Top 8 Best Cheap Microphones For Home Studio Recording In 2023 Reviews

The world of microphones presents you with products that vary in price and performance. Sometimes it is possible to get a cheap model that performs just as good. It is the reason you can come across lists such as the best cheap microphones for home studio recording.

Yes, sometimes you do not have to spend a lot of money when setting up a studio.

With the best model, you can always find yourself having a top performance when it comes to recording. The list below comprises of some of the cheapest models you can get today.

You can go through it to find a model that can deliver the best functionality for you.

Top 8 Best Cheap Microphones For Home Studio Recording To Buy In 2023 Reviews

1 Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

It is never easy to go wrong with Audio Technica. It is a brand that speaks for itself. You can be sure to get many people who are interested in getting one for themselves today. The most attractive thing about the model should be the price. You will end up with a cheap microphone for the price you do not expect. That being said, you can be sure that it is still good even if it is cheap.

When you buy it, the microphone is delivered with a small carrying pouch. Once you get it out of its packaging, you can use the pouch the next time you have to carry it around. You also get it coming with a microphone stand adapter. You will not get a cable, stand, and other accessories. This might be the con of buying one today. Even for the cable, you have to get it separately.

That being said, it should be easy for you to pick up some of these accessories. You have to be careful not to end up with the wrong cable, stand, or something similar. You will always end up with the best home studio recording microphone once you get to furnish it with a few missing accessories.

As for the aesthetics, there is not much to see from the model. The manufacturer just made it to be as basic as possible. Well, some people would have loved some chrome accents or something that makes the model standout. But generally that is not going to be a major concern for many. What most want on a budget is something functional.

Talking of functionality, you will always love what you get with the model. It delivers on impressive sound quality that should work great for you. The model does a fantastic job of ensuring that your voice is captured correctly each time you sing or speak into it.

Our Rating: (4.7 / 5)

2 Rode NT1A Anniversary Vocal Condenser Microphone Package

The NT1 was first introduced in 1991 and then followed by the NT1A in 2003. The NT1A has been in production since then. This just shows even if over a decade ago, the microphone still delivers on the needs of users that they have not changed it. Most companies would release an upgrade every year, but that is not the same with Rode. They know their product still delivers on what it was first made for.

You can expect to get a simple design, but functional when looking at this model. It comes with the JFET circuitry as part of the design. This is all about giving you the best performance that you will ever need. The cardioid polar pattern is distinctive. You can be sure to find a use for such a pattern in a microphone.

The model with its gold plated diaphragm makes it standout. The diaphragm should work just as good as you would have wanted. You will end up having a great time using it to ensure you enjoy all the performance that comes with it.

Another thing you should like about the model is the high sensitivity and low self-noise. Going into specifics, you get that the model comes with a low self noise of -5dBA. With this value, it easily comes out as one of the quietest large diaphragm models you can buy right now. The sensitivity is also impressive that it can easily capture sounds from quiet sources. This makes it important to use it in quiet rooms for recording.

Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)

3 Audio Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

Compared to some other high end models, you can say this is an affordable condenser microphone to own. It is not just cheap, but also performance microphone. You will end up with it knowing that it can deliver on good value for money. No more worries that it will be bad in terms of performance because it is cheap.

The model relies on the electret polarization for functionality. It is amazing just how the sound is as good as a typical condenser microphone. This is good keeping in mind the electret microphones were seen to be less reliable in the past. So, the next time you decide you want to own a new microphone, then you may want to consider getting it.

It comes with an impressive number for the SPL, signal-to-noise ratio, and sensitivity. You get that it is the model that performs better than what you get from others at relatively the same price.

As for the frequency response, you get that the model is really good. It delivers on impressive response that should make it work great. It comes with solid bottom and also the mid ranges work great. The high end part will get a gentle boost that adds a bit of brightness.

The model comes with a self-noise level of 12dBA. This is the kind of value you get on models that are twice as expensive. It is within the right range for you to start using it for home recording.

Setting it up is pretty simple. Once you have all the accessories you can simply hook it up normally and you are good to go.

Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)

4 Blue Spark Blackout SL XLR Condenser Mic for Pro Recording

Anyone who has tried to make podcasts, they must at one-point sort the services of the Blue microphones. This is a brand that has made a reputation for itself as one of the best. That is true considering the number of microphones they have on the market. Other than just podcasters, the model also offers options for the music producers. You can always get a model from them that is good for music recording.

This model features a custom designed JFET condenser capsule. The capsule design is common among many other models. It is not surprising as most manufacturers use the design because of ease of use and performance. It also features the retro styling. You can be sure it looks professional while at the same time good for pro recording.

As part of making it even better, it comes with the -20dB pad. This is an essential part of construction as it will keep the voice clear and crisp all the time. You will enjoy having it more often so that you can use it even better.

The model weighs around 327g which is light and does not make it hard to use. You should find many users opting for it as it performs great. As for the sizing, it will work great to deliver on the performance you want. It should easily fit in a bundled shockmount with so much ease.

As for the sound, you will get to love what you hear as the playback after recording. This is something that gives you the best in terms of value for your money.

Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)

5 Shure SM58-LC Vocal Microphone, Cardioid

This model is what you need when it comes to some good quality studio recording. It features a number of design aspects that are all about giving you the best performance you could use right now. The model is common for professional vocal use. It could be studio recording, live performance, sound reinforcement and a lot more. This is something that made is popular among many producers who needed a performance product.

You will love the type of construction that comes with the model. Those who have used it like the way the model delivers on a rugged construction. This type of construction has driven more people to know that it is going to last. You also get that it comes with a proven shock mount system. This helps to take away the vibrations and keep the voice clear. There is also the mesh grille that allows for rough handling.

From the mentioned construction features, you should see that the model can deliver on the performance needs you might have in mind.

The overall design makes it to be one of the best when it comes to sound quality. People always love the way it is possible to end up with a model that performs great. You can be sure to have a great time when it comes to using this type of model. It will give you the right performance that you always need.

The model comes with an effective pop filter. This is another feature that ensures the sound quality is good. The frequency response cannot be neglected. It will always deliver on the best frequency response for top quality performance.

Our Rating: (4.7 / 5)

6 Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphone

The model comes with a design different from what you get with the other models on the list. This one features a pencil design. The others are mostly a capsule design. If you have always wanted to try out some new things, then this could be a nice way to start. The model is all about being an affordable microphone and durable at the same time. You can be sure that it will always work great.

The good thing about this model is that they always come as a pair. You will end up liking it even more knowing that it can deliver on the needs you have always wanted. Since they are a pair, you can always use them for various applications that might need multiple mic placement. You can also use them with percussion instruments such as the overheads and cymbals. It is the reason you get the model being quite popular today.

Even for home recording, it is great if you can invest in multiple mics. Having multiple mics in the room will help with having accurately captured audio thus helping to increase the detail of your recordings. You can now be sure to have a great time using this pair of microphones today for your home studio.

The model features the cardioid polar pattern. This helps in picking the sound from the area infront of it and block the background noises. With no ambient sound, you get that sound quality delivered in the end is really good. It is the reason you get that some people are going for this type of model for their home studios.

Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)

7 Sennheiser e602 II Evolution Series Dynamic Bass-Drum Microphone

To be one of the best on the market requires that you deliver on what the customers want. That is what Sennheiser has done with this type of model. You can now get it knowing that it will deliver on the performance needs you have always wanted. Many people who own them always have something good to say about the model. It should not come as a surprise as the model can deliver on good performances.

The e602 model has had some changes over the years to be what is now a refined model right now. It is one of the best when it comes to delivers on sound quality. The series includes a wide range of dynamic condenser mics and you get to own one today. These mics are known for delivering on the best clear and detailed sound. You can be sure to notice the difference whenever you compare it to the other models.

More people love the way it delivers on the sound quality. This is mostly in the live performances and also studio recordings. When it comes to live performance, there are no second chances. You want a model that is really good. The same type of quality is what you want for recording. This model should give you that so that you never have to worry about the performance anymore.

Generally, you should find it being quite easy when it comes to using it. The whole setup process has been clearly outlined by the manufacturer. You should be good to go when it comes to the overall performance of the model for home recording.

Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)

8 MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shockmount

When it comes to a cheap microphone, the buyers are not always looking for cutting edge performance, but something that is consistent and reliable. If that is also what you want, then the MXL 990 is here for you. This type of microphone is the cheapest on our list, but still comes with a few kicks you can appreciate.

The overall design is of a microphone that is here just to do its job. Yes, the design might be a little blank, but at least it does not a good job with the sound quality. For the money you are paying for it, you should not be complaining much about the color scheme. That being said, the model feels sturdy in hand. This gives you assurance that it will last for long.

As for the components, you will like that they are good in terms of ruggedness. This is crucial so that they can deliver on the best performance always. You will get that it packs a large diaphragm in its capsule design. This has always made it possible for many people to enjoy using it now more often.

The model uses the FET preamp that helps with boosting the consistency and reliability. You will simply end up with a model that performs just as great as you need.

Our Rating: (4.3 / 5)

Conclusion

If you get a great microphone at an affordable price, then you should be happy and ready to start recording. All the models mentioned above are reliable in terms of sound quality. Your vocals will always sound great each time you have a playback of the recording. This is something that has always driven more people to think about getting the cheap mics too. You should have one in mind from the above list so that you get to pick the one that works for you.