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Parker Hall
Gear
Looking to boost your audio quality on Zoom, YouTube, TikTok, or while gaming? Try some of these mics.
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Best Overall
Blue Yeti
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Best Budget USB Mic
Blue Snowball Ice
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Best for Streamers
HyperX Quadcast S
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Best Upgrade
Shure SM7B
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Good content starts at the source. If you want to sound your best for coworkers, fans, or teammates, the mic you have built into your headphones, laptop, tablet, or smartphone likely won't do the job. I've spent close to a decade with various USB microphones for podcasting, gaming, and even music recording, and I have to say up front: We're living in a golden age of easy-to-use options. These days, it's not hard to find a great microphone with simple software for very little money. So we've rounded them up! These are the best USB microphones around.
While you're at it, be sure to check out our guides on How to Start a Podcast, How to Upgrade Your Home Audio, as well as our lists of the Best Home Office Gear to kit out your space further.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
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Parker Hall is a senior editor of product reviews at WIRED. He focuses on audiovisual and entertainment products. Hall is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz percussion. After hours, he remains a professional musician in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
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