Adrian Dimakis
There’s nothing quite as thrilling as singing out your favorite jams on that Friday night karaoke session. You can finally get to be a rock star you always wanted to be. But what happens you want to be the star at home before you can finally show your skill to the world? You can do what you love doing best – singing – at the privacy of your homes with a good karaoke microphone and a simple machine.
The beauty in owning your own mic is not that you get to hoard it and practice so you shine on your friends in the next open mic. Today, we have such a wide range of mics, each of which varies in quality and sound quality. From those ones with the sparkly LED lights that you let your kids play with, to the ones you can actually use on more professional scenery, like recording music or addressing a gathering. We have some that come in twos and are made such that they are compatible with most speaker systems. So if you need a replacement for that awful sounding mic that came with your karaoke singing machine, you can easily get one that’s much better.
A bad mic will have you sounding worse; it will crush your poor kids’ spirit and soil their fragile dreams of being a star, like Rihanna. This is why we’ve rounded up the best karaoke microphones out there today to help you make the best selection and shine like the star you want to be.
Top 10 Karaoke Microphones of 2019 Reviewed
1. BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone,3-in-1 Portable Handheld Karaoke Mic Speaker
[wt_products id=”2427″ template=”5″]2. Wireless Microphone, UHF Wireless Dual Handheld Dynamic Mic System Set with Rechargeable Receiver
[wt_products id=”2428″ template=”5″]3. Singing Machine SMM-205 Unidirectional Dynamic Microphone with 10 Ft. Cord
[wt_products id=”2430″ template=”5″]4. Verkstar Wireless, Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone with Colorful LED
[wt_products id=”2432″ template=”5″]5. Fifine UHF Dual Channel Wireless Handheld Microphone
[wt_products id=”2433″ template=”5″]6. Ankuka Wired Dynamic Karaoke Microphones, Professional Handheld Vocal Mic
[wt_products id=”2434″ template=”5″]7. BlueFire Wireless 4 in 1 Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone with LED Lights
[wt_products id=”2435″ template=”5″]8. TONOR Dynamic Karaoke Microphone for Singing with 5.0m XLR Cable
[wt_products id=”2437″ template=”5″]9. Mockins Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
[wt_products id=”2439″ template=”5″]10. Kity Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
[wt_products id=”2440″ template=”5″]How to Choose The Best Karaoke Microphone – The Ultimate Buying Guide
Microphones can be a vital tool when recording sounds. They are often the difference between high-quality sound recordings and substandard quality sound. They also amplify sound, meaning it’s important to choose a mic that makes you sound as clear as possible. We have highlighted a few key elements necessary when choosing a reliable microphone to help you in your selection.
Common Terminologies
While on your quest, there are some common terminologies you’ll need to know in order to get an overall better understanding. The first you may encounter is cardioid Microphone. This is a microphone that is able to reject sound coming from its rear or sides and only collect sounds coming from the front. Cardioid microphones are preferred, especially when dealing with a noisy environment. This is literally any karaoke or bar scene.
The next feature common to most microphones is the frequency range. Here, the bigger the frequency ranges, the better the microphone. When it comes to singing, the optimal range would be between 80 – 150 kHz. Scientists and sound engineers have found that human voice sounds best within this range. If you go lower than this, the microphone captures more bass and percussion sounds, which would spoil the karaoke.
Type of Microphone
There are 2 main types of karaoke microphones you can choose from karaoke; either wired or wireless microphones. In modern times, the most common are wireless microphones, which mainly use Bluetooth technology. They are preferred because, firstly, they eliminate the possibility of getting tangled by the cord. They are also more convenient and easy to set up because Bluetooth is incorporated in most modern devices like Ipads and smart TVs. Simply connect directly to your device, and sing away. You can also use such microphones with programs like YouTube or other karaoke apps
On the other hand, we have wired microphones. These ones are more suitable if you don’t have a problem with having a cord to your microphone. Much as they may seem less convenient (which they are), corded microphones tend to provide narrower, unidirectional sound, which translates to clearer sound output. If you are stuck between the two, you can opt for a combined model that has both wired and wireless properties. Such microphones are more versatile.
Other than the two main types, you’ll also encounter them broken down into individual functionalities. These include;
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TV Microphone
As the name suggests, these are the microphones you connect directly to your TV. Safe to say, they don’t work on just any TV set. Most operate through wireless connectivity therefore you’ll need a smart TV that has Bluetooth. TV microphones are not as common nowadays, thanks to the fact that most tablets and most mobile phones can offer the same functionalities.
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IPad Microphone
These ones, on the other hand, you’ll simply plug into your tablet or iPad. For the best results, you might need to install an additional app. Most connect through Bluetooth, which means that they are relatively easy to set up. For this reason, Ipad microphones are the most common in today’s market. The only downside is, if the iPad’s Bluetooth fails to work, then the microphone won’t work either.
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4-in-one Microphones
This type of microphone often comes as one single microphone that can perform many different functionalities. Most of them are stand-alone; Bluetooth enabled and can double up as a portable speaker as well as a recorder. Some even serve as FM players. With these microphones, you can jam to your favorite music from your phone or favorite FM station from anywhere.
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Microphone Stand
Yes, a microphone stand is a type of microphone as well. This includes a whole system that incorporates a mike within it. These systems are usually great because they are fine-tuned to suit karaoke purposes. They are also compact and much easier to store.
How is a Karaoke Microphone different from Other Microphones?
A karaoke microphone typically is just like any other microphone out there. It can be used for audio performances, in a PA system and studio recordings. However, there are a few characteristics that make them ideal for karaoke. These include the ease of use, lightness, and wireless properties.
Compatibility; Ensure that it is Compatible
Perhaps the first thing any new buyer needs to know is that each independent microphone comes with a different output. You’ll find some which are wireless, yet others require cables. Others require an adaptor to function.
You will need to consider all these in detail, and choose your microphone, with regards to the equipment that you already have in place. Some need an additional mixer, yet others come with their own receivers that will connect the microphones to an external speaker. It’s advisable to look for one that is easiest to use, with lots of output methods. An example is those microphones with USB sticks are receivers.
USB sticks have an advantage because they can be used with most computers. Microphones that are AUX compatible or with an XLR cable will also work with most mixers and sound systems.
What is the Standard Size of a Karaoke Microphone?
A standard mic is usually about 10 inches long and 3.5 inches thick. We also have the mesh ball that covers the mic, which is often about 5 inches thick. These dimensions are almost standard throughout most microphones since they are meant to easily fit into a standard microphone stand.
You can, however, find special microphones made for small kids, which are made narrower for easy holding.
The Number of Microphones; the More, the Merrier
Most units come as either one microphone, or as a set of two microphones. Some come with a receiver that allows for the introduction of another extra microphone, which you can buy separately (provided that it’s compatible of course). Well, since karaoke is more fun when you do it with friends, you’ll definitely be better off with a dual pack.
It’s important to note that most dual microphones need an external speaker work; therefore, if you are buying it for your personal use or for your child, you may opt for the cheaper single microphone with all-in-one features.
How do I Connect My Microphone to My Computer for Karaoke?
There are two types of jacks that are commonly used in computer connections; the rounded ones where you usually fit your headphones, and USB jacks. Professional microphones tend to use XLR type cables or a jack that is thicker than the ones for your headphones.
In this case, you would need an adaptor, which you plug into your computer input and play away.
Size and Weight
Not all karaoke microphones are made the same. They come in different shapes and sizes. To get the most out of the overall experience, you’ll need to get one that fits in your hand most comfortably.
When it comes to weight, the material tends to have the most significant impact. The ones made of plastic tend to weigh the least. The other alternative would be aluminum or metallic microphones which are more durable, but significantly heavier.
That said, you can base your selection on who you are buying it for. If it for small children and teens, you can get one that is relatively smaller and weighs less. Anything that weighs between 250g to 350g should be okay. However, for the more grown-up audience, you will definitely need a larger, sturdier alternative.
Price – Does the Microphone Fit Your Budget?
Although the microphone’s specifications may seem amazing on review, they might not hold up in the long run. The quality and durability are mostly influenced by the type of materials used in making it and the process of manufacturing.
Often you can only tell if the microphone lives up to your expectations by listening to it. However, in most cases, pricing is usually proportional to quality. Therefore the higher-end microphones that are better built tend to be pricier than others.
That said, for personal use, the highest quality microphones on our list would be anything between 25$ and 40$ (before shipping and import fees). If you are looking to buy one for a more prominent institution like a bar, you can invest in one that goes for about 100$- 300$
When it comes to purchasing with regards to price, you should also consider such factors as how often you’ll be using it, or for what purpose. If it’s for kids, or parties happening once in a while, it would be wiser to get a low-cost mic. Some come with more than one microphone and would serve a larger group, so you’d do well to consider one of these if you have friends coming over often.
Conclusion
A karaoke microphone is one instrument that is sure to bring joy to any home. Since it’s prone to accidents and falls, a good one should be durable enough to retain the quality of sound and general output. That said when buying a karaoke microphone, one of the most important factors to consider should be the nature of use.
If you intend to use it for a more casual, once-in-a-while kind of situation, you can choose a simpler and cheaper, all-in-one cheaper option. However, if you intend to use it for more serious professional recording purposes, you should definitely spare a few more bucks and invest in the sturdier, higher quality build. With our guide, you’d be certain to find one that is suited to your particular preference, and we hope it will bring you or your loved ones the joy you seek.
