Noise-cancellation has become a must-have for avid travelers and mobile workers. Noise-canceling headphones are more and more becoming a staple for those who want to drown out their surroundings and settle in their own headspace. And with this technology comes the noise-canceling microphone: a piece of tech great for work, play, and just keeping in touch.
Noise-canceling microphones come in different forms and shapes. The most common type is already attached to some kind of headphone or noise-canceling headset, but there are some stand-alone microphones too.
In this list, you’ll find the best noise-canceling microphones that make every phone call and recording crisp and clear which you can bring along with you wherever you go.
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Best for Business Calls
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Most Affordable
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Great for On-The-Go
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The FIFine USB Microphone, Plug&Play Home Studio is the go-to microphone for quick and easy recordings at an affordable price. It’s a Plug-and-Play device via a USB port and compatible with Mac and Windows with no need for any software installation. All you have to do is select the mic as your input in the software settings and you’re ready to go.
It features a distinctive Omni pick-up pattern that cancels noise and isolates the main sound source. In this case, that would be your voice. The smooth, flat, and wide frequency response also produces a brilliant and transparent sound that’s great for singing, speech, or any type of audio recording.
It’s a great mic to use for gaming as the audio is loud and clear and there is no specific need to be absolutely silent with the background noise.
The sound quality is great. It’s not meant for professional use, but it performs well considering the price. It’s well-built and powerful, but sometimes too powerful to pick-up noise too close to the mic. This includes noisy laptop fans or movement around the mic.
The package comes with a tripod stand for hands-free usage and a mouthpiece cover to soften the audio input. It doesn’t have a carrying case, which would have been excellent for portability, but it’s small and compact and can fit easily in your laptop bag.
It lacks an on/off button. For a standalone mic, that would have been a convenient feature. It turns off when not changed or moved in a while, and this can be annoying depending on how frequently you go on standby. While noise-cancellation isn’t topnotch, it’s a great microphone to have that serves its purpose of recording amateur audio and casual recordings.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 works well on the move, delivering clear quality even when you transition from indoors to outdoors. It’s known for audio solutions meant for optimum productivity. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 delivers very well, helping you focus on what you’re saying and not where you’re saying it.
Its noise-cancellation capability functions on both the headset and the microphone, but there’s more focus on the latter. Together with its proprietary WindSmart technology, the microphone eliminates background noise and delivers a professional, even tone that remains clean even when you move from one noise place to another.
The headset is equipped with a four-mic noise-canceling technology that electronically eliminates background noise and chatter. It also has a decent Bluetooth range of 30 meters so you can move around without having to carry your phone or laptop with you.
The headset also supports caller ID, voice control, and smart audio routing. It can detect whether or not you’re wearing the headset and knows if it will direct the call to your headset or to your device. It also has P2i nano-coating making it resistant to humidity, sweat, and water.
As an option, you can also buy the portable power dock and charging case for 14 extra hours of power. On its own, it has a micro USB charging system for convenience.
The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is an update to the earlier version of Voyager Legend. The new version has a few improvements, but it’s almost double the price of the older one. That’s a big bummer if you already had the older version, but if price comparison isn’t a problem, this headset is a solid performer.
The Sennheiser Presence Bluetooth Headset is Skype-certified with excellent battery life and connectivity.
It’s is a corporate-looking headset from a long-trusted manufacturer. Off the bat, it comes with a sturdy hard case that opens up to a well-organized layout of the headset and cables.
It’s definitely meant to be used by business folk. It comes with a Bluetooth dongle for your computer, different-sized earbuds, a short micro USB to USB cable. The design is very sleek but doesn’t feel very premium due to its fully plastic components. Then again, that keeps the device lightweight. It’s also a bit bigger than usual headsets, so if you’re looking for something conspicuous, you should start looking elsewhere.
The best feature is its exceptionally long battery life. It can last up to 10 hours of constant use. It also has several functions to have a distraction-free audio experience. Turning it on and off requires extending the boom arm out and in. A voice detector reacts when you begin to speak and utilizes three digital microphones to deliver consistently clear sound to the listener.
Call quality is decent, albeit a little tinny on the part of the caller in your ear. Noise-canceling on the microphone is even but not perfect. It’s also not the cheapest option out there but is a solid performer.
The FIFine Metal Condenser USB Microphone records professional-sounding audio without spending a professional price.
The FIFine Metal Condenser USB Microphone is a bit of an upgrade from the FIFine Plug&Play version. This particular microphone has a different audio pick-up technology with a few options for input adjustments.
This FIFine condenser microphone is particularly made for digital recording. It has a cardioid pick-up pattern which picks up audio produced right in front of the mic. It reduces accidental pickup of nearby noise such as the laptop fan or other minor movements.
An added feature is the volume control on the mic. It allows you to adjust the level of pick-up so the mic does all the work instead of you figuring out how loud or soft to speak or sing. It’s an ideal microphone for podcasts, voice-overs, and even song recordings or YouTube videos.
Just like the other FIFine microphone, this retails for under $30. It’s one of the best microphones on a budget, but it’s not professional-grade. It’s great for chatting, gaming, and recording music for song ideas, but it’s not the microphone you’ll use for your next album release. Nevertheless, the audio is clear and crisp and eliminates most background noise.
It’s still a plug-and-play microphone, which makes it extremely convenient for PC and Mac users. It also comes with a metal stand with an adjustable neck for hands-free recording. The downside of this part is that the USB cord is not that long. When mounted on the stand, the mic can only be placed just a few inches from your laptop.
The Cyber Acoustics AC-5008 USB Headset is another popular option that also has a noise-canceling microphone built-in. Cyber Acoustics has a built-in noise reduction into a chip in the controller so that it removes noise before it even hits your computer.
Speaking of which, you can connect the Cyber Acoustics headset either by USB, so it won’t work with 3.5mm jack if you have that (if you need that, look at the AC-5002 model). It is also compatible with most computers on the market, so no “mac vs windows” decision is necessary.
Cyber Acoustics has also really thought about you with this headset. They have provided comfy ear pads, an adjustable headband (for fat heads like me!), and a bendable mic so you can get just the right position for you.
And, the cable is not some flimsy little thing that either. It is designed to resist twisting, unlike the headset – which can be twisted (and not broken!) as much as you want. It’s nice touches like these that make headsets last.
The Logitech USB Headset H390 is a professional-grade wireless headset that pushes productivity up several notches.
The Logitech USB Headset H390 goes up against the Jabras and Plantronics of the world, which are two brands that have become staples for corporate-issued devices. This particular device is quite pricey, but if you spend most of your work life on the phone, then this is a worthy investment.
The plush earpads on the headset keep the device comfortable for long periods of use. The bridge is also adjustable so it can fit different head shapes and sizes.
Much thought and effort are placed on how well the microphone should be working. The microphone is noise-canceling and even rotates out of the way from your mouth when it’s not in use. However, the noise-cancellation on the headset is not that great. Loud noise can still leak into the headset, but the cushions help keep noise levels at a minimum.
There are inline mute and volume buttons so you can control how much audio you input into the mic. In the end, voice commands and speech are clear for an uninterrupted conversation.
The headset is connected via Plug and Play USB without any need for software installation. The cord is retractable, so you can be as near or far away from your laptop as is comfortable. The biggest downside is it’s not a wireless headset, so you’ll have to be attached to your laptop at all times. It’s also not compatible to be used with mobile phones, so it’s a strictly laptop/PC-only headset.
Noise-canceling microphones come in different forms and sizes and definitely have different functionalities. There are very different features for very different purposes. While noise-canceling microphones can technically be used for anything that requires this device, the technologies used are different and made specifically for either audio recording, hands-free calls, or online conversations.
Related to usage, not all of these devices are meant to be jammed into the bottom of your duffel bag. Despite their small size, some are a bit more fragile than other options.
Again, depending on what your purpose is for purchasing a noise-canceling microphone, not all are Bluetooth capable. There are several options that are connected via USB to function.
Noise-canceling microphones are not a one-size-fits-all device.
For great-sounding audio recordings, whether in the form of song, voiceover, or YouTube videos, a great affordable option is the FIFine Metal Condenser USB Microphone. Digital recordings are crisp and clear without picking up too much disruption from background noise.
For business calls on the go, pick up the Plantronics Voyager 5200. It looks great, keeps conversations clear, and is resistant to sweat, humidity, and water that making it great for traveling and working anywhere.
With the rising trend of digital nomads, online teachers, and voice operators, you can’t go wrong with the Logitech USB Headset H390. You can go through an entire class or shift while remaining comfortable and focused on your work.
Get on with that important call and check out the best noise-canceling microphones on Amazon!