The 10 Best ASMR Microphones For All Budgets

ASMR took the internet by storm in recent years.

Millions of people swear by ASMR videos and streams nowadays, helping them relax and get the "tingles".

Today we'll look at the 10 best microphones you can use to film ASMR.

These microphones will help you get the best sound of what you're recording, whether it's your soothing voice or various sounds like tapping and brushing.

Learn about the essential camera gear needed to enhance your skills.

What is an ASMR Microphone

ASMR Microphones are mics that have sufficient sensitivity and depth to capture your voice and the sounds you make to create a relaxing ASMR.

All microphones that are good enough for recording vocals and low-level sounds should be great for ASMR. You want a mic that has a high sensitivity to capture low-level sounds but also minimizes background noise.

In general, choosing a condenser microphone might be the better choice for ASMR. Condensers have high sensitivity, and they capture a wide range of frequencies.

For most simplicity, choose a USB mic. That way you don't have to deal with XLR cables, stands, filters, etc. On the other hand, XLR microphones are most often of higher quality and offer better sound.

Learn more about Sound Design techniques.

The 10 Best ASMR Microphones

1. Blue Yeti USB Mic

This is a great condenser microphone. Many live streamers and ASMR creators swear by it. It offers simple connections since it uses USB.

It costs around $100 and offers switchable polar patterns. You can choose between cardioid and omnidirectional patterns.

Blue Yeti microphones offer high-quality sound. Overall, this mic is very versatile because of the switchable patterns and offers sufficient quality.

It is also one of the best podcast microphones around.

2. HyperX Quadcast

HyperX Quadcast is a USB condenser gaming mic.

It has high-quality sound, an anti-vibration shock mount, and a built-in pop filter.

Quadcast also offers four polar patterns, so it's very versatile.

It costs around $150.

3. Audio-Technica AT2020 USB

The AT2020 is a cardioid condenser microphone.

This acclaimed microphone has been around for almost 15 years. And for the price of around $150, it offers high value.

This is a great overall microphone for the quality and crisp sound it offers. The USB version is great for simplicity and you can use it on the go.

You can also choose to get it with an XLR connection. The base mic is cheaper, but don't forget you will also need to purchase an XLR cable and a stand.

The AT2020 is also great for online streaming. Find more excellent microphones for streaming.

4. Rode NT1-A

This is a highly popular choice among many online creators.
This condenser offers very low self-noise and captures sound in great detail.

The NT1-A has also great build quality with an integrated shock mount. But, it relies on an external power source.

5. Rode K2 Condenser Valve Microphone

Rode K2 Condenser Valve should be considered as a premium microphone.

It is a condenser type, with 3 polar patterns, a wide dynamic range, and high sensitivity. Also, it has ultra-low self-noise.

This microphone is quite expensive tho and should be considered an investment. The price is around $700.

6. Blue Snowball iCE Plug ‘n Play USB Microphone

To cool off the premium price, this one is probably the best affordable ASMR Microphone.

Blue Snowball iCE is a condenser with a cardioid pattern. It has kind of a retro feeling to it, as it has a ball-shaped design. As the name suggests, this mic is plug-and-play and doesn't require anything extra to start recording.

It doesn't offer many features, but this microphone has good quality for the price.

Blue Snowball iCE Plug 'n Play costs around $45-55.

7. ZealSound USB Microphone

ZealSound created this USB condenser with an omnidirectional polar pattern for all recording enthusiasts.

It offers solid recording quality for the price, a durable metal body, and a tripod stand.

This is a great beginner pick because of its price tag, but also don't expect high-end quality.

The price is around $30.

8. Sennheiser MKH416

This is another high-end professional microphone.

It uses a cardioid polar path and boasts great sensitivity. This also means you have to use it in the right environment with background noise. MKH416 requires an external power source and XLR cable to work.

Overall, this mic is aimed at professionals and requires some knowledge of audio gear.

The cost is around $900.

9. 3Dio FS Pro II

3Dio FS Pro 2 is used by many professional ASMR creators. It's one of the best mics for ASMR. This microphone offers realistic sound and very low self-noise.

It's possible to recognize 3Dio FS Pro 2 by its unusual design. It has a wide shape with ears on each side (literally). This microphone needs an external power source, so take into account that you will need that too.

Overall, 3DIO FS Pro II is a great choice for professional creators who want to produce sounds on a high level.

This of course comes with the price tag. This mic costs around $2000.

10. Marantz Professional MPM-2000U Condenser Microphone

Today's final pick is the Marantz Professional MPM-2000U Microphone. It is a cardioid condenser with a USB connection.

This microphone boasts durable construction, low self-noise, and great noise rejection. It has relatively high-quality sound.

On the other hand, it only offers one polar pattern, so it may not be as versatile as some of the other picks. MPM-2000U comes with an accessory box. It includes a USB cable and a shock mount.

It costs approximately $100.

How to choose an ASMR Microphone

Now that you've seen our top picks, we will look at several factors you should consider when choosing the best ASMR microphone for your needs.

Price

You have to consider the price. We all have budgets, and most beginners don't want to jump in and buy the most expensive microphone available.

Most good microphones range around $100 and more. You can find great budget picks for less, but the quality may suffer. Again, you don't need a fancy expensive mic if you're just starting.

Or you cant rent your mic to try it out. Find the best microphones you cant rent from other ambitious creators.

Condenser vs Dynamic

Next, you have to consider whether you want a Condenser or a Dynamic microphone.

Don't worry, here is a simple explanation of their differences. Both have their pros and cons.

Dynamic mics:

• Less Sensitive (eliminate unwanted noise)
• Most commonly used
• Durable
• Don't require external power

Condenser mics:

• Higher sensitivity (great for ASMR!)
• Less durable
• Need an external power source
• Higher quality
• Self-noise

If you want to know more, we have you covered. Learn more about condenser microphones.

Don't forget to consider the features of the microphone like polar pattern, self-noise, sensitivity, and the power source. These can make or break your ASMR sound quality, so choose carefully!

Polar pattern

The most common patterns are Omnidirectional, Cardioid, and Binaural.

Without going into too much detail, here is a very simplified explanation:

Omnidirectional picks up sound from all around the mic.

Cardioid picks up sound from directly in front of the mic.

And the Binaural picks up sound from all around but uses a left-side / right-side difference.

The main choice is whether you want to only use sounds made directly in front of the microphone, or play with moving around.

Self-noise

Self-noise is the annoying sound in the background you can sometimes get.

Generally, the lower the self-noise, the better the ASMR.

High-quality microphones have low self-noise. ASMR requires clean quality sound, so the noise a mic makes is important for the success of your videos.

Sensitivity

The best microphones for ASMR have high sensitivity that can capture all kinds of low-level sounds.

The sensitivity you want also depends on your environment. If you record in a soundproof, quiet place, a sensitive condenser might be the best pick. If you know there will be some noise pollution, a less sensitive dynamic mic may do better.

Power Source

Finally, you should consider the power source your microphone will need.

Microphones use either USB or external power.

A simple explanation is that the high-end microphones need an external connection to a power source strong enough to run them.

An easier option is to get a microphone that requires just USB input. It is very easy to set up and most of us have used USB microphones already.

And that's it. Don't overthink the purchase of your first microphone.

Stick to considering the most important factors, like price, sensitivity, and the type of the microphone. You can get great sound from many microphones with the right setup.

Rent or Subscribe to top ASMR Microphones

Now you know what are the 10 best ASMR Microphones, and how to choose the best one for you.

If you already have a preferred mic, that's great. Whatever your budget is, you should always consider what are the options.

Rent or subscribe to the best ASMR Microphones.

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