are recording. Since you don’t need drivers with this microphone, you can start using it to record right out of the box on any computer.

Advantage

  • You can get straight to work recording on the computer since there’s no need for drivers
  • It is compatible with nearly all computers
  • It has good audio quality
  • It’s great for casual YouTubing
  • It comes at an affordable price

Disadvantage

  • It picks up background noise, so you will probably need a pop filter
  • Some people find it dies far too quickly

Summary: The Samson Meteor Mic is a high-quality microphone at a good price. More than one person has said the quality is better than the Blue Yeti.


2.Rode Procaster Microphone

The Rode Procaster is a professional quality dynamic microphone designed for broadcasting. The frequency response is tailored for voices and the microphone has a tight polar pattern, featuring superior rejection of ambient noise. It’s one of the best broadcast quality dynamic microphones.

Rode Procaster Microphone
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The Procaster features a high output dynamic capsule that is internally shock mounted to cut down on handling noise. It also has an internal pop filter to reduce popping sounds. It is made entirely of metal, with a robust design, so you can be confident in its quality.

The Rode Procaster comes with a 3/8” adapter and an RM2 stand mount, but if you want to connect it to your PC you will need a mixing board. It uses phantom power, and it is designed and manufactured in Australia.

This microphone is perfect for any kind of long narration and voice over. It does an excellent job filtering out background noise and comes with a 1-year warranty that can be upgraded to a 10-year warranty for free through rodemic.com.

Advantage

  • The construction is very robust – it’s built like a tank
  • It does a really good job of reducing background noise
  • It also doesn’t create a lot of internal noise
  • It has a professional appearance
  • It comes with a free 10-year warranty

Disadvantage

  • It needs a gain booster and a preamp of at least +45 decibels
  • It doesn’t come with USB

Summary: The Rode Procaster is reported to be an incredibly high-quality microphone for voice work and delivers more bang for the buck than a lot of other microphones.


3.Zoom ZH1 H1 Microphone

The Zoom H1 recorder is portable and only weighs two ounces, so you can take it everywhere you go. It is perfect for recording live concerts, interviews, or lectures. It can record for about 14 hours with the built-in micro SD card and it can also be used as a USB microphone.

Zoom ZH1 H1 Recorder microphone
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This recorder contains two unidirectional microphones set at 90-degree angles from each other, providing sound coverage over a wider area. It has a mic-line input mini phone jack, so you can connect an external microphone to this device. It also has a line/headphones output with its own volume control so you can listen to your recordings.

The Zoom H1 only requires a single AA battery, which gives up to 10 hours of battery life. It is smaller than a cell phone, so you can take it with you anywhere you might need to record audio. It can be used either as a recorder, a standalone microphone, or a USB desktop microphone.

This microphone can be plugged into a desktop computer via USB. It uses a 2GB micro SD card, but another micro SD card with more storage space can be installed. When plugged into a computer, it can either be used as a microphone with the computer or recordings can be transferred to the computer.

Advantage

  • It is small, lightweight and portable
  • It can be used either as a recording device or a USB desktop microphone
  • It offers professional quality recording
  • It is good at recording stereo
  • It is cheaper than high-end recorders

Disadvantage

  • It is made out of cheap plastic
  • It is difficult to download the software it comes with

Summary: If you are looking for a versatile, portable device that can function as a sound recorder or a USB microphone, the Zoom H1 is an excellent option for you.


4.Giant Squid Audio Lab Microphone

The Omnidirectional microphone is designed for mic input jacks with plugin power and has voltage output between 1.5 and 10 volts. It can be plugged into a recorder for superior sound but is not compatible with most smartphones and mixers, as it will get fried from any voltage output above 10 volts. However, it can be used with a smartphone if you use a special adapter.

Giant Squid Audio Lab Microphone
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This microphone does a good job of picking up on vocal range. It is reportedly well built and comes with a sturdy alligator clip. The audio quality not only matches but exceeds that of other, more expensive microphones.

This microphone is preferred by many YouTubers. It is a lapel microphone with sound quality to rival more high-end microphones but at a budget price. It works great for recording weddings, and many people use it with the Zoom H1 recorder.

With this microphone, you will have to be careful not to plug it into a device with too much phantom power. Having a maximum voltage of 10 volts, most mixers will fry the components of this mic, so take care with it.

Advantage

  • It has amazing sound quality
  • It comes at a low price
  • It is well built
  • It does a good job cutting down on background noise
  • The wire doesn’t make extra interfering noise

Disadvantage

  • The windscreen doesn’t fit right and slips off easily, so you will probably need to replace the windscreen or order extras
  • The cable is short

Summary: If you are looking for a lavalier microphone that delivers amazing sound quality at an excellent price, the Giant Squid might be just what you need.


5.Audio-Technica AT2035

This microphone is designed for both live performances and home studio applications. An amazing microphone for an amazing price, its quality will blow you away.

Audio-Technica AT2035 Microphone
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A side-address cardioid studio condenser, the Audio-Technica AT2035 will give you exceptional detail while keeping noise to a minimum. It can easily handle high sound pressure due to its switchable 80Hz high-pass filter and 10dB pad. It has a rugged construction and high-performance specifications as well as being highly consistent from model to model.

This microphone comes with a custom shock mount and an amp protective pouch. It uses phantom power and has a wide dynamic range, giving you maximum versatility. It is one of the cleanest and best sounding studio microphones you can get.

Advantage

  • It is good at filtering out background noise
  • It has a pop filter
  • It has a wide dynamic range
  • It is great for vocals
  • It is a good quality microphone

Disadvantage

  • It doesn’t have USB
  • Some people have found the accessories to not be good quality

Summary: The Audio-Technica AT2035 is a good quality microphone with good audio quality. If you plan on recording vocals, you should consider it.


6.ZINGYOU ZY-801

The ZINGYOU ZY-801 is a diaphragm studio condenser microphone designed to give you smooth sound and less self-noise and handling noise. A desktop microphone, it is multipurpose and can be plugged into your computer.

ZINGYOU ZY-801 Microphone
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The ZINGYOU comes with a small mic stand that is made of solid metal and fits on your desktop. The shock mount has spider suspension that stops the microphone from picking up handling and floor noise. It comes with a 6” nylon weave pop filter to help cut down on plosives, and the cable is designed to be durable.

This microphone is compatible with desktops and laptops that run Windows or Mac. It has a cardioid pickup pattern, a heavy-duty satin-nickel finish, and gold-plated output connectors. It comes with the mic, a shock mount, a pop filter, an XLR cable, a windscreen, and a tripod.

This is a great quality microphone at a really low price, so if you are on a budget and want a decent microphone, you should get the ZINGYOU. It has a fashionable design and comes with everything you need to use it.

Advantage

  • It has an attractive appearance
  • It is a high-quality microphone
  • It comes at a great price
  • Everything you need to use it is included in the package
  • It can be used with a PC

Disadvantage

  • You might need to get an audio interface to go with it
  • The noise cancelation isn’t as strong as some other microphones

Summary: If you’re looking for a good microphone on a tight budget, the ZINGYOU ZY-801 is a good choice. It is high quality for the price and will aid you in your home recording endeavors.


7.Blue Yeti USB Microphone

The Yeti USB Microphone by Blue Microphones will give you studio quality recordings with pristine sound due to its proprietary tri-capsule technology. It has four different pattern settings so you can use it to record vocals, music played on instruments, podcasts, or interviews. With this microphone, you will no longer need to use multiple microphones. The Blue Yeti has a basic plug and play setup and can be used with a Mac or PC computer.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone
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The Blue Yeti USB Microphone has three condenser capsules that enable you to record in almost any environment. It allows you to select cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo patterns, making it ideal for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, and conference calls. It comes with gain control, a mute button, and a zero-latency headphone output.

This microphone is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher. It also requires at least 64 MB of available RAM.

You can control every step of the recording process with this microphone because it comes with gain control and pattern selection. Gain control lets you adjust the sensitivity of the microphone if you are having problems with distortion or feedback. The instant mute button allows you to take a break at any time while recording a podcast. A 3.5-millimeter headphone jack allows you to listen to what you are recording in real time.

Advantage

  • Pattern selection makes it a versatile microphone that can be used for different situations where normally multiple microphones would be required
  • It delivers high-quality recordings because of its tri-capsule technology
  • It has a position able design
  • It has a plug-and-play setup
  • It has incredible features at a good price

Disadvantage

  • The USB cable it comes with is bad quality
  • There is no technical support

Summary: The Blue Yeti USB microphone has a lot of good features at a reasonable price. If you plan on doing your YouTube recording with a PC or Mac computer, it would be a good choice.


The Final Words (Summary)


If you want a microphone for making YouTube videos, it can be tricky to figure out which microphones deliver the best sound and have the best price. There are a lot of design factors that go into making a microphone that is truly high-quality.

A good microphone that gives you good sound will give you greater success on YouTube, and with these reviews and tips, you will be on your way to finding the best microphones for YouTube to launch your career as a YouTuber.

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