Your microphone is the most important factor in transcription accuracy. A $30 investment in the right mic can improve your results more than any software upgrade.
Why Microphone Quality Matters
Speech recognition AI is trained on clean audio. Background noise, echo, and poor frequency response all degrade accuracy. The right microphone captures your voice clearly while rejecting ambient sound.
Best Options by Category
Wireless Earbuds
- AirPods Pro 2: Excellent noise isolation, consistent mic positioning, great for mobile dictation
- Sony WF-1000XM5: Superior noise cancellation, clear voice capture
USB Headsets
- Jabra Evolve2 75: Professional-grade, noise-canceling boom mic
- Logitech Zone Vibe: Comfortable for long sessions, good value
Desktop Microphones
- Blue Yeti Nano: Cardioid pattern rejects background noise
- Elgato Wave:3: Built-in pop filter, excellent for voice
Our Recommendation
For most people, AirPods Pro offer the best balance of convenience and quality. They're always with you, position consistently, and provide excellent noise isolation. For desk-based work, a USB headset gives you the best accuracy.
Pair with Sotto
Any microphone works with Sotto. Our local Whisper processing handles varying audio quality gracefully. $29 one-time.
Get Sotto