20 Best Microphones For Home Studio (Feb 2023 Update)

Sound: While the Blue Yeti may not be THE best sounding USB mic right out of the box, it does have good sound quality. With a little tweaking through a free audio mixer software like Voice Meeter Banana will result in a very professional sounding mic without spending the big bucks. Stock settings will give you more than sufficient sound quality though. With easy access to the knobs to control the gain and pic up pattern makes for easy adjusting on the fly. Due to the pic up patterns I would only recommend this mic for individual use and not for an interview setting. Price: Being priced at $130 isn't terrible, but should probably be closer to the $100.00 mic segment given it doesn't have XLR. Personally, I would opt to buy the Blue Yeticaster Broadcast Bundle which includes the mic (no desktop stand), boom arm, and shockmount for $180-$200 vs the stand alone Blue Yeti Mic for reasons below. Purchasing all three items individually would be in the $280 range Keep in Mind/Cons: I would highly, highly, highly recommend a boom arm for this mic. The desk stand for the mic is not very useful. I found myself slouching over due to having no height adjustment. Additionally, to get your mouth the appropriate distance from the mic for optimal sound quality (without cranking the gain) means the mic stand is sitting at an awkward spot in relation to your keyboard/mouse. I also found that with the desk stand no matter how I positioned the mic, set the pickup, gain or gate I could not eliminate picking up desk noise such as keyboard clicks, mouse clicks, or even setting my phone down on the desk due no shock dampening. Even setting the stand on a towel did not assist much. Mounting the mic to the Blue Boom Arm completely fixed the unwanted sound and positioning issues. If you are going to mount this mic to the Blue Boom Arm I would recommend installing it with the shock mount. The shock mount isn't much of an advantage sound quality wise, but definitely helps weight wise with the boom arm. While this mic is heavier than normal it's not quite heavy enough on it's on for the Blue Boom Arm. I found the boom arm wanting to "snap open" on the loosest tension settings due to there not being enough weight at the end of it. Adding the yeti shock mount to the mic and boom arm allowed for the proper weight to adjust the mic to my desired position without any sagging or raising. In conclusion, I would highly recommend this mic being purchased in the Yesticaster bundle due to the savings vs buying the individual components. While I still can recommend the mic being purchased individually, I believe you're going to be wanting a boom arm sooner rather than later due to the desk stand offering no dampening or height adjustment.Preston H

So far so good, sounds excellent as expected. I will likely need to put it on a box to elevate it, or get a boom mount. Installation was removing from packaging and plugging in the usb cable. Done. This review is taking longer to write than the installation. What surprised me though is that it's about twice the size I expected. I figured it was maybe an inch and a half wide, subconsciously extrapolating from smaller hand held mikes I've had previously. It's 2-1/2 wide at the screen, 2-3/4 on the main body. 11-1/4 or so tall. I've seen complaints that the stand is flimsy, but it sure isn't, it's pretty weighty and metal, not plastic, which is good. You do need to tighten the side screws to firm positioning up, but that's done with fingers. There's a threaded hole on the bottom that's about 1/2 wide, apparently you can get a 1/4-20 adapter for it. I'm guessing it'll screw into a mike stand, but I don't have one to check. Nice rubber bottom, anti-skid and won't mark your desk up. I'm pretty happy with it, the build quality is good, no complaints there. Using with a Mac, just showed up in preferences as a selection for both input and output (has a headset amp built in, 1/8 jack). Recorded a test video screen capture with voice over, no problem. The multiple patterns are nice, I haven't tried them all yet, but I'll probably just use the Cardoid/single person pattern mostly. Ideal speaking distance seems to be around a foot, but you can easily use it from a yard or more away. Has gain control that I didn't even need to turn up at all. All in all, it seems like a no-brainer. I see why the major reviews are pretty unanimous in recommending it.Jay

White-out is gorgeous, nice to have software support but also physical buttons. Yeti mics used to not have any native software controls but now they are recognized inside Ghub so if you want to do things like equalizing via that, you can (or whatever other audio software you are using). The physical buttons are also great though because you can make adjustments on the fly without having to navigate to software. That makes it pretty versatile for a lot of different use cases. Some people are experts and doing some serious audio work, others just want a nice mic for their zoom meetings. I'm in the latter category. I do think there are better mics out there for audio experts but for the price, this is an awesome mic for someone who just wants to sound better than everyone else in their meeting or want some good controls for things like background nosie.Spacey

It records my voice rather well, and I'm told I'm a soft speaker, so that having it pick up my voice is great. Otherwise no one would be able to hear me, lol. My only concern is that, since it feels kinda heavy, that I'm afraid of dropping it on something. That, and it just feels a little top-heavy. But I got it for the recording quality, which it delivers on.amandpizzolatt0

Decent mic, but not great. The sound isn't the best, but it works for my purposes. Get a higher quality mic if you're doing voice recording.Milosh D

Just can't beat the value. Steel construction at a cheap plastic price. Plug and play, Windows 10 automatically installed it with no user input. Volume on the mic itself is crazy handy for making quick adjustment without changing programs or opening settings.usthom.e5meyykkv

Our church has a few aging SM58 mics. Some time ago I purchased an XM8500 and just recently added three more to our closet. Buying the Behringers was cheaper than upgrading the SM58 mics. The Behringers actually seem more brilliant than the Shures, but admittedly I am comparing them to the aging SM58s. Regardless, the sound is excellent. A big thumbs down for the mic clips, which were totally useless. I couldn't even slip a mic into them. I ended up forcing them onto an old mic and then I hit them with my heat gun to relax the plastic. That seems to have worked OK. At least I can get a mic into them now.rer-tar

To my ears, the XM8500 sounds just as good as any other XLR microphone. Its body is fully metal, and feels strong enough that I could throw it at a wall without so much as scratching it. It even comes in a hard plastic carrying case, which is much higher quality than the price would suggest. The included clip isn't amazing, you need to permanently stretch it to even be able to put the XM8500 in it, but it's still much better than nothing. If you're going to be close to the XM8500, I recommend getting some kind of foam windscreen, which DJ City doesn't sell for any kind of reasonable price. All in all, I highly recommend the XM8500 if you're after a high quality mic at a fair price.Charles M.

I heard a ham radio operator using one of these and his audio was simply GREAT! Based on this, I decided to invest $20 for one. It came promptly as scheduled. I connected it to my Elecraft K3S {an absolutely awesome radio} in place of either my Heil PR-781 or Shure SM-58. I immediately got GREATsounding audio reports. In comparing the specs and frequency response of the Shure SM58 {basically a $100 mike} and the Behringer XM8500, the 8500 has a wee bit more high end. Otherwise they are identical I've listened to my station and my voice in a critical listening environment, and I agree, it is a good sounding mike. Correctly interfaced to the radio and with the radio properly adjusted, it should produce great sounding audio on yours as well. Of note – I find with many mikes, and this one is no exception, the correct mike technique is the single most important factor to getting great audio reports. You can equalize and compress and process until you run out of knobs to turn and settings to adjust. If you don't use the correct mike-to-mouth distance and correct mike position, you'll never get great audio!k4tax

This is the best mic at this price I have ever owned! Great on vocals and acoustic guitar. This mic is as good as any AKG-414 I have ever owned! I also bought the Lewitt LCT 640 and that one is even more mind-blowing. Next I will get the LCT 840. For the sound quality, built, features and price, there are no better mics on the market today. Thanks, Lewitt for helping me get my signature vocal tone!lidiachimbotana

( Note, not applicable to the 240pro) the sound quality of this mic is smooth, rich, and full without sounding boxy or boomy in the bass frequency range. there are no electronic or unnatural sounds in the mid frequency range. the treble range is clear without sounding harsh or overly sibilant and it doesn't over-react to vocal dynamics. the mic maintains a natural sound quality after eq adjustments are made. singing note to note, sonically, its an extremely accurate mic. the multiple features are easy to use because of the led display panel. this is a great sounding mic for both male and female voices. its comparable to microphones that occupy the 2 and 3 thousand dollar price range. I am a recording engineer from the analog days.bgr_bry_ewbcropgwj

Man, idk where to start. DONT TRY TO USE THIS MIC WITH A USB-C extension cable or nothing with a pc, I can’t speak on the apple compatibility but yea, besides that this thing is amazing!!!!! No cap! The preamp compressor combos compliment the microphone emulations amazingly imho. The software is intuitive and I don’t have any complaints, I’m jus extremely appreciative of the quality provided at this price point.JAE

The Seiren Mini is an honestly wonderful microphone for personal computer usage. It picks up voices accurately and clearly while often successfully ignoring background noises such as large summertime fans. This mic is about the size of a 355ML soda can, which makes it easy to relocate on your desk when in or out of use. Unfortunately, this size comparison makes it easy to accidentally attempt to drink from your microphone out of reflex if you're a habitual soda drinker. My only real complaint is that the microphone's top half is designed in a way that's very easy to collect dust or other stray particles that you wouldn't want on your mic. Cleaning has been easy, though it may concern messy eaters or people who work with paints or other craft materials. I'd happily recommend this product, though do be very careful to keep the space it's in clean!V1ral

I pick one of these up while I was building a better zoom/Microsoft teams set up. I wanted something that had better sound quality than the integrated mics in laptops or webcams like the c920, along with good enough noise isolation that I could use it on a desk with speakers, and perhaps most importantly it had to be truly plug and play. One of the primary users of the system it would be part of is my elderly father so having to fiddle with settings menus regularly would be an immediate disqualifier. I'm happy to say this little mic exceeded my expectations in every way. Sound is crisp and clear even when the mic is positioned fairly far away from the speaker and the pick up pattern is tight enough that there's no weird echoes or feedback from the speakers on the desk. The easy of use is also great, I did a little fine tuning in the settings menu of zoom and teams but honestly that step could be skipped it worked perfectly well right out of the box.Cecil

This microphone brings out all the subtle details of an acoustic instrument or voice. Although it has a cardioid pickup pattern, it picks up two voices very nicely on a video call, better than with a typical dynamic mic. If you want to be kind to your audience don't rely on the microphones built into laptops or video cameras. My Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 provides phantom power, monitoring and a digital interface with my laptop. I prefer a single audio interface with quality preamps over a mic with USB interface. The shock mount works beautifully. A pop filter is a useful accessory but not always necessary.Peter

It's basically an upgraded at2020, and very much worth the money for the mic. It sounds just as good if not better then more expensive options, within reasonable expectations. It's not going to compete with an vintage mic, nor is it going to compete with a much more expensive mic with a specific sound signature. But for a flat, basic microphone, it is one of the best within it's price range. It picks up vocals where it is supposed to and drastically reduces sound from things like speakers positioned behind it. It is probably the best microphone you can get for video calls, streaming, and other activities where sound cancelation is important. Paired with a basic XLR interface with phantom power and it is the most clear you can get for your coworkers or friends for a very reasonable price. As someone that does work remote and as someone that hangs out with friends having a good mic is very important. My at2020 usb started having issues so it was only a natural progression to get the next tier up and an inherently better usb interface for it. I love this mic and your coworkers will thank you, if they are anything like me.Jonathan

This microphone is one of the best microphones to begin with. Reasons are it's accessories it comes with, simplicity of use, durability, and sound quality . As it comes with a durable and adjustable boom stand with a flexible standard xlr cable and a pop filter, this is perfect for any studio to begin with. I really love the stand since I do voice overs standing up. Cable is excellent with no issues at all while the pop-filter which I don't really need is also a nice addition for a professional looking setup. Also comes with a leather carry bag. Simplicity is key when starting anything as a beginner and this microphone is it. Yes it may not have those other fancy options like other mics or interesting setups, but it really is not needed YET. This microphone has weight and was able to stand a couple drops and bumps here and there (yes I am clumsy). However that is very good for us beginners since we hardly know how to handle recording equipment anyways. This is also a good affordable back-up mic as well. Great sidekick to the collection and easy to travel with. Sound quality of this microphone is basic. Does it suck? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Does it sound awesome? ABSOLUTELY NOT! However, It is the standard of what a condenser microphone should be. When beginners move on from theirUSB mics or computer mics and record with this condenser microphone, there will DEFINITELY be a wow factor at the same time not an overwhelming experience as to say using an expensive high end microphone. It is simply the standard and a great gateway for beginners to APPRECIATE and want a better microphone. In other words, this microphone is very safe and forgiving for all voice types. In conclusion, this microphone is one of the best beginner microphones why? SIMPLICITY! Beginners shouldn't start with expensive $400-$2000 microphones with complicated buttons and odd angles of which way to speak into the microphone and such. Think of this microphone as a loving mother. She is warm and will always do her best to take care of you as her child however you are under her household and limited to what you can do. When time comes and you mature, you will want to move out and begin wanting your own spouse owning your own household with it's own rules and niches. That is how I look at this microphone and is what I believe the healthiest way to begin with until you expand and explore for the bigger leagues.mengvang4

The microphone quality for recording is excellent much better than the built-in microphone on my computer or iPad. The one drawback is the connection of the MicroUSB that goes into the Microphone is weak and seems easily damaged and the chord that came with the Microphone had a bad connection (once replaced it worked). If they could find a way to make that more secured, then I would rate it 5 stars. By the way, on the iPad, the normal video/camera app doesn't work with this external microphone but Garageband does. You need to find another video recording app if you need the microphone for an improved video AND audio recording.DrAndrewRice

I used a mic at work with some button functionality and wanted a stand alone mic that I wouldn’t have to hold all day. Ideally one that was a bit more clear and better for dictating. While the Yeti does the job, there are a few issues. The anti EMI device is too close to the microphone/stand and limits the ability to change the mic angle. The mic sits a bit low, so without being able to angle it, you have to set it up on something to be closer to your mouth for best audio. Testing it against my computers built in mic, the difference wasn’t as pronounced as I was hoping, but I am no audiophile.Jon S

As we have all become dependent on using zooms throughout lockdown, finding a good mic was very important as I have been using my laptop one and often people cannot hear me clearly whilst also ensuring I am sat very close to speak. The build of this Yei Nano is very robust and the smooth finish instantly shows how good the quality is. The base is well build so issue about it accidently falling over. The compact size is great as it doesn’t take up too much space on the table. The setup is quite easy (which I am glad about) – The cable is connected via the bottom of the microphone and there is a small hole on the bottom of the stand where the cable runs through so it keeps it nice and tidy. Sound quality is fantastic – you can hear really clearly and the volume is quite loud with no echoes in the background. The best thing is you do not need to be particularly close to the mic to talk in order for others to hear you. This is an amazing top of the range mic which I highly recommend. It has made meetings much easier and comfortable to do.Annie12188

A nice setup for the price but the mike clip is made from soft rubber. It doesn't hold the mike securely at all and it easily slips and falls out. Tech support did kindly send me a replacement but it's the same thing. AT needs to supply a mike clip that can securely hold the mike. If you buy this mike you will need to get a better clip.Anthony

This microphone looks nice and also sounds nice. However, I have purchased this microphone for the second time now and for the second time it has stopped working without reason. It is not due to any pc port, audio driver, or cable problem. All of these things are working just fine after checking. Supposedly this microphone has an issue with it's firmware that causes this problem for me and many other people. I think this microphone is way too expensive for it to just give out unannounced like that. While it may look and sound nice, I can't see myself recommending this microphone to others due to how faulty it is. I'd spend my money elsewhere.Kayla

I absolutely love this microphone. I have been using a Samson Meteor Microphone up until this purchase, so, yes this is quite the upgrade – even though in the right hands even the Samson Meteor can sound great. However, I am not a microphone expert; I am of above average microphone knowledge but not by much. Right off the bat I notice that the setup's ability to transfer from the included stationary stand to my boom swing-arm AND have the ability to change adapters which is incredibly convenient. Keep in mind, this is all without having to remove the shock mount that the quadcast comes with either. The microphone works well in any orientation whether in vertical or inversed position, to even sideways or offset. The microphone is painless to setup and easy to use, having a gain knob underneath, a touch-tap mute button on top, and a mode selector on the back. The ability to choose from four pre-programmed scenario-based settings (podcast vs. interview vs. chat etc..) without needing a complex software is great and it is all at your finger tips with the mode selector. Speaking of software, the accompanying downloadable application for your desktop allows you to customize your sound settings and, of course, the RGB colors, patterns, ambience, and reactiveness. I am always partial to my blues and greens and, boy, did I get them. The sound of the microphone is great even when using my typical chat services, Discord, Zoom, and Teams. I unfortunately do not have experience with recording with intent like as voice overs, but my friend does like to capture instances of us playing various videogames together. Even without a "boosted server" the quality is crystal clear with a wide range. The addition of a built-in pop filter allows for some better hands-off control, giving the user the optional freedom of no external pop filter mounts or covers should they choose to do so. Although, it is always recommended to consider getting one depending on your vocal habits. The material used in the construction is very reassuring and has a nice matte black. The stand itself is very solid and you would have to put in a little effort to knock this thing over. I don't see myself getting a new microphone anytime soon, and I hope that I never have to!Ryan Z

I got this mic to replace a cheaper one i got from amazon for streaming on twitch. The audio quality is stellar, and i would even argue that its on par with the higher end stuff from rhode and sure, except its much cheaper AND its made by what is essentially a gaming company. With just a noise gate and a noise supression filter through OBS it already sounds like a professional grade mic. The physical aspects of it leave a few things to be desired as it is quite large. There is a more important problem though, the USB C port is on the back which creates the need for a steep bend in the cable right at the connector. So far i havent had any problems and the cable it comes with is pretty sturdy so its not a deal breaker, but i feel like it could have definitely been designed better. Overall the lighting, sound quality and construction make this a very solid choice.spencingt0n

best mic you can buy for under 200 bucks, the audio quality is superb, the features and adjustability are as far as you can go without software and the ease of use, and mount that comes in the box means you don't need anything else to make this make great. First, the quality is awesome, better than the blue yeti and any other mic in this class, just watch the reviews, the audio is crispy and has good quality overall. On the subject of quality and the audio part, it has a built in pop filter inside the mic that looks great and works well (but it doesn't filter everything, if you need a good pop filter this probably isn't enough) but its great for everyday use to have. The built in gain and audio mode is great, changing the gain can really help, if you have allot of background noise you can turn it down, and if you far away from the mic you can turn it up, and many recording modes for interviews, normal gaming/streaming, and more. The mic has a built in mute button on top, and conveniently the red lights turn off when you mute, which is awesome and a really easy way to know if your muted, if your like me and you sometimes forget your muted, The mute is also capacitive, so all you have to do is tap, you don't have to push like your phones buttons, so its very easy and not a hassle and it wont move your mic around. On the subject of moving the mic around, the built in mount is shock proof and very heavy and high quality and adjustable, and whenever you want to mount it on a tripod/boom arm, it comes with a adaptor that you can mount onto 3/8 and 5/8 in mounts, it's so easy to transfer with a thumb screw and a nut and is very easy to do again. In all, this is an all in one mic that literally has everything you could ever want in a mic with convenient accessories and features that no other manufactures care to implement!jarofb

I use this as my primary microphone; I also have the Yeti-X. This microphone is absolutely perfect for remote work and makes life on virtual meetings MUCH easier. Any stand can work based on needs but I did get a Blue mic arm because I like the look and feel best. I set up the HyperX QuadCast so it is positioned higher than my monitor between me and the monitor in a horizontal alignment. My audience can hear me clearly and I never have to touch it. I do use the 3.5 audio jack back out to the laptop and set Teams to use HyperX for both Microphone AND Speaker. This allows the HyperX to effectively eliminate the meeting audio so it is not echoing other participants on the calls. I also like the red LED glow because it is clear I am not on mute and the mic is live. The slightest touch mutes/unmutes the mic. The gain is something you find easy to adjust when you first start using it and its one and done for the most part. I never have to consciously look at my microphone or hold my head a certain way to be heard. This mic is perfect for me. I use a Yeti-x on my secondary system and while its good its not quite as good as the HyperX. Previously I used a studio style condenser microphone was worried this USB style would be “less” quality but it was actually MORE quality. The technology is SPOT ON! The price point is a little less than its competitor and in my mind at least since I own the competitor its a real value; it is the best microphone for virtual conference type usage. I have also created some training videos that have very clear and robust audio. I think the audiophiles would agree the videos I created are quite good considering my lack of experience and equipment LOL!SLDGHMR

It does what it design to do. I had some complaints on the other side of the headphones while playing online video games as to the I sound like in a cave. But that’s do to the distance of the mic as I brought in closer it improve the quality. A few tweaks and is good. The mute button is great you do not even have to touch it just hover your finger in the center and it mutes off. Got it on sale and it was worth it I have it on a mic stand that hangs over. I am satisfied all the way. Have not tried the other options that the mic has cause I do not need too.PhDRomulus

Good stuff first: Impressive initial appearance, does actually work as a directional dynamic mic. Gain setting was similar to the Shure 55SH Price is FAR lower than the Shure. Not so good: First, the design puts XLR output too close to the threaded mounting post. The stand and the mic cable fit next to each other UNLESS you are trying to use a knurled ring to secure the mic tightly So you must tighten the mike down into the stand. Second, the sound isolation lets through a lot of bass noise when the performer handles the mic stand, compared to the Shure 55SH. Third, I am concerned about finish durability. Recommend as decent for vocalists starting out, and definitely as a stage prop or decorative item. I have three I am going to use as stage props, and the functionality is a bonus.John M.

This is a big, heavy, shiny microphone. It sounds pretty bad on voice. When compared with other microphones of average quality, it lacks low end and is brittle in the voice range, so it doesn't even have dynamic warmth from proximity effect going for it. It sounds like there is an impedance problem, if you're familiar with that sound. The big shiny metal screen is totally useless for stopping P's from popping ("plosives"). The XLR connector is so close to the mic stand that it doesn't allow it to get near the lower section of any microphone stand. I tested it using quality mic pre's on the same sound source at the same time, recorded into Logic, then compared through Genelec monitors and Foster headphones. But, it is a big shiny microphone. And heavy. It's under $50. Use it for music videos like I plan to. You'll get a reference audio track out of it you can use for sync purposes, but not one you will use in a mix. Pros: Big. Shiny. Heavy. Cons: sounds pretty bad.Robert

First of all some advice for people that buy this…. DO NOT USE a "clutch" type stand with this mic it is VERY heavy. I wouldn't recommend a boom style stand either. Use a good old-fashioned straight stand (without the adapter ring). I saw people mention in reviews that the mic was too "quiet". This is a Lo-Z (low impedance) mic, so if you plug it into an amp directly, you will need to use a line matching transformer because guitar amp inputs (1/4") are Hi-Z inputs. So don't "cheap out" and buy an XLR-to-1/4" cable and expect good results. The mic sounds excellent. It seems to have a pretty large diaphragm, so you will get pops and sibilance if you get too close, but this is easily remedied with a pop filter or by learning proper mic technique. If the mic is used and handled properly you will not have a problem. The sound is very transparent and works well as a vocal mic or ambient room mic. It isn't on par with some of my other mics, but I paid several times more than I paid for this, so I would expect that they sound several times better. Overall, if you need a decent "all around" mic and you are on a budget…buy this!Eric

Very good mic for an amateur setup! The arm is quite compact and doesn't take a lot of space and the sound quality is very good for its price range.José L. F.

I was debating between the razer seiren mini, seiren X, blue yeti nano, and this. My friends happen to own each one of these except the hyperx solocast, so I bought it to compare this with the other mics. Superficially, they all sound pretty much the same, but on closer analysis, both the razers sound like you're speaking through a tin can. It's a subtle difference, but it's there. The blue yeti nano and the hyperx solocast have very similar sounds and build quality, and they both have a mute button. I like the black color for the solocast, and the fact that it is slightly cheaper than the blue yeti nano, so I decided to go with the solecast. After a few weeks of use, I'm in love with this tiny little microphone. It has really good build quality, and for people looking for a casual microphone for team meetings/talking with friends/gaming, this is perfect.Jazz

I purchased this as a replacement for a Blue Snowball that died on me after 4 good years of daily use and abuse. Physically, the Solocast feels solidly built, and the “tap to mute” button on the top is pretty intuitive. This mic is good for the price, but don’t expect it to be the “end-all” of USB mics. The Solocast is very “mid-heavy”; lows and highs have noticeable compression to them. This isn’t inherently bad, but it can cause the Solocast to sound flat. It’s very apparent in voice calls where bitrate is on the lower side of “good” (Discord, Teamspeak, Zoom, etc). I strongly suggest buying a shock mount and pop filter as well as this mic loves to pick up plosives. The Snowball, while having a lower frequency range, almost sounded better tonally in my opinion. It picked up more “low-end” and gave an almost announcer or podcast feel. I ended up returning this mic and purchasing it’s bigger brother: the HyperX Quadcast. The price jump for the Quadcast is definitely worth it, but if you only have $60 to spend, the Solocast should suffice. However, I highly recommend looking at the Snowball for comparison before purchasing. You can’t really go wrong with either for $60, but what kind of sound you want will determine which you should get.Caleb

This microphone was extremely good, but to the point where it’s too good. It catches everything and is extremely clear, but if you have a boom arm you have to be careful, cause almost every movement or small noise is apparent. I added a pop filter recently so that fixed most of the extra noise. All in all the microphone was really good and I definitely would recommend to others. The quality was great, it’s metal and the included tripod is also very good quality. Once again the sound quality is phenomenal and the microphone is extremely good, but you will probably need a pop filter if you intend to keep the microphone on for recordings, podcasts, or streaming. If you got it for zoom and intend to unmute for a short period of time then you probably won’t need a pop filter.Mahad

I've been recording my music and vocals with my phone for a while now, and I bought an SM7B last summer to replace my basic earbud mic I've always used. I wasn't aware at the time that I'd need an interface to get it working with my phone. Looking for interface suggestions online turned into a ton of mixed results no matter which brand or product I read about. Scarlett, Presonus, Focusrite, etc. Pros of those products were all met with users commenting plenty of cons involving all sorts of different issues. So, I emailed Shure and asked if their MVi would for sure work my iPhone. They responded quickly and told me that it's exactly what I needed to get the mic working. It came in the mail three days later and it's perfect for what I do here at home. Simple to set up and use with my phone. It works with my recording app as well as with recording videos or voice notes. I know very little about recording music beyond the very basics, but the MVi has made it possible for me to finally get to use my actual studio mic to start recording and learning with.David K.

I bought Shure MVi thinking it would be 'ready to use out of the box' to use with an iPhone. Was I ever wrong! The older ones came with a 'micro usb to a lighting cable'. The newer ones do not. The cables are hard to find and in the $30 to $40 range. Shure don't tell you this. (The tech. support person at Shure said he didn't know this.) There is a work around to this. Get a 'usb C to a lighting adapter and a 2 input adapter for a second power input. This will supplement the power loss at the adapters. I know it sounds crazy, but it works! Come on, Shure, get with the program and send the correct cable!Joe S

Ok the mic makes GREAT reproductions. Especially for a usb mic! And the connectivity to iphones, and androids, and computers & tablets whooo buddy. I don't know of anything else on the market that can accomplish this laundry list. It's visually beautiful and a work horse to boot! This device solves so many problems for me! But there is one big draw back here… A draw back I can cope with due to this mics other strengths, but one wold really like to see redesigned on the next release of this mic. You can't adjust the mix between mic monitor signal – and audio that is being played back over USB. Nor can you adjust the monitor levels independently. You can accomplish this by altering settings in whatever app you're using, but the onboard controls leave something to be desired. I'd much rather have control over the monitor mix rather than all the DSP, compression & EQ features that they offer on board. MORE DETAILS BELOW ON WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE: V So let's say you're on a zoom call and you want to monitor your own voice in your headphones while you talk to a friend… The MV51's functionality allows you to monitor your self with no latency, fantastic!…. but to adjust the volume of your friend on the other end you have to do this via the output settings within the zoom app… and if your chosen app doesn't have out put settings, well you're out of luck because the MV51 is an audio interface – so you can't adjust the output volume via your system settings… at least on a mac, because the mv51 overrides these controls.Dan P

I've been making music using my iPhone for about a year now, when I started recording vocals I was only using the headphones provided with my phone to record and monitor myself. The Shure MOTIV M5 has amazing recording capabilities and the fact it plugs straight into my phone is one of the best features. The extra EQ settings are great too since I also record an acoustic guitar. I also love quality of the headphones and the length of the wire. This product has really improved the quality of recordings to my work. #sweepstakesJorge L

As a researcher who has peers that cannot always come to the field, this mic has helped bring the field to my peers. This makes for better understanding of the environments we are working in, the people we are working with, and improves the quality of our thinking as we develop protocols to prevent occupational injuries. The gear is rugged enough for sugarcane fields and gold mines in Nicaragua, so likely it is rugged enough for just about any setting. Great sound, easy to use. I have also used it for reporting on a podcast for the Guardian UK, and the sound quality was excellent and up to the Guardian's exacting standards. #sweepstakesJason, G.

MV88 leaves no chance for the recording quality of the Iphone's built-in microphone. The embarrassment of the built-in microphones is an automatic adjustment of the sound level, whereas for MV88 the sensitivity is adjustable and it does not "jump" during the recording. The MV88 is incredibly easy to use, so you dont need to spend too much time installing and configuring it, instead of enjoying the great time. MV88 Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone connects to any iOS device with a Lightning connector. After a little testing and comparing the audio recorded on the internal microphone of my iPhone and MV88, I realized that with the new microphone I would be able to catch every breath with maximum clarity. MV88, of course, did everything necessary to record the sound of my video, but at the same time I got some important lessons for myself that I want to share with you. Rule number 1: activate the flight mode in your Iphone Each of you have heard before a strange electronic impulse that appears when the phone is next to the speaker. At the moment when the mobile device receives and transmits data, it can create radio frequency interference. Any microphone connected to the phone will be susceptible to such an influence and the creator of sound defects on your recordings. If you activate the flight mode in your Iphone, you can completely avoid this problem. Rule number 2: I am sure that you have a suitable windscreen. MV88 comes with its own windshield and application, which has wind suppression, but if you plan to record in particularly windy places, you should definitely consider buying deadcat. This special accessory helps many professionals and helps block any gusts of wind on your recording. Rule number 3: check the compatibility of the Iphone protective cover. The MV88 is attached directly to your Iphone. Many protective covers are not adapted to use an additional microphone. In any case, just remove it and the problem disappeared, but if you are very worried about protecting your own device, then the tick is that the cover will be adapted to connect the MV88.pacificpim

plugged it into my gaming PC and turned it on. Windows 10 auto installed drivers. microphone worked great. had to tweak settings on discord. friends says it was crystal clear. I use 10 watt pc speakers just to left and right of microphone and they reported no game noise feedback from speakers. extremely easy to adjust to right hight under my monitor. the USB cord is 4 times thicker than a cell phone charging cord. comes with a set up guide to troubleshoot windows settings if microphone doesn't auto set, or volume is wrong. well worth twice the money, and no more headsets…. my disclaimer, 60 yrs old gamerGary

I've never used a desktop microphone before this, so I can't really compare this to anything else. Overall, though, I'm pleased with this mic. It's very easy to setup and use, just plug it in and select the right recording device, and you're ready to go. Works with both Windows 10 and Linux without needing to install any drivers. Build quality is decent with the exception of the desk stand which feels like it might break if handled too roughly, but if you're not moving it around much or don't need to adjust it often, I wouldn't be too concerned about that. The mic itself is very sensitive and seems to be capable of making high quality recordings, but ambient noise can be an issue. It's supposed to be unidirectional, and it does reject noise coming from other directions, but not as much as I expected. It picks up ambient noises all throughout the house, and even my mouse clicks and keypresses get picked up pretty easily. I wouldn't recommend this for someone who needs to make recordings in a noisy environment and needs noise reduction or rejection. For conference calls, though, especially where multiple people are in the same room and will need to talk, this mic is great. Minus 1 star for the desktop stand construction and high sensitivity to ambient noise.Kristin

My friend bought a $13 intercom mic on Amazon as a joke and it's on par with this microphone. It's not to say the quality is terrible. It's kind of decent. It's just not worth $24. This mic is reselling for like $7 on other websites. My biggest gripe with this mic is that the screw design of the stand causes the plastic to bend in, causing it to eventually break. $24 for this mic is disgraceful. Unless you urgently need to walk into a Walmart and buy a microphone, this microphone is not good. Please don't buy it.bruhman82

This microphone is the gold standard for vocal recording, and I can't believe that I used anything else before now. What's the secret to the sauce? While besides the decades of experience backed by the Shure name, this microphone features a VERY defined cardioid pickup pattern. What's a cardioid? Why do I care? If you're asking these questions, I'll simplify it by saying this: if you're recording in a situation where you want the least amount of background noise, this is the pattern for you. Especially vocal recordings, podcasters, and the like, will enjoy the dynamic range that won't clip or cut out at loud sounds like you do with condenser microphones. The pickup range is not directional, but you do need to be conscious of distance, as I'm sure you'll find once you start using it. I did use this microphone plugged into an audio interface into my computer, so that may have introduced a tiny bit of noise, but I was blown away by the results I got from recording. This is nothing like the lower cost and less dedicated microphones I have used in the past. Very well made, as you would expect from a microphone at this price point, and the frequency response modes are set by sliders on the back of the mic. The mounting and cable connector are set up for a boom arm or a stand. Because of the integrated pop filter cover for this microphone I toyed with the idea of using it without a pop filter, but I think i'm just too "spitty" for that, so I've shifted to using one. I highly recommend this microphone. If you're someone who records vocals, spoken word, etc, this will change your game.dronedad

The Shure brand is synonymous with quality microphones, and with the SM7B comes the top-notch build as well as the dynamic range appropriate for multiple applications. Its versatility, craftmanship, and overall reliability make the Shure SM7B a must-own for serious recording. Out of the box you'll notice the mic comes with only a few accessories (cover plate, large foam windscreen, thread adapter) and no XLR cable. You should be familiar with your own audio applications and interfaces to use this mic, as it is no joke. It is pretty weighty and should be mounted on a good microphone stand or hung firmly from a boom. The swiveling bracket adjusts easily for precise positioning. The SM7B feels great, slim and smooth, and its construction feels reliable and sturdy, though I personally limited my usage to studio and workspace recording. In my testing, the SM7B sounds amazing. It has just a very clean output for my instruments and vocals alike. It performs exceptionally well in my small, soundproofed studio affixed with foam wall fixtures. But I was more impressed with the sound quality in a non-optimal, unfixed bedroom environment. The flat, wide-range frequency response is unmatched; there is zero feedback and no static interference whatsoever, even around several operating laptops, two external monitors, and numerous electronic devices. The included windscreen makes up-close vocals and whispers move without the pops and crackles of lesser microphones. Bottom line, this is the microphone that provides the professional performance you need to be taken seriously in any recording environment. Shure's SM7B is everything you need in a dynamic microphone, with its rugged build, versatile application, and unparalleled quality. The brand you should trust with your recording needs did it again, and it isn't a surprise. This is the mic you want to have. Full disclosure, I received this product for my honest, unbiased review.NJRY

SUMMARY: As we dip our toes into the world of podcasting, we all start with an elementary setup that might be as simple as aiming your face into your cell-phone camera and talking into its microphone. But if you get serious, you will soon want a better audio/video setup. The Shure SM7B cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone will be a fine choice until you’re so famous that you have your own professional studio with a production crew and your name on the building. Honestly, most people’s hearing and their listening equipment can’t hear any improvements as you advance beyond this level of studio mic. FEATURES: • The switches under a cover at the back end allow you to set up the dynamic response of the mic. Shifting curves give you a visual indication of what frequencies you are pushing or reducing. • Excellent sound reproduction. • Fits standard mic mounts. • The Cardioid sound pick-up pattern is very direction and ignores sounds coming from anywhere in the room except the front making it a VERY quiet mic for studio use. • Two Year Limited Warranty. PROS: • Pop Filter, Air Suspension and Shock Isolation assure only the voice gets through without ambient studio noise. • Advance electromagnetic shielding prevents interference or hum from monitors and computers in the studio. CONS: • At this level of mic, it’s assumed you’re probably upgrading your system, so if you don’t already have certain other audio items like Mic Stand, Cable or Mic Activator, you’ll have to purchase them separately to begin using this mic. It won’t simply plug into your cell phone. CONCLUSION: The SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone won’t hold you back in creating excellent sound quality.JimF

This microphone is the gold standard for vocal recording, and I can't believe that I used anything else before now. What's the secret to the sauce? While besides the decades of experience backed by the Shure name, this microphone features a VERY defined cardioid pickup pattern. What's a cardioid? Why do I care? If you're asking these questions, I'll simplify it by saying this: if you're recording in a situation where you want the least amount of background noise, this is the pattern for you. Especially vocal recordings, podcasters, and the like, will enjoy the dynamic range that won't clip or cut out at loud sounds like you do with condenser microphones. The pickup range is not directional, but you do need to be conscious of distance, as I'm sure you'll find once you start using it. I did use this microphone plugged into an audio interface into my computer, so that may have introduced a tiny bit of noise, but I was blown away by the results I got from recording. This is nothing like the lower cost and less dedicated microphones I have used in the past. Very well made, as you would expect from a microphone at this price point, and the frequency response modes are set by sliders on the back of the mic. The mounting and cable connector are set up for a boom arm or a stand. Because of the integrated pop filter cover for this microphone I toyed with the idea of using it without a pop filter, but I think i'm just too "spitty" for that, so I've shifted to using one. I highly recommend this microphone. If you're someone who records vocals, spoken word, etc, this will change your game.dronedad

The Shure brand is synonymous with quality microphones, and with the SM7B comes the top-notch build as well as the dynamic range appropriate for multiple applications. Its versatility, craftmanship, and overall reliability make the Shure SM7B a must-own for serious recording. Out of the box you'll notice the mic comes with only a few accessories (cover plate, large foam windscreen, thread adapter) and no XLR cable. You should be familiar with your own audio applications and interfaces to use this mic, as it is no joke. It is pretty weighty and should be mounted on a good microphone stand or hung firmly from a boom. The swiveling bracket adjusts easily for precise positioning. The SM7B feels great, slim and smooth, and its construction feels reliable and sturdy, though I personally limited my usage to studio and workspace recording. In my testing, the SM7B sounds amazing. It has just a very clean output for my instruments and vocals alike. It performs exceptionally well in my small, soundproofed studio affixed with foam wall fixtures. But I was more impressed with the sound quality in a non-optimal, unfixed bedroom environment. The flat, wide-range frequency response is unmatched; there is zero feedback and no static interference whatsoever, even around several operating laptops, two external monitors, and numerous electronic devices. The included windscreen makes up-close vocals and whispers move without the pops and crackles of lesser microphones. Bottom line, this is the microphone that provides the professional performance you need to be taken seriously in any recording environment. Shure's SM7B is everything you need in a dynamic microphone, with its rugged build, versatile application, and unparalleled quality. The brand you should trust with your recording needs did it again, and it isn't a surprise. This is the mic you want to have. Full disclosure, I received this product for my honest, unbiased review.NJRY

SUMMARY: As we dip our toes into the world of podcasting, we all start with an elementary setup that might be as simple as aiming your face into your cell-phone camera and talking into its microphone. But if you get serious, you will soon want a better audio/video setup. The Shure SM7B cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone will be a fine choice until you’re so famous that you have your own professional studio with a production crew and your name on the building. Honestly, most people’s hearing and their listening equipment can’t hear any improvements as you advance beyond this level of studio mic. FEATURES: • The switches under a cover at the back end allow you to set up the dynamic response of the mic. Shifting curves give you a visual indication of what frequencies you are pushing or reducing. • Excellent sound reproduction. • Fits standard mic mounts. • The Cardioid sound pick-up pattern is very direction and ignores sounds coming from anywhere in the room except the front making it a VERY quiet mic for studio use. • Two Year Limited Warranty. PROS: • Pop Filter, Air Suspension and Shock Isolation assure only the voice gets through without ambient studio noise. • Advance electromagnetic shielding prevents interference or hum from monitors and computers in the studio. CONS: • At this level of mic, it’s assumed you’re probably upgrading your system, so if you don’t already have certain other audio items like Mic Stand, Cable or Mic Activator, you’ll have to purchase them separately to begin using this mic. It won’t simply plug into your cell phone. CONCLUSION: The SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone won’t hold you back in creating excellent sound quality.JimF