If you’re searching for the best microphone for video conferencing & calls, you are in luck.
There is a large list of microphones that can be used for video calling.
We are going to highlight some of the top microphones available so that you can make an educated purchase decision.
If you are a small business owner who relies heavily on the telephone and video conferencing, then you should get yourself a conference microphone.
It is important that you have good quality audio when you’re having a meeting with your fellow employees.
And this is only possible if your conference room has a good quality microphone and audio capabilities.
There is a boom in this market as well because video conferencing and interactive communication are increasing.
So make sure that you do not go for cheap microphones because they tend to have a low sampling rate and the A/D converters are not able to produce great quality audio, so keep in mind the things that you just read before buying one.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Microphone for Video Conferencing
Dynamic vs Condenser
The second thing you need to remember when shopping for your microphone is what type it should be.
There are two types of microphones: dynamic and condenser.
Dynamic mics work much better in noisy or outdoor environments and they pick up vibrations rather than static noise; whereas, condenser mics work better indoors so they pick up less noise pollution from the environment around them.
Sampling Rate
This is how often the microphone takes sound and records it. Higher sampling rates will produce better quality audio. Look for 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz if possible.
A/D Converter
This converts analog information to digital information and vice versa.
The higher the conversion, the better the sound quality will be. Look for a 16 bit or 24-bit A/D converter if possible.
THX Certified Mic
You want a professional microphone that has great sound quality.
Look for a mic that has THX certification, is made by a reputable microphone company like Neumann or Shure, or even by a well-known analog audio company like AKG, Sennheiser, etc.
5 Best Microphones for Video Conferencing
1 – Blue Yeti USB
Blue Yeti USB Microphone – This is another solid option for all your audio needs. It’s durable and easy to use. It even comes with its own floating stand, which means you don’t have to worry about mounting it on a desk or surface. It is unidirectional so you can’t use it for stereo voice recording.
Blue Yeti Pro with Microphone Stand and Pop Filter by Blue – This entirely solid, all-metal mic/stand combo is a great choice if you need flexibility over other options. It comes with multiple pattern settings, background noise filtering, and a built-in headphone jack. It’s also very easy to set up and use. The solid build quality gives you confidence that the mic will last for many years to come.
2 – Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone
I was looking for a digital condenser microphone for video calling. I came across the Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone and thought it looked like just the thing I was looking for.
The first thing that stood out to me about this mic was that it has an omnidirectional pickup pattern so you don’t have to worry about mic placement, which is great if you’re often using video chatting software. It also has a built-in headphone jack so you can monitor your sound without headphones, though headphones are included in the package with this mic should you want to use them instead of your in-expensive computer’s speakers. The Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone also has three settings: cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional.
The next thing I liked about this microphone is that it’s USB so the only cables I’ll have to use are for my computer. It’s plug-and-play, meaning there’s no need for an external power source and you don’t need any drivers to get this mic working with Windows. It also comes with a USB cable so you can get started right away.
3 – Anker PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone
Anker is a company that specializes in providing mobile charging technology. The PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone was designed with the goal of providing a solution to conference audio on mobile devices without requiring additional hardware. This speakerphone provides an additional microphone and speaker for conference calls, as well as connects wirelessly over bluetooth to any device with or without the need for pairing.
This device comes with a rechargeable power bank rather than running off your phone battery like other speakerphones do, meaning you can keep your phone’s battery lasting longer throughout your day or event. The built-in power bank is also quite powerful, capable of powering many devices simultaneously while on the go or during a meeting! It also has an auto-shutoff feature so it won’t keep charging your phone.
With all the features this speakerphone offers, it’s no wonder it was named one of Inc. Magazine’s “Top 10 Tech Products of the Year.”
4 – Samson Meteor Mic
The Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Mic is the perfect mic to use for video chatting, with an omnidirectional pickup pattern and a built-in headphone jack so you can monitor your sound without headphones, as well as cardioid and bidirectional settings.
The Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Mic is also very easy to set up and use, whereas other similar mics require software drivers or additional hardware in order to work properly with your computer (note: it comes with a USB cable).
There are also many different colors available for this microphone so you can choose one that matches the color scheme of your workspace or home office (remember: it’s unidirectional so you can’t use it for stereo voice recording).
The Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Mic is an all-metal mic so it’s very durable while remaining lightweight and convenient to carry around with you.
Lastly, this microphone has a built-in headphone jack, which means that you won’t need any additional hardware to set up and use the microphone with your computer (you don’t need software drivers).
5 – Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone 6
Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone – This microphone offers great value for an incredibly low cost. It is very small but can still provide excellent sound quality for video chats or conference calls. You can also mute the microphone with a switch on the side as it has a cardioid pickup pattern. As with most mics, you’ll need to purchase a pop filter which is sold separately. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone+ – This is a newer version of the previous mic. It offers the same basic features but comes with a built-in USB sound card for easy integration. It also comes with a stand and cable winder for easy transport.
FAQs
What microphone pick-up pattern should I choose for video calls?
If you’re going to be using your microphone for video chatting, you want to choose an omnidirectional microphone that has a cardioid pickup pattern.
How do I stop my mic picking up knocks and bumps?
It’s important to keep your mic in a stationary position. Make sure that there are no nearby air vents or drafts that could interfere with the sound quality of your audio. In addition, keep it away from your video camera.
Why can I hear interference coming from my microphone?
The interference you’re hearing is most likely coming from your proximity to your laptop. When you’re very close to a laptop, it’s able to pick up the noise from the cooling fans. The only solution I could find for this issue was to move my computer away from where I’m sitting and then turn down the volume on my mic so that it’s close to zero db when I start my call.
If you’re standing too close or too far away, you might want to consider moving your body closer or farther away so that this is less of an issue.
How to stop my plosives popping?
If you’re unsure about the plosives popping, it means that your mouth is too close to the microphone. It might help if you speak slower and try to clear your throat before speaking.
What type of microphone is best for zoom meetings?
An omnidirectional microphone is a great choice for zoom meetings. It doesn’t have to be specifically made for zoom meetings but it’s the best choice for this purpose.
FAQ:
Q: What is the best microphone for video?
A: Bose 700 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Apple AirPods Max Jabra Elite 65t Apple AirPods Pro Bose QuietComfort 35 II Urbanista Miami Apple AirPods Beats Powerbeats 4 Sony WH-1000XM4
Q: How to buy the best microphone?
A: Types of microphone: First of all,you need to understand what do you actually need from your microphone. … Budget: The next big factor that will influence your buying decision is the amount of budget available with you. … Versatility: Think hard about the utility of this microphone. …
Q: What are good APIs for video conferencing?
A: Google Hangouts – Best for free video conferencing software Skype for Business (now part of Microsoft Teams) – Best for small businesses Microsoft Teams – Best for enterprise with an all-in-one solution Adobe Connect – Best for built in tools,extras,and add-ons uMeeting – Best for webinars Cisco Webex – Best for real-time attendee personal profiles
Q: What is the best external microphone for?
A: Microphone: Shure MV7. … Camera: DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. … Computer: Mac Mini M1. … Lighting: Elgato Key Light. … Mixer: Rodecaster Pro. … Green screen: Elgato Green Screen. … Extra monitor: Sidetrak. … Stream Decks: Elgato Stream Deck/Loupedeck Live. …