Cortana is best known for its voice recognition capabilities. If you want to use Cortana, you need a good-quality microphone to pick up your voice and understand what you are saying. There are some great microphones available on the market today, so we have compiled 8 of our favorites here for you!
Here’s the shortlist to save your time
Top 8 Microphones For Cortana Reviewed
Features:
- Premium USB microphone and digital mixer for streaming, podcasting, voiceovers, and more
- Cardioid polar pattern for speech capture with precision
- Wave Link app allows for control of audio sources, creation of two independent mixes, and live streaming on Facebook or YouTube Live
The Elgato Wave:3 is a premium USB microphone and digital mixer for streaming, podcasting, voiceovers, and more. With its tight cardioid polar pattern, the Wave:3 captures speech with precision. Use the Wave Link app to control your audio sources, create two independent mixes and even stream live on Facebook or YouTube Live. The new remote gain dial gives you easy access to volume adjustments on the fly – perfect for recording voiceovers or podcasts. Plus, the proprietary Clipguard technology makes distortion virtually impossible while superior circuitry ensures seamless audio signal transmission.
Features:
- Handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output
- Cardioid pickup pattern minimizes ambient sounds and other room noises
- Reduces possible feedback in live performance settings
- Ideal for podcasting, home recording, or voiceover work
- Includes a desktop stand, USB cable, and XLR cable
The Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack is a professional handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output for connecting to a computer and XLR analog output for connecting to a mixer audio interface or portable PA system. The Q2U features a cardioid pickup pattern that captures sound from in front of the microphone and less from the side and rear, minimizing ambient sounds and other room noises for podcasting, home recording, or voiceover work. It also reduces possible feedback in live performance settings.
Features:
- Plug and play, no driver installation required
- Good sound quality for the price
- Tripod stand included
- Easy to adjust the angle on the stand
This is a usb microphone; you can use it for many things like gaming, streaming, chatting, web conferencing. It is plug-and-play, so you don’t need to install any driver software or anything else. It comes with a tripod stand that makes it easy to place and adjust the microphone’s angle on your desk. The sound quality is very good for the price, and I would recommend this product for anyone looking for an affordable USB mic!
Features:
- No batteries required
- Frequency response: 50Hz-15kHz
- Sensitivity: -54dB ± 3dB (1V/Pa at 1kHz)
- Output impedance: 600Ω ± 30% (at 1kHz)
- Maximum SPL: 130dB (at 1kHz ≤ 1%
The Singing Machine SMM-205 is a unidirectional dynamic microphone. It comes with a 10 ft cord and has no batteries required. This microphone is ideal for karaoke and other similar applications. The microphone’s comprehensive frequency response and high sensitivity make it suitable for live performances and studio recordings.
Features:
- Multiple pattern settings for versatile recording
- Tri-capsule array for studio-quality sound
- Advanced modulation controls for enhanced audio
- HD audio samples for added polish
- Bundled with a second pop filter for even more versatility!
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is the industry standard for voiceover artists, podcasters & streamers. It features 4 pattern settings (Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional, and Stereo) to capture every nuance of your voice. Its tri-capsule array delivers studio-quality recordings with a natural sound and multiple effects so you can add polish to your podcast or YouTube video. Experience enhanced audio with advanced modulation controls and HD audio samples. Plus, it comes bundled with a second pop filter for even more versatility!
Features:
- Four pattern settings: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo
- USB connectivity for easy recording and streaming on PC and Mac
- Includes custom Blue VO!CE effects for professional vocal recordings
- Award-winning design for exceptional sound quality
- Plug and play setup with no drivers required
Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording and Streaming on PC and Mac, Blue VO!CE Effects is a professional-quality microphone designed to deliver the best vocal recordings. This award-winning mic features four different pattern settings that allow you flexibility in an accurately recording. The microphone’s bidirectional setting lets you record from two sources simultaneously, which is great for podcasting or interviews. And its stereo setting allows you to record two audio channels simultaneously, making it easy to mix your vocals into music tracks.
Features:
- USB Condenser Gaming Microphone
- Anti-Vibration Shock Mount
- Tap-to-Mute Sensor with LED Indicator
- Four Selectable Polar Patterns
- Gain Control Adjustment
HyperX QuadCast is a USB condenser gaming microphone for PC, PS4, PS5, and Mac. It includes an anti-vibration shock mount, tap to the mute sensor with LED indicator, four selectable polar patterns, and a mount adapter included. The convenient gain control adjustment makes it easy to set the correct sensitivity level for your voice. At the same time, multi-device and chat program compatibility gives you more ways to communicate with friends.
Features:
- Professional-grade USB microphone for streamers, podcasters, and content creators
- Built-in background noise reduction for clearer stream audio
- Super-cardioid pickup pattern eliminates background noise around you
- Plug and play with no driver installation required
The Razer Seiren X is a high-quality USB microphone designed for streamers, podcasters, and other content creators. The built-in background noise reduction feature helps eliminate distracting noises further away from the microphone for professional-grade stream audio. It also features a super-cardioid pickup pattern that eliminates background noise around you so your voice can be heard loud and clear no matter where you are about the mic.
5 Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Microphones For Cortana
1. Positioning
The microphone’s position is critical when it comes to voice recognition accuracy. Ideally, the mic should be as close to your mouth as possible without being too close (this can cause popping noises).
If you’re using a desktop PC, try positioning the mic on or near the monitor. If you’re using a laptop, make sure the mic is positioned close to your mouth – either on top of the screen or below it (near the keyboard).
2. Background noise
Another factor that may influence your experience with Cortana is background noise. People who use their PCs in a noisy environment (e.g., next to the TV) may find that Cortana’s voice recognition accuracy is reduced, and they will need to speak louder or repeat themselves more often.
3. Desktop vs. Laptop
Desktop computers usually have better built-in microphones than laptops. That said, here are some examples of built-in laptop microphones:
Lenovo ThinkPad T450s: Dual digital MSP430 array condenser microphones (1 front 1 back). Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series 2-in-1: 1 front-facing MEMS microphone.
4. Connectivity Options
All modern desktops and laptops have a built-in microphone, but not all come with a USB port. If you want to use a USB microphone with your PC or laptop, you’ll need to ensure that the machine has a USB port.
5. Compatible Software
Not all microphones are compatible with all voice recognition software. For example, the Blue Yeti, one of the most popular desktop microphones, is not compatible with Cortana.
3 Advantages of Microphones For Cortana
1. Accuracy
Microphones are more accurate than voice recognition software, so they are often used in dictation software. This accuracy is essential for Cortana, as it needs to understand your commands and questions accurately to provide you with the correct information.
2. Speed
Cortana can respond much faster to queries made through a microphone than voice recognition software. The microphone bypasses the software entirely and sends the query directly to Cortana. This means that you will respond more quickly and won’t have to wait for the software to process your voice.
3. Convenience
Microphones are more convenient than voice recognition software, as they don’t require you to have your hands accessible to use them. This is particularly useful if you are driving or cooking and need to use Cortana’s functionality without having to take your hands off what you are doing.
To Wrap Up
If you’re looking for a great microphone to enhance your Cortana experience, we have 8 fantastic options that will work well with Windows systems. Which of these microphones do you think would be best suited for using Cortana? Let us know in the comments! We’ve included things like the price and sensitivity level and customer reviews so you can make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.
