Back in 2019, the Blue Snowball was used by 9% of podcasters, making it the second most popular podcasting mic in our Podcast Equipment Survey that year.

Five years later, in our 2024 Gear Survey, only 1% of podcasters reported using the Snowball. To add insult to injury, it was also the second most “replaced” mic, with more than 7% of respondents choosing to ditch it for something else.

So, what happened? And if you were thinking of buying one, should this set alarm bells ringing? All will be answered in this newly updated Blue Snowball review.

This Blue Snowball review uses some affiliate links to help support all our free content, though rest assured, affiliates never prevent us from being honest. If they did, I wouldn’t advise you not to buy one.

Whatever Happened to the Blue Snowball?

The unexciting truth is… nothing, really. But maybe that’s part of the issue.

In the past five years, a lot of brilliant audio equipment has been released. There are many more USB mic options, not to mention podcast-specific recorders, too.

The Blue Snowball has always been a limited entry-level mic, and now there is an abundance of entry-level mics that are, to be frank, just better.

If you’re still on the fence about getting one, though, let’s crack on with this Blue Snowball review and find out more about the little fellow.

Blue Snowball Vs Blue Snowball iCE

There’s a more basic version of the Snowball called the iCE. It’s cheaper, and the only real difference is that it has a Cardioid polar pattern, whereas the “proper” Snowball has both Cardioid and Omnidirectional.

Polar Patterns are settings that determine where the mic “hears” sound. Cardioid means solo use, while Omnidirectional picks up sound from all directions equally.

In theory, an Omnidirectional polar pattern is suitable for getting multiple folks around the same mic. In practice, this never sounds good – not with the Snowball or any other mic. If you must buy a Snowball, save yourself some extra money and opt for the iCE.

The Blue Snowball’s Major Flaw

But before you buy a Blue Snowball, iCE or otherwise, you should be aware that neither has a headphone jack, and that’s a major dealbreaker for me.

It’s tricky to actively monitor yourself if you can’t plug headphones into a mic or interface, which means any audio issues won’t be picked up until it’s too late.

Yes, you can set up a workaround to hear yourself coming back through the computer’s audio output, but that almost always introduces latency. Any delay in hearing your own voice, no matter how many milliseconds, is hugely offputting.

Other Shortcomings of the Blue Snowball

There are a couple of other features lacking from the Blue Snowball that might put you off altogether:

No Gain Dial: If you want to adjust your input recording levels, you’ll have to do so on your computer or software.

No Mute Button: You’ll also be reliant on software to mute your recording, at any point.

Does the Blue Snowball Sound Good?

It can sound okay. I know, high praise, eh? But like any other mic, you can get decent results if you practice good mic technique and record in a treated space.

My sound sample was recorded for our original Blue Snowball review back in 2016. I summarised it as “a great option if you’re a total beginner,” though I would disagree now. There are just so many better entry-level options on the market.

Pete Lutz of Pulp-Pourri Theatre was also kind enough to send over a sound sample, as I was using the iCE model. He seemed to like the Snowball and was creating some well-produced stuff, so all power to him.

How Much Does the Blue Snowball Cost?

It’s almost exclusively the iCE model you see for sale, these days. Remember, all the original really offers that’s any different is an Omnidirectional polar pattern option, and I’d never recommend using that anyway.

A new Blue Snowball iCE will cost between $35 and $50, depending on the deals available. You can also pick up a refurbished Blue Snowball iCE on Amazon for little more than $20!

But even if you think the audio quality will be more than good enough for your needs, the lack of a headphone jack should still give you cause for concern. I’ll cover some Blue Snowball alternatives in a moment. First, though…

Are There Any Positives of the Blue Snowball?

It’s a nice-looking little mic that’s quick and easy to set up. It’s robust and durable, which can’t be said for many other Condenser mics.

The Blue Snowball also won’t break the bank, so it isn’t a risky investment. Though, again, I think you’ll get better value for money elsewhere.

There’s a more “woolly” positive to the Blue Snowball, too, in that it has enabled so many people to easily start podcasting for almost two decades. Its popularity might be seriously on the wane, but it has a legacy perhaps only rivalled by the Blue Yeti.

Speaking of which…

Blue Snowball Vs Blue Yeti

The Yeti is Snowball’s big cousin, and both have lived under the Logitech brand since their 2018 acquisition of Blue.

And while you might find the Blue Snowball drinking bourbon in a backstreet bar and muttering “I used to be someone” to anyone within earshot, the Blue Yeti is still very much living a champagne and limo lifestyle.

The Yeti remains the most popular mic in podcasting, and quite comfortably at that, though I still don’t think it’s by any means the best. The Yeti has its own flaws, which I’ve covered in our Blue Yeti review, but it outdoes the Snowball consistently across the board:

Multiple Polar Patterns (we’ll ignore the fact that none, other than Cardioid, are of any use).

On-board Mute button and Gain dial.

Headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring.

Wider Frequency Response: Yeti (20Hz – 20Hz) Vs Snowball (40Hz – 18Hz).

Higher Sample Rate option of 48kHz

The Yeti is more expensive at around $100, but just because it’s a more impressive specimen than the Snowball doesn’t mean it’s your guy. The Snowball is a much-replaced mic at 7.3%, but 12.5% of podcasters have decided to trade in their Yeti and find something better.

Blue Snowball Alternatives

If you spotted the Samson Q2U up there as the second most popular podcasting mic, you might wonder if it’s a worthy Blue Snowball alternative.

The short answer is “Yes.”

At around $70, the Q2U doesn’t cost much more than a brand-new Snowball, and is cheaper than the Yeti. It sounds better than both, and works in USB and XLR form, meaning you don’t necessarily need a computer to record with it.

The Samson Q2U is undoubtedly our most recommended mic for new and early-stage podcasters, and we still regularly use them ourselves, too.

If the Q2U has your attention, but you’d still like to shop around, check out our Best Budget Mics guide. There, you’ll find two more alternatives to the Blue Snowball: the ATR2100 and the Maono AU-HD300T.

Summary: Blue Snowball Review

The Blue Snowball can be proud of its prominent role in podcasting history. Over the past two decades, it has made audio recording accessible to countless creators.

It has always been a limited entry-level mic, but a combination of great marketing and lack of competition helped it become one of the most popular mics in the medium.

It’s hard to make an argument for buying one in 2024, and thus, I haven’t. I can live without a Gain dial or Mute button on a mic, but no headphone jack is a real problem. Even if the audio sounded incredible – and it obviously doesn’t – then that would be a dealbreaker.

But, if you already own a Snowball or have recently picked one up, I’m not saying you should replace it right away. Your podcast won’t live or die based on your gear, so focus on building a recording routine and publishing consistent quality content. Once you know you’re in this for the long haul, you might look at upgrading to something more professional.

If you’d like more help with launching or growing your podcast, then be sure to drop by The Podcraft Academy. There, you’ll find in-depth courses on everything from starting a show and editing audio, to promotion, marketing, monetisation, and beyond. We also have a bunch of downloadable resources and checklists and run weekly live Q&A sessions, too. Whether you’re using a Blue Snowball or a Neumann U87, we’ll arm you with the tools and tactics to keep on going.