ReviewFinder Microphones

Blue Snowball

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10 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [10]

70
Total expert reviews: 10
  • with a score: 4
  • without a score: 6
Highest score by TechRadar
90
Average score based on 10 reviews
70
Lowest score by Music Radar
60

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Blue Snowball microphone is a versatile and reliable option for recording audio with clear and detailed sound quality, two pickup patterns, and USB compatibility, making it a worthwhile investment for podcasters, streamers, and musicians who prioritize audio quality in their recordings.

The Blue Snowball microphone is a versatile and reliable option for recording audio in various settings. It has a clear and detailed sound quality, with a frequency response range of 40Hz to 18kHz and two pickup patterns (cardioid and omni-directional) that offer flexibility in recording different audio sources.

The microphone has a USB connection and is compatible with a wide range of devices, making it easy to plug into any computer or laptop. While it lacks convenience features such as a built-in headphone jack, mute button, or volume controls, the Blue Snowball's superior sound quality and directional settings make it a worthwhile investment for podcasters, streamers, and musicians who prioritize audio quality in their recordings.

Its sturdy construction and resistance to physical damage also make it a great choice for those who need a microphone that can withstand regular use and transport.

Sound Quality

The Blue Snowball microphone is a budget-friendly option with clear and detailed sound quality, a dual-capsule design with different sound presets, and a high tolerance for handling and wind noise, making it a good choice for recording vocals and other audio.

The Blue Snowball microphone has a frequency response range of 40Hz to 18kHz, with a presence peak at 3kHz in cardioid mode and around 10kHz in omni mode. The sound quality is clear and detailed, capturing a broader decibel range of sound without static or crackling.

The microphone is good for recording vocals, both for music and voice, and is often used by podcasters and amateur musicians. It has a dual-capsule design that allows for different sound presets, including a setting that captures a fuller, roomier sound. The cardioid sound setting is also bright and bassy, with minimal background noise, resulting in accurate sound with a wide dynamic range and minimal hiss.

The Blue Snowball has a high tolerance for handling and wind noise, but the noise floor may be a bit high compared to other budget condenser mics. Overall, it is a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly microphone for recording vocals and other audio.

What is the frequency response range of the Blue Snowball?

According to Sound On Sound and Music Radar reviews, the frequency response range of the Blue Snowball microphone is between 40Hz to 18kHz. There is a presence peak at 3kHz in cardioid mode and at around 10kHz in omni mode.
Based on 4 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the Blue Snowball produce clear and detailed sound?

Yes, according to the reviews in our database, the Blue Snowball produces clear and detailed sound. The sound quality is good, especially for the price, and it captures a broader decibel range of sound, making your voice sound fuller without static or crackling. The cardioid mode provides accurate sound with a wide dynamic range and a minimal amount of hiss. Additionally, the Snowball comes with three built-in presets that allow the user to fully utilize its dual-capsule design, providing warm, rich-sounding vocal takes, clear guitar takes, and a fuller, roomier sound.
Based on 9 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

How good is the Blue Snowball microphone at recording vocals?

According to a product review on recordinghacks.com, the Blue Snowball microphone is able to get beautifully clear vocal takes, whether recorded separately or together with guitar. The first setting on the Snowball is great for warm, rich-sounding vocal takes. Additionally, a product review on PC Guide states that the Snowball is designed to capture a broader decibel range of sound, resulting in a fuller, richer sound without static or crackling. Overall, the Snowball is a good choice for recording vocals, both for music and voice, and is often used by podcasters and amateur musicians.
Based on 16 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the Blue Snowball microphone capture depth and richness of sound?

According to a product review on PC Guide, the Blue Snowball microphone is designed to capture a broader decibel range of sound, which results in a fuller and richer sound quality. Additionally, the microphone has a dual-capsule design that allows for different sound presets, including a setting that captures a fuller, roomier sound. The cardioid sound setting is also bright and bassy, with minimal background noise, resulting in accurate sound with a wide dynamic range and minimal hiss, according to a product review on TechRadar.
Based on 7 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the Blue Snowball perform in terms of noise cancellation and background noise reduction?

The Blue Snowball has a high tolerance for handling and wind noise, which is impressive. According to a product review on Ars Technica, the Snowball has a minimum of background noise and is much cleaner than a cheap condenser mic hooked up to a cheap mixer. However, the noise floor seemed a bit high compared to other budget condenser mics. Overall, it does a decent job of reducing background noise, but it may not be the best option for professional-level recordings.
Based on 4 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Directionality

The Blue Snowball microphone offers versatility with its two pickup patterns, cardioid and omni-directional, making it suitable for recording single or multiple audio sources in different settings.

The Blue Snowball microphone has two pickup patterns, cardioid and omni-directional, which offer versatility in recording different audio sources. The cardioid pattern is ideal for recording a single source like a voice or instrument, while the omni-directional pattern is suitable for recording multiple sources or room ambiance.

The Snowball's greatest asset is the sonic flexibility offered by its two microphone capsules. The microphone performs well in picking up sound from different distances as long as the right setting is used. It has impressive tolerance for handling and wind noise, making it suitable for recording in a noisy environment.

However, it is designed for single audio sources and may not be the best choice for recording in a noisy environment with multiple audio sources. Overall, the Blue Snowball microphone is a versatile and reliable option for recording audio in various settings.

What do experts say about the directional pattern of the Blue Snowball?

According to product reviews on ReviewFinder, the Blue Snowball microphone has two pickup patterns: cardioid and omni-directional. The cardioid pattern mutes other sounds and focuses on the audio source that’s right in front of the device, while the omnidirectional pattern hears all audio sources at the same volume. The omnidirectional pattern on the Snowball behaves more like a wide cardioid at most frequencies and the sound picked up at the rear is much duller than the sound picked up at the front. Overall, the Snowball's greatest asset is the sonic flexibility offered by its two microphone capsules.
Based on 9 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the Blue Snowball microphone good at picking up sound from different angles?

Yes, the Blue Snowball microphone is good at picking up sound from different angles. It has two pickup patterns - cardioid and omni-directional, which allows you to choose the pattern that suits your recording needs. The cardioid pattern is designed to pick up sound from the front of the microphone, making it ideal for recording a single source like a voice or instrument, while the omni-directional pattern picks up sound from all around the microphone, making it ideal for recording multiple sources or room ambiance. According to reviews on Homebrewaudio.com, PC Guide, and CNET, the added versatility of these settings allows you more freedom in what you can record and the quality of your recordings.
Based on 11 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the Blue Snowball microphone perform in picking up sound from different distances?

The Blue Snowball microphone has two settings, omni-directional and cardioid, which affect how the mic picks up sound from different distances. Omni-directional means the mic picks up all audio sources at the same volume, while cardioid mutes other sounds and focuses on the audio source that’s right in front of the device. According to PC Guide, as long as you're on the right setting, your recordings with the Blue Snowball will always sound crisp, loud, and clear. However, according to Sound On Sound, when the Snowball was placed in the middle of a table about 18 inches away to record plain speech (as for a Podcast, for example), the recorded level ended up at around -30dB peak, which equates to a resolution of around 11 bits or a dynamic range in the order of 66dB.
Based on 8 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the Blue Snowball microphone well suited for recording in a noisy environment?

According to a product review on Ars Technica, the Blue Snowball has impressive tolerance for handling and wind noise, which eliminates typical amateur speech recording issues, such as plosive sounds. However, keep in mind that this microphone is designed for single audio sources, such as a voice or instrument, and may not be the best choice for recording in a noisy environment with multiple audio sources.
Based on 4 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Connectivity

The Blue Snowball microphone is a USB plug-and-play device with good audio quality for its price, suitable for podcasting, voiceovers, and video conferencing, but may not be the best option for professional recording studios or musicians.

The Blue Snowball microphone has a USB connection only, making it easy to plug into any computer or laptop with a USB port. It is a plug-and-play device that does not require any software drivers for use with either Mac or PC. The microphone has a metal-reinforced USB port and a three-position switch for the microphone's three recording modes (cardioid, cardioid -10dB, and omni).

Users can switch between the two capsules to suit their recording needs, using the mode switch on the back of the microphone. The audio quality of the Blue Snowball microphone is good for the price, making it a suitable option for podcasting, voiceovers, and video conferencing. However, it may not be the best option for professional recording studios or musicians who require more advanced connectivity options.

What are the available connectivity options for the Blue Snowball microphone?

The Blue Snowball microphone has a metal-reinforced USB port, which is its only means of connection. It is a plug-and-play device that does not require any software drivers for use with either Mac or PC.
Based on 7 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

How easy is it to switch between different connectivity options on the Blue Snowball microphone?

The Blue Snowball microphone doesn't have different connectivity options. It has a USB connection only, which means that you can plug it into any computer or laptop with a USB port. According to the product review on CNET, users can switch between the two capsules to suit their recording needs, using the mode switch on the back of the microphone. The microphone also has a three-position switch for the microphone's three recording modes (cardioid, cardioid -10dB, and omni).
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the quality of audio transmission vary across different connectivity options on the Blue Snowball microphone?

The Blue Snowball microphone connects via USB, and according to reviews, offers good audio quality for the price. There are no other connectivity options available for this microphone.
Based on 6 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

Features

The Blue Snowball microphone lacks convenience features like a built-in headphone jack and mute button, but its two settings make it a good option for those who prioritize sound quality.

The Blue Snowball microphone does not have a built-in headphone jack, mute button, or volume controls. This can be a drawback for users who need to monitor their audio in real-time while recording or want easy access to mute or adjust the volume. However, the microphone does have two settings, omni-directional and cardioid, which can be useful for focusing on the audio source in front of the device.

Overall, the Blue Snowball is a good option for those who prioritize sound quality over convenience features. It is suitable for podcasters, streamers, and musicians who want a reliable and high-quality microphone for their recordings.

Does the Blue Snowball have a built-in headphone jack?

No, the Blue Snowball does not have a built-in headphone jack. According to reviews on CNET and Ars Technica, this can be a drawback for some users who need to monitor their audio in real-time while recording.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the Blue Snowball have a mute button, and if so, is it easy to use?

No, the Blue Snowball microphone does not have a mute button. However, you can mute the microphone through your computer's settings or software. According to the product review on PC Guide, the Blue Snowball has two settings, omni-directional and cardioid. The cardioid setting mutes other sounds and focuses on the audio source that’s right in front of the device.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the Blue Snowball have volume controls, and if so, are they easy to use?

No, the Blue Snowball microphone does not have volume controls. The microphone's sensitivity can be adjusted through the operating system's sound settings.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Compatibility

The Blue Snowball microphone is a versatile and reliable device that is compatible with a wide range of devices, but may have compatibility issues with certain operating systems and audio applications.

The Blue Snowball microphone is a versatile device that is compatible with a wide range of devices, including PC and Mac computers, tablets, and gaming consoles. It has a USB interface, making it easy to connect to any device with a USB port. The microphone is plug-and-play and does not require drivers for use with either Mac or PC.

However, there may be some compatibility issues with certain operating systems and audio applications. For example, the Snowball may not be compatible with Vista out of the box, but Blue released a firmware update that restores Vista compatibility. Additionally, some users have reported issues using the Snowball with certain audio applications such as Logic and Sonar, which may be related to the lack of a headphone jack and the Snowball's inability to function as both input and output.

Overall, the Blue Snowball microphone is a reliable and versatile device that is suitable for a wide range of use cases, from podcasting and streaming to gaming and video conferencing.

Which devices are compatible with the Blue Snowball microphone?

The Blue Snowball microphone is compatible with PC and Mac computers, as well as with tablets and gaming consoles. It has a USB interface, so it can be connected to any device that has a USB port. According to CNET review, no software drivers are required for use with either Mac or PC.
Based on 13 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is there any operating system or software that the Blue Snowball microphone is not compatible with?

According to a product review on Ars Technica, the Snowball is not compatible with Vista out of the box, but Blue released a firmware update that restores Vista compatibility. The review also mentioned some issues using the Snowball with certain audio applications such as Logic and Sonar, but these issues may be related to the lack of a headphone jack and the Snowball's inability to function as both input and output. However, the Snowball is plug-and-play and does not require drivers for use with either Mac or PC.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Durability

The Blue Snowball microphone is a durable and reliable USB microphone for recording or streaming purposes, constructed with durable plastic and metal components.

The Blue Snowball microphone is constructed with durable plastic and metal components, making it relatively heavy for a small device. It is resistant to physical damage such as drops or impacts, and its construction feels very durable with no rattling or shifting components. However, it is not waterproof and should be kept away from liquids to avoid damage.

Overall, the Blue Snowball microphone is a high-quality and durable option for those in need of a reliable USB microphone for recording or streaming purposes.

What materials are used in the construction of the Blue Snowball microphone?

The Blue Snowball microphone is made of plastic and metal components, which are durable and relatively heavy for the small device, according to PC Guide and Ars Technica product reviews. The microphone has a resin casing with wire-mesh grilles at front and rear, and an adjustable desktop stand.
Based on 10 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

How resistant is the Blue Snowball microphone to physical damage such as drops or impacts?

According to a product review on PC Guide, the Blue Snowball is designed with durable plastic and metal components, which makes it relatively heavy for a small device. This demonstrates that the mic is high-quality and resistant to breaking. Additionally, a product review on Ars Technica praises the mic's construction, noting that it feels very durable with no rattling or shifting components. However, it is important to note that no microphone is completely indestructible, and dropping or impacting the Blue Snowball could still cause damage.
Based on 5 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the Blue Snowball waterproof?

No, the Blue Snowball USB microphone is not waterproof. It is important to keep it away from liquids to avoid damage to the product.

Best Alternatives

3 best microphones in the same price range as Blue Snowball

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The HyperX SoloCast is a high-quality USB microphone that delivers clear and detailed sound with a full, rich sound that is hard to match at its price point, making it an ideal choice for podcasters, streamers, and gamers who want a simple and effective way to record their voice without any unnecessary features or complications. The Razer Seiren Mini microphone is praised for its sound quality, directionality, and compatibility, making it a highly recommended choice for clear and focused audio recording in various applications.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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Microphones above are offered because they are in the same price range as Blue Snowball. To browse more budget and premium microphones go to our microphone ranking .

Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all microphones.

Rank Change Price Microphone
CNN Underscored
SoundGuys
PC Gamer
PCMag
PianoDreamers
Music Radar
MusicTech
IGN
Tom's Guide
Just Creative
1
- $249
Shure MV7
-
-
1
8
-
7
4
5
-
8
2
- $87
Blue Yeti
1
-
-
-
-
-
11
-
1
5
3
- $99
Shure SM57
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
-
4
- $150
Elgato Wave 3
3
1
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
Show all rows
Blue Snowball did not receive any endorsements this month.

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Shure MV7 Blue Yeti Shure SM57 Elgato Wave 3
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Price
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The Shure MV7 microphone is a versatile and adaptable option for podcasters, streamers, and content creators, offering excellent sound quality, noise-cancelling capabilities, and connectivity options. The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and durable device with four directional patterns, a built-in headphone jack, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and software, making it a popular choice among content creators, podcasters, and gamers. The Shure SM57 microphone is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, durability, versatility, and compatibility, making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and recording engineers for capturing instruments and vocals in various live and studio settings. The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.
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