A microphone is an essential device every home office worker should have in their workspace. With a good microphone, you command attention, reduce distractions, and engage your audience. This can boost your productivity and improve your business in the long run.
When handling meetings, recording a podcast, or course lessons, your voice needs to sound crisp and clear to leave a good impression. This builds your sound integrity and can increase your audience/prospects.
You stand a great chance to get outstanding voice quality with microphones from Amazon. Luckily, we will review some of Amazon’s best microphones in this post. We’d also look at microphone types for home office and core features to consider when buying a microphone.
Types of Microphones For Home Office Workers
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USB Microphone
As their name implies, USB mics connect to your device’s USB port. They are very useful for anyone working from home. Designed for desk use, these mics have become common among home office workers and casual users.
USB mics differ from traditional types by being more portable and convenient, although their sound quality is lower. Nevertheless, they are perfect for home office workers who want good sound.
Whether you’re recording your podcast, or live streaming a video conference, USB mics are the perfect choice to consider.
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Wired/Wireless Headset
Headsets can either have built-in or external boom microphones. They usually have a noise-canceling feature, which blocks background noise and amplifies your voice when you speak. You also get great audio quality, while listening to music or podcasts.
Headsets are convenient and portable, allowing you to easily handle your affairs anywhere you wish. If your job requires you to attend meetings or receive calls, consider getting a pair of headsets.
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Condenser Microphone
Condenser mics are perfect for recording vocals in a controlled environment with no noise. They are highly sensitive and can pick up the tiniest sounds. So, you need a perfect acoustic environment to use it. If you’re doing live streams, public speaking, or recording podcasts/music, condenser mics are your best fit.
To get condenser mics, you may need to spend extra cash. This is because of the extra kit they come with. To use them with your computer, you need to get a USB audio interface, pop filter, and stand.
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Lavalier microphones
Want more hands-free experience? Consider getting a lavalier microphone. They are very small and almost undetectable mics mostly used by news anchors and TV hosts. They come with a clip that allows you to attach them to your clothing close to your mouth.
Lavalier mics are more convenient and efficient if you want a clear voice when recording videos, or podcasts. They may not be as sensitive as traditional mics but give good voice quality.
How To Compare Home Office Microphone: The Core Features To Consider
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Microphone Type
As a home office worker, you may need to stick to microphones suited for your job. If you work at the desk often, consider getting a USB mic that easily connects to your desktop or laptop. What if you want more desk space? A pair of headsets or a lavalier microphone are better options to check out. They give you a more hands-free experience and freedom to move about.
Lavalier microphones are perfect for video conferences. While headsets are suited for calls and audio live streaming. Make sure to decide on your work needs before getting a microphone.
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Polar Pattern
Polar patterns are specific directions in which a microphone can pick up sounds. These patterns can be either cardioid, bidirectional, or omnidirectional.
Cardioid microphones pick up sounds directly in front of it. Bidirectional mics record sounds from front and back, while omnidirectional mics capture sounds from all directions.
Cardioid mics are excellent for noise cancelation. So if you don’t want any background noise while working, you can opt for cardioids. It is best to determine the direction you want your mic to record.
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Sensitivity and Sound Pressure Level (SPL) Handling
Sensitivity is the degree to which a mic can pick up the smallest sounds. Mics with high sensitivity—like condenser mics— can pick up the quietest of sounds. While low sensitivity mics only focus on picking up specific sounds. It is measured in millivolts (mV).
While SPL is the highest volume a mic can handle. It is measured in decibels (dB) or Pascals (Pa) and a volume of around 100dB is suitable for a home office mic.
Sensitivity and SPL are represented by mV/Pa in the specification list of a mic. A high value indicates high sensitivity and vice versa.
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Frequency Response Range
A mic’s frequency response range is its ability to respond to frequency changes. Frequencies can be low, mid, and high in relation to sound. They’re measured in Hertz (Hz). A frequency range of between 50KHz and 15KHz is suitable for home office mics.
The frequency response range is visually represented in a frequency response curve. Usually, a mic that has a good response to vocals, shows a spike in the mid-range of the curve. Since you may be interested in getting clear vocals, a mid-range mic is a great option.
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Price
Setting a budget is important to guide you on saving money while getting the best mic. So, once you’ve decided on mic types and specs, go over to Amazon to check the best and most affordable options.
Best Home Office Microphones Under $100
Elgato Premium Cardioid USB Condenser Microphone (Wave 1)
Features
- Condenser microphone capsule with a cardioid polar pattern intended to capture direct speech. It also has a multilayered noise shield to keep away plosive noise.
- Connects to PC with USB-C and USB-A.
- Integrated Wave Link app to control Wave 3 and up to seven other audio sources during digital mixing.
- Converts a maximum sample rate of 24-bit/96kHz from analog to digital.
- Equipped with Proprietary Clipguard technology to remove distortion.
Price: $79.99 on Amazon
Razer Seiren USB Streaming Microphone
Features
- Portable condenser mic with extended frequency and transient sounds.
- Supercardioid polar pattern to reduce background noise and produce clear vocals.
- Built-In Shock Mount to reduce vibrations and avoid interruptions during recording.
- Equipped with zero latency monitoring to deliver real-time in-stream monitoring.
Price: $49.99 on Amazon
Tonor USB Microphone Kit
Features
- Complete mic set with a condenser mic, adjustable scissors stand, metal shock mount, desktop mount clamp, foam cover, pop filter, and 1.8M USB-C to USB-A cable.
- Cardioid polar pattern with a wide frequency response of 20HZ to 20KHz and high SPL capability to give high vocal clarity.
- Convenient volume button to adjust the volume.
- Provides an excellent range of motion with a tall 27.5-inch sturdy scissors stand.
Price: $54.99 on Amazon
Lewinner Wireless Lavalier Microphone
Features
- Built-in 6mm highly sensitive microphone with advanced multilevel noise-cancelation.
- Supports 44.1/48KHz real-time stereo sound pickup to deliver crisp and clear vocals and recordings.
- Equipped with a Bluetooth Qualcomm chipset and SWISS Intelligent Algorithm for swift and efficient wireless connection. The microphone requires the Smike app to connect to a smartphone.
- 110mAh Battery with 6 hours duration and mini clip for attaching it to your clothing.
Price: $79.99 on Amazon
Rode Lavalier GO Professional Wearable Microphone
Features
- Features a wearable 4.5mm omnidirectional microphone with a clip mount. Delivers high-quality audio for broadcasting and conferences.
- Foam pop shield to minimize noise from plosive sounds.
- Hard-wearing Kevlar reinforced cable that holds in place during microphone use.
- 3.5mm TRS connector that fits with an audio device having a 3.5mm TRS microphone input.
Price: $57.70 on Amazon
MAONO USB Lavalier Microphone
Features
- Highly sensitive to sound and delivers a high sampling rate of 24bit/192KHz for high-quality sound.
- Built-in professional sound chipset to restore sound integrity.
- Comes with 78 inches USB audio cable, and an aluminum lapel clip for flexibility, portability, and efficiency. Foam windscreen prevents distortions and plosive noise.
Home Office Microphone Buying Guide: The Common FAQs
What Should I Know Before Buying A Microphone?
Before buying a microphone, there are core features you should keep in mind. They include microphone type, polar pattern, frequency response range, and sensitivity.
What Type Of Microphone Should I Use?
The microphone type you choose should be suitable for your reason for buying it. If you need a microphone for remote work, consider buying a USB microphone or a lavalier microphone.
What Do I Need For A Microphone Setup?
When working from home, the basic things you will need for a microphone setup are a microphone, pop shield, and headphones.
What Is The Best Microphone To Use At Home?
The best microphone to use in a home depends on what you need the microphone for. If you’re a home office worker, you need a USB condenser mic, a lavalier mic, or a pair of headsets.
Conclusion
A microphone is important for every home office worker. To get a crisp and clear voice when on calls or in meetings, you need the best microphone from Amazon.
Usually, USB condenser mics like Elgato Cardioid USB Condenser Microphone and Razer Seiren USB Streaming Microphone are excellent for desk workers. If you want to record podcasts or videos for your blog, Tonor USB Microphone Kit is a complete mic set to get you started.
Do you need a simple, lightweight, and undetectable mic for video conferences? The Lewinner Wireless Lavalier Microphone and MAONO USB Lavalier Microphone are great options to check out.
