I recently started a podcast and have played around with a few microphone types to see what I really need.
Long story short:
- Even the cheapest integrated microphone works, but you will not sound great. I tried the integrated microphone in my Sennheiser Momentum 4 and it sucked badly.
- Integrated microphones in laptops are equally hit-and-miss. The best one I found was in my MacBook Air M2, which I thought was almost acceptable. The one in my HP Dragonfly G3 sounded atrocious and similar to the heatset.
- Integrated microphones in desktop webcams are equally hit-and-miss. The microphone in my Logitech C920, which is on the expensive end for a webcam, is still pretty disappointing.
- Lavalier Microphones sound a lot better, and they’re amazing if you do anything with video since they’re so tiny. I would have no issues using my Rode Lavalier Go for podcasting.
- A proper microphone obviously will sound the best. It is much larger and, most importantly, designed for the task. My 30€ Fifine microphone sounds amazing, but it is a proper additional device and also pretty stationary.
You can listen to some of these devices in this little snippet.
(Momentum 4 – Logitech C920 – Rode Lavalier Go – Fifine USB Mic)
However, to have success with your podcast you do not need a fancy microphone. While a terrible microphone can seriously damage your chances for success, a high-end microphone will never grant you success if your podcast sucks. If you have an acceptable integrated microphone in your phone or laptop, you might be good to go already.