Finding the best cheap condenser mic under $100 to record your vocals or acoustic guitar with a warm tone can be a challenge. Good condenser microphones in the $100 price range are out there. You just have to know what you are looking for.
Condenser microphones have long been favored for recording guitars in a studio setting because of their sensitivity and warmth compared to dynamic mics. Since they are so sensitive, cheap condenser microphones can tend to produce extra noise in the background. That’s why we’ve reviewed all of the most affordable condenser microphones out there to compare their features and performance, so you can find the right one for your studio recording setup.
Let’s look at the top-rated budget condenser mics that sound great and won’t break your wallet.
Compare the Top Condenser Microphones Below $100 in 2020
Contents
Here is a list of the best $100 condenser mics that you should consider putting in your recording studio or computer recording setup.
Behringer B-1
Specs, features, and benefits
If you are on a budget, but you need a condenser microphone for recording, you want to check out the Behringer B-1. The microphone is made out of metal, and it feels very sturdy. On its body, the Behringer B-1I has a three-way switch -10db/flat/low-cut filter.
The Behringer B-1 microphone has a one-inch Diaphragm, cardioid polar pattern, Frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, SPL of 138/148dB, and Output impedance of 50 ohms. The Behringer B-1 microphone requires phantom power. With the Behringer B-1, included in the price, come to a shock mount, a windscreen and an aluminum case. Due to the -10db and the low-cut filter features, the Behringer B-1 can be used for many different things, podcast, vocals, drums, guitar cabs, etc.
Pros and Highlights
- Affordable – The Behringer comes for a great price!
- Amazing value for the money! – You can compare the quality of the Behringer and microphones with higher prices, and still be amazed by the Behringer.
- Versatile – Due to the three-way switch on the microphone, you can use it for many different things, drumming, singing, and guitars… no problem!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It is a Behringer – It seems like a lot of people are staying away from Behringer because their products are usually very cheap. However, most of the owners of the Behringer B-1 are satisfied, and they recommend the microphone for a home studio!
Bottom line
If you are on a budget, and you are starting a home studio project, you want to check out the Behringer B-1. This microphone can serve you as a work-horse around the studio – it is affordable, versatile, and sturdy. Recommended to beginners!
Audio-Technica AT2020
Specs, features, and benefits
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern that comes for a very affordable price. It has a 0.63″ diaphragm, 20Hz-20kHz frequency response, maximum SPL of 144dB, and an Output impedance of 100 ohms. It comes with a microphone pouch and a Shock Mount. The Audio-Technica AT2020 requires phantom power.
It is great for recording many different instruments and vocals, it is warm and balanced, and has a pretty high SPL and wide dynamic range.
Pros and Highlights
- Perfect first microphone – If you are just beginning to mess around recordings, the AT2020 by Audio-Technica might be a great fit for you!
- Cheap – The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a dirt-cheap microphone and it is an amazing one for the price.
- High maximum SPL – You can record loud things such as drums and guitar cabs with this microphone, and you will get a clear sound.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cable, no mic mount – In the package with the microphone, you won’t get the needed cable or a mic stand. However, these things are usually cheap, and you can get them in your local music instruments shop.
Bottom line
The AT2020 is a great, all-around microphone, great for beginners in the recording business. The AT2020 is great for recording many things, such as drums, guitar cabs, vocals, podcasts…
It is a very affordable microphone too!
MXL V67G
Specs, features, and benefits
The MXL V67G is a large capsule Condenser microphone, perfect for newbies in the recording world. The MXL V67G has a wide cardioid polar pattern, a frequency response of 30Hz-20kHz, maximum SPL of 130dB, and the sensitivity of -36.5dB, 200 ohms Impedance. To use it, the microphone needs a 48V phantom power. It has a 32mm condenser capsule.
The MXL V67G is fully made out of metal, it has a metal grill, and it has a good weight to it. It feels sturdy. The body of the microphone is green, while its grill is gold, and it looks kind of vintage. It comes with a mic mount, a carry-case, and some documentation.
Pros and Highlights
- Great for beginners – Although it is not the best microphone on the market, it can record a pretty good acoustic guitar sound and vocals!
- Extremely affordable – Cheap!
- Nice look – The MXL V67G looks cool! Check out the images. I bet it will look great in a video.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Not good for guitar cabs, drums, and other loud sources – The MXL V67G is great for the price. However, it can’t handle loud sources very well. It misses the high-end.
Still, if you are just starting to record – the MXL V67G is a great choice.
Bottom line
Well, you can’t expect a Neuman quality for the price of the MXL V67G, right? Still, for the price – this microphone delivers an impressive performance. It is best for recording acoustic guitars and vocals – perfect for newbies in the recording world.
MXL 770
Specs, features, and benefits
The MXL 770 microphone is an affordable Cardioid Condenser Microphone. It has a 22mm gold-sputtered condenser diaphragm. It has a frequency response of 30Hz-20kHz, Impedance of 150Ohms, Maximum SPL of 137dB. It requires a 48V phantom power. The MXL 770 has a Cardioid polar pattern.
On its body, the MXL 770 has two switches – a low-cut switch, and a -10dB switch. These two come very handily if you are recording loud sources, or you want to decrease the low-end in the recording of some sounds. It comes with a plastic hard case with a soft foam inside, included in the price, and a shock mount also included in the price.
Pros and Highlights
- Versatile – The two switches on the microphone allow you to use it for a recording of many different things.
- Affordable – It won’t break the bank, and it won’t hurt your wallet! Plus, it sounds decent!
- Hard case included – You can take it on the road with you, and travel with it, without worrying whether it is going to stay in one piece.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It misses a bit of high-end – Still, it is great for the price. Beginners might not even notice it. Professionals, on the other side, would still like to have that crispy high-end on their acoustic guitar recordings.
Bottom line
You are on a budget, and you want to start recording some music? Check out the MXL 770. It is an affordable condenser microphone that is capable of recording different things. It is sturdy and has a decent performance. Amazing value for the money – microphone.
MXL 990
Specs, features, and benefits
The MXL 990 is an all-metal construction Condenser microphone. It has a frequency response of 30Hz-20kHz, Impedance of 200ohms, and Max SPL of 130db. The MXL 990 requires a 48V phantom power in order to be used. It has a built-in FET preamp and a large gold-sputtered diaphragm.
The MXL 990 has a Cardioid polar pattern. It comes with a shock mount, a mic stand mount, and a rugged carrying case. The MXL 990 is one of the best microphones in its price range and is perfect for on-budget recording beginners.
Pros and Highlights
- Warm and Clear – The MXL 990 performs very well. Even professionals are amazed by the audio quality that this microphone records.
- Affordable – You can get this mic for a very low price!
- Great for the price – The quality of the audio recording is great for the price!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
The MXL 990 is great for the price Condenser microphone. It is recommended to beginners who are just starting to record, to podcasters, and similar. For the price, you will be amazed by the audio quality you will get with this microphone.
Audio-Technica ATR2500
Specs, features, and benefits
The Audio-Technica ATR2500 is a USB Condenser microphone that you can plug in directly in your computer and record. It has a Cardioid polar pattern. The ATR2500 has a frequency response of 30Hz-15kHz, it records with a sampling rate 44.1kHz/48kHz and a Bit Depth of 16bit.
It has a headphones jack and up/down Volume controls for zero-latency direct monitoring, It comes with a pivoting mic stand mount, desktop mic stand, and a USB cable included in the price. The ATR2500 is compatible with both MAC and PC devices.
Pros and Highlights
- Plug & Record – You can plug the ATR2500 with the USB cable in your computer, open your DAW, and you are good to go! Never let inspiration go away due to technical stuff.
- Great for podcasts – You don’t need a TOFT mixer and a Neuman microphone for recording a podcast… You can do it with the ATR2500 only.
- Mic stand included in the price – you won’t need to spend additional money to buy a mic stand – it comes with the microphone, included in the price.
Cons and Potential Flaws
Not a professional microphone – The ATR2500 is good for recording podcasts, voice-overs, and for recording demo songs, but it is not good enough for professional music recordings.
If you want to start building a professional studio, you should stay away from the ATR2500.
Bottom line
If you are looking for a way to improve your cellphone-recorded demos, or you are looking for a microphone that you can record a podcast with, you should check out the ATR2500 by Audio-Technica. However, if you plan to do a professional music recording, stay away from this microphone – the audio quality you’ll get with it is not meeting the production standards of the music business.
Behringer C-2 Matched Pair
Specs, features, and benefits
The Behringer C-2 Matched Pair microphones are Condenser microphones with a cardioid polar pattern, great for stereo recording. On the body of the C-2 microphone, you can find a switch that can roll of low-end, or attenuate the input by 10dB.
The Behringer C-2 microphones have a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, Maximum SPL of 140dB (150db when attenuated with the -10dB switch), and Output Impedance of 75 ohms. The C-2 microphone has a small 16mm diaphragm. They require +48 phantom power. The Behringer C-2 microphones come with custom stand adapters, a stereo bar for mounting both mics on a mic stand, windscreens, and a transport case.
Pros and Highlights
- Great quality audio – Many professionals are amazed by the audio quality you can get out of these microphones.
- Cheap – The C-2 microphones by Behringer are incredibly cheap!
- Versatile – due to the -10dB and the low-cut switch, these microphones allow being used in very different settings.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Behringer – Although Behringer is getting a lot of bad reviews on a lot of their products, the C-2 matched pair microphones are a great deal. They still might die in a few months, but that occurs rarely with the C-2’s. They are great for the price!
Bottom line
The Behringer C-2 small diaphragm paired match microphones are great for recording acoustic guitars, cymbals, piano, choirs, and other things that sound good in stereo.
They are also good for live recordings, podcasts, and whatnot. They are very affordable, and many professionals are amazed by their quality.
What We Recommend and Why
We recommend the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone. Why? Because it is the best in the price range. It is affordable, durable, it has a wide frequency response, it has a max SPL of 144dB, an Output Impedance of 100 ohms, and it comes with a shock-mount and a pouch. The AT2020 sounds great, warm, and rich. It is suitable for recording many different instruments.