5 Budget USB Microphones for Content Creators
Good audio keeps listeners watching and listening, whether you run a podcast or record video essays. An XLR studio setup can cost hundreds of dollars. These five USB microphones are all around $100 or less. Prices are approximate and change, so check the current one.
Top 5 budget USB microphones review
1. Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB (~$79)
- Type: Dynamic (Cardioid)
- Why it's great: A dynamic mic picks up less room noise and echo, which suits an untreated bedroom. It has both USB-C and XLR outputs.
2. Samson Q2U (~$69)
- Type: Dynamic (Cardioid)
- Why it's great: A popular starter podcast mic. It comes with a stand and has a headphone monitoring port. The voice sounds warm.
3. Blue Yeti Nano (~$99)
- Type: Condenser
- Why it's great: A compact version of the Blue Yeti. The voice sounds detailed and crisp, but it is sensitive, so it needs a quiet room.
4. Fifine K669B (~$35)
- Type: Condenser
- Why it's great: The cheapest mic on this list. It has a metal build and a simple gain knob.
5. Razer Seiren Mini (~$49)
- Type: Condenser (Supercardioid)
- Why it's great: A small, portable microphone with a tight pickup pattern that helps cut ambient noise such as keyboard typing.
The software hack for cheap mics
Any budget microphone can still sound boxy or quiet without processing.
VocalScroll's Voice enhancer cleans up your voice in saved takes. It removes background noise and echo, softens breaths and harsh S sounds, evens out your level, and applies rumble and hum filters, EQ, a compressor and a limiter. It runs on your device, and a $35 Fifine gets the same processing as the rest.
Record a take in the Studio, open it in Takes, and pick Original in the Voice tab to compare it with the processed version.