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Reddit
reddit.com › r/locationsound › budget-friendly, out-of-frame mic for zoom meetings—recommendations needed!
r/LocationSound on Reddit: Budget-Friendly, Out-of-Frame Mic for Zoom Meetings—Recommendations Needed!
August 11, 2024 -

I'm looking for a budget-friendly, out-of-frame microphone setup for Zoom meetings. I'll be using a custom-built desktop PC. I need a mic that stays out of the frame, so I haven’t listed any dynamic mics. However, if there’s a dynamic mic that could work while staying mostly out of the frame, I’m open to suggestions.

My budget is under $300, but cheaper is better. This mic will be used solely for my WFH setup in meetings, so I’m not looking for anything too high-end. I’ve heard mixed things about shotgun mics—some say they pick up unwanted noise, while others recommend them.

Here’s a breakdown of the options I’m considering. Please recommend any other mics not listed, and let me know which of these might be best:

Dynamic Microphones:

  • ?

Cardioid Microphones:

  • AKG P170

  • Rode NT5

  • Audio-Technica AT875R

  • Sennheiser Professional

Hypercardioid Microphones:

  • Sennheiser MKE400

  • Audio-Technica AT2035

  • Audio-Technica AT2040

  • Rode NTG2

Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones:

  • Audio-Technica AT2021

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Hollyland
hollyland.com › blog › microphone › budget-usb-microphones-for-zoom
5 Best Budget USB Microphones for Zoom in 2024 - Hollyland
June 26, 2025 - In conclusion, the Audio-Technica ATR2500x-USB is a robust, no-nonsense microphone that is very suitable for anyone looking for a reliable device to improve their audio quality in virtual meetings. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of more expensive microphones, its sound quality, ease of use, and solid build make it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers who are serious about their sound. ... The Rode NT-USB Mini ...
People also ask

How do you Zoom with XLR mic?
Install the audio interface drivers to your Mac or PC then connect the mic to the audio interface.
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shotkit.com
shotkit.com › best-zoom-microphone
Best External Microphones for Zoom Meetings & Calls
How do I use my Phone as a mic for Zoom?
Simply select the desired input and output under your audio settings.
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shotkit.com
shotkit.com › best-zoom-microphone
Best External Microphones for Zoom Meetings & Calls
What audio interfaces work with Zoom?
Zoom is compatible with a wide range of audio interfaces, including Biamp, Focusrite, QSC, and Shure.
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shotkit.com
shotkit.com › best-zoom-microphone
Best External Microphones for Zoom Meetings & Calls
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CNET
cnet.com › tech › best microphones for zoom, according to the cnet staff who use them
Best Microphones for Zoom, According to the CNET Staff Who Use Them - CNET
February 18, 2025 - The Alias is a dark grey pill-shaped microphone that works well with a stand. I found it worked best on a boom. The sound quality is excellent. If you plug your headphones in, you can use the monitoring feature to hear yourself as well as your team.
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Moman
momanx.com › home › moman ideas › moman ideas
Buying guide: What is the best external microphone for zoom meetings
September 2, 2022 - Four best budget and high-quality external microphones for zoom calls and online meetings! Click for check.
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Bogleheads.org
bogleheads.org › board index › community › personal consumer issues
Inexpensive Basic Microphone for Zoom - Bogleheads.org
Depending on your budget and need for portability I'd recommend one of the following: Lavalier Microphone ~$10-20 Portable Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083DTHB6F/ USB Microphone ~$40-50 Great for a permanent workstation/desk setup Example: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Conde ...
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Shotkit
shotkit.com › best-zoom-microphone
Best External Microphones for Zoom Meetings & Calls
May 23, 2025 - This is why this is the top pick for the best microphone for Zoom meetings if you want professional-grade quality. Read more: What is the best lavalier microphone for audio recording? ... If you are looking for the best microphone for Zoom calls that won’t break the bank, this might be the one for you. Complete with a pivot mount and tripod stand, this Fifine USB Microphone covers all the basics you need on a budget.
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ABBN
abbn.com › home › our products › services › conference systems › interpreting equipment › assistive listening › intercom tour guides › accessories › software
6 Best Microphones for Zoom Meetings | ABBN
January 20, 2023 - Make sure the microphone you choose ... for Zoom meetings. Not all microphones are designed to work with every system, so the built-in noise-canceling feature is important. This will help to reduce any unwanted ambient noise from your recordings. The next thing to consider is your budget...
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Stealth Seminar
stealthseminar.com › home › free resources › top picks for the best microphones for zoom webinars
Best Microphones for Zoom Webinars | StealthSeminar
May 15, 2025 - A: If you’re on a budget, the Blue Snowball iCE or FIFINE USB Microphone are solid picks. Both deliver great sound quality for their price, making them perfect for casual meetings and webinars.
Find elsewhere
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Zoom Community
community.zoom.com › t5 › Zoom-Events-and-Webinars › Need-help-selecting-a-microphone-for-Zoom-broadcast › m-p › 162543
Need help selecting a microphone for Zoom broadcas... - Zoom Community
January 23, 2024 - ... I am looking for a good budget microphone for webinars. ZDM-1 and ZUM-2 seem to be quite good according to the reviews but those who wrote the reviews used the mikes alone. In our case it is different.
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Contrast
getcontrast.io › learn › best-microphone-video-conferencing
Best Microphones for Video Conferencing and More
May 29, 2025 - A good microphone is an affordable upgrade that makes a huge difference in your virtual meetings, ensuring better clarity, fewer distractions, and a more polished appearance. ... Start for free with up to 30 registrants. No credit card needed. Start for free · Today, even without a budget you can improve the audio quality of your built-in microphone.
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Violinist.com
violinist.com › discussion › thread.cfm
Inexpensive microphone for Zoom lessons?
Are there any USB microphones good for both Zoom and instruments that are <$100? ... Steve Jones May 26, 2020, 9:36 AM · You already know the name. For Zoom meetings I use a Zoom H1 recorder (no relation) in place of my laptop's microphone which is defective.
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Musician Nerd
musiciannerd.com › home › streaming › the 8 best microphones for zoom | musician nerd
The 8 Best Microphones For Zoom | Musician Nerd
March 17, 2022 - Audio-Technica AT2005USB Zoom Microphone On Desktop Stand · Audio-Technica has a history of building easy-to-use microphones in the affordable price market. What I love about the AT2005USB is that it's very versatile, being used for anything ...
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DIY Video Studio
diyvideostudio.com › best-microphone-for-zoom-calls
Best USB Conference Microphone for Better Zoom Calls: Buyers Guide – DIY Video Studio
September 7, 2020 - If you want to easily sound clear on a Zoom call choose a USB condenser microphone. Condenser mics are the best microphones for Zoom calls because they are very sensitive, so they can easily capture your voice at your desk or in a huddle room.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/audio › looking for mic recommendations for zoom
r/audio on Reddit: Looking for mic recommendations for zoom
May 12, 2024 -

I do WFH sales for an edtech company and as such, I'm on zoom calls all day long. My air pods are okay but when I watch my meetings back, the audio just sounds very meh.

I have a standing desk and would like to just have the mic on a stand in front of me, but out of view.

Budget is somewhere between $100-$250ish.

Top answer
1 of 5
2
You will get better performance if you are willing to keep a microphone in-view. Most microphones do not perform as well from distances higher than 8" for condenser microphones, and 6" for dynamic microphones (and this is what you should regard as a soft limit, it's better to be a bit closer if possible). There's a few reasons for this: The farther away from the mic you get, the more gain you're going to need, meaning the more room sound you're going to get. If you don't have a treated room, this is especially obvious (it's obvious in a treated room as well, but it tends to be used more for artistic effect there; think about it, when you hear music, is your ear jammed right up against all of the instruments, or are you listening at a distance?). Directional microphones exhibit proximity effect (a rise of low frequencies as you get closer to the mic). Some microphones have a very pleasant proximity effect (think "voice of God"), some have an unpleasant muddy proximity effect, and some mice are designed to have virtually no proximity effect (the Electro-Voice RE20 is a great example of this, and this mic is one of the biggest if not the biggest standard mic in professional broadcast). If you are willing to forgo this need to hide your mic (I don't see a reason for this in most cases), I'd probably go with a good USB dynamic microphone (or hybrid USB/XLR, even if you don't plan to use the XLR output, this opens up a few good options). My top choice would slightly break your budget. It's the Shure MV7+ (you'd also need to get an arm/stand as this is not included). If that cost is a bit much, the Rode PodMic USB or Audio-Technica AT2040USB are good choices. If you absolutely insist on hiding your microphone, you can try a good USB condenser microphone, like an Audio-Technica AT2020USB-XP. Again, if you are using this from a foot away, you will not be getting its best (but at least it should be usable, while dynamic microphones are really not meant for farther distances due to their lower sensitivity). There is also the option of a shotgun microphone, which is designed to be used from a distance and has a very narrow pickup pattern (so depending on placement, you need to be aware of how much you move around and make sure you don't go too far off-axis). That said, I don't personally know of any USB shotgun microphones, so that that point, you need to invest in an audio interface so that you can connect an XLR microphone, and at that point, you're really going to struggle to stay within your budget.
2 of 5
2
I use a rode podmic usb for zoom meetings. I have better mics, but don’t like them enough to want to bother with an interface and all that for a quick zoom meeting or when traveling. The podmic is easy, allows for basic adjustments, and sounds worlds better than my laptop mic in zoom. Oh yes, and the podmic is pretty good at dealing with unwanted room sounds and the like.
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Emerybowles
emerybowles.com › best-microphone-for-zoom
Best Microphone For Zoom: The Ultimate Guide For Clear Audio
June 1, 2024 - The TONOR microphone ensured that whether someone pitched a new idea or gave feedback, their voice was captured as if they were sitting right next to the mic. It was a simple yet powerful tool that made group calls more inclusive and productive. Designed specifically for conference calls and meetings · Omnidirectional pickup pattern captures sound from all directions ... Zoom calls can take us anywhere, from a quiet home office to the outdoors.
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TechRepublic
techrepublic.com › home › 7 best microphones for zoom
7 Best Microphones for Zoom
July 5, 2024 - Although the best microphone for you will depend on your budget, your setup and your priorities during Zoom meetings, we found the Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone was the best overall for a mix of capabilities, price and performance.
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Quora
quora.com › What-microphone-are-you-guys-using-for-online-zoom-meetings
What microphone are you guys using for online zoom meetings? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): I just use the microphone and camera built into my monitor. They both work fine. The microphone is a tiny hole. The camera is another tiny hole. Tiny holes can work well for Zoom meetings.
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UC Today
uctoday.com › home › devices & workspace tech​
The Best Microphones for Video Conferencing: 9 Great Options to Consider - UC Today
October 8, 2024 - Not only is this headset certified for Microsoft Teams, but it’s also compatible with most of the main conferencing platforms, like Zoom and Google Workspace. ... Finally, the HyperX SoloCast is one of the best microphones on this list for ...