The best podcast microphones [2023]

Wondering how to start a podcast one need to buy your first microphone, or looking to upgrade your existing podcast microphone? Here are some of the best podcast microphones in 2023 - with links to purchase.

What to look for from a podcast microphone

If you're looking to purchase a microphone, you're clearly taking your podcast game seriously. You'll want to buy a microphone that will last you a good period of time. But here are some things to consider:

• Is your podcast a one-man-band, or will you have guests?
• How important is quality? (The greater quality, the greater the cost!)

USB or XLR?

There are two types of podcast connections:

USB

Most people are familiar with USB as a connection type. We've been using them for years, so it's easy to understand how it works. But quality can be difficult to guarantee when two or more podcast guests are involved. If it's just you and a microphone, then USB might be the solution for you.

XLR 

An XLR microphone is a more traditional wired microphone, the sort you would expect to see at a gig or in a recording studio. Generally, XLR microphones are recognised for enhanced quality and are connected to a recording device or mixer via an XLR cable, which supports the connection of multiple microphones. 

The best podcast microphones for beginners

There are a few key brands to look out for:

• Audio-Technica
• Joby
• RØDE
• Shure

Audio-Technica ATR2100x

USB Streaming/Podcasting Microphone
£79.99 (Amazon)

• A Handheld dynamic microphone with USB-C digital output and XLR analog output option. 
• Perfect for home podcast studio recording.

RØDE NT-USB 

USB Streaming/Podcasting Microphone
£92.14 (Amazon)

• Take advantage of the pristine sound quality of RØDE’s world-class studio mics
• An easy-to-use USB microphone
• 360-degree swing mount allows easy positioning on a desktop, mic stand, or studio arm

RØDE PodMic

XLR Streaming/Podcasting Microphone
£90 (Amazon)

• Solid construction, enabling years of podcasting use
• Take advantage of the pristine sound quality of RØDE’s world-class studio mics
• An easy-to-use XLR microphone
• 360-degree swing mount allows easy positioning on a desktop, mic stand, or studio arm

Shure SM7B

XLR Streaming/Podcasting Microphone
£369 (Amazon)

• An all-in-one microphone for every possible use
• Smooth, flat and wide-range frequency, which produces exceptionally clean audio
• Electromagnetic shielding to defeat hum from any computers or other studio equipment