A remote worker’s meetings are mostly online. When it’s your time to speak, it’s important to be heard clearly.
A standalone microphone will do a much better job of capturing your voice over your built-in laptop microphone for your online meetings.
There are a variety of microphones on the market varying in price from expensive to affordable.
External Microphone Considerations
You lead a lot of meetings
As a meeting leader you want to be heard clearly. A good, external microphone we’ll make sure all participants and viewers can hear what you’re saying.
You are being recorded for use later
If you are in meetings and you are being recorded for later use a good microphone will help the content sound more professional. At times recorded content can be used for years so it makes sense to use a better microphone for your viewers.
You have enough ports or an adapter for an external microphone
Make sure you have enough ports or an extender to plug in an external microphone. Most modern laptops have enough ports to connect an external microphone or at minimum can support extenders to allow a connection and proper microphone use.
You have room at your workspace
Most external microphones take up a fair bit of space due to their size and their cables. You can try some Bluetooth options but we’ve found that a wired connection is more reliable.
You don’t travel a lot
If you are constantly traveling you may be able to make use of an external microphone but just as in your workspace needing room you may need room in your luggage. You may find you are better off using your phone connection or sticking with your laptop mic.
Final Word
Our favorite part of using an external microphone is knowing that our voice is clear and audible for our remote meeting participants.
External microphone options:
- Elgato Wave ($149) – https://www.elgato.com/en/wave-3
- Blue Yeti ($49 – $169) – https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/products/yeti-x/
- HyperX SoloCast ($34.99) – https://hyperx.com/collections/streaming-gear/products/hyperx-solocast-usb-microphone?variant=42613590851741
Here’s another good list for microphones for the remote worker:The 8 best microphones to help you sound better in your next video meeting | TechRepublic