Rode · Updated June 2026
Rode PodMic USB: price, specs & release date
Rode PodMic USB, released 2022. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: rode.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
- Best for Tank-like build quality with a premium, professional look and feel; Warm, full sound quality straight out of the box.
- Skip if Price doubled to $199 versus the original $99 XLR PodMic is a dealbreaker.
Is the Rode PodMic USB a good buy?
At $209, the Rode PodMic USB is #18 cheapest of the 20 microphones we track, where the median is $153. On the spec sheet, its release of 2022 is at the median of the 12.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 2 outlets have it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Rode PodMic USB
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) survived verification — both qualitative, neither published lab measurements. Both praise the tank-like build, easy dual USB-C/XLR setup, and warm out-of-box sound, but flag the doubled $199 price, no included stand, and the inability to run XLR and USB simultaneously.
Based on 2 reviews · 2023-11-12–2024-09-01
Tested by Tom's Hardware, TechRadar
Consistently praised
- Tank-like build quality with a premium, professional look and feel · 2 sources
- Warm, full sound quality straight out of the box · 2 sources
- Versatile dual USB-C and XLR connectivity with dead-simple setup · 2 sources
- Included pop filter/shock mount tames plosives and desk knocks well · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- Price doubled to $199 versus the original $99 XLR PodMic · 2 sources
- No stand or boom arm supplied in the box · 2 sources
- Cannot use XLR and USB outputs at the same time · 2 sources
- Minimal on-mic controls — no gain or DSP dials · 2 sources
Where reviewers disagree Both find the default tuning imperfect but disagree on where: Tom's Hardware felt it lacks a little bottom-end and wanted more low frequencies, while TechRadar felt it's mid-heavy and lacks high-end sparkle. Each corrected it via EQ/DSP.
The sources (2)
The PodMic USB comes in a very pretty matte black finish and it looks fantastic — this is one of my favorite microphones, aesthetically.
The sound quality was nice and warm with a good balance between not having too much bottom and also not going too much toward the high end.
I'm not a fan of having almost zero controls on the microphone itself — there are no dials for gain or any of the DSP settings.
The construction quality is absolutely fantastic, typical of a storied studio mainstay like Rode, and the mic monitoring input is a great nice-to-have.
Price is the only major downside of the PodMic USB, but it's a considerable one.
its natural tuning seems to emphasize midrange more than I'm used to, so I feel like dialing it back at the DAW level.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $209 US price $209.00 confirmed on newegg.com search for 'rode podmic usb' accessed 2026-06-15 (standard black model). White model listed at $203.40. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rode |
| Released | 2022 |
| Connectivity | USB + XLR |
| Polar pattern | cardioid |
| Type | dynamic |
| Sample rate (kHz) | — |
| Bit depth | — |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Mute button | — |
| Mount | internal shockmount; swing mount (built-in); compatible with boom arms via standard thread |
Source: rode.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by newegg.com. rode.com/en/microphones/usb/podmic-usb accessed 2026-06-15 confirmed: product name PodMic USB, dual XLR and USB connectivity, high-power neodymium capsule (dynamic), headphone output with on-board level control yes, internal shockmount, internal pop filter, on-board DSP (Aphex) including high-pass filter, noise gate, compressor, Aural Exciter and Big Bottom. Polar pattern and mute button not stated on accessed page. Newegg confirmed 'Dynamic Cardioid Broadcast Microphone' with USB and XLR, price $209.00. Cardioid polar pattern confirmed from Rode PodMic (XLR predecessor page) as 'tight cardioid polar pattern'. Mute button: not confirmed — set to null. Sample rate/bit depth not confirmed from page. Release year 2022 per Rode announcement.
Is the Rode PodMic USB worth it vs cheaper microphones?
Rode PodMic USB against its closest cheaper and pricier microphones on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 20 ranked
| Product | Price | Connectivity | Polar pattern | Type | Headphone jack | Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rode PodMic USB this | $209 | USB + XLR | cardioid | dynamic | Yes | internal shockmount; swing mount (built-in); compatible with boom arms via standard thread |
| HyperX QuadCast S | $199.99 | USB | cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo | condenser | Yes | integrated vibration-isolating shock mount; standard 3/8" thread adapter included |
| Rode NT1 5th Generation | $249 | USB-C + XLR | cardioid | condenser | No | included studio-grade shock mount and pop filter (XLR and USB cables included) |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Rode PodMic USB?
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Tom's Hardware, TechRadar) survived verification — both qualitative, neither published lab measurements. Both praise the tank-like build, easy dual USB-C/XLR setup, and warm out-of-box sound, but flag the doubled $199 price, no included stand, and the inability to run XLR and USB simultaneously. Praised: Tank-like build quality with a premium, professional look and feel; Warm, full sound quality straight out of the box; Versatile dual USB-C and XLR connectivity with dead-simple setup; Included pop filter/shock mount tames plosives and desk knocks well. Flagged: Price doubled to $199 versus the original $99 XLR PodMic; No stand or boom arm supplied in the box; Cannot use XLR and USB outputs at the same time; Minimal on-mic controls — no gain or DSP dials; Out-of-the-box tuning isn't broadcast-ready and needs EQ/DSP tweaking. (From 2 tester reviews.)
How much does the Rode PodMic USB cost?
The Rode PodMic USB has a US price of $209 (US price $209.00 confirmed on newegg.com search for 'rode podmic usb' accessed 2026-06-15 (standard black model). White model listed at $203.40.), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the Rode PodMic USB compare on price?
At $209, the Rode PodMic USB is #18 cheapest of the 20 microphones we track, where the median is $153.
When was the Rode PodMic USB released?
The Rode PodMic USB was released 2022.
What are the Rode PodMic USB's key specs?
Rode PodMic USB (Rode): connectivity USB + XLR, polar pattern cardioid, type dynamic, headphone jack Yes, mount internal shockmount; swing mount (built-in); compatible with boom arms via standard thread. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $209 at rode.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Rode PodMic USB on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar microphones
Nearest in price — swipe to browse. Every pick sourced and dated.
All microphones ranked · Open data & methodology · Queryable via MCP
Compare with
Cheaper microphones
- HyperX QuadCast S $199.99
- Blue Yeti GX $169.99
- Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 $169.99
- Blue Yeti X $169.99
- Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X $169
- Shure MV6 $169
Step up
- Rode NT1 5th Generation $249
- Shure SM7B $439
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