The Fifine K678 USB Condenser mic has quickly gained popularity as one of the best cheap USB microphones in the market. This is partly due to Fifine's dedication to providing affordable USB mics. These mics cater to budget-oriented consumers.

Despite its low price point, the Fifine K678 still manages to outperform other cheap USB microphones. Its sound quality is hard to beat, thanks to its 5.5" diaphragm that captures the voice's low frequencies accurately. It also features a convenient control panel at the front, with a mute button, gain control, and headphone level control. However, the gain and headphone level controls' placement at the rear may be considered a questionable design decision.

While the Fifine K678 does come with a desk stand, it may not be the best option for recording, as it tends to pick up keyboard noise. Instead, it's better to have the microphone closer to your mouth for vocal recording and voiceovers.

If you're looking to enhance your Fifine K678 USB microphone experience, use the Fifine microphone software. It can improve your microphone's sound quality and performance.

Overall, the Fifine K678 remains a popular choice and earns a spot in our selection of the best cheap USB microphones. Its value and performance make it an excellent option for podcasters, streamers, and musicians. It is perfect if you are looking for an affordable microphone that can hold up to proper vocal recordings.

Specifications

• Type: Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response:40 - 20kHz
• Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
• Bit Depth: 16 bits
• Power Requirements: 5V USB
• Applications: Recording vocals/singing, podcasting and voice-overs,

Compatibility

Class Compliant USB

Fifine K678 Polar Pattern and Frequency Response

The Elgato Wave:3 is more than just another USB microphone. It is considered one of the best USB microphones for podcasting, streaming, and singing. Designed with streaming in mind, it includes a software mixer to adjust the levels of specific applications and chat.

It was developed in partnership with Austrian mic brand Lewitt. Those familiar with Lewitt's sound signature will appreciate its polished sound straight from the mic.

The mic has a single dial that enables control over input gain and headphone volume. It also lets you crossfade between computer output and direct monitoring. This is particularly useful for singers who prefer to monitor themselves on headphones.

The Elgato Wave:3 produces a natural sound that is almost "broadcast ready" or "mix ready". Thanks to its slightly boosted upper frequency that never sounds brittle or brings out nasty resonances in voices.

To maximize its potential, the included software should be used. However, it can also function as plug and play but at the expense of its features.

If you're a singer, instrumentalist, or voice-over artist who streams or wants to stream, the Elgato Wave:3 is a great option. It is also great for recordings, . It is considered as one of the best USB condenser mics and best cheap USB microphones available on the market.

Specifications

• Type: Electret Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 70 - 20000 Hz
• Sampling Rate: up to 96 kHz
• Bit Depth: up to 24 bits
• Maximum SPL: 120dB (140dB Clipguard engaged)
• Power Requirements: 5V USB
• Applications: Primarily streaming but surprisingly good for sung vocals and voice overs.

Compatibility

Class Compliant USB; Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Mac OS X or later; USB 1.0 or 2.0, and 64 MB or more of RAM.

Looking for the best USB microphone for vocals or recording on your computer? The Shure MV7 is a fantastic option to consider. Inspired by the legendary Shure SM7B broadcast microphone, the MV7 is a hybrid USB/XLR mic that is designed to deliver that coveted "SM7B" sound without the need for expensive additional equipment.

Featuring Shure's proprietary Voice Isolation Technology and customizable sound signatures, the MV7 allows you to tailor the microphone to suit your individual voice. While it may not sound exactly like the SM7B, the MV7 has its own unique sound that many people prefer. In fact, it can be considered a bit more "mix ready" than its more expensive sibling.

One of the benefits of the MV7 is that it is a dynamic microphone, which means it can handle aggressive vocals without distortion. Audio quality remains good as long as volume control and gain staging is set properly. Additionally, the hybrid USB/XLR design offers versatility for those who may want to upgrade to an audio interface setup in the future.

While the marketing material may suggest that the MV7 is simply a USB version of the SM7B, it's important to note that they are actually different microphones with similar sound signatures. That being said, the MV7 is a fantastic microphone in its own right, especially if you're looking for a USB studio microphone or a USB microphone for singing or podcasting. Do note that while it does include a usb cable, it does not include an XLR cable.

Specifications

• Type: Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
• Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
• Bit Depth: 16 bit
• Applications: Podcasting, vocal recording, streaming

Compatibility

Class Compliant USB; Mac OS 10.13 or later; iOS 12 or later; Windows 10; Android 8 or later.

Frequency Response

Best USB Microphone Selection Methodology

The first edition was published in 2016. The current edition was published on May 1, 2023.

For this edition, we looked at all USB Mics currently available at major online stores in the USA across all price ranges. Based on their popularity and amount of reviews, we then narrowed the list down and collected information about those mics from experts, customer reviews and forum discussions. From our initial short-list of 42 mics, we gathered over 241,100 review and rating sources; more than three times the sources from the previous edition. These rating sources were then processed by the Gearank Algorithm to produce rating scores out of 100 for each mic. This process enables us to choose the top rated mics to recommend. You can see most of the short-listed mics in our Music Gear Database. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.