XLR vs USB Microphone

Choose a USB microphone if you record one voice at a time into a laptop, and an XLR microphone if you'll ever record two sources at once or want to upgrade the preamp later. A USB-only mic costs less up front, but switching to XLR later costs about $169 more in total than starting with XLR (listed prices below).

Sound won't decide this. Count how many sources you'll record at once.

XLR vs USB compared

The capsule can be identical. What changes is where the preamp and converter live.

RØDE's XLR vs USB guide calls the interface "the key difference" and says a USB setup leaves you "essentially locked to this setup," while XLR lets you mix and match. Resolution figures are from Audio-Technica's AT2020USB-X page and Focusrite's Scarlett Solo page.

How the signal chain differs

A USB mic puts the preamp and analog-to-digital converter inside the mic body, so one cable carries digital audio to the computer. An XLR mic sends analog audio down the cable, and the interface handles the gain, phantom power, and conversion.

Go the XLR route with a condenser and you'll need phantom power. The AT2020 draws 48 V DC at 2 mA, supplied by the interface. What the 48 V switch does is in what does 48V do on an audio interface, and what the box itself does is in what is an audio interface.

Upgrade path cost math

Starting on USB and moving to XLR later costs more than starting with XLR, because the USB mic is left over. Here's the math with Audio-Technica and Focusrite listed prices at the time of writing:

If you sing while you play guitar, you already have two sources. Cheaper interfaces that keep the XLR total down are in best audio interface under $150.

Hybrid mics: USB and XLR in one

A hybrid mic has both outputs, so it works on a laptop now and on an interface later. It's the hedge if you can't decide. Two current examples:

Shure notes that the MV7+'s XLR audio "is not affected by software settings," so its onboard processing applies over USB only. Both mics get the singer's-eye review on best microphone for recording vocals.

Which one to buy

Pick by what you record, not by which one sounds better. RØDE says USB mics "sound great" and that all you need is "the mic itself, a computer, and a pair of headphones."

1. If you record one voice into a laptop, for a podcast or demos, go USB. Picks are in best microphone for voice and podcast recording.
2. If you record two or more sources at once, go XLR. A stereo guitar, or a singer playing guitar, needs an interface with two inputs, like the two-preamp Scarlett 2i2.
3. If you're not sure yet, get a hybrid mic, so the mic survives the upgrade.
4. If you already own an XLR mic but no interface, see how to use an XLR mic without an audio interface.

Whether USB is good enough for singing is answered in are USB mics good for recording vocals, and dynamic or condenser is a separate choice covered in condenser vs dynamic microphone. Every pick is in the microphones for home recording hub.