Choosing the best microphone for gaming or streaming plays an important role.
Bad audio can be a major issue when gaming or streaming, and it can ruin the experience for everyone. That is why having a decent quality microphone is not only important for you as a user but for you and your team when in-game.
There are plenty of options out there and getting the cheapest microphone might seem like the best way to go, but that is not something that we can recommend. Here we are going to review the best microphone for gaming so you will have an easier time picking the right one for you.
Best Overall
- World's #1 USB Mic
- Perfect for Gaming & Streaming
- Frequency: 20Hz - 20kHz
Top-Rated Gaming Microphones Comparison Table
The Best Microphones for Gaming in 2020
1. Blue Yeti – Best Gaming Microphone
The Blue Yeti is very popular amongst amateur streamers and content creators because of the value that it has to offer. This is a fairly inexpensive microphone but offers decent audio recording and a couple of other features that you might not find in a microphone at this price point.
The polar patterns of the microphone include Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo. The microphone uses a USB interface, so it is easy to set up and you really don’t need to do much. Just plug it in and you are ready to do. It is also relatively compact and portable so you can take it with you if you wanted to.
World's Number One USB Mic
The Blue Yeti USB microphone comes with zero-latency monitoring, gain, mute button and headphone volume controls. It comes in all kinds of different colors. It is also compatible with older versions of Windows and Mac OS.
Overall this is a great microphone for the price and can deliver great audio. It is very adaptive and offers multiple polar patterns. The foam padding on the base might not be as effective as it looks and the mic might pick up your keyboard and mouse sounds as well. These are two things that you need to keep in mind if you are interested in buying the Blue Yeti microphone.
Pros
- Great audio quality
- Adaptable microphone
- Multiple polar patterns
Cons
- Foam base is not effective
- Mic can pick up keyboard and mouse noise
2. Rode NT-USB – Professional Gaming Microphone
Rode is very well-known for making microphones and that is one of the reasons why the Rode NT has such a professional look. While the look is very clean and professional, the price is still reasonable. The mic uses a USB interface and has on-mic mix control. It also comes with a pop shield and a small tripod stand. Out of the box, it comes with zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring.
Premium Pick
The Rode NT is priced higher than entry-level mics that people use but it also offers much better audio quality. If you are interested in streaming professionally rather than keeping it a hobby then this is a great option for you to consider. The company claims that the Rode NT offers studio-quality audio without the studio price tag and that is true to a certain degree.
Pros
- Clean look
- Impressive audio quality
- Easy to use
- Come with a pop filter
Cons
- Only one pop filter
- Tripod is not stable
3. Blue Snowball iCE – Budget Microphone for Gaming
Here we have another very popular microphone that is used by people that are starting YouTube or streaming. The Blue Snowball iCe is relatively inexpensive but offers decent audio for the price. It uses a USB interface and is quick and easy to set up. It also comes with a small tripod stand.
Budget Microphone Pick
Blue Snowball iCE
You can switch between omnidirectional and cardioid polar patterns, which is a great option to have and the price is lower than the Yeti and Yeti Pro which offer similar features. The design of the mic reduces noise and distortion by a significant amount.
Pros
- Compact design
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use
- Comes with tripod
Cons
- No headphone jack
- No volume control buttons
4. Audio-Technica ATR2500
Audio-Technica is another company that is well-known for making great audio peripherals and the ATR2500 is no exception. It is actually a cheaper version of the AT2020. This is a side-address cardioid condenser microphone that has a USB interface. This is a plug and play mic so it is easy to use and you really do not need to do much in order to set it up.
Ideal for Podcasting
The Audio-Technica ATR2500 microphone is an impressive product for the price. It is not an entry-level product but it is not priced like a studio microphone either. If you are on a budget and need a microphone that provides studio-like audio then this is an option that you can look into.
Something to note is that it can be quiet at a distance as it meant to be used as close to your mouth as possible. This might not be ideal for gaming or streaming and is something that you should keep in mind if you are interested in getting this microphone. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac and has a limited lifetime warranty.
The mic not only comes with volume controls but also has a headphone jack where you can plug in your headphones. This is ideal if you are a streamer or content creator and need to talk to your audience.
Read also: Best Microphones for Streaming on Twitch
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Clean design
- Comes with headphone jack
Cons
- Needs to be close to your mouth
5. Tonor Microphone
The mic comes with a tripod stand and can be rotated 180-degrees. You can adjust it according to your preference. The mic uses a USB interface and it is fairly easy to set up. All you need to do is plug it in and the operating system will detect it. Out of the box not only do you get the microphone with the stand, but you also get the USB cable, the pop filter and the pop filter foam. This is great value for money.
Complete Mic Set
The Tonor USB microphone is a great mic for the price and not only do you get the mic and USB cable in the box, but you also get the stand and the pop filter as well. If you are on a budget and need decent audio then this is an option that you can look into.
Pros
- Clear audio
- Versatile
- Inexpensive
- Plenty of things included
Cons
- Build quality could be better
6. Fifine USB Microphone
The Fifine USB microphone also has a very clean and professional look but the price is not relatively high. It is actually pretty inexpensive even when compared to other options on this list. It comes in Black but you can also go with a Rose Red color if that is what you like.
The Mic uses a USB interface so it is easy to set up. The cable is 5.9-foot long and should be enough for what you have planned. The USB cable is included in the box and the mic works with both PC and Mac. The metal construction is sturdy and robust and the stable tripod is convenient. There is a volume control knob on the mic so you can turn the volume up or down on the fly without leaving your game.
The mic works well with all kinds of applications including Cortana and Discord. The audio quality is impressive and there is not static or background noise. Not only is it built well, but it also looks better as compared to other mics in this price bracket.
Pros
- Great recording quality
- Excellent build quality
- Can be attached to a mic arm mount
- Comes with a stand
Cons
- USB cable is built-in
- You need to get very close to the mic
7. Samson Meteor
The Samson Meteor Mic has a very professional look which you might be interested in. It is a very solid microphone that is roughly the size of a bulb. The microphone has a tripod built into it. You also get a screw mount which can be used to attach it to a third-party stand or arm. Something to keep in mind is that when the legs are folded up, they do block the mic a fair bit and you will need to leave them open to a certain degree.
The silver exterior looks great but you need to sit fairly close to the mic in order to get proper audio. This is not the best mic in the world can leave voices flat but it is relatively inexpensive. It does work with both PC and Mac. While the mic uses a USB interface the design is very simple and there is no gain adjustment on the mic itself. This means that you will have to tamper with software and you will not be able to make adjustments on the fly.
Pros
- Compact design
- Silver look
- Built-in tripod stand
Cons
- Needs to be close to your mouth
8. Antlion Audio ModMic 5 – Headset Attachable
The ModMic 5 is a versatile mic that can be attached to any headset. The modular design not only offers great audio quality but a lot of flexibility as well. You can switch between noise canceling and studio recording modes with a flick of a button. It can not only be used for PC gaming and streaming but for podcasts as well.
The mic comes with two cords out of the box. Both are of different lengths and you can use the one that suits your needs. The mic uses a 3.5 mm jack and can be plugged into your PC easily. You can get adapters to use it with consoles and Apple devices.
Fits any Headset
This is a unidirectional mic and you can use with via USB with an adapter. The frequency response is between 10Hz-10,000Hz and it comes with adhesive pads and a carrying case so that you can take it with you if needed. The mic is inexpensive and hence offers great value for money.
Pros
- Affordable
- Very convenient to use
Cons
- Not as good as standing mics
- You need a headset to use it
9. Razer Seiren X
Razer is known for making some exceptionally great product and there is no surprise that the Razer Seiren X is also on this list. The microphone is great for gaming and streaming. It is compact and portable which means that it is not going to take a lot of space on your desk and that it is easy to carry with you. This is a super-cardioid microphone that uses a USB interface and has a response frequency of 20Hz-20,000 Hz which is much higher than some other options on this list.
Made for Gamers
The Razer Seiren X is a very impressive mic that not only looks good but offers great audio quality as well. Razer is a very popular brand when it comes to gaming peripherals and hardware. If you are willing to spend a little more money on a quality product then this is something that you should consider getting.
The mic comes with a built-in shock mount, mute button and zero-latency 3.5mm headphone monitoring port. The only drawbacks are that there is only one polar pattern and that the mic does tend to pick up some of the background noise, which is not ideal when you are gaming or streaming.
It is 50% smaller than the previous model and the audio quality is great, which is something that you would expect from a Razer product. The mic comes in Black and the design is very clean indeed.
Pros
- Clean and simple design
- Impressive audio
- Portable
Cons
- Single polar pattern
- Can pick up background noise
10. Zalman Zm-Mic1 – Budget Attachable Mic
Chances are that you might not have heard about Zalman but it is a company that makes budget PC gaming products. The Zm-Mic1 is an incredibly cheap mic that you can attach to your headset. You get three mini-clips out of the box so you can use it with your headset. It is lightweight and does not require a log of power.
While this mic does not offer the best audio quality in the world, if you are on a budget and need something relatively inexpensive then this will get the job done. The mic can be rather quiet and will pick up background noise from time to time but what do you really expect to get at this price point? You will not notice any static of hissing which you might experience when using a regular cheap microphone.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Flexible
- Better than most inexpensive headset mics
Cons
- A bit quiet
- Can pick up background noise
Conclusion
Here we have looked into some of the best microphones that you can buy on the market. These mics are reasonably priced and some come with additional features as well.
It is safe to say that you will find something that suits your budget. If you are on a budget and are still confused regarding which model you should go with then you can pick the Blue Snowball or Yeti.
They are very popular and have been tried and tested by thousands of people including YouTubers and streamers.
Things You Need to Know About Microphones for Gaming
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to buying a microphone and you might be overwhelmed. You might feel like getting the cheapest one that you can find. That is not something that we can recommend. There are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind when in the market for a new microphone and here we are going to look into some of the major factors.
Recording Quality
Audio quality might not be everything but you are in the market for a new microphone so it is important. What you need to see is whether or not the mic can capture your voice and make you sound good.
Adaptability
Every setup and every person have different requirements and that is why a microphone needs to be adaptable in order to be used by a wide variety of people in different situations. If a mic only works when it is close to your mouth then it is hard to recommend because you might casually lean back when streaming and your audience will not be able to hear what you are saying.
During such an incident even you will not know that you cannot be heard. This is not something that you want your audience to go through and you want a mic that can pick up your voice when you are close and a bit further back as well.
Form Factor
While this might not be an issue for most people, the form factor does affect adaptability. Some mics come with stands but others need a third-party stand. There are mics that can be clipped on but there are those that do not offer this feature. There are smaller mics and then there are larger mics. The larger the mic, the more room it will take on your desk and you will need a much sturdier stand or arm in order to hold it in place.
Wide Frequency Response Range
Microphone manufacturers will market that their products support a wider range but the truth of the matter is that the human ears can only hear between 20Hz to 20kHz. So, you don’t need a microphone that has a range higher or lower than that.
Plug and Play Simplicity
Drivers used to be a major deal back in the day but now USB microphones do not need any drivers. All you really need to do is plug them in and you are ready to go. There can be some exceptions, so look into that if you are not sure. You can download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website if you need to and chances are that if you do need drivers then there will be a disk with all the software that you will need.
Different Kinds Of Microphones
There are different kinds of microphones that you can choose from. These include omnidirectional microphones, lavalier microphones and unidirectional ones. Omnidirectional microphones will only pick up your voice if you are sitting right in front of them. These can come in handy if you are streaming or recording a podcast.
A lavalier microphone can be clipped to your clothes and will pick up your voice even if you are not facing it. It might end up picking background noises that include the click of your mouse or keyboard but they are smaller and offer a lot of flexibility as compared to other mics that you might need to put on your desk.
Unidirectional microphones only pick up sound from a single side. If you point it towards yourself then it will only pick up your voice and nothing more.
Volume Controls And Other Features
While a microphone is primarily going to be used to record audio, it is always great to have some other features. Some mics come with volume controls and a mute button that allow you to control the volume on the fly. You can do so with a knob or a button on the mic. This allows you to tweak settings without having to leave the game. Other mics come with headphone jacks in which you can plug in your headphones. This is ideal if you are streaming or gaming.
Why You Need A Dedicated Microphone
If you are a gamer then chances are that your headset comes with a mic. If you are a streamer then there is a chance that your camera comes with a built-in mic as well. So why should you go with a dedicated microphone? That is a very interesting question. The short answer is that dedicated microphones are going to be better than the ones that come with your webcam and in some cases even your headset. Unless you have a decent pair of headphones, chances are that a dedicated mic will provide better audio.
Price
Gamers can tend to spend a lot of time and money on their setups, the challenge here is to find the best value for money. What you need to look for is better features but for less money. It is possible to get decent quality audio and decent features for a reasonable price as long as you are not expecting studio-grade audio quality. Plus, you really do not need such fancy equipment for gaming or streaming. The microphones on this list will get the job done in most cases.
Is An Expensive Gaming Microphone Really Worth It?
Price is an important factor that everyone needs to consider when in the market for a new gaming microphone but should you get a really expensive one?
If you do videos and need to record audio along with your gaming sessions then an expensive mic might do wonders for you but if you only play games and your current microphone is enough and your team can hear you fine then I do not think that you should invest any more money into a gaming microphone.
If money is no object and you already have a pretty expensive setup and you want an equally expensive microphone that checks all the boxes and comes with all the features then you can go for it.
Final Words
We have looked into some of the best microphones that are available on the market at a reasonable price and we have also looked into some of the factors that you should keep in mind when buying a new microphone. Remember that Microphone manufacturers will market that their products support a wider range but the truth of the matter is that the human ears can only hear between 20Hz to 20kHz. So, you don’t need a microphone that has a range higher or lower than that.
Get the mic that suits you the best. Do not spend more on features that you are not going to use. Unless you are interested in using an amp, you should stick with a mic that has a USB interface rather than going with an analog one. I hope that this guide provides you with enough information to find that gaming microphone that is right for you.
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