My Favorite USB Microphones
Here are a couple of my favorite USB microphones that I have tested. There are plenty more microphones that I have not reviewed or used, and I’m sure there are some that can be added to this list, but I am only adding stuff based on my experiences.
DYNAMIC MICROPHONES
SAMSON Q2U
This is likely my most recommended microphone. It is a dynamic microphone, but the stand out feature is that it is both XLR & USB, so you can start with it as a USB microphone and add outboard gear or an interface down the road. It does lean on the side of being a bit sibilant, but it has a fuller sound compared to it’s competition.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/samq2u
AUDIO TECHNICA ATR2100USB
This microphone has the same feature set as the Q2u with an XLR and USB output which is amazingly useful. The only difference in performance is the tone of this is a bit less pronounced in the low end and it has a more mid forward tone than the Q2u.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/2100usb
AUDIO TECHNICA AT2005USB
This microphone sounds identical to the ATR2100usb to my ears. The main benefit of this mic is that it looks cooler, and the on/off switch is a little smoother so it doesn’t create as large of a click when you mute the mic.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/at2005usb
Buy it on Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/NLBN2
CONDENSER MICROPHONES
SAMSON GO MIC
Is this the best sounding mic on the market, no. But it is tiny, and performs surprisingly well for the price. It also even has a mount so you can put it on a standard 3/4” boom arm and get the mic closer to your mouth.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/goomic
Buy it on Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/bXbNB
SAMSON C01U PRO
This was the overall winner of the “best usb microphone under $100” that I did about 3 years ago. It sounds clear, has a headphone output, and does what it’s supposed to do really well without excessive bells and whistles.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/c01u
Buy it on Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/2Dk5D
AUDIO TECHNICA ATR2500 USB
This was the runner up in my “best usb microphone under $100” video that I did a few years back, and a lot of people actually preferred this over the Samson. It does have a fuller low-end and it sounds a bit more crisp in the top end.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/2500usb
EL GATO WAVE 3
This new usb mic is a feature packed beast of a mic. It has a very effective limited to keep you from clipping, it has a digital mixer that allows you to mix in 5 additional sound sources for a live stream if you need to. But most importantly is the sound, and for all the features crammed in here, it sounds great, as it was tuned by Lewitt !!!
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/egwave3
ANTELOPE AUDIO EDGE GO
This is the last USB microphone you’ll ever need, and the price tag indicates that quite well. It is a USB modeling microphone that multiple capsules to add multiple polar patterns, but also locate the direction a sound is coming from and adjust the tone to match the microphone it is emulating. If you want a USB microphone that allows you to emulate a U47 or C12 or C414 or any number of legendary (and expensive) microphones, this is the mic for you.
Buy it on Amazon: https://geni.us/edgego
