Best Microphones for Zoom, According to the CNET Staff Who Use Them

There’s something mildly embarrassing about being the person that people have to turn up during Zoom meetings because your mic quality is low. Not only does it make you feel the odd one out, but it can also be frustrating for you and everyone else involved. So if you’re tired of being asked to repeat yourself, we think it’s time you grab a new, external microphone. Your audio quality will significantly improve, and you have a much lower chance of your voice being cut off in meetings. And background noise? A thing of the past.

Audio is often underestimated in a remote workstation, but it’s vital for Zoom meetings. You don’t need to spend much; even an affordable USB mic can enhance sound quality. To ensure we have a variety of options, we consulted the CNET team for their top microphone recommendations.

With so many team members, each had a great option of microphone styles to pick from. Whether you’re looking for USB mics, headsets, or even earbuds with a solid mic setup, we’ve got something for everyone.

<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="A simple mic with excellent sound" description="

I’ve tried all kinds of Bluetooth single-sided headsets with boom microphones and none of them sound very good. Corded headsets really excel for Zoom, and how far do you really need to walk away from a video call anyway? The Sennheiser SC635 is a premium corded headset available in either 1/8-inch plug or USB versions — I use the former for the best audio quality. Skip the wireless earbuds, they put microphones on the sides of your head, too far from the hole where the words come from.

— Brian Cooley

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I’ve tried all kinds of Bluetooth single-sided headsets with boom microphones and none of them sound very good. Corded headsets really excel for Zoom, and how far do you really need to walk away from a video call anyway? The Sennheiser SC635 is a premium corded headset available in either 1/8-inch plug or USB versions — I use the former for the best audio quality. Skip the wireless earbuds, they put microphones on the sides of your head, too far from the hole where the words come from.

— Brian Cooley

<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best USB mic to use with a boom" description="

Steel Series is best known for its gaming gear, but did you know it makes excellent mics too? The Alias is a dark grey pill-shaped microphone that works well with a stand. I found it worked best on a boom. The sound quality is excellent. If you plug your headphones in, you can use the monitoring feature to hear yourself as well as your team. It has a simple touch mute button that shows you a big red X so you know you’re on mute. There’s also some cool lighting underneath because, at heart, it’s a gamer.
I love the Alias, and it’s my current favorite standalone mic for Zoom calls.

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