The best audio for video calls
Microphones, headphones and webcams that will make you sound and look professional in your meetings.
Audio is the most underrated part of a home office setup. You can have the best webcam on the market, but if your sound is poor, the meeting will be a disaster. The good news: improving audio is cheaper than improving video.
Your laptop microphone is fine for occasional calls, but if you have daily meetings it's worth investing in something better. You don't need a podcast microphone: a headset with a boom mic or a USB desk microphone is more than sufficient.
Headsets with active noise cancellation (ANC) are the most valued for home office use. They eliminate background noise (traffic, people talking, appliances) without others hearing it. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro are the most popular for this use case.
If you prefer not to wear headphones during meetings, a USB condenser microphone with cardioid pickup is the best option. Cardioid microphones primarily capture sound from the front and reject lateral noise. The Blue Yeti and Rode NT-USB Mini are two reference options.
A common mistake: buying a good microphone but positioning it poorly. The mic should be 20–30 cm from your mouth, slightly below mouth level pointing upward, never directly in front (it will exaggerate plosive P and B sounds).