Best Microphones for Zoom Calls

Whether it’s for work, family get-togethers, or worship,
almost everyone is using Zoom. Since early 2020, I’ve been using Zoom every
week to play trivia with friends across the country, and I’ve noticed a pretty
significant drawback to Zooming regularly — wildly varying audio quality. This
might seem like an audiophile issue, but we’ve all been there. There are times
during a Zoom call when I have to crank the volume to hear a quiet friend then
dial it back before a booming voice blows out my eardrums. And don’t even get
me started on the microphones built into your earbuds.

While we can all agree that the built-in microphones in
phones, laptops, and tablets have gotten better over the years, there’s no
substitute for a really good mic. That’s where Sweetwater can help you up the
audio quality of your Zoom meetings. We compiled a list of simple and
affordable Zoom microphones that anyone can use, even grandma and grandpa!

The Best Mics for Zooming

Saramonic SR-ULM10

The Saramonic SR-ULM10 clip-on lavalier microphone is super easy to use, well priced, and it sounds better than your laptop’s microphone. Just plug the USB connector into your computer, clip it where your hair or beard won’t brush into it, and you’re ready to go. It has an omnidirectional polar pattern to pick up your voice from any angle. And the 6.6-foot cable gives you freedom of movement.

Beyerdynamic Phonum

Over Christmas, my family and I used the Beyerdynamic Phonum for our virtual Zoom Christmas celebration. The Phonum is a wireless Bluetooth speaker that’s tailor-made for large groups. Just plunk it down in the middle of your table, gather around, and connect with others outside your home. I found the Beamforming mode extremely helpful for focusing on the person who was speaking. You can use the Phonum with your smartphone/tablet via Bluetooth or through your computer with a USB connection. The Beyerdynamic Phonum will be indispensable for large families and boardrooms alike.

Samson Meteorite

The Samson Meteorite lands on your desk as an attractive microphone with an included desktop base to keep it securely in place. The Meteorite is a minuscule microphone that sounds larger than life. It ships with an integrated USB cable for Mac, PC, and iOS. The Meteorite is incredibly portable, making it the best Zoom microphone for users who travel regularly.

Shure MV5

Need a mic with a vintage look to match your décor? The Shure MV5 will be the one for you. Aside from its attractive styling and elegant desktop stand, the MV5 has a condenser capsule that captures a flattering sound. It includes a micro-USB to USB cable for use with Mac, Windows PC, and Android devices. When you download the MOTIV app on your smartphone, you’ll get access to gain, EQ, and compression controls along with onboard effects. And, if you’re also in the market for new headphones, pick up the MV5 digital condenser microphone bundle and get the MV5 with a pair of SRH240A headphones.

Mackie EM-91CU

If it’s studio-quality sound you’re after, then you need the Mackie EM-91CU. It’s the USB equivalent of the fan-favorite EM-91C. The large-diaphragm condenser capsule captures your voice in full detail. Meanwhile, Onyx preamp circuitry gives you massive dynamic range with lots of headroom and very low self-noise. It also includes a shockmount to reduce rumbling from footsteps and tapping on your desk.

Blue Microphones Yeti Nano

The Blue Microphones Yeti Nano is the newest incarnation of the famed Yeti series of USB microphones. Simple to use and easy on your wallet, this microphone will transform the way you sound on Zoom calls and video conferences. Cardioid mode rejects unwanted off-axis background noise so that your coworkers aren’t distracted by kids playing in the background. Omnidirectional mode picks up sound from all around you, which is ideal for moments when the whole family is taking part in your Zoom meeting. Its small size and attractive finish look great on camera, too!

Samson Q2U Recording and Podcasting Pack

If you need good audio quality for your Zoom meetings, then reach for the Samson Q2U recording and podcasting pack. It comes with both USB and XLR cables, so you can use it for your Zoom or Teams meetings in the day and record through an interface in the evening. The Q2U recording and podcasting pack comes with a desktop stand, a windscreen, and other accessories that make it a value you can’t pass up.

PreSonus Revelator

The PreSonus Revelator may be one of the pricier products on the list, but it’s worth the investment. It’s much more than just a USB microphone. It can transform your voice for Zoom calling. You can use it for your podcast, your livestream, or to record your next song! I recently got the chance to use the Revelator for a Tuesday-night trivia game, and my friends thought the onboard effects presets made my voice sound clean and crisp. But that could just be because they wanted to earn brownie points with the moderator.

JBL Lifestyle Quantum 300

For Zoom calls where I’m not using my studio microphone, I reach for my trusty pair of JBL Lifestyle Quantum 300 headphones. These closed-back headphones have a voice-focused boom mic that picks up my voice cleanly. The Quantum 300 have incredibly comfortable earpads that I have no problem wearing for hours on end. The included USB adapter lets you plug right into your computer, while the 3.5mm connector enables you to use the headphones for gaming, too!

Remember Your Zoom Etiquette!

At the time of this writing, we’re about nine months into the pandemic, so everyone should be expert Zoomers now. But, as I was recently reminded, it’s always good to brush up on Zoom etiquette. For this, I’d like to highlight some advice from Sweetwater’s Manager of Written Content, Lynn Fuston. “For everybody’s sake, find a small room or, at least, a quiet room with some privacy, preferably without lots of foot traffic (human or otherwise). Try to avoid using your kitchen table where the kids are constantly coming and going to the fridge. Try to sit angled so that anyone who wanders through will be off-camera.” You can check out Lynn’s insightful article, “Don’t Eat Potato Chips During a Zoom Meeting — 6 Tips for Better Teleconferencing,” on inSync.

Ask the Experts!

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most people never thought they’d need audio equipment just to go to work or to socialize. With the sheer variety of audio equipment available, it’s easy to get confused and bogged down when shopping. And, when you need to find a microphone for Zoom calls on the double, rely on Sweetwater. We’ve solved customer dilemmas for more than four decades. Call us at (800) 222-4700, and you’ll be connected to your personal Sweetwater Sales Engineer who will walk you through the entire process from purchase to delivery. Whether you’re buying a microphone for yourself or for someone who could use an upgraded microphone, you’re sure to find what you need right here at Sweetwater.
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