The best podcasting microphones can significantly improve audio quality. A fantastic creative outlet is podcasting.
Even if it isn’t your only source of content, it aids in audience growth and is an excellent marketing tool for any company.
Poor audio quality, on the other hand, will quickly cause listeners to tune out and unsubscribe, so a good mic is essential.
Even if you have experience with podcasting, there is always room for improvement. I’m one of many podcasters who uses the Blue Yeti as their microphone.
Even though the Yeti is a great option, its sound quality still falls short of that of the Rode PodMic.
This guide to the top podcasting microphones we’ve ever tested has something for everyone, regardless of how long you’ve been podcasting.
In case you’re doing more than just podcasting, don’t forget to look over our guide to the best microphones overall.
Read:Best Microphones for Voice Over & Podcast Recording
The top podcasting microphones are available today
1. PodMic by Rode
It is an overall top podcasting microphone
Specification:
- Condenser microphone
- Audio patterns: Cardioid
- Size: 6.8 x 4.3 x 2.4 interconnection type: 3-pin XLR
Reasons to Buy:
- Fantastic sound
- High build quality
- Low price
- Internal pop filter
Reasons to Avoid:
- XLR is not ideal for beginners
- Stand not included
The PodMic is small, but overflowing with high-quality recording capability. While serious podcasters should always fine-tune their recordings before publishing,
One of the best things about the PodMic is that it doesn’t take much setup to get it to sound crisp and clear in the first place.
Not in the pure audio sense, anyway; you will need to buy a stand separately, and the XLR cable won’t simply plug into any laptop or PC.
But the microphone itself is cheap enough that you can spend more on stands and interfaces, with the ultimate result of superior sound quality to that of many more expensive USB microphones.
If you chose a USB mic like the Blue Yeti (our number two choice), you’ll likely find yourself eventually upgrading to the Rode PodMic to take your podcast to the next level.
2. Blue yeti
Specification:
- Mic type: Condenser
- Audio patterns: Bidirectional; Cardioid; Omnidirectional; StereoSize: 11.6 x 4.9 x 4.7 interconnection type: USB
Reason to Buy:
- Versatile recording modes
- Great sound quality
Reasons to Avoid:
- -Not a specialized podcasting mic –
- Limited stand adjustment
Wherever there’s a discussion of outstanding microphones, the Blue Yeti is never far away.
We rate this user-friendly mic highly for just about anything that involves voice recording, and it’s just at home on a podcast as it is on a gaming stream or Skype call.
In addition to working well in a cardioid mode that’s when the mic only records the area directly in front of it the Blue Yeti also offers bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo recording patterns.
These can give you some extra flexibility with your podcast formats, as you could record interviews or panel discussions with a single microphone.
3. JLab Talk
Specification:
- Mic type: Condenser
- Audio patterns: Bidirectional; Cardioid; Omnidirectional; StereoSize: 9.9 x 7.6 x 7.6 inches (with tripod extended)
- Connection type: USB
Reason to Buy:
- High sound quality
- Four directional patterns
- Easy to set up and use
Reason to Avoid:
- Can pick up background noise
- Imbalanced bidirectional mode
The JLab Talk has stuck around the sub-$80 mark for a while now. If this holds, it’s a fantastic deal on what was already a solid USB mic when it launched at $99.
Like the Blue Yeti, it’s child’s play to set up and use, and you even get the same four recording patterns to play with.
We also like the adjustable tripod stand and the combined gain/volume dial, which glows blue or green depending on which level you’re adjusting.
If you need to buy multiple microphones for guests and co-hosts, the Talk is an extremely cost-effective choice.
4. Blue yeti
Specification:
- Mic type: Condenser
- Audio patterns: Bidirectional; Cardioid; Omnidirectional; StereoSize: 11.4 x 4.3 x 4.8 inches
- Connection type: USB REASONS TO BUY +Upgraded controls +Superb sound +Plug-and-play
Reason to Avoid:
- Costs much more than standard Yeti
So far we’ve seen several great-value podcasting mics, but what if you can spare some extra change? Check out the Blue Yeti X: a bigger, upgraded version of the crowd-pleasing Yeti.
Among the improvements are front-mounted gain controls, so you don’t need to reach around the back to make adjustments, and an onboard level meter that makes it much easier to check your settings are how you like them.
These might not sound like major differences, considering how much cheaper the standard Blue Yeti is, but in a live recording situation, these extra tools can help you make on-the-fly corrections. This, in turn, could save you editing time later.
5. Elgato Wave: 3
A streaming mic that suits podcasts too
Specification:
- Mic type: Condenser
- Audio patterns: Cardioid
- Size: 6.0 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches
- Connection type: USB
Reasons to buy:
- Clear cardioid recording
- Intuitive setup
- Clean design
Reasons to avoid:
- Very simple onboard controls
- Can pick up background noise
The Elgato Wave 3 is neither a dedicated podcaster’s mic nor a true generalist like the Blue Yeti or JLab Talk.
How, then, is it one of the best podcasting microphones? For starters, it’s a very good-sounding cardioid mic, with an almost retro look that fits in well with any studio space.
More importantly, its streaming focus could actually translate into podcast effectiveness. It’s designed to work in conjunction with the Elgato Stream Deck,
a multi-button console used by streamers to make sound adjustments while they’re living; you could easily adapt this setup to work for podcasting, with the Stream Deck simplifying your mic controls so that you can focus on discussions and banter.
Read: Types of Microphones – Which one to use for Specific Purpose?
