What’s the greatest gaming microphone? Whether or not you are streaming, recording a podcast, or need everybody to remark in your velvety voice when enjoying the most effective multiplayer video games, we have tried and examined the highest gaming mics for each price range. A gaming microphone is a superb improve for players desirous to do residence recording or recreation streaming.
Our best choice total proper now’s the Elgato Wave:3 because it combines prime sound high quality with a compact design and handy controls. The Blue Yeti, in the meantime, is essentially the most versatile possibility, helpful for streaming, podcasting, music recording, and extra. For hundreds extra selections, take a look at the checklist beneath, and you may as well discover recommendation on how to decide on the most effective gaming microphone in your wants and solutions to your gaming microphone incessantly requested questions (FAQs).
Why you possibly can belief our recommendation ✔ At , our consultants spend hours testing {hardware} and reviewing video games and VPNs. We share sincere, unbiased opinions that can assist you purchase the most effective. Discover out how we take a look at.
Finest gaming microphones:
Elgato Wave:3
Finest gaming microphone total
Elgato Wave:3 specs:Pattern price | 48 / 96kHz |
Bit price | 24-bit |
Frequency response | 70Hz – 20kHz |
Polar patterns | Cardioid |
Connectivity | USB-C |
Professionals- Clear, clear output
- Built-in stand and pop protect
- Nice software program
Cons- Wave Hyperlink software program will be finicky
- Awkward mute button placement
- Costly
The Elgato Wave:3 is our best choice of gaming microphone for many players and streamers due to its mixture of compact measurement, fashionable design, simply sufficient helpful options, and nice sound high quality. It is not essentially the most characteristic wealthy, the very best-sounding, or the most affordable, nevertheless it’s the correct steadiness for many.
At simply 153 x 66 x 40mm, the Wave:3 is de facto compact and features a compact U-shaped pivot mount that is simple to suit to microphone arms. You may also purchase a petite clip-on pop protect and a compact anti-shock mount for a extremely tidy setup.
A touch-sensitive mic mute button sits on the highest of the mic and there is a multi-function dial on the entrance. This controls headphone quantity (from the headphone output jack), mic degree, and the combination of the mic audio and the audio out of your PC (i.e. your recreation).
You aren’t getting a number of pickup patterns (simply cardioid) or further connections (simply USB-C) however that is all most players and streamers will want. Provided that you are stepping as much as a wider vary of residence recording may you require extra. In the meantime, sound high quality is excellent, with nice readability and depth.
The Elgato Wave:3 is not precisely low-cost at round $130 nevertheless it gives first rate worth.
Learn our Elgato Wave:3 overview.
Blue Yeti
Finest microphone for recording
Blue Yeti specs:Pattern price | 48kHz |
Bit price | 24-bit |
Frequency response | 15 Hz – 22 kHz |
Polar patterns | Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo |
Connectivity | USB, 3.5mm jack |
Professionals- Wonderful sound high quality
- Traditional design
- A number of polar patterns
Cons- Fastened mic stand
- No XLR assist
The Blue Yeti has been round for ages and stays some of the common USB microphone choices round due to its unimaginable versatility, sturdy construct, and stable sound high quality.
Mainly, it is this microphone’s skill to supply cardioid, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional pickups patterns from its three condenser capsules that makes it stand out. This mix of patterns means you possibly can stream and report your voice at residence with the cardioid sample, report a face-to-face podcast with the bidirectional sample, or take within the ambient stereo sound of a live performance with the stereo sample, all from one mic.
All this versatility does come at a worth, although, which is bulk. This can be a giant and heavy microphone with a very cumbersome stand, although the stand does not less than increase this microphone increased than most – it sits at a helpful practically 30cm top off your desk, in comparison with half that for many USB mics.
Blue used to supply the Blue Yeti professional that embrace an XLR output too however now it is USB solely, although you continue to get a headphone output with dedicate headphone quantity management, together with the mic degree and pickup sample controls.
One factor to notice is that Blue is now owned by Logitech, so the Blue Yeti is clumsily often called the Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti, and you will find it beneath the Logitech G part of Logitech’s web site. That is why you additionally get merchandise just like the Logitech G Yeti GX beneath – it hasn’t been the best-handled rebranding of all time. Fortunately, although, the Blue Yeti stays a incredible purchase that is beautiful worth for the flexibility it gives.
Learn our Blue Yeti overview.
Razer Seiren V2 Professional
Finest all-in-one gaming microphone
Razer Seiren V2 Professional specs:Pattern price | 96kHz |
Bit price | 24-bit |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
Polar patterns | Cardioid |
Connectivity | USB |
Professionals- Clear, clear sign
- Refined, understated styling
- 96kHz, 24-bit audio
Cons- No Pop filter
- Complicated Stream Mixer software program
- No increase arm
On the floor, the Razer Seiren V2 Professional gives a really related core set of options to the Elgato Wave:3. It has a single pickup sample mic with a {hardware} achieve/degree management, an in-built headphone amp with quantity management, and a mic mute button. Nevertheless, Razer’s possibility is just a little cheaper, just a little bigger, and incorporates a couple of further options.
These options are that the microphone is internally mounted on a shock-absorbing mount and hidden behind a pop-reduced cowl. In apply, neither of those are as achieved because the sold-separately pop protect and anti-shock mount of the Elgato Wave:3 however they do assist scale back the affect of you knocking your desk or respiratory too closely into the mic. Contemplating the Seiren V2 Professional is simply $109 proper now, that is an excellent mixture for the worth.
An attention-grabbing side of this mannequin is that’s makes use of a dynamic microphone, somewhat than a condenser. This implies this mic has a barely hotter, much less crisp sound than some others nevertheless it copes very well with loud screams. So, should you’re a… let’s say “energetic” gamer, this could possibly be the mic for y0u.
Learn our Razer Seiren V2 Professional overview.
Logitech G Yeti GX
Finest small gaming microphone
Logitech G Yeti GX specs:Pattern price | 24bit / 96KHz |
Frequency response | 60Hz – 18.5kHz |
Polar patterns | Supercardioid |
Connector | USB-C to USB-A |
Professionals- Compact design
- Customizable ring of RGB lighting
- Distinctive desktop stand
Cons- No audio monitoring
- Not perfect exterior of streaming/gaming
After shopping for up the Blue model, the G Yeti GX is one among Logitech’s first large makes an attempt at making a devoted gaming microphone bearing the Yeti identify, nevertheless it’s a really totally different beast to the unique Blue Yeti. Right here, you get a way more compact, easy microphone however one which sounds nice and it has some outstanding and cleverly-integrated RGB for probably actually enhancing your recreation streams.
Mounted on a peculiar single-armed stand, the G Yeti GX is a surprisingly compact possibility, that neatly integrates a big pop-shielding foam cowl. The stand is not all that intelligent however mixed with a mic arm, it is a actually slick, compact mic possibility and its RGB lighting faces proper again at your digital camera.
Output is by way of USB-C and also you get handy mic degree and mute controls on the mic itself. Nevertheless, there is not an built-in headphone amp right here, which considerably explains the small measurement of this mic. Whereas that dents the sense of worth of this mic, it is truly a reasonably wise omission as most players could have one other headphone/headset output possibility.
Just like the Razer Seiren V2 Professional, the Logitech G Yeti GX has a single cardioid pickup sample and makes use of a dynamic mic. Its audio high quality is excellent, offering easy, clear audio with a large frequency vary. It is not the final phrase in crystal clear readability nevertheless it’s use of a dynamic mic means it holds up properly to explosive gamer outbursts, avoiding distortion in these conditions.
As to what you will do with the lighting on this mic, it may be built-in with Logitech’s G Hub software program that may dynamically management your system’s RGB lighting in accordance with the video games your enjoying.
Learn our Logitech G Yeti GX overview.
Rode X XDM-100
Finest premium gaming microphone
Rode X XDM-100 specs:Pattern price | 48kHz |
Bit price | 24-bit |
Frequency response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Polar patterns | Cardioid |
Connectivity | USB-C, 3.5mm jack |
Professionals- Wonderful audio high quality
- Strong construct high quality
- Digital mixing software program
Cons- Lofty worth
- Just one polar sample
Rode is among the most well-known and revered names normally microphone manufacturing, and the X XDM-100 brings that experience to bear on the PC market.
As you may count on, that pedigree would not come low-cost however the Rode X XDM-100 consists of a number of options that merely no different opponents can match. As an illustration, it features a correct recording-grade anti-shock mount and a detachable pop protect to instantly up the manufacturing high quality of your setup.
Alongside related strains, it additionally homes a extremely outstanding pink LED to point when the mic is reside whereas handy additions embrace a quantity management and headphone output, together with the principle USB-C output. It is considerably stunning an organization corresponding to Rode hasn’t included an XLR output on this mic, particularly at this worth, however high quality from the onboard mic amp is excellent anyway.
With a single cardioid pickup sample from its dynamic mic, the Rode X XDM-100 is among the many best-sounding mics on this checklist however it’s a bulkier and dearer possibility too.
Learn our Rode X XDM-100 overview.
Razer Seiren V3 Chroma
Finest RGB gaming microphone
Razer Seiren V3 Chroma specs:Pattern price | 96 kHz (48KHz and 44.1KHz additionally out there) |
Bit price | 96-bit |
Frequency response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Polar patterns | Supercardioid |
Connectivity | Kind-A to Kind-C USB, 3.5mm |
Professionals- Stream and game-reactive lighting
- Clear, clear sign
Cons- RGB results not for everybody
- Growth arm wanted for streaming
The Razer V3 Chroma is a step up from a budget Razer Seiren Mini however cheaper than the Razer V2 Professional. Its principal promoting level is beautiful RGB lighting – customizable, in fact – operating round the principle physique. Like all of the mics on this information, operation is plug-and-play which implies it really works as quickly because it’s plugged into your PC by way of a USB port. To customise and management audio choices you will want Razer’s Synapse software program, however that is free and intuitive to make use of.
The design is straightforward however engaging. There is a achieve/quantity dial on the entrance for tweaking headphone or microphone ranges, and the mute button will be discovered on the highest – merely press it as soon as to minimize your audio.
This mic is for players and streamers who need one other method to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup. Our reviewer mentioned it was the brightest, most dynamic microphone RGB they’d ever seen, but in addition praised the Chroma’s skill to chop out undesirable background noise.
Learn our Razer V3 Chroma overview.
Audio Technica AT2040USB
Finest podcasting microphone
Audio Technica AT2040USB specs:Pattern price | 44.1-96kHz |
Bit price | 16-bit/24-bit |
Frequency response | 80-16,000Hz |
Polar patterns | Hypercardioid |
Connectivity | USB-A to USB-C |
Professionals- Heat and crisp vocals
- Good construct high quality
- Nice, silent soft-touch mute button
Cons- Wants a stand that is offered seperately
- Bland design
After a day of gaming with your mates, it’s possible you’ll determine to create a podcast to unfold your love of enjoying videogames. Fortuitously, this microphone gives top-of-the-line reasonably priced choices in the marketplace, letting you craft compelling podcasts with out breaking the financial institution.
Regardless of the plug-and-play setup, it is a nice microphone that provides stable, heat, and crisp vocals, good for creating podcasts or streaming your favourite video games. The design could also be bland, however the construct high quality is superb, delivering a premium microphone on a price range.
Sadly, you will probably want an honest stand, which implies an additional expense. Nevertheless, we strongly counsel selecting this up in order for you some sensible recording high quality.
Learn our Audio Technica AT2040USB overview.
Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone
Finest microphone for brand new streamers
Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone specs:Pattern price | 44.1-48kHz |
Bit price | 16-bit/24-bit |
Frequency response | 20-20,000Hz |
Polar patterns | Cardioid |
Connectivity | USB-C |
Professionals- Nice construct
- Arrange takes little or no time
- Unbelievable bodily controls
Cons- Solely has Cardioid audio sample
- No desk stand in streaming bundle
Sennheiser is an immediately recognizable identify within the audio business, producing high-quality merchandise throughout a spread of {hardware}. The Sennheiser Profile USB delivers the identical prime efficiency that the corporate is thought for, however with out breaking the financial institution.
Delivering nice vocals with nice construct high quality, the Sennheiser Profile USB is the right beginning microphone for these seeking to get into streaming. It is virtually plug-and-play, with little or no arrange required, and the bodily controls are spectacular.
Whereas it solely gives Cardioid, that does not negate how superb the Sennheiser Profile USB is. It is merely incredible, and that is an excellent factor for budding streamers or podcast creators.
Learn our Sennheiser Profile overview.
How to decide on the most effective gaming microphone
For a lot of players, a devoted microphone is not essential, as the most effective gaming headset can present first rate audio for normal multi-player gaming comms. Nevertheless, if you wish to sound even clearer, enter the world of recreation streaming, or dabble in residence recording or video manufacturing, a correct gaming mic is a superb improve.
A lot of the prime selections embrace a devoted USB connection so that they’re simple to plug straight into your PC. Some premium choices, although, embrace an XLR connection – the connection used for skilled recording mics – so it’s possible you’ll need to search for such mics you probably have a devoted audio interface such because the Behringer U-Phoria UM2, Elgato Wave XLR, and Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Amazon affiliate hyperlinks).
One other issue to think about is whether or not to get a dynamic or condenser microphones. Condenser microphones are typically extra delicate so are higher for quieter environments like podcasts, streams, and conferences, whereas dynamic microphones are much less delicate however higher ready to deal with louder sounds, so are good for capturing devices and loude vocals with out distorting. Most gaming microphones are condenser microphones however the Shure MV7+ and Razer Seiren V2 Professional are common dynamic choices.
In relation to total options, some form of {hardware} achieve adjustment on the microphone is tremendous helpful, because it means you possibly can regulate your mic quantity with out the necessity for software program. An output in your headphones can be helpful should you use a wired headset and do not in any other case have a top quality headphone amp. The Elgato Wave:3, as an illustration, has a headphone output and dial that may management mic degree, headphone quantity, and the combination of your mic and your recreation audio.
The likes of the Blue Yeti, in the meantime, embrace a number of condenser capsules (the bit that truly converts the sound to {an electrical} sign) to supply totally different pickup patterns. A pickup sample is the sensitivity of the mic to audio relying on course. Most mics use a cardioid sample that’s principally delicate to sounds in entrance of the mic. The Blue Yeti, although, will be switched to stereo, to omnidirectional, and even tremendous cardioid.
As for sound high quality, this is not at all times the simplest issue to seek out out about simply primarily based on a single quantity. As an illustration, most microphones report being delicate to the identical 20-20kHz frequency vary. Nevertheless, microphones that stretch past this vary are typically superior, with clearer sound, whereas the sensitivity of the mic is an element too. That is measured in a adverse decibel degree, corresponding to -40dB. The decrease, the higher.
Most gaming microphones solely include a desktop stand, whereas some do not include a stand in any respect. No matter you go for, take into account getting a swivel arm to accompany your buy, whether or not that is a desk clamp or a standing mannequin. This fashion, you possibly can place the microphone additional away out of your noisy keyboard and nearer to your mouth, permitting you to then flip down the achieve and minimize out as a lot undesirable background noise as potential. A favourite of ours is the Rode PSA1+ because it has actually lengthy attain and easy motion.
Gaming microphone incessantly requested questions (FAQs)
What’s a gaming microphone?
A gaming microphone is just not a strictly outlined class however is actually any microphone that features a USB connection, so you would simply name them USB microphones. Standard microphones have an analog connection corresponding to XLR that requires a microphone amp to transform the sign to at least one your PC can perceive. Many gaming microphones additionally embrace a headphone output for monitoring the microphone and listening to your PC’s audio.
What mic do streamers use?
There is no definitive reply right here – there are many well-known streamers who use a number of totally different microphones. Nevertheless, among the many hottest are the Shure MV7+ (or its XLR cousin the SM7B), the Razer Wave:3, the Blue Yeti, and the Razer Seiren V2 Professional.
What’s a cardioid microphone?
Cardioid refers back to the pickup sample of a microphone, which is the sensitivity of the microphone to audio from totally different instructions. Cardioids pickup patterns are most delicate to noise in entrance of the microphone and considerably to the perimeters, with most noise behind the microphone not picked up. Different pickup patterns embrace tremendous cardioid (much less delicate to the perimeters however extra delicate to rear noise), omnidirectional (equal pickup all spherical), shotgun (tremendous concentrated pickup from the entrance), and bidirectional (pickups evenly from back and front however cuts out facet audio.
Is a condenser or dynamic mic higher for gaming?
Condenser microphones are typically extra delicate so do are typically a great possibility for gaming, streaming, and residential recording. They will produce a crisp, clear audio observe even whenever you’re talking softly. Nevertheless, should you are likely to shout rather a lot or report a variety of audio, corresponding to musical devices, it’s possible you’ll profit from the power of dynamic microphones to not distort at excessive volumes.
Are XLR microphones higher than USB?
Not essentially. The principle purpose that many XLR microphones is perhaps higher than USB ones is that solely increased high quality microphones have a tendency to incorporate XLR connections – they’re thought-about an pointless expense for extra mainstream choices. This connection provides customers the choice of utilizing a devoted microphone amp and analog to digital converter (ADC) as a substitute of a the built-in unit on a USB microphone. Nevertheless, in idea the very best microphones round might incorporate a USB connection. It is simply that the majority do not.
For extra gaming PC audio upgrades, why not take a look at our greatest gaming headset and greatest pc speaker guides.