The Best Microphones for Recording Under $100 (2025 Edition)

You don’t need a huge budget to get great sound. Whether you're starting a podcast, laying down vocals, or recording guitar tracks, the best microphones under $100 in 2025 are more than up to the job.

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From $15 budget options to nearly pro-grade $99 classics, we’ve got you covered with the best cardioid dynamic microphones available today—ideal for noisy rooms, untreated spaces, and flexible home studio use.

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Let’s get into what makes a cardioid dynamic mic great - and then break down the best options for every budget.

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Why Choose a Cardioid Dynamic Microphone?

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➤ Cardioid: Aiming for Sound, Not Noise

A cardioid mic picks up sound from the front and rejects noise from the sides and back. Perfect if you're recording in a room that’s not acoustically treated. Want to isolate your voice or guitar and skip the background hum? Cardioid is your friend.

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➤ Dynamic: Built Tough, Handles Volume

Dynamic mics can handle loud sources like drums, shouting vocals, and amplifiers without distortion. They're durable, don’t need phantom power, and can take a beating in a live or studio setting.

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🛠️ Gear You’ll Also Need

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🔌 XLR-to-USB Cable

Most dynamic mics use XLR connectors, so you’ll likely need an XLR-to-USB cable or a USB audio interface. Expect:

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• ~$10 for a 10-foot cable
• ~$17 for a 20-foot cable (recommended)

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🔉 Preamp or Interface

Dynamic mics have lower output levels. If you're using one seriously, consider:

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• ART Tube MP – ~$80 (great for home studios)
• Behringer U-Phoria UM2 – ~$50 (compact, reliable option)

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Top 10 Microphones for Recording Under $100 (2025)

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1. Shure SM58 – ★ The Industry Legend

• Price: ~$99
• Why Buy: Rugged, warm tone, broad frequency range (50Hz–15kHz), used by pros everywhere.
• Best For: Vocals, amps, podcasting, instruments
• Drawbacks: Doesn’t include cable

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🎖 The gold standard. If you buy one mic and want it to last forever, make it this one.

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2. Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB – ★ The Flexible Favorite

• Price: ~$60–80
• Why Buy: Dual USB-C & XLR outputs, headphone monitoring, great for home studios and livestreams.
• Best For: Podcasting, streaming, vocals
• Drawbacks: None significant at this price

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💡 Ideal for creators who want plug-and-play plus pro connectivity.

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3. Samson Q2U Recording Pack – ★ The All-In-One Kit

• Price: ~$60–70
• Why Buy: Comes with desktop stand, cables, pop filter, USB/XLR outputs.
• Best For: New podcasters, hobbyists, mobile setups
• Drawbacks: Budget feel to build

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🎁 Best starter bundle under $100—everything you need in one box.

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4. Audio-Technica AT2005USB – ★ Brand-Name Compact Power

• Price: ~$80
• Why Buy: Like the ATR2100x, but slightly sleeker build, same dual output.
• Best For: Voice, YouTube, light studio work
• Drawbacks: Fewer extras in box

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🧩 A great alternative if ATR2100x isn’t available.

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5. AKG D5 – ★ The Bright Choice

• Price: ~$95
• Why Buy: Crisp high-end response, perfect for female vocals and acoustic instruments.
• Best For: Soprano vocals, guitar, strings, cymbals
• Drawbacks: Less ideal for low-end sources

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✨ Use when you want brilliance and detail up top.

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6. Behringer XM8500 – ★ The Budget Beast

• Price: ~$20–30
• Why Buy: Surprisingly good sound, rugged, and cheap.
• Best For: Beginner vocals, rehearsals, backup
• Drawbacks: No cable or switch, modest output

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💸 Mic of choice for the ultra-budget DIY crowd.

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7. GLS ES58 – ★ The Shure Alternative

• Price: ~$25
• Why Buy: Styled like a Shure SM58, great user reviews, decent clarity.
• Best For: Entry-level vocals, stage use
• Drawbacks: Budget components

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🧪 A solid Shure SM58 alternative for a fraction of the price.

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8. Shure SM48-LC – ★ The Little Shure

• Price: ~$40
• Why Buy: Great vocal mic with built-in pop filter and bass rolloff.
• Best For: Vocals, instruments, speaking
• Drawbacks: No on/off switch

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🔧 Classic Shure quality on a budget.

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9. Shure PG58-QTR – ★ Volume-Friendly Vocal Mic

• Price: ~$59
• Why Buy: Handles high volume without distortion, comes with cable.
• Best For: Live vocals, high-energy sessions
• Drawbacks: Slightly heavier than SM58

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🔊 A workhorse for singers and stage performers.

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10. Pyle-Pro PDMIK1 – ★ Cheapest of the Cheap

• Price: ~$15
• Why Buy: Dirt-cheap and better than built-ins.
• Best For: Beginners, backups, rough environments
• Drawbacks: Not pro-level clarity

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🎙 Just need something that works? This is it.

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✅ Summary Chart

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MicrophonePrice (USD)Best ForShure SM58~$99EverythingATR2100x-USB~$60–80Podcasting, studio, USB + XLRSamson Q2U Pack~$60–70Full starter kitAudio-Technica AT2005USB~$80Voice, studio, streamingAKG D5~$95Bright vocals, acoustic instrumentsBehringer XM8500~$20–30Entry-level vocals, rehearsalsGLS ES58~$25Budget vocal micShure SM48-LC~$40Shure sound, simple useShure PG58-QTR~$59Loud vocals, performancePyle-Pro PDMIK1~$15Absolute beginners, backups

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Mic Be the Weak Link

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The best microphones under $100 in 2025 offer professional-quality sound for a fraction of the price you'd pay even five years ago. Whether you're an indie artist, podcaster, or content creator, there’s a mic on this list that can fit your workflow, style, and wallet.

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Already recording? Get your track distributed for just $9 with Octiive.

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