Maono sells budget USB and XLR microphones, and its main podcasting mic, the PD400X, lists at $154.99 on Maono’s own site. 🎙️
This Maono microphone review compares the five models people ask about most and tells you which one fits your setup.
It draws on Maono’s own specs, independent reviews and retailer listings, then adds my take on who each mic suits.
Answer first
Pick the PD200X for a simple desk setup.
Pick the PD400X for a dedicated podcast desk.
Pick the PM500T if you already own an XLR interface.
Quick picks
| Mic | Type and connection | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maono AU-A04 | USB condenser | About $60 | The cheapest way to start |
| Maono AU-PM422 | USB condenser with touch mute and gain knob | About $76 to $116 | Streaming and desk recording |
| Maono PD400X | Dynamic with USB-C and XLR | $154.99 at Maono | Podcast and voiceover desks |
| Maono PD200X | Dynamic with USB and XLR | From $79.99 | Beginners who may add an interface later |
| Maono PM500T | Large diaphragm condenser, XLR only | $149.99 at Maono | Vocals and voice with an XLR interface |
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Is Maono a good brand
Maono makes budget microphones for podcasters, streamers and YouTubers.
Its lineup runs from a USB condenser kit near $60 to the PD400X podcasting mic at $154.99 and the PM500T studio condenser at $149.99, based on Maono’s own listings.
Independent reviewers have been positive on value. TechPowerUp calls the PD400X an easy recommendation for anyone starting in podcasting or live streaming, though Maono supplied that review unit.
My take is simple.
These mics will not replace a $500 studio mic.
They do cover what most new creators need at a low price!
Did You Know
Maono’s current dynamic microphone lineup includes seven models, from the PD100W to the PD500X, according to Maono’s own comparison page.
What are the top 5 Maono microphones
Here are the five models people ask about most, with specs taken from Maono and retailer listings.
Maono AU-A04 for beginners
The Maono AU-A04 is a USB condenser microphone built for beginners.
Maono lists a cardioid pattern, 24-bit and 192 kHz recording, and support for Mac and Windows.
It connects over USB, so you do not need an audio interface.
Maono has priced it around $60 on its own site, which makes it the cheapest way into this lineup.
Check the current price and what comes in the box, since bundles with stands and filters vary.
It suits new podcasters, streamers and anyone who wants better voice audio on calls.
Skip it if you want an XLR upgrade path, because the AU-A04 is USB only.
Condenser mics also pick up more room sound than dynamic mics, so a quiet room matters.
Maono AU-PM422 for streaming and podcasts
The Maono AU-PM422 is a USB condenser kit with controls on the mic itself.
Retailer listings give it a 16 mm condenser capsule, a cardioid pattern, a 20 Hz to 20 kHz response and 192 kHz and 24-bit sampling.
The listed sensitivity is -47 dB to -29 dB, with a maximum SPL of 125 dB and a signal to noise ratio of 74 dB.
What the controls do
- A touch panel mutes and unmutes the mic, with an LED that shows green when live and red when muted
- A gain knob adjusts sensitivity on the fly
- A 3.5 mm headphone jack lets you monitor your voice without latency, according to Maono’s manual
The kit listed on Reverb includes a scissor arm stand, a metal shock mount, a pop filter, a foam windscreen, a table clamp and a 2.5 m USB cable.
Prices run from about $76 to $116 across the retailers we checked.
It is USB only, so there is no XLR upgrade path.
It also has a single input, which suits solo creators better than interview setups.
My pick for desk streamers and solo podcasters who want mute and gain right on the mic.
Maono PD400X for podcasts and voiceover
The Maono PD400X is a dynamic microphone with both USB-C and XLR outputs.
That dual connection is its defining feature.
You can plug it straight into a computer today and move to an audio interface later.
Specs at a glance
- Cardioid dynamic capsule with a 40 Hz to 16 kHz range, per Thomann
- Sensitivity of -51 dBV on XLR and a maximum SPL above 130 dB, per TechPowerUp
- 24-bit and 48 kHz over USB, with a 3.5 mm headphone output for direct monitoring
- A knob for gain, headphone level and mute, with a gain range of 0 to +36 dB over USB, per Maono
- A switchable low cut and mid boost, plus the Maono Link app for EQ, limiter and compressor
The mic weighs about 734 g without its stand, according to TechPowerUp, so it is a desk mic and not a travel mic.
Maono lists it at $154.99 with the desktop stand, and $179.99 or $219.99 with a boom arm bundle.
Thomann listed it lower when we checked.
XLR mode needs an audio interface, which adds cost for beginners.
If you want to stay on USB, the PD200X is the cheaper route.
My pick for a fixed podcast or voiceover desk where you want the knob controls and room to grow.
Maono PD200X for desk setups
The Maono PD200X is a dynamic microphone with USB and XLR connections and programmable RGB lighting.
Maono’s own comparison page lists a cardioid pattern, 48 kHz and 24-bit recording, a headphone output and Maono Link for EQ, limiter and compressor controls in USB mode.
It has no wireless link and no internal recorder, which keeps the choice simple for a fixed desk.
Maono lists it from $79.99, or $89.99 with the BA20 boom arm bundle.
The RGB lighting is a taste call.
Fans of a lit desk will like it, and everyone else can switch it off.
My pick for beginners who want USB now and an XLR upgrade path later.
Maono PM500T for XLR recording
The Maono PM500T is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with an XLR output only.
Specs at a glance
- A 34 mm gold sputtered condenser capsule with a cardioid pattern
- A 20 Hz to 20 kHz response and a sensitivity of -35.3 dBu at 1 kHz
- A maximum SPL of 120 dB and a signal to noise ratio of 70 dB-A
- A zinc alloy body that weighs 369 g, according to a Soundphile review
It needs +48V phantom power from an audio interface or mixer, and Maono does not include one.
Maono lists a shock mount, a metal pop filter, a desktop stand and a 1.8 m XLR cable in the box, at $149.99.
Condenser mics are sensitive, so they pick up room noise.
Plan on a quiet, treated space.
My pick if you already own an XLR interface and want fuller vocals than the USB models give you.
How to choose the right Maono microphone
Picking a mic gets easier when you answer five questions.
Know your purpose
- Podcasts and calls on a budget suit the AU-A04 or the AU-PM422
- A dedicated podcast or voiceover desk suits the PD400X
- Vocals through an XLR interface suit the PM500T
- A lit desk setup suits the PD200X
Match your budget
The AU-A04 sits near $60 and the PD200X starts at $79.99.
The PM500T and PD400X both land near $150.
Remember the PM500T also needs an interface, which adds cost.
Pick the right connection
USB mics need no extra gear.
XLR mics need an interface or mixer and give you more room to upgrade.
The PD200X and PD400X offer both, which is why they are the flexible picks.
Not sure which way to go? Read our guide to XLR vs USB microphones.
Check the features that matter
Mute buttons and gain knobs help during live streams, and the AU-PM422 has both.
Dynamic mics like the PD400X and PD200X pick up less room sound than condensers.
Our dynamic vs condenser mic guide explains why.
Check build and weight
The PM500T has a zinc alloy body that weighs 369 g.
The PD400X weighs about 734 g without its stand.
All of these are desk mics.
If you travel a lot, plan for a lighter option.
Newer Maono models worth knowing
Maono’s current dynamic lineup includes the PD100W, PD200X, PD200W, PD300X, PD400X, PD500W and PD500X, according to Maono’s comparison page.
The PD500X adds 192 kHz and 24-bit capture and a built in preamp.
The PD200W is a hybrid model with a wireless option, listed at $109.99 on Maono’s microphone page.
Check Maono’s site for current pricing and availability before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maono a good microphone brand
Yes for budget podcasting and streaming.
Reviewers such as TechPowerUp rate the PD400X as an easy recommendation for newcomers, though Maono supplied that unit.
Which Maono microphone is best for podcasting
The PD400X is built for podcasting, with a dynamic capsule, USB-C and XLR, and a knob for gain, headphone level and mute.
The PD200X is the cheaper alternative.
Is the Maono PD400X better than the PD200X
The PD400X costs more and is built for fixed podcast desks.
The PD200X costs less, adds RGB lighting and suits beginners who want USB now and XLR later.
Do Maono microphones need an audio interface
Only the XLR ones.
The AU-A04 and AU-PM422 are USB only, the PD200X and PD400X work over USB or XLR, and the PM500T needs an interface with +48V phantom power.
How much do Maono microphones cost
Roughly $60 for the AU-A04, $76 to $116 for the AU-PM422, from $79.99 for the PD200X, and about $150 for the PD400X and PM500T.
Prices change, so check the current listing.
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