Welcome to the world of recording!
There are many different types of microphones for recording. And if you are frustrated by the high cost of professional microphones, we totally understand. Luckily the Podcast Gear Pro lab team has scoured the options and done our research. There are actually many inexpensive mics that work great for recording, and I’ll go over a few that won’t break the bank while still giving you quality sound. Cheaper options exist that still get the job done well enough!
This article will surely be useful to someone just getting started with recording.
Below are my top cheap but good microphones for recording. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. MAONO Vocal Condenser Cardioid Podcast Mic AU-A04H – $99.99
Make studio-quality recordings with this MAONO Vocal Condenser Cardioid Podcast Mic! The microphone and headphones in this set are equipped with a sound chipset of 192kHz and 24bit. Plug in the 3-meter (10 ft) cable to your computer and make great recordings ready for professional production. It includes a quality adjustable stand.
The MAONO Vocal Condenser Cardioid Podcast Mic with Studio Headphone Set is perfect for podcasting or giving live, acoustic performances. The sound chipset helps to produce recordings that are clear and neutral, ensuring your audience hears each note as beautifully as you intend them to be heard. Its microphone features a 16 mm electret condenser transducer and magnet ring so it sounds great both across the stage and beyond the room you’re in!
Pros
- Equipped with a high-quality headphone that provides a deep bass response
- Sound cards are made with a professional chipset to give you the best possible audio experience
- Comes with an incredibly sensitive 16 mm electret condenser transducer to pick up crystal-clear audio
Cons
- Screws tend to loosen over time
The Blue Yeti USB Mic is the only one you’ll need to sound like a radio show pro! With three different-sized capsules and four pickup patterns, there’s nothing it won’t hold its own against. There’s an onboard audio control panel and unique positionable design so your electrical tape skills can finally come in handy out in the field. Blue VO!CE software will optimize your podcasts’ performance to bring them up to scratch at last – no more techie gibberish here we go again, we’ll meet ya halfway!
Say goodbye to bad recording and hello to professional sound, no matter where your location may be. The Blue Yeti USB Mic will make your speech clear and true with studio-quality sound! And when it comes time for editing, Vo!CE software makes the daunting task into a cakewalk with its digital easy to use features. With four pickup patterns, you can get in closer and more in-depth than ever before so that every word is captured smoothly in contrast or resonance in one low profile package.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Picks up sound in all directions
- Plug and play
Cons
- Larger and heavier than it needs to be – good for hand to hand combat but not so much for traveling light
- Picks up a little too much room noise if you are not careful with gain level
The Elgato Wave:3 is a premium microphone. It’s your plug-and-play all-in-one audio solution that works with nothing but your favorite computer, letting you eliminate the harsh clipping of live mics. With everything from anti-distortion technology to having a capacitive sensor to silent muting, it gives you the freedom to make flawless broadcasts without sacrificing sound quality or punchiness. You can even connect your headphone for zero-latency monitoring or use the twistable dial on the side of Wave 3 for adjusting input gain, monitor volume, and crossfading audio sources!
Never miss a word again when recording your favorite stream. The Wave:3 unlocks the power to record audio, mic feed and comms all in one motion with its state-of-the-art digital mixing technology. Upload clips instantly for that extra content boost, or just let it roll while you focus on podcasting, gaming or streaming! Whether you’re looking for zero-latency monitoring via headphone input and volume control, dual mic inputs with individual phantom power controls, anti-clipping mechanics and innovative overdrive filters – the Wave:3 has got it all in one convenient premium device. Never clip another word after getting your hands on this marvel of broadcasting engineering!
Pros
- Audio with no interference
- Easy to operate mic controls
- Breeze to use software
- Built-in stand
Cons
- Partially plastic build
4. TONOR USB Microphone Kit Q9 – $59.99
Meet TONOR Q9, your delicate voice’s best friend. A handy desktop mic that knows how to be both bold and sensitive – with a 16mm diaphragm going from 20Hz to 20KHz, you’ll get the perfect sound of fidelity. It effortlessly stands up against noise or vocals coming from all sorts of directions while still providing a high level of detail in the recording itself. And it’s not just a good sounding mic: Q9 will work great for live streaming too! With USB A to B cable, trivially easy to connect by plug and play on both Mac and Windows computer.
So go ahead – take your precious time crafting thunderous roars or gentle whispers into one single breathtaking track with
The TONOR is the perfect USB microphone kit for any person who wants to host their own broadcasts, stream online, and more. Whether your needs are for a video call, podcasting, streaming or simply chatting with friends on Skype, this unobtrusive microphone set will have you sounding crisp and clear in no time. A plug-and-play design means it has never been so easy to get dazzling audio! The best part? It’s all contained in an elegant carrying case that’s not only lightweight but durable. Take TONOR with you wherever life takes you!
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Good build quality
- Excellent mounting system
- Very simple controls
Cons
- Heavy
5. Shure MV88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone for iPhone – $142.99
The pocket-sized Shure MV88 is designed for capturing pristine audio from exactly where you need to. DSP mode helps the five preset modes tackle anything from high-quality one-person dialogue conversations, to recording acoustic performances with hours of music, to picking up voice-over narration through windy conditions. It handles all that and more because it’s built with finely tuned analog circuitry that you can trust. No matter how far away you are or what your environment throws at this mic, it’ll capture every detail so well that listeners won’t believe they’re hearing a handheld microphone!
Co-designed with some of the world’s best recording engineers for pristine room tone and purity, this little microphone captures dynamic sound better than pretty much anything else on the market. Plug into your iPhone or iPad to get perfect recordings anywhere you want them all day long. Not only that but now you can use ShurePlus MOTIV Video app to manage high quality audio streaming through all iOS devices equipped with Lightning connector.
Pros
- Very portable
- Great sound
- Lots of stereo options
Cons
- Can fall easily
- Only for lightning-enabled Apple devices
The Best Bang for your Buck
So there you have it, we went over a few inexpensive microphones that won’t break the bank and will still give you quality sound. All of the mics listed here are under $150, so they should work well for most people’s budgets!
Now, if you’re looking for a microphone that is a surefire bang for your buck, then TONOR USB Microphone Kit Q9 is the best choice! It only cost $59.99 which is very cheap, but you can still get professional-sounding voiceover recordings from your computer! Get crisp audio quality because it’s co-designed by world-class recording engineers.
The TONOR USB Microphone Kit Q9 is a great starting point for anyone looking to start their own home studio and create content on YouTube, podcasts, audiobooks, etc… It has a simple plug-and-play design that any beginner will be able to pick up quickly. Plus, there are no drivers needed so you’re good to go right out of the box! No technical skills required at all – just plug in and use immediately!
Click here to pick up the TONOR kit now and get a great deal to start your podcasting or professional meeting setup today.
Or, if you’re interested in learning more about how each mic works, click on any link above.
Good luck and happy podcasting!