Every mic will pick up some keyboard typing, but cardioid dynamic mics are less sensitive than cardioid condensers. I use USB condensers. I have XLR dynamic mics, but they're not cheap, and so no personal experience, budget friendly model recommendation. Have you tried shopping for a good cardioid dynamic USB podcaster mic?
Th Audio-Technica [ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet](https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m50xsts) is a headset with a great gooseneck cardioid condenser capsule, at the upper end of your budget. It's very sensitive, but you can lower the gain with the mic so near your mouth.
I like the Audio-Technica [AT2020USB+](https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at2020usb) even better. A-T says they both use the same capsule, but the AT2020USB+ seems to benefit from the traditional housing. It's also very sensitive, so if you're nor speaking right into it, up close, it's going to report all typing, fans running, etc. To keep it close, t's best to use it with a [boom arm](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/fb/O_C_White_14295_B_ProBoom_Elite_Microphone_Arm_557226.jpg).
A cardioid dynamic mic on that boom arm, kept close to your mouth. Maybe the [RØDE PodMic](https://rode.com/en-us/products/podmic?srsltid=AfmBOoqlusvecTtphqjjI7KaNaN8CwrOZWHRS3efgRcxgdxoxY_VEIjS), in XLR, [USB](https://rode.com/en-us/products/podmic-usb?srsltid=AfmBOorVZWOoNNM-WJPVgFgAEj8emClLYsAo8G1hgIoDoFc31u0IYOIN), or using an [XLR to USB adapter](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1142054-REG/polsen_xlr_usb_48_xlr_usb_interface_48v.html?ap=y&smp=Y&srsltid=AfmBOoqoJ34hTpP0EXP1HbRhb40nnoRCsggd5vZCs0mPapVg4poM3er2t_E).
I started with the Blue Snowball a few years ago and it sounded OK.
I upgraded to the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone and it is much better.
Here are a couple I’d recommend for recording music through Audacity:
* **Audio-Technica AT2020USB+** – super crisp for vocals, plug-and-play with USB, works well for singing.
* **Blue Yeti X** – slightly more feature-heavy than the regular Yeti and still beginner-friendly. Great for vocal clarity and doesn’t need an audio interface.
* **Rode NT-USB** – clean sound, durable build, and plays nice with laptops and Audacity. It even comes with a pop filter which helps with plosives.
If you're recording regularly, consider investing in a mic cover or flag to cut down on ambient noise and give your setup a more polished look. I got mine customized from **Chief Swag Officer**—they do cool mic covers that add some personality to your setup and help reduce unwanted pops.
I've been using an AT2020+ and have been happy with it. When my first one stopped working, I got a new one of the same model. There's a USB and an XLR version.
Shure also makes lower cost SM7B alternatives that include USB connections. For example the MV7 series has USB and XLR port options and costs a couple hundred less. While being similar in sound to the SM7B. (I have both an SM7B and original MV7). There also a version of SM7B (the SM7db) that includes a USB port, but it's more than the SM7B.
Personally I'm a fan of Audio Technica mics. (I have an AT2020USB+ on one machine)
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