The Best Microphone for Gaming
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Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Microphone for Gaming
With the games live-streaming market and gaming community growing at an exponential rate, the need, and demand for a quality gaming microphone has been at an all-time high. Since the launch of Twitch.tv back in 2010, the online gaming community has already been investing in gaming microphones that can upgrade their gaming experience while helping them lead their team to victory as they communicate with one another.
However, a lot has changed since then. Both the gaming industry and technology have made leaps and bounds of advancements and upgrades that will require a new set of gaming equipment so you can fully appreciate the game at play.
On the other hand, the ever-changing digital landscape has also allowed gamers to earn while they play their games — that is through streaming and content creation so a professional sound quality and recording quality are now a need when looking at gaming mics.
With all that said, today’s best deals on the best gaming microphones have definitely changed in both quality, price, and features from the gaming microphones that were available back then. In fact, gaming microphones have branched out now from just a headset.
To make your job of browsing and researching all the gaming microphones out there easier, we’ve already put together a list of all the best gaming microphones that each have its own unique selling points. Let’s take a look at today’s best deals on the best gaming microphones!
Which is the Top Microphone for Gaming?
Editor's Choice  Best Overall |  Best Entry Level |  Best Gaming and Streaming Microphone |
Elgato Wave:3The Elgato Wave:3 is arguably hailed as the best gaming microphone by the community because of its broadcat-grade quality, multifunctional features, and sleek design. | Blue Yeti NanoWith a no fuss plug-and-play setup and focused simplicity, the Blue Yeti Nano is a favorite amongst today’s content creators and gamer streamers. | Audio-Technica AT2020Boasting a respected name, the Audio-Technica AT2020 gives the best of both mic and audio interface features for users to tinker around with. |
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Let’s Go Over Each Top Microphone for Gaming
#1: Elgato Wave:3
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The Elgato Wave:3 is arguably hailed by the gaming community as the best gaming microphone currently out there in the market and with good reason. This broadcast-grade USB condenser microphone is ideal for use in video games, streaming, and for some even as a working microphone to be used for conference and video calls. In fact, one can even argue that it’s good enough for recording music in a recording studio.
Other USB mics can’t compare with the Elgato Wave:3’s custom software, Wave Link, which has an integrated eight-channel mixer, which in itself is also a rare feature for other microphones already — again making the Elgato one the best gaming mics.
With this virtual mixer, this USB mic allows you to adjust the mix, levels, and gain of different audio channels. That makes the job of a gaming streamer way easier since it allows the user to uniquely adjust and set the levels of whatever is running on their computer or device — subscriber alerts, music, the game itself, their voice, and any other program that’s being used.
Its multifunctional single dial on the front of the mic lets a user adjust gain accordingly. Just be careful of setting it too low, otherwise, the mic can pick up the hum of your PC in the recording. Although, one can argue that it’s an indication of just how great the sound pick-up is on this mic, it still might be better to invest in a shock mount or noise-canceling accessories if you plan on using it as a desktop microphone.
Most importantly, this mic can set itself apart from other USB microphones because of its Clipguard tech that automatically adjusts audio levels, no matter how loudly you’re shouting over the mic, into a sound quality that is soothing and smooth. This feature sets the Elgato apart from most condenser microphones that are limited to applications in quieter environments.
The Elgato also boasts a built-in pop shield or pop filter, which helps in reducing plosives directed at the microphone. That means even if you let out a big exasperated sigh after losing a game, your mic still sounds great!
Powered by USB-C connectivity, this USB microphone is extremely easy to connect with your device. Simply plug this USB microphone to your console or device of choice and you’re good to go. This defnitely beats the fuss of an XLR setup. It’s also small in size so it won’t take up much space on your desk and is easily portable.
If you’re worried about the mic picking up any sounds and vibrations should you bang your desk out of frustration, the built-in mic stand that has a padded base and its multilayered noise shield will help in filtering all the noise out as much as possible. Just be careful of accidentally clicking the mute button since it’s quite sensitive and is placed on the front.
Although the Elgato Wave:3 doesn’t come with the fancy RGB lighting most gamer streamers look for in a gaming mic, the design and aesthetic of this USB streaming mic is sleek enough to boast in front of a camera.If you don’t mind using a condenser mic that can only pick up a single cardioid polar pattern, then all in all the Elgato makes for the best gaming microphone there is right now.
Pros and Cons of the Elgato Wave:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Built-in pop filter ✔️ Has a boom arm adapter ✔️ Clipguard feature ✔️ Comes with a Wavelink software ✔️ Single dial for adjusting mic gain | ✖️ Poor placement of touch screen mute button ✖️ Only one polar pattern |
#2. Blue Yeti Nano
Sound Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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The Blue Yeti Nano is another crowd favorite and some would say, even a close runner-up in topping the list of the best gaming microphones. Most Twitch streamers would be familiar with the Blue Yeti Nano as it is most commonly used by streamers of the online community as it can pick up four polar patterns — a feature that not all USB condenser mics can do.
The Blue Yeti Nano is also easy to use; a simple plug-and-play setup, single volume control, and a mute button on the front of the mic. The intuitive design allows any new gamer and streamer to navigate their way around this quality USB microphone without any problems.
Plus since headphone volume controls today’s gaming community, the Blue Yeti Nano made sure to include this as one of its features along with zero-latency monitoring.
However, as they focused on simplicity, they had to give up customization and more features on the Blue Yeti Nano such as the lack of hi-res recording options and a subpar studio quality sound.
Pros and Cons of the Blue Yeti Nano
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Plug-and-play mic ✔️ Can pick up four polar patterns ✔️ Has mute & headphone volume controls | ✖️ Lack of hi-res recording options ✖️ Lower level of sound quality |
#3. Audio-Technica AT2020
Sound Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Design: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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A respected name in the industry, Audio-Technica AT2020 is a medium-diaphragm condenser XLR mic that although cannot pick up multiple polar patterns, can definitely give a streaming audio quality that is excellent.
With just a 48V of phantom power, you can get warm and clear audio that is ideal for streaming vocals or when you’re trying to communicate to other players in the game. It even has an extended frequency response that will give a user a rich, deep, and crisp sound for vocals, which is why a lot of YouTubers and streamers have been using it as a streaming microphone despite the lack of polar patterns.
Although, it is recommended you purchase accessories to support the mic and an audio interface to get the best quality possible. No different from most condenser microphones, the AT2020 can perform better in noise-controlled environments.
Pros and Cons of the Audio-Technica AT2020
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Has a mix and volume control ✔️ Extended frequency response ✔️ Only requires 48V of phantom power | ✖️ Only has a cardioid polar pattern ✖️ Must purchase accessories ✖️ Can pick up ambient noise such as the keyboard and mouse clicks |
#4. Blue Yeti X
Sound Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Design: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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The Blue Yeti X is also a growing favorite amongst the online gaming community, especially because the Blue Yeti itself is a staple in the streaming world. However, the Blue Yeti X is more impressive than its predecessor by way of sound quality and features.
Unlike other USB microphones, the Blue Yeti X comes with an extra condenser and a toggle that can reduce noise, “air”, or soft hums, making your recorded audio clean and clear.
The new Blue Yeti X World of WarCraft Edition even comes with a Blue Voice section found in the Logitech G Hub software, so you can change the sound of your voice and even make sound effects for added entertainment to your stream, which by the way can totally upgrade your role-playing games’ experience.
The Blue Yeti X comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring, but you can also plug it in via USB. The Blue Yeti X also has an impressive USB frequency response given that it can pick up multiple polar patterns. Ultimately, this makes for the best USB gaming microphone for RPGs.
Pros and Cons of the Blue Yeti X
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ The World of WarCraft edition has voice-changing features ✔️ Can pick up multiple polar patterns ✔️ Built-in toggle for reducing background noise | ✖️ Can pick up keyboard noise if the gain is too high ✖️ Pricey |
#5. Rode NT-USB Mini
Sound Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Design: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Features: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Rode NT-USB Mini may only be able to pick up a cardioid polar pattern, but the sound quality of this USB mic makes it worthy to be the best gaming microphone in its own right.
With a studio-quality sound and a professional “air”, this mic is used by professional streamers and amateurs provided that they don’t mind stretching their budget. The Rode NT-USB Mini has an advanced interior shock capsule, zero-latency monitoring, and mute & headphone volume controls.
It even has a built-in pop filter and a digital mixer called Rode Connect, which means you won’t need to get an external audio interface.
From the name itself, the Rode NT-USB Mini is small in size, so when you attach it to a mic arm, you would be sure that it won’t obstruct your view when you play a game or your face when people watch your live stream.
All these make for a quality microphone that you can add to your list of today’s best deals in your search for the best gaming microphone.
Pros and Cons of the Rode NT-USB Mini
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Excellent sound quality ✔️ Built-in pop shield with headphone monitoring | ✖️ Has a tendency to pick up a bit of ambient noise ✖️ Cannot pick up multiple polar patterns |
#6. Razer Seiren Mini
Sound Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Design: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Features: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Razer Seiren Mini is a USB gaming mic that is dubbed as the best budget microphone.
Although it’s one of the most compact microphones out there, the Razer Seiren Mini can still give you the audio quality that can even rival the Blue Yeti. It comes with a built-in shock mount and stand so you can definitely place it on your desk.
After all, it’s so small that it won’t obstruct your view but is designed beautifully enough for viewers to complement. Albeit it doesn’t have the RGB lighting feature of a high-end gaming headset or, it does come in different colors for you to choose from.
Since it is on the small side, the Razer Seiren Mini budget microphone had to let go of a few features like having physical dials so you can adjust the gain or reduce noise. Regardless, it is still a quality mic considering the price tag.
Pros and Cons of the Razer Seiren Mini
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Decent mic considering the price point ✔️ Budget gaming microphone ✔️ Mini and portable ✔️ Lightweight with built-in shock mount | ✖️ Lacks a physical dial ✖️ No physical gain control ✖️ Can only pick up the supercardioid polar pattern |
What is a Gaming Microphone?
There are different microphones in the market because each one is specialized for a specific use. For example, there are microphones intended for studio use, microphones intended for the recording studio, or microphones made for podcasts.
A gaming microphone is alike in the sense that it is also optimally designed for video games, especially online games, because of features that can help reduce background noise while producing crystal clear audio that will allow your voice to sound better.
What Type of Microphone is Best for Gaming?
Headsets
A headset mic is an audio recording device that comes with both a mic and headphones in one. A headphone jack is usually needed to be plugged into the device so you can directly hear the audio from the game or other plays as the headset rests on your head. It is a common choice for gamers as it allows mobility whenever playing since the microphone can be directly positioned near the mouth, much like a lapel mic.
Standalone Mics
A standalone mic also has a headphone jack as it needs to be plugged into headphones or stereo connectivity of choice since it does not have a headset of its own. It’s typically less expensive than a headset mic and has more flexibility in adjusting the settings.
USB Mics
A USB mic can be directly connected to the computer via a USB port. USB gaming mics are growing in popularity in the market because they often have a better sound quality than the other mics mentioned above due to software that allows audio control and other noise reduction features.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Microphones
There are always several factors you must take note of before choosing the best microphone. As we’re in the market for the best gaming microphones specifically, here are some of the things to consider and be particular about — budget aside.
Noise-Canceling Features
Since gaming includes a lot of talking in-game, sound from the game itself, and the occasional shouting and screaming when a game is starting to heat up, features that can help minimize background noise and do noise filtering are a must.
Versatility
It pays to invest in a gaming mic that has a range of use that will also allow you to stream, create content with, and even record music if you wanted to.
Connectivity
With a lot of games in the market comes a lot of gaming consoles. Check the compatibility of the gaming microphone with your device and console. Would you prefer a USB output or XLR mics that also have stereo connectivity?
Frequency Response
The frequency response of your gaming mic will determine the audio quality it would be able to capture, but of course, make sure to choose one that is within range of your area.
Pickup Pattern
A pickup pattern can amplify your audio quality as much as it is able to pick up the sound quality from all directions. Determine if you would like a microphone that will only pick up a sound source that is directly from it, at the back, or multidirectional. By keeping this in mind, you are also able to help in minimizing background noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a good gaming microphone cost?
The range can go as low as $50 to the thousands. It is good to note though that those on the pricier side tend to give a better result and quality. After all, these microphones are an investment that you will be using for a long time.
These are some of the most commonly used microphones in gaming. Most of the time, no USB audio interface is needed since the features needed are already on the mic itself, making USB mics a simple but versatile choice. Here’s a guide on the best USB mics for further browsing.
Most streamers would use cardioid microphones as the polar pick-up would come from just one sound source, which is usually in front — the mouth of the streamer. This will give clear and crisp audio that can be audible no matter the noise. Read here for more options on the best mics for streaming.
What microphones do YouTubers use?
Although YouTube videos are hugely visual, the sound and audio recording quality of the video can make or break the content. With that, YouTubers pay great attention to the microphones they use to make not only their voice sound better but also for when they record audio.
From this list alone, we can find one of the most popular microphones YouTubers use, which is the Rode NT-USB because of its quality build, versatility, features, and simplicity. Aside from said microphone, the Blue Yeti Pro is also a favorite amongst YouTubers.
In fact, Blue microphones tend to have a good reputation as one of the best microphones for streaming and gaming. Not to mention, these are also fairly affordable microphones, making them accessible for plenty.
For the best microphones for YouTubers, you can take a look at the guide we have created on microphones for YouTube.
Generally, all the microphones on this list can make you sound better provided that you are able to use them for the correct application and apply best practices like knowing how to best position a mic. If you want to go the extra mile for quality audio, then you can even configure the mic settings, equalize it, and invest in accessories such a detachable pop filter.
Final Note
Gaming is an experience wherein a player is completely immersed in that universe. It allows for a break from reality, rest from work or school, and just pure entertainment for everyone including the viewers of the gaming stream.
With that said, it pays to invest in the best gaming microphone to upgrade and complete the whole experience ultimately.
Whether you opt for a USB mic, an XLR microphone that will require more setup but provides excellent quality recording, a headset or wireless microphone for mobility, these mics are sure to level up your game.
Editor’s Choice
Elgato Wave:3
Founded in 1999, Elgato is a Germany and California-based company that is one of the world-leading providers of audiovisual technology for content creators on all video-sharing platforms. The Elgato Wave:3 is their latest broadcast-grade condenser microphone for streaming and content creation.
Regarding the concern on mic gain control, the Elgato Wave:3 has a multifunctional single dial that allows for a user to tweak input mic gain, adjust the headphone volume, and even crossfade audio and recording between mic and PC all-in-one. To complement such features, the Elgato Wave:3 has a custom software called Wave Link, which acts as a digital audio mixer that can help a user control the audio settings of the stream from one place. This allows the user to set up up to 8 channels optimized for game audio, game chat, and multiple microphones at once; a must for every gaming streamer!
You won’t also need to worry about hurting the ears of your teammates or viewers when you’re in the middle of a high-energy game consisting of a lot of shouting and screaming because the Elgato Wave:3 also has a Clipguard tech that will automatically adjust audio levels real-time to ensure that your sound quality will be consistent at all times.
Set-up and installation will also be a breeze for the Elgato Wave:3. With USB-C connectivity, this capsule USB microphone is a plug-and-play dream that is easily portable from one device and location to another. It has an included boom arm adapter, but also a built-in mic stand in case you want to set it up on your desk. Regardless, the padded base and multilayered noise shield enclosed with a protective steel grille of this condenser microphone will help keep plosive noise at bay.
Although it is not equipped with RGB lighting, the Elgato Wave:3 is sleek and sophisticated enough to be placed in front of a camera for viewers and opponents to see during a game stream.
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