Home Microphone Guides The best cheap USB microphone | WITHOUT A DOUBT!

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Hi friend and Welcome!

The best cheap USB microphone is quite an easy pick once we really get down to brass tacks. Before we get into things though, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

  1. Introduction
  2. Considerations
  3. Top Picks
  4. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

Introduction

One of the main reasons that I enjoy reviewing these types of products is because I am always in the market for a piece of gear. The reason I don’t rush out and buy one, in particular, is because I want to be super mega ultra sure that it’s a great investment. A lot of the time I won’t really need to be sure that it’s the absolute best.

Read this: What is the difference between a USB microphone and an XLR microphone?

Why?

Because that’s a bit unrealistic. There’s no one best microphone. Discrepancy in reviews, mixed reviews, bad reviews, and difference of opinion all hold back any mic from the ultimate top spot. In a nutshell what I’m trying to say is that no mic is perfect. The good news is that there are a few that consistently appear in best of lists and because of that, the Pros greatly outweigh the Cons.

If I see a microphone that keeps appearing and reappearing over and over for a specific search, I naturally come to the conclusion that it’s probably just about the best I can find in that price range. After a certain amount of time researching, I have no choice but to trust what people are saying, and I do because the reviews usually become very consistent the more you dig; this can go for the pros or cons of a specific product. Even better news is that I can tell you without a doubt that I’ve never been disappointed in any piece of studio gear that I’ve researched thoroughly. In fact because of that, I’ve never had to really replace anything in my studio because it was downright terrible.

That said, before we dive right into the mics that come up most in my searches, some things need to be taken into consideration.

Considerations

  • Budget. In this article we are referring to “the best cheap” which narrows it down somewhat. It’s still a bit hazy, but I’ll venture out and guess anything for around $150 and below.
  1. Application. What is your intended use? Do you need it to record vocals, instruments, voice-over applications (pod-casting, you-tube, skype, etc.) or a combination of all three? Some of my recommendations cover all, others are very specialized.
  2. Acoustic Sound Treatment. This mainly applies to cardioid condenser microphones (What is a cardioid capsule?), but because USB mics pick up a lot of background noise, you will still want to take some of these things to heart and apply them to your own studio. Even something as simple as surrounding the mic with a blanket or an acoustic shield can work wonders for the quality of your recording.

Top Picks (according to vigorous research/first hand experience)

Blue Yeti. This mic pretty much tops the list in any “best of” competition as far as USB mics go. It’s simple, convenient, and has an array of nice features that will keep you occupied more than an old dude with the runs. Lol. If I had to choose one in this category right now, I would likely go with the Yeti, even despite the fact that it resembles that of an industrial-sized dildo. Lmao. Learn more in some of my in-depth articles praising and comparing the Yeti with the competition:

Audio Technica AT2020 USB. This one comes in at a close second to the Yeti, and is said to be a bit more versatile. So if you’re looking for a mic that can do a little bit of everything, the AT2020 is your best bet.

Blue Snowball. This one is for peeps who don’t feel like dishing out more for the Yeti. By nearly all accounts the Yeti is better, but this would be sort of that first dive into the world of USB mics. It’s a solid mic no doubt, but does have its own share of issues. If you want simple, efficient, and practical results on the cheap, the Snowball may be for you.

Samson Meteor. This is one that I kept neglecting and ignoring for the longest time, but as I said in the open, it just kept popping up in my searches so I had to dig a little deeper. While not the best sounding mic in this general price range, it certainly is an incredible value for the money, and very small and compact to boot. A great mic on the cheap yo! Wirecutter did a great article on the best USB mic and this came in a close second. Nice! You can also see my official Samson Meteor Mic Review!

Samson C01 USB. Rounding out the list, this is always an option to keep in mind, because of longevity. I’ve had a Samson C01 since 2007, and it’s never failed me. Check out a more in depth discussion:

I’m gonna leave it at that. I find that the more options I have at my disposal, the more confused I get. You may not be that way, but these are the mics you really need to consider. Are there more USB mics out there? Sure. Are they better? Probably not. The Yeti tops most lists, and is your all in one solution. Interested in learning exactly why? Check out my in depth and informative:

BLUE MICROPHONES YETI REVIEW!!


Final Word

Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve come away with some valuable information in this best cheap USB microphone article!!

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Let me know down below or Contact me!!

Which of these mics tickles your pickle? Let me know as well! Until then..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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6 comments

Abrielle June 6, 2016 - 1:38 am

Great review! My husband and I have a studio and it has been a challenge to find the right mic for me. He has a huge voice and I am pretty maxed out vocally trying to compete, so we have been checking out new mics to help me, and not spend a fortune on. This review really helps us!

Reply
Stu June 7, 2016 - 12:25 am

Hey Abrielle! What type of music are you all doing? The Blue Spark is great for female voices. Check out my Bluebird vs. Blue Spark comparison

If you have any specific questions, just ask or Contact me!

Blessings,

-Stu

Reply
Jeremy June 6, 2016 - 7:26 pm

Hey Stu.
Another great resource page for us novices bro 🙂
Definitely interested in the Yeti. Is there a practical way to get it on a stand?
I like the way you can easily adjust the aim with the Yeti; Is this possible with the blue snowball? Or is it just worth spending the few extra $ on the Yeti and move on?

Anyway, thanks again man!
~Jeremy

Reply
Stu June 7, 2016 - 3:52 am

Hey man!

Yeah! Since the Yeti has a thread port, it will screw on to most stands. You just have to find the right one and make sure they’re both compatible. If it doesn’t fit, there’s always a threaded adapter as well. After a bit of digging, the Rode PSA1 is guaranteed to work. Finding the right one is a bit tricky.
As for the other question: I’ve read a ton about each mic, and a lot of people were saying that if you had to choose between the snowball and yeti, just go with the Yeti because of the fact that it’s the next logical step up, and the sound quality is markedly improved. So yeah, between the two I would just skip over the snowball.

Thanks for the great questions!

-Stu

Reply
Jeremy June 7, 2016 - 11:40 am

Awesome Stu!
Thanks for your quick response 🙂
Talk to ya later bro.
~Jeremy

Reply
Stu June 7, 2016 - 9:28 pm

NP man any time. Talk soon.
-Stu

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