Fifine AM8 vs Samson Q2U: which budget USB/XLR mic should you buy?
Updated 15 October 2026 · Prices checked July–October 2026 and they change often
These two mics come up in almost every "first streaming mic" thread, and for good reason. Both are cardioid dynamic mics, both have USB and XLR outputs, both have a headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring, and both cost well under $100. That makes the choice harder, not easier.
Short answer: pick the Fifine AM8 if you want a desk mic with on-body controls (gain, mute, RGB) for the lowest price. Pick the Samson Q2U if you want the more complete box (an XLR cable is included), a longer track record with reviewers, and you're happy with a handheld-style mic and fewer controls.
Spec comparison
| Fifine AmpliGame AM8 | Samson Q2U | |
|---|---|---|
| Type / pattern | Dynamic, cardioid | Dynamic, cardioid |
| Outputs | USB-C + XLR, 3.5 mm headphone | USB-C (current units; older stock is mini-USB) + XLR, 3.5 mm headphone |
| USB resolution | 16-bit / 44.1–48 kHz | Up to 16-bit / 44.1–48 kHz |
| Frequency response | 50 Hz–16 kHz | 50 Hz–15 kHz |
| Sensitivity | −50 ±3 dB (reference not stated) | −54 dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | Not confirmed in sources we could check | 148 dB SPL |
| Signal-to-noise | >80 dB | Not listed |
| On-body controls | Gain knob, headphone volume, tap-to-mute, RGB ring (can be switched off) | On/off switch, headphone volume |
| In the box (base version) | Mic, metal desk stand, USB-C to USB-A cable (~2 m). No XLR cable. | Mic, clip, desktop tripod + extension, foam windscreen, USB cable (2.25 m), XLR cable (3 m) |
| Approx. US price* | $57.99 at Fifine's store | $99.99 list; about $80 at Amazon in July–Aug 2026 |
*Prices from the manufacturer's store, retailers and price trackers (see sources). Check the live price before you buy. The two sensitivity figures may not use the same reference, so don't read too much into the 4 dB gap.
Where the Fifine AM8 wins
Fifine AmpliGame AM8
- Price. At about $58 direct from Fifine, it's roughly $20–40 cheaper than the Q2U, depending on where the Samson is on sale.
- Controls on the mic. You get a gain knob, a headphone volume knob and a tap-to-mute, so you don't have to open software to adjust levels mid-stream. The Q2U has only an on/off switch and a headphone level.
- Built for a desk. It ships with a weighted metal base and is shaped like a broadcast-style desk mic. APH Networks listed the sturdy, grippy base among its pros.
- What reviewers found. APH Networks (7.5/10) said it "picked up my voice clearly and cleanly in a natural manner" and was "able to reject plosives with its wind screen and reduced background noises." Podcastage heard it as "slightly V-shaped", meaning the bass and treble a little forward of the mids, and said it "sounds pretty darn good especially considering the price."
Keep in mind: Podcastage only "kind of" recommends it because the mount makes the mic "very floppy", so plan on a boom arm or Fifine's bundle that includes one. APH found the mute indicator hard to see, and that the lights and buttons don't work over XLR. The base version doesn't include an XLR cable (Fifine sells an "AM8PLUS" option with one).
Where the Samson Q2U wins
Samson Q2U
- Everything for XLR is in the box. The pack includes a 3 m XLR cable as well as the USB cable, a clip, a tripod and a windscreen. If you add an audio interface later, you don't need to buy anything else.
- Track record. It's been a budget podcasting staple for years. Homebrew Audio compared it with a Shure SM58 and judged its sound "on a par with" the SM58, calling it the "biggest bang-for-the-buck" of any mic they'd reviewed.
- Quieter over XLR. In the same test, the Q2U had "much MUCH less background hiss" than Samson's cheaper Q1U over USB, and "even less" over XLR, about level with the SM58.
- Higher rated max SPL. Samson rates it at 148 dB SPL, so it won't distort if you shout.
Keep in mind: Homebrew Audio found it "extremely sensitive to p-pops", so use the included foam windscreen or a pop filter. It's a handheld-style mic on a small tripod, so like the AM8 you'll probably want a boom arm for streaming. The USB output tops out at 16-bit, the same as the AM8. Samson's current spec sheet lists USB-C, but older units still on sale use mini-USB, so check the listing photos if that matters to you.
Which one fits you?
- Gaming or streaming at a desk, tight budget: Fifine AM8. The on-body gain and mute are genuinely useful mid-game, and you save $20 or more.
- Podcasting, voice-over, or planning to add an audio interface: Samson Q2U. The XLR cable is included, and the most detailed hands-on test we found rated its XLR noise level as close to an SM58's.
- You want RGB that matches your setup: AM8. You can also switch it off.
- You'll mostly run XLR: it's close, but note that the AM8's mute, gain and lights stop working over XLR, so the Q2U loses less in that mode.
If neither feels right, our full guide to the best USB microphones for small YouTubers compares six mics, including condenser options for quiet rooms.
Setup tips that apply to both
- Speak close. Dynamic mics need you about a hand's width away. Further back and you'll be turning the gain up into the noise floor.
- Use the windscreen. Both reviews flagged plosives (p-pops). A foam cover or pop filter is cheap insurance.
- Set gain so loud moments peak around −10 to −6 dB in OBS or your recorder.
- Get it off the desk. A boom arm cuts keyboard thumps and lets you position the mic properly. Both stock stands have drawbacks.
Sources
- Fifine AmpliGame AM8 product page (price $57.99, bundle options incl. AM8PLUS with XLR cable): fifinemicrophone.com, checked 15 Oct 2026
- AM8 manufacturer specs, box contents and review (Sept 2023, 7.5/10): APH Networks, conclusion
- AM8 spec listing: MaxGaming (US)
- AM8 review and sound impressions: Podcastage
- Samson Q2U specs and pack contents: samsontech.com, checked 15 Oct 2026
- Q2U hands-on comparison with Q1U and Shure SM58 (updated July 2025): Homebrew Audio
- Q2U prices: Equipboard (Amazon $79.99, Aug 2026), CamelCamelCamel (July–Aug 2026), Sam Ash ($99.99)
- Q2U USB-C revision: Buzzsprout, Sweetwater