Best microphone for gaming in 2023
The best microphone for streaming and podcasting is perhaps a very modern addition to the PC gamer’s inventory. Still, with a rise in quality and a drop in the price of standalone microphones, it’s worth ditching the shoddy mic attached to your gaming headset for a prime streaming setup. If you want to make yourself heard in the midst of a raid, online firefight, or even a work meeting, then a good, clear microphone is worth investing in.
USB microphones are the go-to option for most at-home streaming and podcasting setups. Audiophiles will want to go down the XLR route because of its sound quality and flexibility; however, good XLR mics are often way more expensive than your typical USB mic. XLRs also require an external audio interface to connect to your PC, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which can be costly. Currently, the best one you can buy is the Shure MV7, a hybrid USB/XLR microphone that gives you the best of both worlds if you don’t mind dropping a bit of coin.
You don’t need a Master’s degree in sound engineering to achieve studio-quality sound with your streaming gear. In most cases, you only need a USB port and something to talk about once you go live. One of the hardest things about shopping for the best microphone for podcasting or streaming is you won’t know how it will sound until you use it. To help, myself and the team have recorded test audio samples of all the microphones we’ve checked out and added the best ones below so you can hear the difference. That should make it easier to narrow down your choice.
If money is tight, don’t worry, you’re in luck. You can score some of the best cheap microphones (opens in new tab) for under $100. The only drawback is that to sound as good at a lower cost, you lose out on some quality-of-life features. But when you pick up a mic for $40, not having a mute button might seem like a fair compromise. Below I’ve compiled a list of the best microphones we’ve tested for different budgets.
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Best microphone for streaming
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(Image credit: FUTURE)
Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone
(Image credit: FUTURE)
Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone
(Image credit: FUTURE)
Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone
(Image credit: Shure)
Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone
If you’re a musician or want your voice to sound the way it’s meant to be heard, the MV7 is an easy recommendation. If you don’t mind reaching deep into your pocketbook, that is. There are affordable mics on this list, but it is still absolutely true that if you want the best, you will have to pay for it.
You don’t really need to be much of a sound person to know Shure makes killer audio gear. Chances are, you’ve seen some of your favorite musicians rock a Shure microphone on stage or in the studio. Shure has been providing pro-grade microphones for an age, and the MV 7 Podcast microphone is its attempt to bring its high-end sound to content creators.
The USB Type-B Micro/XLR connection will be the big draw for a lot of folks. It gives you the best of both worlds by providing the adaptability of XLR (especially if you use professional audio interfaces) and the versatility of Type-B Micro inputs for recording on the go with laptops and mobile devices.
The Shure MV7 is a great-sounding XLR/USB hybrid microphone that’ll give veteran podcasters and streamers a serious upgrade.
Shure’s first hybrid XLR/USB microphone manages to provide pro-grade sound with minimal set-up and expertise. While it is more expensive than your average premium mic, its versatility completely justifies the cost. It’s hands-down one of the best microphones I’ve used for recording.
The mic itself does an excellent job of isolating my voice while ignoring the loud hums of my desktop PC, air conditioner, and any other ambient nonsense I have going on in the background. You will notice some pretty loud plosives, so it might be best to invest in a shield to block your breath from the mic, or not having the mic directly in front of you when recording.
The MV7 takes advantage of the ShurePlus Motiv software, which lets you tweak and fine-tune your sound with relative ease. From here, you can mess with things like adding compression to your voice, adjust your EQ, and add a limiter. One of the more understated features is the Auto Level Mode. We’ve seen similar features in other mics, such as the Elgato Wave 3, which basically keeps you from hitting the red. That’s especially useful if your content involves lots of shouting or singing or both. So now you don’t have to worry about bursting your viewers’ eardrums when a jump scare gets the better of you in Phasmophobia. Also, nice if you’re a bit of an audio novice, and your recording area isn’t acoustically sound.
The Shure MV7 is a great-sounding XLR/USB hybrid microphone that’ll give veteran podcasters and streamers a serious upgrade, especially if you’re looking for a microphone that’ll plug into a USB audio interface at first and later can be useful in upgrading to an all XLR setup down the line. It’s for content creators who want to bring their production values to pro-grade levels but don’t want to or can’t spend that pro-grade money. $250 for a hybrid USB/XLR microphone isn’t that big of an ask when you consider the flexibility of the Shure MV7.
Read our full Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone review (opens in new tab).
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(Image credit: Hyperx)
(Image credit: Hyperx)
(Image credit: Hyperx)
(Image credit: HyperX)
2. HyperX SoloCast
The best budget microphone
Our expert review:
Specifications
Polar patterns:
Unidirectional Cardioid Polar Pattern
Connectivity:
USB
Recording Sample Rate:
16-bit 48kHz
Frequency response:
20–20,000Hz
Features:
Tap-to-mute sensor
View at HP (US)
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View at Amazon
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View at Best Buy
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Reasons to buy
+
Sounds nearly identical to QuadCast Mic
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Great price
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Portable design
Reasons to avoid
–
No gain control on mic, which makes this one fiddler than some for small tweaks
The HyperX SoloCast is the best of a slew of new budget-oriented microphones. This new breed delivers their more expensive siblings’ audio performance, prioritizing the sound over extensive feature sets for a frankly fantastic price.
For less than $60 you’re really paying for the portability and ease of use. As far as sound quality is concerned, you usually get what you pay for, but the HyperX SoloCast is hoping to prove that a microphone that’s cheaper in price doesn’t have to mean cheap sound.
With the JLab Audio Talk GO (opens in new tab) and Razer Seiren Mini (opens in new tab) all offering great sound, the HyperX SoloCast stands above the others because it gives us the audio chops of its pricier QuadCast S compatriot. That’s a fantastic microphone in its own right, and we can bear losing the full list of features and range of polar patterns when we want an easy plug-and-play mic.
The SoloCast has just the single cardioid polar pattern.
The SoloCast seems to take a ‘sound over anything else’ approach, much like its wildly successful HyperX Cloud gaming headsets have. HyperX has stripped down one of its QuadCast mics down to the bare essentials. I reviewed the $160 HyperX Quadcast S (opens in new tab) and fell in love with its sound and the number of smart quality-of-life features on the microphone, which set it apart from other mics.
When comparing the HyperX SoloCast and QuadCast S, the sound quality is scarily similar when using cardioid mode across both. Both mics have a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and a 16-bit sample rate. So the quality of sound is there if that’s your chief concern. Unlike its namesake, the SoloCast has just the single cardioid polar pattern as opposed to the four that are offered on the QuadCast mics.
The features HyperX has sacrificed to the audio gods are a headphone jack, gain control, shock mount, internal pop filter, and, let’s not forget, that fun-looking RGB lighting. All gone with the simplistic SoloCast.
The gain control is particularly missed, as not being able to regulate the gain on the fly with the SoloCast is a pain since the mic sounded just a bit too hot out of the box. This means any changes you need to do have to be done on the software level in your streaming apps, such as OBS or XSplit.
But if you’re just after higher-quality audio and don’t want to mess around with gain settings mid-stream, the SoloCast could be all the mic you need.
Read our full HyperX SoloCast review (opens in new tab).
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(Image credit: Future – Jorge Jimenez)
(Image credit: Future – Jorge Jimenez)
(Image credit: Future – Jorge Jimenez)
(Image credit: Future – Jorge Jimenez)
3. Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set
The best microphone and boom arm bundle
Our expert review:
Specifications
Polar patterns:
Cardioid
Connectivity:
USB
Recording Sample Rate:
24-bit 48kHz
Frequency response:
20–20,000Hz
Features:
Boom arm, Mute, Headphone and mix controls
View at Amazon
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View at Newegg
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Reasons to buy
+
Good build quality
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Great value
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Clean, crisp sound
Reasons to avoid
–
Lack of desk stand in streaming kit
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Cardioid only
I get it; there are so many microphones out there, and quite frankly, many of them are pretty good. So honing in on the right one for you could be challenging. The Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set gives you everything you need to start your podcasting or streaming journey with a great-sounding microphone and sturdy boom arm combo for less than $200.
The Profile comes in two packages; the standalone microphone for $129 or the Streaming Set (which we’re testing out here) for $199. The latter includes a microphone and a desk-mounted boom arm. The mic is the same in the package, so does it really come down to whether you need a boom arm or not? I’m on team boom because it clears desk space and prevents any incidental bumps and thumps from being picked up on the mic during recording.
The Profile has a sturdy metal casing and a more flashy design than I would expect from Sennheiser. Don’t get me wrong, Sennheiser makes some of the best audio gear in the world, but some of its designs, especially on its headsets, are a little boring.
The Profile is sleek and looks good on camera if you’re a streamer, especially when mounted on the boom arm. Overall, it’s a good design, and I really like that you have an onboard mix, gain, headphone volume controls, and the mute button on the mic. In a time when microphone makers are scaling back features to keep costs down, it’s nice to see that Sennheiser has found a way to do both.
As you can hear, the Profile has a very warm sound, uh, profile that gives my voice a nice, crisp quality. Perfect if the type of content you create involves much talking or you need to sound like a professional on a work call.
Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set gives you everything you need to start your podcasting or streaming journey with a great-sounding microphone and sturdy boom arm combo for less than $200.
On the software front, well, there isn’t any. The Profile is a plug-and-play microphone with no accompanying software for tweaking sound. So, if you want to apply filters to your voice or anything fun like that, you’ll need to use third-party apps. Since all the controls are on the mic, I’m alright with not having to install another app for my accessories.
The only real problem with the Profile is that it lacks some versatility by only having one polar pattern. Unlike other microphones, such as the Quadcast, I can’t plop this down on a table and do an interview on location because a cardioid mic is really only suitable for one person. Anyway, it’s not like you could set this on a table because the Profile Streaming Set doesn’t come with a desktop stand. In other words, it’s a very specific single-person use case and not for moving around with.
I find it strange that the Streaming Set doesn’t include some sort of a desk stand. You’re relegated to using your boom arm, though you could buy the stand on its own for $29 (opens in new tab). On the other hand, the stand-alone Profile does include a stand, so keep that in mind if you’re choosing between just the microphone or the boom arm combo.
Unsurprisingly, Sennheiser makes a quality boom arm that’s easy to set up. A decent boom could cost well over $100, so getting one for an essential $70 with 3-point locking and a cable guide is a helluva deal and worth picking up if you don’t plan on taking your mic anywhere. It should accommodate most desks, too.
This excellent boom arm will probably last longer than your podcasting career, honestly, and the Sennheiser Profile does everything a good mic for streamers’ needs. It’s easy to use, and the onboard controls give you much control over your sound.
Read our full Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set review. (opens in new tab)
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Scarlett)
(Image credit: Scarlett)
(Image credit: Scarlett)
4. Focusrite Scarlett 2I2 Studio Bundle
The best XLR microphone and interface bundle
Our expert review:
Specifications
Polar patterns:
Cardioid
Recording Sample Rate:
24-bit 192kHz
Connectivity:
USB Type-C
Frequency response:
50–20,000Hz
Features:
Scarlett CM25 MkIII Microphone, Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen interface,Scarlett HP60 MkIII
View at Sweetwater Sound
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View at Walmart
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Fantastic mic quality
+
Everything you need for XLR
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Great for streaming
+
Easy to use
+
Makes mixing easy
Reasons to avoid
–
No microphone stand included
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Headphones feel cheaper than the rest of the bundle
Think of the Scarlett Solo Studio 3rd Gen bundle as the perfect XLR microphone starter kit for under $300. The bundle includes Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen Interface, a CM25 MkIII condenser microphone, HP60 MkIII closed-back headphones, one XLR cable, and a Type-C to Type-A USB cable to connect it to your PC. Everything you need to start podcasting or streaming.
XLR mics are known for their sound quality but require a USB interface like the Solo Studio, which could be a bit pricey. The $280 is an incredibly great price for all of that.
Focusrite isn’t some recording nobody, either. It’s a well-respected brand in professional audio with a legacy of quality products. From the products I’ve experienced in the past, I can see why: they’re simple to operate yet technically effective for high-grade audio production.
That still holds true for the 3rd generation 2i2 included in the Studio bundle, which now runs entirely on a single USB Type-C to Type-A cable, even power. Its interface is brighter, cleaner, and more easily navigated than previous models.
As much a great condenser microphone as you could want from a setup at this price.
The 2i2 is a twin-preamp design, meaning you can run two microphones through this single interface for an easy podcast setup. Each input offers individual gain control, which is handy if you have a loud friend on the other end of the mic, but also great if you want to hook up an instrument on one input and record your silky voice box on the other. There’s an INST switch for each input, which tweaks a couple of key specs for use with instruments, though what might be of greater interest to streamers and podcasters is the AIR switch.
The AIR switch, once enabled, bolsters the high frequencies by recreating the ISA 110 mic preamp found on the Focusrite Studio Console. That might not mean much to you, but the end result is it helps your voice pop just that little bit more. I also find it helps with clarity in the final recording.
Regarding microphone quality, the CM25 MkIII is as much a great condenser microphone as you could want from a setup at this price. It’s functional and straightforward, and its all-metal construction gives me a lot of faith in its longevity. The tone is balanced and crisp, though you will need to be closer to the mic than you might otherwise with some popular USB microphones to get the tone you’re looking for. That might suit you well if you’re competing with ambient noise, though you might have to boost the gain a little higher than you’d like if you need to keep the mic further away from your face.
The 2i2’s twin-preamp design lets you run two microphones through a single interface. This has always been a pain point for anyone who tried to plug more than one USB mic into a PC. That value alone is worth the price of admission, but there’s a lot more to the 2i2 that we love.
Read our full Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Bundle review (opens in new tab).
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(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: hyperx)
(Image credit: HyperX)
The gamer-centric HyperX Quadcast S is an excellent microphone for the gamer or streamer looking for an easy-to-use, clear-sounding mic. While it doesn’t quite match up to the Yeti X in terms of sound quality, the Quadcast S makes up for it in design and feature set.
The biggest draw of the Quadcast S is that it’s loaded with built-in features that usually end up being pricey add-ons for other streaming microphones (opens in new tab). The built-in shock mount prevents the mic from picking up any accidental bumps that happen during a contentious Warzone match or overly active Discord chat. The built-in pop filter is also a nice touch considering I always have issues trying to find the optimal position and distance for my rink-a-dink $7 pop-shield, and it never quite stays where it’s supposed to when mounted.
The touch-sensitive mute button at the top of the microphone is excellent, too. Often mute buttons and switches make a loud click when recording. This doesn’t. The Quadcast S hits the sweet spot of price, sound, and features if you’re looking to add something to your live stream.
It looks like you’re speaking into a lava lamp.
Specs-wise, the S is more or less identical to the Quadcast, offering the same frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, bit-rate of 16-bit, and three 14mm condensers, and lets you choose between four polar patterns. Though my plosives tended to sound a little more blown out than I’d like, the quality of my voice sounded good. During conference calls, I can be heard clearly by numerous colleagues commenting on how much louder I was than anyone else, which is an easy fix by bringing down the gain.
On the software side of things, the HyperX Quadcast S uses its proprietary Ngenuity software to handle all things RGB, and that’s pretty much it. I mean, you can adjust things such as the mic level and get a description of each polar pattern. But other than that, it’s pretty light in options when compared to the Elgato Wave: 3 (opens in new tab), which comes with a digital audio mixer or Blue Yeti X’s Blu! Voice software that lets you apply audio filters.
It still retains its sports-talk radio broadcast mic look, which isn’t for everyone, but I think it has a certain charm. I love the dynamic RGB lighting, anyways. It looks like you’re speaking into a lava lamp.
While the RGB is impressive and fun, it doesn’t merit an upgrade for existing Quadcast owners since the microphone is the same as last year except for the light show. But if you choose between the Quadcast and Quadcast S, the dynamic RGB is neat and loud, which could always deter anyone after something more low-key. If that’s the case, the Quadcast is probably more your style (opens in new tab) (and you’ll save around $20).
Read our full HyperX Quadcast S review (opens in new tab).
Best microphone FAQ
What is a polar pattern and which do I need for gaming?
A polar pattern determines how much and from which direction an audio signal will be picked up by a microphone. For gaming, you’ll mostly want a pattern that picks up sound directly in front of the microphone (you) and not much else from anywhere else (the environment).
These are the most common polar patterns:
Cardioid: Records in front of the microphone. Perfect for voice-over, vocals, and streaming.
Bidirectional: Captures audio in front of and behind the mic. Ideal for one-on-one interviews.
Omnidirectional: Picks up sound from every direction. Perfect for round-table interviews, but not so much for gaming or streaming.
Stereo: Perfect for ASMR recordings. YouTube ‘ASMR’ if you want the best example because I couldn’t do it just justice.
Do I need a microphone boom arm, shock mount, or pop filter?
Everyone’s desk and setup requirements are different, so a mic must perform well under a handful of different scenarios. Suppose a microphone sounds better than all the rest combined but only when it’s on a suspended mic stand with a shock mount positioned precisely six inches away from your mouth. In that case, it’s not necessarily a reliable option to recommend.
Saying that, however, there are some valuable bits you might want to pick up if you’re looking to clear away clutter or build a more professional setup.
A boom arm certainly helps achieve both of those things. These almost always clip onto the side of your desk and are super handy to keep your mic close to hand while off your desk, saving precious real estate.
While a pop filter will help reduce plosives, the sound of air escaping violently from your mouth and towards the mic, from making their way over to airwaves to your listeners’ unfortunate ear holes. It’ll also stop your microphone from getting grubby when you’re up-close and sounding sibilants.
A shock mount is perhaps the least necessary of the lot, at least for gaming. These prevent vibrations from traveling through your microphone stand or boom arm and into the microphone, which can come through as rustle, thuds, or otherwise unwanted noise. Certainly a must-have for music studios, unless you are one to slam your way through a match of Apex Legends, you might be okay without.
What’s is a good sample and bit rate for a microphone?
Sample rate (opens in new tab) is the number of samples of audio recorded every second. 48kHz is the most common sample rate you’ll see on many microphones, and you shouldn’t be any lower than that.
Bit rate is the speed at which a digital and audio file gets encoded. Without trekking too much into audiophile territory, 16 bit and above is considered a good bit rate.
What connector do I need? XLR or USB?
USB microphones are among the most prevalent for gaming and streaming fare, but you’ll sometimes see the more widely used professional connection standard, XLR, make its way into high-end units. Hybrid USB/XLR can offer you the best of both worlds but tend to be more expensive.
USB is the simpler of the two, and if you’re looking for plug-and-play ease, then it’s your best bet. However, that simplicity comes at a cost. It’s difficult to record more than one USB microphone simultaneously, and monitoring and adjusting the mix will be done digitally.
With the added complexity of XLR comes a great deal of flexibility that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to access without even more complex digital mixing software on a USB mic. You can mix, adjust, and monitor an XLR mic before it ever touches your PC, and that’s a massive boon if you’re looking for a more complex setup.
The downside to XLR is that they will require additional equipment to connect to your PC. It is nothing wild, just something to interface between the mic and PC, such as the many devices by that name, which often comes with mixing functionality built-in.
How much should I spend on a microphone?
And as PC gamers, we will, of course, always try to get the best we can for less. It’s easy to get lost in the deep dark woods that are the world of audio and even easier to spend a ludicrous amount of time and money chasing the best possible setup. But we don’t need studio-ready equipment, so the price is essential when looking at how good a particular mic is.
Think about your use case; if you’re only using a microphone to chat with your teammates, chances are, you don’t need a microphone with half a dozen polar patterns and have a podcast studio level of quality. Don’t spend money on features you don’t need or use. Some $50 or fewer microphones are more than adequate and great for gaming. We picked out the best budget microphones (opens in new tab) that we have tested this year if you need some guidance.
