There are hundreds of microphones in the marketplace all suggesting that they are the perfect microphone for you. For this discussion, let's not look at any microphones that are over much over $100 and focus on those that have become industry standards. (I'm not including many USB microphones, because, with a few exceptions listed here, I don't believe that they always offer enough flexibility and bang for the buck. Also, many microphones come with a model that has a switch built into them. DO NOT BUY THE MODEL WITH A BUILT IN SWITCH. At some point, it will bite you.

CONNECTORS
All professional microphones have an XLR male connector.
USB Microphones have a USB Connector and interface directly to many input devices.

BASIC TYPES OF MICROPHONES
Microphones can be separated into 3 general groups.
1) Those that require a power source to operate. They must either be externally powered by the phantom power on your mixer or audio interface, (Condenser microphones and some Electret microphones) or powered by a battery pack (some Electret microphones and some wireless microphones).
2) Those that do not require a power source to operate (Dynamic microphones)
3) USB Microphones that interface directly to many input devices.

The next thing that separates microphones is their polar pattern. This measures how well the microphone “hears“ sound from different directions. The most common types of directionality are: Omnidirectional (Hears equally well in all directions), and Cardioid (Hears mostly from the front of the microphone, and very poorly from the side and back) and Figure 8 (Hears equally well from 2 opposite sides of the microphone).

For most uses, I would recommend Dynamic Cardioid pattern microphones (an exception are the USB microphones listed under USB microphones). Dynamic microphones are rugged, they are not super sensitive to very loud sounds, they don't require external power, and there are many in our price range that sound great.

If you already have a microphone that you are happy with, then don't go out and buy as new one, just because it's on my list. Just use yours (with appropriate adapters if necessary) and have at it, otherwise, choose the FAQ that best suits your needs for some recommendations.

GOING FURTHER

USB STUDIO QUALITY LARGE DIAPHRAGM CONDENSER MICROPHONE

USB MICROPHONE FOR VOICE PRESENTATIONS, INTERVIEWS, READINGS, ETC.

GENERAL PURPOSE MICROPHONES (Vocals, Wind and string instruments, acoustic guitar, spoken word)

DRUM MICROPHONES

ACOUSTIC PIANO MICROPHONES

BRASS INSTRUMENT MICROPHONES

MICROPHONE STANDS

MICROPHONE CABLES

MICROPHONE PLACEMENT