Choosing the best microphone for video conferencing sessions can be complex, particularly when there are so many great solutions available. However, great audio quality is critical to any meeting. Whether you’re chatting with colleagues, taking part in a digital training session, or supporting customers, the right microphone ensures clarity in every conversation.
After all, a fantastic camera and the right meeting software will only accomplish so much. The worse your audio is, the less likely you are to have a successful (productive) discussion. While many laptops come with a built-in microphone, and you can even consider using your smartphone for video meetings, a professional microphone will make a world of difference to your meetings.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve tested dozens of microphones from some of the world’s leading AV manufacturers, to bring you this list.
Let’s dive in.
How to Choose the Best Microphone for Video Conferencing
Let’s start with a few tips to help you narrow down your options. The most obvious thing you’ll need to consider when sorting through modern microphones is compatibility. Most microphones, headsets, and video bars will automatically work seamlessly with any video conferencing platform.
However, choosing a device certified for your chosen conferencing platform (like Microsoft Teams) is usually a good idea if you want a guaranteed excellent experience. Devices that undergo a certification process are carefully tested to ensure they meet specific hardware performance, design, and ease of use criteria.
A few other things to consider when making your choice include:
- Budget: Although you often get what you pay for in the AV landscape, you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune on a high-quality microphone. There are plenty of more affordable options out there that can still surpass the capabilities of your laptop’s built-in mic.
- Use cases: Think about how you’ll be using your microphone. Are you exclusively looking for something you’ll use independently for remote meetings? Or do you need a microphone that will capture the voices of an entire team in a huddle room?
- Functionality: Aside from capturing audio, the best microphone for video conferencing may also offer some additional functionality. Look for things like active echo and noise cancellation, or built-in AI tools for enhancing voice clarity.
- Ease of use: Most microphones will offer a simple plug-and-play experience. However, some can also feature built-in software that makes it easy to configure your microphone for your specific needs. Make sure setting up your hardware is straightforward.
- Vendor reputation: Read reviews from other customers for insights into the vendor’s reputation. The right vendor should offer exceptional customer support, and help you promptly troubleshoot any device issues.
The 9 Best Microphones for Video Conferencing
After testing dozens of microphones and microphone/headset combinations, we chose the following options as our top picks for today’s teams.
1. Shure SM7Db: Best Microphone with Built-in Preamp
Shure has an excellent reputation for creating high-quality AV technology, not just for modern teams, but for podcasters, content creators, and audio specialists. Most of the company’s products are certified for Microsoft Teams, and feature a rugged, robust design.
The Shure SM7Db is one of the most popular podcast microphones offered by Shure, with an integrated preamp boost of either 18dB or 28Db. This microphone delivers exceptionally clean and natural sound quality, and offers exceptional software for EQ management. Plus, it comes with a highly effective pop-filter, to minimize distracting background noise.
We love how flexible this microphone is, with various mounting options. Plus, it’s designed to minimize distortion in a variety of different ways. For instance, there’s an internal “air suspension” shock isolation system to eliminate mechanical noise transmission.
Pros:
- Fantastic noise and echo cancellation
- High-quality, clear audio for any use case
- Easy to customize with built-in software
- Compatible with all popular videoconferencing software
- Included customizable preamp
Cons:
- Expensive pricing
- Slightly complex initial setup
2. Yeti X: Best USB Microphone for Video Conferencing
If you’re looking for one of the most popular microphones available today, you can’t go wrong with the Blue Yeti collection from Logitech. Not only is the Yeti X a surprisingly affordable professional-grade microphone, but it’s extremely reliable and versatile.
This smart, intuitive microphone is ideal for video conferencing sessions, podcasting, and YouTube productions. It comes with customizable LED metering, blue VO!CE effects and samples, and a range of versatile recording options. In fact, there are four different pattern modes you can use to optimize your recordings.
The Yeti X comes with built-in controls for headphone volume, instant mute, and microphone gain. Plus, there’s a 3.5 mm headphone jack so you can listen to what you’re recording in real-time. Though this microphone is more commonly used by streamers, we think it’s one of the best microphones for video conferencing sessions too.
Pros:
- Simple plug-and-play setup
- Multiple pickup patterns (including omnidirectional mode)
- Compact, fold-down design for easy transportation
- Affordable pricing
- Can be attached to a microphone arm
Cons:
- Initial software setup can be a little complex
- Only compatible with Windows and Mac devices
3. Sennheiser SL Boundary Set DW: Best for Large Meeting Rooms
There are plenty of great microphones to choose from if you’re just looking for the ideal accessory for your home office. But what about when you need the best microphone for an entire team to use at once? The Sennheiser SL Boundary Set DW is a fantastic complete microphone setup, ideal for larger meeting rooms.
Part of Sennheiser’s popular SpeechLine range, this setup includes a rack receiver for monitoring and manipulating audio and a wireless microphone for exceptional pickup. Although this system is a little pricey, it’s perfect for ensuring you can capture every voice in a meeting room while minimizing background noise and echo.
Plus, it’s a highly flexible solution with a wireless design that gives you up to 13 hours of operating time with a single charge. You even get access to the “Sennheiser control cockpit” software too, so business leaders can remotely monitor and control audio experiences.
Pros:
- Flexible, wireless design
- Remote management and control options
- Optimized for speech transmission in conference rooms
- Complete control over sound profiles
- Excellent durability
Cons:
- Expensive pricing
- Slightly complex software
4. JLab Talk: Best Budget-friendly Microphone
The JLab talk is similar in many ways to the Yeti X, mentioned above. It also supports four directional modes, including stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional patterns. Plus, it comes with an integrated dial for volume control, and a quick mute button.
What makes this one of the best microphones for video conferencing is how much of an excellent performance you get for such a low price tag. Costing less than $100, this microphone delivers a premium experience at a fraction of the cost of most alternatives.
The JLab Talk is extremely easy to set up and use, with a convenient plug and play design. Plus, it gives you comprehensive control over gain, to help minimize sound issues and distortion. It’s also very compact and lightweight, making it ideal for anyone who wants to take their full video conferencing kit with them on the road.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Four directional pattern options
- Easy setup for beginners
- Fantastic sound quality
- Included quick mute button
Cons:
- May occasionally pick up some background noise
- Slightly short cable
5. Sennheiser SC635: Best Simple Headset
Perfect for both contact centers, and video conferencing sessions, the Sennheiser SC635 is a simple USB mono headset, with an integrated microphone. This affordable headset is great for anyone who wants a comfortable, high-quality headset, perfect for long-term use.
