Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Conference Room Microphone is the Anker Powerconf S500.
- When choosing a conference room microphone, you need to consider noise reduction and range.
- Many of the best conference room microphones are compatible with Windows, macOS, and various tablets.
Even as more offices ask workers to return to the office, video and conference calls are going to continue to be a staple of office life for years to come. Whether you have colleagues down the street in another building or are making a pitch to international business associates, conference and video calls have become one of the most crucial ways to bring teams together. Unfortunately, when you have a bunch of people in one room to make these calls, a small microphone to pick up all of your voices just won’t cut it.
Instead, you need to look at finding the right microphone for a large room so everyone can be heard. Communication is critical and the last thing you want is to be misunderstood because some poor microphone wasn’t powerful enough to perfectly capture exactly what you said. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the best conference room microphones in 2023!
- Best Overall: Anker PowerConf S500 Speakerphone
- Runner-Up: AnkerWork SR500 Conference Speaker and Microphone
- Best for Noise Reduction: Poly Sync 40 Smart Speakerphone
- Best Plug-and-Play: Movo MC1000 Conference USB Microphone
- Best Microphone Range: beyerdynamic PHONUM Bluetooth/USB Speakerphone
- Best Multi-Platform: EMEET M2 Max Professional Conference Speaker
#1 Best Overall: Anker PowerConf S500 Speakerphone
- Zoom + Google Meet certified
- USB Type-C
- Bluetooth
- Microphone and Speaker
- Wireless
When it comes to finding a conference room microphone that is both reliable and of outstanding quality, the Anker PowerConf S500 Speakerphone should be your top choice.
Anker is a well-known name in the electronics accessories space and for all the right reasons as it has a history of being a trustworthy brand. This is what makes the Anker PowerConf S500 such an easy recommendation.
Everything about the S500 focuses on the 4 microphones built into the speaker with 32 kHz sampling, which enables crystal-clear voice quality. Additionally, full duplex communication guarantees that any time two parties are talking at the same time, there won’t be garbled voices.
As for what listeners in the conference room with you will hear, the Anker PowerConf S500 includes a single 1.75-inch speaker that punches well above its size. With the speaker, it’s easy for up to 12 people to be easily heard without any complaints. You can even daisy-chain two S500 speakers together for coverage for up to 20 people in a single room.
Last but not least, the Anker PowerConf S500 is both Zoom-certified and works seamlessly with Google Meet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class microphone experience | Only includes one speaker |
| Certified to work with Zoom |
Take a look at the Anker PowerConf S500 Speakerphone on Amazon.
Best Runner-Up: AnkerWork SR500 Conference Speaker and Microphone
- Deep learning
- 8 mics
- 48 kHz
- Connect 5 speakerphones in Daisy Chain
- AI Noise Cancellationn
- Premium Pickup in conference rooms up to 45 people
Another stand-out Anker product, the AnkerWork SR500 Conference Speaker and Microphone is a great option for large rooms as it can pick up voices 16 feet away.
There is no sitting at the back of the room with the AnkerWork SR500. As long as you can be within the 16-foot range of the Anker’s microphone, you very well may get picked to answer a question. Better yet, link up to 5 separate SR500s together and you can have enough microphone capacity for up to 45 people.
No matter if you have 1 or 5 SR500 units in your conference room, an anti-theft mechanism keeps them all safe and secure for ongoing use. This is good news as you’ll be using these conference room microphones time and time again with compatibility for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and many more conference platforms.
Regardless of which conference call system you use, Anker’s Voice Radar 2.0 system ensures every individual will sound great when speaking. As you talk, this technology helps isolate your voice from any background noise so anyone on the other end of the call only hears your voice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent range | Noise isolation works best for those closest to the microphone |
| Can string together multiple products | The 16-foot range is only average |
Check out the AnkerWork SR500 Conference Speaker and Microphone on Amazon.
Best for Noise Reduction: Poly Sync 40 Smart Speakerphone
- Connect to PC/Mac via Combined USB-A/USB-C cable and smartphones via Bluetooth
- Works with Teams, Zoom, and more
- Flexible work spaces
While there isn’t much you can do about that loud co-worker, you can do something about the noise in a conference room with the Poly Sync 40 Smart Speakerphone.
With its multi-microphone array, the Poly Sync 40 enables anyone in a conference room to feel a reduced amount of noise coming from the 50mm speaker. This means noises from echoes, people coming and going to a bathroom, or anyone coming in late and letting a conference room door bang shut are a thing of the past. The audio is even more impressive when you factor in full duplex technology, so you can’t even talk over each other anymore.
Unlike many conference room microphones that rely on cords for power, the Poly Sync 40 offers up to 20 hours of talk time as a portable option.
If you aren’t convinced already on the Poly Sync 40, it has a few extra bonuses up its sleeve. This includes IP64 water and dust resistance, last-number redial, voice assistance, and programmable buttons for connecting via Bluetooth.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent noise reduction | Bigger than many competitors |
| Water- and dust-resistant |
Take a look at the Poly Sync 40 Smart Speakerphone on Amazon today.
Best Plug-and-Play: Movo MC1000 Conference USB Microphone
- For desktops and laptops
- 180 degrees/20 feet long pick-up range
- Compatible with Windows and Mac for dictation, recording, YouTube, conference call, Skype
If you are looking for the best plug-and-play conference room microphone, the best option available for your office is the Movo MC1000 Conference USB Microphone.
Compatible with all major video conference services like Zoom, Google Meet, WebEx, and more, the Movo MC1000 is ready to go as soon as it’s plugged in. Wherever the Movo is placed on a conference table, the cardioid microphone, powered by a computer USB port, can capture sound within a 20-foot radius. That’s a full 180 degrees of coverage, which is ideal for placement at the head of a table and facing the rest of a conference room.
The Movo itself is a very basic piece of hardware with just a headphone jack and micro USB connection. In other words, this is very much a dedicated speaker, and what it lacks in features, it more than makes up for with excellent audio quality.
The setup of the Movo is as simple as the hardware. Just plug it into any USB port on a Mac or PC, laptop or desktop, and go. You don’t have to worry about battery life or installing any third-party software. As an added bonus, you can even use the Movo as a speaker for your computer when not in use as a conference room microphone.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plug-and-play setup | Does not work with Linux |
| Wired connectivity means no battery life concerns | The sound radius starts to drop before 20 feet |
Check out the Movo MC1000 Conference USB Microphone on Amazon today.
Best Microphone Range: beyerdynamic PHONUM Bluetooth/USB Speakerphone
- Beamforming mics with 360-degree voice tracking
- Active Noise Cancelation
- Compatible with all leading platforms and hardware including Zoom
- 12-hour battery
In the event you have a very large conference room and need a microphone with some range, the beyerdynamic PHONUM Bluetooth/USB Speakerphone is the way to go.
With a 30-foot range and 360 degrees worth of audio support, the beyerdynamic PHONUM is the go-to option in the corporate world for large conference rooms.
Among PHONUM’s highlights is a 12-hour battery that allows you to place the microphone anywhere on a conference room table. Once placed on a table, beyerdynamic’s PHONUM GECKO technology takes over and helps optimize any voice inside a conference room to eliminate background noise and adjust the volume of the speaker to ensure everyone can hear.
The speaker itself includes beamforming mics, which is yet another reason why the 16oz beyerdynamic PHONUM is impressive as these mics are among the best sounding at this price point.
Price aside, you also get compatibility with smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth, and USB-C connectivity for syncing up with laptops or desktops. Once connected to any device, you can utilize a wide range of compatible apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, FaceTime, and more.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class range | Semi-short battery life |
| Can connect to multiple video chat services | Might be too pricey for some |
Take a look at the beyerdynamic PHONUM Bluetooth/USB Speakerphone on Amazon.
Best Multi-Platform: EMEET M2 Max Professional Conference Speaker
- 48 kHz
- 4 HD mics
- Conference speakerphone for up to 15 people
- VOICEIA noise reduction and enhanced 360-degree voice pickup
- USB dongle Daisy Chain
For the times when you need a conference room microphone and speaker that works natively with any computer operating system, the EMEET M2 Max Professional Conference Speaker is the way to go.
Capable of connecting with Windows, macOS, and Linux, there is almost no stopping the EMEET M2 Max when you need a conference room speaker. This level of compatibility is boosted by the ability to connect through USB, Bluetooth, AUX, and a dongle connection.
With enough volume for up to 15 meeting attendees, you can even look to daisy chain 2 of the M2 Maxs together for up to 30 people. No matter how many people attend a meeting, the full-duplex 89dB loudspeaker will give you a 2-way audio boost no matter how many parties are talking at the same time. Add in the 5W speaker and you can be sure that all 15 people at a conference table will have no problem hearing whoever is speaking on the other end.
Another highlight of the EMEET M2 Max is that EMEET provides VoiceIA noise cancelation and 360-degree voice pickup. This all comes through with the 4 microphones built into the M2 Max body where the 360-degree array can pick up on sound coming from any direction in any room. This also means that you can quickly turn a home office into a conference room just by powering the EMEET on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for multiplatform offices | Works better over USB than Bluetooth |
| Built-in microphones pick up sound in any direction | Audio levels are too soft at the low end |
Check out the EMEET M2 Max Professional Conference Speaker on Amazon.
©Pordee_Aomboon/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Conference Room Microphone: Step-by-Step
When it comes to choosing the best conference room microphone, there are 4 main considerations for most buyers.
- Compatibility
- Noise cancelation
- Range
- Sound quality
Let’s break them down below.
Compatibility
While this shouldn’t be a major problem overall, it’s still important to look at the different options on this list and make sure they are compatible with your OS of choice. For example, the EMEET M2 Max is compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows, but neither Anker system is compatible with Linux. This just means you should keep an eye out if you need something that connects to other operating systems besides Windows or Mac.
Noise Cancelation
This is very much one of the most important considerations overall as you want a microphone in your conference room that can block out background noise. The last thing anyone on the other end of your phone or video call wants is to hear a bunch of whispers in a room or someone entering or leaving the room. To help avoid these situations, which can prove very distracting, look toward the Poly Sync 40 for a conference room microphone that blocks out plenty of background noise.
Range
Depending on the size of your conference room, you want to make sure you have plenty of range. The beyerdynamic PHONUM, for example, can offer you up to 30 feet of range, which should be more than enough for even larger conference rooms. As you can also string PHONUM microphones together, you can quickly and inexpensively create 2 times more range if necessary.
Sound Quality
Just as noise cancelation is important for blocking out noise, you want to make sure the noise that does come through sounds really great. The last thing you want is to worry about garbled audio or misunderstanding what someone is trying to say. Instead, pick up any of the options on this list for terrific audio quality, which should eliminate any concerns you may have.
Using a Conference Room Microphone: What It’s Like
If you’re back in the office, there is a good chance you’re having at least one meeting per day or week in a conference room. Whether you are talking to colleagues who are working from another location or an agency from another city, having a great quality conference room microphone can make a world of difference.
With video calls continuing to be and likely to remain the primary method of corporate communication these days, having a stand-out audio experience is critical. This is why products like the Anker PowerConf S500 or the AnkerWork SR500 are so important because they can provide a night and day change from using a computer microphone.
When you want to not only feel professional back in the office but also sound professional, these conference room microphone options are no longer a recommendation, they are a requirement.
Summary Table
| Rank | Microphone | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Best Overall | Anker PowerConf S500 | Best-in-class microphone experience, Certified to work with Zoom |
| Best Runner-Up | AnkerWork SR500 | Excellent range, Can string together multiple products |
| Best for Noise Reduction | Poly Sync 40 | Excellent noise reduction, Water- and dust-resistant |
| Best Plug-and-Play | Movo MC1000 | Plug-and-play setup, Wired connectivity means no battery life concerns |
| Best Microphone Range | beyerdynamic PHONUM | Best-in-class range, Can connect to multiple video chat services |
| Best Multi-Platform | EMEET M2 Max | Great for multiplatform offices, Built-in microphones pick up sound in any direction |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com.
