Conference microphones. Connector: USB-A; Directional pattern: Bidirectional; Country of origin: China

Try a USB microphone to get started, combining easy connectivity with professional sound quality. Unidirectional microphones are great for multiple participants in a room, while cardioid microphones are great for a single user or noisy environments. Useful features include noise cancellation, echo cancellation, active speaker isolation, and more.

Tabletop microphones use the boundary layer of the table surface for even sound pickup and better noise suppression, are easy to set up, and are suitable for small conferences of up to 12 people. They have simple controls and lower installation costs. Pendant microphones mount to the ceiling, eliminating physical obstructions and providing freedom of movement, making them optimal for large rooms or formal presentations of more than 20 participants.

First, position the microphone correctly: 15–30 cm from participants, away from reflective surfaces. Set the signal level so that the visual indicators of the video conferencing software show activity in the mid-range. Turn on moderate noise cancellation and high-pass filters to eliminate air conditioning, traffic, or other low-frequency interference. Turn off automatic gain control in the software, if your microphone has one, and adjust the echo cancellation to suit the room acoustics.