If you find yourself in calls constantly or like to produce music on the side, the best USB microphones for Mac are an almost necessary purchase. Macs have a built-in microphone but it's not of great quality so you will want something better to use day-to-day.
Though you will find professional dedicated mics that might offer better sound, USB microphones are a great way of getting started when it comes to recording, talking, and more. They are particularly handy as they don't need any extra hardware to get started.
Unfortunately, the best mic for your specific setup won't always be easy as picking the cheapest or nicest looking, as you may value different aspects and selling points. For this reason, we have gone over all the very best USB microphones for Mac below.
Quick list
The Blue Yeti is the gold standard for USB microphones. Your favorite podcast probably started out on one (or two) of these, and you've likely heard a thousand YouTube videos recorded with one. It's simple to use, has great recording quality, and doesn't cost the earth. There's a reason it's so popular — it's really good.
With its RGB lighting and sleek looks, the HyperX Quadcast is one of the coolest mics on the list. It's not just looks that the Quadcast has to its name either — it's got great recording quality to boot. Just bear in mind that Mac users can't use the HyperX software, so you're stuck with the pulsating RGB lights.
The Rode NT-USB Mini is the smallest mic on the list but punches well above its weight with some big mic features. The recordings it produces sound excellent, and the USB-C port makes it easy to connect to your Mac. There are attachment points for a stand as well, so you can keep it stood up if you need to.
This is the small version of the Blue Yeti and brings all the best bits of the big one in a much neater package. If you're looking for a desktop mic that doesn't take up too much space, then this is a great option — and there are some slick color options as well.
This wicked-looking spaceship of a mic is the Samson Meteor — and if you're a musician on the go, then this is perfect. It's covered with chrome so you'll have to live with a little chince, but it's easy to use, simple to set up, and the recording quality is excellent.
This slick-looking, simple mic is perfect if you want to mount your mic on a boom arm. It's got top-quality recording as well, for some wicked voice line work. The SteelSeries software doesn't work with Mac mind you, so you'll want to keep that in mind before you drop the cash.
Best overall
The Yeti brand has become synonymous with excellent microphones over the years, and the Blue Yeti is one of the most popular and highly recommended.
The four different recording modes are where the Blue Yeti really shines because there's practically nothing you can't record with the mic if it's set in the right mode. If you have a newer Mac with only USB-C ports, like the M3 MacBook Air, you will need one of the best USB-C Hubs for MacBook Pro to plug it in. Once you do, you won't be disappointed.
Its basic cardioid mode is fantastic for capturing a single voice or instrument in front of the mic, making it perfect for music, game streaming, video calls, or vocals.
The omnidirectional mode allows the Blue Yeti to pick up sounds from all around it, meaning you can put it in the middle of a table and have multiple people speaking, and it won't miss a single word. This mode is great for podcasting with multiple hosts and guests or for capturing the noise around you.
Bidirectional mode allows the Blue Yeti to be an interview microphone with minimal setup. Just put the microphone between you and the other person speaking and never touch it again.
Lastly, stereo recording mode allows the Blue Yeti to use the left and right channels to record in stereo and give your recordings a more realistic soundstage when there is more than one sound source in front of the microphone.
With four recording modes, plug-and-play functionality, and live monitoring, the Blue Yeti offers the most versatile experience for the best price.
Best gaming mic
While the Blue Yeti may still take the top spot on our list because of its price, the HyperX QuadCast S, which we've reviewed, is a close runner-up. HyperX has been a key player in the USB microphone space lately, and this QuadCast S mic offers all the versatility you need. Although it's a bit more expensive than our top pick, it easily records clean audio if you're on top of your gain control.
This microphone has handled everything I have thrown at it and has always left me impressed. Although it's primarily billed as a gaming microphone, I recorded podcasts, took video calls, and laid down some acoustic guitar and basic vocals using the HyperX QuadCast S, and it all sounded stellar.
The microphone records 48kHz/16-bit audio and has three 14mm condensers, which provides enough data for post-production if you want to go that route. You can certainly pop this microphone down in front of yourself and tune your voice in lots of different ways in your favorite audio mixing program of your choice.
Even though I'm not a talented audio engineer or musician, I was able to lay down a pretty simple acoustic guitar track and then record some vocals, and come out with a mix that sounded pretty good. Of course, hardcore musicians are definitely not using a USB microphone to record, but it certainly works for very basic music recording in a pinch.
As much as I have become enamored with this microphone, the QuadCast S has one glaring issue that might be a big deal to you. HyperX's software to control the microphone called Ngenuity is not available on Mac. This means that you can't customize the RGB lighting when using the QuadCast S with your Mac, so you're stuck with the rotating rainbow pattern.
Lastly, the stylish RGB lighting and the built-in pop filter are nice extra touches that help make the HyperX QuadCast S a real contender.
If you're split between this one and our previous pick, the Blue Yeti, see how they match up head to head in our Blue Yeti vs HyperX QuadCast S guide.
Even though the Mac can't use all the features due to software limitations, the stylish look and beautifully clear audio recording make the HyperX QuadCast S a solid USB microphone for Mac users.
Best portable mic
If you need something compact but don't want to sacrifice recording quality, the Rode NT-USB Mini is worth a look.
Rode has been an excellent producer of microphones for years now, and although the Rode NT-USB Mini may look unassuming, it's a handy little USB microphone. The Rode NT-USB Mini is a great compact option for recording voices with a magnetic stand that can easily attach to mic stands, an AUX input for live monitoring, and a built-in pop filter.
The 24-bit at 48Khz sample rate offers excellent audio quality, and the sound isolation that the unidirectional microphone gets out of such a small device is pretty impressive.
USB-C power and a compact design make this an excellent microphone for a Macbook user. Due to its size, however, it does have some limitations. It doesn't feature an on-board gain control, and there's only one recording pattern available.
Best compact mic
This is the smaller version of the larger Blue Yeti mic that we've talked about already, and this brings almost all the great features of the larger microphone on a smaller scale. It's a solid mic too, with great recording quality. Like all good microphones worth their salt, the Blue Yeti Nano has monitoring via headphones and a volume dial on the front to make on-the-fly adjustments. However, it lacks a physical gain control you might expect from a more premium, or larger offering.
There's a stand included in the box as well so you won't have to buy one separately. It'll take up no space at all on your desk, and give you voice recording better than any mic attached to your headphones.
Best for impromptu recording
Although the Samsung Meteor is only meant to capture a single sound source, it does record all of its audio at a 16-bit, 48kHz sample rate, which means you're getting great-sounding audio every time you sit in front of it.
It's lightweight and quite compact, allowing you to transport the Meteor anywhere you need to go, so you never have to worry about sounding bad when you're on the road. It's probably the best Mac USB microphone for people constantly on the go because it's incredibly portable.
It's small and easy to carry around, meaning you can always bring it anywhere with your MacBook, and its price can't be beat. It's a neat little mic that can fit anywhere you want due to its compact size, but don't expect too much from the little guy.
Best for arm mounting
This is the newest mic on the list and brings with it some wicked features. First and foremost, however, is recording quality — and it is excellent. In our review, we discovered that the mic was capable of some of the best recording around, especially for voice recording. In addition to the excellent software that SteelSeries offers, it's a great recording device for anyone looking for a simple, good-looking microphone.
Unfortunately, that software is only available on Windows, so we on the Mac side are out of luck. It's also not a cheap option — it costs around $330. For the price, though you get an extra audio interface in the box, so you're getting more than you normally would with a USB microphone.
There are loads of mounting options as well, although one of our favorites is the boom arm mounting. It works well and allows you to position the mic in front of your face far easier than with just a simple stand. You will need to buy the arm separately, but fitting it is easy enough.
Q&A
Do I actually need a stand-alone microphone with my Mac?
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It depends on what you'll be doing and which Mac you use. If you are making and taking video calls on an older Mac, and people are having trouble hearing you, then it's time to invest in one of the best USB microphones for Mac. If people can hear you without any issues, then you probably don't need one.
However, if you're recording anything, such as a podcast or music, you definitely want an external microphone. You might think that you sound just fine, using only the built-in speakers on your Mac, but wait until you try a professional microphone. You'll sound worlds better; it's well worth the investment.
What if the microphone has a USB-A plug and my Mac only has a USB-C port?
If your microphone has a USB-A plug and your Mac has a USB-C port, then you'll need a USB-C adapter or a USB-C hub for Mac that includes at least one USB-A port.
How do I choose the best USB microphone for Mac?
Overall, the Blue Yeti is the best Mac USB microphone for most people. Its four recording modes offer an incredible amount of versatility, meaning regardless of what you're trying to record, you should be able to get a high-quality recording.
To find the right USB microphone for you, it's worth considering a few key factors. First up, size. If you need to record on the move, you'll need a smaller and more compact device, like the Samson Meteor or Blue Yeti Nano Professional.
Also think about connections, if you're using a newer laptop, like the M3 MacBook Air for example, you'll need to be sure you have the right connection – or an adapter – to connect to the Air's USB-C port.
Finally, consider quality. If you need a microphone to simply make your voice sound clearer on calls, you can go for a simple, budget option. If you're recording instruments or hosting a pro podcast, you'll need something more premium, like the Blue Yeti. You can be assured that popular brands like Rode, Blue Yeti, and Shure will deliver a top-quality product, no matter which specific model you go with.
If you want a new camera to further upgrade your podcasting or calling, check out our best webcams for Mac guide too.
