My go-to microphone for podcasting and streaming over the past decade
Incredible sound, unique look, and low cost have made the Blue Yeti a podcaster's and streaming favorite for years.
My older Blue Yeti still serves me when (when it's called upon).
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
About a decade ago, while embarking on a podcast project, I found the perfect mic to fit my needs -- the Blue Yeti. What makes this mic so special that so many podcasters flocked to it for so many years? If you read any list of "best podcasting mics," you will inevitably run into the Blue Yeti. The reason for this is three-fold: The incredible sound, the unique look, and the cost.
For the price, which is around $120 at the time of writing, the Blue Yeti is a steal. Here's why.
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Blue Yeti USB Mic
You find a more impressive sound than the Blue Yeti at this price.
I have a feeling part of this dramatic price drop is that Logitech (the company that bought Blue some time ago), is getting rid of the Blue brand and will be selling the mics under the Logitech G gaming brand. Because of that, I would highly recommend you grab this mic immediately. For the price (and considering you're getting the Blackout version of the mic), you won't find a better podcasting mic. Period.
The specs
If we're talking audio equipment, we must talk specs and here they are.
Custom three-capsule array
Four pickup patterns: Flexible cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo
Onboard audio controls: Headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and mic gain
Mic pivots on a heavy-duty stand
Can be screwed onto a traditional mic stand
USB connection
Dimensions: 4.92" X 4.72" X 11.61"
Weight: 3.51 pounds
You can dial the gain and the pickup pattern on the fly with the Blue Yeti.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
I've used the Blue Yeti on both Linux and macOS and it never fails to work as expected. It's very much a plug-and-play affair with no need to install drivers. I used the mic with Audacity and it had zero problems with the mic.
The beauty of the Blue Yeti
At first, you might be attracted to the look of the Blue Yeti. It has a rather old-school, sci-fi appearance and (I must admit) it does look cool. Ultimately, the true beauty of the Blue Yeti is the sound. You will not find a better mic for the price. Period. And although some might prefer a headset-type mic (especially for gaming), if you're recording a podcast, you would be hard-pressed to find a mic that surpasses the sound the Blue Yeti produces.
Also: The best streaming mics for starting a podcast or Twitch channel
It really is that good. In fact, whenever anyone asks me what mic they should purchase for their podcast, the Blue Yeti is always the first recommendation out of my mouth. That held true when it was my only mic and still does, even with my favorite CAD E100 mic (which is considerably more expensive).
No matter how you speak it (full voice or ASMR), the Blue Yeti is the mic to have for your podcast needs. Buy one now before it's too late.
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The best headphone deals: Find sales on AirPods, Beats, Bose, and more
Reviewed by Min Shin and Amy Lieu
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The best headphone deals available onlineMore headphone deals available onlineBest budget headphone deals available online
Apple AirPods (2nd-generation)
Save $30
View now
Beats Studio3 wireless noise-canceling headphones
Save $150
View now
Sennheiser HD 350BT wireless headphones
Save $20
View now
Apple AirPods Max
Save $30
View now
Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez/Getty Images
A good pair of headphones can be transformative. I can't even walk down the street, let alone run or exercise, without my headphones blasting a soundtrack to romanticize an otherwise mundane, mindless task. Headphones are also a necessity when I fly, as I can block out noise and relax.
Whether you want your headphones for entertainment or work purposes, investing in a good pair of headphones is worth it.
Also: The best over-ear headphones you can buy
We know headphones, especially top-quality, high-demand buds like Apple AirPods, can be pricey. Lucky for you, we found the best deals going on right now, so you can lock in without cashing out.
The best headphone deals available online
Apple AirPods (2nd-generation)
Save $30
Apple/ZDNET
Deals on Apple products rarely come around, but you can save $30 on a second-gen pair of Apple AirPods at Amazon. The same deal can be found at Best Buy.
While they are not the latest or greatest AirPods on the market, they are still quality Bluetooth-connected headphones. A charging case is included and you can expect hours of battery life on a single charge. You can also access Siri services through voice control.
View now at AmazonView now at Best Buy
Beats Studio3 wireless noise-canceling headphones
Save $150
Beats/ZDNET
Beats headphones are great for premium sound, and with Best Buy's current sale, you can pick up a pair of Studio3 wireless headphones without their typically high price tag.
The Beats range is stylish and well-known for its robust active noise-cancellation technologies. These headphones can be purchased in different colors, including gray, blue, and black variations.
View now at Best BuyView now at Target
Sennheiser HD 350BT wireless headphones
Save $20
Sennheiser/ZDNET
For a pair of reasonably-priced headphones suitable for remote work, Amazon is offering 17% off the foldable Sennheiser HD 350BT headphones.
These over-ear headphones are a great option if you need to be able to attend meetings while traveling. The virtual assistant button on the headset is a nice touch and you can expect up to 30 hours of battery life.
View now at AmazonView now at Best Buy
Apple AirPods Max
Save $30
Apple/ZDNET
They are expensive, true, but Apple AirPods Max headphones remain popular with iOS users. You can save $30 on these high-end devices at Best Buy.
Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones are a step up from Apple's Airpod range and provide users with immersive audio, active noise cancellation, and environmental setting to be able to listen to their surroundings, and memory foam ear cushions for comfort.
View now at AmazonView now at AppleView now at Best Buy
More headphone deals available online
Looking for some more headphones deals for you or another podcast lover? Here are some sales we found happening at major US retailers.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones deal for $306 (save $74)
$306 at Amazon
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ear headphones deal for $329 (save $70)
$329 at Amazon
Bose QuietComfort earbuds deal for $199 (save $80)
$199 at Walmart
Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones deal for $120 (save $80)
$120 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 wireless Bluetooth earbuds deal for $100 (save $50)
$100 at Target
Beats Studio Buds deal for $90 (save $60)
$90 at Walmart
Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds for $150 (save $50)
$150 at Best Buy
Apple AirPods Pro deal for $200 (save $49)
$200 at Amazon
Best budget headphone deals available online
Samsung Buds Live earbuds, past generation deal for $69 (save $71)
$69 at Amazon
Skullcandy Indy XT Evo wireless earbuds deal for $49 (save $20)
$49 at Walmart
JBL Vibe Beam earbuds deal for $40 (save $10)
$40 at JBL
Beats Flex wireless earbuds deal for $40 (save $21)
$40 at Amazon
Sony ZX Series wired on-ear headphones deal for $10 (save $4)
$10 at Amazon
How did we choose these headphone deals?
We went looking for these deals as if we were shopping for ourselves. By using discount codes and extensions, as well as looking through retailers' websites, these were the best headphone deals we could find for products I think the whole ZDNET team would enjoy.
What is the best headphone deal right now?
The best headphone deal we could find is for the Apple AirPods. While the discount isn't stellar, it is uncommon for Apple-related products to be on sale. Alternatively, I recommend picking up a discounted pair of Beats Studio3 headphones if you prefer over-ear audio.
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