Condenser microphones are known for carrying a lot of values, and those values don’t come for cheap. So, to find the best condenser mic under 300, one that is good enough to record your guitar and voice bringing the best tone will require diligent research.
Your chances of picking mics that are of low quality are actually high. The good news, though, is that we have done your homework, and we are glad to tell you that you have wide options, but their features can be confusing.
There are a lot of factors that you must consider when making your selection. These are some of the points we will be discussing in this review. We will then deliver five of the best condenser mics under 300 from which you can pick from.
Criteria For Selecting The Best Condenser Mic Under 300
To find the best condenser mic under 300, there are a whole lot of things that must be put into consideration. Here are some of them;
Design: when selecting a condenser mic, you need to worry about the design of the mic. The best ones will come with a vintage look that will compliment the price you are paying for them. Even for this budget, they should possess qualities similar to that of other high-end microphones. They can come with features like heavy-duty metal chassis, rock-solid grille, and other materials that are built to last. Never go for plastic material, those are for babies.
Performance: another thing to focus on is the performance of the microphone you are buying. The truth is, there are several mics with this price range that deliver quality sound compared to more expensive ones. So, go for a microphone that produces warm and transparent sound both for instrument recording and for vocals.
Additional features: while there are few important things to focus on, there are some that are really essential as an addition that makes your condenser mic work better. One of such is attenuation pads and frequency filters. They can completely influence how your recording will come out.
Pickup pattern: the pickup pattern of the condenser mic you are selecting is another important criteria to ponder on. This pattern refers to the way your microphone picks sounds that are delivered. There are basically four patterns, which include omnidirectional, unidirectional, cardioid, and supercardioid. Of these four, you should opt for those that carry cardioid patterns, as they are more sensitive.
Read: Best Wireless Microphone for Live Vocals
Best Condenser Mic Under 300
1. MXL Mics 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone – Editor’s Pick
This is one of the best condenser mics under 300. It comes as cheap as $65. This is a multi-purpose condenser microphone that makes recording easier. The mic is well suited and perfect for vocals, pianos, and other stringed and percussion instruments. Its speaker also comes with a balanced bass response coupled with high-end clarity.
The patented design and the cardioid pattern of this microphone help it pick the right sound at all times. Unwanted rumble is reduced due to the Low-frequency roll-off, and it also comes with Low noise FET preamp with balanced, transformerless output.
2. Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone
This high-quality XLR condenser mic is another affordable one that is offered for a mere $99. The speaker is suitable for use on any project either at home or in the studio. This speaker has a noise level of 20 dB. The high SPL handling of this mic, and the wide dynamic range it features result in making the mic more versatile.
Featuring a cardioid polar pattern makes pickup of sound more efficient, and reduces picking of unwanted sounds. The mic also features a custom engineered low mass diaphragm, which improves the frequency response and transient response of the mic.
3. Newer NW-700 Professional Studio Broadcasting Recording Condenser Microphone
You don’t need to break your wallet to buy this mic, for just $49.99, this can become yours. This package comes with a condenser mic; an adjustable suspension scissors arm stand, table mounting clamp, metal shock mount, etc. The audio circuit of this mic is completely new and unique.
As such, you can capture rich and full-bodied sound. This microphone also made use of a windscreen pop filter mask, which helps get rid of unwanted sounds. Thanks to the metal shock mount the mic features, you can adjust it to any angle. The Locking Now feature also helps in reducing and handling noise.
Read Also: Best Mics for Female Vocals
4. ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone Bundle, BM-800 Mic Set for Studio Recording & Broadcasting
Live recording just becomes easier and more interesting with this microphone. Perfect for recording either from vocal, or when used with musical instruments. It can be used in any location for recording. The thin capsule or material diaphragm of this mic helps it become more sensitive.
This leads to a perfect representation of what you are playing. Low noise is achieved thanks to the high signal-to-noise ratio of this microphone. Additionally, the unique 3-layer protection system of this microphone results in getting rid of all unwanted sound and pop.
5. Rode NT-USB Versatile Studio-Quality USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone
This is another high-quality microphone whose price range falls below $300.You can connect this microphone to your devices easily as it supports USB connectivity. The microphone also comes with a pop shield, tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch, and USB cable.
For effective monitoring of your recording, and for zero latency, this microphone comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack. As a cardioid pattern condenser mic, this microphone can pick the right sound, even faint ones without issues.
Read: Best Cheap Microphone for Rapping
Conclusion
As you may have seen, getting the best condenser mic under 300 is very possible. While you need to be very attentive when making your selection, doing it the best way will land you a high-quality condenser mic. We have provided the essential criteria to consider, and we have also provided you with five of the best condenser mics under 300.
They are not just affordable; they are excellent at delivering quality sound that will make your recording perfect. Most of them also feature a cardioid design, which is often preferred by experts.
- [Convenient Setup] Plug and play recording USB microphone for PC, with 5.9-Foot USB cable included for computer PC laptop, is connected directly to...
- [Durable Metal Design] Solid sturdy metal construction design, the computer microphone for Zoom meetings with stable tripod stand is convenient when...
- [Volume Knob] Gaming USB mic for PS4 with additional volume knob itself has a louder or quieter output adjustment and is more sensitive. Your voice...
- [Widely Use] USB-powered design, the condenser microphone for recording no need the 48v Phantom power supply, works well with Cortana, Discord, voice...
- [Clear Output Voice] Cardioid gaming microphone for PC captures your voice properly, producing clear smooth and crisp sound without static noise....
- IOS LIGHTNING CONNECTION - Apple MFi certified and compatible with all iOS devices with a Lightning connector
- POCKET-FRIENDLY - Capture powerful audio recordings on the move without the need for large and heavy audio equipment
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE - Flexibility to tilt, flip and rotate the microphone up to 90° to get stereo clarity, whatever your sound source
- TWO FREE APPS - ShurePlus MOTIV Audio and ShurePlus MOTIV Video allow you to customize the performance and set-up of the microphone for professional...
- NO WIND NOISE - Includes a black foam windscreen (part number AMV88-WS); please note that the windscreen comes attached and can be removed if desired
- 🎤【Widely Compatible】 Mercase condenser mic is Compatible with computer,mac,air,pro,laptop,smartphone,PS4 and PS5;
- 🎤【Plug and Play】No need of any driver software or equipment, easy to set up,LED lights to indicate power on/off;
- 🎤【Great Sound Quality】SAMPLING RATE: 192kHz/24bit,Cardioid pick up, capture sound clearly and accurately;
- 🎤【Mute/Volume Button】Press the mute button to mute, Or you can mute the volume by turning it to minimum;
- 🎤【Noise canceling】Press and hold the mute button for 3 seconds to turn on/off noise cancellation;
- Extremely Low-noise Large-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with SM6 Combination Shock Mount Pop Screen
- 🎤 PROFESSIONAL RECORDING QUALITY : Premium usb condenser microphone offers pristine and accurate capture without static noise.Desktop microphone...
- 🎤 CARDIOID AND BIDIRECTIONAL PATTERNS : Cardioid mode captures your voice properly that are derectly in front of the pc microphone,produce clear...
- 🎤 EASY TO CONTROLS & LED LIGHTING EFFECT : USB microphone for computer with volume control allows easy input level adjustment.Powerful 3.5mm...
- 🎤 PLUG AND PLAY & DETACHABLE POP FILTER : The condenser singing mic start recording quickly and easily with driver free opration.Gmaing mic with...
- 🎤 WHAT YOU GET & PRODUCT WARRANTY : Desk microphone set including : 1 x USB Condenser Mic,1 x Desktop Stand,1 x Pop Filter,1 x 5/8" to 3/8" Screw...
- Studio-grade condenser microphone that delivers premium audio performance for crystal clear audio capture - perfect for vocals, acoustic instruments,...
- Directional cardioid polar pattern and pure-aluminum-plated, 18mm-diameter-diaphragm condenser capsule
- Smooth, wide ranging frequency response (20–20,000Hz) captures the full audible spectrum
- High sensitivity and low signal-to-noise ratio captures every subtle nuance of your source audio
- Compact footprint and lightweight form factor for portable audio capture
- Condenser capsule with a tight cardioid polar pattern captures speech with precision
- Use the Wave Link app to control Wave: 1 and up to 8 other audio sources, plus create 2 independent mixes
- Up to 24-bit / 48kHz analog to digital conversion delivers lush detail
- Proprietary Clipguard technology makes distortion virtually impossible
- Superior circuitry ensures seamless audio signal transmission