Some form of pop filter or pop shield is well worth having, as this can help prevent distracting plosive sounds when fast, percussive syllables hit the microphone, particularly Ps and Bs.

Audio Quality: This is the most important part of any microphone, but it's hard to gather how good or bad a microphone sounds just from its spec sheet. If you want to hear how a microphone sounds for yourself, your best bet is looking the microphone up on YouTube and watching a couple of sound tests. If you are using a device that has a USB-C input, instead use the SC17 USB-C to USB-C cable. This will also work with the iPad Pro, which features a USB-C input. Dedicated USB microphones are designed to fix these problems. They’re larger, more sensitive, better tuned for vocals and can be positioned for optimal recording quality. They’re also easy to set up – simply plug the cable into any available USB port – and capable of capturing professional-quality audio for live streams, podcasts, video calls and music demos.High-quality condenser capsule that delivers warmth and presence for a clear, professional sound in all recording applications. In-built digital signal processing: noise gate, compressor, APHEX® Aural Exciter™ and Big Bottom™ (accessed via RØDE Connect) The MV88+ is designed to work at a longer range than your average USB condenser, though it still works for streams and podcasts if you’re after an ultraportable mic. The sound is very crisp and clear, with the bundled foam windshield helping to minimise wind noise, and there’s still room for a built-in headphone output, though no volume or gain control. Serious about smartphone video? This is the mic to own.

Connect up to four NT-USB Minis to a single Mac or PC without the need for complex routing or complicated software. Featuring an intuitive, fully featured recording interface, virtual channels for connecting remote guests, and automatic mix-minus on each channel for crystal-clear, echo-free communication, this is the easiest way to make a professional podcast. Stream like a Pro The most important question, however, is how the microphone itself sounds, and we’re happy to say that the Shure MV5C doesn’t disappoint. It impressed us in our testing with its ‘speech enhancement’ mode that reduced irritating sibilant hissing whilst providing clear, crisp sound, making this mic ideal for home use and even podcasting. None of the mics on this list sound bad, or else they wouldn’t be here. But it’s natural to want the highest recording quality that your budget allows for, which is probably why the Blue Yeti remains so popular. Integrated pop filters can help silence distracting popping sounds when you’re speaking close to the grille, but these aren’t essential for high sound quality. It’s more important to make sure you have the microphone angled correctly while you’re using it. Bear in mind, however, that these mics do have their limitations. They won’t be as versatile as traditional XLR mics, however, so you can’t really build a whole studio around a USB mic. How we test USB mics So if you’re a podcaster, streamer or musician, the AKG Lyra delivers top-notch audio, no matter your needs.

Class-compliant USB output that works seamlessly with computers or tablets, no drivers or software needed – just plug in and hit record. As for the audio, the Yeti captures rich, natural and very detailed sound, though you have to be careful about ambient noise, particularly outside of the Cardioid mode. If you’re streaming or podcasting, you’re not going to find much that sounds this good without spending a lot more money. None of this would matter if the sound wasn’t up to scratch, but it’s fantastic. If anything it’s a little too sensitive to ambient noise once you move outside the speech mode, so think about placing it on a studio arm mount and moving it away from your desk. It’s one of the best mics around for clarity and detail, and it’s also great for recording acoustic instruments or broadcast-quality speech. The downside is that it’s so expensive, but as a brilliant, do-it-all microphone it’s hard to beat.