Which USB Mic Should You Buy? (AKG, Blue, Rode, Shure, Apogee, Audio-Technica)

We round up six USB microphones - from the Audio-Technica ATR-2500x-USB, AKG Lyra, Blue Yeti Pro, Rode NT-USB Mini, Apogee HypeMic and Shure MV5 - to put them through their paces on voice and acoustic guitar in an old-fashioned shootout.
Want to skip to the audio comparisons?
Voiceover: 07:25
Acoustic Guitar: 08:26
N.B. Regarding comments at 11:20 - The base of the Rode NT-USB Mini is threaded and can be mounted to a microphone stand or boom arm.
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[@rodtompkins]

I'm partial to the HypeMiC based on this and other reviews, plus I've had great experience with Apogee products. I bought a pair of the original Apogee MiCs in 2012 and I still use them all the time. The build quality is amazing, and to my ears they still sound great on a variety of sources. Also, the compactness of all the Apogee MiCs appeals to me since I usually tuck them into my backpack when I travel.

[@jemallen2818]

Finally a good review including the atr2500x! For some reason it's hard to find reviews about it in youtube. Thanks! :)

[@ArvyVillamarzo]

Very informative video. Having a guitar player and a voice over narrator test the mics was absolutely brilliant. I also loved the way you played the guitar.

[@landondale8496]

Not surprisingly, the mic that sounded best for voice was the one closest to the source (the AT on a boom arm). Hard to tell how well the others compared since they were picking up so much room reverb. I was really surprised at how well the Rode sounded all around, but especially with the guitar.

[@kevinhanwell3985]

Thank you for a well presented review. I enjoyed the humour and the sound tests on both voice and guitar. Extremely useful info.

[@elijahharing]

And Australian haha

[@cliffsmith1305]

Great vid, guys :-) Comprehensive and cool! Good guitar playing and good voiceover stuff!!

[@robwright7384]

Excellent review. I like the way you give your expert, honest opinions. Great you tried it on acoustic guitar as well as vocals, allways a good test. Well done ATM gentlemen!

[@pantherbane78]

This would have been a killer video had the mic placement been uniform. If you have the Audio-Technica two inches from your mouth and the Rode 10 inches from your mouth thats going to make a massive difference. Unfortunately, this video doesn't offer useful sample comparisons.

[@YummyCatgirlMilk]

@@Ziraya0 expect your wrong half of them can be put on a boom arm. Just because they come with them doesn't mean you can't take the 2 minutes to record the audio on a boom arm .

[@priyaaraina5407]

This video was so helpful! Thanks a lot for putting in that effort 👏

[@katk925]

On the Apogee HypeMiC, the reason the legs are loose like that and won't stand up straight is just that you need to tighten the screw under the legs. You have an allen wrench that came with your HypeMiC for this!

[@sfdj888]

This is what I am looking for. Cheerz mate!

[@hexlo514]

Nice review, but would have been nice to have the same distance to the microphones on the sound tests.

[@davidwallis2899]

Would have liked to see how the M-Audio Uber Mic stacked up to these. A thoughtful and broad review, gentlemen. Well done and informative.

[@montxsuz]

Good review, thank you. I nearly bought the Rode NT-USB Mini before watching it, now I am having second thoughts (it would have been nice to have had the Rode NT-USB non-mini in this review, Rode being an Australian company). I listened to this video through my computer, which has decent (AudioEngine) speakers plus a SubWoofer. I found that the otherwise good-sounding Audio-Technica was the only mic to have triggered my SubWoofer due to its low-end, causing vibration. That was during the Voiceover. Maybe I'll save up for the Apogee instead.

[@nickbro96]

apply a high pass filter and you'll be right

[@borisvaradinac7972]

For the podcast and voice-over or ZOOM, Teams, Skype and all other video calls, I would always go with Audio Technica, or RODE NT USB (normal size not mini). Thank you guys for great video and no post editing while testing those mics!

[@gormauslander]

What makes you prefer The full size nt over the mini?

[@markanderson6639]

Good review. Thanks for posting it.

[@MrAndrewJSimmons]

Thanks guys you literally got me sold on the yeti I was comparing it with the Lyra and this helped me make my decision

[@angelmahree8635]

This video was extremely helpful!!!

[@viper8177]

I like the sound from the Apogee and Rode for voice. The voice sounded like it had more warmth whereas the others sounded a bit flat and plain. That is what I noticed anyway after you had completed the voice tests. I later found out around 16 minutes where you talk about the Apogee having an analog compressor and all the good stuff inside it.

[@To77iKUb]

Thank! That helped me a lot.

[@rakshitr6710]

Thank you both for this video. 👍👍

[@LiaraJane]

I enjoy the retro look. Thanks for the vid!

[@ghostbond1074]

Great video! Trying to find a comparison like this that also includes a ribbon mic like like the X1R, and a smaller desktop mic like the AC44.

[@akay1598]

Really helpful video, thank you!

[@gopilotmusic]

A Great Big ThankYou! fellas.. watched (listened) to parts of this vid a gazillion times to choose a usb mic for acoustic guitar... very pleased with the choice you help me make.. I'm just recording with now for 6 takes or so.. the Shure MV5 I chose. Had been close to the Lyra. But choosing for both fullness of tone and fine detail MV5 sounded best to me. I find the flat setting best..into my ipad daw with a little compression. Very pleased🤘

[@myhobbies-activities]

Its great video review and very helpfull for people to get insight before decide and buy it 👍👍👍👍

[@jaymeez]

Great Video! Very Helpful

[@lesliejoyce8546]

Would be great to have this same demo, but with all the mics placed as well for voice as the one on the boom arm.

[@AlainLafleche1]

For me, the Audio-Technica ATR-2500x is the winner. Great sound and having just one pattern without extra button is a plus, there is always noise introduce with buttons on a long run.

[@healinglight333]

I was not expecting that for Audio Technica! I think it was the best for the voice of the speaker. Second best for his voice although the worst performing was the shure one. I can feel it has less dynamic range(maybe because of built in compression) than the others but I really liked the coloring it did for his voice. As for the guitar the AKG was the best for me. It has brightness and warmth at the same time. The Rode one and the shure one couldn’t really handle that. It would be interesting if you had included the Shure MV51 in your comparison. Thank you for the test! Cheers! 🍺

[@zykify]

Thank you for this overview. I think the Audio Technica sounded best in general but I will go for the AKG because 1. it has a stand already and 2. for the front & back pickup pattern. It also had a very clean sound without too much low's which will make the essence of spoken words easier to come through.

[@SwirlyJoe]

It's also a nice piece of decorations when not in use🤪

[@beatricemcbride4670]

omg! I stumbled across this video and I love you guys! You have best energy and your Australian YAY! haha thanks for the video

[@audiotechnologymag]

Thanks for watching!

[@fazlinji]

Love the the 3 ranges of the Audio-Technica and second, the clarity of the Shure

[@MarkusWutte]

Blue Yeti is a big surprise for me! Sounds good! Thank you for this comparison!

[@vnamahi4056]

Great review video. Thanks u

[@fernandolandaeta991]

This video was so helpful Thanks👏👏👏

[@REMRODFILMS]

that mv5 sounded fire!

[@LukesEnglishPodcast]

The AudioTechnica sounds the best, but only because it’s the closest to your mouth. Proximity effect is a thing.

[@vikrambhati7667]

Plus it lacks gain knob

[@JoseLima-pt9hu]

Excellent review.

[@shakechillii8362]

Thanks for the review. what mic would you reccomend for a table top mic for podcasting, video content, and even live shows?

[@economicdevelopment5972]

I have Shure MV5 and it has been fantastic for voice, music recording, even Microsoft Teams!

[@blueser100]

I have it too and use it for acoustic guitar 👍

[@greg6162]

I honestly thought the Shure MV5 had the best all around balance, especially for music. The Yeti needs a pop filter or maybe the settings needed to be tweaked. I like the Shure MV5 for plug in play on an iPhone or MacBook Air m2

[@altabriziyehya4735]

Love it. You guys are awesome

[@MajeticLuka]

Great video! Thanks!

[@jaredadams7771]

One statement I would claim is that your distance to each diaphragm as well as the axis direction seemed to be different with each microphone.

[@muhammadiqbalarief8140]

thanks for the video bro very usefull

[@theoutsiderjess4869]

I bought the blue yeti and im absolutely enjoying it

[@dxb_pianist]

Great video! Thank you

[@cilledelight4831]

very good review. awesome

[@lcpowell]

Mic placement is everything. The HypeMic can also be mounted onto a mic stand, I love mine.

[@lcpowell]

I've done jobs in hotels with the HypeMic, it's a great travel mic.

[@pasoundman]

Totally agree about mic placement.

[@be.kind.to.animals]

great video thanks!

[@power4u977]

Awesome video. Which lavalier mics are you using ?

[@garymanis6305]

I'm curious why you included the bottom rung Sure MV5 , which is priced the same as the Rode NT-USB Mini ($99 USD) instead of the Sure MV7 ($249 USD), which is intended for content creators, is an excellent mic and is priced in the middle of this group or the legendary radio/podcast studio microphone Sure SM7b/CloudFilter bundle ($549 to $589 USD).

[@lukesuperflyjones]

thanks guys for doing this! Would it be possible to hear the mics all at the same mic placement or even at the same time? Cause that is greatly going to make a difference when it comes to the true sound of the mic. Also buy the Apogee Hype MiC from the USA...its only $349! ;D

[@sdstreiker]

AKG Lyra ROCKS!

[@arlonrando]

Would be an essential information, wich of these run fine on some iPad, expecially bus-powered mics that you can use mobile in the wild without cable-terror, usb-powered hub etc.

[@DJ-li1kz]

Atr 2500x for overall balance between function, blue yeti sound best for just voice

[@mrsinevich]

Hi! Which one would you suggest for speech recording (audiobooks, voiceovers etc.): Audio-Technica ATR-2500x-USB vs Rode NT-USB Mini?

[@onzkicg]

wow nice comparison! For Voice- i vote for Audio Technica and Rode, Guitar goes to Shure first, next are random Audio Technica, Apogee, Blue.

[@ArtemisKitty]

Would the Yeti X be a more comparable one both due to price range and being a current model usb mic vs an older model usb/xlr hybrid, placing it in another class? The Yeti X is cheaper, yet on paper looks way better in stats than the Pro, plus it seems to be aimed more at the same target audience as the rest here. Have you tested and compared the Yeti X and Pro together, choosing not to feature the (4 condenser vs 3 condenser) Yeti X over the Pro? If so, mind sharing why?

[@govindvaidya8599]

Dear friend: Thanks for useful demo. Request your opinion on: SHURE MV5 usb mic...&... RODE NT USB Mini... can you please tell which of the above TWO mic - has crisp- clear- warmth sound quality suitable for Vocal- Singing for home recording. Thanks Dilip, India

[@szita2000]

I think pricewise as well the Shure was the best mic for voiceover and podcasting. The Rode as much as these guys would want to like it sounded a bit USB-y, tinny to me.

[@nissenilsson8712]

Good review 😀. What about that low frequency noise on the AT 🤔? It’s humming. Sounds like a grounding problem but how come? It’s a USB a microphone.

[@chaddaughtridge4642]

For the acoustic guitar, it was a no-brainer. The Apogee sounded the clearest and most natural. The AKG sounded a little low in the low end. I thought the Rode did as well. The others were a little distorted and not as clear.

[@SanjoyDasGuitar]

Awesome! Both of your presentation. Thanks for this video,🙏

[@kirkegodfrey414]

Thanks for this. The mic placement variation made this pretty problematic.

[@sovakievich]

Totally! no way to compare if the distance from mic is not the same.

[@lcpowell]

amen to that. mic placement is everything.

[@_dfph]

I think this an unfair comparison of the mics. The mics that are near the table's surface are picking up way too much reverberation from the table. Mics should be positioned similarly if your going to make these type of comparisons.

[@zykify]

@@_dfph Both yes and no, apart from the Audio Technica they all had their own stands and none of them was adjustable so whatever difference the distance makes, it will be there for the end-user. For the guitar, it is different, in that situation the microphone placement would most likely be carefully optimized and even a small difference in positioning can make a huge difference in sound.

[@tylerthurston3837]

They were showing it with the included stands so you know what you get out of the box, as the majority of people probably wouldn't buy a mic stand like the audio technica one comes with

[@ishaansaxena06]

awesome video !!!

[@viktorkostadinov5069]

Hello I want to record guitar is the Audio-Technica ATR2500x-USB a good option?

[@BannedEvECharacter]

Bought the Lyra last week, if I would've known of rhodes existence, I might of gotten that, but I have no regrets, it sounds great and i'm glad I got it.

[@pasoundman]

Rode.

[@toxoctopus]

Lyra has the most honest sound, the smoothest one without bulging bass and treble.

[@kimmycola8832]

Hello should I get the other rode mic that you connect to a swivel arm for around $200 or the blue yeti for around $200? Please reply it's very much appreciated.

[@odarquehunnett200]

I’m hearing a high hum with the AKG...connection or gain issue...?

[@lunayogini21]

Thank you. Indeed, a helpful review. In another review on USB mics there was talk of 'latency' Is this an issue with any of these mics reviewed?

[@feef6521]

guys you should also test all of them on a mic arm and on the same high

[@theblinddriver8170]

I bought a few days a go USB mic, the Audio technica AT2020 USB

[@deejayzam]

This video got me even more confused, in a nice kinda way. ;)

[@shemofficials5181]

How to connect akg Lyra on any device can you help me please ,I have problems

[@nabilcapillaire3362]

Hey! 10 years ago we were at SAE together!

[@audiotechnologymag]

Hey Nabil! Long time! Fancy crossing paths here. Hope you're well. - Preshan

[@scpdatabase969]

Golden comparison. Guy has a golden voice too haha

[@sizzlechestmcmurphy4365]

Have to replace a first gen Razer Seiren mic. Has developed some nasty static sound that I can't get rid of. Rode mic it is. Thanks chaps.

[@melissaanne89]

Hi Sirs I know this video is a year ago...i just wanted to ask which is better for a home studio recording for singing. I plan to start recording inside our room but my problem is it's not soundproof at all...which mic can not capture the other noises? I plan to purchase akg lyra but some reviewers said that it captures outside noises...thanks and God bless...

[@hellochriis]

They: "Every mic did sound so different" Me: What???

[@SuloSivas]

I want to make music on my laptop at home. This will be my first experience. Didn't want to spend a lot of money for the interface microphone. Therefore my question the rode nt usb Samson g track pro or the audio-technica 2020 USB plus? Which one can you recommend.

[@FVDaudio]

Oooh Neat microphones !! 😮

[@endezeichengrimm]

The Audio Technica sounded the best to me. I think it has to be close to your mouth to really deliver the best. I might get the Audio Technica if I can find a suitable stand that will work on top of a desk.

[@jobcambodia]

I have a new RODE USB mini but in the box there is only USB cable that cannot be plugged into my MacBook Pro. What do you think I should do?

[@BR04LAN]

You can purchase an adaptor to convert to the connection for your MacBook Pro.

[@doktutor]

Please give me advice what best mic on this video?

[@ssergejev]

Shure MV5 is cheapest, but MV51 would be in same class as others and good competitor too. MV5 style came from SHURE 520DX I believe ;)

[@TechDunk]

I am looking for a mic upgrade. I have been using the Samson Meteor Mic for 2 years now. My budget for the mic (including other harware needed for it) is $220. I don't have any equipment other than my current (USB) mic, an arm and pop filter. What I want to use it for: Voice-overs (for tutorials or trailers) Stereo/omni audio (asmr like) Sound effect recording (game effects). I am not brand loyal, so it doesn't have to be from a big brand. So it needs to have at least stereo output. I can downmix this to mono for voiceover. So this doesn't need to be hardware implemented (but that would be a nice feature. So far the Blue Yeti X, HyperX QuadCast and Samson GTrack Pro look the best rn. But please feel free to change my mind!

[@hystericalben]

We've not tested the HyperX and the Samson, but we're fans of the discrete analogue outputs of the Yeti. It's a versatile mic that you'll find a use for regardless of your changing needs.

[@byebaibai]

I use the AT2020 with the Scarlett solo (previously blue icicle) and it's holding up pretty well. And out of all the options you were looking at, the Samson G Track Pro Is (Personally) My favorite! Edit: just checked your channel and saw you got the AT2020. What Interface did you go with?

[@alvanyoung4494]

The best in this video for me is the audio-technica

[@pasoundman]

AKG and A-T win hands down on voice (hugely more natural). Sadly you didn't really pay much attantion to the acoustic environment so it's hardly a meaningful test.

[@catherinebanton7557]

Too bad you didn’t test the noise floor. It’s important. The yeti mics have a very high noise floor with a kind of a hissing sound and gets worse as it gets older (manufacturer chip problem) while the rode mics have a really low noise floor. I don’t know about the rest.

[@exone9826]

No love for Samson G Track Pro?

[@kanishkaroy3101]

Thanks sir

[@pamelatrent9674]

Should've tested a horn--there was a question if you played a trumpet but no trumpet/horn was tested. That would've been helpful.

[@guitarlearningtoplay]

Why no dynamic usb mic?

[@IANIVES]

With the price of some of these mics might as well do your research and buy a condenser with an audio interface. I recommend looking for the NEAT King Bee mic. This mic used to be $350 but now sells for $130 since the company went indie (Used to be under GIBSON). Also the founders of this company used to own BLUE Mics (ones making Blue Yeti, Snowball, Spar, Baby Bottle, etc). The mic's performance compares to the RODE NT1 and many other mics in the $300-$600 price range. I own this mic to do my covers and it sounds great. I recommend checking out other reviews so you can get an in depth view to how it sounds.

[@sudhirkothari]

Can you tell us which USB microphone can work for androind apps like smule?

[@killer91935]

Which of the six (besides the MV5) is able to plug into an IOS/Android device? And did you test the headphone latency while playing?

[@bohdanopolonets9753]

Rode

[@DavidBrackett385]

Hi, the apogee is lightning cable direct to iPhone. The others you get a usb to lighting adapter to make them work. Just know the bigger mics like the yeti you will need a special adapter that allows charging at the same time to power them. Both these adapters are sold from Apple. I don’t know anything about Android hope this helps

[@evesevere1465]

I like the AKG but I prefer the Tula. Great video though.

[@zealandzen]

I like the look of "the eyeball" best. Resembles a globe.