Best Vocal Mics for Voice-Overs, Podcasts and Zoom under $200

Best Vocal Microphones for Voice-Overs, Podcasts, Zoom interviews and Live-Streams for under $200

Looking to record a podcast, Zoom interview or a voice-over from your home studio? Are you new to recording and just need a great microphone that will plug-in easily and won’t cost more than $100 or $200? If you’ve spent any time in a recording studio, you’ve probably experienced the benefits of a good condenser microphone — smooth vocal sound, great transients, balanced frequency response, and wide dynamic range. But if you haven’t been to a recording studio and are completely new to recording – here are our top recommendations for some of the best podcast and voice-over microphones to professionally record your vocals in mono and stereo / 3D for YouTube videos, live-streaming broadcasts, Zoom interviews and more, all under $200 US.

Blue Microphones Snowball $79 US

If you’re a total beginner, and you’re looking for an all-in-one mic for you to up the quality of your audio recordings and content, then the Blue Microphones Snowball is a great pick for your first mic.

Blue Microphones Snowball is a true condenser microphone designed for desktop recording. It has a frequency response of 40Hz to 18kHz, making it suitable for podcasting and vocal recording. Grab the Blue Snowball for a low-priced USB microphone with impressive sound quality. 

Shure SM86 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Vocal Microphone $179 US

Vocal clarity is a “Shure” thing with the SM86! Its frequency response of 50Hz–18kHz includes a presence peak in the 2–5kHz range that ensures clarity and projection for all vocal ranges.To reduce handling noise the Shure SM86 has a three-point shock mount and it has an internal windscreen which effectively reduces wind and breath sounds. Plus, the SM86 works well with vocalists who like to work both close to the mic and up to 18 inches away, delivering a robust sound and bass response that smoothly moves from enhanced and powerful up close to smooth and even farther away. Commonly used for touring, this mic is also excellent for vocals and spoken word where people tend to hold the mic too far away from their mouth.

Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone $169 US

Whether you have a Mac with Garage Band or you’re using the most expensive DAW to record, this mic is an excellent choice for recording acoustic instruments, a voiceover, or your latest podcast, the NT-USB’s USB connectivity and onboard A/D conversion ensure that you’ll get the job done quickly and easily. You also get everything you need to set up and record, including a tripod base, mic stand mount, pop filter, USB cable, and a padded carrying case. Compatible with Mac OS X, Windows 8, and iOS, the Rode NT-USB condenser microphone is your complete recording solution. 

Audio-Technica AT2020 USB + Cardioid Condenser USB Mic $149 US

This is a great USB mic for recording directly into your laptop and ideal for project/home-studio applications.The 1/8″ mini monitoring jack allows you to plug some headphones in and lets you hear what the mic is picking up – which is great for Zoom, Skype, YouTube and other Live- Streaming situations. The AT 2020 USB provides a clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use. Includes a tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable and storage pouch.

IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 Handheld iOS/USB Microphone $99 US

Portable Recording Made Easy! The IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 offers high-definition 24-bit recording with up to 96kHz sampling rate in a convenient handheld design. The iRig Mic HD 2 has a built-in headphone output and volume control for capturing vocals and music, broadcasting, podcasting, live streaming, and more. The headphone output is great for monitoring Zoom, Skype, YouTube and other live streaming situations. Recording is easy, thanks to this mic’s simple plug-and-play operation. And thanks to the inclusion of Lightning and USB cables, as well as a mic clip, travel pouch, and tabletop tripod, this microphone is ready for all travel and desktop recording situations.

IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio Large-Diaphragm Condenser USB Microphone $149 US

The iRig Mic Studio has a 1-inch diaphragm capsule to capture the most sensitive vocals. Compatible with everything, use the IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio with your Mac, PC, Android, or iOS device to make great-sounding recordings whenever inspiration strikes you! Monitor your performance with the convenient headphone output while you capture your music or vocals with 24-bit/up-to-48kHz audio quality. Easy to use, plug in the iRig Mic Studio and start recording vocals to your favorite apps. Includes a tripod tabletop stand, plus a mic clamp for use with a standard mic stand. The iRig Mic Studio is an inexpensive, studio-quality, desktop recording setup for every situation. 

Neat Microphones Bumblebee Desktop USB Microphone $89 US

Want a mic that looks cool on camera, sounds great and doesn’t kill your wallet? Neat’s Bumblebee USB Condenser Microphone offers sensitive and true vocal reproduction – good for online classes and working-from-home phone situations, web calls and Zoom meetings with colleagues. Record with 3-way Switchable Mic Modes, Mic Gain Control, Headphone/Monitor Output with Dedicated Level Control, and USB Cable compatible for iOS/Android and Mac/PC. This all-you-need mic/interface/stand with its proprietary Bee mic capsule, internal shock mount design, and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz output makes recording great audio easy. Neat Microphones Bumblebee gives you studio-quality sound with USB mic plug and play convenience.

Hooke Audio’s Hooke Verse 3D Microphone System $159

Need a wireless setup that works with your iOS or Android device? The Hooke Verse is a portable, wireless mic system that allows you to record binaural audio for your podcast or voice-over without any fancy equipment. The wireless headphones/microphones connect via Bluetooth (although they have a USB cable that converts to 1/8” if needed). You can wear the Verse, monitor while you are recording using the headphones, and use your own head as the binaural centerpiece to make your very own 3D audio recordings. The Hooke Verse microphone system is compatible with iPhone, Android, GoPro, DSLR camera and Mac/PC.

Why record and experience binaural? Binaural audio, or 3D audio, preserves the spacial relationship between the recorder and the source. Even with simple cell phone video, recording with binaural audio makes you feel more ‘there’. The microphones built into the Hooke Verse allow you to capture sound not just in stereo, but perfectly measured to reproduce the way original human ears experienced it. For more information on how to record binaural, 3D audio, please visit www.hookeaudio.com