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MAONO PM401 Review | 76 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Connection type:USBTransducer type:electret condenserMax SPL:120 dB SPLSupported sample rates:192 kHzOutput connector type:USB

MAONO PM401 Review: Compare 76 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Microphones category and whether it is worth buying.

7.7

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the microphone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best microphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components

75%

7.4

Technical score

25%

8.7

User score

â–²Better than 82% of microphones
7.4

Technical score

Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

8.6

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

7.5

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

7.5

Design

3%

9.7

Accessories

â–²Better than 77% of microphones
8.7

User score

User score
8.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 69% of models
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

8.0

Number of reviews

Based on 1,202 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 69% of microphones
  • No image
No image

Best prices

    N/A~ £55

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of microphone MAONO PM401

Technical score
Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components:

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

8.6

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

7.5

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

7.5

Design

3%

9.7

Accessories

7.4
User score
User score
8.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 69% of models
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

8.0

Number of reviews

Based on 1,202 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.7
Popularity
Popularity
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Popularity:
MAONO PM401 has a popularity score of 8 points, which is higher than 70.9% of microphones.
8.0
Value for money
Value for money
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the microphone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a microphone with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 83% of models
Score components:

60%

7.7

Overall score

40%

10

Price

8.4
Microphone type
studio
Transducer type
electret condenser
Diaphragm size
16 mm
Capsule type
single
Sensitivity
-38 dBV/Pa
Show more
Connection type
USB
Output connector type
USB
Headphone output
yes
Headphone output
yes
â–² Better than 38% of models
This microphone includes a headphone output. 62.3% of microphones include this output.
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
â–² Better than 37% of models
This microphone includes a 3.5 mm jack. 62.8% of microphones include this connector.
3.5 mm jack for zero-latency monitoring.
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not include a 6.35 mm jack. 2% of microphones include this connector.
Show more
Supported sample rates
192 kHz
Supported bit depths
24 bit
Audio interface sample rate
192 kHz
Audio interface sample rate
192 kHz
â–² Better than 83% of models
Market range: <48 kHz – >192 kHz
This microphone supports an interface sample rate of 192 kHz which is higher than that of 83% of microphones and equal to that of 17% of microphones.
Audio interface bit depth
24 bit
Audio interface bit depth
24 bit
â–² Better than 42% of models
Market range: <16 bit – >24 bit
This microphone supports an interface bit depth of 24 bit which is higher than that of 42.1% of microphones and equal to that of 56.7% of microphones.
Signal-to-noise ratio (DAC)
?
Show more
N. of polar patterns
1
N. of polar patterns
1
â–¼ Worse than 25% of models
Market range: <1 – >4
The number of selectable polar patterns offered by this microphone is 1, which is lower than that of 24.6% of microphones and equal to that of 75.4% of microphones.
Cardioid pattern
yes
Cardioid pattern
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This microphone supports a cardioid pickup pattern. 91% of microphones support this pattern.
Omnidirectional pattern
no
Omnidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support an omnidirectional pickup pattern. 26.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Hypercardioid pattern
no
Hypercardioid pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not support a hypercardioid pickup pattern. 1.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Bidirectional pattern
no
Bidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
This microphone does not support a bidirectional pickup pattern. 17.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Mute function
yes
Mute function
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This microphone includes a mute function. 67.8% of microphones include this control.
Onboard gain control
yes
Onboard gain control
yes
â–² Better than 49% of models
This microphone includes onboard gain control. 50.8% of microphones include this control.
Volume control levels
0
Volume control levels
0
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This microphone offers volume output of 0 which is lower than that of 65.7% of microphones and equal to that of 34.3% of microphones.
Flat DSP mode
no
Flat DSP mode
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support a flat DSP mode. 25.6% of microphones offer this processing option.
DSP presets
0
DSP presets
0
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
Market range: <0 – >3
This microphone offers 0 DSP presets, which is fewer than 16.6% of microphones and equal to 83.4% of microphones.
Show more
Phantom power required
no
Phantom power required
no
â–² Better than 10% of models
This microphone does not require phantom power. 90.5% of microphones also operate without phantom power.
Phantom power voltage
N/A
USB bus-powered
yes
USB bus-powered
yes
â–² Better than 14% of models
This microphone supports USB bus power. 85.9% of microphones support USB-powered operation.
Battery life
N/A
Height
170 mm
Height
170 mm
â–² Better than 61% of models
Market range: <130 mm – >252.8 mm
This microphone is 170 mm tall, which is shorter than 61% of microphones and equal in height to 3.1% of microphones.
Width
52 mm
Width
52 mm
â–² Better than 66% of models
Market range: <48 mm – >109 mm
This microphone is 52 mm wide, which is narrower than 65.6% of microphones and equal in width to 6.2% of microphones.
Thickness
52 mm
Thickness
52 mm
â–² Better than 62% of models
Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
This microphone is 52 mm thick, which is thinner than 62.1% of microphones and equal in thickness to 6.8% of microphones.
Weight
?
Body material
aluminum
Show more
Included accessories
boom arm; desk clamp; shock mount; pop filter; windscreen; cable
Shock mount included
yes
Shock mount included
yes
â–² Better than 51% of models
This microphone includes a shock mount. 49.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Pop filter included
yes
Pop filter included
yes
â–² Better than 40% of models
This microphone includes a pop filter. 60.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Windscreen included
yes
Windscreen included
yes
â–² Better than 69% of models
This microphone includes a windscreen. 31.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Cable length
?
Android compatibility
yes
Android compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 34% of models
This microphone is compatible with Android. 65.8% of microphones are compatible with Android.
iOS compatibility
yes
iOS compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 39% of models
This microphone is compatible with iOS. 61.3% of microphones are compatible with iOS.
Windows compatibility
yes
Windows compatibility
yes
Category Benchmark
This microphone is compatible with Windows. 100% of microphones are compatible with Windows.
macOS compatibility
yes
macOS compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 1% of models
This microphone is compatible with macOS. 99.5% of microphones are compatible with macOS.
Xbox compatibility
no
Xbox compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone is not compatible with Xbox. 1.5% of microphones are compatible with Xbox.
Show more

MAONO PM401 vs the average microphone

246810TotalAudio PerformanceConnectivityRecordingPickup PatternsControls & FeaturesPowerDesignAccessoriesCompatibility
  • 144 kHz higher interface sample rate
    Audio interface sample rate
    192 kHz
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <48 kHz – >192 kHz
    This microphone supports a higher audio interface sample rate than the average microphone (192 kHz vs 48 kHz). The average microphone audio interface supports 48 kHz.
    192 kHz vs 48 kHz
  • Supports loopback audio
    Loopback support
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This microphone supports loopback audio, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes windscreen
    Windscreen included
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This microphone includes a windscreen, the average microphone does not.
  • 5.9% better value for money
    MAONO PM401 has a higher value-for-money score than the average microphone (8.41 vs 7.9).
    8.41 vs 7.94
  • 5.9% better value for money
    MAONO PM401 has a higher value-for-money score than the average microphone (8.41 vs 7.9).
    8.41 vs 7.94
  • 144 kHz higher interface sample rate
    Audio interface sample rate
    192 kHz
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <48 kHz – >192 kHz
    This microphone supports a higher audio interface sample rate than the average microphone (192 kHz vs 48 kHz). The average microphone audio interface supports 48 kHz.
    192 kHz vs 48 kHz
  • Supports loopback audio
    Loopback support
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This microphone supports loopback audio, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes windscreen
    Windscreen included
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This microphone includes a windscreen, the average microphone does not.
  • 4,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    16,000 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    Market range: <15k Hz – >20k Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (16000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 dB SPL lower limit
    Max SPL
    120 dB SPL
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <110 dB SPL – >140 dB SPL
    This microphone has a lower max SPL than the average microphone (120 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL
  • 4,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    16,000 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    Market range: <15k Hz – >20k Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (16000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 dB SPL lower limit
    Max SPL
    120 dB SPL
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <110 dB SPL – >140 dB SPL
    This microphone has a lower max SPL than the average microphone (120 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

E
evanjdesilva.com
22/10/2020
Summary of the review
Evan Reviews: MAONO AU-PM401 Microphone
O
obli.net
15/05/2020
Summary of the review
Maono PM421 USB Microphone Set Review (Includes Details on the PM401 Series)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,202 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about MAONO PM401

  • Excellent value for the price
  • High-quality, clear, and professional sound for a USB microphone
  • Zero-latency monitoring through the built-in 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Convenient physical one-touch mute button with LED indicator
  • Sturdy metal build quality
  • Easy plug-and-play setup with no drivers required
  • Includes a complete starter kit with a boom arm, shock mount, and pop filter
  • High sampling rate (192kHz/24-bit) for detailed audio capture

What we don't like about MAONO PM401

  • Lacks a physical gain control knob on the microphone body
  • No official dedicated software for advanced audio customization
  • Cardioid-only pattern makes it less versatile for group recordings
  • May struggle with loud, percussive instruments or hard guitar strumming
  • Included boom arm can be squeaky or feel less premium than the mic itself
  • Not compatible with Xbox consoles

Verdict

The Maono AU-PM401 is a professional-grade USB condenser microphone featuring a 16mm electret transducer and a cardioid polar pattern designed to capture clear audio while minimizing background noise. It delivers high-resolution sound with a 192kHz/24-bit sampling rate and a frequency response of 20Hz to 16kHz (up to 20kHz according to some specifications), supported by a solid signal-to-noise ratio of 70dB and a maximum SPL of 120dB. Key advantages include its plug-and-play simplicity, a one-touch mute button with a dual-color LED status indicator, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring. However, users should note that the unit lacks a dedicated onboard gain control knob, and it is not compatible with Xbox consoles.

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