The Best Microphone for YouTube
Table of Contents
Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Microphone for YouTube
It’s no secret that YouTube has taken the online world by storm since its establishment in 2005. In a decade and a half, the daily views on YouTube have climbed to about one billion hours of watched video per day, and hundreds of hours of video uploaded to the site per minute. YouTube is shaping the landscape of content, and a lot of people are aiming to ride the wave. Today, we’re here to help you do just that with our guide on the top microphone for YouTube.
Why do you need a microphone for YouTube? Well, if you’re planning to start publishing videos on YouTube, you need to make sure that your production is top-class. Thanks to the availability of great-quality microphones, this is now a possibility even for the most amateur home studio setup. There are now a ton of different, quality options for the top microphones for YouTube, and a look at our list below will be more than enough to get the ball rolling for you.
Which is the Top YouTube Microphone?
Editor's Choice  Best Overall |  Best USB Microphone |  Most Versatile |
Røde NT-USBThe Røde NT-USB may be a plug-and-play microphone that is incredibly portable, versatile, and high-performing. | Blue Yeti ProThe Blue Yeti Pro is a flexible and portable USB mic that amateurs and professionals can easily use to record YouTube videos with quality audio. | Shure MV7The Shure MV7 brings the best of USB and XLR together without sacrificing quality, design, and functionality for an overall broadcast-quality sound. |
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Let’s Go Over Each Microphone for YouTube
#1. Røde NT-USB
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For its price, the Rode NT-USB mic offers an incredible recording experience. As a USB microphone, it’s essentially plug-and-play, allowing even the most amateur of creators to record quality content.
Not only that, it’s even compatible with portable devices like the iPad, as long as you have the proper adaptor. With a durable build and a simple yet effective design, it sets the standard for USB mics the world over.
If there’s one place where this mic is meant to shine, it’s in its audio quality. And shine it does. While it does suffer from a bit of sensitivity, especially when it comes to background noise and keyboard sounds, overall the sound is crisp and clear.
While other USB microphones tend to suffer from a bit of hiss and white noise, the Rode NT-USB has no such problem. It has a sharp and detailed sound, and its cardioid pickup pattern allows users to block out unwanted noise while capturing the sound source with full clarity and fidelity.
Overall, when it comes to USB microphones and the best one for YouTube, this one from Rode is leading the pack. Combining a simple yet effective design with top-quality sound and an affordable price, it stands out from among the many budget USB microphones available on the market today. This cardioid condenser mic also has a headphone jack with volume control and a mix dial for you to blend computer audio with your voice.
Its plug-and-play capabilities and body dials make the learning curve on the Rode NT-USB so much easier, allowing beginners to hit the ground running with their recordings. Additionally, this condenser microphone comes with a mount, desktop stand, internal pop filter, storage pouch, and a USB cable.
The complete package, plus its versatility makes it a clear winner for YouTube creators who want a powerful microphone with an easy setup thus, earning the number one spot in our list of most excellent microphones for YouTube.
Pros and Cons of the Røde NT-USB
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Directional recording with a cardioid polar pattern ✔ Has a stereo headphone jack for zero latency and accuracy ✔ Cardioid patterns blocks out background noise ✔ Comes with numerous accessories ✔ Crisp and clear audio quality | ✖️ A computer is needed to adjust the gain control |
#2. Blue Yeti Pro
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The Blue Yeti Pro’s somewhat intimidating price point might not make it the first choice for many first-timers, but if you’re planning on investing in quality then picking it up will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
The Blue Yeti Pro has flexibility that allows the microphone to grow with your skill, allowing for easy, basic desktop use as well as more complex combinations with professional recording equipment.
Its high resolution also makes for more flexibility with recording, making the Yeti Pro a more dynamic choice over the basic Blue Yeti microphone model.
This dynamic mic is the ultimate USB microphone for both amateurs and professionals. While it may cost a little more than your entry-level microphone set, its top-tier recording quality and features make it a great investment.
The Yeti Pro is one of the better quality microphones in its price range and can be a great choice for YouTube content creators who want a microphone that feels great and sounds good. Plus, its iconic design makes it a great addition to your on-camera setup.
Pros and Cons of the Blue Yeti Pro
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Has a gain control button ✔ Has four polar patterns ✔ Great for recordings, voice overs, and content creation ✔ Zero-latency monitoring ✔ USB output ✔ Desktop stand included | ✖️ May require a boom arm |
#3. Shure MV7
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The MV7 is Shure’s option for microphone users who are on the tail-end of beginner level and are looking to try out more complicated, yet still user-friendly setups.
While Shure has long been a giant in the microphone industry, many of the brand’s condenser microphones remain a little out of reach for the average user working from a laptop.
The MV7 is a great solution to this, offering two connection options that are great for amateurs who are moving into intermediate-level micing. With that, you get the best of both worlds for USB microphones and XLR microphones.
If you’re concerned that that will make the connection process difficult, fear not. This versatile microphone is designed to be easy to use, allowing for more comfort and convenience in recording. Its great range of benefits makes it no wonder why the MV7 is one of the top microphones for YouTube content creators, and the top-class audio quality is just on another level.
When it comes to YouTube video creation, a USB connection will always come in handy, and the MV7 is pretty much the one that you need for the modern era. It’s the perfect, powerful little companion for recording on the go thanks to its USB connectivity and the ShurePlus MOTIV app.
With the MOTIV app, you can adjust your audio settings easily both before and after your recording session. The MOTIV app also allows you to adjust the recording mode and the proximity effect, select EQ presets, and other easy-to-manage controls.
The MV7 allows you to record on your laptop, or even on your smartphone or tablet with an adaptor. With that kind of range, the studio is pretty much anywhere you want it to be.
Overall, these features and applications make the Shure MV7 one of the most exceptional microphones for YouTube if you’re looking for a condenser microphone that is versatile, and easy to use, but can produce high-quality audio inside and outside the studio.
Pros and Cons of the Shure MV7
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Has both USB and XLR output ✔ Has a touch panel for gain control ✔ Highly versatile | ✖️ Windscreen may be loose |
#4. Audio-Technica AT2035
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Thanks to its smooth, balanced sound and fantastic midrange, the Audio-Technica AT2035 is one of the top microphones for YouTube videos focused on vocals and voiceovers.
Its side-address design and cardioid polar pattern mean that you can easily position the cardioid mic to capture your voice while avoiding catching unwanted background noise like clicking or typing on the keyboard.
Its high sensitivity also means that you can capture clear audio and the nuances of your voice perfectly, making it the perfect companion for YouTubers at home.
The Audio-Technica AT2035 is comparable with several studio-grade condenser microphones, which makes its affordability all the more astonishing. With this XLR microphone, you can switch between the 80Hz high-pass filter and the 10 dB pad, reliably taking care of high sound pressure levels.
The Audio-Technica AT2035 produces a natural sound with a tone that leans slightly towards the warm and vintage. It has a crisp and detailed high-end, as well as a rich low-end that’s full of depth, making it a great choice for any sound engineer looking to buy their first large-diaphragm condenser.
While it may not be the most affordable one around for first-timers and amongst XLR mics, the Audio-Technica AT2035 is one of the greatest microphones in the industry thanks to its incredible quality.
It’s at par with many other microphones at higher price points and can give you clear, consistent audio quality with hardly any need for post-processing. After all, it is a high-quality microphone.
If you spend most of your time creating content in a studio setting, then the Audio-Technica AT2035 is a powerhouse when it comes to great audio quality. One of the best mics for voice recording and recording YouTube videos.
Pros and Cons of the Audio-Technica AT2035
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Can eliminate ambient noise and other low sounds ✔ Great for vocals and voice overs ✔ Equipped with a shock mount and protective pouch ✔ Has an 80Hz high-pass filter ✔ Excellent audio quality | ✖️ Requires external power ✖️ Single polar pattern |
#5. Røde VideoMic Pro+
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Røde is known for producing top-quality microphones that are easy to use, durable, and have a fantastic sound and the VideoMic Pro is one of their best microphones.
This shotgun microphone is compact and foolproof and will elevate your videography from good to great. This is a great YouTube mic for content creators who plan on shooting videos outdoors.
Designed for on-the-go recording, it has easy-to-find switches and a near-universal size mount that will suit practically any handheld camera or camcorder. If you’re worried that this shotgun microphone won’t cover much range, then think again as it has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz to capture voices well.
It also has an integrated shock mount to minimize vibrations and has a super-cardioid pickup pattern that’s great for directional recording modes and producing amazing sound.
With such a compact size, the Røde Videomic Pro’s portability is one of its strongest features. Taking shotgun mics out into the world, however, means that you have to contend with issues like battery life. It can be pretty stressful bringing around extra battery packs and making sure that they’re all charged.
Luckily, the Videomic Pro’s battery life can stretch to around 70 hours on a single battery, eliminating the anxiety over whether your microphone is going to stop working in the middle of a shoot. It makes use of a standard 9-volt battery that you can find almost anywhere, so compatibility is no problem either.
Pros and Cons of the Røde VideoMic Pro+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Convenient and portable ✔ Fantastic microphone in filtering out off-axis sounds ✔ Integrated shock mount ✔ Includes a low-cut filter | ✖️ The 9V battery may weight a bit for a shotgun |
#6. Samson Go Mic
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Samson Technologies, a pioneer in wireless microphone systems since 1980, brings innovative microphones such as the Samson Go Mic that people swear by, and for good reason.
The Samson Go features a custom compact design, allowing it to clip directly onto your laptop or sit discreetly on your desk. Its sleek and portable build makes it perfect for creators on the move.
You will also enjoy hassle-free operation with the Go Mic’s plug-and-play functionality. It’s completely compatible with both Mac and PC, requiring no drivers for installation. Simply plug it in, and you’re ready to start recording.
So, whether you’re a budding YouTuber on a budget or a seasoned creator in need of portability, the Samson Go is an ideal choice for creating videos. Its small size, plug-and-play simplicity, and versatile functionality make it a practical tool for content creators of all levels.
Ideal for capturing sound on the go, however, they might not provide the same audio quality as larger microphones.
Pros and Cons of the Samson Go Mic
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Compact and portable ✔️ Provides decent sound for voice overs ✔️ Requires no drivers and is Mac and Windows compatible ✔️ Folding clip allows for easy attachment ✔️ Comes with a carrying case ✔️ Affordable | ✖️ May lack advanced polar patterns |
#7. Elgato Wave:3
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If gaming is the focus of your channel, then the Elgato Wave:3 is one microphone that you should consider for your setup. The Wave:3 is hailed by many as one of the best gaming microphones that’s also perfect for streaming and content creation.
The Wave:3 is a condenser-type microphone that has a cardioid pattern, which means it only picks up one voice from the front. Its broadcast-grade audio and clear sound make it great for ASMR content, voiceovers, and a whole lot more.
It’s equipped with a built-in pop filter for background noise reduction and comes with a shock mount to reduce vibrations. It also has a dual-layer steel mesh to provide an extra layer of protection against ambient sounds.
Monitoring your own voice while recording won’t be an issue as well for the Wave:3 has a built-in headphone port that lets you adjust the volume accordingly. There’s also a mute button in case you need to cut off sound.
Furthermore, the Wave:3 is compatible with the WaveLink software, allowing for more precise audio management. Via the WaveLink software, you can reduce the proximity effect, prevent low-end rumbles, simplify different channels, mix, sync, blend, and so much more.
Pros and Cons of the Elgato Wave:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Great for gaming, streaming, voice overs, video creation ✔️ Small size ✔️ Has a built-in pop filter and comes with a shock mount ✔️ Headphone port for real-time monitoring ✔️ Has LED indicators ✔️ Connects to the WaveLink Software | ✖️ Only one pickup pattern |
Do You Need a Good Mic for YouTube Videos?
If you’re aiming to become a content creator on YouTube or start your very own YouTube podcast, yes, you do need a good microphone to improve audio quality. Even if you film your video using the latest camera, your YouTube channel won’t attract viewers if your audio sounds terrible. The built-in microphone of your laptop or camera won’t be enough. For filming YouTube videos, an important thing that you’ll have to invest in is an external microphone.
Microphones come in different types to accommodate different recording scenarios. Among them, the best microphones for YouTube use are USB mics, condenser mics, dynamic microphones, shotgun microphones, or lapel microphones.
A USB mic is probably the most standard pick for YouTubers. They’re convenient to use and are usually beginner-friendly. Plus, they offer a lot of versatility and they generally come with a good mic cost — sometimes even an audio interface and stand.
A condenser microphone is a favorite of those who do a studio recording environment as it offers a wide frequency response and captures a crisp, clear sound. They often also come equipped with a shock mount. Dynamic mics on the other hand are less sensitive to background noise and do not require external power, making them suitable for capturing loud sounds and performing in noisy environments.
If your content is going to focus on the outdoors, a shotgun microphone might be ideal for you. They’re very portable and are equipped with shock mounts, reducing vibrations and handling noise well. Shotgun mics are also perfect for recording audio sources that face the camera at all times.
If you want your voice to be heard loud and clear but want your microphone to be discreet, lapel or lavalier microphones are what you need. A Lavalier or lapel mic is a small recording device that’s wireless and can be clipped onto your clothes. It includes a transmitter to where it is connected and a receiver that picks up the signal from the transmitter even at great distances.
Aside from a microphone, you also need to consider if you need accessories such as microphone stands, shock mounts, pop filters, cases, and the like. Knowing polar patterns is a great help as well when deciding which one to get.
What Mic Do Most Youtubers Use?
Content creators on YouTube channels use a variety of microphones, ranging from external mics to studio microphones. A popular choice among YouTubers is the Blue Yeti X which has a four-capsule array, background noise eliminator, output level adjustment, and built-in headphone jack. The Blue Yeti X can be used with the Blue VO!CE audio software that’s easier to use compared to programs like Adobe Audition. Some YouTubers also favor the Shure SM58, while others like to use the Rode NT1-A.
How to Choose a Mic for YouTube
Choosing a mic depends on several factors such as your budget, level of experience, type of content you’ll be doing, microphone type, where you’ll record, the features of the microphone, and more. Once you’ve considered all those factors, you can begin picking out which microphone will work best for you.
Remember, the most popular or the most expensive isn’t always the best one. The right one is what will fit your preferences.
How Do YouTubers Get Good Audio Quality?
Many YouTubers have a professional studio setup or workstation to ensure their videos have great sound. The desk setup can vary per streamer and may require a different microphone and accessories. You’ll need a couple of valuable equipment aside from having an excellent mic that fits your requirements.
Accessories such as a boom extension, mic stand, pop filter, or shock mount can help a lot. A boom arm can be clipped to the side of your desk, allowing you to have your mic within reach and also easily stow it away when not in use. An alternative to a boom arm is a desktop stand which is smaller in size and more portable. Some microphones come with a stand in the box, but more often than not, you’ll have to purchase a separate stand.
An important accessory to have is an anti-vibration mount. This prevents vibration from traveling through your boom extension or your mic stand. If your mic doesn’t have an internal pop filter, you can get one to reduce the sound of air leaving your mouth. A pop shield can also prevent plosive sounds and prevent your voice from being grubby when you’re up close. Keep in mind though that if your mic already has a built-in pop filter, you won’t need a separate one as you may end up muffling your audio instead.
Some YouTubers also edit their audio during post-production, especially if they find their sound to be subpar in their recording. However, not all YouTubers have the time or energy to modify the audio output on top of editing their videos, which is why having an excellent microphone, accessories, and a good setup can help a lot.
What Is the Mic That Vloggers Use?
If you plan to record YouTube videos outdoors and in loud settings, opt for dynamic mics. A dynamic microphone is more suited for live settings and for on-the-go recording setups where there would be a lot more background noise and high-volume sound sources.
Condenser mics are good at picking up detailed sound in environments where the audio can be controlled. With this, they are preferred by vloggers for the studio recording environment of YT videos. Unlike dynamic mics, condenser mics are more sensitive to sound.
Which Mic is Best for YouTube Beginners?
USB microphones are highly recommended for beginners due to their easy and user-friendly setup. They’re also often priced lower compared to XLR microphones. For absolute novices, an entry-level microphone like the Audio-Technica ATR2100 works well, providing high-quality recordings for different applications like content creation, live streaming, voiceovers, and more. Another good pick is the Blue Yeti Nano that’s a bang for your buck with its two distinct polar patterns and sleek design.
If you’re a beginner but you’re ready to level up to more complex setups, The MV7 from Shure is a microphone that sounds good and has a ton of great features.
What Microphone Has the Best Quality?
One microphone that consistently receives praise for its exceptional audio quality is the Rode VideoMic Pro. This microphone is known for its best sound quality, compact size, and versatility. It can easily attach to a camera or smartphone, making it ideal for vloggers and video creators who need a portable solution for capturing high-quality audio while in the studio and on the go.
What Is the No. 1 Microphone for YouTube?
There isn’t a definitive “number one” microphone for YouTube channels as it ultimately depends on the content creator’s specific needs and budget.
However, one microphone that’s highly recommended for content creation is the Blue Yeti X. It offers excellent audio quality, multiple pickup patterns, and ease of use, making it suitable for various recording scenarios including vlogging, podcasting, gaming, voice recording, and more. The Blue Yeti X USB connectivity also makes it convenient for connecting directly to computers without the need for additional audio interfaces.
Final Note
We’ve rounded up the best microphones for YouTube video recording and streaming! We’ve presented the best mics for all kinds of content creators, whether you’re just beginning your YouTube journey or you already have an established viewer base and want to level up your gear.
Like most things out there, however, there is no perfect, one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. You have to consider your needs and budget to find the most ideal mic for your setup. Always remember that what works for one user may not work for another, after all.
Editor’s Choice
Røde NT-USB
Our top pick for the best microphone for YouTube has to go to the Rode NT-USB. Røde is famous for its quality materials and design, as well as its surprisingly affordable prices. While it may not be one of the cheapest microphones around, it’s one of the most reliable options.
Beginners who shy away from expensive microphones don’t have to worry about this one: for its mid-range price point, it’s an incredible piece of equipment, definitely at par with more expensive microphones.
The mic’s durability is another one of its fantastic points. Amateur YouTube creators might think that they can put their money into cheaper mics and just upgrade later, but that may not be the right choice.
It’s a better option to simply invest in a quality microphone that will bring you years of great audio to come, and that’s what this mic is. With the proper care, it can weather travel, tours, and all manner of different events.
What else does this mic have going for it? It’s a USB connection, quite obviously. The NT-USB microphone is one of the best in the business, and it allows beginners to begin churning out videos with better audio quality with almost non-existent background noise straight off the bat.
Top-quality microphones often require complicated setups, including an audio interface, but not with this one. You can simply plug it into your laptop or computer and start filming. With the proper adaptor, it’s even compatible with portable devices like the iPad. A winner in our books.
Thanks to the convenience that the NT-USB mic provides, more content creators can get started filming their videos straight away. If you’re the type who wants a lot of flexibility, convenience, and ease with your recordings, then a USB microphone like this is the way to go. It allows you to do away with the complex processes, and exercise your creativity more quickly and efficiently.
