7 Best Microphones for Crisp, Clear Vocals (Tested by Audio Experts) (2024)

HyperX, the brand favored by many a Twitch streamer, demonstrates their recording prowess with the ProCast. This large diaphragm condenser mic was the top performer in our sound quality test, wowing listeners with its clarity of tone and reduction of sibilants (harsh, hissing sounds produced when we say letters like "s" and "f" that can be noisy in recordings), thanks to the included sleek metal pop filter.

The microphone features an 80dB high-pass filter, allowing you to seamlessly exclude lower frequencies that are irrelevant when recording vocals, and a -10dB PAD (passive attenuation device, which reduces the signals gain) option to ensure your signal doesn't clip.

Our analysts were very impressed with the smart design of this microphone. The adapter on the mic fits both 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threads, meaning it can fit a large variety of stands and boom arms, making mounting a piece of cake. The suspension of the mic with elastic ropes prevents jostling or knocks to your table from causing unwanted rumbles in your recordings — something we haven't seen in many other microphones.

Though we wish this microphone featured multiple polar patterns (settings that allow you to control where in relation to the microphone the most sound is picked up) as many other cardioid mics at this price point, given how well it records solo vocals, we can live without it. The microphone also requires 48V of phantom power, so you'll need an audio interface like the Scarlett 2i2 (our favorite beginner interface, which we used to test all the XLR mics) in order for it to work.

Whether it's your first foray into the world of recording or you're a pro looking for a mic you're not afraid to travel with or bang up, we're hard pressed to find a better value than the SoloCast.

Recordings with this microphone were favored above those made with others that we tested that were as much as seven times the price. Though we find the included stand more than sufficient for desktop recording, we love that this microphone includes the same mount adapter as the ProCast, making remounting to your desired stand or boom arm a snap.

Our analysts appreciated the intuitive plug-and-play setup, made possible by the USB-C connection. We were also impressed with the mic's unique tap-to-mute feature, which allows a user to simply tap the top of the microphone to suppress all inputs, and tap it again to reintroduce them. This makes it a great option for gamers, streamers and even Zoom meetings — all situations in which the ability to mute and unmute yourself in a blink is valuable.

Though this microphone lacks any on-unit sound controls like high-pass filters or a preamp, we can't complain given its shockingly low price.

Based on the fact that we've included their microphones three times on this list, it's easy to see how impressed our analysts were with the performance of HyperX's mics. The QuadCast forms the middle ground between the ProCast and the SoloCast, offering improved recording quality from the SoloCast while maintaining its alluring plug-and-play USB-C compatibility. It also features the same shock mount of the ProCast, which we found super useful when it comes to recording on a desk or table.

Of all the USB microphones we looked at in our Labs, this one was the top performer for sound quality. Our analysts loved that this microphone features an internal pop filter to tame plosives sounds (pops and thuds caused by saying or singing letters like "p," "d" or "b"), a headphone jack for direct gain monitoring (a technical term for paying attention to how loud your recording is) and on-unit gain control so you can tailor the pickup to the loudness of your signal.

The same tap-to-mute feature we loved in the SoloCast also makes an appearance on this microphone with the addition of an LED lights that clearly indicate when you're muted or not, preventing streaming slip-ups. The cherry on top is the polar pattern knob, allowing for you to easily switch to different patterns given your recording application. Our only gripe is that we found the sound a little bit too harsh compared to XLR mics, but given it's a USB mic under $100 we're happy to make that compromise.

With the Alias Pro, SteelSeries' entry into recording audio makes a huge splash. Unlike the other XLR microphones on this list, the Alias Pro comes with an included audio interface that connects via USB to a laptop, lessening the burden of getting started with a more professional setup.

The interface is streamlined yet highly impressive. The left knob (which features a gain monitoring light around it) and button control the gain and mute respectively, while the right knob and button are fully mappable, letting you fade in and out music, mute audio sources or whatever your stream requires.

Testers were generally impressed with this microphone's audio quality, though it didn't make the top of our list. That said, where this microphone really shines is in the ways it's specifically designed for streamers. The included SONAR software is one of the easiest we've tried for managing audio while streaming, and makes complex tasks like grouping sources, crossfading channels and applying effects to different channels extremely intuitive.

The AI noise cancellation feature also wowed our testers, and rivals that of some very expensive software. The addition of the shock mount and compatibility with a boom arm also solidifies this microphone as our top pick for anyone who streams.

For a craft as sound-intensive as podcasting, you'll need top-notch audio quality, precise control over your sound and the flexibility to record wherever your story takes you. Shure's MV7 offers all three of these things at a more affordable price than the premiere audio brand's other microphones. The MV7's sleek design features an LED level indicator so you can easily ensure your recordings don't clip, direct monitoring thanks to the 3.5mm audio jack, gain control via a stylish touch panel and a convenient mute button to pause input into the microphone.

The Media & Tech Lab's analysts were impressed with the impressive span of compatibility of this microphone. Equipped with both XLR and USB outputs, it can be used both with and without a professional audio interface. What's more, with the addition of an AMV-LTG cable, you can plug this microphone directly into an iPhone, iPad or other device with a lightning adapter, allowing you to record with professional audio quality anywhere. The MV7's unique pickup pattern brings vocals forward and offsets the noise and echoes from boomy rooms.

When using a USB and your laptop, you can customize the sound with the bundled software ShurePlus MOTIV Desktop, though we found the app difficult to set up and less useful than other audio editing software. We also noticed that the microphone's frequency response is capped at 16kHz, which means that for applications outside of podcasting (like recording soft vocals for music) you may not be able to get the same breathy or airy quality. That said, for podcasting, we find this microphone's unique cross-compatibility to be a game-changer.

Shure's legendary SM7B, a longtime industry favorite for recording vocals in both live and studio settings, just got an upgrade.

The new SM7dB delivers on the warm tone and impressive pickup of its predecessor while adding a preamp that gives you up to 28dB of additional gain for recording nuanced, soft material without upping background noise or changing the frequency response (though you'll need an external audio interface that can provide 48V phantom power to use it). When recording louder material, the preamp can conveniently be turned off. The addition of on-unit EQ controls like bass roll-off and mid-range boost ensure you're picking up the exact sound you want before it even prints to your recording.

Analysts were thoroughly impressed with the SM7dB's sound quality, especially when recording vocals. The built-in pop filter reduces the noise from harsh sibilants or booming plosives, and the flat frequency response made us feel like we had ultimate flexibility as we mixed vocals into song projects. We tested the SM7dB at the same time as the SM7B to compare their sonic characteristics and found them extremely similar, with the SM7dB's preamp helping it eek just ahead in our evaluation.

Gamers and streamers have similar needs when it comes to microphones: quick gain control, intuitive level metering, the ability to mute at a moment's notice. Where they differ is that gamers may not need as much precision when it comes to dialing in their sound or altering other sonic components to a livestream. That's why we're fans of SteelSeries' Alias. Much like the Alias Pro, this microphone has solid audio quality, a clear input level display and convenient mute functionality, with the added convenience of connecting directly to the computer via USB.

Our analysts appreciated that despite the lower price point, the Alias performs very similarly to the Alias Pro. While it doesn't perform as well in terms of sound as our pick for the best USB mic, the value-add of SteelSeries' SONAR software and impressiveness of AI noise removal make it a strong choice for gamers who have some curiosity about dipping their toes into the realm of streaming. We also loved that it features the same shock mount design, so your esports teammates won't have their ears blasted by your ragequit table banging.

To find the best microphones, we started off by surveying the current market, looking for the best-selling microphones, longtime studio favorites and new additions to the market. We honed in our search by considering the unique needs of various applications like podcasting, streaming and making music.

Then, once we'd narrowed down the options to the most promising picks, we brought them into our Lab to start a thorough evaluation.

✔️ Ease of setup: We set up each of the microphones to record into Presonus' Studio One (a digital audio workstation favored by our analysts), taking notes on how easy they are to set up, their compatibility with different boom arms and stands, and the kind of cables and interfaces we need to get them up and running.

✔️ Sound quality: To examine audio quality, one of our analysts recorded themself singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance into each of the microphones in a quiet room. The recordings are made with the same mouth-to-microphone distance and the analyst does their best to sing and speak uniformly throughout all of the recordings. The recordings' gains are normalized and blinded before being exported. Other analysts, engineers and writers from the Institute are then asked to rate each of the singing and speaking samples on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the least appealing and 5 being the most. Averages are taken for each of the microphones to obtain a total sound quality score.

✔️ Versatility: To get a better idea of how these microphones work in different applications, analysts take them home to use in their own music, podcasting, streaming and gaming. We mix and master audio that features recordings from the microphones to get a better idea of how they compare to other microphones we've used previously. We also observe how they play with our studio setups and keep in mind what kind of equipment is necessary to use them comfortably and conveniently.

✔️ Added features: Finally, we evaluate the bells and whistles like additional on-unit controls and interfaces, bundled software and hardware and pop filters for their ease of use and utility.

✔️ Connection: Most microphones connect to your laptop through either a USB cord or through an XLR cable that is routed through an external audio interface that then connects to your computer through a USB. USB microphones have the added advantage of not requiring an external interface, and convenient plug and play functionality. The advantage of XLR microphones is that you have more control over your studio configuration and oftentimes microphones that use an XLR connection boast higher sound quality (this is due to the fact that many USB microphones have a built-in interface that isn't as robust as external interfaces). Which you'll want depends on if you have or are willing to invest in an audio interface (which can be pricey), if you intend to configure complex studio recording apparatuses, or if you need to conveniently record at a moment's notice.

✔️ Type: There are three prominent types of microphones: dynamic, condenser and ribbon. Dynamic microphones use a moving coil to capture sound, and are particularly suited to louder recordings or live environments. Condenser microphones are more sensitive in the high end of the frequency spectrum and are better suited to quiet recordings than dynamic microphones, though they often require phantom power to operate. Ribbon microphones function similarly to dynamic microphones with added warmth and less harshness in the high range than condenser microphones, though they tend to be more delicate.

✔️ Pattern: The microphones pattern indicates positionally where from it will receive the best sound. Cardioid microphones are unidirectional, meaning they pick up sound best from one side. This is ideal for solo recording or picking up on a specific sound within an environment. Bi-directional microphones pickup sound well from the sides of the microphone but not the front or back. This can be useful for recording two people seated across from each other, or capturing selected instruments while ignoring others in a studio scenario. Finally, omni-directional microphones capture sound in every direction equally, which is ideal for recording ambiences or the fine details of the space you're in.

✔️ Frequency response: The average human ear can pick up audio with frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz (though the upper limit decreases as we age). When recording vocals, this upper range can be very important in helping to capture breathiness or whispered tones. The range below 100Hz, on the other hand, can be extraneous and pick up on rumbles that you don't want in your final product. When shopping for the best microphone, especially if you intend to record vocals, pay attention to the high frequency response and see if any features like on-board EQ can reduce the lowest frequencies before they even print to your recording. Most microphones designed for vocal recording offer the full 20Hz to 20kHz range, though it can vary.

✔️ Add-ons: If you're just starting your recording journey, pay attention to what comes with the microphone besides the mic itself. Oftentimes companies include useful software bundles that can help you carve out a more professional sound without having to invest in additional software. Additionally, many microphones come with stands, mounts or pop filters that will save you on having to invest in an external one. You can optimize your first microphone purchase by ensuring it and its bundled hardware and software pads out holes in your studio setup so you feel well equipped to tackle whatever audio project you're working on.

This is a complicated question that deserves a careful, qualified "yes."

Oftentimes more expensive microphones will capture sound more naturally or color it in a way that's pleasing to listeners' ears. That said, many of today's hit songs and podcasts are recorded on cheaper, less expensive equipment. A great deal of getting the best sound from your recordings is using the proper recording technique, knowing how to edit recordings and fix up imperfections in post, and how to mix and master your audio.

While an expensive microphone can be alluring or lauded by audiophiles for its unique sonic character, without the proper know-how your recordings won't improve. Often it's best to start with more affordable microphones to learn the techniques you need and to gradually improve your equipment and setup as you develop a more nuanced ear for the intricacies of recording.