Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#17 in

External Microphones

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score85% positive
23
3
1
Last updated: Jun 8, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconalinarice
6 months ago

For noisy environments skip the blue Yeti, get a dynamic mic like the Audio Technica ATR2100x USB or Samsung Q2U, both isolate your voice far better and stay under $100.

Reddit Iconalto2
6 months ago

I got a Shure MV7+ as a gift, and I like it, but I'm also not convinced it's significantly better than my ATR2100x USB, which has the benefit of being a bit more forgiving of minor background noise. And the 2100x, when it was still available, cost about $50 vs. almost $300 for the MV7+, so cost is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

5 months ago

YEP. I swear I wouldn't be surprised if it captured me blinking (I exaggerate--but not by much!) Mostly I've been told to turn the gain down to try to counter it as much as possible, and maybe install a noise gate, though I haven't gone that far. I just try to be more careful than I had to be with the ATR.

4 months ago

I haven't used the Samson, but I have two of the ATR2100s--the regular 2100 and the 2100x--that were considered almost identical. I also have an MV7+, and I have to say that I'm not at all convinced the MV7+ is worth the extra cash outlay. It's hot as hell, which makes it annoying to work with, whereas the 2100 (and I assume the Samson, if they really are so similar) is much more forgiving. I'm also just not convinced the sound from the MV7+ is really significantly better. Certainly not $200+ better. I just can't imagine the Samson wouldn't be perfectly fine for OP's needs. I'd rec the 2100x if it weren't discontinued.

Reddit IconAndrewPodcastHost
9 months ago

I started with a budget kit on Amazon too, and upgraded later as my show grew. A good starter setup: I’d say grab a simple USB mic like the Samson Q2U or ATR2100x and a set of closed back headphones. Add a cheap boom arm so you’re not holding it. Or Mike stand, That’s enough to get going without spending too much. I personally use my iMac as they are superb over windows IMO. If there are co-hosts (I think I saw that there are) you just double. the mics and headphones. It is a labor of love.

Reddit IconAutomatic-Prize-8737
4 months ago

Headset mics are usually pretty trash for anything beyond gaming chat tbh. Even a basic USB mic like an Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB or Blue Yeti will blow any headset out of the water for recording quality If you're dead set on wearing something, maybe look into a lavalier mic, but honestly just get a boom arm and proper mic - your audio quality complaints will disappear overnight

Reddit IconAvesAvi
7 months ago

I have an ATR-2100X laying around somewhere but I'm not sure if I took it with me when I moved out of my parents. If I can find that then that'll definitely be the choice since I already have one lol

7 months ago

I guess you're right, but my issue is not being able to easily configure it for things outside of OBS. I'd have to use some other audio software and I remember just being overwhelmed at the time. Ghub is okay when it works. My least favorite part is how aggressively it wants me to enable auto-switching of profiles. Every few updates it re-enables it and the setting to fully disable it is buried in a very unintuitive location. I've had issues in the past with Ghub just crashing constantly as well but that was a while back. Either way I ended up finding an old ATH I had laying around so we're just going with that.

Reddit IconExecutor_Clolarion
6 months ago

I would suggest Audio Technica ATR 2100X USB. Costs 90$. Its a dynamic mic, so it has very good background noise rejection. Sounds good, is also very durable

Reddit IconGanacheNo1310
10 months ago

A condenser is not a good choice in that environment. Do what you can to improve your space and then get a dynamic microphone. A good budget choice is the Audio Technica ATR 2100x, although there are plenty of other great options out there.

10 months ago

You can't go wrong with an Audio Technica ATR 2100x. I bought a refurbished one and it is a workhorse. Even though I have two other, far more expensive broadcast microphones, I actually prefer the results that I get from the ATR 2100x. Just my two cents.

Reddit Icongoing-deep-10
7 months ago

better than my current Audio-Technica ATR2100x?

Other Reddit Recommendations: