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Best Microphone for Gaming and Live Streaming 

 February 16, 2021

By  Tariq Taylor

As a gamer, microphones are essential when you want to scream at your opponent or your squadmates when they are underperforming, or you want them to pay extra attention. To do this effectively and hear crystal clear vocals, you need one of the best microphones for gaming, which you can also use for live streaming. Quality microphones for gaming step up your voice when you are communicating, and there are very many great and available options in the market.

Whether you are looking for a microphone to replace your headset microphone or looking for a multipurpose microphone to serve as both a mic and headphones, we got you. We have recommended some of the best models for gamers below with their pros and cons. We have also included a buying guide to help you make an informed decision by knowing what to buy and why.

1. HyperX Quadcast

Sale
HyperX QuadCast - USB Condenser Gaming Microphone, for PC, PS4,...
  • Radiant red lighting with dynamic effects: Stunning red lighting and dynamic effects...
  • Built-in anti-vibration shock mount: Isolate the mic and suppress the sound of...
  • Tap-to-mute sensor with LED status indicator: Use the convenient tap-to-mute...
  • Four selectable polar patterns: Choose between four polar patterns (stereo,...
  • Gain control adjustment: Easily adjust your mic sensitivity by turning the dial at...

HyperX Quadcast gaming mic is one of the best gaming microphones for most gamers because of its clarity and vocal warmth. The mic has dramatic red light behind the cradle that illuminates when the mic is operating. The USB mic also has a touch-sensitive mute button on top of the mic that when you tap the top of the mic, it mutes and instantly turns off the light, which is unique since other mics usually make a loud click.

The shock mount of this microphone is quite sturdy, and you can relax and concentrate on the game without worrying about knocking down the stand or defeating your Discord pals. HyperX Quadcast also has a gain dial at the bottom of the capsule that decreases or increases the sensitivity, and again, at the back, there is a knob that swaps your pickup pattern. Other handy features it comes with are an internal pop filter that guarantees p and b sounds don't cause an annoying pop and lag-free audio monitoring.

This Quadcast mic is the best mic for gaming and outside gaming if you look for a comprehensive sound source or two different sources. It is compatible with PS4, Mac, and PC systems via USB cable. However, the LED lighting is not optional, and the stand is somehow short, which makes it necessary to use another mount or a boom arm.

  •   Pros
  • The sound quality is excellent.
  • It does not need a pop filter.
  • They have easy controls.
  • It has an intuitive gain switch.
  • It has all the four polar patterns (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo)
  • The mic comes with a built-in shock mount and an adapter for boom stands.
  •   Cons
  • It only supports USB
  • The mic boosts sibilant sounds.
  • USB limits audio interface to 16bit/48KHZLED lighting is not optional

2. Blue Yeti X

Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti X USB Microphone for Gaming,...
  • Four-Capsule Array – Capture Legendary Blue Broadcast Sound With Greater Focus And...
  • High-Res Led Metering – Visualize Your Voice Level At A Glance And Adjust Up Or...
  • Multi-Function Smart Knob – Fine-Tune Your On-Stream Sound With Easy-Access...
  • Blue VoICe Software: Craft The Perfect Broadcast Vocal Sound And Entertain Your...

Blue Yeti X USB microphone is a great desktop budget-friendly microphone that is versatile and gives a fantastic audio quality, but the depth is lower than that of the Yeti Pro. The microphone for gaming has four condenser capsules that produce a smoother sound with great sensitivity, and it is also recommended for streaming and podcasting. It has a mount-socket on the bottom to combat echoes and unwanted sounds, a 3.5mm port for monitoring, and a micro-USB port.

This best gaming microphone's best feature is the illuminated smart knob and the blue microphones Blue Vo!ce software. Blue Yeti X is the best microphone for gaming and podcasting, and because of the live metering, it performs exceptionally well when streaming. It is also the best gaming microphone for semi-professional recordings of your voice and not the best if you are trying to make a living by singing for the internet or recording instruments.

  •   Pros
  • LED metering
  • The blue microphones have a multi-function dial.
  • It offers an excellent sound quality.
  • On-mic levels display
  • It has a Blue Vo!ce software suite that strikes vocals up.
  • It has versatility because it has four polar patterns (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo)
  • Gain dial with lights that show you how loud you are speaking and the level of gain applied.
  •   Cons
  • The price is on the high-end.
  • The bit depth is lower than Yeti Pro.
  • The microphone attracts smudges.
  • The buttons are a bit noisy.

3. Elgato Wave 3

Elgato Wave:3 - Premium Studio Quality USB Condenser Microphone...
  • Cardioid Condenser Capsule: capture speech with clarity and detail.
  • Wave Link App: control Wave:3 and up to eight other audio sources, plus create two...
  • 24-bit/96kHz Analog-to-Digital Converter: professional broadcast audio quality.
  • Proprietary Clipguard Technology: makes distortion virtually impossible.
  • Superior Circuitry: seamless sonic transmission throughout the entire signal chain.

Elgato Wave 3 gaming mic is one of the best microphones for gaming. Its Elgato Clipguard feature effectively swaps the standard recording channel for one 20dB lower if the mic detects any clipping and limits audio volume during testing. The USB connected microphone for gaming has a capacitive mute button. It produces a high-quality sound because the 96KHZ microphone is compatible with most desk boom arms in the market.

Elgato Wave 3 is the best gaming microphone is its digital virtual audio mixer allows up to 8 channels for gaming audio and devices. You can import to Xsplit and OBS, giving you more control over your sound quality without necessarily being a sound engineer. There is a 3.5mm headset mic at the back for zero-latency monitoring, and USB-C powers the gaming mic. However, because this gaming microphone has one polar pattern, the versatility is limited.

  •   Pros
  • The sound quality is excellent.
  • Integrated eight-channel mixer
  • Elgato Clipguard feature
  • Wavelink software
  • Anti-distortion tech
  • The build quality
  • Built-in pop shield
  •   Cons
  • De-emphasized bass response.
  • It has one recording pattern- Cardioid pattern only.
  • Mute can be easily touched accidentally.

4. Razer Seiren X

Sale
Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone: Professional Grade -...
  • Built-In background Noise Reduction: Utilizes a supercardiod pickup microphone to...
  • Built-In Shock Mount: Dampens vibrations to help protect against bumps for smooth and...
  • Zero Latency Monitoring: Allows for real-time in-stream monitoring without confusing...

Razer Seiren X microphone stands on your desk like a can and packs high-quality audio recording just as the Seiren original design, but this USB mic is 50% smaller. Razer brand is known for its high-end gaming gear, so the brand has already made a name for itself, giving you confidence in the quality. The condenser microphone has a built-in shock mount that absorbs unwanted spikes, with only two physical controls being the single volume control and the mute button.

However, the Razer Seiren X microphone uses a super-cardioid polar pattern and picks a noticeable amount of noise, but the recording quality is still top-notch. This is the best microphone if you are looking for a compact and portable microphone with a USB connection and a frequency response of 20Hz -20000Hz. Seiren Emote displays emoticons on the gaming microphone through an 8bit LED display, an excellent addition of character to your stream.

  •   Pros
  • Great clarity
  • Portable
  • The build quality is reliable.
  • The microphone can be optimized for streaming and Youtube.
  • Has a zero-latency monitoring
  • A built-in shock mount
  •   Cons
  • No pop filter is included.
  • Limited to one pattern

5. Blue Snowball Ice

Sale
Logitech for Creators Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone for...
  • Custom Condenser Capsule: Powered By Blue’S Custom Condenser Capsule, Snowball Ice...
  • Cardioid Pickup Pattern: Captures Your Voice With Clear, Focused Sound For Streaming,...
  • Stylish Retro Design: Record Or Stream In Style With A Classic Recording Equipment...
  • Adjustable Desktop Stand: Allows You To Position The Condenser Microphone In Relation...
  • Skype and Discord certified: Whether conducting interviews over Skype, streaming live...

The Snowball Ice is the best budget microphone for your gaming setup and will give you absolute value for your money. Considering it is not a high-end gaming microphone, it delivers excellent audio quality, which is enough for recording video voiceovers or streaming. This microphone for gaming with a frequency response of 40Hz-18kHz is easy to use as you have to plug it in and hit record without needing to install any additional software or use any extra equipment.

The Blue microphone is the best microphone for gaming, streaming, or podcasting with a frequency response of 40Hz-18KHz and a condenser mic type. Nevertheless, this gaming microphone's downside is that it does not have enough recording patterns and has no additional features but works well for a budget gamer. These gaming microphones include a height-adjustable desktop stand, and it is available in four different colors.

  •   Pros
  • It is the best microphone if you are on a budget.
  • It is a plug-and-play USB operation.
  • It produces an excellent audio quality for the price.
  • Available in four different colors.
  • Great customization options.
  • It can be mounted to a traditional mic.
  •   Cons
  • It has no additional features.Only has cardioid, omnidirectional polar patterns.Not ideal for high-end applications
  •  Only has cardioid, omnidirectional polar patterns.
  • Not ideal for high-end applications.

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Gaming Microphone

1. Budget

The price of anything always steers us in a particular direction, especially if you search for the simplest solution and not looking to splurge. However, a small cheap USB microphone will not reproduce the quality level voice of a studio-quality sound. You should figure out the essential features for you and work within your price range while getting the best value for your money.

2. Gaming Setting

Where you are playing your game determines the type of mic you should buy. Whether you are playing on a PC in your bedroom or office, you are on the go on your smartphone, or playing XBOX or PS4 in your living room attracts different needs. Those players who are seated on a desk need a stationery solution or a mic that is near their playing station, while those in the living room will need to come up with creative ways to keep the mic close to them. On the other hand, players playing while moving on a tablet or smartphone need versatility as the microphone's best feature.

3. Type of Microphone

There are several types of microphones you can purchase that are specific to gaming. They include:

i. USB Microphones

These are the most popular gaming mics because the USB mics are convenient, and you need to plug them into your computer. Besides, all USB microphones are compatible with all laptops, be it Mac or PC, so long as there is a USB port present. They have different price points, shapes, and sizes.

ii. Condenser microphones

USB mics are also condenser mics, but here we mean to say the studio condensers that don't connect via USB but instead use an XLR connection. They are more popular with music recording musicians who need the best quality and not typical for computer use. XLR connectors also give more quality and better power, but you will require phantom power to power your mic with an external device. You will also need other accessories such as a pop filter or mic stands, and this connector works if you want to stand out.

4. Specifications

It is essential to know the different terminologies and specifications that mics understand better how efficient a mic will be when in use. Ensure that you familiarize yourself with the standard and important terms used to choose the right gaming mic for your needs as a gamer.

5. Included Bundles and Package

Any game mic comes with a different set of bundles and a package, so as a gamer, you should make sure you check what bundles the specific microphone you want packs. The essentials included in the packages may consist of pop filters, stands, mounts, and cables.

6. Polar Patterns

The polar pattern is the microphone area that picks up noise, and some gaming mics offer several polar patterns where others provide only one. The most common polar patterns:

i. Cardioid Polar Pattern

This pattern picks up audio coming from one direction and is ideal for a single source while speaking directly to a microphone.

ii. Bidirectional

The pattern usually picks up audio from two directions and is ideal for two speakers sitting directly across from one another.

iii. Omnidirectional

The pattern picks up audio from all around the mic and works perfectly for a group of people surrounding a microphone.

iv. Stereo

The pattern picks up audio in front of the mic and off to the sides, and it is ideal for either a panel of speakers or a music group facing the same direction.

You should pick the best polar pattern according to why you need a microphone, and from the explanation of each above, it is easy to decide which polar patterns are perfect for your gaming needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a condenser mic good for gaming?

Yes, a condenser microphone is mostly used as gaming microphones because they have a crisper sound. However, if you are looking to filter unwanted ambiance sounds and minimize background noise, a dynamic microphone is better.

2. What other mics do streamers use?

They may use the Antlion audio Mod Mic, and the other one is the Audio Technica condenser microphones.

3. What is the best budget mic gaming microphone?

According to our review above, Blue Snowball is the best gaming microphone if you are on a budget.

Tariq Taylor


Price is the ultimate factor when deciding to purchase noise-canceling headphones, and while the above sentiments might be true Tariq Taylor is of the opinion that the merits of the soundproofing headphones are to be considered first. And that is the reason why he decided to come up with the comprehensive excerpts on soundproofing headphones. Tariq is a tech enthusiast and has been advocating for the production and use of quality tech gadgets, which includes the headphones. Tariq is married with one kid and has a massive collection of headphones that he reviews occasionally and also runs a forum where other tech experts converge to share ideas and discuss the challenges facing the tech industry.

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