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A teacher’s voice is their livelihood, and it pays to take care of it. According to research at Michigan State University, teachers who have to expend effort projecting their voices are at risk of developing serious vocal problems.
A microphone, or wireless voice amplifier, helps reduce the need to raise your voice, ensuring that you can be heard by all your students without putting yourself at risk. We have compiled a list below of the best microphones for teachers.
Our Recommendations of Best Microphones For Teachers In The Classroom
Fighting to be heard can be hard, and put pressure on your voice. Read on below for a list of the best microphones for teachers to use while teaching in the classroom.
- SHIDU Mini Voice (Best Overall Microphone)
- Sennheiser AVX (Best Premium Microphone)
- Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel (Best Lapel Microphone)
- Phenyx Pro UHF (Best Handheld Microphones)
- Blue Yeti (Best Microphone for Online Teaching)
- Shure SMV7 (Best Premium Microphone for Online Teaching)
- Blue Snowball iCE (Best Budget Microphone for Online Teaching)
1. SHIDU Mini Voice Amplifier
Pros:
- Clear sound with no distortion
- Extremely long battery life
- Fantastic value
- Adjustable microphone piece
Cons:
- Can get uncomfortable after hours of use
One of the top rated microphones for teachers on the market, the Shidu Wireless Voice Amplifier will save your voice. Constantly praised for its sound, battery, and price tag, the Shidu is the first on this list for a reason.
The Shidu projects beautifully, amplifying your voice without sacrificing any of its clarity or character. This eliminates the need for you to raise your voice, creating a more comfortable teaching experience for both you and your students. The thing is loud – amplification goes up to 10 watts, more than enough power to provide for a 10000 sq.ft (1000 sq.m) room.
The included 1800 mAh rechargeable battery allows for continuous working time of up to twelve hours. This sort of battery life is unheard of in a wireless vocal amplifier, and is just another thing that sets the Shidu apart.
2. Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System
Pros:
- Sound Quality
- Premium Build
- Easy Setup
- Versatility
- All around experience
Cons:
- No 3.5mm Output
The Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System is a fantastic choice for any teacher or professor looking to alleviate some of the pressure on the voice. While often used as a camera accessory, this microphone excels in the classroom.
Setup here is easy – it’s pretty much plug and play. Wireless connection is simple to set up and snappy, and the included instructions detail the process from start to finish. Battery life is good, and the P48 phantom core turns off automatically, helping conserve power for when you need it.
Well noted for their durability across the spectrum, Sennheiser’s AVX is no exception. Complete with a distinct metal housing to protect it from wear and tear, this microphone feels premium and lasts.
Sound quality here is fantastic – your voice will come off crisp and polished, and you will be heard from everywhere in your classroom. The microphone is noted for its detail. Whatever you teach, this microphone ensures you will be heard.
While you’re paying a premium price, you’re getting an extremely versatile microphone that delivers.
3. Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone
Pros:
- Compact
- Comfortable
- Crystal clear amplification
Cons:
- Not wireless
Lapel microphones are an excellent choice for teachers who want the added volume of a microphone without the hassle of traditional handheld mics, or headsets. The PowerDeWise Lapel Microphone provides ample volume in a compact, manageable package.
This lapel microphone clips on to your shirt, dress, or other piece of clothing, and allows for easy amplification. The included clip is sturdy and holds the mic well for long periods of time. The microphone itself is built well, and should incite no durability woes.
Sound quality is good – voices come out clear and easy to understand, with the 78 dB audio sensitivity providing the perfect sensitivity for classroom use. For anyone looking for an easy to use lapel microphone for the classroom, the ProDeWise is a great choice.
Note: This microphone does not come with an amplifier.
4. Phenyx Pro UHF Wireless Handheld Microphone System
Pros:
- Fantastic value
- Great sound
- Premium all metal build
- Comes with a carrying case
- Sable wireless performance
- Comes with two microphones
Cons:
- Requires batteries
If you’re looking for a handheld wireless microphone for teachers, you’ve found it. The Phenyx Pro UHF Wireless Handheld Microphone System offers great value in a premium package.
The Phenyx Pro sounds great – your voice will come off clear and intelligible, with all of its natural intonation and character. Transmission is clean, and works well in all kinds of environments.
The Phenyx Pro is a microphone that focuses on crafting an excellent user experience, and it shows in the way these microphones were made. Construction is fantastic, with both the microphones and the receiver boasting an all metal chassis. This lends to the mic’s weighty, premium feel in the hand. It’s obvious these microphones were built to last.
With an operating distance of 200 feet, this microphone is capable of working from anywhere in your classroom. Wireless performance is stable with very little noise or feedback. With very little to dislike, the Phenyx Pro UHF Wireless Handheld Microphone System offers an excellent option to teachers looking to take some of the pressure off their voices in style.
Best Microphones For Online Teaching
With the Covid-19 pandemic, online school has become a reality we have all been forced to contend with. Having a good microphone to suit online classes can be integral to providing your students with the best possible learning experience during these difficult times. Without further ado, here are three of the best microphones for teachers teaching online.
5. Blue Yeti
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality
- Versatile
- Superb value
- USB connection
- Built in stand
Cons:
- None
The Blue Yeti is one of the most beloved microphones for online application, and for good reason. It’s easy to use, sounds superb, and rings in at a price that won’t break the bank. With three implanted condenser capsules, sound reproduction is crisp, smooth, and warm. The microphone comes with a switch that calibrates different pickup patterns.
This allows you to choose whether you want the microphone to pick up sound from the front only, from the front and sides, or from all sides, which offers nice versatility and makes it easy to use the microphone both individually and for group sessions. This makes it fantastic for online classroom situations.
The microphone is built extremely well and even has its own adjustable stand for added convenience. The microphone connects to your computer via USB making use simple and setup quick.
There is very little to complain about with the Blue Yeti; and if you’re looking for a do-it-all microphone that sounds great and is easy to use, the Blue Yeti is more than up to the task.
6. Shure SMV7
Pros:
- Super high quality sound
- Works through USB and XLR
- Premium construction
- Customizable to your voice
Cons:
- More expensive
The Shure SMV7 is the best in its class. The level of vocal customization you get is unparalleled, and the ability to connect the microphone both through USB and XLR represents a microphone that is fully adapted to the rigors of the modern world. If you’re looking for the best of the best for teachers teaching online, this is it.
The SMV7 is so good at vocal reproduction it isn’t really fair to all the other microphones. When connected through USB, activate the Auto Level Mode, select your preferred vocal tone and distance away from the mic, and the microphone will adapt your levels in real time.
You can also switch to manual mode for full control over your sound and to adjust mic gain, monitor mix, EQ, limiter, compressor and more. This level of customization is unheard of, and truly sets the SMV7 apart from the competition.
The Shure SMV7 is built well, and comes with a pop filter to limit unwanted sibilance and increase the microphone’s efficacy in close range environments. The ability to connect via both USB and XLR really is a game changer, and helps make setting up anywhere a breeze.
If you’re a teacher looking for a microphone that gives you premium quality, customization, and features, the Shure SMV7 is the best of the bunch.
7. Blue Snowball iCE
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Sounds good
- Built in stand
- Connects via USB
Cons:
- Doesn’t sound as good as some other microphones on this list
- Plastic construction
The Blue Snowball iCE is a fantastic microphone for its price, and offers an intriguing plug-and-play option for those teachers looking to improve the quality of their online classes.
The sound reproduction on the Blue Snowball is clear, and works well for spoken vocals. The cardioid pickup pattern allows for the focused pickup of your voice, ensuring that only you are heard.
The Blue Snowball has a retro look to it – adding to the ambiance of your workspace – and comes with a built-in stand, which allows you to position it so as to better pick up your voice.
The Blue Snowball is a fantastic option for those teachers on a budget looking for a microphone to improve the quality of their online classes. Its sound, build, and look compared to the price you pay make it one of the best budget microphones on the market.
Conclusion
As a teacher, it’s crucial to preserve your voice. These microphones are sure to help take the strain off, whether you teach in the classroom or online. For in person teaching, it’s hard to beat the user experience of the Phenyx Pro UHF Wireless Handheld Microphone System, and online teaching is made better by the Blue Yeti.
You deserve to be heard – and these microphones are sure to help make that happen.
