Setting up a home studio can be quite daunting, especially if you don’t know which condenser microphone will give you the output you’ve wanted to have. Unlike a dynamic microphone, the best condenser microphone can provide more comprehensive frequency response and better transient response. So with that, here are the seven best condenser microphones that you might want to consider.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| TONOR USB PC Condenser Microphone Kit | TONOR USB PC Condenser Microphone Kit is a perfect choice for starters as they make the work a whole lot easier. It’s an all-in-one package that includes a condenser microphone, an extended boom arm, a metal shock mount, a desk clamp, a pop filter, a mic cover, and a 1.8m USB cable. | ||
| AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone With Tripod | With the AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone with Tripod, you’ll never have to rely on the quality of your computer’s built-in microphone. This single-capsule condenser microphone guarantees a unidirectional pick-up pattern and professional-sounding results, regardless of where it will be used. | ||
| FELYBY Professional Condenser Microphone | FELYBY Professional Condenser Microphone is a well-known compact and lightweight condenser microphone with a digital mixer DJ mobile sound card that allows you to broadcast with five kinds of sound changes. It also offers 12 types of electronic tone selection for YouTube Live Streaming, Facebook Live, periscope, and an anchor for iPhone/Android Smartphone/PC. | ||
| MANLI Professional Studio Condenser Microphone | For most musicians, having a condenser microphone that can provide an HD sound quality can be a real challenge. But MANLI Professional Studio Condenser Microphone has made things easier for musicians and pros alike. | ||
| IKEDON USB Condenser Microphone | IKEDON USB Condenser Microphone is specially designed to be a complete time-saver and significantly saves you from additional costs. It allows you to directly plug-and-play the device to a Mac and Windows computer without needing other software or accessories. With IKEDON USB, all you have to do is connect the studio microphone in seconds using the standard USB 2.0 port. | ||
| ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle | ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle is an all-in-one microphone that comes with a shock mount, Pop filter, adjustable suspension scissor arm stand, anti-wind foam cap, power cable, and sound card. One notable characteristic of this brand is that it features a thin material diaphragm, which, in turn, guarantees an extraordinarily accurate and high-quality sound. | ||
| Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser | Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser specially offers a noise-reduction feature like the pro level. As a handheld microphone, the product comes with a custom-engineered diaphragm that promises a remarkable vocal recording experience. |
A Detailed Review on the 7 Best Condenser Microphones
TONOR USB PC Condenser Microphone Kit
TONOR USB PC Condenser Microphone Kit is a perfect choice for starters as they make the work a whole lot easier. It’s an all-in-one package that includes a condenser microphone, an extended boom arm, a metal shock mount, a desk clamp, a pop filter, a mic cover, and a 1.8m USB cable.
Product Highlights
One notable characteristic of the TONOR condenser microphone is that it’s a blend of a good cardioid polar pickup pattern, a gold-plated diaphragm capsule, and a complete electronic circuit control and gold-plated diaphragm capsule. These three features work altogether, giving the condenser microphone an accurate recording of even the lowest sound and yields a minimized reduction of background noises simultaneously.
The Good
What’s more, this best condenser microphone is widely renowned for its durable and robust scissor arm stand made of steel and can be mounted on an announcer’s table using a mounting clamp without the need for extra hardware. Like most condenser microphones on the market, TONOR records in a cardioid polar pattern deemed to be ideal for podcasting, streaming, YouTube videos and can be used for recordings at home or professional studio.
The Bad
Although an ideal piece of equipment for starters, it’s good to note that the TONOR requires a USB cable to power it, thus, an adapter may be required if you want to plug it through your home socket. The product does come with limited usage options as it is also marked by its incompatibility with tablet computers and mobile phones.
PROs
- It features a sturdy and reliable construction with decent audio quality
- It comes with a windscreen pop filter made of a double nylon net, which provides the microphone an additional line of protection
- Ideal equipment for starters
CONs
- This TONOR model is powered through a USB cable, and adapter may be required.
- It comes with limited usage options as it is also marked by its incompatibility with tablet computers and mobile phones
AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone with Tripod
With the AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone with Tripod, you’ll never have to rely on the quality of your computer’s built-in microphone. This single-capsule condenser microphone guarantees a unidirectional pick-up pattern and professional-sounding results, regardless of where it will be used.
Product Highlights
The product comes in handy if you’re aim is to enhance your Skype quality, gaming, or even podcasting without breaking the bank. It’s as no-frills as you can get while it delivers a surprisingly decent audio quality.
The Good
Further, a notable feature of the AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone is its superb compatibility with Windows 7 through 10, Vista, and even XP, along with Mac OS and even Linux. It also comes with an easy to operate feature as it doesn’t require any additional drivers. All you have to do is plug it in and play!
The Bad
Although it’s incredibly user-friendly, the AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone tends to have a cheap quality finish due to its shiny plastic body. Plus, experts say that this equipment is on the verge of being boomy more often than not.
PROs
- For the price, it yields a decent sound quality
- It’s a single capsule condenser microphone
CONs
- It comes with a 50Hz – 20kHz latency response
- AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone is not intended for recording music or professional broadcasting
FELYBY Professional Condenser Microphone
FELYBY Professional Condenser Microphone is a well-known compact and lightweight condenser microphone with a digital mixer DJ mobile sound card that allows you to broadcast with five kinds of sound changes. It also offers 12 types of electronic tone selection for YouTube Live Streaming, Facebook Live, periscope, and an anchor for iPhone/Android Smartphone/PC.
Product Highlights
Apart from these features, this best condenser microphone, it also comes with a suspension boom scissor arm stand with a microphone clip that is guaranteed constructed from premium quality metals and is easy to carry. It’s specially designed to be suited for any stores, families, stages, studios, broadcasting, desk, table, restaurants, and so much more.
The Good
FELYBY Professional Condenser Microphone boasts its professional-type microphone pop filter mask covering and a dual-layered wind pop screen equipped with a flexible 360° gooseneck clip stabilizing arm. In turn, this feature guarantees a variety of tubular mounting booms or microphone stands, as well as a Swivel mount for easy installation, removal, or location adjustment.
The Bad
According to several reports, setting up this entire equipment can be a real challenge as instructions were quite complicated. Also, experts say that its quality control could have been improved as there tend to be inconsistencies in manufacturing.
PROs
- Its cardioid pick-up pattern is specially engineered to reduce background noise
- The product comes with a professional external USB sound card that allows its users to live stream, sing, record, and a lot more
CONs
- Setting up the entire equipment can be a real challenge, as instructions were quite complicated
- Quality control could have been improved as there tend to be inconsistencies in terms of manufacturing
MANLI Professional Studio Condenser Microphone
For most musicians, having a condenser microphone that can provide an HD sound quality can be a real challenge. But MANLI Professional Studio Condenser Microphone has made things easier for musicians and pros alike.
Product Highlights
This best condenser microphone kit can be connected to a laptop with so much ease through its TRS connection, making it an ideal piece of equipment from studio vocals to gaming, singing, streaming, podcasting, and a lot more! Further, experts recommend the MANLI Professional Studio Condenser Microphone is a true plug-and-play solution for recording enthusiasts and aspiring professional mixers.
The Good
It comes with an adjustable table stand that is guaranteed to be made from premium quality metal, making it more stable for anyone who will use it. Additionally, apart from the 3.5mm audio plug, it also comes with an XLR audio jack. Connecting the condenser microphone to different musical instruments can now be done with so much ease.
The Bad
Although it comes with several functions, the MANLI condenser microphone is not recommended for vlogging cameras. It’s also worth noting that the product is not suitable to be used with mobile phones.
PROs
- Highly recommended for recording songs and studio sessions
- It can reduce background noise ultimately
- It comes with a pop-filter and an XLR jack
CONs
- The MANLI condenser microphone is not recommended for vlogging cameras
- It’s not suitable to be used with mobile phones
IKEDON USB Condenser Microphone
IKEDON USB Condenser Microphone is specially designed to be a complete time-saver and significantly saves you from additional costs. It allows you to directly plug-and-play the device to a Mac and Windows computer without needing other software or accessories. With IKEDON USB, all you have to do is connect the studio microphone in seconds using the standard USB 2.0 port.
Product Highlights
This reliable condenser microphone is specially engineered to capture all the details, nuances, and articulation that goes with a high sampling rate, extended dynamic range, and yields a smooth frequency response of 100Hz-18kHz. Experts highly recommend the IKEDON USB condenser microphone for richer and crystal clear audios suitable for live streams, podcasts, YouTube videos, voice-over, meetings, gaming, and so much more!
The Good
What’s more, this microphone kit comes with an all-steel scissor arm stand that can support the entire set up to be steady. Plus, it is fully adjustable with tension knobs that secure the equipment to be in place.
The Bad
Several reports indicate that its clamp tends to have a poor-quality finish and may not be sturdy enough. Moreover, its performance output is said to be not loud enough.
PROs
- It comes with a shock mount that holds the streaming microphone without slipping and resists any vibrations coming from the stand itself, desk, or floor
- IKEDON USB condenser microphone yields a smooth frequency response
CONs
- Its clamp tends to have a poor-quality finish and may not be sturdy enough
- Its performance output is said to be not loud enough
ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle
ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle is an all-in-one microphone that comes with a shock mount, Pop filter, adjustable suspension scissor arm stand, anti-wind foam cap, power cable, and sound card. One notable characteristic of this brand is that it features a thin material diaphragm, which, in turn, guarantees an extraordinarily accurate and high-quality sound.
Product Highlights
This best condenser microphone kit proves to be an excellent piece of equipment for both instruments and vocals, made possible by its comprehensive frequency response. It’s specially engineered with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which, in turn, yields less distortion to be caused in the process of recording.
The Good
Additionally, ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle also comes with a powerful 3-layer protection system that minimizes unwanted pop noises, which offers singers a precise, plosive-free vocal performance. Upon purchase, it also comes with an 8.2 ft. XLR cable that provides versatility while recording in the studio or live situations.
The Bad
Unlike its contemporaries, ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone is deemed not to be made from highly durable materials. Also, several users have noted some manufacturing inconsistencies; hence, quality control could have been improved.
PROs
- ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone offers accuracy and detailed sound
- It offers plosive-free vocal performance
CONs
- Several users have noted some inconsistencies in manufacturing; hence, quality control could have been improved
- The product may not be made from highly durable materials, given its price
Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser
Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser specially offers a noise-reduction feature like the pro level. As a handheld microphone, the product comes with a custom-engineered diaphragm that promises a remarkable vocal recording experience.
Product Highlights
This best condenser microphone features a cardioid polar pattern, which guarantees to pick up sounds even from the sides and rear, thus enhancing the user’s preferred sound source’s isolation. This low mass diaphragm will surely provide a wide range of frequency response and excellent transient response that users will take delight in!
The Good
What’s more, despite its affordability, Audio-Technica AT2020 is sure to offer you a crisp, clean, and mature sound. And apart from the classy look, its high SPL handling and extended dynamic range also secures superb versatility.
The Bad
Although it comes with several functions, the Audio-Technica AT2020 still requires XLR cables and phantom power. Moreover, it’s worth noting that this condenser microphone doesn’t work well for mixing.
PROs
- Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser is best used in recording studios, live situations, and on the move
- It comes with a simple yet sleek design
CONs
- The product requires XLR cables and phantom power
- This condenser microphone doesn’t work well for mixing
Conclusion
Like other musical equipment, the best condenser microphone has so many intricate features you have to note. And for you to have an excellent vocal output with a condenser microphone, it must have a good transient response or the ability to reproduce the “speed” of an instrument or voice. At the end of it all, you’ll find that this and more features are essential for almost all home studio. Get more tips on condenser microphones.