Neck-and-neck with the Samson Q2U as Reddit's go-to beginner recommendation. Dual USB/XLR connectivity and solid build quality make it a reliable first mic under $100.
The ATR2100x and the Q2U are basically tied in community recommendations — if the Q2U is out of stock or you prefer Audio-Technica's build quality, this is the same answer.
“Samson Q2u or Audio-Technica ATR2100x. Both are USB or XLR so you can move to a dedicated interface later if you like.”
