In the media department, we are seeing a steady rise in the ‘affordable microphone’ department.
Technology did make a huge difference in every phase of our lives. And that’s also noticeable in the media space, where vendors are now focused on creating new opportunities for the average consumers.
Not only can you get good quality microphones, but you can also get them at a very affordable price in 2021.
But the only (yet a major problem) is the number of brands that are in the market, there are just way too many options to choose from.
With that in mind, we would like to present our picks for the best computer microphones to the regular folks out there. Upon making some rough and tough inspections of each feature, we think are offerings are more than capable of helping you reach your productivity goals.
But before we move on with the review of each computer microphone, here’s a list of the offerings we have for you today.
Best Computer Microphones: A Short Comparison
| Product Name | Pickup pattern | Dimensions |
| Blue Yeti USB Mic | Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo | 4.9 x 4.7 x 11.6 inches |
| Samson Go Mic | Cardioid and Omnidirectional | 6 x 1 x 5 inches |
| Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone | Cardioid | 4 x 5 x 4.5 inches |
| Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic | Cardioid | 6.4 x 6.4 x 9.5 inches |
| PC Goose Neck Microphone from Connectland | Omnidirectional | 6 x 1.5 x 14 inches |
| Samson Meteor Mic | Cardioid | 6 x 3 x 5 inches |
Now that you’ve had a look at what we have to offer, it is time for us to dive into the features of the products themselves.
This should be really helpful for those who are looking for a microphone for a computer that offers convenient performance while keeping the bank balance undented.
The Top 6 Options for the Best Computer Microphone
Blue Yeti USB Mic
Product Overview
We’re positive many of you are already familiar with ‘Blue’. The makers of the brand have a long history of delivering studio-quality microphones in the hands of the average users.
And that’s where the Blue Yeti USB Mic comes in. For a lower-midrange player, it certainly has the capability to be the best computer microphone.
Let’s start with the design of the Blue Yeti. It features a very subtle satin silver-like finish on the exterior (there are other color options available). If you wanted to have an overall impression, then we would say the simple design will blend into almost any setting of your choice.
What about performance?
Well, when you have 4-pickup patterns for streaming and recording, you should be getting some very decent performance. And we found this to be very true, as it gives you the opportunity to record in almost any type of setting.
Furthermore, you are getting a 3-capsule design which does set the Blue Yeti aside from your average options. Pair that with a solid zero-latency microphone and you have a microphone for your computer that can record vocals and instruments seamlessly.
Overall, if you’re a user who doesn’t want to break the bank, but wants the best possible performance, then the Blue Yeti USB mic should be your pic.
Sure, the button quality does feel mediocre. But that’s just one small dent in the feature set of a product that’s very capable of being your companion for a long-time. So, you may want to check it out for yourselves.
Pros
- The tri-capsule design offers good usability.
- The build quality is on point.
- You have 4-pickup patterns for proper functionality.
- The 48-kHz sample rate offers a decent audio signature.
- The zero-latency microphone adds to the overall user-experience.
Cons
- The button quality could be better.
Samson Go Mic
Product Overview
When portability and pricing are the two main concerns for your creative needs, then the makers at Samson Technologies have your back. Their Go Mic is a popular choice among semi-pro and pro users who like a small-form-factor design and good overall audio signature.
So, what’s so special about this microphone?
For starters, you are getting quality hardware in a very small package. The portability is clearly one of the most noteworthy features of the Go Mic. If you like small-scale designs that are ready to rumble in a moment’s notice, then the Go Mic should be a decent choice for you.
As for the performance, you are getting selectability between two different pickup patterns, which is often very hard to find in computer microphones.
Also, the headphone jack is something you’d never want to miss out on. Fortunately, you have both the headphone jack and a convenient LED indicator, which offer a seamless experience altogether.
So, is it worth the investment? Let’s stack up the features and see.
You have a foldable and portable mic that doesn’t require any particularly large software suite to work. It’s got good internals and the ability to record in almost any setting.
So, despite the lack of proper isolation, you are getting a very good deal overall. Go check it out for yourselves if you’re interested.
Pros
- It features a very small, foldable footprint.
- You get easy integration with both PC and MAC.
- You have the audio jack that’s very good at monitoring output.
- A capable computer microphone for vocals and instruments.
Cons
- There are some issues with isolation.
Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone
Product Overview
The Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone has a couple of unique features up its sleeve. Its feature set is very dense. What we mean by that is it’s got all the right features you need to become a creator without the overly hefty price tag.
First of all, if we look at the design, then you will see that it’s got a nice curvy stand that will stand out in any setting. As for the main piece, which is the mic, of course, gets a compliment from the stand and mingles nicely with your setup.
In short, if you’re looking for a microphone design that stylish enough, then the MV5 is pretty much a no-brainer.
As for the performance, then we don’t have a lot to complain about it either. You have 3-preset modes along with automatic control applications. Here, the system is smart enough to apply compression and EQ settings all on its own.
Another noteworthy feature is the custom-capsule tuning, which is an important thing to have if you’re looking for a microphone that has a stand-out audio signature. Add the headphone monitoring capability, and you have a solid microphone that’s worthy of being the best computer microphone.
So, if style and performance are the two things you’re looking for, then the Shure MV5 can be the right choice for you. If you can look past the longevity issue, then for the price, it is a very good deal overall.
Pros
- It features very good integration with iOS.
- The distinct DSP modes offer decent flexibility of use.
- The custom-tuning will make you stand out from the crowd.
- The aluminum desk stand works as a solid fashion statement.
Cons
- It has problems maintaining its performance in the long run.
Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic
Product Overview
The Snowball iCE USB MIC from ‘Blue’ microphones is famous among gamers and bloggers for a couple of reasons. And once you listen to these reasons, you may find them to be compelling enough to consider one for yourself.
So, let’s see what the iCE mic has in store for you?
If you were to critique the design, you will notice one thing first of all-it’s clearly one of the cutest options out there. The white ‘Snowball’-inspired design will stand out on your desk, especially if you have the white variant. But you could always go with the sleek and silent black option.
So, how does the performance stack up?
It’s solid all across the board. The custom condenser design along with a 44-kHz sample rate offers a very good overall audio signature. Also, there’s absolutely no need for any additional driver downloads. It’s just a simple plug-and-play. All in all, it’s a pretty well-rounded package that makes a lot of difference.
Sure, the lack of proper controls is certainly a bummer. Still, if you consider the features and the pricing that’s associated with it, you will find the snowball microphone to be a solid choice for your system.
Pros
- It comes with a custom condenser design-offers solid output.
- The microphone foot-print is considerably small.
- It features good compatibility with both PC and MAC.
- It’s just a simple plug-and-play-no additional software installation required.
Cons
- The lack of controls is very noticeable.
PC Goose Neck Microphone from Connectland
Product Overview
The Goose Neck Microphone from Connectland is a bit of a wildcard in our list for the best computer microphone.
Now you may argue about the usability of such a microphone that looks like a board room accessory. But we would urge you to take a look at all the features of the Goose Neck Microphone before you completely ignore it.
Let’s take the design for instance. It’s small and simple. You have a matte black body with a red pedestal. You can easily adjust the microphone to any height, which is convenient. Also, this is an omnidirectional condenser microphone. So, you are getting good pickup capabilities.
As for the performance, then we will admit, there’s not a lot going on here. You pretty much get what you pay for.
You have the 180-degree tilting neck with a mute switch at a convenient location. If you’re looking for something solely for communicating with your audience, then this microphone should be more than enough for you.
So, should you buy it?
As mentioned earlier, it’s got all the essential features you’d need for a proper conversation. And the price is also competitive. But you have to compromise a bit on the software side of things. Other than that, you will be pretty happy with the overall performance of the Gooseneck mic.
Pros
- It’s got a very low-profile design with very competitive pricing.
- The omnidirectional pickup is commendable.
- There’s no hassle of any hard-to-understand integration.
- It’s got a 3.5mm connector with an 8-feet length-suitable for almost any setup.
Cons
- The software integration needs work.
Samson Meteor Mic
Product Overview
If you like chrome on your computer desk, then you will be very happy with the Samson Meteor Mic. Not only do you get the old-school chrome finish, but you also get solid performance for the price.
Before we talk about anything, we believe it’s prudent we talk about the design first.
It just screams elegant. If you have this on your computer desk, anyone who comes into the room will appreciate it. The tripod-like stand also complements the whole design. And do take note that the stand is also chrome!
Now, let’s talk about performance.
You have a 25mm diaphragm with a 1-inch studio-grade capsule. Pair that with a maximum frequency response of 20-kHz, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get good audio performance. And that’s the case in reality, as the performance is on point with the claims.
As for the other noteworthy features, they are pretty much the same as you’d expect on a good quality microphone for your computer desk. You have the zero-latency headphone for proper monitoring. Also, the foldable legs come as an added bonus as well.
As mentioned earlier, we did mention the Meteor Mic to be a choice for those who want flashy aesthetics along with good performance. But, if you can look past a slightly hard gain knob, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try it out for yourselves.
Pros
- A solid zinc body that comes with foldable legs.
- The audio quality is on point.
- The ambient noise reduction is satisfactory.
- The pricing is very competitive in comparison to the feature set.
Cons
- The gain knob is a bit hard to turn.
How to Buy the Best Computer Microphone: Some Simple Pointers
Now that you’ve had a look at some of the options for the best microphone for your computer setup. But there’s a catch.
There’s a very high possibility of you finding a more suitable option, which may not be on our review list. And that’s perfectly fine, we will not hold anything against you.
But we took the responsibility of helping you land the best possible option. In order to do that, we would like to take you through some steps on how to buy a computer microphone that suits your needs.
Let’s have a look at the things you should consider:
Look at the sample rate
You should always look at the sample rate of the microphone you are buying. The sample rate is a measure of the output clarity.
In general, the more the sample rate, the better the sound output. Still, it shouldn’t go anything less than 44-kHz, which is usually the standard you should look for.
Portability is a concern
When it comes to a proper computer microphone, you need to consider the portability. It’s one of the key factors when it comes to functionality.
So, try to make sense of the dimensions of each option in your wishlist. The smaller the form-factor, the better the usability.
Accessories matter
Often times you’ll find yourself to pay for the entire system rather than the microphone itself. In that case, you should see what accessories you are getting. Apart from the basics, you may also want to check if you are getting a filter or its replacement (if you are paying a premium of course).
Vocal or instrumental, which one would you need?
When you’re getting a microphone to use with your computer system, you need to get your priorities straight.
In general, you will be able to use the branded microphones for both purposes. But, if you want to try out something new, then you’d want to do your research properly.
So, our recommendation would be to go with a branded choice that has all the bells and whistles, even if you have to pay something extra for it. The extra investment will certainly come to your aid and give you a more immersive experience overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How to record the best version of voice-over syncs while monitoring?
Answer: To make that sure, check for a zero-latency monitoring feature along with the other specs of your computer mic.
Question: How to switch between the pickup patterns within the same mic?
Answer: For those mics that offer multiple pickup patterns, also come with a control button/knob to switch in between.
Question: Is there any iOS-only microphone for a computer?
Answer: Although most of them are independent of OS or platform that mother devices run, the Shure MV5 seems to be quite an iOS-friendly microphone.
Question: How can I get a stand out an audio signature with one of these mics?
Answer: To have a standout audio signature, you must have to check for a custom capsule tuning. Once got, it’s all about setting up.
Question: What’s the best material for the desk stand for a computer microphone?
Answer: As long it’s a lightweight mic, you can go with a tripod or camera stand that’s made of aluminum.
Question: Do I need to download any additional virus for these mics?
Answer: As long as you have a plug-n-play tag on it, you don’t need to take the hassle of installing driver software anyway.
Question: What polar pattern in a computer mic is best for multi-person recording?
Answer: If you want to record interviews for podcasts from multiple sources, you can go with Figure-8 polar patterns.
Question: Are there any difficulties operating the control buttons and knobs?
Answer: Not for most of the models we know. So far the only such issue that we’ve found is with the Samson Meteor mic, which has got a hard gain knob. The rest of them are fine.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far in this review for the best computer microphones, then we would like to extend our thanks.
We know there’s a lot of information to cover. Still, if you’re sipping on a cup of coffee and reading the ways to land on the proper microphone option, we are very hopeful about your success.
But there’s one last piece of advice we would like to dish out. And that is to ask for a second opinion from your fellow creators. This way, you will be able to cement your thoughts and land on the product that’s best for you.
With that said, it’s time for us to take your leave.
Good luck with your endeavors!
