Over the past year, we’ve had to adapt to a brand new lifestyle and find new ways to efficiently manage, and get work done from home. Since offices had a lot of computers already installed at the workplace, many of us were forced to buy new computers. While you may have picked up the best Mac that was available at the time, you may have forgotten about buying a microphone, a case to protect it from scratches, or even a Macbook stand for your new purchase. That’s okay though, you were busy and so were we.

Most laptops have an adequate microphone, but they’re often too mushy and don’t provide a great overall experience. The new Macbooks provide decent sound quality, but they’re also not the best if there’s a bit of background noise as it can pick up on it very easily. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the best USB microphones you can pick up right now. Some of the equipment is cheap and affordable, while some offer a full-on professional sounding experience and functionality.

Blue Yeti

Blue Yeti microphone
The Blue Yeti is used by both professionals and beginners. It has 4 pickup patterns, a headphone output and volume/gain control. It has everything you need.
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HyperX QuadCast

HyperX QuadCast microphone
It has all of the functionality you could ask for and it’s an excellent all-rounder device that simply does it all. It’s perfect for conference calls, gaming and podcasting.
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Razer Seiren

Razer Seiren microphone
It’s one of the most portable and best sounding microphones on the cheap. It has all the functionality you need if you’re just starting out, or if you want to step up your game/conference calls.
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Blue Yeti Nano

Blue Yeti Nano microphone
It’s one of the best microphones if you want to carry it with you as it’s compact enough that it can fit in a backpack easily.
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Elgato Wave 3

Elgato Wave 3 microphone
The software offers additional features and a number of enhancements for a better streaming experience.
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Blue Snowball iCE

Blue Snowball iCE microphone
It’s one of the most affordable microphones and one of the best rated ones. Some of your favourite content creators also started out with this microphone.
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FIFINE

FIFINE microphone
It’s one of the best budget microphones on the market. It has a crisp, clear sound and a study metal build for a premium feel.
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HyperX QuadCast S

HyperX QuadCast S microphone
It has the same build and sound quality as the HyperX QuadCast, but it has RGB that’s specifically aimed at gamers. If a solid red color isn’t your thing, this will surely fit your setup.
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FIFINE Condenser Microphone

FIFINE Condenser Microphone
If this type of microphone is your style, this is the most affordable one that offers the best overall sounding experience with impressive results.
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These are some of the best USB microphones we can find today at a price range that’s affordable and not too expensive for most people. We decided to exclude the professional microphones as they’re often out of reach for the majority of people, and let’s be honest, there’s really no need to spend four digits on a microphone for a quick Zoom call.

The list includes all types of microphones, including the condenser ones, some of the “announcement” ones you see at supermarkets and of course, the lavalier. There are quite a few options listed, but rest assured, these are the best reviewed ones, and personal consideration played a major part in picking these items to ensure you get the best quality at the best price.

As a personal suggestion, I would recommend the Blue Yeti microphone. I have used it for conference calls, occasional gaming with friends and content creation for YouTube. It’s one of the best microphones that I’ve ever used, and has all of the features that I would need, perhaps even more than I’ll ever use. If however your budget is more limited, the Razer Seiren, SnowBall iCE and FIFINE are the best budget ones that you should consider, assuming you want those types of devices.