Microphones
Your voice is your brand. We recorded with dozens of USB and XLR mics to find the ones that make creators sound professional — ranked on sound quality, room-noise rejection, ease of setup, and value.
The single biggest upgrade most creators can make isn't a better camera — it's a better microphone. Audiences will forgive a soft image, but they'll click away from bad audio in seconds. We focused on what actually matters at the desk: how natural your voice sounds, how well the mic ignores keyboard clicks and room echo, and how painless it is to get a good level. Here's how our favorites compare.
| Microphone | Best for | Connection | Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shure SM7B | Overall / podcasting | XLR | Dynamic | $$$ | Price → |
| Shure MV7+ | USB & XLR hybrid | USB-C / XLR | Dynamic | $$ | Price → |
| Rode NT1 5th Gen | Studio voice & music | USB-C / XLR | Condenser | $$ | Price → |
| Elgato Wave:3 | Streaming | USB-C | Condenser | $$ | Price → |
| Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB | Budget / beginners | USB-C / XLR | Dynamic | $ | Price → |
The SM7B is the mic you've seen in front of nearly every major podcaster, and it earns the hype. As a dynamic mic with tight cardioid pickup, it captures a warm, broadcast-quality voice while shrugging off room echo, keyboard noise, and background hum better than almost anything in its class. The catch: it's a quiet mic that needs a strong interface (or an inline preamp like a Cloudlifter) to reach a clean level. Pair it with a solid interface and it's a buy-it-for-life centerpiece.
The MV7+ delivers much of the SM7B's close-up, broadcast character in a far more flexible package. Plug in over USB-C for instant, driver-free recording with onboard DSP and a real-time denoiser, or run it via XLR later when you build out an interface-based setup. That dual output makes it the smartest "grow with me" pick for podcasters who don't want to buy twice.
If you record in a treated or quiet room and want the most detailed, open sound for voiceover, singing, or polished video narration, the NT1 is the value champion. The 5th-gen version adds a clever USB-C output with 32-bit float recording — meaning clipping is effectively impossible — alongside the traditional XLR connection. As a sensitive condenser it will pick up room noise, so it rewards a controlled space.
Built for streamers, the Wave:3 pairs a crisp USB condenser with Elgato's Wave Link software, which lets you mix mic, game, chat, and music on separate channels without a hardware mixer. A capacitive mute tap and clipping-guard tech round out a package that slots perfectly into a Stream Deck setup. For talking over gameplay it's one of the most convenient mics you can buy.
The ATR2100x punches enormously above its price. It's a dynamic mic — so it naturally rejects room noise like its expensive cousins — with both USB-C and XLR outputs and a built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring. For a first podcast or stream on a tight budget, it gives you 80% of the experience for a fraction of the cost, and the XLR output means it won't be wasted when you upgrade your setup.
If you record in a normal, untreated room — a bedroom, an office with hard walls — choose a dynamic mic (SM7B, MV7+, ATR2100x). They focus on what's right in front of them and ignore echo and background noise. Choose a condenser (NT1, Wave:3) only if your space is quiet and treated, or you want the extra detail for music and voiceover.
USB mics plug straight into your computer — simplest possible setup. XLR mics need an audio interface but offer better upgrade paths and sound. The hybrid picks here (MV7+, NT1, ATR2100x) let you start on USB and switch to XLR later without buying a new mic.
Almost every mic here sounds best 4–8 inches from your mouth, which a desk stand can't manage comfortably. Budget for a boom arm and pop filter — they matter more than most people expect.
The Shure SM7B is the most common choice among professional podcasters thanks to its broadcast sound and noise rejection. If you want that sound with an easier, USB-capable setup, the Shure MV7+ is the closest alternative.
Only if you choose a pure XLR mic like the SM7B. The MV7+, NT1, Wave:3, and ATR2100x can all connect over USB with no interface required, though XLR-capable models give you room to add one later.
That's usually room reflections, not the mic. Switch to a dynamic mic, get closer to it, and add some soft furnishings or acoustic panels. A dynamic mic like the ATR2100x or SM7B will dramatically reduce echo in an untreated room.
Get the best creator gear sales and new reviews in one short weekly email.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.