Best Zoom Conference Microphones
Let's face it, not all online meetings are the same.
It’s easy to tell when a presenter has put in the effort to prepare. Even the best presentations can be ruined by audio issues.
We’ve seen our fair share of good, bad and ugly webinars.
At a time when more and more events are being hosted digitally, it’s become more important than ever to represent yourself well.
Effective presentations all have at least one thing in common, a solid microphone.
Contrary to popular belief and luckily so, you don’t need a $500 microphone to sound professional.
In fact, you can have an unbelievably strong audio presentation with a microphone that costs under $100.
Out of the hundreds of microphones we’ve tested, these three microphones were the most impressive overall.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, we will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. We never recommend a product we don’t use or have tested ourselves.
Rating: GOOD
Apple EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug
While this headphone and mic combo isn’t going to win an award for innovation, Apple features surprisingly strong audio intake as well as outtake with these EarPods .Pros:
Very affordable price
Easy travel companion
Fastest delivery (if you have Amazon Prime)
Microphone is excellent
Cons:
Doesn’t look professional
Tangle-prone design
Rating: BETTER
If you want to be taken seriously and your budget is low, the TONOR USB Microphone is an excellent choice.
It conveys a serious presentation style for a lower price than most other microphones.
Pros:
Professional appearance
Affordable price for microphone look and feel
Cons:
Not travel friendly
Low input volume - must talk loudly
Fixed stand and short USB cable length
Rating: BEST
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
If you want the best microphone experience and are willing to invest a little bit more than the TONOR or Apple microphones, this is the best overall option.
We recommend this microphone to all of our clients for its superior sound quality, adjustable design and reliability.
Pros:
Best sound quality of the three options by far
Most professional appearance
Built-in mute button - no unwanted noise coughing, sneezing, etc.
Adjustable stand - easy to maneuver
Optional webcam add-on for easy compatibility
Cons:
Higher price tag for a premium experience
How To Choose The Best Zoom Microphone
By no means do we subscribe to the “you get what you pay for'' theory.
Even if there is technically a “better” microphone on the market than what you’re considering, such as the Blue Yeti Microphone, that doesn’t mean you need to buy it.
There are a few things to think about when trying to determine what the best microphone will be for your needs.
Apply each of these considerations to your purchase decision and you’ll end up with the right microphone, even if it has basic performance.
Branding
Ask yourself what you’re really using this microphone for and why that’s important.
If you’re going to be hosting a webinar or meeting with high-net-worth guests and you want to make a good first impression, you might not want to have Apple EarPods hanging from your head.
If you’re hosting a casual meeting experience or aren’t going to be on camera at all, you likely don’t need to optimize for appearances.
Budget
How much money do you have to spend?
Is this microphone fueling something that is going to provide you with income or is this a hobby?
These are good questions to ask before buying the most or least expensive microphone.
At the end of the day, very few people are going to recognize what microphone brand you purchased and how much you invested.
That being said, if this is a business expense and you want the most professional quality and appearance possible, it might be worth investing a little more money into the Blue Yeti Microphone and getting a write-off at the end of the year.
Compatibility
Arguably the most important and most obvious attribute is whether or not your microphone will work with the devices you intend on pairing them to.
Make sure that you check the specs of each microphone you’re contemplating before pulling the trigger.
Use Case
How will you use this microphone?
Perhaps travelling is essential - then you’ll need a durable microphone or a protective case to carry your audio tool around with you.
If you’re going to be moving around or making sudden movements, you probably should look for an adjustable stand.
Check specs like cord length, stand features and anything else that may be impacted by how you plan to use your microphone.
Reviews
Whether you choose one of the three microphones we recommend or not, make sure your choice has a significant amount of overwhelmingly positive reviews online.
All three of our options have over 25,000 reviews so you don’t need to just take our word for it.
No microphones are perfect, but a solid item will satisfy most customers.