You need more than great video quality for success as a YouTuber. Good overall content requires using the best microphone for YouTube videos for your channel - and that will be different for everyone.
Fortunately, there are lots of affordable options. Depending on how you record your audio, and the kinds of features you want, there could be more than one microphone that fits your needs.
After you have chosen the right camera, your microphone is the next most important piece of equipment for your YouTube channel.
After an overview of what you need to know about microphone functions and their different features, read our review of the five best microphones used for recording YouTube videos that are popular in 2018 for recording your voice.
*If you are a vlogger who needs to record audio on the go, then you might want to check out the list of the best shotgun microphones to pair with your DSLR or smartphone, as well as filming tools like gimbal stabilizers.
Best Microphones for YouTube
How to Buy a YouTube Microphone
There are a lot of different types of microphones that YouTubers can use. Here are some of the important factors to consider.
Dynamics, Directionality And Positioning
Specifications for microphones can read like gibberish to the untrained eye. Knowing which terms describe the different effects you may need can be confusing at first, but understanding a couple of the most common keywords can narrow down your options quickly.
If your YouTube channel uses a variety of filming environments, like indoor and outdoor settings, you may need a microphone that covers all the basics instead of one with a highly specific function.
For most video capture, an omnidirectional microphone is an all-purpose choice for its ability to capture sound equally from all directions. Microphones with more directional orientation can be suitable for focusing on voices from a distance or can be made to pick up close voice-over recording without distortion.
Power Source
Some microphones can pull power from the device used for capturing video, but you may need to provide battery back-up or make sure the charge is full before use. Microphones with USB ports will draw power as well as connect with the device through that port. Most laptops and computers are manufactured with multiple USB ports, but splitters for USB and audio jacks and in increase connectivity options.
In some higher end DSLR cameras a separate power source is included specifically for the inputs reserved for microphone use.
Bluetooth capable features in some microphones make it possible to record with devices that lack compatible audio jacks, like some tablets and smartphones. This might come in handy,even for YouTubers who usually record in a fixed location. Portability gives you more opportunities for capturing content with the best sound quality.
Adapters & Accessories
If your laptop or computer isn’t equipped with a compatible soundcard, some microphones may not record properly or at all. In the case of smart devices like some digital cameras, tablets and phones, you may need an additional audio interface if you want to record with and power up certain microphones, especially those that have an XLR connector rather than a typical USB.
Depending on which adapter you choose, you can control particular aspects of sound capturing and mixing with the external soundcard’s interface which does present extra options. Many YouTubers avoid this due to the extra expense and effort required.
Environmental challenges to quality audio capture can be neutralized with different accessories. For examples wind shields and other filters and diffusers, plus post-production techniques and software tricks, are where many YouTube creators refine the audio style for their channel.
Microphone | Why buy? | Price | Our Rating | Amazon Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick! | $$ | |||
  | Best value | $ | ||
  | Cheapest microphone | $ | ||
  | Great for musicians | $$ | ||
  | Professional audio quality | $$$ |
Using This Guide
While not an exhaustive list of all the microphones on the market, the ones selected for this guide have proven to be the best mics for YouTubers recording audio for their videos.
Because the list looks to answer demands for multiple needs, you’ll see a few different types of microphones listed as well as general notes about their features and functions. True audio quality can often become a matter of personal taste, so it’s important to properly identify your recording circumstances while considering your purchase.
YouTube Microphone Reviews
The Blue Yeti USB microphone is the top choice for many YouTubers. It is popular for a good reason - for an affordable price of well under $200, it delivers perhaps the best overall package of audio quality and features for any content creator who needs near professional level audio quality for their voice overs and stationary vlogs.
Audio Quality
Value
Rating
Tultiple condenser capsules and pattern selection capabilities make this microphon suitable for a variety of recording situations. Adjustable settings and positioning give you a lot of control over how to set up your recording space and circumstances.
If you create most of your video content at your desk, this microphone will be the best overall package without stretching into high end pricing.
Here is an in depth look from Marques Brownlee
For those who want a good YouTbue microphone at a lower cost than the Blue Yeti, The studio-level recording power of a Fifine Metal Condenser microphone might be a good choice. It produces excellent quality at a low cost, despite lacking some of the bells and whistles of its competitor.
Audio Quality
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The USB connectivity of this cheap microphone gives it universal recording potential across a variety of device formats, either through direct plug-and-play capabilities or through standard adapters and interfaces.
While not recommended for recording music or multiple people in a conversation, this is a great budget mic for what is usually clean capture of one person recording a voice over, or streaming without background distortion or distraction.
Affordable and simple to use, the YouMic Lavalier Lapel Microphone serves as a great option for YouTube talent who may just be getting started and want a cheap microphone that will plug straight into their smart phone or Apple product.
Audio Quality
Value
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This is a great mic for YouTubers with channels that include a lot of on-camera vlogging, or streaming in a controlled environment without too much moving around.
One risk you will need to be careful with he the positioning of the mic. The Lavalier lape style microphones are always worn close to the body, and they can sometimes record the natural movements and shifts of the body and clothing.
With the Shure brand’s industry reputation for quality equipment, this simple handheld style microphone works well for vocalists and creators who need a microphone designed to suit the human vocal range. If you are creating music on YouTube, then this is a trusted microphone that you can rely on.
Audio Quality
Value
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The Shure SM58-CN is among the most popular microphones for musicians and performers because of their solid sound and durability. With a frequency response that targets midrange and bass, plus an internal filter that minimizes background and breath noise, it’s a choice favored for singing and spoken recording situations.
For those who really care about sound quality, and aren't afraid to spend a little bit extra, the Audio-Technica AT875As is a great pick. This microphone that records audio for video and broadcast is that is robust enough for professional standards but lightweight enough that it can be mounted on handheld and compact digital cameras.
Audio Quality
Value
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This is a shotgun style microphone which means that it is highly focused on picking up audio from the target it is pointed at. This doesn't make it ideal for multiple people speaking in a room, but does capture the best audio quality for one person vlogging, streaming, or recording a voice over.
With a narrow directional recording capability, this microphone does well to pick up the sounds it iss pointed at and rejects off-axis noise from the rear and the sides of the microphone.
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