Introduction: Best Microphones for YouTube Videos in Echoey Rooms
Microphones for Youtube videos with in-built noise isolation systems
Microphones for YouTube videos is a topic that has been widely covered whether it’s through setup tours, how-to videos on creating professional content, or dedicated tech reviews. All of these videos are helpful, but there’s a common pattern you might notice: many YouTubers tend to overlook a very important point that everyone should understand before buying a microphone. That point is how certain microphones can cause problems in echoey, noisy rooms which, let’s be honest, are the most common spaces in our homes. In more technical terms, we refer to these as untreated environments.
Imagine spending a lot of money on a high-end microphone, thinking it’ll solve all your audio problems only to find out later that it doesn’t sound the way you expected in your room. Why? Because it’s not built for that kind of environment. Now, you’re stuck spending a few hundred more just to treat your space and make it sound like a studio, all so the mic can actually perform the way it’s supposed to.
To avoid that and to make sure your microphone works well right out of the box, let’s walk through some of the best mics that sound great even in echoey or untreated rooms. Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your setup, this guide will help you choose the right microphone for your space.
Why Microphones for YouTube Videos Need to Handle Room Echo
Before we jump into the actual mic recommendations, it’s important to understand why echo is such a big deal especially for YouTubers recording at home.
You might be thinking, “Why do I need a special environment just for a microphone to sound good? Can’t a good mic just focus on my voice and block out the rest?” That’s a fair question and the answer depends on the type of microphone you’re using.
Some microphones, especially condenser mics, are designed to capture every tiny detail in your voice. That’s great in a treated studio, but in a regular room with bare walls, hard floors, or high ceilings, those same mics will also pick up all the extra noise and echo you didn’t even realize was there. Suddenly, your recording sounds hollow, messy, or just plain distracting to your audience.
Treating a room usually means adding things like acoustic foam, bass traps, or sound panels to stop sound from bouncing around. And while that works, it also adds to the cost and not everyone has the budget or space for a full studio setup.
That’s where dynamic microphones come in. They’re less sensitive, with a more focused pickup pattern that captures your voice from right in front while ignoring much of the surrounding noise. This makes them a great fit for common, everyday recording environments—like bedrooms, home offices, or living rooms.
So, if your space has:
Hard, bare walls
Tile or wooden floors
Big windows or high ceilings
…then chances are, you’re already dealing with echo. But don’t worry—some microphones are built to handle these exact conditions without needing a full studio makeover.
Let’s dive into the best options that perform well in echoey rooms and help you get clean, professional audio right from home.
Best Microphones for YouTube Videos in Untreated Rooms
1. Shure SM7B
If there was an ultimate boss of the microphone world, it would definitely be the Shure SM7B. Released back in 2001, it still holds its ground as one of the best in the game, few mics even come close to it’s quality . It’s rugged build, cardioid pattern that focuses on your voice while blocking background noise, built-in shock absorption, and that signature warm tone make it the industry standard. It’s usually the first mic that comes to mind for anyone looking to start a podcast or record high quality videos.
Despite being on the expensive side, if you’re planning to invest in a high-end, professional microphone—and you’ve got a couple hundred extra dollars for accessories like a Cloudlifter gain booster and a solid audio interface—then this is hands-down one of the best mics you can get. Whether your room is acoustically treated or untreated, the SM7B delivers impressive results.
When to Buy It :
- If you want to sound extremely professional and have the money to buy a couple of accessories like a gain booster and an audio interface (which are required, since it can give a lighter voice without them due to its low output level compared to many condenser mics), then this mic is a great option.
- It’s also a good choice if you have an untreated or echoey space, as it can block a lot of background noise even in rooms that aren’t acoustically treated unlike most condenser mics.
Tip: You’ll need a powerful audio interface or a gain booster like the Cloudlifter for best results.
2. Shure MV7
The MV7 is inspired by the Shure SM7B, as you can tell just by looking at it. But what’s really impressive is how easy it is to use and customize. This mic comes with both USB and XLR outputs, and unlike the industry standard SM7B, it doesn’t require you to buy extra accessories like a gain booster or an audio interface. You can simply plug it into your computer and use its built-in app to adjust and modify your voice. At the same time, if you want to upgrade later, you still have the option to use it with a gain booster and audio interface through XLR.
On top of that, the MV7 features built-in voice isolation, just like the SM7B. It also has touch controls on the mic itself, allowing you to adjust volume and monitor levels even without using software. Overall, this mic not only includes many of the features found in the Shure SM7B, but also adds extra convenience making it a great choice for many users at nearly half the price.
When to Buy It :
- If you want something similar to the Shure SM7B without needing extra accessories like a gain booster or audio interface.
- If you’re okay with giving up the exact SM7B sound and can work with a slightly less warm tone.
- If you’re looking for a mic that’s worth the price, easy to use, and built to last for the long run.
3. Shure SM58
If you’re impressed by the longevity and unbeatable reputation of the Shure SM7B, wait until you hear about the Shure SM58. Released back in 1966, this mic has undergone some updates over the years but is still considered by many to be the greatest stage microphone even after 59 years of it’s debut. As a dynamic microphone, the SM58 is designed to focus on your voice, even in extremely crowded and noisy environments.
The SM58 is extremely tough it has been run over by trucks and thrown from buildings, yet it continues to perform reliably. But it’s not just built for the stage; it also works surprisingly well for YouTube videos and voice content, especially in untreated rooms. And the best part? You can get this all-around, rugged mic for just about $109 at the time this article is published.
When to Buy It :
- If you want a mic that gives you maximum voice quality in noisy events or environments, and still sounds great when you bring it home to record videos.
- If you want to sound decent without paying as much as the Shure SM7B or MV7, and instead want to spend that extra money on an audio interface which can also improve the mics you buy in the future.
4. Rode PodMic
The Rode PodMic is one of those microphones you’ll often see in podcasts and YouTube videos. It’s popular for a reason, it’s a rugged, reliable mic that delivers clear sound, all at a surprisingly affordable price of around $99. When you compare it with high-end microphones, it still holds its ground, and its popularity is right up there with much more expensive mics.
Since it’s a dynamic microphone, it naturally reduces background noise and keeps the focus on your voice, which makes it a great option for untreated or echoey rooms. Just keep in mind that it uses XLR, so you’ll need an audio interface to get the best sound out of it. If you pick one up for your YouTube setup, chances are people will recognize that it’s is the same mic they’ve seen in dozens of podcasts and creator setups.
When to buy it :
- If you mainly want to do podcasts and are looking for a high-quality, recognizable microphone in the $99 price range.
- If you want a rugged mic that performs well even in tough environments and can handle occasional bumps without issue.
- If you’re willing to invest in an audio interface—and possibly a gain booster just like you would with mics such as the Shure SM7B, Shure MV7, or SM58.
Microphones for YouTube to Avoid in Untreated Rooms
There are some microphones which sound amazing in a treated room but when it comes to rooms that aren’t treated they can cause a lot of problems while recording and most of these mics are condensor mics which are great for capturing every detail but sometimes it even includes the background sounds which can ruin the making of your professional video . Some of these condenssor mics are stated below :
Neuman U87
Despite being Neumann’s top-tier microphone known for capturing incredible details , it can sometimes pick up background sounds that weren’t supposed to be in your recording especially if you’re recording in an untreated environment.
Neuman TLM 102 / 103
both of these mics capture even the slightest details while being far more affordable than the Neumann U87. But because of that sensitivity, an untreated environment can make them sound worse than they actually are, despite their high quality.
AKG C414
This one is an extremely versatile microphone with almost 9 polar patterns, but none of them may be good enough to consistently block those unwanted background sounds.So, you might want to pick a dynamic microphone instead, which has fewer polar patterns but is designed for untreated environments.
Audio-Technica AT2020
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a solid budget condenser microphone, but when it comes to blocking background noise, it doesn’t perform much better than other condenser mics and can pick up a lot of unwanted sounds that may disturb your recordings.
So as you can see, if you have a typical home setup, which in most cases is untreated, then you should avoid condenser mics. They’re highly sensitive, which makes them great for capturing details, but that same sensitivity can cause them to pick up annoying background noises if your room isn’t treated.
How to Get Great Audio with Microphones for YouTube in Untreated Rooms
Now, let’s walk you through some things you can do to get a clear sound even in untreated rooms:
- Keep your face at least 3–5 inches from the mic so it clearly records your voice instead of picking up surrounding noise.
- Use a boom arm to avoid unnecessary handling sounds and honestly, why would you spend so much on a good mic and then skip the boom arm?
- Add soft furnishings like curtains, rugs, and pillows around your recording area to reduce echo and improve voice clarity.
- Build a DIY vocal booth inside your room to isolate echo and background noise. It’s a great alternative to the high cost of a professional studio.
These tips can significantly improve your audio quality even when you are recording in an untreated room.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Microphones for YouTube Videos
So, if you don’t have a professional studio and want to record in your home setup, the best thing you can do is avoid those expensive and highly sensitive condenser mics. Instead, go for a good dynamic microphone like the Shure SM7B, MV7, SM58, Rode PodMic, or any other reliable dynamic mic, and start creating the content you enjoy.
You’ll notice that many creators, especially in podcasts, rely on dynamic mics in their videos. So whether you’re filming commentary, tutorials, product reviews, or any other type of content, these dynamic microphones will definitely stand out even if your untreated room doesn’t.
👇 What Next?
- Have you used any of these microphones? Share your thoughts in the comments!
- Want to improve your YouTube setup? Explore more mic reviews and tips here.
- Need help choosing between USB and XLR? Check out our USB vs XLR guide.
Thanks for reading, and happy creating!
