Whether you just take a lot of video calls over Skype or Hangouts, record podcasts, make music, or you're a burgeoning YouTube celebrity, you'll need a decent microphone for your desktop—one better than whatever's already built-in. This week we're looking at five of the best, based on your nominations.


Earlier this week we asked you for your favorite desktop microphones, whether they just offer the best bang for the buck, they're professional grade but in the reach of desktop users, offer superior audio quality, or are just space-saving options. Here's what you said, in no particular order.


The Audio Technica AT2020 is a staple in recording studios, offices that do a lot of telework, and in podcaster's homes alike. It comes in two models, a USB model (linked above) perfect for connecting directly to your desktop PC, and the original XLR model that's designed to be connected directly to your mixer or other audio equipment. The USB model is plug-and-play, and works with whatever audio software you already have on your PC. It's a cardioid condenser mic, so it's versatile, but will perform especially well with voice recording, specifically things like podcasts and voice-overs. The AT2020 is also a side-address model, meaning it does well when you're not talking directly into the top. It's inexpensive as well. While it retails for $229.99, you can find it at Amazon for $129.99.

Those of you who nominated the AT2020 noted its low self-noise and great performance for voiceovers, and praised it for its durability. It even comes with that tripod stand shown above and a carrying case. One of you even noted that you use the AT2020 primarily in your office, thanks to the fact that it's plug-and-play with virtually any system, it's resilient, and gets the job done.You can read more in the nominations thread here.


If portability is important to you, the Samson Meteor is probably one of the smallest—yet still widely loved—USB condenser microphones we've seen. It's tiny, connects to your computer via USB, and serves as both an audio input and an output device, so you can plug your headphones into the mic while you record with it (which is useful for being able to hear yourself while you speak.) It's a cardioid condenser mic, so again it's ideal for voice-work, like podcasting, recording, and voiceovers. It's also plug-and-play, and doesn't require specific drivers to work with any of your devices—even the iPad, if you use it for audio work (specifically Garageband.) If you want one, you can snag one in chrome for $65 at Amazon, or grab one in black for a couple bucks less.


Those of you who nominated the Meteor praised its portability—after all, those legs actually fold up around the top of the microphone, turning it into a kind of silver "pill" that slides into the included carrying case and travels anywhere with ease. It doesn't take up a lot of space on your desk, you noted, and it gets the job done. Some of you explained that even compared to other, more well-marketed models, the Meteor can hold its own, especially in smaller spaces with less noise. You also noted its durability, and its price point doesn't hurt either. You can read more in the nominations thread here.


If you're serious about your audio, the Shure SM-58 is a legendary microphone. It's virtually everywhere, rugged as all getout, and you'll find it connected to podcasters' home computers, professional recording studios, stages everywhere, city halls—virtually anywhere a professional-level microphone is called for, an SM-58 probably isn't too far behind. It's not even the top of Shure's product range, but it offers a bang for the buck that just can't be ignored, even in professional scenarios. The SM-58 is an XLR microphone, meaning you'll need to connect it to an external mixer, adapter, or a sound card that supports that connection if you want to plug it into your computer. It's a cardioid dynamic microphone, it's directional, and you can run it over with a truck. If you want one, a model with the required XLR cables will set you back $109 at Amazon, and $199 gets you one with a Shure XLR to USB adapter.


Those of you who nominated the SM-58 praised it for being a dynamic microphone instead of a condenser mic, its extreme durability, and the fact that it's seriously in professional use everywhere—in studios and in the field. When I did radio, I broadcast using SM-58s. Some of you also praised the Shure SM-7B as an alternative that's popular in TV and radio studios—another great dynamic mic that's an equally durable model. You can read more about the SM-58 in its nomination thread here.


The Blue Yeti did very well in the call for contenders thread, largely because it's an affordable, space-saving USB condenser mic that offers superior audio quality and multiple audio modes so you can use it for different purposes. If you're doing podcasting or voiceovers, you can set its pickup pattern to cardioid. If you're recording vocals or singing, set it to stereo. Doing an interview? Set it to bidirectional, or if you're in a group interview or conference call, set it to omnidirectional. It's flexible, powerful, and easy to use. It's another plug-and-play USB microphone, and doesn't need specific drivers to work. It also functions as an audio output as well as an input, meaning you can plug your headphones into it to hear yourself while you record. If you want one, the Yeti will set you back about $100 at Amazon, and the Yeti Pro is about $188.


Speaking of the Yeti Pro, a number of you nominated the Pro as well, specifically as a step up from the Yeti. You noted that the pro features a 24-bit audio interface for better recording, and it sports an XLR connector if you have additional audio gear you need to hook it up to (or you need to use it in more professional scenarios.) You can check out its nomination thread here, and read the differences between the Yei and the Yeti Pro here. As for the original Yeti though, many of you noted in the call for contenders' thread that you use it with great success, love the fact that its plug and play, and I noted that when I use it and connect my headphones, I can hear the air moving through the ventilation system in my apartment. Oh, and did we mention that its The Wirecutter's pick for the best USB microphone? Read more in its nomination thread here.


Another Blue microphone that made the top five of its own accord is the familiar and widely used Blue Snowball. Blue likes to say that the Snowball is the world's first professional USB microphone, and while we agree that it's been extremely popular among podcasters, at-home audio pros, and generally well loved, that may be a stretch. Still, it's often used primarily for voice-work, like podcasting and voiceovers, and I've seen it used in professional voiceovers as well, especially considering it's affordable. It's a USB condenser microphone that supports both omnidirectional and cardioid pickup patterns, so it can be useful for one person or picking up a room of people. It's also plug-and-play, meaning no specific drivers are required for its use. If you want one, you can pick one up in an array of colors (just for personalization's sake) for around $69 at Amazon.


Those of you who nominated the Snowball pointed out that it's one of the best desktop microphones under $100, as long as you know what you're doing with it. Some of you noted that you might just want to spend the extra $30-40 bucks to get the Yeti, but if you don't need the extra features, the Snowball is a great bargain. It also works well with the iPad, if you use it for any audio recording or video chatting. You can read more in its nomination thread here.

Now that you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to a vote to determine the Lifehacker community favorite:


The honorable mention this week go out to the Antlion ModMic, which also picked up a number of nominations in the call for contenders thread for being affordable (around $40), and for being a microphone you can attach to virtually any set of headphones you have to turn them into a headset. It can't really compare with any of the microphones in the lineup here, but if you're looking to turn your headphones into a headset, we have a whole guide on how to do that here, along with a number of peripherals that do the same thing. Similarly, if you're still on the fence and considering any of the above, or debating using a headset with an attached microphone and want to know what your options are, check out our guide to choosing the best microphone for your computer for more tips.


Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Don't just complain about the top five, let us know what your preferred alternative is—and make your case for it—in the discussions below.

The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at tips+hivefive@lifehacker.com !

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