9 Best Microphones for Podcasting

Top 9 Best Microphones for Podcasting

1. Shure SM7B – Our Choice
2. PR-40 by Heil – Best large-diaphragm dynamic
3. Blue Ember – Cardioid XLR condenser mic
4. Rode Procaster – Internal pop filter
5. Audio-Technica AT2035 – Wide dynamic range
6. Blue Yeti – Four recording modes
7. Samson Go – Portable & cheap
8. HyperX Quadcast – Full-featured condenser mic
9. Razer Seiren Elite – High pass filter

As a rule, podcast mics are used by beginners, bloggers and podcasters. If you belong to one of these groups, I have compiled the list of the best mics for podcasting that feature various sound sensitivity and, depending on the location of the source, differ in rated impedance and frequency range. The budget is from $40 to $399.

1. Shure SM7B

Our choice

Connection: XLR | Type: Dynamic | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz | Impedance: 150 ohms

The Shure SM7B is a compact and powerful microphone that excels as the best microphone for interviews and provides a proportional recording thanks to the cardioid polar pattern. This podcast mic is equipped with a new cartridge shock mount that prevents the appearance of outside moves while recording a podcast.

You may choose one of three frequency response modes: flat ‒ a universal mode to play a raw record, bass roll-off – a choice of users who don’t want to spend time on editing proximity effect, and presence boost ‒ for those who need more vocals. Durable construction of SM7B makes it an ideal choice for podcasters interested in the longevity of their product.

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2. PR-40 by Heil

Large-diaphragm dynamic for live use

Connection: XLR | Type: Dynamic | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 28Hz to 18kHz | Impedance: 600 ohms balanced

PR 40 is a large-diaphragm, front-address model that can be called the best microphone for podcasting at home. The output level is enough to record vocal and podcasts, and the lower part of the mic looks like a condenser model.

While testing the microphone, “P” popping was almost absent ‒ the sound was smoothly fading. It should be also mentioned that the microphone is a durable one and may be easily used to record live videos and podcasts.

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3. Blue Ember

Premium cardioid XLR condenser microphone

Connection: XLR | Type: Condenser | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 38 Hz to 20 kHz | Impedance: 40 ohms

Blue Ember is a studio condenser XLR podcasting microphone to record live videos. It is developed to reject an off-axis noise and simplify the process of clear voice recording. The cardioid record scheme of Blue Ember effectively lowers the off-axis noise. It produces a clearer recording, therefore, shortening the time on further audio post-production.

Speaking into the microphone, hold a capsule parallel to the face, with a logo towards you, since it catches the sound directly in front of a grid but not above it, like with Shure SM58. Proper positioning will maximize noise suppression outside the axis, improving clarity.

4. Rode Procaster

Best microphone for podcasting YouTube videos

Connection: XLR | Type: Dynamic | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 75 Hz to 18 kHz | Impedance: 320 ohms

Rode Procaster is a dynamic model designed to record vocals professionally, which makes it the best microphone for podcasting and postscoring. The microphone captures small details of the recorded audio and perfectly rejects unwanted noise around it.

To set up this podcast mic, you need a bar or microphone stand. Rode Procaster is not the model you should hold with your hands. During the recording, the microphone performs a sound similar to that of a DJ mic recording, with a professional, controlled and quite a rich signal.

5. Audio-Technica AT2035

Created for natural sound and low noise

Connection: XLR | Type: Condenser | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz | Impedance: 120 ohms

Audio-Technica AT2035 by a German manufacturer is frequently used to record podcasts thanks to the detailed sound representation. With a switchable 80Hz high pass filter, you may freely regulate the voice sound.

If you compare this podcasting microphone with a previous model of this brand – AT2024, AT2035 is more sensitive and produces less background noise. Sound characteristics of the microphone show a warm and pleasant compressed sounding mid-range and a very smooth high-end frequency response.

6. Blue Yeti

The microphone with four distinct pattern modes

Connection: USB | Type: Condenser | Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Stereo, Omnidirectional and Bidirectional | Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz | Impedance: 16 ohms

Blue Yeti impresses with its size ‒ one foot in height and a weight of 3.4 pounds. When it comes to sound quality, the microphone produces deep and detailed sound. In terms of capabilities, Yeti offers the headphones monitoring with zero latency, headphone volume control and a convenient small mute button. There is also a handle on the back panel to control microphone gain. You may choose one of four recording modes and switch to the necessary one using a multiposition selection switch.

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7. Samson Go

The cheapest microphone for podcasting

Connection: USB | Type: Condenser | Polar Pattern: Cardioid and Omnidirectional | Frequency response: 20 Hz to 18 kHz | Impedance: n/a

The first thing you pay attention to while getting acquainted with Samson Go is an assembling quality. A cast zinked base is equipped with a cushion assembly to isolate capsules from recording minimal vibrations. The microphone features a LED indicator that informs the users whether it is on or off. It flashes red when the noise is too loud. Although this cheap podcast microphone will not give you a professional recording quality, it is quite enough for beginners. It is also convenient to record podcasts on the go. The set includes an armored cable that should be connected to get started.

8. HyperX Quadcast

Full-featured mic for content creators

Connection: USB | Type: Condenser | Polar Pattern: Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional | Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz | Impedance: 32 ohms

Together with HyperX Quadcast your voice will be deep and clear for recording. This podcast mic perfectly isolates noise in the room, especially when your PC operates noisily or you record a podcast with an open window.

QuadCast lights up with red LED lights when it is active. In order to switch on/off the microphone, you have to press a sensor button on the top. What I like about the sensor button is that while recording, there won’t be any loud switcher clicks.

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9. Razer Seiren Elite

Microphone with the built in High Pass Filter

Connection: USB | Type: Dynamic | Polar Pattern: Cardioid | Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz | Impedance: ≥ 16 ohms

Razer Seiren Elite is distinguished by a laconic design: it is improved only with a volume switch on/off and a small LCD screen. The display shows the information on the volume and the pattern chosen. There are also handles to control the sound volume and gain.

The sound quality is quite good. The model perfectly captures a clear sound, and a zero-latency headphone monitoring is very pleasing. Seiren works great while recording podcasts, catching sound with higher quality than that offered by a simple microphone embedded in a headset.

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List of the Best Microphones for Podcasting

Image	Name	Features
	Shure SM7B OUR CHOICE	Dynamic podcast mic Cardioid polar pattern 50 Hz to 20 kHz Decent noise rejection capabilities	Check PRICE →
	PR-40 by Heil LIVE USE	Dynamic podcast mic Cardioid polar pattern 28Hz to 18kHz Lightweight	Check PRICE →
	Blue Yeti 4 MODES	Condenser microphone Four recording modes 20Hz to 20kHz Durable metal construction	Check PRICE →

How to Choose the Best Microphone for Podcasting?

Directional Capability. This microphone feature explains how it captures sounds in any direction. Omni-directional podcast microphones capture sounds from all directions and easily perceive unwanted noise. Such mics are best suitable for reportages and broadcastings.

Bi-directional ones capture sounds from two different sides. That is why they are suitable for recording podcasts. Podcasters also choose cardioid mics that capture sounds only from the front.

Impedance. To record podcasts, choose a microphone with a nominal impedance of 600 Ohm and lower. Such models are better in capturing sound, so you'll have to make fewer adjustments in podcast recording software.

Durability. Frequency response is a frequency range at which a microphone may detect and perceive sounds. Before you choose a podcasting microphone, decide what you are going to record. For vocals and guitar, choose a mic with a medium or low frequency, and for bass ‒ a low-frequency variant.

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Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more