March 2023

Microphones: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Microphone rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.

Summary

Between 3 Mar 2023 and 7 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 110 Microphone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

82 Microphones were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 7 Mar 2023, Shure MV7 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed microphone with 6 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 microphone' this month. It is followed by Blue Yeti and Blue Yeti X , with 4 and 3 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking microphones start at $29.99 (Fifine K669) and go up to $3295 (Neumann U87 Ai). Median microphone costs $169 (Rode NT-USB+).
$29.99
$3295

At a glance - March 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Microphone
MusicTech
Music Grotto
CNN Underscored
Tom's Guide
IGN
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
Just Creative
PCMag
PC Gamer
1
- $248
Shure MV7
USB/XLR dual output, intuitive touch panel controls, built-in headphone output, rich and natural vocal reproduction, all-metal construction with adjustable yoke stand, voice isolation technology.
4
-
-
-
3
6
-
8
9
1
2
- $90
Blue Yeti
11
-
1
1
-
-
-
5
-
-
3
- Check price
Blue Yeti X
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
5
3
4
- $398
Shure SM7B
10
-
-
-
-
10
8
6
-
-
5
- $50
HyperX SoloCast
-
-
-
4
2
-
-
-
-
2
6
- $99
Rode PodMic
1
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
- $150
Elgato Wave 3
-
-
3
-
6
-
-
-
-
5
8
- $140
HyperX QuadCast S
-
-
-
9
4
-
-
-
-
4
9
- $97
Rode NT-USB-Mini
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
-
8
6
10
- $30
Fifine K669
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
16
+2 $199
Sontronics Podcast Pro
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
15
-
-
17
- $199
Aston Origin
-
6
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
-
18
+1 $400
Electro-Voice RE20
8
-
-
-
-
11
-
-
-
-
19
+1 $202
Rode Procaster Dynamic
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
17
-
-
20
+1 $3295
Neumann U87 Ai
13
-
-
-
-
-
11
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Microphone
#10 $29.99 Fifine K669 [buy] [more info]
#5 $49.75 HyperX SoloCast [buy] [more info]
#2 $89.99 Blue Yeti [buy] [more info]
#9 $97.50 Rode NT-USB-Mini [buy] [more info]
#6 $99 Rode PodMic [buy] [more info]
#8 $139.99 HyperX QuadCast S [buy] [more info]
#7 $149.99 Elgato Wave 3 [buy] [more info]
#17 $199 Aston Origin [buy] [more info]
#16 $199.49 Sontronics Podcast Pro [buy] [more info]
#19 $202 Rode Procaster Dynamic [buy] [more info]
#1 $247.95 Shure MV7 [buy] [more info]
#4 $398 Shure SM7B [buy] [more info]
#18 $399.95 Electro-Voice RE20 [buy] [more info]
#20 $3295 Neumann U87 Ai [buy] [more info]

We ranked Shure MV7 #1 in March 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Shure MV7 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Higher-End Microphone for Streaming

Go to ranking

Music Radar

The best microphone for content creation

Pros
Dual output adds versatility
MOTIV app is genuinely useful

Cons
USB-C connection would have been preferable

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best USB microphone for podcasting

Pros
Good range and sound quality
Quite versatile
Comes with a direct to computer USB connection

Cons
Does not come with a mic stand included

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best XLR/USB Versatility

Pros
Excellent dynamic mic for vocals
USB (digital) and XLR (analog) connections
Shure Motiv app provides real-time EQ and basic controls while recording

Cons
No included mic stand or mount

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

The best hybrid USB/XLR microphone

Pros
Excellent Vocals
USB/XLR combo
Versatile
Easy Use software

Cons
No mic stand included
Uses Micro-USB rather than Type-C

Go to ranking

We ranked Blue Yeti #2 in March 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Blue Yeti as #1.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

CNN Underscored

Best overall microphone

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Editor's Choice / The best microphone overall

Pros
Versatile
Reasonably priced
Great sound quality

Cons
Not as precise as specialized mics
So-so mount

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best portable microphone

Pros
Affordable
Great audio quality
Easily portable
Great sound reproduction

Cons
Gain can only be adjusted through the Sherpa app

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Microphones.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Microphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for March 2023 ranking

We ranked Blue Yeti X #3 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Blue Yeti X as #1.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Microphone for Streaming

Go to ranking

PCMag

Most Flexible Recording Options

Pros
Strong audio quality with four mic patterns, including cardioid and stereo.
DSP-free.
LED live metering.
Recording software included.

Cons
Lack of DSP presets not for those seeking EQ/compression baked into signal.
No pop filter or adapter for standard mic stand.

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

The best microphone for podcasting

Pros
Best sounding Blue microphone
LED front panel
Blue Vo!ce software offers great flexiblity

Cons
Low stand
Better with a mic arm
Delicate ports

Go to ranking

We ranked Shure SM7B #4 in March 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

Music Radar

A treat for vocals in untreated rooms

Pros
Peerless sound quality for a dynamic
Excellent noise rejection
A joy to use in untreated rooms
Built-in pop filter, electromagnetic shielding, suspension and windscreen

Cons
Requires oodles of clean gain

Go to ranking

PianoDreamers

Best known as MJ's Vocal Mic

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best high-end microphone

Pros
Outstanding sound quality
Solid and rugged build
Easy to use
Great sound reproduction

Cons
Must be used along with a mixer

Go to ranking

We ranked HyperX SoloCast #5 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best microphone on a budget

Pros
Very affordable
Good sound
Adjustable stand
Portable friendly

Cons
Limited controls
Cardioid pattern only

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Budget Microphone for Streaming

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

The best budget microphone

Pros
Sounds nearly identical to QuadCast Mic
Great price
Portable design

Cons
No gain control on mic, which makes this one fiddler than some for small tweaks

Go to ranking

We ranked Rode PodMic #6 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Rode PodMic as #1.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best microphone for serious podcasting

Pros
Fantastic sound
High build quality
Low price
Internal pop filter

Cons
Not ideal for newcomers
Stand not included

Go to ranking

We ranked Elgato Wave 3 #7 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CNN Underscored

Best microphone for streaming

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Plug-In-Play Microphone for Streaming

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

Best microphone for streaming and gaming

Pros
Clear audio
Digital mixer
Simple mounting

Cons
Single polar pattern

Go to ranking

We ranked HyperX QuadCast S #8 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

A gaming microphone with customizable lighting

Pros
High sound quality
Customizable lighting
Built-in shock mount and pop filter

Cons
Standard QuadCast is cheaper

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Microphone for Gaming

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

The best microphone with RGB

Pros
Easy to set use
Touch-sensitive mute button
Built-in Shockmount
Cool RGB lighting

Cons
RGB is not for everyone...
and costly

Go to ranking

We ranked Rode NT-USB-Mini #9 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

A beginner’s mic with good sound quality

Pros
Easy to use
Adequate sound
Built-in headphone output

Cons
Gain-heavy audio
Stiff, non-adjustable stand

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Compact Mic

Pros
Crisp, clear, DSP-free mic signal
Zero-latency monitoring mode

Cons
Fixed pattern
No gain knob

Go to ranking

PC Gamer

The best microphone for entry-level content creators

Pros
Great Sound
Simple Compact Design
Decent Software

Cons
Software only works with NT Minis
Picks up background noise

Go to ranking

We ranked Fifine K669 #10 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CNN Underscored

Best budget microphone

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best budget-friendly USB microphone

Pros
Affordable price
Solid build
Good audio quality and versatile range
Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS

Cons
The cable could be better quality

Go to ranking

We ranked Sontronics Podcast Pro #11 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best-looking podcast microphone

Pros
Good for recording speech and podcasts
Great unique design
Comes with an internal shock mount
Good price

Cons
Can have issues rejecting ambient noise when multiple sounds are being recorded

Go to ranking

We ranked Aston Origin #12 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Music Grotto

Pros
Versatile for most voices
127 dB max SPL
Custom, mountable end caps
Built-in shock isolation adds a layer of durability

Cons
No shock mount included
Low-cut filter doesn’t lend to dynamic vocals

Go to ranking

Music Radar

An excellent low-priced condenser mic

Pros
Fantastic price
Boutique appearance

Cons
Very few

Go to ranking

We ranked Electro-Voice RE20 #13 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

Music Radar

The dynamic mic that thinks it’s a condenser

Pros
No proximity effect
No off-axis colouration
Superb rejection of unwanted sounds
Legendary for voice, but great for vocals and some instruments too

Cons
Needs a lot of clean gain

Go to ranking

We ranked Rode Procaster Dynamic #14 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PianoDreamers

More than just a podcasting mic

Go to ranking

Just Creative

The best microphone that’s built to work

Pros
Clear and focused audio
Solid build
Handles ambient noise extremely well
Comes with stand mount and a zip pouch

Cons
A bit pricey

Go to ranking

We ranked Neumann U87 Ai #15 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Microphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
MusicTech

Go to ranking

PianoDreamers

The King of Microphones

Go to ranking