It has clearly marked controls, comes in many colors, and is compatible with most systems. With the Blue Yeti, you get multiple recording pattern selections: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. It’s “packed full of features” according to several of its Amazon reviewers, and its average ranking on the site is an impressive 4.4/5 stars based on nearly 6k reviews. When you’re on a budget, but you need lots of features and great sound quality, this mic is your best bet.

If you’ve done this search, you’ve likely come across the Blue Yeti. Blue Yeti, $130.00 - Excellent for vocals, instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, and conference calls. Below are the top-rated USB microphones.ġ. USB mics are affordable for any price range, simple to use and produce professional sound quality.

An XLR mic will give you the ability to easily upgrade and troubleshoot your set up because it’s possible to swap out cables and interfaces. If you run a podcast with multiple guests or are building a home studio, you probably want more versatility. If you’re always recording on your computer and don’t want to deal with a bunch of cables and other components, a USB mic is probably right for you.

Better for recording multiple microphones.

Easy to change out cables and interfaces.

Cannot change out individual components.

The first question you should ask yourself is, do you want a plug and play microphone (USB) or a more customizable microphone (XLR)? The Difference Between USB and XLR Microphones

Whether you’re building your studio from scratch or looking to update your equipment, these are the top rated microphones with USB and XLR connections. Investing in the right type of microphone from the start saves both money and time in the long run. A good microphone records clean audio, and clear recordings take less time to edit and transcribe. When sourcing your media equipment, choosing a microphone is an important decision.

Home studio computer mics