Buying guide for content creators: 6 powerful microphones that are pocket friendly

There is an array of microphones across price segments in the market, and that could make it difficult for you to pick one best suited for your needs. Here is a list that can help you see some of the most affordable microphones.

Condenser microphone (Image credit: Pixabay)

Things to look for while buying an affordable microphone

Microphones come in all shapes and sizes. The most affordable amongst them are wired microphones, which look like wired earphones and can be plugged into a smartphone or a digital camera via the 3.5mm headphone. There are also some sophisticated wired microphones with USB-C ports that offer more detailed audio, however, these will cost a bit more than a regular wired microphone with an aux input. And if you are an iPhone user (previous generation), you might also have to buy a lighting to 3.5mm headphone jack converter.

The second major type of microphone is known as a condenser microphone, which is also known as a desktop microphone. As the name suggests, these are meant to be placed in one place and can be used for gaming streaming and also to record voice-over for blogging. Compared to wired microphones, condenser microphones offer higher audio quality by producing natural and warm tones.

Another category is the external wireless microphones, which will be slightly on the expensive side. However, as these transmit the data wirelessly, they offer a great degree of freedom while creating content and you also don’t have to worry about tangled cables. These mostly come in a pair of two, which makes it an excellent choice for those who do podcasts and interactions.

Boya ByM1 wired microphone (Image credit: Boya)

Best budget wired microphones

The Maono AU-400 Lavalier Auxiliary Omnidirectional Microphone, priced at Rs 499 is a pocket-friendly wired microphone that can be used with both cameras and smartphones. It is an omnidirectional mic, which means it captures the sound from all directions, hence, this is going to produce excellent audio quality indoors.

The Boya ByM1 is also another great omnidirectional microphone, unlike the other options, this one has a switch, which allows users to switch between smartphone and camera mode, and costs Rs 799. It also offers a 20 feet cable and the bundle also includes a high-quality condenser, which reduces external noise.

Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone (Image credit: Audio-Technica)

Best budget condenser/desktop microphone

While buying a condenser-type microphone, it is important to choose one from a reputed brand, and this is where the JBL Commercial CSSM100 Studio Condenser Microphone comes into the picture. This microphone is currently available for Rs 3,999 on all the major e-commerce platforms, and it offers a premium metal unibody mesh design, which protects the highly sensitive condenser capsule. As this is a unidirectional microphone, it can only record audio from one direction, making it the best option for voice-over and video game streaming.

The Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone is best suited for artists who play instruments or who record audio with two or more subjects, positioned in the same direction. This microphone is priced at Rs 8,200, and it offers a wider dynamic range, along with an excellent frequency response.

Digitek DWM 101 wireless microphone (Image credit: DigiTek)

Best budget wireless microphones

The Digitek DWM 101 is an affordable wireless microphone that costs less than Rs 5,000. It comes with a receiver and two transmitters and this can be used with smartphones and digital cameras. As it operates on 2.4GHz frequency, it also offers extended range when compared to Bluetooth-based wireless microphones.

If you want a wireless microphone with just a single transmitter, then consider the BOYA Wireless Lavalier Microphone, tailor-made for smartphones with a USB-C port, which costs Rs 2,800. This microphone comes in two parts, one which attaches to the smartphone and another can be clipped onto the user, and this is meant for vloggers, who shoot outside and want a robust wireless microphone solution.