Buying Guide
The Best Microphones Under $100
From the PodMic to the Wave DX: three microphones ranked on connection and capsule, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
From $75 to $100 mics from established makers add solid stands and built-in controls. Every pick cost 75 to 100 when we checked and lists its connection type.
We sorted these picks by connection, capsule and polar pattern, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Elgato Wave DX Dynamic Microphone
Enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less.
Our take Check price for Elgato Wave DX Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Button Mute Control
Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone
A button mute control.
Best for: Buyers who want a button mute control.
Our take Check price for Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
RODE PodMic XLR Dynamic Microphone
Undercutting the Yeti Nano on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting internal pop filter for the least money.
Our take Check price for RODE PodMic XLR Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less. | Check price for Elgato Wave DX Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| A button mute control. | Buyers who want a button mute control. | Check price for Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Yeti Nano on price when we checked. | Getting internal pop filter for the least money. | Check price for RODE PodMic XLR Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 3
Elgato Wave DX Dynamic Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Wave DX is a dynamic speech mic that Elgato says needs no inline booster.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
It mounts on 5/8in threads with adapters. Its speech-tuned dynamic capsule works with any XLR preamp without a booster, according to Elgato. The cardioid pattern is forgiving if you move off-axis.
Like the PodMic, it has an XLR connection, while the Yeti Nano uses a USB connection. It shares a dynamic capsule with the PodMic; the Yeti Nano goes with a condenser (two capsules). Like the PodMic, it has a via interface headphone monitoring, while the Yeti Nano uses a headphone jack headphone monitoring.
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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Yeti Nano.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: 5/8in mount with adapters
Pros
- Enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed
- 5/8in mount with adapters
- Design for speech
- 5/8in mount with adapters in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the PodMic at the time of writing
Button Mute Control2 of 3
Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Blue's Yeti Nano shrinks the Yeti to two capsules with cardioid and omni patterns.
Best for
- Buyers who want a button mute control.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the PodMic was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It keeps a headphone output. Cardioid and omni patterns cover solo and group recording, and onboard controls handle headphone volume, mute and pattern. Blue VO!CE software adds broadcast effects.
A USB connection is unique to it among these picks, while the PodMic uses an XLR connection. No other pick in this guide offers a condenser (two capsules); compare the Wave DX, which has a dynamic capsule. You get a headphone jack headphone monitoring here, which sets it apart from the PodMic and its a via interface headphone monitoring.
It also offers a smaller body than the Yeti. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the PodMic and below the Wave DX at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser (two capsules)
- Polar pattern: Cardioid, omni
- Mute control: Button
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Desk stand
Pros
- Two capsules
- Cardioid and omni patterns
- Smaller body than the Yeti
- USB connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the PodMic at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
RODE PodMic XLR Dynamic Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RODE's PodMic is an XLR dynamic mic with an internal pop filter and a swing mount.
Best for
- Getting internal pop filter for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
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 Wave DX, it has an XLR connection, while the Yeti Nano uses a USB connection.
It shares a dynamic capsule with the Wave DX; the Yeti Nano goes with a condenser (two capsules). Like the Wave DX, it has a via interface headphone monitoring, while the Yeti Nano uses a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It also comes with 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. It undercut the Yeti Nano and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Swing mount
Pros
- Internal pop filter
- Integrated swing mount
- Design built for broadcast voice
- Swing mount in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
How We Chose These Microphones Under $100
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three microphones on connection, capsule, polar pattern and mute control from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 6 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Wave DX to the PodMic, state connection, capsule and polar pattern.
- Who each pick suits
- The Wave DX for enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed at the highest price in the group; the Yeti Nano for a button mute control; the PodMic for undercutting the Yeti Nano on price when we checked.
- Price range
- From the PodMic to the Wave DX, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Microphone Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capsule
The Wave DX and the PodMic list dynamic; the Yeti Nano lists Condenser (two capsules). Settling capsule first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
Headphone monitoring
The Wave DX and the PodMic list via interface; the Yeti Nano lists Headphone jack. Settling headphone monitoring first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The Wave DX: a 5/8in mount with adapters. The Yeti Nano: cardioid and omni patterns. The PodMic: an integrated swing mount.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 3: the PodMic through the Wave DX all landed in the $50 to $100 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less: the Wave DX. Buyers who want a button mute control: the Yeti Nano. Getting internal pop filter for the least money: the PodMic.
How to Choose a Microphone Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less | Wave DX | Enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want a button mute control | Yeti Nano | A button mute control |
| Getting internal pop filter for the least money | PodMic | Undercutting the Yeti Nano on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Wave DX, the Yeti Nano and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave DX | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| Yeti Nano | USB | Condenser (two capsules) | Cardioid, omni | Button |
| PodMic | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Yeti Nano the Button Mute Control?
It carries the badge for a button mute control. It is aimed at anyone who wants a button mute control.
Do the Wave DX and the Yeti Nano differ on connection?
The Wave DX and the PodMic use XLR; the Yeti Nano uses USB.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Wave DX and the Yeti Nano apart?
The Wave DX: enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed. The Yeti Nano: two capsules. The PodMic: an internal pop filter.
Should I pick the Wave DX or the PodMic?
The Wave DX suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the PodMic costs less; the PodMic suits getting internal pop filter for the least money.
How far should I sit from the mic?
About a hand's width to 15cm for most voice mics; dynamic mics often want to be closer.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Wave DX, chosen for enough output that Elgato says no booster is needed at the highest price in the group. Look at the Yeti Nano for a button mute control and the PodMic for undercutting the Yeti Nano on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Use a pop filter and a boom arm if you plan to speak close to the capsule.