17 Best Budget Microphone for Podcasting (and 5 Cheap Ones)

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Do you want to start a podcast but don’t know where to start regarding equipment? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we will discuss the best budget microphone for podcasting. There are a lot of different microphones on the market, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we created this article: so that you can find the best microphone for your needs without spending a fortune. Keep reading to learn more.

What is the Best Budget Microphone for Podcasting?

I did a lot of microphones research before starting our photography podcast.

Here are some of the best budget microphones for podcasting or home recording.

What is a Budget Microphone for Podcast?

Budget microphones are under $200, but don’t confuse budget microphones with cheap microphones.

The objective is to get a good sound at an affordable price. With that in mind, I’ve avoided listing cheap microphones under $50. In my experience, the dreadful sound from a cheap microphone isn’t a good value, and you spend more money to replace it.

You can get a great mic under $200 that may work as well for you as some expensive microphones. Spending more doesn’t always result in better results than an inexpensive solution.

Some popular expensive mics also require you to spend additional money on audio interfaces or other accessories to add phantom power and make them usable.

Something like the Audio Technica AT2020 mic works simply with USB connectivity and has a very nice audio output.

The best budget microphones deliver the desired results at a price you can afford.

How Do I Choose the Best Budget Microphone for Podcasting?

When choosing the best budget microphone for podcasting, you’ll want to consider the following factors:

• Connector type

• Audio quality

• Polar pattern

• Frequency response

• Build quality

Let’s take a look at those criteria.

1: Do You Want a USB Mic or an XLR Mic?

You must connect your mic to a computer, audio interface, or recording device. The two popular connector types for a mic are USB and XLR.

USB microphones are some of the most affordable microphones and are easy to use. Most modern computers have a USB port. Make sure your USB mics use the same type of USB connection as your computer – USB A or USB C are popular.

XLR mics use the XLR connector common among professional audio, video, and professional lighting industry. Some portable recorders accept XLR mic connections, but computers require an audio interface to translate the signal from the mic to the computer.

If you don’t have an interface for XLR, you may want to keep things simple with plug-and-play USB mics.

2: Does it have good audio quality?

Naturally, we want good sound and recording quality. Some of the issues that may affect your sound from a mic are:

• Plosives – the popping sound when words start with the letter “p.”

• Sibilance – the hissing sound of the letter “s.”

• Background noise – air conditioners, computer fans, outside traffic.

Selecting a quiet environment and using sound-absorbing material helps reduce background noise. A pop filter can prevent plosives and some sibilance.

Dynamic mics reject background noise, whereas condenser microphones are much more sensitive to background noise.

That’s the tradeoff, as condenser microphones can pick up much richer detail in your voice or when recording music.

3: What is the best polar pattern?

The best pattern for podcasting is cardioid, which means it picks up sounds best in front of the microphone and rejects noise from the sides and back.

Some microphones have multiple pickup patterns, so you can select which one best suits your needs.

Some budget microphones allow you to switch from a cardio pickup pattern to a 360 or front-and-back pattern that works well for group discussion or capturing sounds around the mic.

5: Frequency Response

Frequency response measures the highs and lows a mic can capture.

A mic with a flat frequency response will accurately reproduce sound without boosting or cutting any frequencies. A wide frequency response means the mic can capture both high and low frequencies.

6: What is the build quality?

When you hold the microphone, does it feel solid? Are the controls easy to use?

You want a mic with good build quality because it means the company spent time ensuring the product would last. A cheaply made mic is likelier to break and will likely have poorer audio quality than a well-made budget microphone.

What are the best cheap microphones?

Although I recommend spending more than $50, there are a few good budget mic options at this price point.

While cheap microphones cannot stand up to professional types, they offer rudimentary features for beginners and hobbyists.

Summary: Get The Best Budget Microphones For Your Needs

In this article, we’ve helped you find the best budget microphone for podcasts (and also some cheap mics, too). We reviewed the criteria you can use to choose the best mic for your needs.

Although a budget microphone may not have all of the features of some professional mics, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great sound for your podcast, YouTube videos, or other home recording needs.