The best microphones help you get clearer voice clarity for recordings, streams, or even work calls. After all, most built-in microphones that you’ll find in your phone, laptop, or even desktop computer tend to be awful, and if you care about how your recordings sound, you want to get something a little more impressive.
The best microphone out there at the moment is Blue Yeti. There’s a reason that it's still the industry standard, thanks to its simple USB interface and effortless use. It also happens to sound excellent, which is why it's powered podcasts for many years. If you’re a beginner though, you might want a slightly different kit, and we’d say the Shure MV6 is a great option that comes with everything you need to get started recording your voice on your computer.
Thanks to my expert testers in the Tom’s Guide reviews team and my own experience recording music (no, you can’t hear it, it’s not very good), I’ve got a clear idea of the kind of microphones you should be looking at. We’ve spent hundreds of hours evaluating the best microphones around, and then ranking them according to their use case.
To help you find the best microphone for you, I’ve made this list as easy to navigate as possible. If you’re looking for a quick fix, there’s the quick grid at the top which gives you a simple low down of each microphone. If you want to know more, there’s longer reviews at the bottom of the page to give you more details, and if you want the full technical breakdown, then we’ve linked our full reviews for each entry.
The Quick List
Price ★★★★☆
Quality ★★★★★
Ease of use ★★★★★
The Blue Yeti is ideal for multiple applications. Whether you're gaming of streaming, the quality is good enough for semi-professional recording, let alone in-game voice chat or Discord banter, and is as simple to set up.
Price ★★★★☆
Quality ★★★★☆
Ease of use ★★★★★
As with the Blue Yeti — the best microphone overall — the JLab Talk is a great value alternative. It picks up speech with warmth and depth, and works well as soon as you plug in the USB cable.
Price ★★★☆☆
Quality ★★★★★
Ease of use ★★★★★
Designed from the ground up for podcasting, the Shure MV7+ isn't the cheapest mic on the list. It is incredibly flexible though thanks to a wide range of different connectors, and it's super user-friendly.
Price ★★★★☆
Quality ★★★★☆
Ease of use ★★★★★
Perfect for beginners thanks to its included stand and incredibly easy setup, the MV6 is a great entry-level option. It also happens to sound really good, and the compatible app is super helpful.
Price ★★★★★
Quality ★★★☆☆
Ease of use ★★★★★
The Cherry Ngale R is a very slick-looking desktop mic. It comes with a stand in the box, and, for the gamers amongst us, it also happens to light up. It's not too expensive either, although you don't get a muff to negate plosives or mouth noises.
Price ★★★★☆
Quality ★★★★★
Ease of use ★★★★☆
Not a fan of the Shure options? The Ngale X is the perfect alternative, with great sound quality and plenty of connection options. There's also a really helpful desk stand in the box.
The best microphones you can buy right now
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Most versatile microphone overall
✅ Top-notch recording. There's a good reason the Yeti has powered so many podcasts — it sounds great.
✅ Easy to use. It's attached to its stand, and plugs in super simply with a USB cable.
✅ Solid construction. The Yeti is built like a tank, and will easily survive any tumbles.
❌ It's getting old. The Yeti has been around for some time now, and the competition is catching up.
❌ Sensitive. The Yeti can pick up knocks and bumps on desks and tables.
I am a big fan of the Blue Yeti, as the rest of the world seems to be. There's a reason it's been available for purchase for over a decade, after all, and that's because it's really, really good. There's nothing that I can see that needs changing with the Blue Yeti — It's a smart, versatile microphone that doesn't cost a massive sum and gives you everything that even professionals need to record audio.
At its core, the Blue Yeti is a high-quality condenser mic with a built-in stand and that all-important USB port. But there’s more to it than just a simple USB microphone: There are four different pattern modes that you can select so that you can dial in your recording exactly as you want it.
You can record audio in cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, or bidirectional modes. That means I can record a number of different sources, and make sure they sound as good as possible. A guitar, for example uses a different pattern to voice, and vice versa. It also means I could record a group of people, or just one with reasonable accuracy.
This isn’t something that other microphones offer, which tend to pick one pattern and stick with it. I’ve recorded D&D sessions with my Blue Yeti in omnidirectional mode, and then flipped it into cardioid mode mere hours later to record a guitar part for a song. It’s that flexibility that really helps the Blue Yeti become the best USB microphone around.
- Read the full Blue Yeti review
Best value microphone
✅ Excellent price. The Jlab Talk won't break the bank, coming in significantly lower than $100.
✅ Great sound. It wouldn't be here if it didn't sound any good, and sound good it does.
✅ Simple setup. It's easy to use, and plugs in with a single cable.
❌ Background noise can be an issue. The microphone often picks up noises in the background of recordings.
❌ Build leaves something to be desired. There are unsightly mold lines and the plastic feels cheap.
The JLab talk is special to me because it manages some great performance at a bargain price, making home recording a whole lot more accessible to wider range of people and budgets. It helps that it’s a very solid recording device as well, with clarity and depth to it’s audio output.
You can pick one up for just $99, which brings in square into view of the Blue Yeti Nano — although it makes a more compelling request for your hard earned dollars. The feature set of the Talk puts it in line with more expensive options, with four switchable modes and a solid USB connection.
The same four modes are available as you’ll find on the Blue Yeti, including bidirectional, omnidirectional, cardioid, and stereo. While the some of the modes aren’t as crisp as you’ll find on more expensive models (Our testing revealed that the bidirectional mode wasn’t as consistent as omnidirectional mode, for example), stereo and cardioid are both excellent at capturing sound.
The fact that all this is available for such a low price is seriously impressive, and even if you’ve got more to spend on something more expensive, the Talk should be on your shortlist so that you can go and spend more on a pop filter or stand. Or more guests for your podcasts.
- Read our full JLab Talk review
Best microphone for podcasters
✅ Excellent audio. The Shure MV7+ sounds incredible thanks to its hybrid design.
✅ Very flexible. There are loads of options to help you get the most out of your mic.
✅ Good supporting software. Shure's app works very well, and lets you customize your mic.
❌ Expensive. It's one of the most expensive mics on the list, costing over $200.
❌ Not for beginners. The mics dizzying options might be too much for someone new to microphones and audio recording.
If you’re a podcaster, streamer, or musician, looking to up your game or hone your craft, the Shure MV7+ microphone could be a worthwhile investment. The omnidirectional (cardioid) mic is great at picking up one voice at a time, and the built-in denoiser and digital popper stopper features rival professional mics I’ve used. Best of all, there’s an LED color-changing touch panel for instant muting and unmuting, meaning you can control output with a finger tap.
As it records with 32-bit 48kHZ audio quality, voices are deep, layered, and nuanced, just as they are in real life. And with the Shure Motiv Mix app, you can add reverb, change vocal tones, and customize your output to suit any of your needs. The high-quality audio recording means this is a great choice for podcasters, radio presenters, streamers, and musicians.
However, it is more expensive than the Blue Yeti, which may be a downside should you be on a budget. But, all in all, I found this to be a wonderful mic with high-quality recording and great features.
- Read our full Shure MV7+ review
Best for beginners
✅ Everything you need in one box. If you're looking to get started with audio recording, you get a stand, mic, and interface in the box.
✅ Great sound quality. The Shure MV6 sounds better than anything else in its price bracket.
✅ Easy to use. Thanks to its plug-and-play nature, it's super easy to get up and running.
❌ Expensive. While more affordable than some entries, it's still more expensive than other beginner mics.
❌ Non adjustable stand. While the stand in the box is useful, it's also not adjustable.
As most Shure mics lean towards professional use, they can be pretty daunting for beginners. Enter the MV6, Shure’s microphone designed specifically for complete newbies. The MV6 is super easy to use: you literally just plug the USB-C cable into the back of the mic and your laptop, and you’re good to go.
Unlike other entry-level mics we’ve seen, though, the MV6 comes with a range of live edit settings, like vocal tones. On top of that, with Shure’s Motiv Mix app, you’re granted access to Shure’s range of proprietary audio software like real-time Denoiser and Digital Popper Stopper. In testing, these two settings particularly impressed us, and managed to completely eradicate a ‘cafe white noise’ we were playing in the background while recording.
If you’re on a super tight budget, though, this mic might not be entry-level enough for you. At $149, it’s much cheaper than alternative Shure mics, but it’s still around $50 pricier than the cheapest USB mics, like the Blue Yeti Nano, and the JLab Talk Go. But, you do get the rich, creamy, luxurious audio quality you’d expect from such a prestigious brand.
For new content creators, or those who simply don’t feel confident with high-tech mics yet, the Shure MV6 is an incredible microphone that does everything you’d want it to, and more.
- Read our full Shure MV6 review
Best for aesthetics
✅ Great looks. Like a retro mic from the 20s, only with a healthy serving of LED RGB lights.
✅ Solid audio quality. Recordings from the mic sound great, with plenty of detail.
✅ Well priced. You can often find the mic for under $100.
❌ Non-adjustable stand. Hopefully, you like how the stand sits out of the box — it's immovable.
❌ No app. What you see is what you get — there's no way to customize the mic in an app.
The Cherry XTRFY Ngale R has the looks and the talent to pull it off. With dynamic, warm vocal clarity, the Ngale R is ideal for content creators who want to get fantastic sound for under $100. The retro-inspired aesthetic of the cardioid mic will look great in a gaming stream and the low-cut filter built into the mic will minimize your gaming ambient sound.
In particular, the Ngale R’s full-range vocal mode is divine, capturing the essence of a multi-dimensional voice with clarity akin to that of a much pricier microphone. While full-range mode picks up more ambient noise than the low-cut filter does, the vocal depth makes up for it, making it the perfect mode for podcasters and single-person voiceovers.
This mic has incredible value — I couldn’t believe it when I saw the price tag of a mere $96. There’s no way you would be able to tell that this wasn’t a much pricier mic if you’re just using it for regular content creation. As it comes with no muff or pop stopper, you might want to get separate ones if you’re prone to plosive pops and fricative hisses. But overall, for $96, this vintage-looking streaming and content creation mic is a great buy.
- Read our full Cherry Ngale R review
Best Shure alternative
✅ Great sound. The Ngale X is capable of some top-notch recording quality.
✅ Included stand. There's a sturdy desktop stand in the box so you don't have to buy one separately.
✅ Flexible connections. The USB can go straight into a computer, and the XLR can plug into an interface or other recording equipment.
❌ No app. There's no way to customize the app straight from Cherry.
❌ Can get noisy. In some modes, the mic pics up more noise than you might like.
If you’re a gaming streamer, a podcaster, or just starting out on your content creation journey, the Cherry XTRFY Ngale X microphone is a great choice for only $149. I tested this out in my bedroom, with no soundproofing, street noise, and an amateur setup, and it sounded super professional. I couldn’t tell at all that I wasn’t recording in a soundproofed booth. The RGB LED panel on the back of the mic would look great in a gaming stream or visual podcast, too.
The XLR and USB-C connection types mean this mic will suit professional broadcasters plugged into mixing desks, or more casual creators recording straight into laptops. Upon plugging into a laptop, the USB-C connection means you can record straight away, perfect for content creators just starting out.
However, the Ngale X doesn’t come with companion software, so any vocal tone or audio effects you might want to apply, you’ll have to do in third-party software like Adobe or Audition. In general, though, this is a great mic for any kind of content creator and especially excels at retaining the nuance and animation in natural speaking voices.
- Read our full Cherry Ngale X review
Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Mic type | Audio patterns | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Yeti | Condenser | Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo | USB |
| JLab Talk | Condenser | Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo | USB |
| Shure MV7+ | Condenser | Cardioid | USB C, XLR |
| Shure MV6 | Condenser | Cardioid | USB C |
| Cherry Ngale R | Condenser | Cardioid | USB-C-to-USB |
| Cherry Ngale X | Condenser | Cardioid | USB-C, XLR |
Also tested
Movo UM700: This is essentially a more affordable take on the Blue Yeti formula, albeit with a taller profile than the Blue Yeti Nano. =Although the UM700’s more famous rival edges it on general recording prowess, it’s more than up to the task for gaming, meetings and casual chats. Simply connect the USB cable, up the gain a little, and the UM700 is good to go. Read our full Movo UM700 review
HyperX Quadcast S: If you've got an RGB-heavy gaming PC and want a microphone to match, the more colorful QuadCast S is worth a look. The detail-rich recording quality is safeguarded by a built-in pop filter and shock mount, and it can easily be attached to your own stand if you'd prefer. Like the Blue Yeti and JLab Talk, is also provides four distinct recording modes, so you can tailor the settings for solo or group recording. Read our full HyperX QuadCast S review
Rode NT-USB Mini: This competent mic produces compelling recordings with decent audio. We appreciate the aux jack to connect headphones and hear your voice, along with the USB-C port that makes connecting to a desktop or laptop much simpler. The Rode NT-USB does have a gain issue, and adjusting it inside software won’t do much, but it can still be a serviceable product for newbie podcasters and streamers. Read our full Rode NT-USB Mini review
Things to consider when choosing a microphone
Setup: The best microphone depends almost entirely on your setup. This list gives a brief overview of all-purpose mics, podcasting mics, music mics and so forth. Basically, determine what you most need a microphone for, then find the appropriate one for your needs. As with most other gadgets, cheaper microphones tend to be more generalized, whereas more expensive ones tend to be more specialized. This doesn’t mean that cheaper microphones are inherently worse. But if you want semi-professional quality, you’ll have to pay semi-professional prices.
Research: Visit manufacturer websites, and learn about what each mic does best. The official website will usually give you a good idea as to whether the mic excels in podcasting, gaming, music or some other application. Failing that, remember that cardioid is generally the most useful audio pattern if you’re going to be recording by yourself in a home environment. Other patterns are good to have, but they’re useful only when you bring in more people or sound sources.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best microphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a microphone the greater the chance that performance and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are being discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Remember to bookmark our best tech deals page for all the latest savings.
What do the different audio patterns mean?
Microphone audio patterns explained
Some of the mics on this list offer different options for audio patterns: Bidirectional, cardioid, omnidirectional and stereo. Others offer only cardioid. Here's a brief explanation of each pattern, to help you decide which one to use:
Cardioid: This pattern picks up audio coming from one direction. This is ideal for a single source speaking directly into the mic, like in meetings or recording voiceovers.
Bidirectional: The pattern picks up audio coming from two directions only. This is ideal for two speakers sitting directly across from one another.
Omnidirectional: This pattern picks up audio from all around the mic. This is ideal for a whole group of people surrounding the microphone.
Stereo: This pattern picks up audio in front of the mic, as well as off to the sides. This is ideal for a musical group, or a panel of speakers facing the same direction.
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