As a host of the podcast Become a Media Maven, I know how important is to use the right microphone when recording a podcast. Believe it or not, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a microphone to sound good.
Microphones come in all shapes and sizes and for a variety of purposes, but not all of them are ideally suited for podcasting.
Microphones for producing music, for example, are designed to capture the nuance of acoustic instruments or match a sound so it can be heard across a crowded stage. Podcasting microphones, on the other hand, simply need to give your voice the platform it needs to shine.
Anyone with a microphone and a laptop can start their own podcast… or even be a guest on a podcast. That’s what makes podcasting so inviting to thought leaders and business experts. There isn’t a huge barrier or cost to entry through the equipment or skills you need (because you probably already have them).
If you want to go through the exact same course I did to learn how to start my podcast, click here. For more on how you can land an interview on your favorite podcast, click here.
So what’s the best microphone at an affordable price? Everyone has their own personal preference and opinion of what the best microphone is, so for you, I have options best budget podcast microphone.
In this guide, I’m sharing the microphone I use and six of the best budget podcasting microphones you can order today on Amazon.
Some of the links shared are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission. So, if you pull the trigger on any of these products, thank you in advance for trusting me and supporting me.
As of June 2022, there are more than 400 million podcast listeners worldwide. The time to start your podcast is… now!
7 Best Budget Microphones For Podcasting
1. Blue Yeti Microphone
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BLUE YETI MICROPHONE FOR $110 ON AMAZON
I’ve started the list with the Blue Yeti microphone because I have been using it for a long time and I love it!
The iconic Blue Yeti is an all-in-one professional voice powerhouse that has powered top gamers and podcasters for years.
You can simply select a preset for that warm broadcast-y “just chatting” voice or dial in thunderous de-tuned vocal effects like a giant ogre in a cavernous cathedral. This one comes with software and a pop filter. It also has a mute button.
My favorite part (even though mine is black) is that it comes in a variety of colors to spice up your office decor. I even include this microphone here in my list of gift ideas for the home office.
2. Samson Technologies Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE SAMSON MICROPHONE FOR $69 ON AMAZON
It’s “All in the Box” with this one. This recording and podcasting pack includes everything you need to start recording great-sounding projects, an extended desktop stands with a mic clip that positions the microphone close to the sound source, a pop filter for reducing p-pops, and USB and XLR cables.
3. Rode NT-USB Mini
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RODE MINI MICROPHONE FOR $99 ON AMAZON
Want to record professional-quality podcasts with ease? The NT-USB Mini is fully compatible with the FREE RODE Connect podcasting software for both Mac and PC, which makes recording high-quality simple, even if you have no audio experience – which is great for a new podcaster.
4. Samson Go Mic
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE SAMSON GO MICROPHONE FOR $32 ON AMAZON
If you’re someone who likes to go to a lot of conferences and record podcast episodes in person or on the go, you will love this Samson Go Mic.
5. Rode PodMic
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RODE POD MIC MICROPHONE FOR $89.95 ON AMAZON
Rode is a great brand of microphone. (That’s why the brand has made the list a few times.) The PodMic features an effectively integrated pop filter that reduces plosives. It also comes with an internal shock mount that reduces rumble and keyboard noises. Plus, it looks pretty cool too, huh?
6. Mackie EleMent EM-USB
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MACKIE ELEMENT MICROPHONE FOR $80 ON AMAZON
Sometimes, it’s good for a podcaster to leave the confines of the studio and record out there in the big wide world, so this is another example of a mic you can use on the go – with the stand or without the stand.
7. AKG P120 MICROPHONE
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE AKG MICROPHONE FOR $115 ON AMAZON
This is very similar to the first microphone I used when I started podcasting. I loved the boom arm when I was at my desk because it gave me a lot of flexibility to move around when I was recording. I also thought it looked cool on camera if I’m being honest.
Condenser Microphones
Some other key features to look for when you’re shopping for the best podcast microphones for you include a condenser microphone. Condenser mics are one of the most popular mic choices for studio recording applications because of their sensitivity. In general, a condenser microphone will provide a wider frequency response range than its dynamic microphone cousins but will have a lower input sensitivity.
What does this mean? It has superior audio quality.
USB Microphones
With the exception that USB mics come with an analog-to-digital converter and a dedicated preamp, USB mics are very convenient to use. They’re designed to work without an audio interface, mic stand, or preamp and put out incredible voice output—making them great for those on a budget.
There are a variety of good reasons why you might want or need a USB cable
Polar Pattern
A polar pattern defines how much of the signal will be picked up by the microphone from different directions. This is a great option to avoid unwanted sound sources to bleed into your audio recordings.
For example, you can have pickup patterns just in front of the mic or you can build quality in live performances by having a more 360-degree recording.
I could give more options for the best podcasting microphones because there is a lot that does all the things – decrease background noise and ambient noise, have a built-in pop filter, offer volume control, do some live streaming, batch solo recording episodes, etc. These are the best ones with great reviews at a reasonable price point on Amazon.
You can also just use your mobile device or Apple AirPods. I’ve used those many times before and it worked great! It was the first thing I used and the good news is that it was great sound.
So yes, you can go deep into the type of microphone you’re going to use for your voice recording, but there are many great choices for a podcast recording… or any recording really.
One final tip – if you can, record with soft things around you. During COVID when my kids were in virtual school, I got excellent sound quality in my closet. It was a small space surrounded by soft clothes. And yes, my AirPods were a great choice for the environment.
Let me know what mic you’re using to record your show. Find me on Instagram at @ChristinaAllDay. I’d love to hear more about your podcast and the great microphone you’re using.
