It seems the entire world and their cousin are either streaming or hosting a podcast, and we aren’t ones to judge. Instead, we’ve tested the very best microphones around. Whether you want a USB microphone for streaming on your PC or a wireless mobile option, you’ll find the very best right here.
With the explosion of podcasting, streaming and filming on the go for social media in recent years, there are plenty of reasons to consider a microphone made for PC or mobile phone use. Thankfully, here at Trusted Reviews, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to test a wide range of options. We’ve tested microphones from big brands like Logitech, Shure, Hollyland, Razer, DJI and more to find the very best (and worst).
Microphones come in many varieties, even when it comes to models specifically made for PC and mobile-adjacent use. But, no matter what its style, each microphone goes through our thorough testing. We assess them for their specifications, the key features, the recording quality, connectivity and value. Spending at least a week with each device allows our reviewers to understand what it’s like to really use these products as if they’ve just picked them up from the shop for the first time.
Whether you’re considering a microphone as the starting point for a new setup or are looking to upgrade what you already have, we’ve tested a wide range of peripherals and found the very best. Be sure to check out our best gaming headset, best keyboard, best mouse and best monitor guides.
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Learn more about how we test microphones
We use every microphone we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll put key features to the test as well as any unique selling points. The hardware is assessed for its ease of use and the all-important recording quality.
We also check each microphone’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up. We, then, determine the value offering taking into consideration the overall product quality and its price.
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Rich, clear audio
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Versatile with four polar patterns
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Convenient connectivity with or without the receiver
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Quite expensive
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Wireless range is less than key rivals
When it comes to capturing studio-like sound on the go, there’s no shortage of options now thanks to great contenders like the DJI Mic Mini and the Hollyland Lark C2, but the Shure MoveMic 88+ has managed to raise the bar yet again. This is a portable mic that’s backed by the years of innovation and experience that Shure is known for, which has allowed the company to become a household name particularly in the podcasting space.
Despite its dinky stature, the MoveMic 88+ easily delivers where it counts: audio quality. We tested the mic both indoors, where an echo could interfere, and outdoors, where there was plenty of background noise that could disrupt the recording. In both cases, the microphone performed brilliantly, honing in on the voice of the person speaking and capturing it with plenty of detail. The same can be said for when we had multiple people speaking, making this an excellent option for interviews as well as solo recording.
What really sells the MoveMic though, and the reason why it’ll probably enjoy greater popularity than other Shure mics amongst a more casual audience, is just how easy it is to use. Pairing the mic with your device of choice only takes a few moments, so whether you’re looking to shoot professional takes with a dedicated camera, or more casual vlogs with your smartphone in tow, you can get to recording quickly.
You even have some flexibility to change the style of recording thanks to four unique polar patterns. There’s bi-directional which is best used to pick up multiple voices, as well as raw mid-side which is brilliant for capturing ambient noise in a cityscape or in nature, which can then be used for transitions (or even background sounds) in your video.
There’s also app functionality via Motiv Video and Motiv Audio, which is great for checking audio levels in real time and then quickly sharing any captured audio to the editing app of your choice. For content creators who are just starting out but want to get serious about audio quality, the Shure MoveMic 88+ is one of the best options out there.
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Gorgeous, rich recordings
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Convenient integrated XLR interface
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Marvelous build quality
With its marvellous build, rich recording quality and clever features, the Shure MV7i is an excellent USB microphone.
At $349/£329, the MV7i isn’t cheap, but the build quality is sublime with a compact pill shape, sturdy metal frame and half the chassis taken up by a fabric wind muff. There’s an RGB indicator around the middle of the mic that acts as a meter indicator to signal if the mic is loud enough and turn red when the mic is muted.
Connections include an XLR port for using the mic as its own compact interface, a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack for convenient on-board monitoring. However, there’s no stand or arm included to hold the mic, which is a shame.
When it comes to performance, the Shure MV7i is sublime. The microphone produces rich, full-bodied audio with plenty of detail – even with no soundproofing. The cardioid pick-up pattern works especially well for voices, while the virtual pop filter works alongside the physical wind muff to handle plosives as needed. There’s also the virtual denoiser, which improves noise rejection immensely, cancelling out the clacking of a loud mechanical keyboard during our tests.
The plug-and-play makes using this mic compatible with a variety of applications, including Audacity, Adobe Audition and Shure’s own MOTIV Mix software. The latter offers basic control, including a virtual mixing desk for adjusting the gain level and the volume of your headphones.
There are also options to control the tone, reverb, pop filter, high-pass filter and more, as well as choose the bit-rate, frequency and file type of your recordings. The XLR port allows for a twin recording setup, making multi-track and stereo modes possible.
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Fantastic build quality
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Rich audio with impeccable noise rejection
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Plug and play operation
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Software can be quite limited in functionality
With a convenient setup, fantastic build quality and gorgeous, rich vocals, the Shure MV6 is hands-down the best USB microphone on the market right now.
It’s certainly the sound quality leading the charge with the MV6, capturing vocals with warmth and clarity while effectively eliminating background noise. That’s largely down to the dynamic cardioid design and built-in noise reduction tech, but whatever the tech magic, it essentially means that whether podcasting or streaming, your voice comes through loud and clear.
The MV6 also sports a user-friendly design with a compact size and included stand making it the ideal desktop companion. USB-C connectivity also allows for easy connectivity with computers, laptops and other tech, completely eliminating the need for high-end audio interfaces, and a built-in touch panel allows you to quickly mute the mic.
Software isn’t quite as strong a proposition as it probably should be, offering basic controls for gain, pop filter and high-pass filter but lacking the more advanced features offered by the likes of Logitech and SteelSeries. Still, if your main focus is simply capturing high-quality audio without the stress of a complicated audio setup, the Shure MV6 remains a fantastic budget-friendly choice.
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Very easy to use
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Crisp, full-bodied audio
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Motiv Audio app provides rich functionality
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Some may prefer wireless lav mics for more physical versatility
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Quite expensive
The Shure MV88 USB-C is a seriously nifty microphone that, despite its small size and versatility, is packed with genuinely useful features. However, with an RRP of £145/$159, it’s definitely one of the more expensive options available.
You don’t need to worry about complicated set-ups or installations, as the MV88 simply plugs in via USB-C to either a phone, PC or laptop. There’s also no other ports or mourning accessories on-board either. As such, all of its settings are found via the Motiv Audio smartphone app.
In fact, the Motiv Audio app is packed with plenty of settings for you to play around with, depending on what you’re capturing. For example, tapping the Speech preset icon will put the microphone into the Mono Cardioid setting with the Auto Level and Real Time Denoiser settings applied which is ideal for voices. There’s also mono bidirectional for capturing two-person interviews and raw mid-side which feels particularly pro-grade.
When testing the Shure MV88, we found it provided more body, definition and a generally fuller sound by default when compared to the Honor Magic V3’s built-in speaker.
Essentially, if you’re looking for a fuss-free way to enhance audio capture then the Shure MV88 is a brilliant choice – especially if you usually use your smartphone for capturing content.
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Audio has a clear, inviting quality to it
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Noise cancelling works like a charm
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Absolutely chocked full of features
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Cheaper than the DJI Mic 2
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Other mics work better with smartphones
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The receiver’s touchscreen is a tad finicky
While there are plenty of great options now for content creators when it comes to recording studio-quality audio on the go, DJI has consistently outpaced the competition with each new device, showing everyone how it should be done. While the DJI Mic Mini is a better buy for those on a tighter budget, those who can afford it should absolutely stretch their cash to pick up the DJI Mic 3.
What we most enjoyed about the DJI Mic 3 is that, even if you are just starting out, it’s still a wonderfully accessible device that doesn’t require all that much setup to be put to use, but tons of added features let you get more granular with the settings as your skills improve.
For example, you can plug the receiver directly into your smartphone and have it wirelessly connect with one of the provided mics, giving you crystal-clear audio for any quick videos you might want to shoot on the go (always a boon for vloggers). If you have a compatible DJI camera to hand, however, then the mic will connect without the need for the receiver, making for an even more seamless experience.
Conversely, creators who have a wealth of experience under their belt and might be managing fairly large-scale productions will appreciate the DJI Mic 3‘s ability to support up to four transmitters and eight receivers, ensuring that multi-camera interviews are an absolute breeze. There’s even dual-file recording for added peace of mind during filming.
It’s worth mentioning that, on top of having a longer battery life and greater range than its predecessor, the DJI Mic 3 also benefits from a truly powerful noise-cancelling mode. For our tests, we took the Mic 3 to busy areas of Central London, but thanks to the noise-cancelling, we were still able to hear every word that was being said.
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Impressive all-metal build
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Clean audio particularly for vocals
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Rich and balanced overall sound
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On board EQ and ClearAmp
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Upper end price point for home setups
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Onboard EQ won’t benefit everyone
If you’ve ever used a cheap and cheerful microphone with your PC, you may have realised it’s time to level up, especially if you are broadcasting online. The Logitech Blue Sona is a top-tier XLR microphone from a trusted brand.
The Blue Sona is the brand’s first standalone broadcast microphone and we deemed it a mightily impressive initial outing. First, it looks far more professional and premium than Logitech’s more consumer-aimed products, with an all-metal build that oozes luxury while the option of sleek black or white alongside red or black covers makes for a stylish look. You’ll find no RGB lighting here.
The performance of this XLR microphone stands up as a clean and rich recording option. It keeps up with more experienced brands who sell similarly premium rivals. This mic impressively hones in on your voice while the built-in preamp means you don’t need external boosting alongside. Overall, you get a balanced sound and the need for much post-processing is minimal.
The Blue Sona offers two EQ presents to tailor things to your liking, and you can tweak these further. The foam windshield, internal shock mount and dual capsule do a great job of batting away any lingering sounds that you don’t want on your recording.
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Extremely versatile setup
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Rich, full-bodied pickup
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Good AI noise cancellation
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Battery life is a little lower than key rivals
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Tripod should be included
The Boya Magic serves three purposes. While it works as a desktop microphone for podcasting or voiceover work, it can then be affixed to a camera for shotgun purposes. Or you can use the two 7g lapel microphones for content creation. Essentially, this means you’re getting three microphones all in one handy, and affordable, package.
Pair the microphone with the Boya Central app and you’ll be able to configure various settings including the EQ, the microphone’s limiter and the level of AI noise cancellation.
On the latter point, while there is some noise cancellation out of the box which does an admirable job at dulling most background noises, the AI-powered mode is especially powerful. Simply double-tap the button on the Magic’s charging case and harsh, loud sounds are eliminated with ease.
Whether we used the Boya Magic in desktop mode or through the lapel mics, we found it was able to pick up clear and full-bodied audio. However, at up to 100 metres without obstacles, its transmission range isn’t as good as the likes of the DJI Mic 3 which sits at 400 metres instead.
Overall, if you’re looking for a versatile microphone that’s just at home for recording voiceovers as it is as a lapel microphone – all for under £100 – then the Boya Magic is a brilliant option.
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Class-leading pickup
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Plug and play with an interface and XLR cable
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Near-perfect noise rejection
If you’re looking for a premium microphone that doesn’t sport any unnecessary extras and instead simply offers wonderfully clean, rich and detailed output then you’d be hard pressed to beat the iconic Shure SM7B.
The Shure SM7B has a reputation as being one of the best all-round microphones that money can buy, however it’s worth noting that this kind of kit does come with a hefty price tag at £379/$399.
Even so, we found the SM7B to be nothing short of fantastic. It’s especially ideal for vocals or voiceover work as it picks up detail with plenty of body and depth. We also found its noise-rejection to be perfect, able to block out unwanted sounds such as keyboards tapping to music playing from a Sonos Beam.
Such a premium microphone may feel intimidating, however setup is simple and, as long as you’ve got an XLR interface, the SM7B is a plug and play model too.
At 765g it’s not the lightest of microphones nor does it come equipped with a stand or interface, so you will need to invest in the correct equipment separately.
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Slick design
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Sturdy stand and shock mount
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Clear pickup, especially with AI noise cancellation
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Expensive
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Software doesn’t necessarily add much
An excellent microphone with a stylish design, useful on-board controls and easy to use software, the SteelSeries Alias is a fantastic choice for most users.
In lieu of a more traditional, cylindrical microphone shape, the Alias sports a pill-shaped case with a sturdy metal and plastic stand. At its front you’ll find a volume gain dial and mic mute touchpad, while a microphone gain dial, USB-C power port and headphone jack can be found at the back.
When the Alias is in use, its LEDs will illuminate green to indicate your mic levels and when muted the LEDs will light up in a large red cross.
While the Alias’ default settings provide crystal-clear voice pickup, it’s worth noting that this is still more towards the quiet side. This is where the accompanying SteelSeries Sonar software comes in.
With the software you can not only adjust the sound and pickup depending on your preferences, but also mix volume, select between preset EQ modes and enable excellent AI-powered noise cancellation.
Its cardioid pickup pattern means voiceovers are picked up especially well, making this an ideal choice for content creators and streamers. Having said that, the Alias isn’t necessarily geared to just one use case, so this is otherwise a versatile option.
At £179.99/$179.99, it is one of the more expensive microphones available however if you’re looking for a sleek and stylish microphone then the Alias is a great choice.
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Classy design
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Rich audio
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Great noise rejection
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No software
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Some may find one polar pattern limiting
Built with voiceovers or podcasting in mind, the Audio Technica AT2040USB is a seriously convenient microphone that, although lacks the premium features found in more expensive options, still serves its purpose well.
The AT2040USB sports a classic, studio mic look with cylindrical black metal chassis that undoubtedly looks the part. Its interface is easy to use and convenient too, with a headphone jack, a USB-C port for connectivity and two small dials: one for adjusting the monitoring volume and one for the mix between vocal and computer audio. There’s also a toggle switch for Low Cut mode too.
One slight issue with the AT2040USB is that there’s a lack of accompanying software or features compared to its competitors. However, as it’s so easy to use and set-up, this shouldn’t necessarily be much of an issue.
Overall, thanks to its dynamic capsule, we found the resulting audio to be rich, smooth and full of depth. So much so, that we concluded it sounds as if some EQ had been applied. Not only that, but its noise rejection and voice pickup was brilliant too, with background noise completely removed from the audio.
For recording podcasts and voiceovers, you’d be hard pressed to find a better option than the Audio Technica AT2040USB.
FAQs
What is the difference between USB and XLR microphones?
The simple answer is that USB microphones are an easier-to-use, plug-and-play solution when compared with XLR microphones. XLR microphones are the more typical choice for professional settings. However, the rise of streaming has led to ongoing improvements with USB microphones, beginning to close the gap. But, you are compromising on professional quality and features.
What is the difference between USB and XLR microphones?
When looking into buying a microphone, you may see many referred to as a “condenser microphone”. A condenser microphone, when compared with its alternative dynamic microphone equivalents, provides added sensitivity and accuracy.
Test Data
| |
Shure MoveMic 88+ |
Shure MV7i |
Shure MV6 |
Shure MV88 USB-C |
DJI Mic 3 |
Logitech Blue Sona |
Boya Magic |
Shure SM7B |
SteelSeries Alias |
Audio Technica AT2040USB |
| Frequency response |
4018000 Hz |
– |
– |
2020000 Hz |
– |
– |
2020000 Hz |
2020000 Hz |
– |
– |
Full Specs
| |
Shure MoveMic 88+ Review |
Shure MV7i Review |
Shure MV6 Review |
Shure MV88 USB-C Review |
DJI Mic 3 Review |
Logitech Blue Sona Review |
Boya Magic Review |
Shure SM7B Review |
SteelSeries Alias Review |
Audio Technica AT2040USB Review |
| UK RRP |
£289 |
£329 |
£129 |
£145 |
£169 |
£299 |
£89.99 |
£379 |
£179.99 |
£129.99 |
| USA RRP |
$299 |
$349 |
– |
$159 |
– |
$349 |
$89.99 |
$398 |
$179.99 |
$149.99 |
| EU RRP |
– |
– |
€149 |
– |
€199 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| AUD RRP |
– |
– |
– |
– |
AU$369 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Manufacturer |
Shure |
Shure |
Shure |
Shure |
DJI |
Logitech |
– |
Shure |
SteelSeries |
Audio Technica |
| Size (Dimensions) |
28 x 28 x 89 MM |
90 x 207 x 164 MM |
51 x 169 x 127 MM |
25 x 33 x 67 MM |
28.34 x 28.77 x 16.35 MM |
67 x 185 x 165 MM |
26.5 x 141.3 x 21 MM |
62.5 x 189 x 149.2 MM |
110 x 130 x 230 MM |
52 x 143 x 52 MM |
| Weight |
96 G |
567 G |
1287 G |
40 G |
16 G |
615 G |
62.5 G |
765 G |
750 G |
600 G |
| ASIN |
B0DX8488ZL |
B0DNTZ22M5 |
– |
– |
– |
B07W6JPZBK |
B0FGCGMX9L |
– |
– |
– |
| Release Date |
2025 |
2025 |
2024 |
2026 |
2025 |
2022 |
2025 |
2015 |
2023 |
2024 |
| First Reviewed Date |
13/03/2025 |
20/02/2025 |
01/09/2024 |
07/01/2026 |
– |
18/04/2023 |
20/10/2025 |
27/08/2024 |
15/11/2023 |
14/08/2025 |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth, USB-C, 3.5mm |
USB-C (to PC), XLR (to other microphone/instruments) |
USB-C |
USB-C |
Bluetooth 5.4, 2.4 GHz/5 GHz SDR |
– |
USB-C receiver, Lightning receiver, 3.5m TRS |
XLR |
USB |
USB-C wired |
| Sensitivity |
-34.5 dB |
-33 dB |
-34.7 dB |
-32 dB |
– |
– |
-33.5 dB |
-59 dB |
– |
-53 dB |
| Frequency response |
4018000 Hz |
– |
– |
2020000 Hz |
– |
– |
2020000 Hz |
2020000 Hz |
– |
– |
| Polar patterns |
Cardioid, stereo, raw mid-side, bi-directional |
Cardioid |
Cardioid |
Stereo, Mono Cardioid, Mono Bidirectional, Raw Mid-Side |
– |
– |
Omnidirectional |
Cardioid |
Cardioid |
Hypercardioid |
| Power required |
0 Volts |
0 Volts |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
0 Volts |
| Max SPL |
122.4 dB |
128 dB |
128 dB |
120 dB |
– |
– |
115 dB |
180 dB |
120 dB |
– |
| Connection type |
Wireless |
USB-C (to PC), XLR (to other microphone/instruments) |
USB-C |
USB-C |
– |
– |
Wireless |
XLR |
USB |
USB-C |
