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Best 3.5 mm Microphones

Updated December 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Tonor
Studio Condensor Microphone
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Bottom Line

The best high-quality microphone available with a 3.5mm jack for home recording.

Pros

Large condenser microphone offers better sound pickup than most other budget options. Comes with a complete set of microphone mount and windscreen. Mount reduces vibration.

Cons

The included pop filter does not reduce the unnecessary sounds and artifacts as well as more professional options.

Sony
ECMCS3
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Bottom Line

A good lapel microphone with a 3.5mm jack that fits close to the wearer's mouth.

Pros

Microphone clips onto the collar of a shirt for hands-free use. Omnidirectional pickup provides clear audio in all directions regardless of the user's position. Easy to use.

Cons

The microphone is prone to getting damaged if hit with the hands or other objects.

Best Bang for the Buck
PowerDeWise
Professional Grade Lapel
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Bottom Line

The best budget 3.5mm microphone option for the best noise-free audio quality.

Pros

Features noise-cancellation to reduce and limit the amount of audio artifacts and distortion. Microphone automatically works with any audio recorder with a 3.5mm jack or adapter. Designed to work with all Apple devices.

Cons

Parts broke easily for some users.

Insten
3.5mm Mini Flexible Microphone
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Bottom Line

A unique budget option for a small microphone that is perfect for laptops and other mobile devices.

Pros

Large, flexible neck makes it easy to position the microphone in any direction. Base plugs directly into a device's 3.5mm jack. Filters out background noise.

Cons

Sound pickup range is limited to directly in front of the microphone and falls off quickly.

Elegiant
PC Microphone
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Bottom Line

A good option for having a high-quality 3.5mm microphone at home for a budget price.

Pros

Small microphone fits well into tight spaces such as on a desktop. Condenser mic can pickup several people using it at the same time in front. Comes with a small, adjustable stand.

Cons

Sound quality is not good enough for recording acoustic instruments faithfully.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 20 Models Considered
  • 8 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 325 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    A 3.5 mm microphone includes a 3.5 mm jack. It is ideal for home recording on a laptop or other mobile devices. Some microphones can be clipped to your shirt, enabling you to use the microphone hands-free. Other microphones include a flexible neck that allows you to point the microphone in any direction. Microphones are sold across multiple price points. Various microphones come with an adjustable stand. They may also include a base that plugs into a 3.5 mm jack. A microphone commonly cancels out background noise and limits distortion and interference. It is often sold as part of a set with a mount and windscreen.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Austin
      Austin
      Writer
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    ×

    Sony

    ECMCS3

    Sony

    ECMCS3

    A good lapel microphone with a 3.5mm jack that fits close to the wearer's mouth.
    $0
    ×

    PowerDeWise

    Professional Grade Lapel

    PowerDeWise

    Professional Grade Lapel

    The best budget 3.5mm microphone option for the best noise-free audio quality.
    $22
    ×

    Insten

    3.5mm Mini Flexible Microphone

    Insten

    3.5mm Mini Flexible Microphone

    A unique budget option for a small microphone that is perfect for laptops and other mobile devices.
    $6
    ×

    Elegiant

    PC Microphone

    Elegiant

    PC Microphone

    A good option for having a high-quality 3.5mm microphone at home for a budget price.

    $29
    ×

    Tonor

    Studio Condensor Microphone

    Tonor

    Studio Condensor Microphone

    The best high-quality microphone available with a 3.5mm jack for home recording.
    $31

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