Best microphone for recording video tutorials

If you’re going to start recording video tutorials, then a good quality microphone will make a world of difference. 

Not everyone has the same budget though, so we’ve had a look and found the best microphones for recording video tutorials at different price points.

We’ve divided our list of the best microphones for recording video tutorials into the following categories:

• Best microphones under £50
• Best microphones under £100
• Best microphones over £100

If you’re just starting out and you’re not 100% on how long you’ll be making tutorials for, then these starting options will probably be your best bet. 

The Razer Seiren Mini is a great little microphone that will go easy on your wallet. Its small, unobtrusive design is perfect for keeping it out of the way and giving more screen space to your tutorials. 

The audio quality you get from using this microphone is amazing, especially from one so budget-friendly. 

Its super-cardioid pickup pattern is incredible at filtering out external noise. Unfortunately, this means you can’t move around too much, or the microphone won’t pick you up either. 

Pros:

• Small and compact
• Records high-quality audio
• Supercardioid pickup pattern reduces background noise
• In-built shock mount

Cons:

• You have to face the microphone directly

If you want to record quality audio while spending as little as possible, then this should be your pick. The ADX FCO220 captures your voice quite well, and the boom arm is great at keeping the microphone in a set position.

While the boom arm is a great addition, it can be challenging to attach it to your desk. Once you’ve got it there though, you can move it however you like. Best of all, since it’s in the air you get more free space on your desk for your makeup supplies. 

Pros:

• Good quality microphone
• Boom arm offers a lot of versatility
• Impressively budget-friendly

Cons:

• Boom arm is difficult to attach to a desk 

Mid-range microphones offer a great balance between cost and function. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly than the microphones above, a mid-range option could be for you.

With its fun, round design the Blue Snowball doesn’t look like most modern microphones. Inspired by retro designs, the Snowball looks great on camera; plus it’s so small it won’t take up much space. The small size can perfectly sit between your hairstyling tools.

The Snowball does offer some versatility in recording patterns, making it suitable for recording your tutorials, and giving you the freedom to move around. The adjustable tripod stand is also really useful at setting the Snowball up exactly how you want it.

The lack of a shock mount isn’t great, because it means that any knocks to your desk during filming will be picked up by the microphone — damaging the audio. On the whole though, this is a very solid microphone and a great mid-range choice.

Pros:

• High-quality audio recording
• Adjustable stand
• Unique and fun design
• Offers two pickup patterns (cardioid and omnidirectional)

Cons:

• No shock mount, so all vibrations will be heard

The Snowball does have an older sibling, the Blue Yeti. Available for £99, you gain some awesome features, like four pickup patterns, gain control, and a mute button. 

If you’re looking for the best of the best, these microphones are exactly what you need. They combine top-notch audio recording with a few extra features to give you (and your viewers) the best experience possible.

If your microphone is going to be on screen, you may like this colourful option. The HyperX Quadcast S is a popular microphone with a host of useful features, like its tap-to-mute feature, or its completely customisable RGB lighting. 

The HyperX Quadcast S is one of the pricier microphones, but it easily makes up for the cost in quality and versatility. If you plan on involving other people in your tutorials or choose to expand into other types of content (like a podcast), you can still use the same microphone. 

The four polar patterns it has (and what you can use them for) are:

• Stereo (vocals or instruments)
• Omnidirectional (multi-person podcasts)
• Cardioid (Podcasts, streaming, voice-overs)
• Bidirectional (Face-to-face interaction)

Pros:

• 4 Polar Patterns
• Customisable RGB lighting
• Shock mount
• Internal pop filter
• Tap-to-mute feature (light on when active, off when muted)

Cons:

• More expensive than alternatives
• You might not use all the extra features

Another premium option, the Elgato Wave:3 differs from the Quadcast in that it’s small and compact. The Wave:3 is specifically designed to record exceptional audio, while remaining hidden from your camera.

Instead of providing loads of different features, the Wave:3 focuses on recording direct audio. This does mean that it’s less versatile. If you want to expand your content, you might be better off buying another microphone.

If you’re only focused on recording tutorials, the Wave:3 could be the best option for you. The clipguard technology in the Wave:3 also helps to protect your audio from distortion — so if you’re unexpectedly loud, the sound will automatically adjust to compensate for it.

Pros:

• Easy access mute button
• Incredible quality sound recording
• Cardioid pickup pattern
• Clipguard technology protects audio from distortion

Cons:

• Less versatile than the Quadcast

Getting the right microphone isn’t all you have to worry about when setting up your own make-up or hair tutorials. You also need to think about video editing software, setting up your workspace, and ordering your products.

Starting up can end up being very expensive.

So why not manage your money by using the combination of an accounting app and business current account? 

The Countingup app can help make your financial management a cinch, so you can stop worrying about your money, and focus on making your tutorials.

Get started for free today.