7 Best Microphones for Video Conferencing [Detailed Reviews]

Hosting video conferences and webinars to establish thought leadership and promote your brand is here to stay.

But to effectively host and participate in video conferences, you’ll need a good-quality microphone that accurately picks up and conveys your message. Without one, you’re compromising the level of excellence your web content and conferences need to delight attendees and encourage participation.

However, with so many microphones out there, it can be hard to know where to start and which one best meets your needs.

We’ve written a guide to the best microphones for video conferencing – so you have everything you need to make the right decision and turbocharge your virtual presence.

7 Best microphones for video conferencing

The switch to remote work means we’re more reliant on video conferencing, webinars, podcasts, and virtual panel discussions to market our brand, network with key contacts, and conduct business.

So there’s an even bigger need to find the best microphone out there to represent yourself and promote your brand.

We’ve spoken to our internal audio specialists and Customer Success Manager, Hannah Dean, to help compile a list of our favorite mics for various use cases – so you can make a more informed decision based on your specific needs. Categories include:

1. Best microphone for home office
2. Best microphone for conference calls
3. Best microphone for noisy environments
4. Best microphone for advanced users
5. Best microphone for novices
6. Best microphone for Zoom
7. Best wireless microphone for video conferencing
8. Best USB microphone for video conferencing
9. Best budget microphone

Let’s dive in.

Best microphone for home offices

You don't need to invest in a large mic set up for your home office, especially if you're short on desk space. Our favorite for this category is:

Sony WH-1000XM4

These modern sound-canceling headphones double up as a powerful microphone – giving you more flexibility and functionality in one product. Since you don’t need a mount, boom, or additional mic accessories, these headphones can be used on the go and don’t have to be designated for work.

Key features:

• Sleek headset with 5 built-in microphones
• Advanced audio signaling
• Sound isolation when noise-canceling is switched off
• Great sound quality
• Auto-pauses when removed
• Hinges for folding and storing
• High-quality Bluetooth codecs
• Bluetooth multipoint to connect multiple devices
• Noise-canceling
• Solid battery life

Drawbacks:

• Not a tangible microphone
• Bluetooth isn’t always reliable

Price: $349.99

Best microphone for conference calls

When it comes to finding the best setup for video conferencing, it’s important to choose a microphone that preserves and emits a pristine sound. Our top pick for this category is:

Jabra Evolve 75 MS

The Jabra Evolve is a great option for people who want a physical microphone connected to their headsets, for a more professional feel and aesthetic. This headset can either be used wirelessly or via USB connection, with an attachable mouthpiece microphone. It’s well-made, portable, and perfect for all-day use.

Key features:

• Exceptional mic intelligibility
• Noise cancellation
• Quality stereo performance
• Comfortable
• Bluetooth multipoint
• Made for business applications; certified for Cisco, Zoom, Skype for Business, etc.
• Lightweight
• Ambient mics to hear outside sounds
• Good battery life

Drawbacks:

• No app for advanced mic settings
• Mouth mic attachment can be intrusive

Price: $323

Best microphone for noisy environments

Ideally, you don’t want to be in a noisy environment to participate in a video conference, host a live webinar, or film a pre-recorded webinar. But sometimes we can’t control every aspect of our environment, including unwanted sound. Our top pick for this category is:

Elgato Wave:3

This microphone is great for video conferencing, gaming, and podcasting. It’s geared toward simple setup too: just plug it into your computer using the USB connector and you’re ready to hit record. Its cardioid polar pattern picks up sound mainly around the front and sides of the mic, and less in the back, so it’s easier to organize audio sources.

Key features:

• Steel extension grille that protects the internal components
• Cardioid polar pattern for a polished, clean sound
• Compatible with pop filters for additional sound-proofing
• USB connector
• Easy to adjust
• Dial to cycle through monitor volume, mic volume, and PC/mic monitor mix
• Padded base to hold it firmly into place
• Mute switch for added control
• WaveLink software
• Build quality
• Audio Clip Guard

Drawbacks:

• One recording pattern

Price: $149

Best microphone for advanced users

For our advanced mic users who aren’t deterred by a more complex setup with multiple mic accessories, we’ve found the perfect one for you. Our winner is:

AKG P220

We love this microphone, and it happens to be Hannah’s absolute favorite because it’s “super sleek and easy when customizing and refining the audio experience, and you sound exactly the way you do in real life with no distortions.” It does require additional accessories to enable the experience, like a boom rod to hold it up and an interface (such as the Scarlett Solo Focusrite) – to connect your device to the audio signal.

Key features:

• Good customization of audio
• Switchable attenuation pad
• A refined, warm audio experience
• Accurate and crisp recording
• Responsive and high sensitivity for added versatility
• Strong and rugged design
• Built-in bass-cut filter for added control of loud sounds

Drawbacks:

• Requires a boom rod and interface
• High sensitivity can be limiting

Price: $145

Best microphones for novices

If you’re new to mics and still figuring out your virtual conferencing setup (see: best camera for video conferencing, and best software for video conferencing) we’re here to help. We’ve selected the best microphones for novices based on their audio quality, usability, and lack of additional accessories or tools. They include:

HyperX SoloCast

This microphone is great for newbies because it’s compact, easy to use, highly portable, and durable. It’s also super affordable and is aimed at users who don’t want a mic filled with unnecessary features or distractions. You simply plug it into your computer and that’s it, you’re ready for your conference call.

Key features:

• User-defined product
• Mute switch for added control
• USB microphone
• Effective and specific range
• Mic stand
• Cardioid polar pattern

Drawbacks:

• Must sit very close to the mic for clean audio
• The mic stand is too short to record comfortably from your desk
• High sensitivity can cause echos
• Fewer features than other mics (no built-in monitoring option or volume dial)

Price: $59.99

Jabra Evolve 75 MS

The Jabra Evolve 75 MS is also worth mentioning here, as it captures clean, accurate sound while providing a hands-free experience. It doesn’t need a stand, boom, interface, or anything else – it’s right there on your face, ready to go.

For more information, please refer to the best microphones for conference calls section above.

Best microphone for Zoom

Whether you’re hosting your video conference on Zoom, Livestorm, or Google Meet, you’ll need a mic that’s not too cumbersome or complicated (also see: _best microphone for video conferences _above).

It’s important not to focus on the platform when selecting your microphone, but on the mic itself. There are many to choose from, but here’s our top pick:

Blue Snowball iCE

The Blue Snowball iCE does a great job of making you feel as though you're in the room during a conference call, versus someone who's talking on a camera. It has a two-capsule design to help extend your voice and really give you that presence – which goes a long way when communicating virtually.

Key features:

• USB microphone
• Two-capsule design
• Solid metal stand
• Small, lightweight, and portable
• Accurate, in-person effect
• Radiohead vintage design
• Cardioid polar pattern

Drawbacks:

• No gain control
• Only one polar pattern
• No mute switch

Price: $49.99

Best wireless microphone for video conferencing

Finding a good-quality wireless microphone that’s powerful and accurate can be tough. You want to make sure your wireless mic is reliable and sturdy while remaining lightweight and portable. Our favorite wireless microphone is:

Sony WH-1000XM4

Yes, the already celebrated Sony WH-1000XM4. It’s simply a crowd favorite for its sleek and sexy design – and overall versatility. For more information, refer to the best microphone for home offices section above.

Best USB microphone for video conferencing

We’ve already mentioned a few microphones that are USB compatible. But we’re adding a new microphone to the mix specifically for this category. It’s also one of our all-time favorites:

Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti is a super popular microphone (or desk companion) that you might’ve seen when watching some of your favorite YouTubers. It gives you a pristine sound and is an all-in-one solution for an audio device. The Blue Yeti gives off a bi-dimensional feel as it captures sound from the front, back, as well as side to side.

Key features:

• Four pickup patterns for added flexibility
• Omni-directional patterns
• Plug and play
• Accurate, tremendous sound
• Headphone jack
• Flexible recording
• Displays on-mic levels

Drawbacks:

• Requires pop shield for best results

Price: $129.99

Best budget microphone

We understand that setting up your virtual conferencing tech stack can get pricey. However, there are tons of great quality mics out there that don’t break the bank. One top choice in this category is:

Blue Snowball iCE

The Blue Snowball iCE is not only a powerful audio device but it’s also very affordable at the low price of $49. It gives you everything you need in a mic and true bang for your buck. For more information, refer to the best microphone for Zoom section above.

Top tips to improve microphone quality for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Livestorm

There’s nothing more frustrating than joining and participating in a video conference, to learn that your mic was emitting static sound, echo, or was muted throughout.

Hannah’s top tip for improving mic quality for video conferences is to “be intentional about your environment and where you place your mic – and adhere to mic and audio best practices.”

Check out some of Hannah’s mic and audio best practices to help you prepare for your video conference:

1. Turn off anything noisy in the room
2. Wear headphones to prevent feedback issues
3. Keep the microphone OFF your desk, if possible
4. Keep your microphone with its back turned towards any noise source
5. Keep your microphone within a few inches of your mouth
6. Use noise reduction background programs (i.e KRISP)
7. Use an audio interface for multiple mic use (i.e Scarlette Focusrite 2i2 3rd Generation)
8. Mute your microphone when you’re not speaking
9. Add a pop filter on your microphone to suppress any additional or unwanted sound
10. Always have a test run prior to going live

Impress with crystal-clear audio

Whether you’re a guest or host, having superb audio quality will be sure to impress and engage your audience during your video conference.

You can use our guide to help you choose the best microphone based on your specific needs but, if you’re still unsure, we’ll narrow it down even further.

If we had to choose, our top two picks from the bunch are:

1. AKG P220. This customizable, versatile, condenser mic comes packed with features that’ll take your sound to the next level. You can always count on it to provide the phenomenal audio experience you need with accurate, clear, and razor-sharp sound.
2. Blue Yeti. Its enhanced effects, advanced voice modulation, HD audio samples, ease of setup, and all-around versatility easily make it a crowd favorite and enough to end up on our shortlist.

Once you’ve made your decision, combine your new mic with a powerful video conferencing software like Livestorm to deliver the full, end-to-end, quality conferencing experience.

Frequently asked questions about the best microphones for video conferencing

What type of microphone is best for Zoom meetings?

While there are a lot of great microphones to choose from, we recommend the Blue Snowball iCE microphone for Zoom meetings (or any video conferencing platform). It’s an easy-to-use mic that gives an in-person effect to your voice and the quality you need to impress participants.

Do you need a microphone for Zoom meetings?

Yes, you need a microphone for Zoom meetings or any other virtual or video conferencing. Don’t rely on the microphone in your computer to deliver the exceptional sound quality you need to impress participants and advocate on behalf of your brand. In fact, it’s a best practice to have a mic when hosting or participating in a video conference. Other best practices include:

• Turn off anything noisy in the room
• Wear headphones to prevent feedback issues
• Keep the microphone OFF your desk, if possible…
• Keep your microphone with its back turned towards any noise source
• Keep your microphone within a few inches of your mouth
• Use noise reduction background programs (i.e KRISP)
• Use an audio interface for multiple mic use (i.e Scarlette Focusrite 2i2 3rd Generation)
• Mute your microphone when you’re not speaking
• Add a pop filter on your microphone to suppress any additional or unwanted sound
• Always have a test run prior to going live

Is Blue Yeti good for conference calls?

Yes, the Blue Yeti is a great choice and an all-around phenomenal microphone. However, when it comes to conference calls, our top pick is the Jabra Evolve 75 MS. It’s more versatile, portable, and easier to set up – giving you more freedom and flexibility when taking part in video conferences.