The Best Conference Microphones for Easy and Convenient Communication
-
Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Conference Microphone -
Kaysuda USB Speaker Omnidirectional Conference Microphone -
eMeet M2 Gray Bluetooth Conference Microphone -
XIIVIO 360° Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone -
TONOR Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone -
Buyer's Guide
If you’ve ever watched a press conference, government meeting, or anything similar, you’ve probably seen participants press a special button before they speak. This small button is actually part of a device known as a conference microphone, and it’s an efficient way to speak to others without having to worry about devices in front of your face.
Conference microphones are interesting in the sense that while they aren’t anywhere near your mouth when you speak, they are able to pick up your voice and then relay that in a controlled and audible manner. This has to do with the software and hardware that work in tandem to get as good of an audio recording as possible.
And despite conference microphones being primarily used in conference meetings, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them in small-scale business meetings, school video calls, or even at home for personal use. These are our five best conference microphones in 2022 that you’ll find surprisingly fit well in your living room or office.
Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Conference Microphone
- Detects noise up to 16 feet away
- Adjusts volume to make everyone audible
- Requires USB-C connection
Kaysuda USB Speaker Omnidirectional Conference Microphone
- Echo and noise cancellation
- Plug and play
- Buttons can be hard to notice at first
eMeet M2 Gray Bluetooth Conference Microphone
- Three methods of connection
- 2600mAh battery
- The two color options look nearly identical
XIIVIO 360° Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone
- Simple interface
- Works on PS4s
- Limited functionality
TONOR Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone
- Easy to set up
- Omnidirectional mic
- Only 11.5 feet range
Detailing the Best Conference Microphones of 2022
Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Conference Microphone - Best Overall
This first microphone isn’t a microphone per se but rather a speakerphone. In other words, it can pick up your voice while also providing audio playback when necessary. The device has a 360-degree microphone array with six different microphones working in tandem that pick up voices from up to 16 feet away. This is great if you have multiple people in the room and wish for them to join in the conversation without having to get close. And it doesn’t just leave your voice unfiltered - the speakerphone detects the volume of your voice and adjusts it accordingly to make sure it’s always audible on the other side. The Anker PowerConf S3 is compatible with all major conferencing platforms, so if you’re using one for your business or school, then this should work with no issues whatsoever.
- Detects noise up to 16 feet away
- Adjusts volume to make everyone audible
- Requires USB-C connection
Kaysuda USB Speaker Omnidirectional Conference Microphone - Runner Up
One annoying problem with doing calls on a speaker is the presence of an echo or noise. This can happen due to the environment, people shuffling about in the room, or because of the speaker that’s playing the audio from the other side. Kaysuda’s USB Speaker Phone gets rid of this problem by providing both echo and noise cancellation, resulting in clear and crisp voices that won’t get interrupted by other sounds. The device is compatible with all sorts of software and conference platforms, including, but not limited to: Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Chrome Box, Webex, and more. It requires a USB connection to work, so you can use your laptop or computer to power the device. While the controls themselves can be a little hard to spot, the audio quality makes up for it, and it’s a pretty portable device.
- Echo and noise cancellation
- Plug and play
- Buttons can be hard to notice at first
eMeet M2 Gray Bluetooth Conference Microphone - Honorable Mention
This Bluetooth speakerphone has three different ways you can connect to the device for calls. First, you can do it the old-fashioned way using a USB cable. This is a quick and easy method and also powers the device at the same time, so you won’t have to worry about charging it. Alternatively, you can use the USB dongle that connects directly to the speakerphone, so if you want to bring the speakerphone away from your laptop or phone, you can do so. Finally, there’s Bluetooth. You can connect with any supported Bluetooth device, be it a laptop, PC with Bluetooth dongle, smartphone, or tablet. The device has a 2600mAh power supply, so it’ll last for over an hour at the very least. It’s a solid device with many ways to connect, so if one method fails, you have two other ways to use just in case.
- Three methods of connection
- 2600mAh battery
- The two color options look nearly identical
XIIVIO 360° Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone - Contender
This one’s a fairly simple microphone that has more wide-range use cases than just video conference calls. The one button you’ll see on the top of the device is the “Mute Microphone” button, which is what you use to toggle the device’s functionality on or off. There’s a blue LED indicator at the side of the microphone that lets you know whether or not the microphone is picking up your voice. The microphone is compatible with all sorts of devices. It works on Windows, macOS, and even PS4 devices, if you like to do a bit of gaming. The mic can pick up sounds from anywhere, so you can go anywhere in your room and still have your voice be heard. This is great if you want to stay in call with friends or colleagues while moving about the room.
- Simple interface
- Works on PS4s
- Limited functionality
TONOR Omnidirectional USB Conference Microphone - Also Consider
Unlike the first three conference microphones we reviewed on this list, this conference microphone is relatively simple like the XIIVIO mic. It’s only got one button to activate the device, and it’s connected to a braided USB cable. The device is plug & play, meaning you can just plug the device in on any computer and it should work just fine. The device is made to hear from distances of up to 11.5 feet, which is more than enough distance for most rooms. The microphone has a mute button on the ready so that you can have your voice be heard only when you want it to be. The mic is also omnidirectional, so no matter where you are in relation to the mic, as long as you’re well within the 11.5 feet range, you’ll be audible. It does lack some additional features that would be nice for conference calls, but all you really need is a mute button anyways since you can do almost anything else on the PC or laptop that the mic is connected to.
- Easy to set up
- Omnidirectional mic
- Only 11.5 feet range
Buyer's Guide
Conference mics are the best mics to use when you’re having a conference meeting with multiple people in the same room. This is all you need to know regarding these convenient devices.
What Is a Conference Microphone?
A conference microphone is a type of microphone that is used for conferences, business meetings, and other group gatherings. The mic is usually omnidirectional, meaning that it can pick up noise from any direction within a certain radius.
Why Should You Use Conference Microphones?
You can use a shared mic with colleagues easily
Imagine this: you and your colleagues have gathered in the meeting room to prepare for an important call. The camera’s set up in a way that everyone in the room is visible, and the meeting’s about to begin. There’s just one problem: the conference mic is broken. With no other option left, you all decide to use a USB mic stand that you found in storage.
And so the meeting begins. After a brief introduction and rundown of the agenda for the meeting, discussions have finally begun. One of your colleagues is looking to say something, but they notice that the mic is on the other side of the room. They decide not to ask at all, as it would be embarrassing to walk all the way to the mic and cause a scene.
Then, you hear something during the discussion that you’d like to add on. But you face the same problem - the mic is right beside the laptop and in front of the camera. Do you just walk up in front of the camera and cause a scene? What if your point wasn’t all that relevant, and your entire trip to the microphone was for nothing? These may seem like trivial thoughts right now, but when dealing with stressful situations and social standards, it can be quite difficult to maneuver out of this conundrum.
That’s why conference mics are a godsend for office meetings, and for relatively shy colleagues in particular. They simply need to speak up and their voice gets heard - no fuss, no extra movements, no hassle. It’s easy, convenient, and not awkward at all.
You can do hands-free calling with it at home
Conference mics are often used for meetings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy one for your own home. Sure, you could always use your smartphone’s loudspeaker option, but that can only go so far, and if you’re calling from a laptop or computer in another room, it’s unlikely you’ll be heard without a special conference mic that can pick up voices from far away.
Tips to Remember When Using a Conference Microphone
Wait for your turn to speak
Remember, you’re in a conference, not a monologue competition. There are people who want to voice their opinion as much as you do, and they also deserve their turn to speak. If you think you have an opportunity to throw something into the conversation, do so when no one’s talking. Or, if you want to speak as soon as possible, simply raise your hand for everyone in the conference to see.
Mute if the microphone’s picking up a lot of noise
Even with noise-canceling features, the conference microphone may pick up some sounds that can ruin the conference. If you know that noise is being picked up and it’s inconveniencing others, mute the microphone while you look for the source of the noise or wait for it to die down.
Conference Microphone Connection Types
Conference microphones can connect to all sorts of devices, and there are three major ways they can be connected to your favorite conference platforms such as Zoom or Skype. These are wired USB connections, wireless USB dongles, and Bluetooth. Let’s go over each one with its advantages and disadvantages.
Wired USB Connection
This is the most common of the three connection types for conference microphones. Many conferences microphones only offer direct USB connectivity, and even wireless devices can be manually hooked up this way if the wireless connection isn’t stable for whatever reason.
USB Dongles
USB dongles are the wireless alternative to wired USB connections. The dongle directly connects to the speaker or microphone that it’s paired with, resulting in an instant connection.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the preferred method of connecting conference microphones. It’s convenient, works on your smartphone, and is wireless to boot. With a wireless conference speakerphone, you could potentially have a conference anywhere you’d like.
Conference Microphone FAQ
Q: Are conference microphones meant for conferences?
A: A conference microphone is usually meant for conferences, but it can also be used in business meetings, family gatherings, and the like.
Q: Are conference microphones usable at home?
A: Yes, you can use them at home. They are particularly useful if you want to call others without having to go near your phone or computer.
Q: What is a conference microphone?
A: A conference microphone is a device that allows multiple people in a conference to speak thanks to the omnidirectional mic.
