Using a good microphone for conference calls is important and helps you to communicate clearly and effectively. There are many microphones out there for video conference calls – some are fantastic, and others are not so good.
This guide reviews the best microphone for Zoom meetings and explains why you need one, and how to choose it. We recommended the best models at a range of prices.
Image | Product | Feature | Price |
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TOP Pick
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Blue Yeti USB Mic
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A great sound quality mic with four switchable pickup patterns. Best overall. | Check Price |
Trending
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CMTECK – USB Computer Microphone
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An affordable mic with basic sound quality. Good to use it as a daily meeting desktop mic. | Check Price |
Trending
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JOUNIVO USB Microphone
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Decent sound quality mic comes with essential accessories. | Check Price |
Trending
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Perrycom USB Computer Microphone
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A cardioid condenser mic that is easy to setup, no driver required. | Check Price |
Trending
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Blue Snowball iCE
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Great looking durable cardioid condenser mic. Insta-friendly too! | Check Price |
Trending
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Razer Seiren Mini USB Condenser Microphone
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Good quality mic from the well known Razer brand that has an adjustable tripod stand. | Check Price |
Trending
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TONOR Conference USB Microphone
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A mic that is designed for conference call, picks up sound at a 360 degree. | Check Price |
Trending
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HyperX SoloCast
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A mid-range mic that doesn’t require a driver. It works on both Mac and Window devices. | Check Price |
Trending
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Shure MV5 Digital Condenser
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A retro looking mic that comes with 3 tonal presets. It features a USB or iOS connection. | Check Price |
Trending
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Amazon Basics Desktop Mini Condenser Mic
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This affordable mic from Amazon features 2 switchable patterns. No driver needed. | Check Price |
Keep reading for our full review of the best microphones for zoom meetings.
What to Look For In a Great Zoom Meeting Mic
With Zoom and video conferencing becoming so central to business communications, it’s become obvious that a laptop microphone isn’t good enough!
When choosing a microphone for Zoom, there are a few important features to look for to ensure you get the best features for your needs.
- Audio quality – A good zoom meeting mic should be able to pick up sound from a distance. It should also provide quality sound, be durable, and not be too expensive.
- Volume Control – Microphones with volume controls make it easier for you to set a good input level. This ensures your mic is at the perfect volume for your conference, and not too loud or quiet.
- Mute – Having a mute button is handy, and is often quicker than muting it in the Zoom software itself.
- Cable Length – You want to make sure the cable is long enough to reach where you need it. It’s a small consideration but it can be a make or break factor!
- Stand – Microphones come with a variety of mounting stands. Some are adjustable, but others are fixed. The best choice is a matter of personal preference.
- Durability – You don’t want to buy a cheap, plastic microphone that will break quickly. All the models on this list are high quality, and use metal casing for maximum strength.
- Mic Polar Patterns – These dictate how the mic picks up sound, and determine its directionality. Having switchable polar patterns helps to get the right sound for your situation.
How to Choose the Best Microphone for Your Zoom Meeting Need
The best zoom meeting mic for you will depend on what you need it for and how much you want to spend on it.
There are many different kinds of microphones to choose from when it comes to zoom, each has different situations where they are more suitable.
You should consider these factors to help you choose.
- How many people will be using the mic at once? If it’s only a single person then a cardioid mic with one pattern is fine. If it’s more than one person, then a switchable mic is advised, at least one that has an omnidirectional pattern.
- Budget vs Quality – More expensive mics have a better sound, cheaper mics sound worse, in general. This is a personal decision. Don’t spend too much money on a top-of-the-range mic if you only need something basic. At the same time, buying cheap equipment is often a bad idea, as the quality is low and they break easily.
5 Reasons why you should use a microphone for Zoom meetings
Zoom meetings are a great way to collaborate with remote colleagues. But the quality of the call is not always perfect. A microphone can make all the difference in a video call, as it will allow you to hear each other better and to speak more clearly.
Microphones come in all shapes and sizes, from desktop models to lavalier microphones that you wear on your shirt or collar.
Here are some reasons why you should use a mic for Zoom meetings.
- Clearer audio quality – get your voice heard.
- More controls – quicker and easier to use.
- Improves communication – reduces misunderstanding and awkwardness.
- Professionalism – stand out from your colleagues with a more professional sound and look.
- Flexibility – With a USB mic, you have more options. The mic can be moved around a room, you can change the sound, and you’re not limited to holding the device close to you.
Runners Up
See the next section for our top 10!
10. CMTECK – USB Computer Microphone
Pros and Cons
- Easy to use
- Small and easy to transport.
- Adjustable mic neck
- Mediocre sound quality
This CMTECK mic is a good choice for anyone who needs an affordable, compact package. If you have a Zoom meeting, then this mic is available for those on a limited budget. With basic sound quality, this mic is great for everyday meetings, but not as good as other mics. The neck on the mic is adjustable and can be moved into the best position.
9. JOUNIVO USB Microphone for Computer
Pros and Cons
- High-resolution sound
- Good compatibility
- Tap to mute
- Tripod and pop shield
The JOUNIVO USB Microphone is designed to capture high-resolution sound and work with any computer. It is equipped with a tripod, pop shield, and tap-to-mute button so it can be used for Skype, Zoom, presentations, and more.
It is the perfect mic for users who want to upgrade their sound quality for zoom meetings on a tight budget. Despite the low price, this mic has a pretty decent sound and comes with useful accessories.
8. Perrycom USB Computer Microphone
Pros and Cons
- Plug & Play No driver needed
- Cardioid Condenser
- Mute button
- Adjustable gooseneck
- Average sound quality
With its cardioid, condenser, and plug-and-play capabilities, this microphone is a strong choice for Zoom Meetings, podcasters, voice actors, and everyone else in need of a reliable and affordable microphone.
The adjustable gooseneck ensures that the angle of the microphone can be changed to suit your needs while the mute button will stop the flow of sound to your speakers. It plugs into any laptop or PC and is a one-step setup with no driver required.
7. Blue Snowball iCE
Pros and Cons
- Reliable Blue quality
- Cardioid pattern
- Adjustable tripod stand
- Relatively expensive
This affordable and high-quality mic is perfect for anyone who wants to talk to their clients, customers, or team with clarity and ease. It’s made by microphone industry experts blue, and offers a high level of reliability and build quality.
The Blue Snowball is an entry-level mic that’s perfect for recording at home, school, and on the go. It’s durable, has a cardioid pattern, and can be mounted on a stand. This mic will pick up your voice without any additional features for you to fiddle with in your software settings. It’s also surprisingly affordable to get started with!
6. Razer Seiren Mini USB Streaming Microphone
Pros and Cons
- Accurate cardioid pickup pattern
- High-level sound quality
- Compact device size
- Sturdy stand
This is the perfect mic for you to zoom in on those meetings from the comfort of your desk. This is a high-quality device and gives a solid amount of value and quality for the money. This mic uses a cardioid pattern, with a focused and direct sound.
high-quality sound from the legendary Razer brand. It’s reliable and even has an adjustable tripod stand so you can mount it to your desktop for easy usage. You will be able to broadcast your voice quickly, clearly, and effectively.
Top 5 best microphones for Zoom meetings
5. TONOR Conference USB Microphone
Pros and Cons
- Designed for conferences
- Wide pickup patterns
- Small and durable
- Easy to use
- Affordable
First up we have a Tonor Conference microphone. This is an affordable USB microphone that is designed for conference calls thanks to its wide, omnidirectional pickup pattern. This mic picks up sound at a 360º angle, so it captures all the voices in a room sitting around a table. It has a pickup distance of 11ft, so you can stand at a fair distance from the mic and still get heard.
The sound quality is slightly lower than others on this list, however, it still offers a large improvement over a built-in phone or laptop microphone. It also features noise reduction technology, which helps you to get the cleanest, least disturbed sound possible.
It features a single mute button but doesn’t have any volume controls. The unit itself is made of metal and feels very durable. If you are looking for an affordable but effective USB conference microphone, this model from Tonor is a great choice. This is one of the best microphones for group zoom meetings on a budget.
4. HyperX SoloCast USB Mic
Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Focussed, narrow sound
- Sturdy Adjustable stand
- Mute button
This affordable mid-range microphone from HyperX is one of the top recommended microphones for Zoom meetings or streaming on a budget. It has decent sound, feels solid, and has a good range of features and controls.
The adjustable stand helps get the best position and is very sturdy so it won’t fall over easily. This is a plug-n-play, driverless device, so it will work instantly for both Mac and Windows computers.
Despite the low price, the SoloCast microphone still has clean and accurate sound. It has a mute button, although it lacks volume control which is a bit disappointing. It only has a single pattern – cardioid, which gives a good focus for a single speaker but won’t be ideal for multiple people talking in the same room.
3. Shure MV5 Digital Condenser
Pros and Cons
- Top Shure quality
- Looks cool!
- Automatic tuning, 3 EQ presets
- Sturdy metal design
Next up we have the Shure MCV5 – a high-quality, retro-styled mic from one of the leading names in audio technology.
Don’t let the old-school look fool you, this is a modern mic with all the features you need for a Zoom meeting. It features a USB or iOs connection, so you can use this with a pc or iPhone without needing an adapter.
It comes with 3 tonal presets – Flat, Vocals, or Instrument. It also features an automatic equalizer, compressor, and limiter, helping you achieve a consistent and clear level.
The body also includes a headphone output and is noticeably sturdy thanks to its metal build. The stand is also adjustable, so you can rotate the mic into the best position.
This is an all-around fantastic microphone and has a professional look, feel, and sound. Stand out from your colleagues with a cracking sound and a retro appearance that would make Elvis proud.
2. Amazon Basics Desktop Mini Condenser Mic
Main Features
- Volume Control
- Adjustable Tripod mount
- Headphone output
- 2 pickup patterns.
This easy and affordable mic from Amazon sounds great and won’t break the bank. It’s a little more expensive than the most basic models, but it does offer some extra features and is very durable.
It features two switchable patterns, so you can change between omnidirectional or cardioid. This lets you choose either a wide or narrow sound. Omni is better when more than one person is talking into the mic in the room.
It also has mute and volume controls, and headphone output – making it easy to control and plug in. The mic is protected with a hard metal grille and is mounted on a swiveling tripod which makes it easy to get the best angle.
It’s an easy USB plug-n-play and works almost instantly with no need for extra drivers.
1. Blue Yeti USB Mic
Pros and Cons
- Best sound quality
- 4 mic patterns
- Headphone Output
- Durable metal body
- Expensive
The Blue Yeti is a well-known, popular and professional USB microphone. This mic offers the best sound quality on this list and has a wide set of features. It’s incredibly flexible and versatile and excels in a wide range of situations.
It is more expensive than other mics, but the increased price is reflected in the improved quality. It comes with an adjustable stand, which lets you angle the mic as needed.
The most notable features of this are the four switchable pickup patterns (Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional, Stereo), which help you to get the right sound. It also comes with a mute control, and a volume slider. A nice feature of this is the headphone output, so you can plug headphones directly into the mic
You also get access to the Blue Voice software, which lets you tweak the mic in more depth, providing further controls for EQ, compression, stereo, and more.
Summary – The Blue Yeti is the best (if you can afford it)
If you have the budget, the Blue Yeti is definitely the best microphone for Zoom meetings going. Without going for a more expensive XLR based setup, this plug-and-play mic is the best choice. It offers a fantastic sound and all the features you need.
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FAQs
How do I make myself sound better on Zoom?
First of all, avoid using the built-in mic of your laptop or phone. They usually are low quality, and also they are often in an inconvenient place, and too far from your mouth to get a good signal. An external microphone solves both these issues and is the best way to improve your sound quality in Zoom.
Should I use a microphone with Zoom?
Whilst it isn’t essential, an external microphone will offer a much cleaner signal than your laptop or phone’s built-in mic. If you want your voice to come across loud and clear, then an external microphone is the best choice. They can also be more convenient with extra controls and features.
What microphone works best with Zoom?
This depends on your needs and the type of microphone you want to use. Rather than recommending one particular model, I suggest you look for anything that is driverless. This means it will be ready to use as soon as you plug the USB cable in.
Generally, mics with a more direct pattern, such as cardioid, are recommended for zoom, as the tone of the mic isolates the talker from the rest of their environment. This produces a much clearer, less interrupted sound.
What is the best external microphone for Zoom meetings?
Upgrading to an external mic always sounds better than the built-in mic of a laptop or phone. Ultimately, the best mic depends on your budget. More expensive mics like the Blue Yeti offer improved sound quality, which is important for communication.
If you are on a budget then the Amazon Basics mini condenser is a good place to start.
Which microphone is best for online meetings?
If you’re looking for the best microphone for online meetings, here are a couple of our top picks!
Blue Yeti – Pro-grade audio in a high-quality package.
Shure MV5 – A retro-styled mic with modern features.
Amazon Basics Condenser Mic – A budget version, cheap but sounds pretty good.
Noah Feasey-Kemp
Noah is a musician and writer living in Bristol, UK. He’s played instruments for over 15 years, studied Audio Engineering at university, and is an active producer.
A lover of effects pedals and experimental techniques, he enjoys creating abstract tones with modern and vintage gear. You’ll find him making electronic beats in Ableton, drumming, or working on his personal project, AudioCube.