Throughout the year we looked at a lot of microphones that offer what matters most to those that use them: clarity, price, ...

In fact, the signal is so weak that condenser mics can't work without a phantom power source. USB condenser mics can take power directly from the USB connection, but XLR condenser microphones ...

and a good condenser mic. I reviewed AKG's P220 and P420 condenser mics a while back and found them to be pretty much the perfect option for beginning recording enthusiasts: "AKG’s P220 and P420 ...

Don't rely on the wimpy microphone built into your phone or laptop. Here's how to find the best USB (and XLR with USB) mics for gaming, podcasting, and recording music, including our top-tested picks.