A good stream or podcast isn’t just about talent and charisma. It’s also about impeccable sound quality. Imagine a viewer captivated by your content… until a muffled or distorted sound drives him away. Bad news: he’s not coming back.
Good news: the right microphone can change everything. Here are the best models to give your voice the clarity it deserves.
Our selection of the best microphones in 2025
| Rode NT-USB+ | Blue Yeti | Audio-Technica AT2040USB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image |
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| Infos : | Qualité professionnelle Connectivité USB-C Traitement avancé Directivité cardioïde Sortie casque | Trois capsules à condensateur Quatre modes de directivité Plug & Play via USB Excellent rapport qualité/prix | Micro dynamique avec directivité hypercardioïde Connectivité USB-C Sortie casque intégrée Filtre anti-pop intégré |
| Acheter | 166,00 € | 96,58 € | 171,93 € |
Rode NT-USB+
Qualité professionnelle
Connectivité USB-C
Traitement avancé
Directivité cardioïde
Sortie casque
Blue Yeti
Trois capsules à condensateur
Quatre modes de directivité
Plug & Play via USB
Excellent rapport qualité/prix
Audio-Technica AT2040USB
Micro dynamique avec directivité hypercardioïde
Connectivité USB-C
Sortie casque intégrée
Filtre anti-pop intégré
Discover also the best cameras for streaming.
Audio-Technica AT2040USB : Professional recording quality
The Audio-Technica AT2040USB is a dynamic USB microphone designed for podcasting, streaming and content creation. It offers accurate voice pickup thanks to its hypercardioid polar pattern, which effectively reduces ambient noise. Its high-resolution A/D converter enables recording at up to 24 bit/96 kHz, guaranteeing rich, natural sound reproduction. Easy to install thanks to its plug-and-play USB-C connectivity, it requires no additional equipment to operate with a computer.
Designed for professional use, the AT2040USB features a headphone output with volume control for direct monitoring without latency. Its capacitive mute button with LED indicator enables rapid mic muting, ideal for live broadcasts. An integrated low-cut filter also helps eliminate unwanted noise and vibration, improving vocal clarity.
This microphone represents excellent value for money for designers looking for a reliable, high-performance solution. Its robust design, accompanied by accessories such as a mounting clamp and USB-C cable, makes it easy to install on a variety of supports.
Editor's Verdict :
L’AT2040USB se positionne ainsi comme une alternative accessible aux modèles haut de gamme avec une qualité sonore professionnelle sans nécessiter un investissement majeur.
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Blue Yeti: The ideal choice for podcasters
The Blue Yeti is a USB microphone renowned for its sound quality and versatility, suitable for podcasters, streamers and musicians. Its robust metal design and simple Plug and Play installation make it the preferred choice for professional home recording. It incorporates physical controls for volume, gain and mute, enabling precise real-time control.
Equipped with three condenser capsules, the Blue Yeti offers four directional modes: cardioid for solo recordings, stereo for spatialized reproduction, omnidirectional to capture the overall ambience, and bidirectional for face-to-face interviews. This flexibility allows it to adapt to a variety of situations, from streaming to group recordings.
To optimize its use, accessories such as a pop filter, shock mount or articulated arm can be added. The Blue Yeti is also available in variants such as the Yeti X, which offers enhanced audio resolution and voice effects software, or the Yeti Nano, which is more compact but just as powerful.
Editor's Verdict :
Le Blue Yeti s'impose comme une référence pour les créateurs de contenu grâce à sa qualité sonore et sa simplicité d'utilisation. Ses différents modes de directivité en font un choix polyvalent, que ce soit pour le streaming, le podcasting ou la musique.
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Drawbacks :
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Rode NT-USB+: The USB microphone for professional sound
The Rode NT-USB+ is a professional-quality USB microphone designed for streaming, podcasting, music recording and other demanding audio applications. It features a 1/2-inch condenser capsule with a cardioid pickup pattern, enabling precise, natural sound capture while minimizing background noise. Thanks to its USB-C connectivity, it’s compatible with computers, tablets and smartphones, offering quick and easy installation without the need for an external audio interface.
This microphone features a low-noise Revolution preamplifier and 24-bit/48 kHz digital conversion, guaranteeing faithful, detailed sound reproduction. It also features digital signal processing (DSP), accessible via RØDE applications, allowing effects such as high-pass filter, noise gate and compressor to be applied to improve audio quality in real time. Its headphone output with latency-free monitoring ensures precise sound control, with dedicated controls for volume and mixing.
Supplied with a pop filter, table tripod and 3-meter USB-C cable, the Rode NT-USB+ is a complete, ready-to-use solution.
Editor's Verdict :
Son format compact et son ergonomie en font un choix idéal pour les créateurs de contenu recherchant un son clair et professionnel, que ce soit en studio ou en déplacement.
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HyperX QuadCast S: The gaming microphone for gamers
The HyperX QuadCast S is a USB microphone designed specifically for gamers and streamers who want exceptional audio quality while adding a touch of style to their setup. With its dynamic RGB lighting, customizable via HyperX NGENUITY software, it integrates perfectly into modern gaming setups. Its tactile mute sensor, accompanied by an LED indicator, allows you to quickly mute the microphone when necessary, avoiding unwanted noise in the middle of a game or live performance.
Thanks to its four directional modes (stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid and bidirectional), the QuadCast S adapts to any situation, whether for ultra-clear communication on Discord, recording podcasts, or streaming on Twitch and YouTube. Its built-in anti-vibration mount reduces unwanted noise for cleaner sound, and the gain control dial makes it easy to adjust sensitivity on the fly. Compatible with PC, PS5™, PS4™ and Mac®, it’s also Discord and TeamSpeak™ certified for smooth in-game communication.
Whether you’re in the middle of a competitive session or hosting a live event, the HyperX QuadCast S guarantees professional-quality sound without complicated setup.
Editor's Verdict :
Son design élégant, sa performance audio et ses fonctionnalités pensées pour les gamers en font un choix incontournable pour ceux qui veulent améliorer leur setup et offrir une immersion sonore totale à leur audience.
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How to choose the right microphone?
When you’re setting up a podcast, or want to give your viewers the best possible sound during your streaming sessions, it’s important to understand what distinguishes a good microphone from a simple gadget. You’ll soon discover that it’s not just a question of plugging in a microphone or finding the right connectors, but also of identifying the sound source you want to capture and taking into account the acoustics of your home studio or recording studio.
Understanding the basics: condenser, dynamic and ribbon microphones
To begin with, ask yourself what type of microphone you need. A condenser microphone (also known as a condenser or condenser mic) is often preferred for vocal and podcast recording, as its very thin membrane (or diaphragm) allows you to capture the nuances of your voice. These condenser microphones are called electrostatic and generally require phantom power (48V), which can be obtained via a mixer, preamp, or sometimes directly from a sound card or certain audio interfaces. Well-known brands such as Neumann, DPA, Rode NT USB and Blue Yéti are very popular for this type of recording. If you’re looking for a pro microphone, these references are still good values. Some models, like the Yéti, are simply plugged in via a USB port – a godsend for beginners who want to avoid the hassle of complex equipment.
If, on the other hand, you prefer versatility or want to record several people at the same time, an omnidirectional microphone can make your life a lot easier, especially at a round table. If you’re on the move or want to record on the move, consider a tie mic, which connects easily with a cable, adapter or portable recorder, and is discreet while you’re recording. You might even consider a ribbon mic if you’re looking for a more vintage sound, rich in bass and soft on the treble, although the latter is rarer in classic podcast sound reinforcement.
Installing and connecting your microphone
Don’t neglect the way you’re going to use a microphone: place it on a mic stand to stay stable in front of a microphone and limit unwanted noise. A windscreen or pop filter can also help you manage plosives and improve the rendering of sound frequencies. Also check your connection: an XLR connector requires a suitable cable, and sometimes an adapter if you want to use it with an amp or certain interfaces. Micro-usb models plug in directly, as do some Bluetooth microphones, although the reliability of the wireless connection may vary.
Finally, remember that buying a microphone isn’t enough; a good acoustic treatment of your space, a well-tuned mixer or preamp, and a constant concern for the quality of your recording are the key to a successful podcast or stream. Whether you choose a high-end studio microphone like a Neumann, a versatile vocal microphone or a Rode NT USB, take the time to adjust the SPL and polar pattern (cardioid polar pattern, for example) to bring out the best in your voice. Then you can record and broadcast professional content that will delight your audience, in 2025 and beyond. Good luck with your projects, and above all, have fun with your new acoustic configurations!
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