When it comes to USB microphones, the Blue brand is one of the most reliable and best-selling brands in the market.
And Snowball and Yeti are the two most popular microphones from Blue.
Both microphones have unique features, so it can be tough to decide which one is the best for your needs.
In this post, we’ll compare these two popular condenser mics to help you decide which one is the better option for you. We’ll discuss the following points:
- Main Specifications
- Design & Build Quality
- Setup & Connectivity
- Performance
- Price
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Our Quick Take:
Overall Winner: Blue Yeti
Blue Yeti is the overall winner because it offers better sound, more features, and a more appealing design. It is easy to use and set up. Most importantly, this mic is inexpensive.
Get the best deal on the Blue Yeti here!
Runner Up: Blue Snowball
The Snowball is a good alternative if you’re on a budget and don’t need all the features of the Yeti. It is also easy to use.
Blue Snowball vs. Yeti: A Quick Overview
Let’s take a quick look at these two microphones:
Blue Snowball Overview
Get the best deal on the Blue Snowball here!
The Snowball is a USB microphone from Blue. The Snowball has a simple design, and it’s one of the most affordable USB microphones.
It produces decent audio quality and its play-and-plug functionality makes it easy to use.
The Snowball condenser microphone has three pickup patterns and two capsules that allow you to record in multiple environments.
It is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
The microphone is available in two versions: the regular Snowball and the Snowball iCE. The iCE is an entry-level model designed for recording voices.
The Blue Snowball mic comes in two colors: black and white.
Blue Yeti Overview
Our Quick Take:
Overall Winner: Blue Yeti
Blue Yeti is the overall winner because it offers better sound, more features, and a more appealing design. It is easy to use and set up. Most importantly, this mic is inexpensive.
Get the best deal on the Blue Yeti here!
Runner Up: Blue Snowball
The Snowball is a good alternative if you’re on a budget and don’t need all the features of the Yeti. It is also easy to use.
Blue Snowball vs. Yeti: A Quick Overview
Let’s take a quick look at these two microphones:
Blue Snowball Overview

Get the best deal on the Blue Snowball here!
The Snowball is a USB microphone from Blue. The Snowball has a simple design, and it’s one of the most affordable USB microphones.
It produces decent audio quality and its play-and-plug functionality makes it easy to use.
The Snowball condenser microphone has three pickup patterns and two capsules that allow you to record in multiple environments.
It is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
The microphone is available in two versions: the regular Snowball and the Snowball iCE. The iCE is an entry-level model designed for recording voices.
The Blue Snowball mic comes in two colors: black and white.
Blue Yeti Overview

Get the best deal on the Blue Yeti here!
The Blue Yeti is the most advanced and versatile USB condenser microphone available on the market.
With three different capsules and four pattern settings, Yeti is the ultimate recording tool directly to your computer. It produces clear, nice, and accurate sound.
The Yeti has a more robust design than the Snowball and it’s available in multiple colors.
In addition, the mic is plug-and-play and easy to use. And connect via USB.
This USB microphone is an excellent option for beginning and advanced podcasters, YouTubers, gamers, and music producers.
Blue Snowball vs. Yeti: Key Differences & Similarities
Before we get into the detailed comparison, let’s take a quick look at the similarities and differences between Snowball and Yeti.
Differences
- The Blue Yeti condenser mic provides a much better, more professional sound quality than the Blue Snowball.
- The Blue Yeti has three condenser systems so you can record in multiple polar patterns, while the Snowball has only two condenser systems.
- The Yeti offers several features, including a Mute button, Gain Switch, Volume, and No Latency Monitoring headphone jack, whereas the Snowball condenser mic lacks these features.
- The Blue Yeti has a superior design, a solid construction, and an extremely durable stand compared with the Snowball.
- The Blue Snowball microphone is less expensive than the yeti microphone.
Similarities
- Both Blue microphones have a USB connection.
- Both microphones are compatible with Windows and Mac devices.
- Both microphones have a built-in stand.
Now that we’ve looked at the key similarities and differences between these two USB mics, let’s compare them in more depth.
Main Specifications
First, let’s discuss the main specifications of each USB microphone.
Specifications |
Blue Snowball |
Blue Yeti |
Frequency Response |
40Hz – 18kHz |
20Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate |
48kHz |
48kHz |
Bit Depth |
16-bit |
16-bit |
Polar Pattern |
Three polar patterns (Cardioid, Cardioid -10db pad, Omnidirectional) |
Four Polar Patterns (Cardioid, Omni-directional, Figure-8 & Stereo ) |
Capsules |
2 condenser capsules |
3 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules |
Max SPL (Maximum Sound Pressure Level) |
120dB |
120 dB |
Compatible Devices |
Windows & Mac |
Windows & Mac |
Headphone Input |
No |
Yes |
Color Options |
Black & White |
Multiple color options |
Weight |
1.01 lb / 460 g |
1.2 lb. (2.2 lb with the stand) |
Winner: Blue Yeti
Here, Blue Yeti wins because it has a higher frequency response. It also has more polar patterns and capsules. However, the Blue Snowball USB microphone is slightly lighter than its competitor.
Design & Build Quality
Design and build quality are crucial factors to consider when choosing a microphone. Because if a mic is not well-built, it can break easily and you don’t want that.
Let’s see how these mics fare in terms of design and build quality.
Blue Snowball
Blue Snowball has a cute and adorable look, and its name explains its meaning as well. The Blue Snowball USB mic is round and sits on a small tripod stand.
It has a metallic white finish mixed with a shiny coating for the stand, making it beautiful, elegant, and sleek. In addition, its size makes it easy to pack or store and adds to its mobility.
Apart from this design, the mic is minimalist in terms of design. It doesn’t have a lot of buttons or complicated knobs to handle frequently. There is only one USB port on the device.
This minimalist microphone is easy to set up and great to use, but it doesn’t give you as much control. So, the choice depends on your personal preference between usability and control.
Furthermore, the USB mic has a switch for changing polar patterns. This switch comes with three numbers – 1,2, and 3, each representing a different polar pattern.
However, there’s no mark on the mic that indicates what each number stands for.
Therefore, you’ll have to either grab the manual for what each number means or experiment with each switch to find the right setting. It can be frustrating, especially if you do not use your mic very often.
There is only one minor downside to Blue Snowball, which is that it isn’t very stable, so you need to be extremely cautious around it since it is very easy to knock off.
However, if it falls, it might not get damaged because it’s quite sturdy.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti has a cool and retro look that is sleek and eye-catching. This mic comes in multiple color options, which is great if you want your mic to stand out or if you want it to match the aesthetic of your room.
The Blue Yeti USB microphone comes with a stable stand and no tripod stand, so it is much less likely to fall over, even for those prone to accidents.
The base is solid and circular, so it provides good stability to the product as a whole.
In terms of size, the Yeti is a lot bigger and heavier than the Snowball. It is actually three or four inches taller and does take up more space because of its stand.
In case its size bothers you, you can place it on a boom arm. That way allows you to get your mic out of the way when you don’t need it, and retrieve it quickly when you do.
One of the best things about the Yeti is that it gives users a lot of control. It comes equipped with controls for gain and volume, a polar pattern switch as well as a mute button.
It also has a zero-latency microphone output that lets you monitor your recording in real-time without any latency. This is an excellent feature to have if you want to hear what you’re recording as you’re recording it.
However, some users have complained that the knobs are rather wobbly. Be careful with the knobs if you use your Blue Yeti microphone frequently.
Winner: Blue Yeti
When it comes to design and build quality, the Blue Yeti takes the cake. The look and feel are more classy and premium. The Snowball, on the other hand, has a more basic design.
The Yeti is available in multiple colors, while the Snowball is only available in black and white. In addition, the Yeti has a more solid, durable stand and gives users more control over the device.
Don’t get us wrong, the Blue Snowball is also a great microphone. But it doesn’t have the same level of quality as the Yeti.
Setup & Compatibility
USB mics are quite easy to set up and use. However, there can be some compatibility issues depending on what devices you’re using.
Let’s see how these mics stack up in terms of setup and compatibility.
Blue Snowball
The Blue Snowball is a plug-and-play mic, so it’s very easy to set up. You just need to connect it to your computer via the USB port and you’re good to go. It’s compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Blue Yeti
Just like Blue Snowball, setting up Blue Yeti is hassle-free as this is plug-and-play. It’s compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 as well as with MacOS 10.10 or higher.
You can easily mount the USB-powered Yeti on a boom arm or place it on your desk. You should use shock mounts if you don’t want to cause interference from accidental microphone contact.
After setting up the Blue Yeti, you will speak directly in front of it instead of on top of it. That’s because this USB microphone’s diaphragms are placed forward, backward, and to the sides rather than upward, as is common with TV microphones.
Winner: Draw
Here, the winner is a tie. Both mics are very easy to set up and they are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Performance
This is where things get interesting. Both mics have great sound quality, but they excel in different areas.
Let’s see how these two condenser microphones perform in terms of audio quality!
Blue Snowball
A polar pattern is the most important feature of a microphone. A polar pattern refers to where the mic picks up sound from around the microphone.
The polar pattern also determines the sensitivity of the microphone.
Blue Snowball USB microphone offers three polar patterns.
Omnidirectional Polar Pattern
This mode picks up sounds from all directions simultaneously. It is ideal for recording a group of people. You can also choose the Omnidirectional mode for conference calls where quality is not critical.
Cardioid Polar Pattern
The cardioid pattern is the most popular polar pattern because it produces the best sound quality. It picks up sound from the front of the microphone and rejects noise from the sides and back. It’s excellent for vocals, podcasts, and voice-overs.
Cardioid -10DB Polar Pattern
This is the Cardioid pattern with ten decibels lower than a regular Cardioid. It’s best for recording musical instruments because it will pick up the sound evenly.
The Blue Snowball delivers a crisp and clear sound quality.
Compared to other mics in its price range, the Snowball offers outstanding performance. This Blue microphone will be a good choice for any aspiring who wants to record podcasts or youtube videos.
Having said that, it’s more like a high-end consumer microphone than a professional mic. Although it is great for its low price, it falls short of the Yeti.
Some users have reported problems with low-volume recording. Additionally, the mic also seems to be quite sensitive to background noise, especially in omnidirectional mode.
Fortunately, many users have found that their sound quality improves after they set up a pop filter. This is considered best practice, anyway.
So if you’re having trouble with your Snowball’s sound quality, be sure to try using a pop filter.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti microphone has four polar patterns, unlike Blue Snowball.
Two of them are the same (Omnidirectional pattern and Cardioid pattern) and have the same features as the Snowball mic, while the other two are unique to the Yeti.
The two that are unique to the Yeti are Bi-directional and Stereo polar patterns.
Bi-directional polar pattern
Bidirectional mode picks up sounds from both sides of the microphone (front and back). This is ideal for recording a conversation between two people like in an interview.
Stereo polar pattern
Stereo mode records sound from the left and right sides to create a more rich sound. This is perfect for recording music or musical instruments.
The audio quality of this Blue USB mic is extremely crisp and clear, and well-rounded.
It doesn’t just have a well-balanced sound, it also has fewer sound problems than other mics in its price range, such as less hissing, booming, and other noise frequencies.
As a result, the recording becomes smoother and more natural.
For podcasting, YouTube videos, or voiceovers, it is a better microphone than others in its price range.
The only downside to this USB microphone is that it tends to pick up a lot of background noise. But it’s not a deal-breaker because the mic does quite well in most areas.
Winner: Blue Yeti
When it comes to audio quality, Blue Yeti USB microphone takes the cake.
It’s a more versatile microphone and offers better sound, making it the better choice for professional recordings. Podcasters, YouTubers, and content creators should seriously consider it.
It does not mean Snowball is bad, but when we compare the two, Yeti is much better as it is more present and natural. Aside from that, Blue Yeti picks up less background noise compared to the Blue Snowball mic.
Price
Price is always an important factor to consider when buying something, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Make sure you get the most out of your money.
Let’s see how these two USB mics stack up in terms of price.
Blue Snowball
This Blue Snowball mic costs $63 which is a very reasonable price for a microphone of its quality, so it’s definitely a good deal.
Its affordability makes it the perfect microphone for beginners since they won’t need to spend a lot of money and will still get an amazing microphone.
You’ll get a mic, a 6-foot USB cable, and a tripod stand for this price.
Get the best deal on the Blue Snowball here!
Blue Yeti
Winner: Blue Yeti
Here, Blue Yeti wins because it has a higher frequency response. It also has more polar patterns and capsules. However, the Blue Snowball USB microphone is slightly lighter than its competitor.
Design & Build Quality
Design and build quality are crucial factors to consider when choosing a microphone. Because if a mic is not well-built, it can break easily and you don’t want that.
Let’s see how these mics fare in terms of design and build quality.
Blue Snowball
Blue Snowball has a cute and adorable look, and its name explains its meaning as well. The Blue Snowball USB mic is round and sits on a small tripod stand.
It has a metallic white finish mixed with a shiny coating for the stand, making it beautiful, elegant, and sleek. In addition, its size makes it easy to pack or store and adds to its mobility.
Apart from this design, the mic is minimalist in terms of design. It doesn’t have a lot of buttons or complicated knobs to handle frequently. There is only one USB port on the device.
This minimalist microphone is easy to set up and great to use, but it doesn’t give you as much control. So, the choice depends on your personal preference between usability and control.
Furthermore, the USB mic has a switch for changing polar patterns. This switch comes with three numbers – 1,2, and 3, each representing a different polar pattern.

However, there’s no mark on the mic that indicates what each number stands for.
Therefore, you’ll have to either grab the manual for what each number means or experiment with each switch to find the right setting. It can be frustrating, especially if you do not use your mic very often.
There is only one minor downside to Blue Snowball, which is that it isn’t very stable, so you need to be extremely cautious around it since it is very easy to knock off.
However, if it falls, it might not get damaged because it’s quite sturdy.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti has a cool and retro look that is sleek and eye-catching. This mic comes in multiple color options, which is great if you want your mic to stand out or if you want it to match the aesthetic of your room.

The Blue Yeti USB microphone comes with a stable stand and no tripod stand, so it is much less likely to fall over, even for those prone to accidents.
The base is solid and circular, so it provides good stability to the product as a whole.
In terms of size, the Yeti is a lot bigger and heavier than the Snowball. It is actually three or four inches taller and does take up more space because of its stand.
In case its size bothers you, you can place it on a boom arm. That way allows you to get your mic out of the way when you don’t need it, and retrieve it quickly when you do.
One of the best things about the Yeti is that it gives users a lot of control. It comes equipped with controls for gain and volume, a polar pattern switch as well as a mute button.

It also has a zero-latency microphone output that lets you monitor your recording in real-time without any latency. This is an excellent feature to have if you want to hear what you’re recording as you’re recording it.
However, some users have complained that the knobs are rather wobbly. Be careful with the knobs if you use your Blue Yeti microphone frequently.
Winner: Blue Yeti
When it comes to design and build quality, the Blue Yeti takes the cake. The look and feel are more classy and premium. The Snowball, on the other hand, has a more basic design.
The Yeti is available in multiple colors, while the Snowball is only available in black and white. In addition, the Yeti has a more solid, durable stand and gives users more control over the device.
Don’t get us wrong, the Blue Snowball is also a great microphone. But it doesn’t have the same level of quality as the Yeti.
Setup & Compatibility
USB mics are quite easy to set up and use. However, there can be some compatibility issues depending on what devices you’re using.
Let’s see how these mics stack up in terms of setup and compatibility.
Blue Snowball
The Blue Snowball is a plug-and-play mic, so it’s very easy to set up. You just need to connect it to your computer via the USB port and you’re good to go. It’s compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Blue Yeti
Just like Blue Snowball, setting up Blue Yeti is hassle-free as this is plug-and-play. It’s compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 as well as with MacOS 10.10 or higher.
You can easily mount the USB-powered Yeti on a boom arm or place it on your desk. You should use shock mounts if you don’t want to cause interference from accidental microphone contact.
After setting up the Blue Yeti, you will speak directly in front of it instead of on top of it. That’s because this USB microphone’s diaphragms are placed forward, backward, and to the sides rather than upward, as is common with TV microphones.
Winner: Draw
Here, the winner is a tie. Both mics are very easy to set up and they are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Performance
This is where things get interesting. Both mics have great sound quality, but they excel in different areas.
Let’s see how these two condenser microphones perform in terms of audio quality!
Blue Snowball
A polar pattern is the most important feature of a microphone. A polar pattern refers to where the mic picks up sound from around the microphone.
The polar pattern also determines the sensitivity of the microphone.
Blue Snowball USB microphone offers three polar patterns.
Omnidirectional Polar Pattern
This mode picks up sounds from all directions simultaneously. It is ideal for recording a group of people. You can also choose the Omnidirectional mode for conference calls where quality is not critical.
Cardioid Polar Pattern
The cardioid pattern is the most popular polar pattern because it produces the best sound quality. It picks up sound from the front of the microphone and rejects noise from the sides and back. It’s excellent for vocals, podcasts, and voice-overs.
Cardioid -10DB Polar Pattern
This is the Cardioid pattern with ten decibels lower than a regular Cardioid. It’s best for recording musical instruments because it will pick up the sound evenly.

The Blue Snowball delivers a crisp and clear sound quality.
Compared to other mics in its price range, the Snowball offers outstanding performance. This Blue microphone will be a good choice for any aspiring who wants to record podcasts or youtube videos.
Having said that, it’s more like a high-end consumer microphone than a professional mic. Although it is great for its low price, it falls short of the Yeti.
Some users have reported problems with low-volume recording. Additionally, the mic also seems to be quite sensitive to background noise, especially in omnidirectional mode.
Fortunately, many users have found that their sound quality improves after they set up a pop filter. This is considered best practice, anyway.
So if you’re having trouble with your Snowball’s sound quality, be sure to try using a pop filter.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti microphone has four polar patterns, unlike Blue Snowball.
Two of them are the same (Omnidirectional pattern and Cardioid pattern) and have the same features as the Snowball mic, while the other two are unique to the Yeti.
The two that are unique to the Yeti are Bi-directional and Stereo polar patterns.
Bi-directional polar pattern
Bidirectional mode picks up sounds from both sides of the microphone (front and back). This is ideal for recording a conversation between two people like in an interview.
Stereo polar pattern
Stereo mode records sound from the left and right sides to create a more rich sound. This is perfect for recording music or musical instruments.

The audio quality of this Blue USB mic is extremely crisp and clear, and well-rounded.
It doesn’t just have a well-balanced sound, it also has fewer sound problems than other mics in its price range, such as less hissing, booming, and other noise frequencies.
As a result, the recording becomes smoother and more natural.
For podcasting, YouTube videos, or voiceovers, it is a better microphone than others in its price range.
The only downside to this USB microphone is that it tends to pick up a lot of background noise. But it’s not a deal-breaker because the mic does quite well in most areas.
Winner: Blue Yeti
When it comes to audio quality, Blue Yeti USB microphone takes the cake.
It’s a more versatile microphone and offers better sound, making it the better choice for professional recordings. Podcasters, YouTubers, and content creators should seriously consider it.
It does not mean Snowball is bad, but when we compare the two, Yeti is much better as it is more present and natural. Aside from that, Blue Yeti picks up less background noise compared to the Blue Snowball mic.
Price
Price is always an important factor to consider when buying something, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Make sure you get the most out of your money.
Let’s see how these two USB mics stack up in terms of price.
Blue Snowball

This Blue Snowball mic costs $63 which is a very reasonable price for a microphone of its quality, so it’s definitely a good deal.
Its affordability makes it the perfect microphone for beginners since they won’t need to spend a lot of money and will still get an amazing microphone.
You’ll get a mic, a 6-foot USB cable, and a tripod stand for this price.
Get the best deal on the Blue Snowball here!
Blue Yeti

Blue Yeti costs around $89. While it’s slightly more expensive than its competitor, the quality that you receive for that money is incredible.
This mic is worth the investment if you’re serious about audio quality and want a versatile microphone.
Get the best deal on the Blue Yeti here!
Winner: Blue Snowball
In terms of price, Blue Snowball wins. While both microphones are quite affordable, the Blue Snowball is slightly more affordable than the Blue Yeti.
However, considering features and sound quality, the Yeti is the better choice. If you’re on a budget, the Blue Snowball might be a good choice for you.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve done our comparison, it’s time to choose a winner between the two microphones.
To summarize our findings in this Blue Snowball vs Blue Yeti comparison, the following are the winners for each category:
- Main Specifications – Blue Yeti
- Design & Build Quality – Blue Yeti
- Setup & Connectivity – Draw
- Performance – Blue Yeti
- Price – Blue Snowball
So, the overall winner is…
Blue Yeti
Because it’s a more versatile microphone with better sound quality, a wide-range frequency response, a shock mount base, mute button, gain knob, and zero-latency monitoring. It’s also not that much more expensive.
The only reason to choose Snowball over Yeti is if you’re on the go a lot and need an affordable microphone that fits your needs.
Now I’d love to hear from you!
Have you used either of these microphones before? If so, please share your experience in the comments section.
Also, feel free to let us know if we have missed anything important in our comparison.