Whether you’re just getting started with podcasting or an experienced voice looking to upgrade your current setup, the microphone will probably be your most important purchase. To help you sort through the endless choices for podcast microphones on the web, we’ve narrowed them down to the 5 best values for podcasters, considering both specs and budget.

 

 1. MXL BCD-1 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone ($149.95) 

Yep, this IS our mic. We are of course really proud of the BCD-1 and we stand behind its top-tier quality and unmatched value.

The BCD-1 is perfect for creators just starting out with podcasting as well as veterans looking to upgrade. 

 

Pros:

  • Working straight out of the box, the BCD-1 is a versatile and professional mic with ample gain that can make any recording full, crisp, and clear.
  • An efficient design allows the BCD-1 to be used with a variety of microphone preamps without the need for additional signal boosters.    
  • While the BCD-1 is tailored for professional use, it is also designed with the MXL belief that professional-grade quality should be accessible to everyone. As a result, the BCD-1 provides the same specs and value as mics with a higher price tag. 

 Cons:

  • It’s not a USB mic, but this is easily remedied with an interface or Mic Mate Pro .

 

 2. Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone ($400) 

The SM7B is a vocal microphone that was famously used by Michael Jackson (and many, many others). It has the backing of Shure, one of one of the oldest microphone manufacturers in existence. This mic was originally released in 1973 and has only undergone one significant design change in almost 50 years.

 

Pros: 

  • Shure has been creating audio parts for 96 years, making them one of the oldest, most trusted brands in this industry. 
  • The SM7B pushes the sound you’d expect from a $400 microphone.  The cost reflects its usefulness in high-end productions and its durable materials.

 Cons:

  • The SM7B price tag might be outside the budget of many aspiring podcasters, especially when there are less expensive options that provide similar quality.
  • The SM7B is known to have a low output, requiring extra equipment like a Cloudlifter that sells for $150 to boost its gain.

 

 3. Electro-Voice RE20 Broadcast Announcer Microphone ($450) 

 

The RE20 is a high-end microphone considered a broadcast industry standard. It is manufactured by Electro-Voice, a company that has manufactured microphones since 1930.

 

Pros:

  • The technology included in the RE20 fulfills the promise of its price, including the company’s proprietary Variable-D design. Its cardioid polar pattern and high Frequency Response place it on par with most high-end microphones.

 Cons:

  • Even more expensive than the SM7B, the RE20’s price tag puts it outside the range of many and-and-coming podcasters. 

 

4.  Audio-Technica BP40 Large-Diaphragm Dynamic Broadcast Microphone ($350)

 

This is a dynamic broadcast microphone produced by Japanese audio equipment manufacturer Audio Technica. The company has sold microphones and other audio hardware since 1962.

 

Pros:

  • The BP40 provides a solid amount of technology, which should be expected from a $350 microphone, including internal pop filters and a humbucking element to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).

 Cons:

  • The price tag of the BP40 is high for a mic that delivers similar specs to less-expensive options. 
  • The BP40 is made up of solid materials, but this makes it more cumbersome than most mics, and adds to its price.

 

5. Blue Snowball  USB Microphone ($60) 

The Snowball is an inexpensive microphone for podcasters who are working off a tight budget, since it is one of the least expensive microphone’s you’ll find in the larger market. 

 

Pros:

  • At just sixty bucks, the Snowball is ideal for a beginner podcaster working out the logistics of productions. 
  • The circular design of the Snowball is quite unique, especially if you’re after a microphone that also works as decoration.  It’s also practical, capable of decent 360-degree recordings.

 Cons:

  • The low price point of the Snowball is great for creators on a tight budget, but the quality might not meet the professional standards for podcasters looking to grow in the long-term. 

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