Audio-Technica AT2020

This was the first condenser microphone I ever purchased- about 9 years ago, and have been using it since. Recorded a few albums and other projects with it, and it still works great and is the workhorse of my home studio. A few months ago I decided to buy another one to be able to record in stereo.
1. Build quality is great. Sturdy. After 9 years the mount still holds firmly and the cable insert is as tight as ever.
2. Features. Not much options here, simple cardioid polar pattern without any padding or filter switches. At the price it's okay though. Also, less stuff to get ruined. And if this is your first mic it's a great learning tool for mic placement and stuff.
3. Handling. I don't really like the mount, it's not very practical, a bit tricky to get the mic in good position. But once it's there it holds firmly so it does the job I guess. A separate shock mount might be a good investment.
4. Sound. I haven't really used better quality mics on a regular basis so I don't have much to compare it to but so far I managed to get nice results with it. Very versatile if you play around with placement. Very nice clean sound, but can be a bit flat and thin while being low mid heavy at the same time if you don't bother with correct positioning. I recorded countless instruments with it, made recordings of 50+ tracks with only this mic and had pleasing results. Great for drum overheads as well, I also tried it as a wurst mic and does a surprisingly good job at it.
5. All in all this is an excellent first choice for the home studio and can be your main mic for years. I think it is great value for the money and upgrading would only be a noticable plus if you bought stuff around 3-4× the price of this.

I have used this on main vocals and also as an overhead on drums. The result is way more then i expected.
The clarity with this so good it made me hear things i never heard before with a regular microphone.

There is no pro or con with this. if you are looking for a microphone to have at hand then go for this one.
The 2020 is a really good starter microphone

its so good Billie Eilish's vocals for “Ocean Eyes,” “Six Feet Under” and “Bellyache,” were recorded with the 2020.
It proves you dont need to go big to achieve a great result.
So there is your answer in itself that this microphone is worth it
10/10

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is one of the most popular entry-level condenser microphones for a reason. It delivers impressive sound quality, solid build, and professional performance at an affordable price point.

🎤 Sound Quality

The AT2020 offers a clear, detailed, and natural sound. Its cardioid polar pattern does a great job isolating the voice from background noise, making it ideal for vocals, podcasting, voice-over, and even acoustic instruments. The mic has a slightly bright character, which helps vocals cut through a mix without sounding harsh. While it lacks the warmth of higher-end large diaphragm condensers, its transparency makes it extremely versatile.

Build and Design

Built with a rugged metal body and sturdy grille, the AT2020 feels durable and professional. It’s lightweight enough for a boom arm setup and compact enough to fit any recording space. There are no onboard switches or pads it’s designed to keep things simple and focus purely on clean audio capture.

Usability

The mic requires 48V phantom power, which most audio interfaces provide. It doesn’t include a shock mount or pop filter out of the box, but Audio-Technica’s own accessories or third-party options fit perfectly. When paired with a decent preamp, the noise floor is low, and the clarity is impressive for this price range.

Overall Impression

The AT2020 is an excellent choice for beginners stepping into the world of studio recording or content creation. It’s a reliable, well-balanced condenser mic that punches above its price class. You can find more expensive microphones, but few offer this level of consistency and quality for under $100.

This is the first microphone that I bought for my home recording sessions as per recommendations from a friend of mine who works as a professional sound engineer. Great microphone for its price.

Great low and high frequencies, but maybe falls a bit short in regards to the mid frequencies. Have been using it to record vocals, different types of sound samples (finger snaps, claps, etc.) as well as acoustic guitars, which sound great through this microphone. Some of the recorded home samples with this microphone have been used later in professionally recorded songs, so you are definitely looking at a great quality, affordable microphone.

Well built, feels strong and durable. Have been using it for more than a year now and have traveled with it for a bit and can't report any issues or damage to the exterior. Does have a good weight which in turn provides steadiness when attached to a microphone stand.

If you are looking for a great microphone to start of with and don't want to bust your bank, I highly recommend getting this microphone. Even though I think it lacks a bit in regards to mid frequencies, other than that this is a great choice.

I work in a school music dept and we have bought plenty of these. They are the perfect balance of quality, cost and durability.
Honestly, if they stand up to several years life in a busy school music department, you will never, ever break one in normal use at home or in a studio where you actually look after kit rather than tripping over it and throwing it at each other. The build quality is great and the sound is great, we have a set of four paired with an Octopre and they are really clean sounding and versatile.
Also great for ambient mics for streaming, wide ambient mics for choirs and orchestral performances.