The complete guide
Is this an upgrade mic, or a first mic — and how to tell the difference: the Superlux E205U
Not every microphone in a catalogue like this is aimed at the same buyer, and it is worth being honest about where the Superlux E205U sits: as a first microphone for someone starting from a laptop mic or headset, or as a deliberate upgrade for someone who has already outgrown an entry-level unit.
On the Superlux E205U specifically, Superlux states: For home recording applications; Polar pattern: Cardioid; Frequency range: 30 - 18.000 Hz. At £39.99 it sits in the entry-level tier of this catalogue, and those specific figures (not just the USB connection type) are what should decide whether it fits your setup over another Superlux model or a different brand at a similar price.
At £39.99, the signals to look for are the connection type and the stated specifications: a straightforward USB connection with a single polar pattern option generally signals a first-mic design built for simplicity, while additional controls — gain dials, headphone monitoring, switchable patterns — signal a mic aimed at someone who already knows what they're listening for.
If you are upgrading from an existing microphone, the honest test is a side-by-side recording of the same few sentences on both, played back on headphones. The difference is usually more audible in background noise rejection and low-end warmth than in raw "loudness", which is the part an upgrade is actually solving for.
If you are buying your first dedicated microphone, don't over-think this decision: the Superlux E205U's core specification (see below) is enough to comfortably outperform a laptop or headset mic, and the more advanced upgrade decisions can wait until you know specifically what you'd want to change.