Best Podcast Microphones For Great Audio (All Budgets)
Looking for the best podcast microphone to start or run a podcast show, get the shure sm7b without any doubt. Podcasters like Joe Rogan use this mic to record podcast episodes on his show.
However, using a usb microphone is the best way to start a podcast because when it comes to using a mic like Shure sm7b, things get a little complicated here. You will need some extra products/devices to record podcasts using an xlr microphone.
If you want to host a solo podcast, most usb microphones work fine, but in case you want to run a multiple-host podcast show, you want to use an xlr mic.
Quick note: There are two ways you can connect a mic to the computer.
1)usb connector
2)xlr connector
The USB microphones are easy to connect with a computer and start recording podcast episodes. The Audio Technica ATR2100-USB is one of the best easy to use budget-friendly podcast microphones to consider in 2025.
In other parts, Xlr microphone provides more dynamic sound quality than USB microphones. They are ideal for a multiple-host podcast setup and require additional podcasting equipment like a USB audio interface to connect them to the computer.
In this article, we ranked and reviewed the top podcast microphones to consider when choosing the best mic for your show.
What is the Best Podcast Microphones For Great Audio (All Budgets)?
Here are my top picks for the best podcast microphone to use to start recording podcast episodes this year.
- Audio Technica ATR2100-USB
- Blue Yeti
- Samson Q2U
- Shure SM7B
- Heil PR-40
- Rode Procaster
- Rode NT
- -USB
- Shure MV7
- Rode PodMic
- Samson Go Mic
- Blue Snowflake
- Electro-Voice RE20
I will start with my favourite podcast microphones to use recording podcast and videos this year.
Audio Technica ATR2100
The ATR2100x-USB is my #1 pick for usb connector podcast microphone to choose from under $100. Audio Technica updated this mic by adding the USB-C digital output option to improve the sound quality.
However,this mic supports both usb and xlr connections and performs well above its price.
You will get a tripod desk stand with folding legs with this mic that makes it easy to set up and carry.
Blue Yeti
The best-selling microphone from blue, the yeti, is serving the podcasters community for more than a decade. When you search for any mic options on the internet, there is a good chance that this mic will pop up.
Most of the time, podcasters and YouTubers use this mic to record their voice.It comes under 4 different polar patterns, but the cardioid polar pattern is the one that most people use on an everyday basis.
Samson Q2U
The Samson Q2U is a professional quality handheld podcast microphone with a usb and xlr connector. You should choose this mic if you want to create a production studio on a budget. Moreover, this mic comes with a mic clip, desktop tripod stand with extension, windscreen, and usb &xlr cable.
Rode NT-USB
The Rode NT-USB is a versatile studio-quality usb connector podcast microphone in 2025.It’s the ideal microphone for voice recording. It comes with a tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch, and 6m (20′) USB cable.
Shure SM7B
You will find Shure SM7B in many podcasters’ studios. This mic comes with a cardioid polar pattern that works extremely well in podcast recording. However, this mic has a built-in shock mount and pop filter so that you don’t need to upgrade any kinds of accessories. You want to use a Cloudlifter cl-1 with this mic to get better sounds.
Shure MV7
Looking for the best xlr podcast mic, choose a larger diaphragm dynamic microphone such as-; Shure MV7. It will give you a great sound recording.
Plus, it will be a little more friendly to non-ideal recording spaces. Using the ShurePlus MOTIV app, you can easily control your mic the way you want.
Rode Procaster
The Rode Procaster has a tight polar pattern and tailored-for-voice frequency response. It includes a stand mount, 3/8 inch adaptor, and zip pouch. I have compared this microphone with other microphones and found that the frequency range of 75Hz – 18kHz gives the best results.
Samson Go Mic
The Samson Go Mic is a great Portable USB condenser microphone for under $50.This mic comes with two microphone pickup patterns: cardioid and omnidirectional, and you can easily switch in between them.
Blue Snowflake
The Blue Snowflake is another great cheap USB microphone for under $30 that is designed for mobile use. The Snowflake comes with a USB cable and can be used with your laptop or desktop.
Rode PodMic
The Rode PodMic is an XLR Connector Cardioid polar pattern dynamic podcasting Microphone under $100.This mic has a built in internal shock mount to reduce vibration and a pop filter in this mic to minimize plosives.
You definitely want an universal microphone shock mount to use in this mic.
Heil PR-40
The Heil PR-40 is a popular XLR connector podcast microphone among the podcasters community and is used by top podcasters.
You will get 28 Hz – 18 kHz frequency response, -53.9 dB @ 1 kHz Output Level, Max SPL: 148 dB, an internal shock mount, and a pop filter with this microphone.
Electro-Voice RE20
The Electro-Voice RE20 is a Professional quality dynamic cardioid XLR microphone that comes with a Variable-D design. This microphone will give you lots of flexibility and works great for podcast recording.
Final Thoughts
The sound quality is vital to consider when choosing any microphone on that list. The essential thing a podcast-friendly mic gives you is the recording quality of this mic. Once you have recorded the podcast, you should be prepared for podcast editing, so consider it also. By choosing the best podcast mic like Shure SM7B, you can easily minimize your podcast post-production work.
If you want to record a solo podcast, you will need a mic with a cardioid polar pattern that will only pick sound in the front of the mic. Bidirectional polar of any mic will give you the freedom to record one person directly in front and another person directly behind the mic.
When choosing the best podcast microphone,you want to choose an usb microphone if you are starting a podcast. In that case, you want to get Blue Yeti USB microphone.
But If you are a professional podcaster and want something more dynamic, You will love the shure sm7b microphone to use in the studio.Because its a xlr connector dynamic mix,you want a usb audio interface and Cloudlifter cl-1 to power the mic.