Samson Q2U Review: Best Entry-Level Mic for Podcasters

If you have spent any time researching podcast microphones, you have likely run across at least one detailed Samson Q2U review. And that’s not a coincidence.

This handheld dynamic mic continues to strike a rare balance between sound quality and functionality, all at an approachable price point.

We’ve used the Q2U both in our Buzzsprout studio and at live podcasting events, and it performs consistently in both environments. Making the Samson Q2U is our top recommendation for new and seasoned podcasters.

In this review, we'll show you what makes the Q2U one of the best mics in its category and help you decide if it's a good fit for your setup!

What makes the Samson Q2U a great mic?

Don't let "entry-level" throw you; the Q2U is a versatile mic used by seasoned and novice podcasters alike and rivals other higher-priced options. 

The mic costs $69.99 and has several built-in efficiencies that make it an excellent option, especially for beginner podcasters. We'll take a look at its top four features, but view the full Samson Q2U tech specs here.

1. It's a dynamic microphone

The Q2U is a dynamic mic with a cardioid pickup pattern, sometimes referred to as a cardioid polar pattern, making it able to ignore ambient noise and focus on picking up the vocals of a live recording. This is opposed to condenser microphones (like the Blue Yeti), which tend to be trickier to set up, pricier, and more sensitive to background noise.

Dynamic mics also don't require phantom power, allowing you to use them with various audio interfaces.

2. Has versatile outputs

In addition to sound quality, the Q2U has both micro USB and XLR connectors, making it simple to use with a basic computer setup or more complex mixers and audio interfaces (more on this later). 

With the included USB cable, the mic behaves like a typical USB mic on Mac or Windows making it a genuine plug‑and‑play experience.

When you grow confident and want to experiment with hardware processing or multi‑track sessions, the microphone’s analog XLR connector plugs straight into an audio interface or a compact Behringer mixer.

Many creators record both the USB and XLR feeds at once; that way, if the computer glitches, the analog track remains intact. That safety net is rare at this tier and highlights Samson’s focus on real‑world use cases.

3. Comes with quality accessories 

Even in its standard bundle, the Q2U ships with essentials that streamline setup:

• A foam windscreen that tames plosive bursts without dulling the highs
• A lightweight podcasting pack featuring the tripod stand, mic clip, and both cables
• A responsive Headphone output for zero‑latency monitoring
• A physical off switch. In our tests, the physical off switch was especially handy for livestreams, allowing us to mute between takes without any audio pops.

If you plan to mount the mic on a boom arm, a simple elastic shock mount will isolate desk vibrations. Upgrading from the tripod to a heavier mic stand like a boom arm can be an inexpensive way to elevate your workflow once you settle into a routine, but isn't necessary to start.

4. Reliability and support

The Q2U’s metal chassis feels closer to a touring mic than its cost suggests. For creators who travel or use the mic for live events, durability can be as important as sound. Samson backs the microphone with a one‑year limited warranty, extendable to two years when you register the product. This is the travel mic trusted by our Head of Marketing, Alban Brooke, and many other podcasters. You can check out more on his setup here!

Sample Q2U recording: 

Here’s a real-world recording from our Podcasting Q&A episode using the Q2U and a Focusrite interface, so you can hear how it sounds in a pro setup. You can compare the sample audio to the ATR2100x in this YouTube video.

Q2U Setup & best practices 

Before recording with any mic, we suggest following some basic guidelines to optimize your home recording studio's acoustics and dampen unwanted noise. The more you preemptively prep your space, the less work you'll have to do in post-production to clean up echoes, unwanted background noise, etc.

You can attach the Q2U onto a boom arm, mic stand, or use it hand-held for on-the-go interviews. From there, you can set up your mic using either the USB or XLR connector cables. Here's a brief breakdown of how to use either output.

USB setup (for computers)

This simple plug-and-play setup is well-suited for most podcasters when recording onto a computer, iPad, or iPhone (although we don't recommend recording on a smartphone). Just attach the USB cable to the mic and plug the other end into your device.

Open up your recording software and select the mic as your input. It should automatically show up in your software's input options.  

XLR setup (for mixers and interfaces)

XLR connections let you plug into a sound system that applies your preamp effects and feeds into your computer. Let's say you have the Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 audio interface. To use the Q2U with this device, you'd plug in the XLR cable to the mic and plug the interface into your computer via USB. 

Now your mic's audio will run through your interface and into your computer's recording software.

Final thoughts

This review is based on our team’s hands-on testing in both home and professional studio settings. We use the Q2U regularly in our own workflows for nearly every podcast we produce.

A decade ago, achieving broadcast‑level audio required a significant equipment budget. Today, the Samson Q2U demonstrates how accessible professional results have become. If your priorities include consistent sound and easy setup, the Q2U belongs at the top of your shortlist.