11 Best Cheap Condenser Microphones Under £200 [2021]

First up we have the Rode M3 Condenser Microphone, which is one of the best budget condenser microphones available today.

At under £70, it's easily affordable and won’t blow the bank.

Well, we love the Rode M3 as it delivers sonic performance akin to microphones at least twice the price.

Straight out of the box you have a maximum SPL of 142dB and a -10dB and -20dB level attenuator (pad) which is accessible via the battery compartment.

These features make it a great option for guitars and vocals – you can even record snare drums easily. A switchable high pass filter also gets rid of any of that unwanted low rumble whilst recording guitars of a softer nature like acoustic guitars.

So, it’s an incredible all-rounder. You can also power it via a 9V battery or P48 phantom power – so you’re always ready to record.

The internal capsule shock mount keeps the capsule safe and reduces any unwanted noise from creeping in whilst the 10-year extended warranty provides peace of mind.  

The TOURTECH CM-100 Pencil Condenser Microphones (Pair) is an incredibly budget-friendly option for those who need to record in stereo.

This is a perfect option for recording drums, guitars AND vocals (yes you can use a pencil mic for vocals) as the -15dB pad switch allows you to adjust your microphones for a variety of scenarios.

The sleek, compact design makes them easily added to any live or studio situation and allows you to place the mics in areas which are tight for space.

A maximum SPL of 120dB makes them a perfect option for a variety of uses and the hard-wearing zinc alloy construction means you can transport them without worrying about damaging the inner workings – perfect for touring bands and sound engineers.

With this package, you get two XLR cables and a 360-degree mic clip, too!

We often get asked – can you use a pencil microphone for recording vocals. The answer is always a resounding "Yes".

Although pencil mics are designed for acoustic instruments, especially drums, they make great vocal microphones that offer an exceptionally clean vocal take.

You may not like this as they certainly don’t hide anything and deliver an accurate (some might say brutally accurate) sound. You might like this of course. So, feel free to experiment.

Time and time again, the sE Electronics X1A Condenser Microphone makes it into our best-of lists.

This industry-standard, entry-level condenser microphone proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a professional level sound.

It’s easily one of the best budget condenser mics under £100.

With a max SPL of 150, or 130 when using the -20 pad, you have plenty of options whether you want to record guitars, vocals or drums.

You can even record amplified guitars with this thing! You also get amazing, studio-quality functionality thanks to the 100Hz low-cut switch, which helps to eliminate low-frequency rumble or footfall noise.

This nifty feature also compensates for that dreaded excessive bass with close-mic techniques (proximity effect).

A rock-solid design also makes it a particularly hard-wearing touring partner.

The Rode NT-USB Mini Microphone is perfect for those who have never owned a condenser mic before and just need a solid option for recording guitars and vocals or creating podcasts directly via USB.

This provides pro-level sound at budget-friendly prices.

Aside from the price, we love the Rode NT-USB Mini Microphone for several reasons including the fact you get a high-quality condenser capsule with RF shielding as well as a built in pop shield.

Furthermore, you have a pickup pattern that reduces background noises. This means you can record any audio source you need, whether you’re podcasting, recording an acoustic session or recording vocals.

Thanks to the max SPL of 121dB you’re ready for smaller guitar cabs, acoustic instruments and vocals and capture all the subtle nuances of the instrument beautifully.

The smooth frequency response, low self-noise and high sensitivity make this a perfect home studio partner and ideal budget USB condenser mic for beginners.

The Rode NT1-A Condenser Microphone Package is a studio-quality condenser mic that comes as part of a recording package.

This is ideal for those who need to record studio-quality vocals. Whether you're podcasting, singing or recording amp cabs or acoustic guitars - you're covered either way.  

You're getting one of the best cheap condenser microphones along with a host of accessories that will improve your vocal recordings. 

The Rode NT1-A is one of the quietest microphones available as you have a self-noise level of 5dB, which means your vocal takes are crisp and clean. 

You can capture high-level audio signals thanks to the Max SPL of 137dB. The 20Hz - 20kHz frequency range means everything from spoken word, to singing to guitar cabs and even acoustic guitars are captured beautifully with all the subtle nuances intact.

You also get a studio-quality pop filter, XLR cable and microphone cradle, so you're ready to record straight out of the box. 

One of the best cheap condenser microphones that professionals will love.

The Rode M5 Condenser Microphones (Matched Pair) is ideal for acoustic instrument and choir recording and provides a maximum of 140dB SPL, so you're completely covered for the recording of all loud instruments.

As mentioned, this is one of the best condenser microphones for acoustic instruments as it has 1dB sensitivity difference between these two microphones.

This, in combination with the frequency range of 20Hz - 20kHz and ultra-low noise, means you get incredible detail without any of the unwanted background interference.

Another key feature is the JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer. This adds life and soul to your recordings that really allows your instrument to shine without colouring the sound.

This is ideal for acoustic singer-songwriters and church musicians who need to record choirs.

If you’re looking for a condenser mic specifically for podcasting, then the Marantz MPM-1000U USB Condenser Microphone is a perfect choice.

Whether you’re looking for something to record podcasts or vlogs, voiceovers or even record instruments in your home studio.

This is one of the best budget condenser microphones as it features USB connectivity - offering ease of use.

You have an excellent frequency range which will deliver clarity and nuance in your recording.

Home recording enthusiasts will appreciate the fact you get USB connectivity as its easy to run straight into your PC, Mac or Android device, so you’re good to go straight out of the box. We’re now in the realms of best condenser mics under £200.

Next up we have a chameleon style microphone (we just made that phrase up) in the Shure SM86 Condenser Vocal Microphone.

This is a condenser microphone that you can use live on stage adding a little more detail and brighter tone than the likes of the SM58.

The Shure SM86 is a condenser microphone that can stand up to the rigours of the road, just like your dynamic microphones.

However, this offers a more detailed sound which makes it ideal for the touring singer-songwriters out there.

The cardioid polar pattern ensures any unwanted background noise is reduced whilst the built-in three-point shock mount minimizes handling noise – ideal for gigs and those who like to hold the mic when singing.

If you want to tour with a condenser, record live vocals, acoustic guitars and live sessions, this is an awesome option and a budget condenser microphone that doesn’t suck.

The Sennheiser E614 Condenser Microphone is made for professionals, yet priced at an intermediate level.

It’s easily one of the best condenser mics under £200 as you get an impressive frequency response, high SPL and a particularly compact size making it easy to transport.

The e614 mic was designed with percussion in mind, but thanks to the 139 dB/SPL, 40 - 20000 Hz frequency response and medium sensitivity of 3 mV/Pa = - 50dB it lends itself particularly well to recording wind instruments, flute, saxophone and mic’d up guitar cabs.

However, you can still record vocals in high quality. It’s a great all-rounder that helps reduce bleed from other instruments on stage and reduces any unwanted noise when recording at home.

Highly recommended for those with limited space and one of the best cheap condensers mics that doesn’t’ suck.

The sE Electronics X1 S provides the sound and functionality of a high-end studio microphone at the fraction of the cost.

The sE Electronics X1 S Condenser Microphone Pack, however, provides a heck of a lot of features for way under £200.

In this package you get a 3-meter XLR cable and sE’s Isolation Pack, which is a high-performance quick-release shock mount with an integrated adjustable pop filter saving you a lot of money should you buy them separately.

The hand-crafted and individually-tuned 1" gold-sputtered capsule in partnership with the best-in-class SPL ensures you get superb quality recordings at all times whether you’re recording vocals, spoken word or instruments.

The -10 dB and -20 dB pad switches provide extended dynamic range should you want to record mic’d up cabinets, fortissimo brass instruments and even the heaviest of drummers.

Small diaphragm condenser mics work better in pairs, allowing you to capture all the subtle nuances of your instrument or voice in beautiful, neutral detail - so we had to include the Lewitt LCT 140 Air Condenser Microphone.

The Lewitt LCT 140 Air Condenser Microphone is available individually or as a matched pair, arriving with mic clips and a transport bag for taking them on the road.

The adjustable sound characteristics make these microphones incredibly versatile, and their slimline design means they are adaptable and perfect for live use where space is often at a premium.

These microphones showcase a duo of innovative sound characteristics making it easier than ever to perfectly capture the sound you have in your head. AIR allows recordings to achieve an open, glistening charisma, ideal for those hoping to record a big sound without much time spent in post-production.

FLAT provides a linear frequency response, ideal for natural and untamed sound capture - so no matter what you're recording, you can expect awesome results.

The LCT140 also comes with a low-cut filter and a PAD function, ideal for refining the sound at the time of recording and dealing with guitar cabs that are coming in a bit too hot.