Whether you’re just getting started or you’re leveling up your sound, choosing the right microphone is a crucial step in producing a professional podcast. In this guide, we break down the best podcast microphones based on user intent—beginner, intermediate, pro, remote, and mobile—so you can find the mic that best fits your needs, environment, and budget.
🎧 TL;DR
The Shure SM7B and Electro-Voice RE20 are top choices for pros. Beginners should consider the Samson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2005USB for amazing value and ease of use. Generally, avoid condenser mics like the Blue Yeti unless you have a well-treated recording space.
🎙️ Microphone Basics: What You Need to Know
Before diving into mic recommendations, here are two key terms to understand:
Condenser vs. Dynamic Microphones
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condenser | Sensitive, detailed sound | Picks up more background noise | Treated studios |
| Dynamic | Rejects room noise, durable | Less sensitive, narrower frequency response | Most podcasters |
Most podcasters benefit from dynamic microphones because they sound great on the human voice and reject background noise—especially important in untreated rooms.
🎧 Best Podcast Microphones by Use Case
🟢 For Beginners: Plug & Play USB Mics (Under $100)
🔹 Samson Q2U
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: USB + XLR
- Street Price: ~$70
- Why It Rocks: Great audio for the price, plug-and-play simplicity, excellent noise rejection.
- Perfect For: Podcasters just starting out, solo creators, remote interviews.
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
🔹 Audio-Technica ATR-2005USB (Replaces ATR-2100x)
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: USB & XLR
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Street Price: $79
- Why It’s Great: Clear sound, low self-noise, and similar frequency response to the now-discontinued ATR-2100x. Easy to use and built for podcasters.
- Best For: Beginners looking for a balance of sound quality and versatility.
- Pro Tip: These mics often sound better over USB than XLR, making them ideal for non-techies.
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
🔍 Why no Blue Yeti?
While it’s a popular beginner mic, the Yeti is a condenser microphone and tends to pick up a lot of room noise—especially in untreated environments. For podcasters without acoustic treatment, dynamic mics like the Q2U or ATR-2005USB are a better choice.
🟡 For Intermediate Podcasters: Better Sound, More Control
Ready to move beyond entry-level gear? These mics offer improved sound quality, better build, and flexibility for different setups
🔹 Shure MV7
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: USB & XLR
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Street Price: ~$199 USD
- Why It’s Great: Inspired by the legendary Shure SM7B, the MV7 brings pro-level tone with the convenience of USB. Includes touch controls, real-time monitoring, and built-in processing via the Shure MOTIV app.
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
🔹 Rode PodMic
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: XLR only
- Street Price: ~$99
- Why It Rocks: Built specifically for podcasting, solid build, warm tone.
- Watch Out For: Needs good preamp gain—avoid pairing with weak interfaces.
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
🔹 Rode PodMic USB
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: USB-C & XLR
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Street Price: ~$200 USD
- Why It’s Great: Combines the solid design of the original PodMic with modern USB-C and onboard DSP. Works seamlessly with computers and mobile devices — no interface required.
- Best For: Podcasters who want a sleek, all-in-one mic with growth potential (XLR).
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
💡 Tip: If you’re not ready for an audio interface, the Rode PodMic USB and Shure MV7 both give you XLR-quality sound and USB convenience — perfect for evolving workflows.
🔴 For Pros & Audiophiles: Broadcast-Quality Sound
If you’re building a professional studio or want top-tier audio, these are the mics trusted by broadcasters and podcasters alike.
🔵 Shure SM7B
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
- Type: Dynamic (XLR only)
- Street Price: ~$399
- Why It Rocks: Iconic broadcast sound with warm, detailed tone.
- Good To Know: Needs a clean audio interface or preamp with plenty of gain.
The Shure SM7B is legendary in both podcasting and music production circles. Used by Joe Rogan, NPR, and countless creators, it’s also the microphone that Michael Jackson used to record vocals for the Thriller album — proof of its studio pedigree.
It delivers a rich, full-bodied tone that works well for nearly all voice types. With its tight cardioid pattern, it’s excellent at rejecting background noise — perfect for creators recording in less-than-ideal rooms.
The mic includes an internal air suspension system that virtually eliminates handling noise, along with a built-in pop filter to control plosives (like “P” and “B” sounds) without needing a bulky external screen.
You also get switchable bass roll-off and presence boost settings, allowing you to fine-tune your vocal tone right at the mic.
💡 Note: The SM7B is XLR-only and requires an audio interface or mixer. It’s also known as a gain-hungry mic, so pairing it with a Cloudlifter CL-1, FetHead, or an interface with at least 60dB of clean gain is highly recommended.
Check Prices: Sweetwater / Amazon
🔵 Electro-Voice RE20
Check prices: Sweetwater | Amazon
- Type: Dynamic (XLR only)
- Street Price: ~$449
- Why It Rocks: Smooth, natural tone with broadcast-quality sound.
- Good To Know: Requires an audio interface or mixer to connect to your computer.
The Electro-Voice RE20 is a legendary mic trusted by broadcasters, podcasters, and voice-over pros for decades. It delivers a warm, balanced tone that’s flattering for nearly all voices — especially deeper ones — without sounding overly processed.
One of its standout features is Variable-D technology, which minimizes the bass buildup (known as the proximity effect) when you’re close to the mic. That means you can move around a bit without your voice getting muddy or boomy — great for natural delivery and varying mic technique.
It also includes a built-in pop filter to help reduce plosives (“p” and “b” sounds), and a bass roll-off switch that cuts low frequencies if needed — handy in untreated rooms or for instrument recording.
💡 Heads up: The RE20 is an XLR-only microphone, so you’ll need an audio interface (like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or a Zoom PodTrak) to connect it to your computer.
Check prices: Sweetwater | Amazon
🌍 For Remote Recording: Quality + Portability
When you’re recording on the road or working with guests over Zoom, mic quality shouldn’t suffer.
🔹 Samson Q2U / ATR2100x-USB (again!)
- Ideal for remote guests thanks to USB plug-and-play
- Budget-friendly enough to send to guests for interviews
🔹 Shure MV7
- Type: Dynamic
- Connection: USB + XLR
- Street Price: ~$199
- Why It Rocks: A baby brother to the SM7B with onboard DSP and app controls
- Travel Friendly: Excellent for hybrid setups (studio + remote)
📱 For Mobile Podcasting: On-the-Go Setups
If you record in the field—at events, in cafes, or on location—portability and reliability matter most.
🔹 Rode Wireless GO III
Check prices: Sweetwater | Amazon
- Type: Wireless Lavalier/Clip-on Microphone System
- Connection: USB-C, 3.5mm TRS, Lightning (via included cables)
- Street Price: ~$399
- Why It Rocks: Dual-channel recording, smartphone-ready, pro-level features in a compact package.
The Rode Wireless GO III is the latest evolution of Rode’s wildly popular wireless mic system — now with major upgrades for creators on the go. It’s a dual-channel system, so you can record two speakers at once, making it ideal for interviews, field recording, or podcasting on location.
The GO III includes two transmitters with built-in microphones (plus lav mic inputs) and a newly redesigned receiver that easily connects to smartphones, cameras, or your computer. It ships with USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm cables, so you’re ready to plug in no matter what you’re using.
Other standout features:
- Built-in internal recording on the transmitters (for backup audio)
- Touchscreen receiver with intuitive controls
- Magnetic mounting and ultra-compact size
- Up to 40 hours of recording time
Whether you’re vlogging, podcasting, or recording remote interviews, the GO III delivers clean, professional-quality audio without the bulk.
Check prices: Sweetwater | Amazon
🔹 Zoom H5 or H6 Handy Recorder
- Built-in stereo mics, XLR inputs for flexibility
- Records to SD card (no computer needed)
- Great for interviews, ambiance, or live events
Check prices: Sweetwater | Amazon
❌ What to Avoid
- ❌ Built-in laptop mics: Always noisy, thin-sounding
- ❌ Bluetooth earbuds: Inconsistent quality, latency issues
- ❌ Headset mics: Convenient, but poor sound quality unless you buy high-end broadcast models
🧠 Bonus: What I Use for My Podcast + Mobile Recording Gear
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the gear I personally use and trust for podcasting, video, and mobile recordings.
🎙️ In My Home Studio
- Mic: CAD Equitek E100 (Vintage 1990s)
- Type: Supercardioid condenser
- Use: This is my go-to podcasting microphone—used every week for regular episodes.
- Why I Love It: The E100 delivers rich, clean audio with the detail voice artists demand. It’s a condenser, but the supercardioid polar pattern is defined and tight.
- Also Used For: Video calls and remote television appearances—great clarity for broadcast.
🚀 Mobile Podcasting Setup
- Recorder: Zoom H6 Handy Recorder
- Mics: Sennheiser E935 handheld dynamic mics
- My favorite stage mic—originally designed for vocal performance, but it doubles as a fantastic podcast mic on the go.
- Why It Works: Highly directional, excellent at rejecting room noise and feedback—perfect for noisy environments like conferences or field recordings.
- Alternative: Shure SM58
- Battle-tested live performance mic.
- Rugged, reliable, and forgiving. If you’ve seen a live concert, you’ve probably seen this mic in action.
🎥 For Video Content
- Wireless Mic: Rode Wireless GO II
- Comes with two clip-on transmitters and a receiver.
- Ideal for recording video with great flexibility—whether filming interviews, vlogging, or streaming.
- Clear, lightweight, and fast to set up.
🛒 Where to Buy
- Sweetwater – Excellent service, free 2-year warranty
- Amazon – Ease of ordering, many people have Prime membership
🧭 Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Best Mic for YOU
Here’s a quick way to decide:
- ✅ Tight budget, new to podcasting? → Samson Q2U or ATR2005USB
- ✅ Want great sound + flexibility? → Rode PodMic or Shure MV7
- ✅ Need pro-level, broadcast sound? → SM7B or RE20
- ✅ Recording on the go? → Rode Wireless GO III and/or Zoom H6
🎙️ Test if you can. Your voice + your room = the real sound test. If possible, buy from a retailer with a return policy and try a few mics in your space.
Ready to Sound Like a Pro?
The right mic doesn’t make your content great—but it does help your audience actually hear it. Invest in the right microphone and your voice will thank you—and so will your listeners.
