The Best Dynamic Microphones for Podcasting

Its cardioid dynamic capsule gives high gain before feedback, and the metal body is solid. It needs an XLR interface or mixer. It suits podcasting, vocals, streaming and instrument recording.

Its extended frequency response gives warm, natural vocals. It shares an XLR connection with the XS 1 and PodMic; the PodMic USB goes with a USB-C and XLR connection. It shares a via interface headphone monitoring with the XS 1 and PodMic; the PodMic USB goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring.

It also comes with a low price tier. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included. Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the XS 1 was closest.

It is a handheld cardioid dynamic mic with a silent mute switch, a clip and a pouch. It connects over XLR. It shares an XLR connection with the NW-040 and PodMic; the PodMic USB goes with a USB-C and XLR connection.

It is the only pick here with an on/off switch mute control; the FIFINE AM8 has a mute button mute control instead. It shares a via interface headphone monitoring with the NW-040 and PodMic; the PodMic USB goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It also comes with a dynamic capsule for vocals.

XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included. Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. When we checked, only the NW-040 cost less, and the FIFINE AM8 cost more.

The XLR cable is not included. It has both USB and XLR outputs, a 50Hz to 16kHz response and a cardioid dynamic capsule that rejects room noise. The RGB ring has three modes.

It is the only pick here with a USB and XLR connection; the NW-040 has an XLR connection instead. You get a mute button mute control here, which sets it apart from the XS 1 and its an on/off switch mute control. Like the PodMic USB, it has a headphone jack headphone monitoring, while the PodMic uses a via interface headphone monitoring.

You also get an XLR output for later upgrades (XLR cable not included) and RGB lighting. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. Its price falls between the XS 1 and the PodMic, based on our last check.

It needs an interface. An internal pop filter and shock mount reduce plosives and desk bumps, and its all-metal body is built to last. Like the NW-040 and XS 1, it has an XLR connection, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a USB and XLR connection.

Like the NW-040 and XS 1, it has a via interface headphone monitoring, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It shares a swing mount in the box with the PodMic USB; the FIFINE AM8 goes with a stand in the box. You also get a design built for broadcast voice.

XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included. Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. Its price falls between the FIFINE AM8 and the PodMic USB, based on our last check.

A headphone jack handles monitoring. It has both XLR and USB-C outputs, so it can move from a laptop to an interface later. Over USB, onboard APHEX processing adds compression, and zero-latency monitoring runs through its headphone jack.

It is the only pick here with a USB-C and XLR connection; the NW-040 has an XLR connection instead. Like the FIFINE AM8, it has a headphone jack headphone monitoring, while the PodMic uses a via interface headphone monitoring. It shares a swing mount in the box with the PodMic; the FIFINE AM8 goes with a stand in the box.

It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the PodMic.