If you’re in the market for a microphone, you probably have a specific use in mind. However, what is effective for live-streaming sports may not be appropriate for music. Additionally, a high-end microphone for musicians may not be practical for podcasting.
We can be of assistance there. We have more than ten years of experience with audio recording gear and software, so we know what to look for in microphones of all types. Manufacturers have no influence over our coverage, so you can be sure that our reviews are impartial and moral.
The Apogee HyperX QuadCast S, the excellent Elgato Wave 3 POD for podcasting, and the Rode NT-USB are among the products on our current list of Editors’ Choice winners. However, if none of them fit your needs, see our comprehensive list of the best-tested USB and XLR microphones below, complete with links to in-depth evaluations. Read through to the end to learn everything you need to know before making a purchase.
Table of Contents
- No 1 HyperX Quad Cast S
- No 2 Rode NT-USB
- No 3 Elgato Wave 3
Top 3 Best USB Microphones In 2025
No 1 HyperX QuadCast S
The HyperX QuadCast S is a feature-filled USB microphone ideal for streamers, podcasters, or anyone looking to record speech while using a webcam.
The QuadCast is an 8-inch cylinder measuring 2.2 inches across, with soft-touch rubber caps on the top and bottom. The top half of the cylinder’s sides are metal grilles over translucent foam (an internal pop filter), through which the microphone’s RGB lighting glows.
The lower half of the cylinder is opaque, with a white HyperX logo near the bottom. The top cap doubles as a mute button, which also turns off the RGB lighting when the mic is muted. The bottom cap is a large gain wheel. In addition to the mute button and gain adjustment, the QuadCast features a four-position mode dial, located on the back just below the grille.
The dial lets you choose between cardioid, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional configurations. A USB-C port sits below the dial, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Multiple recording patterns
- Programmable lighting
- Includes shock mount and built-in pop filte
Cons
- Only records at 48kHz/16-bit
- Shock mount is plastic
No 2 Rode NT-USB
The NT-USB+ retains the NT-USB’s sturdy, professional design on the outside and adds some pretty impressive updates such as enhanced circuitry, Rode’s Revolution Preamp technology, and an internal DSP on the inside. (Oh, and it also has a USB-C port.)
The Rode NT-USB+ comes with a detachable pop shield and a tripod desktop stand, and features a headphone jack for direct, zero-latency monitoring. It’s one of the better-sounding USB microphones we’ve heard, and is a solid contender for our list of best gaming mics.
The NT-USB+ is available now The NT-USB+ is almost identical in design to the original NT-USB. The NT-USB+ is housed in a solid, black metal body with Rode’s logo printed neatly across the front in light silver. Under the mic’s black metal mesh grille is a blue mesh internal pop filter — the blue is the biggest aesthetic difference between the NT-USB+ and the NT-USB.
Pros
- Sturdy, well-built
- Comes with detachable pop filter
- Sounds fantastic
Cons
- No on-mic gain control
- Louder audio sources still clip
No 3 Elgato Wave 3
The Elgato Wave:3 makes it look effortless with its stylish retro design, high-quality build, and great sound performance.
It only has one polar pattern, but for content creation, it’s one of the best I’ve tested. USB mics are rarely athing of beauty, which is why the Elgato Wave:3 already has an edge over the competition without even trying.
This stunner has a retro-esque air about it, with its rounded rectangular design suspended on an elegant yoke and alloy grille as if it just popped into existence from the 60s. My review unit is even more unique, as it’s a special edition one from Corsair’s 10th anniversary collection.
Pros
- Beautiful design, top-notch build quality
- Excellent audio performance
- Great background noise and vibration rejection
Cons
- Wave Link software a little finicky
- Just one polar pattern
How to Choose the Best Mic for Recording Music
One of the more enigmatic components of the signal chain in music recording has always been the microphone. There’s no doubting that engineers and producers regularly choose various microphones due to their unique qualities, but you want an XLR mic that delivers a precise, clear output. For example, some engineers favor the Royer R-121, a figure-eight design ribbon microphone that may pick up some of the room and produces a richer, smoother sound. Michael Jackson’s Shure SM7, on the other hand, is well-liked for broadcasting because to its clarity. The idea of a “pure” signal is therefore a little misleading; what you’re really looking for is a clean signal, which should come as standard with professional microphones.
After that, you need to consider any specific characteristics that make the mic bright or dark. While certain types are perfect for catching every nuance of a vocalist’s dramatic performance, others are capable of handling larger sound pressure levels, which makes them excellent for recording loud drums and amps. The idea isn’t— or shouldn’t be—completely different with USB microphones. Since you should anticipate clarity, we will instead concentrate on identifying traits.
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