If you are looking for the best microphone for YouTube, the most important things to consider are the frequency response range, impedance rating, and polar pattern. If you haven’t researched microphones before, this may sound a little confusing, but I’ve simplified and summarized my favorite products below based on these features. Keep reading if you want to know more about why these features are so important.
I use YouTube all the time now to learn about specific topics or follow vlogs or YouTube channels that I enjoy watching. Lots of people have been using YouTube (and other Vlogging platforms) to upload creative videos, build an audience, and generate income from ads! Some of them have been so successful that they made more money with this platform than with traditional career options (and some have become full time YouTubers).
If you’re on this page, we assume you’re already interested in upping your YouTube video content game, so we’ll jump straight into the details about microphones. I’ve also captured some thoughts below on the benefits of creating your own YouTube channel – feel free to read on and would love to hear if you agree.
7 Best Microphones for YouTubers
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Low-Price  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best in Digital Sound Reproduction  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
The Best Mic for YouTube Videos
Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package – Best Overall Microphone for YouTube
Key Features
- Brand: Rode
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
- Color: Multicolored
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audio Sensitivity: 5 dB
- Number of Channels: 1
- Item Weight: 4.6 Pounds
- Power Source: AC
- Number of Batteries: 1 Lithium-ion battery required.
- Impedance: 100 Ohm
The Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package is one of the best microphones for YouTube as it is made to perform with excellent results while recording in a home studio. It’s considered an industry standard and will stand up to comparison with other high-end microphones.
The Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package boasts powerful features. For starters, it uses a cardioid polar pattern and has a wide dynamic range. It’s frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz and it can handle sound up to 137dB without distortion.
What more is that the Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package is one of the quietest microphones available with an extremely low self-noise of 5dBA. With a level that low, it’s perfect for recording just about anything.
The package comes with a 20’ microphone cable, shock-mount, pop shield, and dust cover, along with a video full of helpful tips for recording. The Rode NT1-A requires +24 or +48-volt phantom power from a mixer or audio interface. With registration of the microphone, the manufacturer offers an amazing 10 year warranty.
The Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package is a great value, given its sound quality comparison to professional microphones that are much more expensive.
Pros
- Produces quality sound.
- Good onboard low-noise facilities.
Cons
- It will require phantom power.
Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming on PC and Mac– Best Low-Price Microphone for YouTube
Key Features
- Capsules: Three Condensers
- Patterns: Cardioid/Omni/Figure-8/Stereo
- Bit depth or Sample Rate: 16-Bit and 48 kHz
- Gain Control: Yes
- Mute: Yes
- Headphone Output: Yes
- Headphone Volume: Yes
- Output: USB
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is an extremely adaptable microphone. It boasts impressive features, specifically its multi-pattern options, allowing you to select between stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional or bi-directional pickup patterns. It also has three condensers.
This USB mic records in 16-bit depth at a sample rate of 48kHz. It offers gain control with a mute button and a headphone output to ensure that you can have monitoring without latency.
When it comes to the build quality of the Blue Yeti USB Microphone, you won’t be disappointed. The stand is sturdy and versatile for using the mic in many positions. Optional accessories like the “Pro Broadcast Bundle” will take the Blue Yeti to the next level, giving you even more positioning flexibility.
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone also has a seamless connectivity feature! Compatible with both Mac and Windows, just plug in the included USB cable and you are ready to go. This makes the Blue Yeti mic perfect for recording YouTube videos.
You would think this microphone is expensive, but it is more cost-efficient than many other types of microphones in the market with its powerful features and great sound quality!
Pros
- Offers fantastic features.
- Cost-efficient price.
Cons
- Accessories sold separately.
Apogee MiC Plus – Studio Quality USB Microphone with Cardioid Condenser Mic Capsule – Best in Digital Sound Reproduction
Key Features
- Brand: Apogee
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional/Cardioid
- Color: Gray
- Connector Type: USB Type-C, A
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Audio Sensitivity: 94 dB
- Number of Channels: 2
- Material: Aluminum
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108 dB
Do not underestimate the Apogee MiC Plus, because even though this is a small and compact microphone, it packs a punch with its powerful features!
Let us dive deeper into its features that make it a great option for creating YouTube videos. This microphone uses a cardioid condenser capsule that produces professional sound quality with high sensitivity and a 46dB-preamp gain. Since it is digitally controlled, you can expect nothing but crystal clear audio quality. The cardioid pattern is great for recording vocals and not capturing other sounds from other directions in the room.
The Apogee MiC Plus has an LED indicator for status, input level and blend mode. You will also find an input gain adjustment knob with push-to-mute function. With the mode for headphone blend. This will allow you to control the mix when monitoring and recording, so you won’t experience any latency. It records at 24-bit/96kHz for pristine sound quality.
As for accessories, the Apogee MiC Plus comes with a Lightning iOS cable, 2 USB cables (Type A and Type C), a tripod stand, a microphone stand adapter, and a quickstart guide to get you up and running smoothly.
The Apogee MiC Plus is not the cheapest mic, but has some really great features, and the sound reproduction is impressive for such a small, portable microphone. Overall, you get great value for your money.
Pros
- Compact size with powerful features.
- Excellent digital sound quality and reproduction.
Cons
- No pop filter included.
- More expensive as compared to other microphones in the market.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio – Best as a Microphone Bundle
Key Features
- Mic Pres: 1
- Analogue Ins/Outs: 2
- Headphone Outs: 1
- ADAT I/O: N
- MIDI I/O: N
- Bus Powered: Y
- Focusrite Control Software & Focusrite iOS Control: N
- Compatibility: Mac and PC
Focusrite is famous for creating some of the best quality audio equipment, gadgets, and tools at a cost-efficient price! The Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio is no exception.
What makes the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio perfect for first-timers recording YouTube videos? It has all the basics you need to jumpstart your YouTube journey right out of the box. Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio includes a solo USB interface, condenser microphone, headphones, and a 10’ XLR cable, and a USB cable.
The included audio interface is flexible with 2 analog ins, 2 analog outs, an instrument input, and a headphone jack. The frequency response of the microphone is 20Hz – 20kHz and the gain range is 56dB. The features of the Solo Studio microphone will provide you with natural audio quality for your Youtube videos.
Another advantage of using Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio is that it is easy to use and produces good results quickly. The microphone is not the best around, but it will get you started. Not only that, the product comes with some great software and plugin options for recording, in case you want to try a few of them before deciding. And for the package price, you truly get value for your money.
Pros
- Comprehensive microphone package best for beginner YouTube vloggers.
- Great price point as compared to others in the market.
Cons
- Some may prefer a higher-level mic.
Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone – Best Cardioid Mic
Key Features
- Brand: Audio-Technica
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional/Cardioid
- Color: Black
- Connector Type: Includes Custom Shock Mount, Perfect for Studio, Podcasting & Streaming, XLR Output
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audio Sensitivity: 33 dB
- Number of Channels: 1
- Item Weight: 2lbs
- Noise Level: 10 dB
Audio-Technica is another brand known for raising the benchmark in the music world. This is why many people invest in Audio-Technica because they build good quality audio products. The Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is no exception. So let us dive deep into its awesome features that will help you make some great YouTube videos.
What is impressive about the Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is its large diaphragm that will reproduce a warm and smooth sound that is very natural. Its cardioid, or unidirectional, pattern will keep your recording free of sounds coming from anywhere but where you point it.
The Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is also designed to handle a high sound pressure level and it has a wide dynamic range, making it very versatile with great audio quality. It’s self-noise level is only 10dB, and it offers a switchable 80Hz high pass filter. However, a downside of the Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is that it is highly sensitive, so be careful when recording videos.
Lastly, the Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone comes with a shockmount for improved sound isolation. There is an option to upgrade to the kit with a versatile studio boom, XLR cable, and a pair of headphones. At this price point, it is an excellent option compared to other microphones in the market.
Pros
- Powerful features.
- You get value for your money with the kit that includes accessories
Cons
- Requires phantom power.
- Sensitive to background sound
- No pop filter.
AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone – Best in Durability
Key Features
- Brand: AKG Pro Audio
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional/Cardioid
- Color: Grey
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audio Sensitivity: 156 dB
- Number of Channels: 1
- Item Weight: 0.8 Kilograms
The overall performance of the AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone is the best microphone for durability. Whether you are recording instruments or vocals, it delivers professional quality sound.
Diving deeper into its specific features, the AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone has a switchable 20dB attenuation pad and a bass-cut filter which allows it to record sources with sound pressure up to 156dB. It has an extremely dynamic range and low self-noise, making it a good choice for recording voice in YouTube videos.
But what is exceptional about the AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone is its durability. This microphone is well built with a die-cast metal body and metal mesh grille that are shock and scratch resistant. It also comes with a foam windscreen, shock mount, and metal carrying case – great for portability.
Pros
- Great overall performance.
- Strong and durable build.
- Carrying case with essential accessories
Cons
- Needs phantom power.
- Expensive compared to other microphones
Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic for Recording and Streaming on PC and Mac – Black – Best in Aesthetic Design
Key Features
- Brand: Blue Microphones
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional/Cardioid
- Frequency Range: 40Hz to 18 kHz
- Color: Black
- Connector Type: USB
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Number of Channels: 1
- Hardware Platform: PC
- Item Weight: 1.7lbs
- Power Source: Corded Electric
What makes the Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone stand out from the rest is its fun and quirky design that will surely add aesthetic appeal to your YouTube video! Its fun design also comes with some cool features. Let’s dive in and explore them more closely.
The Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone is a cardioid mic, meaning it’s one-directional. This audio input pattern helps to isolate what you want recorded from any other noise in the room. Not only is this microphone perfect for a YouTube video, it was clearly designed for other platforms where talk/voice are prominent, like Skype, or FaceTime. It’s actually Skype and Discord certified.
What more is that the Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone includes a USB output for direct-connect to a PC or Mac, so it’s essentially plug and play. It also features a 16-bit depth and 44.1 kHz sample rate. This fun microphone will be an excellent option for a beginner or YouTuber looking to showcase a particular microphone aesthetic.
Pros
- Fun and quirky design aesthetic.
- Affordable
Cons
- LED on-light can be obtrusive.
- Not professional quality compared to other mics
Important Features to Consider When Looking for a Microphone for YouTube
Before we get into the products, you must remember these few things as a buying guide:
Impedance
It is necessary to ensure that the impedance is the right value when buying a microphone. Most microphones are low impedance and designed to operate into a low impedance load. However, some microphones have a high impedance, and the amplifier or other amplifier into which it is connected must have a suitably high input impedance, often around 1 MΩ.
Frequency Response
It is necessary to ensure that the frequency response is sufficient for the applications. For example, for some instruments like strings that may extend well down in frequency while requiring a good high-frequency response, the overall response may need to be very wide, necessitating a more expensive microphone. On the other hand, vocals tend to require a good but not excessive frequency response.
Benefits to Starting a YouTube Channel
- More Content for the Audience
One good reason to create your own YouTube channel is that this is a platform where you can provide high-quality content for your target audience! This is an opportunity for you to engage your audience with relevant content so they can go back to your channel and have more access to good and quality content.
- Extra Source of Traffic
In one way or another, most of us are in the business of marketing, and our ultimate goal is to hustle in as much good traffic as we can to our sites. Using a YouTube channel as a platform to generate more traffic to your site is a great (and not to mention creative) way for you to use this avenue for such a purpose. What more is that you also get to grow your brand and increase your followers if you use your YouTube channel for this purpose.
- Close Personal Connection with Other People
Having a YouTube channel increases the level of familiarity not just for people to get to know you as an influencer but also for you to know your followers and fans. You can create a much more personal connection with people, get to know you, and see how you act/react to certain situations. Overall, it is easier for you to have a close personal connection with other people, even if they are from across the globe!
- Additional Source of Revenue
One reason people want to become a YouTube personality is that this is a prolific source of revenue! Once you get enough followers and views in your YouTube videos, you get a certain amount of money.
- Modernizing Content
Videos are all the rave as of the moment. If you want to know more about how a process is done, may it be a DIY home project or an excel trick you want to accomplish, videos are the way to go! Who has the time to read pages and pages of articles?
- Use this Platform as a Creative Outlet
With your YouTube channel, the sky’s the limit for your video’s content. You can use props, your acting chops, and even invite guest YouTube influencers on your channel. You can also be creative when editing and adding sound effects to your video to make it more enticing for your audience.
- Get Outside your Comfort Zone!
Getting in front of a camera is scary, and having a YouTube channel will push you to go outside of your comfort zone. What more is that this is the avenue where you can learn more about people and the world in general.
Now that you are ready to jumpstart your YouTube influencer career, you need the proper equipment to succeed in your journey! One of them is a microphone. If you aren’t sure which is the best microphone for YouTube worth your investment, fret not because this article will lay out all the details.
Summary – What is the Best Microphone for YouTube Videos
- Best Overall Microphone for YouTube: Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package
- Best Low-Price Microphone for YouTube: Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming on PC and Mac
- Best in Digital Sound Reproduction: Apogee MiC Plus – Studio Quality USB Microphone with Cardioid Condenser Mic Capsule
- Best as a Microphone Bundle: Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio
- Best Cardioid Feature: Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone, Perfect for Studio
- Best in Durability: AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
- Best in Aesthetic Design: Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic for Recording and Streaming on PC and Mac
