Best Podcasting Microphones in 2024: sound like a pro on any budget!

It sometimes feels like everyone and their dog has their own podcast these days. To give yourself the best chance of standing out amongst the chatty crowd, having an audio quality that is professional and listenable is an absolute prerequisite. If your podcast sounds like it was recorded with your laptop’s built-in mic, or as if it’s two people leaving each other WhatsApp voice memos, your potential listeners will quickly switch to Adam Buxton, Louis Theroux, Prince Harry, or someone else with vastly more resources than you.

But do you actually need to spend enormous bucks to compete with their audio quality? Thankfully you don’t, because in 2024, there are some incredible podcasting microphones, some of which are under £/$100. We’ve ensured this Headliner guide to microphones for podcasts has you covered, whether you want to spend as much or as little as possible.

There are also both options of microphones that plug straight into your computer/laptop via USB, or if you are feeling extra-pro and want to connect to your audio interface via XLR.

So without further ado, let’s dive into this guide so you can share your story and conversations with the world…

JLab Talk

• Great sound quality for such a low price

• The simplest of set ups

There are the best affordable microphones for podcasting, and then there are also the best ludicrously cheap microphones for podcasting. Enter JLab’s Talk, which you can nab for under £50 and way under $100. If budgeting is a concern, you can park your excuses at the door with this little piece of kit.

If you’re dubious that it can get even half-decent sound quality at that price point, we appreciate the healthy scepticism. However, the Talk offers several recording modes, and for such an affordable microphone, it does a lovely job of picking up the nuances and bass of the human voice. The adjustable stand is obviously nice and handy.

Needless to say, you won’t get the same results as the priciest mics at the top end of this list. But this is a very assured debut microphone from JLab, and could be a brilliant first podcasting mic if you’re hesitant to spend too much on your first purchase.

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AKG LYRA

Boasting a prestigious TEC Award, AKG's LYRA USB microphone takes the hard work out of capturing the perfect audio for your podcast. The front panel allows for quick access to four different capture modes to suit any podcasting or YouTube video scenario. This includes a front-only mode for solo recording plus a front and back mode (perfect for interviews).

The internal element also features Overload Prevention, an internal shockmount, and a built-in sound diffuser. If that wasn't enough, LYRA automatically reduces noise and improves signal levels for optimal performance. Capturing perfectly clear HD audio couldn't get any easier.

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Blue Microphones Yeti

• A very popular podcasting mic and with good reason

• Strong build

This Yeti is not a myth, but a brilliant microphone for you to consider. Your favourite YouTuber/Twitch streamer/ASMRtist almost certainly uses this microphone. Is that simply because it’s just over £/$100? Absolutely not. The Yeti is not only one of the best microphones for podcasting out there, it’s also incredibly versatile and is well-known for gaming and all types of live streaming.

Because way beyond merely being an affordable podcasting mic, it sounds fantastic. It has three condenser capsules and a multiple pattern selection, which is a great feature. Some of the options include setting it up to capture the audio of a group of people in a room, or just the person in front of the microphone, like in most podcast scenarios.

It’s absolutely painless to set up, largely thanks to it being a USB microphone. If you’re after an XLR connection, I’m afraid you’ll need to fork out a bit more for the Blue Yeti Pro, which offers both. That said, there’s also the Blue Yeti Nano, if you need a cheaper option.

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IK Multimedia iRig Stream Pro

• Very versatile

• Portable and works with smartphones and tablets

IK Multimedia are wizards when it comes to releasing a product that has a crazy amount of multi-functionality. The iRig Stream Mic Pro is no exception to this trend, with four pickup patterns, a dual-capsule condenser mic, and loads of connectivity.

A USB mic and audio interface in one, it’s mad to be able to get all this for under £/$200. And this might have you thinking it would be large and unwieldy in order to pack in so many features, but it’s actually lovely in its compact and portable nature. If there is one do-it-all podcasting microphone on this list, this is the one. It also connects superbly with smartphones and tablets, if you’re looking to record on the go.

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Rode Procaster

• One of the very best for recording spoken word

• Strong and durable

While some of the best podcasting microphones on this list are happiest for recording vocals, gaming or streams, the Rode Procaster stands out with its specific focus on vocal recording, particularly for speech. Designed as a broadcast microphone, it is well-suited for the ultra-professional situations encountered in TV, radio, and similar settings.

The Procaster has a stunning ability to handle ambient noise thanks to its tight polar pattern. No matter how noisy the environment, recordings captured with this microphone remain highly focused and clear. Its robust build will keep you confident that it will endure years of use, even if you’re of a clumsy inclination.

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BEACN Mic

• One of the best looking podcast mics out there

• Works via its own app

A beacon of hope in this best podcasting mic compilation is the BEACN Mic. This dynamic broadcast microphone might not be as famous as Shure or Rode, but is quickly making a name for itself thanks to its fantastic quality. It connects via USB and is powered via its dedicated app, which you’ll need to get in order to use the mic.

Its processing power will have the spoken word on your pod sounding stunning, which you can also tweak on the app with EQ and compression controls. Don’t be surprised if you begin seeing more and more of the BEACN mic appearing in Twitch streams, YouTube videos and podcasts.

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Shure MV7

• Excellent connectivity

• Big name brand at a more reasonable price

With this being a list with some of the best microphones out there, it’s little shock that Shure, among the ultimate OGs when it comes to mics, are here. But not only are they a lauded name in this field, they are also highly adaptable with the products they launch. Enter the MV7, specifically released to be one of the best podcasting microphones you can get your hands on.

It’s similar in name to Shure’s legendary SM7B microphone with good reason, as the M7B packs the same recording quality, but now with USB connection so you can plug in and get podcasting right out the box. That said, it excitingly can do USB and XLR connections at the same time. Wowsers!

It’s also approximately £/$100 cheaper than its elder sibling, so you can rely on that assured Shure quality while making a nice saving.

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Earthworks Icon

• Has that beautiful ‘classic microphone’ aesthetic

• Mic stand is top notch

Earthworks Audio are well established thanks to their professional studio microphones, but being amongst the best podcasting mics is a relatively new ball game for them. Particularly with USB connectivity, which almost feels strange for the Icon to have as it’s such a stunning microphone that wouldn’t look out of place in a classic radio recording studio.

Very much in our mid-tier pricing wise, but does it provide iconic sound? Well, it doesn’t use digital signal processing, which is lovely, as you get a nicely transparent signal. The gain knob located on the back is also abundantly helpful. On the whole, expect a satisfyingly warm sound achieved from your voice when using the Icon. And if you have any visuals and video as part of your podcast, you’ll be wanting to make sure this beauty is proudly on display.

Check out our feature on recording vocals with the Earthworks Icon to see its full capabilities.

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The Heil PR40

• Sounds great, even in challenging environments

• An all-round great mic beyond podcasting

Are you looking for a mic that isn’t just among the best podcasting microphones, but is a brilliant all-rounder? Then the Heil PR40 could be the one. With a hand in its design from Bob Heil himself, the man behind the Grateful Dead’s ‘wall of sound’ PA back in the ‘70s (the stuff of legend), you know you’re getting something special right off the bat.

Although the PR40 is very happy recording musical instruments, it is very much also recommended as a broadcast microphone, so perfect for budding podcasters. Expect voicings to come out sounding impressive and natural, while still having a pleasingly full sound. It’s one of the best dynamic microphones out there, hence its price tag, but you’d certainly be bagging yourself a stunning investment with the PR40.

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Shure SM7B

• No need to buy a pop filter as this has one built in

• Incredible sound quality

Shure appearing in the best podcasting microphones list a second time? Sure they are, for obvious reasons. Because if you’ve ever watched videos of bands performing live or in recording sessions, you will have seen Shure mics many times. The SM7B is known globally for its incredible sound results.

So with that said, bear in mind this is a proper recording microphone, it’s not a plug in and play USB item. If your priority is incredible sound rather than immediate set up and extra features (although the built in pop filter is fantastic) then competition is very slim with the SM7B. Go for this mic, and you will turn heads, simple as that. One of the best microphones for recording vocals, period.

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Audio-Technica AT2035PK

• Bundled package gives you everything you need

• Excellent sound isolation

Last but not least, and certainly not the least in terms of name and pricing, comes Audio-Technica. With so much respect on their name in various aspects of the music and recording industry, you can safely bet the AT2035PK will comfortably deliver you results in the world of podcasting.

And it’s the sweetest of deals — included in this bundled package are podcast-applicable headphones, an XLR cable and a boom arm that connects to your desk. So you will have everything you need to get yourself on the airwaves. It’s a cardioid patterned condenser mic, and does a spectacular job of isolating sound from the source in front of it (that’s you!) and reducing anything coming from other angles. If you’re looking to spend on a real collector’s item in a brilliant package, then perhaps this is the best podcasting microphone for your show.

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Choosing the best podcasting microphone for your needs

Making sure the product you choose gets great sound quality goes for any microphone, let alone a podcast microphone. It’s the paramount thing you should look for — especially when the voice is front and centre of the podcast medium. If you get a shoddy mic that delivers bad vocal sound, you’ll really struggle to hide it after recording. Thankfully, all the lovingly chosen podcast microphones above boast good sound results.

Next up, the nature of your podcast will affect the recording patterns you need to go for. If it’s a solo podcast with just you speaking, or if your guests will only join remotely (e.g. via Zoom) and not be present with you, you will simply need a cardioid recording pattern. This only works in a group setting if everyone has their own cardioid microphone to speak into.

If you don’t want/can’t afford multiple mics for recording more than one person, you’ll need a wider pattern — bidirectional modes allow you to record a person directly in front and another person directly behind the microphone. If there’s a group encircled around one mic, you’ll need an omnidirectional mode. This will require a bit of editing afterwards to get everyone’s voice to an equal volume (hence why each person having a mic is the ideal luxury).

As we reach this article’s end, the onus falls upon you to choose the best podcasting microphone of your dreams, and share your story with the world. We can’t wait to hear it!

Further Reading: Regardless of which microphone you choose, the results of your recordings will significantly benefit from adding compression to control dynamics. Check out our full guide on compression for vocals to learn more.