Your production can ride or die on the quality of your voice-over. Even with terrible video resolution or crappy background music, most people will be fine with your content as long as your vocals aren’t distracting.
If you’re starting out, there’s no need to invest in audio interfaces and preamps. All you need to elevate your project’s audio is a good plug-and-play microphone. There are well-known options like the Blue Yeti, plus a host of others.
So without further ado, here are our top favorite USB microphones for voice-overs.
At a Glance: The Best USB Microphones for Voice-Overs
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Top Pick
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Runner-Up
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Budget Pick
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Also Great
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$249.00
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$78.99
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$50.84
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$78.99
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- Cardioid pickup pattern
- Ultra-low noise
- USB and XLR ports
- Multiple EQ settings
- Headphone jack
- 4 switchable pickup patterns
- Built-in adjustable stand
- Headphone jack
- Looks great on camera!
- Hypercardioid pickup pattern
- Compact design
- Built-in shock mount
- Headphone jack
- Tripod stand included
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- Ultra-low noise
- Built-in pop filter
- Durable all-metal body
- Headphone jack
1. Shure MV7 — Our Pick
- Design modeled after the Shure SM7B
- Tight cardioid pattern resists room & background noise
- Multiple EQ settings for sound clarity
- USB and XLR connectivity for future-proofing your studio
If you want a true broadcast-quality USB mic that’s future-proof to any studio upgrades, the Shure MV7 should be it.
For starters, it’s based on Shure’s most popular broadcasting mic, the Shure SM7B. So it’ll give you that compressed “broadcast sound” for voice-overs.
As a dynamic mic, it rejects background noise really well. It also has a tight cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it’ll only pick up sound directly from the front.
On top of that, the MV7 offers multiple EQ settings for voice clarity and rejecting proximity effect.
But my favorite feature is the added XLR port. This makes the Shure MV7 a future-proof mic that can grow with your studio.
In other words, you don’t have to throw it out or replace it when you upgrade your setup. You can keep using it with audio interfaces, mixers, and other analog gear.
Shure delivers its legendary "broadcast sound" in a more compact plug-and-play USB microphone. And with an added XLR port, it can grow alongside your studio.
2. Blue Yeti — Runner-Up
- Condenser mic for clear & warm vocals
- 4 pickup patterns for multiple recording situations
- Built-in stand — doesn’t require additional gear
- Looks great on camera!
The Blue Yeti was a game-changer back in 2009. It became one of the first USB microphones to offer studio-quality sound without a bloated price tag. And it’s still wildly popular today.
For one, the sound quality you get is really impressive. It’s a large-diaphragm condenser mic that captures all the little details of your voice.
In other words, your voice will sound clear and warm with the Blue Yeti.
On top of that, the Blue Yeti lets you switch between four pickup patterns:
- Cardioid
- Stereo
- Omnidirectional
- Bidirectional
If none of those words made sense to you, check out our guide on microphone polar patterns. Just know that these options make the Yeti incredibly versatile for all sorts of recording situations.
And lastly, the Blue Yeti is an attractive mic that looks good on camera. So it’ll elevate both your audio and visual presentation.
But if you’re not interested in this mic, you can always check out these Blue Yeti alternatives.
You've seen this mic all over YouTube and Twitch, and for good reason. The Yeti gives you studio-quality sound at an affordable price — the golden child of USB microphones!
3. Samson C01U Pro — Budget Pick
- Hypercardioid pickup pattern for improved sound isolation
- Internal shock mount for sound clarity
- Affordable price for budget-conscious creators
- Tripod stand included for on-the-go VO sessions
If all you need is clean vocals on a budget, the Samson C01U Pro USB microphone has you covered.
The C01U Pro is small and comes with a tripod stand. It’s ideal if you find yourself traveling a lot and need a mic that doesn’t take up much space.
And even if you’re not on the go, Samson’s USB mic offers a lot for the price.
For starters, the mic’s diaphragm comes with an internal shock mount. So it offers clean audio while resisting handling noise.
Plus, it has a hypercardioid pickup pattern for improved sound rejection from the sides, letting it focus on just your voice.
All in all, the Samson C01U Pro is an affordable, no-fuss USB mic that’ll work well for any voice-over project.
A budget-friendly USB microphone for vocals. It's small and travels well, making for a solid mic for on-the-go VO sessions.
4. Rode Podcaster — Also Great
- Cardioid pickup pattern for sound isolation
- Dynamic design resistant to background noise
- Built-in pop filter to reduce plosives
- All-metal body for supreme durability
As a USB microphone, the Rode Podcaster is very comparable to other vocal mics in the Rode line.
Like other dynamic mics, its input requirements make it great for rejecting background noise. It also has a cardioid pickup pattern for directional input.
Combined with its built-in pop filter, and these features make it a perfect choice for any voice-over project.
Durability shouldn’t be a concern with the Podcaster either. Its all-metal body and grill ensure the mic will last you many years to come.
Plus, it sports an attractive design based on the Rode Procaster, which I think is one of the best-looking mics on camera.
Why We Picked These USB Microphones
USB microphones come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. But not all of them are created equal.
But having personally used these and other mics from Shure, Blue, Samson, and Rode, I know these are quality choices.
They’re all designed as vocal-first microphones ideal for speaking. So whether you do VO work professionally or just want your Zoom calls to suck less, any of these four mics will do an exceptional job.
And as a bonus, all four of these microphones include a headphone jack to help you monitor your audio.
Which USB Microphone is Right For You?
Choosing a vocal microphone largely depends on what you value and how you plan to use it. Here are our general thoughts on each of these mics:
- Shure MV7: Get this mic if you want pristine audio and eventually want to upgrade to an XLR setup down the road.
- Blue Yeti: This is an all-around good mic for any voice-over, streaming, and podcasting setup. It’s a safe choice that works for everything.
- Samson C01U Pro: Get this mic if you want clean audio, but you’re on a budget. It’s also small and great for traveling.
- Rode Podcaster: This is a good alternative if none of the other mics really tickle your fancy.
Our Top Choice: Shure MV7
All things being equal, I think the Shure MV7 offers the best overall performance out of all these voice-over microphones.
While it doesn’t have switchable pickup patterns like the Blue Yeti, that’s not our main concern here.
It delivers crystal-clear, isolated audio for any voice-over project. So if you need studio-quality vocals that sound warm and full, grab the MV7.
Want to Upgrade Your Setup? Try These XLR Microphones
The MV7’s design is based on the legendary Shure SM7B. So if you’re ready to invest in a pro setup with a good interface and preamp, it’ll let you deliver high-quality vocals.
But the SM7B isn’t for everybody. So we’ve picked the best SM7B alternatives that solve a lot of its problems.
