Choosing a Webinar Microphone – Everything You Need to Know

If you’re like most business owners, you’re always trying to stay up to date with the best ways to market your business. From social media, YouTube, podcasting, and paid ads, there are so many ways to get eyes on your offer and have new people learn about your brand.  

But in my own experience, I have found that one of the best ways to convert your followers is by using webinars. Whether you run live or automated webinars, both of them allow you to connect with your audience at a much deeper level. 

This connection typically leads to more trust with your audience in a shorter amount of time than any other platform. And more trust, generally means a shorter sales cycle, which means more new customers and revenue for your business.

But if you’ve yet to run a webinar and are intimidated by the process, I want to debunk that belief. If you aren’t running them, you are missing out. Regardless of your industry, pretty much everyone can benefit from running live and automated webinars. 

Webinars are easy to run, low-cost, and don’t require much equipment. In fact, if you have a laptop or computer, you’re halfway there. The only other piece of equipment I recommend to all webinar hosts is a professional microphone.

Why You Need a Webinar Microphone 

If you’re like most people, you already have a standard microphone built into your computer or laptop and a set of earbuds that came with your phone. 

So why not use them instead of spending more money on new equipment?

Here’s the thing, to build credibility and authority, you need to present everything well to your audience. If you don’t look and sound trustworthy, it’s going to be hard to sell your audience. 

At EasyWebinar, we know this one element can make or break it for your webinar success.

Why?

One reason above all else… your audience.

With webinars, your face isn’t usually shown and instead, it’s a slide deck that you create to teach your attendees. So all the audience has to listen with is your sound. If you run a webinar and the sound is bad, attendees are much more likely to jump off sooner and not hear your offer. Remember, you only get one first impression so it’s vital to give your audience a great one!

Having a professional microphone for running a webinar is like paying for a great website if you’re a blogger. Or, having a great camera if you’re a YouTuber or produce a lot of videos. It shows that you’re committed to your craft and take your job seriously.

High quality sound is one of the few ways that you can stand out among competition and show your audience that you’re serious about your business and their success. Plus, they’re cheap, easy to buy, and don’t require much tech skills, making it a no-brainer investment. 

At EasyWebinar, we think that you should have a professional microphone to create the best sounding webinar for your audience. 

Use this checklist to evaluate the criteria and the best webinar microphone.

Choosing Your Webinar Microphone

Best Headphones for Webinars Headphones

Some webinar hosts plug in headphones while others use the computer audio, this is totally your preference. But some microphones allow you to plug in headphones directly into the device instead of the computer.  

Connectivity

The last thing you want to worry about is if your microphone is working or not during a webinar. Luckily, with EasyWebinar’s platform we do an audio test before presenting to your audience. Ideally, you want to find a microphone that plugs into your computer directly via USB drive. 

Also, if you plan to use a podcast recording device, you should buy a mic with an XLR outlet alongside the USB option. That way you can plug the microphone directly into the recorder for the highest quality sound on a podcast interview.

Ease of Use

Another thing to think about when choosing a webinar mic  is your tech skills. If you’re not particularly savvy, choose a mic that is easy to use and doesn’t require any other accessories.

Price

The final thing to consider when choosing a webinar microphone is price. Some can cost as low as $50, while others can cost $300 or more. 

In general, a microphone under $100 is more than enough to sound professional on webinars and can also work for podcasting as well. But, if you’re using the mic for voice-overs, video, and other music projects, a larger investment could be a better fit.

5 Best Webinar Microphones 

1. Audio-Technica ATR2100

The Audio-Technica ATR2100 is one of the best microphones that you can buy for webinars and also podcasting. It’s simple, easy to use, and sounds amazing. 

If you don’t have a professional soundproof room for recording webinars, not to worry. The ATR2100 has a unidirectional pattern meaning it doesn’t capture any background “hum.” 

It also has a USB jack that you can plug directly into your laptop and has built in headphones. For the price, it’s well worth the less than $100 investment! 

2. Blue Yeti USB Mic

If you’re looking for a little more technical features than the Audio-Technica, the Bluet Yeti is a great alternative. The custom three-capsule array produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for webinars, YouTube, and more.  Produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube, game streaming, podcasting, conference calls and music.

The Blue Yeti also works for musical instruments, podcasting, voice-overs, and conference calls. Plus, it comes in 10+ different colors so you find the right one to match your desk setup. Not to mention, you can accessorize your creative space by pairing with a compatible boom arm and Radius II shock mount.

3. Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

If money isn’t an issue and you want a microphone that will last and sound amazing for years, you’ll want to check out the Shure SM7 mic. It has a flat, wide-range frequency response that is exceptionally clean for music and speed. 

The Shure SM7B has a highly effective pop filter that eliminates the need for any add-on protection. This will help if you speak too close to the mic or if you do vocals for YouTube or narration.

Plus, it also comes with a yoke mounting system that makes it easy to mount and dismount for precise control of the microphone position. This is a mic to purchase if you want the best sound but also use it for instruments, voice-overs, or podcasting.

4. Audio-Technica AT2035PK Vocal Microphone Pack

If you’re more in the mid-budget range (over $100), another great option is the Audio-Technica AT2035PK. This microphone is ideal for running webinars but also great for podcasting. It has a large diaphragm for smooth, natural sound with minimal noise. 

It also comes with an adjustable studio boom arm that provides 360-degree rotation and matching headphones. The ATH-M20x professional headphones have a convenient single-side cable exit and fit around your ears for excellent sound isolation. 

If you need an all-in-one package and want at least the option to start podcasting, this is the best microphone set for you.

5. Blue Snowball ICE Mic  

If you want to keep costs as low as possible but still want tons of great features, the Blue Snowball microphone is a great choice. At only $50 on Amazon, you can beat the price and sound quality.

Plus, it easily plugs and plays into Mac or PC with no drivers to install. You can choose between white or black and start running webinars with it easily.

Additional Equipment for Running Webinars

If you’re someone who is doing more than just webinars with your professional microphone (like YouTube or podcasting), here are some of the best accessories. 

Pop Filter

A pop filter, pop shield or pop screen is a noise protection filter for your microphone. Pop filters are typically used in a recording studio to help reduce or eliminate popping sounds that are caused by the mechanical impact of fast-moving air on the microphone during recorded speech and singing.

Some of the microphones on this list come with pop filters, while others you need to buy separately. For only $5-$10, this is a small investment that you want to make for creating a high-quality sounding webinar. 

Boom Arm 

Depending on your office setup, a boom arm is a great way to make the sound even better as the microphone isn’t sitting directly on the desk or table. According to a survey done by The Podcast, 42% of all podcasters use a boom arm to increase sound quality.

So if it works for people who are obsessed with sound like podcasters, it will also help create a better webinar. 

With a boom arm, you don’t need to be stuck in the same position for the entire duration of a webinar or podcast interview. Not to mention if your mic is propped onto a built-on or traditional stand, it’s much harder to make adjustments during your event.

Boom arms also help minimize the impact of shock-related noise reaching your microphone which helps create a higher sound quality for your audience. They also help reduce vibrations and eliminate shock-related noise in your recording. Plus, they free up space as well.

Camera 

If you are going to show your face on webinars, you can also upgrade your camera as well. While almost every new device has a built-in camera, you can always purchase a separate, external webcam as well. 

A professional webcam can provide a higher resolution, let you position it differently, and create an even better experience for attendees.

Headphones

The final accessory that can help you create the best webinar is a good set of headphones. While you can use the ones that come with your phone, sometimes it’s better to invest in a set that you can also use for podcasting and other features. 

One recommendation, don’t use Bluetooth headphones. Instead, use a set of headphones that plug in directly to your computer or microphone (depending on which one you purchase).

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a great understanding on choosing a webinar microphone for your business. As I mentioned, running webinars isn’t something that requires much gear but the one thing you need above all else is a quality microphone.

Since most webinars don’t show your face, it’s vital to have the best sound possible. This will help build the know, like, and trust factor with your audience quickly.

The faster you can demonstrate trust and expertise to your audience, the faster you can grow your business.  

Ready to start running webinars in your business so you can get more leads and sales on autopilot?
>>Click here to start a 14-day FREE trial using EasyWebinar.