Best YouTube Microphone 2021
Dec 1, 2020
Finding the best YouTube microphone in 2021 can be a difficult process. With so many different options available, how can you know which microphone is worth purchasing? Luckily enough for you, however, we've made this decision easy for you, as we have recently tried and tested a few of the most popular options available.
YouTube microphones in 2021 cost on average between $75.00 and $200.00. However, some microphones even cost upwards of $500.00. Quality, brand, and features all affect how much a microphone will cost. Certain types of microphones, like USB microphones, will generally be less expensive.
Read on to find out which microphone offers the best price, features, and audio quality, and can help you create high-quality videos in 2021.
Table Of Contents| Samson Q2U | Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ | Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB | Rode NT-USB | Blue Yeti | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Our Rating |  |  | | |  |
| Buy Now |  | | | | |
Best Microphone for YouTube 2021
There are a lot of different microphones available these days. Since this is the case, it's difficult to find a microphone that is leagues above the others. Keep in mind, the microphone that we have determined to be the best microphone for YouTube in 2021 was selected through our testing. So, our choice might be different than the choice of other sources.
Samson Q2U
The Samson Q2U is a fantastic microphone that is used by many content creators to record audio for their videos. Offering a variety of features, using this microphone to record audio for YouTube videos is a straightforward and easy process. With this said, the ease of use certainly doesn't cause the quality of this product to drop.
What's the Price
Pricing is an important topic to address when discussing video equipment. After all, some equipment is incredibly expensive. With the Samson Q2U, however, pricing isn't an issue, as this microphone can be found throughout the year with a price of $69.99! You'll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable option that can produce such high-quality audio.
What Are the Features
As a content creator, you want the process of creating YouTube videos to be as simple and efficient as possible, right? Well, the Samson Q2U does this and more. Features of this microphone include:
- USB and XLR inputs for maximum usability
- Plug-and-play functionality (no driver installation required)
- Cardioid polar pattern designed to reduce background noise
- Die-cast construction with heavy gauge mesh grille for maximum durability
All of these features make using this microphone an easy experience for content creators of all skill levels.
How is the Audio Quality
For such a low price, it's surprising how this microphone can produce such high-quality audio. Ask anyone that has experience working with microphones, and they'll tell you that the Samson Q2U produces audio that microphones even double the price cannot produce. No matter what kind of videos you create, this microphone will help your videos sound great.
Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+
The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ microphone is a modified version of the original AT2020. You see, initially, the AT2020 was only available with an XLR input. Eventually, however, a new model was created with a USB input, making it possible for this microphone to be used without a microphone mixer.
What's the Price
As was mentioned earlier, microphones for YouTube tend to cost between $75.00 and $200.00 on average. This microphone fits into this price range, but it's at the higher end with a cost of $199.99. Don't let the price scare you away, however, as the price is justified based on the brand alone.
What Are the Features
Any microphone with a $199.99 price tag must have good features, right? Well, in this case at least, this is certainly true! Features of this microphone include:
- USB input for easy recording
- Extended frequency response designed for voice recording
- Cardioid polar pattern
- 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio
The features of this microphone help it produce high-quality audio recordings in different settings. Pairing this microphone with a boom arm will help make the recording process more comfortable, as the stand it comes with causes the microphone to sit low.
How is the Audio Quality
Microphones that cost $199.99 should be expected to produce high-quality audio recordings. But is this the case with the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ or not? Well, you'll be glad to know that the $199.99 price tag is not unwarranted, as this microphone produces audio that sounds fantastic.
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB
The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB microphone was not very well known for a long time. Over the years, however, it has become more popular among YouTube content creators. Often, when people talk about this microphone, they compare it with the Samson Q2U. While they are similar, there are still some differences between the two.
What's the Price
Ranging in price, this microphone can typically be purchased for $99.99 from various sources online. For the price, this microphone is a fantastic option for content creators looking to produce high-quality voice recordings. Finding a better deal than this microphone has to offer is nearly impossible.
What Are the Features
Due to its similarities, the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB offers a very similar set of features to the Samson Q2U. The features of this microphone include:
- USB and XLR inputs
- Extended frequency response
- Cardioid polar pattern
- Durable metal construction
These features make this microphone a great purchase for content creators looking to record high-quality audio at a reasonable price.
How is the Audio Quality
Microphones around the $99.99 price tag tend to offer decent audio quality. This particular microphone stands out from the majority of microphones in a similar price range. You see, the ATR2100-USB offers fantastic audio quality on the level of microphones that cost almost double the price, making it a great option.
Rode NT-USB
The Rode NT-USB is a side-address microphone that is easy to use for voice recording purposes. Whether you're trying to record a podcast or a general voice-over, this microphone can get the job done. Many large content creators use this microphone to record their audio, proving how capable it is at producing high-quality audio recordings.
What's the Price
Compared to some of the other options mentioned, the Rode NT-USB is a little bit on the expensive side at $199.99. However, there are certainly more expensive options available and many of them don't beat the quality of the NT-USB. So, don't let the $199.99 price scare you away from this product.
What Are the Features
Many microphones around the $199.99 price range have a lot of great features, and the NT-USB from Rode is no different. Features of this microphone include:
- USB input for easy use
- Zero-latency monitoring for voice monitoring during recording
- Premium pop-filter to reduce plosives
- Maximum compatibility with Windows and Mac OS computers
No matter your skill level or content, the features that this microphone presents will help you record audio for your videos that sounds fantastic.
How is the Audio Quality
Listen to any voice recording created with the Rode NT-USB and you'll be more than satisfied with the quality of the audio it produces. Utilizing the included pop-filter helps to reduce plosives, which leads to an even more enjoyable listening experience. All in all, this microphone is more than capable of producing great sounding audio.
Blue Yeti
Of all the microphones mentioned thus far, the Blue Yeti might be the most well known. This particular microphone has been used by content creators on YouTube since 2010, and it remains a popular choice today. Just like in 2010, the Blue Yeti offers flexibility and a level of simplicity that isn't found in many other microphones.
What's the Price
Currently, the Blue Yeti can be purchased for an affordable price of around $129.99 on Amazon. Throughout the year, the price can even get as low as $99.99. This price makes this microphone an attractive option for content creators who are looking to get a decent product without needing the break the bank.
What Are the Features
Chances are, if you've done any research into the Blue Yeti before, you've noticed that there is a large feature list for this microphone. This feature list includes:
- Four pickup patterns for flexibility: Cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, and stereo
- Custom three-capsule array designed to produce high-quality audio
- Onboard audio controls for volume, gain, and pickup patterns
- USB output for easy use
Due to the wide array of features, this microphone is a great choice no matter what type of videos you create. Whether you create interviews, commentaries, or even live stream videos, the Blue Yeti can get the job done.
How is the Audio Quality
Unlike some of the other mentioned microphones, the Blue Yeti is a condenser microphone- not a dynamic microphone. Since this is the case, more background noise tends to be captured. Of course, the background noise can be edited out, but it can affect the quality of the audio. Mind you, this microphone still produces high-quality audio.
Do You Need a Microphone to Make YouTube Videos
You might be wondering- do you need a microphone to make YouTube videos? Is it essential for you to use a microphone to record audio for your videos? Or, can you create high-quality videos without using a microphone? After all, many large YouTube channels don't use microphones to make their videos.
Have you ever tried watching a YouTube video with bad audio quality? It's quite difficult, isn't it? Knowing this, you can probably guess that having good audio quality is important. Using a microphone is the best way to produce high-quality audio. So, you do need a microphone to make YouTube videos.
Believe it or not, audio quality is even more important than video quality. Think about it- would you rather watch a slightly blurry video or a video that sounds terrible? If you're like most people, you'd choose to watch a video that is slightly blurry over a video with audio that is cracking, buzzing, etc.
Ultimately, any of the 5 microphones mentioned above will be more than suitable for creating videos. What's important is that you recognize the importance of audio. Channels with poor quality audio struggle to grow, and whether your an individual or a business, channel growth should be a priority.
Our Choice
The Samson Q2U, Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+, Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB, Rode NT-USB, and Blue Yeti are all fantastic microphones. Each of these microphones has its strengths and weaknesses and can help you record high-quality audio for your videos. With this said, however, 1 microphone stands out as the best option among the 5.
Believe it or not, the best option is the cheapest option- the Samson Q2U. No other microphone offers the value that the Q2U offers. $69.99 is the cheapest option among the most popular microphones, but just because its price is low, it doesn't mean that it is a poor quality product. Along with this, the Q2U offers flexibility with USB and XLR inputs.
Any of the 5 mentioned microphones are worth purchasing, but if we had to make a choice, we'd pick the Q2U. Remember, dynamic microphones are designed for spoken word, and the Samson Q2U is a dynamic microphone- not a condenser microphone. You can edit out background noise, but this can lower audio quality.
Conclusion
There are many microphones that people claim to be the best YouTube microphone in 2021. Many microphones work very well for producing high-quality audio recordings, but each microphone has its differences. Our optimal choice is the Samson Q2U based on the low price point and stellar quality. However, any of the 5 mentioned microphones will work fine.
