ReviewFinder Microphones

Blue Yeti

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Sound Quality
Directionality
Connectivity
Features
Compatibility
Durability
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22 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [22]

110
Total expert reviews: 22
  • with a score: 10
  • without a score: 12
Highest score by Music Radar
300
Average score based on 22 reviews
110
Lowest score by CNET
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile USB microphone with four different polar patterns and useful features such as a headphone jack, gain control, and mute button. It is a great choice for those who need flexibility in recording and have a quiet space, but may not be the best option for beginners or those who don't need the different pickup patterns.
+ pros
  • Ability to change polar patterns for different recording situations.
  • Headphone jack and volume control for monitoring recordings without delays.
  • Gain control for adjusting microphone sensitivity.
  • Mute button with LED indicator.
  • USB plug-n-play without needing software or drivers.
  • Blue Sherpa software for updating firmware and controlling settings.
  • Solid stand included.
  • MSRP of $129.99 with frequent sales and bundle options available.
- cons
  • Heavy weight requires a sturdy stand or boom arm.
  • May not be the best choice for beginners or those not needing different polar patterns.
  • Slightly more experienced users may get better performance out of the microphone.
100
Plug in and play
The Blue Yeti microphone is a high-quality USB mic that offers a range of recording controls on board, including a built-in gain dial, volume knob, mute button, and pattern switch. It has a retro charm with its heavy 50s-style metal construction and is reasonably priced at $129.99.
+ pros
  • The Blue Yeti microphone is a high-quality USB mic that offers a range of recording controls on board, including a built-in gain dial, volume knob, mute button, and pattern switch.
  • The Yeti's retro design and heavy metal construction give it a serious and professional feel, while its reasonable price makes it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • The Yeti's multiple operating modes, including omni-directional, cardioid, bi-directional, and stereo, make it versatile and suitable for a range of recording situations.
- cons
  • The Yeti's one obvious disadvantage is that it is a single mic, which may not be suitable for users who require a multi-head setup.
  • While the Yeti's multiple patterns offer a range of functionality, users may need to invest in additional equipment, such as a pop-shield, to achieve the best possible results.
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Expert consensus

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 Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and durable device that is highly regarded for its sound quality. It offers four directional patterns, making it suitable for a variety of recording needs, from solo podcasts to group discussions and musical recordings.

Its built-in 3. 5mm headphone jack allows for real-time monitoring of recordings, and the mute button and volume controls make it user-friendly. The microphone is compatible with a wide range of devices and software, making it a popular choice among content creators, podcasters, and gamers.

While it may have some minor weaknesses, such as the flimsy plastic knobs, its overall construction and performance make it a reliable choice for anyone in need of a high-quality microphone.

Sound Quality

The Blue Yeti microphone is highly regarded for its sound quality, versatility, and solid build, making it a popular choice for recording vocals, interviews, solo podcasts, and group discussions.

The Blue Yeti microphone is highly regarded for its sound quality, producing clear, full-bodied, natural-sounding, and accurate audio recordings. It has a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, which covers the range of human hearing. The microphone's tri-capsule technology and multiple polar patterns allow it to capture depth and richness of sound, making it a popular choice for recording vocals, interviews, solo podcasts, and group discussions.

The cardioid polar pattern helps reduce background noise, but proper positioning and picking pattern are necessary to achieve good noise cancellation. Overall, the Blue Yeti is a versatile, solidly built mic that can be used for years and is known for its quality sound.

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Directionality

The Blue Yeti microphone offers four directional patterns and is versatile for a variety of recording needs, from solo podcasts to group discussions and musical recordings.

The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile device that offers four directional patterns: stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional. The cardioid pattern is ideal for reducing background noise and room noise, making it perfect for solo podcasts and interviews.

The bidirectional pattern is useful for noise coming from the sides of the microphone, making it great for recording two-person interviews. The omnidirectional mode is perfect for group discussions or roundtable discussions, but it may require caution during recording due to its sensitivity to bumps and shocks.

The stereo pattern is great for musical recording and can separate multiple voices gathered around a table. The Blue Yeti microphone is sensitive and can pick up sound from different distances, making it ideal for recording acoustic instruments. However, it may not be the best choice for recording in a very noisy environment.

Overall, the Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile device that can be used for a variety of recording needs, from solo podcasts to group discussions and musical recordings.

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Connectivity

The Blue Yeti microphone has two connectivity options, USB and 3.5mm headphone jack, and is a versatile and easy-to-use option for podcasting, streaming, and recording vocals or instruments.

The Blue Yeti microphone has two connectivity options - USB and 3. 5mm headphone jack. The USB port powers the device and sends the digital signal to the computer, while the 3. 5mm headphone jack allows real-time monitoring of the audio. The standard version of the Yeti is USB-only, but there is a higher-end version, the Yeti Pro, that has an XLR connection point.

The audio transmission quality does not vary across different connectivity options on the Blue Yeti microphone. Overall, the Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and easy-to-use option for podcasting, streaming, and recording vocals or instruments.

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Features

The Blue Yeti microphone is a reliable and user-friendly option for podcasters, streamers, and content creators with a built-in headphone jack, mute button, and easy-to-use volume controls.

The Blue Yeti microphone has a built-in 3. 5mm headphone jack for real-time monitoring, a convenient mute button, and easy-to-use volume controls. These features make it an ideal choice for podcasters, streamers, and content creators who need to monitor their recordings and quickly mute their microphone when necessary.

The front-facing volume knob and back gain knob allow for easy adjustments to headphone output level and microphone sensitivity. While earlier models had a stiff Pattern switch, the overall consensus among expert reviews is that the Blue Yeti is a reliable and user-friendly microphone for a variety of recording needs.

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Compatibility

The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and reliable device that is compatible with a wide range of devices and software, but some technical compatibility issues have been reported with the Blue Yeti X by Apple MacBook Pro owners with the M1 processor.

The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile device that is compatible with a wide range of devices and software. It can be used with both PC and Mac computers, as well as with most recording software and online communication platforms such as Skype, Discord, and Zoom. The microphone can also be used with iOS devices with an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or an OTG cable for Android devices.

However, some technical compatibility issues have been reported with the Blue Yeti X by Apple MacBook Pro owners with the M1 processor, who have struggled to maintain detection of the microphone. Overall, the Blue Yeti microphone is a reliable and versatile option for those looking for a high-quality microphone for their recording or communication needs.

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Durability

The Blue Yeti microphone is a durable and reliable device with an all-metal construction, but caution should be taken with the plastic knobs for volume and gain control.

The Blue Yeti microphone is a durable and sturdy device that can withstand a few bumps and drops. It features an all-metal construction with a metal mesh grille that has no give to it whatsoever. The base is also durable and can be removed for mounting directly on a mic stand. However, some reviewers have noted that the plastic knobs used for volume and gain control are flimsy and should be used with caution.

Overall, the Blue Yeti is a reliable and durable microphone that is suitable for use in various settings, including home recording studios, podcasting, and live streaming. It is not waterproof and should be kept away from water to prevent any damage or malfunction.

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Position in ranking

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

Rank Change Price Microphone
Wirecutter
Tom's Guide
MusicTech
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
PC Gamer
SoundGuys
CNN Underscored
PCMag
IGN
1
- $85
Blue Yeti
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.
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1
11
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1
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2
- $89
Shure SM57
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.
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1
1
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-
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3
- $109
Elgato Wave 3
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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-
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1
3
-
8
4
- $110
Blue Yeti X
-
-
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2
-
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1
Show all rows
Editor's Choice / The best microphone overall
24 Sep 2024 (2 months ago)
Read article
Best overall microphone
9 Jan 2024 (10 months ago)
Read article

Highest recommended microphones this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. microphones below are at the top of our ranking this December.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the microphone for more details.
Blue Yeti (this item) Shure SM57 Elgato Wave 3 Blue Yeti X
Reviews
In comparison:
Blue Yeti rank #1 out of 151. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Shure SM57 rank #2 out of 151. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
10.0
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Elgato Wave 3 rank #3 out of 151. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.7
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Blue Yeti X rank #4 out of 151. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.1
Great
Price
Price
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.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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