The Best Conference Microphones for Easy and Convenient Communication

Conference mics are the best mics to use when you’re having a conference meeting with multiple people in the same room. This is all you need to know regarding these convenient devices.

What Is a Conference Microphone?

A conference microphone is a type of microphone that is used for conferences, business meetings, and other group gatherings. The mic is usually omnidirectional, meaning that it can pick up noise from any direction within a certain radius.

Why Should You Use Conference Microphones?

You can use a shared mic with colleagues easily

Imagine this: you and your colleagues have gathered in the meeting room to prepare for an important call. The camera’s set up in a way that everyone in the room is visible, and the meeting’s about to begin. There’s just one problem: the conference mic is broken. With no other option left, you all decide to use a USB mic stand that you found in storage.

And so the meeting begins. After a brief introduction and rundown of the agenda for the meeting, discussions have finally begun. One of your colleagues is looking to say something, but they notice that the mic is on the other side of the room. They decide not to ask at all, as it would be embarrassing to walk all the way to the mic and cause a scene.

Then, you hear something during the discussion that you’d like to add on. But you face the same problem - the mic is right beside the laptop and in front of the camera. Do you just walk up in front of the camera and cause a scene? What if your point wasn’t all that relevant, and your entire trip to the microphone was for nothing? These may seem like trivial thoughts right now, but when dealing with stressful situations and social standards, it can be quite difficult to maneuver out of this conundrum.

That’s why conference mics are a godsend for office meetings, and for relatively shy colleagues in particular. They simply need to speak up and their voice gets heard - no fuss, no extra movements, no hassle. It’s easy, convenient, and not awkward at all.

You can do hands-free calling with it at home

Conference mics are often used for meetings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy one for your own home. Sure, you could always use your smartphone’s loudspeaker option, but that can only go so far, and if you’re calling from a laptop or computer in another room, it’s unlikely you’ll be heard without a special conference mic that can pick up voices from far away.

Tips to Remember When Using a Conference Microphone

Wait for your turn to speak

Remember, you’re in a conference, not a monologue competition. There are people who want to voice their opinion as much as you do, and they also deserve their turn to speak. If you think you have an opportunity to throw something into the conversation, do so when no one’s talking. Or, if you want to speak as soon as possible, simply raise your hand for everyone in the conference to see.

Mute if the microphone’s picking up a lot of noise

Even with noise-canceling features, the conference microphone may pick up some sounds that can ruin the conference. If you know that noise is being picked up and it’s inconveniencing others, mute the microphone while you look for the source of the noise or wait for it to die down.

Conference Microphone Connection Types

Conference microphones can connect to all sorts of devices, and there are three major ways they can be connected to your favorite conference platforms such as Zoom or Skype. These are wired USB connections, wireless USB dongles, and Bluetooth. Let’s go over each one with its advantages and disadvantages.

Wired USB Connection

This is the most common of the three connection types for conference microphones. Many conferences microphones only offer direct USB connectivity, and even wireless devices can be manually hooked up this way if the wireless connection isn’t stable for whatever reason.

USB Dongles

USB dongles are the wireless alternative to wired USB connections. The dongle directly connects to the speaker or microphone that it’s paired with, resulting in an instant connection.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the preferred method of connecting conference microphones. It’s convenient, works on your smartphone, and is wireless to boot. With a wireless conference speakerphone, you could potentially have a conference anywhere you’d like.

Conference Microphone FAQ

Q: Are conference microphones meant for conferences?

A: A conference microphone is usually meant for conferences, but it can also be used in business meetings, family gatherings, and the like.

Q: Are conference microphones usable at home?

A: Yes, you can use them at home. They are particularly useful if you want to call others without having to go near your phone or computer.

Q: What is a conference microphone?

A: A conference microphone is a device that allows multiple people in a conference to speak thanks to the omnidirectional mic.