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Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone

Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone

Bottom line: The Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone ($159.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-08): Hypercardioid pattern rejects room echo and keyboard noise off-axis; main trade-off: USB-only output means no XLR path if you later add a mixer.

$159.00

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Buy on Amazon — $159.00 Compare to similar streaming gear

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Hypercardioid pattern rejects room echo and keyboard noise off-axis
  • ✓ Plug-and-play USB-C, no audio interface or XLR preamp needed
  • ✓ Built-in headphone jack with high-output amp for zero-latency monitoring
  • ✓ Silent capacitive mute button won't add a click to your recording
  • ✓ LED ring shows blue for live, red for muted at a glance

Cons

  • ✗ USB-only output means no XLR path if you later add a mixer
  • ✗ Dynamic capsule needs closer mic technique than a condenser
  • ✗ Hypercardioid punishes off-axis movement; stray from center and level drops
  • ✗ No onboard mic gain knob mentioned in the listed features

Manufacturer description

The AT2040USB is equipped with a built-in headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring with no delay. It also features a quick muting function, with the silent touch-sensitive capacitive mute button to quickly and easily mute audio at the microphone and a two-state LED indicator ring displays a blue light when the mic is on and ready to capture audio and indicates red when it is muted. This content creator microphone offers a USB Type-C output, which includes a USB cable (USB Type-C to USB Type-A) and USB adapter (USB Type-A to USB Type-C) for plug-and-play functionality. Users can connect…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the streaming gear category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the streaming gear category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for streaming gear of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • Dynamic broadcast microphone with plug-and-play USB functionality is perfect for podcasters, streamers, and other content creators
  • Hypercardioid pickup focuses on your voice and minimizes room noises and echo
  • Built-in headphone jack with high-output amplifier and volume control enables real-time monitoring with excellent sound quality
  • Two-state LED indicator ring lights blue when mic is powered on and lights red when it is muted
  • Silent soft-touch mute button provides convenient, reliable muting at the microphone

Full Specifications

BrandAudio-Technica
ColorBlack
Model NameAT2040USB
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberAT2040USB
Power SourceCorded Electric
Audible Noise60 db
Polar PatternUnidirectional
Built-In MediaMicrophone, USB cable (USB Type-C to USB Type-A) and USB adapter (USB Type-A to USB Type-C)
Connector TypeUSB
Item Type NameAT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone
Item Dimensions5.72 x 2.05 x 2.05 inches
Mfr Part NumberAT2040USB
Number of Items1
Special FeatureVolume Control
Antenna LocationStreaming
Hardware PlatformPC
Compatible DevicesHeadphone
Enclosure MaterialStainless Steel
Number of Channels1

Ready to buy?

Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $159.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.

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Audio-Technica AT2040USB Dynamic USB Microphone
$159.00
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