Pretty much any laptop nowadays has an integrated microphone. So why in the world would you care to invest in another one, a USB mic?

Well, first off, the sound quality is extremely different. Of course, you can have a normal Skype conversation without any fancy extras hanging off your laptop, and everyone will understand you. But if you want to sound crispier in your calls, start a podcast or create good-quality recordings of any type, a USB mic is a must-have.

The main problem that confronts any person thinking of getting another mic is the huge array of not inexpensive and quite extravagant-looking microphones out there. One of the best is the Blue Microphones Yeti. It’s very cool and professional looking; it almost feels like you could podcast 24/7 with it. In fact, with a price of $99.99 on Amazon at the moment, you’ll probably feel like you should be podcasting away all day every day to get the most bang for your buck. And it’s well worth it if you want a really high-grade mic with amazing sound quality.

However, let’s assume you’re not a audiophile and just want something in between the Yeti and the run-of-the-mill $10 USB mic. If that’s the case, you should definitely take a look at the Samson Go Mic.
 

 
The first thing that struck me was its style and size. It’s much smaller than the Yeti–roughly about a third of the size–but it still has that professional aluminum finish that stands out from the rest. It also folds down into its own base, which makes it really easy to store or travel with, since it is for those with portable needs. It also comes with a nice carrying case. The same base also clips pretty firmly to a laptop screen, which I really appreciated while lounging on my poolside chaise sipping fresh Tahitian mixed drinks (or so I imagine in my mind).
 

 
The Go Mic has three different modes that you can switch between via the button on its side. The most useful two are: omnidirectional (if you want it to pick up sounds from all around) and cardioid (which focuses on one direction and is more appropriate for capturing vocals and sound without the surrounding noises).
 

 
Best of all, the price is $39.99, less than half of the Yeti. Of course, the sound quality isn’t going to be like you were sitting in an insulated recording studio, but it does a very good job for the price.
 

PROS:

• Portable: just fits anywhere and is easy to store and take on the go

• Nice aluminum mesh design

• Great sound quality for the price

• Clipable: easy to clip on your laptop screen

CONS:

• If you are using it for your desktop computer you can’t clip it to the screen

 
In conclusion, the Samson Go Mic is a stylish, portable mic that is hard to find any negative things about. So, if you’re looking for a good compromise between price, quality and portability, your search totally stops here.
 

Gizko Grade: 4.7/5