Checked 6 October 2026 · 5 microphones
The best podcast microphones under $100.
The microphones podcasters recommend that cost $100 or less today: USB, XLR or both, dynamic or condenser, what each plugs into, the price at a named retailer on the day we checked, and what owners say.
How we chose. We started from eight widely recommended budget podcast mics and kept only those with a listed US price of $100 or less at a named retailer on 6 October 2026. Prices were read from B&H and Walmart product pages that day (Sweetwater served a bot check and could not be read); specs come from the manufacturer pages and B&H spec tabs. Nobody at Slice tested these microphones hands-on. User quotes come from Reddit (r/podcasting), Walmart and Guitar Center, and each was checked word for word against the page it links to; a quote that could not be checked is not here.
We make Slice, a few of whose tools appear here where they do the job; they are marked “ours”. No tool paid to be listed.
Which one, in ten seconds
Find the line that sounds like you.
- You want one mic that plugs into your laptop now and an interface laterSamson Q2U
- You already own an audio interface and want a broadcast-style micRØDE PodMic
- You want the lowest price with USB and XLRFifine K688
- You want software EQ and compression built in over USBMaono PD200X
- You have an interface and the smallest possible budgetBehringer XM8500
Side by side
| Microphone | Best for | Price | Connection and pickup | Plugs into |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samson Q2U | a first podcast mic that plugs straight into a computer by USB today and into an audio interface by XLR later | $79.99 at B&H (Recording & Podcasting Pack, in stock), 6 Oct 2026 | USB and XLR outputs; dynamic capsule, cardioid pattern; USB recording up to 16-bit / 48 kHz | Mac, Windows and Chromebook over USB (no driver); any mixer or audio interface over XLR |
| RØDE PodMic | a broadcast-style XLR mic if you already have, or plan to buy, an audio interface | $86 at B&H (in stock), 6 Oct 2026 | XLR only (no USB); dynamic capsule, tight cardioid pattern; needs an audio interface or mixer | Any audio interface, mixer or recorder with an XLR input |
| Fifine K688 | the lowest-cost USB and XLR dynamic mic with a headphone jack, gain knob and mute on the body | $51.67 at Walmart (sold by FIFINE, USB-cable version), 6 Oct 2026; B&H lists the AmpliTank K688 at $72.99 as a preorder | USB-C and XLR outputs; dynamic capsule, cardioid pattern | macOS and Windows over USB (B&H spec); any audio interface or mixer over XLR |
| Maono PD200X | a USB and XLR dynamic mic with free desktop software for EQ, compression and limiting | $72.99 at Walmart (third-party seller Lecovo Shop), 6 Oct 2026; $89.99 on Maono's own store | USB-C and XLR outputs; dynamic capsule, cardioid pattern; 24-bit / 48 kHz over USB | Windows, macOS, Android, PS4 and PS5 over USB; audio interfaces over XLR (Maono product page) |
| Behringer XM8500 | the cheapest dynamic mic to pair with an audio interface you already own | $19.90 at B&H (temporarily out of stock), 6 Oct 2026 | XLR only (no USB); dynamic capsule, cardioid pattern; needs an audio interface or mixer | Any audio interface, mixer or recorder with an XLR input |
Prices are street prices at the named retailer on the day shown and move often.
01
Samson Q2U
Best for a first podcast mic that plugs straight into a computer by USB today and into an audio interface by XLR later.
Price $79.99 at B&H (Recording & Podcasting Pack, in stock), 6 Oct 2026Plugs into Mac, Windows and Chromebook over USB (no driver); any mixer or audio interface over XLR
What it does well
- Both USB and XLR outputs, so it works on its own or with an interface (Samson spec page)
- 3.5 mm headphone output with level control for zero-latency monitoring (Samson spec page)
- The pack includes a mic clip, desktop tripod stand, foam windscreen, USB cable and XLR cable (Samson spec page)
- Rated 4.6 out of 5 across 96 B&H reviews
Where it falls short
- USB recording tops out at 16-bit, where the Maono PD200X lists 24-bit (Samson and Maono spec pages)
- A B&H reviewer returned it because it was somewhat noisy, especially over USB
What its users say
“The Samson Q2u has gone up in price (I think it's around $120 now?), but it's a fantastic sounding mic that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that you'd never use podcasting.”
“The sound is no better than what you get with the cheapest mic you can buy.”
“the samson q2u is very solid but only real usable with a good mic stand/mic arm, because you will hear handling noises if you grab or move it.”
“this mic's drivers are garbage and it constantly disconnects.”
In the directoryRetailer listingread 6 October 2026
02
RØDE PodMic
Best for a broadcast-style XLR mic if you already have, or plan to buy, an audio interface.
Price $86 at B&H (in stock), 6 Oct 2026Plugs into Any audio interface, mixer or recorder with an XLR input
What it does well
- RØDE describes a tight cardioid pattern for room noise rejection, with an internal pop filter and shock mount (RØDE product page)
- Needs no power: B&H lists 'No Power Required' for this dynamic mic
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 across 187 B&H reviews
Where it falls short
- XLR only, so it cannot plug into a computer by itself (B&H spec: 1x XLR 3-pin male)
- Heavy at 937 g (2.1 lb) per B&H specs, so it needs a sturdy arm or stand
- One B&H reviewer said their setup also needed a Cloudlifter CL-2 inline preamp
What its users say
“Took a risk on a "cheap" mic to start a podcast with. I'm blown away by the cost to quality ratio.”
“It would help to know what your budget is, but for me I started with the Audio-Technica AT2005 and later upgraded to the Rode PodMic, which I still use.”
“The Q2U is the honest value pick and the PodMic sounds better but is quiet enough that you'll want an interface with real gain, so if you're leaning XLR anyway budget for that now rather than later.”
“The Podmic, while not my favorite mic, will provide you a solid starting point that you won’t need to replace.”
Retailer listingread 6 October 2026
03
Fifine K688
Best for the lowest-cost USB and XLR dynamic mic with a headphone jack, gain knob and mute on the body.
Price $51.67 at Walmart (sold by FIFINE, USB-cable version), 6 Oct 2026; B&H lists the AmpliTank K688 at $72.99 as a preorderPlugs into macOS and Windows over USB (B&H spec); any audio interface or mixer over XLR
What it does well
- USB-C and XLR outputs plus a 3.5 mm headphone jack (B&H spec tab)
- Gain control and quick mute on the mic (FIFINE product page)
- Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 215 Walmart ratings
Where it falls short
- The $51.67 Walmart version ships with a USB cable only; FIFINE replied to a reviewer that no XLR cable is included
- At B&H the AmpliTank K688 was 'Coming Soon' (preorder) on 6 Oct 2026, not in stock
What its users say
“Tested this mic in OBS with no filters while two TVs were playing in other rooms, and the audio was crystal clear.”
“The FiFine K688 and Samson Q2U are solid USB/XLR mics for $100 or less.”
“I would highly recommend pairing with an inline microphone preamp to get the absolute most out of this incredible product.”
In the directoryRetailer listingread 6 October 2026
04
Maono PD200X
Best for a USB and XLR dynamic mic with free desktop software for EQ, compression and limiting.
Price $72.99 at Walmart (third-party seller Lecovo Shop), 6 Oct 2026; $89.99 on Maono's own storePlugs into Windows, macOS, Android, PS4 and PS5 over USB; audio interfaces over XLR (Maono product page)
What it does well
- Maono Link software adds EQ, limiter and compressor in USB mode (Maono product page)
- One knob handles mic gain and headphone volume, plus a one-click mute (Maono product page)
- 24-bit / 48 kHz over USB (Maono product page)
Where it falls short
- The under-$100 Walmart listing is from a third-party marketplace seller, not Walmart itself
- RGB lighting is part of the design, which some podcasters may not want on camera (Maono product page lists 9 colour options)
Retailer listingread 6 October 2026
05
Behringer XM8500
Best for the cheapest dynamic mic to pair with an audio interface you already own.
Price $19.90 at B&H (temporarily out of stock), 6 Oct 2026Plugs into Any audio interface, mixer or recorder with an XLR input
What it does well
- Cardioid dynamic capsule with internal shockmount and spherical pop filter (Behringer product page)
- No phantom power needed (dynamic); 50 Hz to 15 kHz response (Behringer product page)
- Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 11,368 Amazon ratings
Where it falls short
- XLR only, so you need an interface and cable before it records anything
- Temporarily out of stock at B&H on 6 Oct 2026
- A B&H reviewer said the included clip fits too tightly
What its users say
“I've used this model of mic for 8 years for podcasting and love the results.”
“the only problem w/ it is that it broke the 1st time i dropped it, the floor was concrete but it broke even tho the fall wasnt hi.”
“The Behringer XM8500 is a cheap clone of the Shure SM58.”
“I am using this hooked up to a Behringer UMC202HD and I have the gain almost maxed out.”
In the directoryRetailer listingread 6 October 2026
Questions
Dynamic or condenser for an untreated home room?
Dynamic, for most people. Every mic on this list is a dynamic, cardioid mic: it picks up mostly what is right in front of it and much less of the room around it, so echo and household noise stay quieter. RØDE describes the PodMic's tight cardioid pattern as built for room noise rejection, and one B&H reviewer said they left a condenser because it picked up too much background noise. Condensers such as the Blue Yeti are more sensitive, which helps in a quiet, treated room but also means they hear more of an untreated one. Speak close to a dynamic mic (a few inches) for the best result.
Do I need an audio interface?
Not for the Samson Q2U, Fifine K688 or Maono PD200X: each has a USB output that plugs straight into a computer. The RØDE PodMic and Behringer XM8500 are XLR-only, so they need an audio interface, mixer or recorder with an XLR input.
Why have both USB and XLR?
USB lets you start with just the mic and a computer. XLR lets you move to an audio interface or mixer later without replacing the mic. The Q2U, K688 and PD200X all have both.
Why isn't the Blue Yeti or Shure MV6 on this list?
On 6 October 2026 B&H listed the Blue Yeti at $129.99 to $139.99 and the Shure MV6 at $169, both above this list's $100 limit.