Logitech Yeti Orb - Best Budget-Friendly Plug-and-Play Microphone
A fantastic, affordable USB microphone that delivers surprisingly rich and clear audio right out of the box, perfect for new streamers and gamers on a budget.
- +Exceptional value, offering full, warm vocal quality at a very accessible price point
- +Simple, plug-and-play operation with customizable RGB lighting that indicates mute status
- +Compatible with powerful Blue Vo!ce software for real-time voice effects and advanced audio tuning
- -Only features a single cardioid polar pattern, limiting versatility for multi-person recordings
- -Includes no physical on-microphone controls for gain, mute, or volume
- -The included desktop stand is somewhat short and made of plastic, which may feel less premium
The Logitech Yeti Orb successfully reimagines the classic budget microphone, offering outstanding performance for its low cost. As a spiritual successor to the popular Blue Snowball, the Yeti Orb features a modern, spherical design with a cardioid condenser capsule that captures clear and surprisingly warm vocals. Its frequency response of 70Hz to 20kHz and 24-bit/48kHz resolution are more than sufficient for high-quality voice communication, streaming, and basic podcasting. The microphone works impressively well immediately after plugging in via USB, requiring no software for basic functionality. However, its true potential is unlocked with Logitech's Blue Vo!ce software, which provides a comprehensive suite of tools including a 3-band EQ, noise reduction, a noise gate, compressor, de-esser, and even fun real-time voice modulation effects—a boon for streamers looking to add personality to their broadcasts.
The Yeti Orb includes a removable plastic tripod stand with two mounting angles and features customizable RGB lighting around the Logitech G logo. This lighting can be set to change color when the mic is active or muted, providing a clear visual cue. The primary limitations are its lack of onboard controls and a single polar pattern, meaning it is strictly designed for solo use positioned directly in front of the user. The build, while solid, uses more plastic than more expensive models. For gamers, students, or aspiring content creators who want to significantly upgrade from a headset mic without breaking the bank, the Logitech Yeti Orb represents one of the best values in the audio market, delivering performance that punches well above its weight class.