Those, who are in gaming for a while, know how important it is to have top-notch gear. And even such insignificant detail as a microphone, which may seem to be not as vital as computer speakers or keyboard, can have a considerable effect. Of course, you may have an awesome gaming headset but it isn’t the same as a high-grade mic.
It’s not a secret that in modern headsets the sound is prioritized over the mic quality. Some headphones may even not have a built-in mic. So, if you are aimed to win it’s better to get the best microphone for gaming.
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Last update on 2023-09-26 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to Choose the Best Mic for Gaming
Sure, a perfect microphone is suitable for any kind of activities. It can be a great mic for streaming and at the same time an excellent item for gaming or studio recordings. Still, if you need a mic for a specific purpose then it’s better to get the best one of that category.
So what does the best mic for gaming look like? It has got a lifelike sound, easy setup, reasonable price and, of course, it’s versatile. A perfect mic will turn your game into a real adventure. But how to find it? Here are some tips which will help you choose a suitable mic for gaming.
Sound quality
Great mics have high-grade recording quality. It is achieved through wide frequency response, which will let you select a necessary mode. Another thing that affects audio quality is the level of noise reduction. Some mics come with vibration dampening or have special filters for background noise. This aspect is responsible for sound clarity and accuracy. Undoubtedly, no one wants the audio with picked up keyboard cluttering.
Don’t forget to pay attention to pattern selection as well. Some mics are versatile while others offer only one audio setting. A universal mic is a multi-pattern one and includes all directional properties such as omnidirectional, bidirectional and unidirectional (cardioid). Here you can learn more about the difference between them.
Form factor
Though there are a lot of microphone form factors, those which are typical for mics for gaming are desktop, clip on and mini. Desktop mics are usually more expensive than mini. Nevertheless, they are richer in options and usually have better sound quality.
Comfort
Comfortable mics are easy to set up and simple in use. Besides, you can easily adjust them to the necessary conditions. Such mics are highly adaptable.
Some other things to pay attention to is the quality of material and construction. Check whether it is a durable item and won’t break after the slightest push or drop.
Accessories should be also taken into account. Some mics come with additional desktop stands, Y-adapters, a carrying case, pop filters and ports. Just makes sure there is everything you need for gaming.
9 Best Mics for Gaming
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone
Great Budget Mic for Gaming
In case you are looking for something inexpensive and compact but at the same time with great audio quality V-MODA BoomPro is one of the models to take into account when selecting the best mic. It is especially recommended for those who need a mic not only for playing games but also communicating with family, friends or business partners. Note that despite its low price V-MODA BoomPro delivers clear audio as it comes with background noise reduction.
It is a highly compatible model which can be used with nearly all kinds of devices including PCs, tablets, smartphones and gaming consoles. V-MODA BoomPro is a detachable mic with a unique bendable SteelFlex design, thanks to which it can be easily adjusted to different conditions. This mic for gaming is also durable as it is equipped with a reinforced cable and 24k gold plated plug.
- high compatibility
- background noise reduction
- low price
- solid build quality
- clear and accurate sound
- Y-adaptor included
- cable thump
- suitable for headsets with detachable cables only
- very sensitive
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The Best Microphone for YouTube Gaming
Need a premium mic for gaming? Then have a look at Blue Yeti USB microphone. There are a lot of things to like about it. This mic comes with Blue’s proprietary tri-capsule technology. It means that there is a tri-capsule array with three condenser capsules, which can record almost anything even under less-than-ideal conditions.
What is more, there is multiple pattern selection including cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo pattern settings. Such variety allows you to use this mic for different purposes –podcasting, video recording, conference calls, music, and, of course, game streaming.
Blue Yeti USB microphone has a simple control system and doesn’t require any driver install. All you need to start using it is just to plug this mic into your device’s USB port with the included USB cable.
Another reason why Blue Yeti is considered to be one of the best mic for gaming is its up-to-date design. You can easily adjust its desktop stand and pivot mic in a way you need it. You can also use set screws to secure it in the most suitable position.
- top-notch sounding
- adaptable design
- selectable pickup patterns
- stylish look
- simple setup
- durable metal body
- prone to picking up keyboard cluttering
- pricey
- rather large and heavy
- flimsy controls
Razer Seiren Mini
Built From The Ground Up For Streamers
Razer knows about the modern gamer’s needs, so they created the Seiren Mini – a microphone designed for in-game chat and streaming. As such, this is a plug-and-play easy-to-use microphone, that can be installed almost anywhere, without too much of a fuss.
The case is made from anodized aluminum, which makes it lightweight and durable. Also, the mic is delivered with a built-in shock mount and has a super-cardioid pick-up pattern. In addition, it is equipped with a professional-grade single dynamic capsule for a rich and warm vocal effect. This means that your broadcasting experience will be as true to life as possible, due to minimal electronic interference.
There’s also a built-in high-pass filter for ultra-clean recording – it cuts out any unwanted low-frequency vibrations (such as background noise). This way, you can record your streams and publish them on your channel without too much editing.
Lastly, the microphone also has a digital/analog vocal limiter for zero distortion and supports 16 bit/48kHZ resolution.
- Compact, lightweight, durable
- Plug-and-play system
- Provides close-to-perfect recording
- Keeps your voice clear and natural
- It needs an adapter to use with boom arm stands
- There is very little room for bigger plugs
NZXT Capsule
A Simple, yet Powerful Gaming Microphone
If you seek a solid audio-performing microphone for your gaming activities that will do more than a good job, the NZXT Capsule is the device for you. To be exact, this microphone offers a simple design and plug-and-play functionality, perfect for a large portion of gamers.
Yes, there is no EQ tweaking, yet luckily the overall performance and the default profile are more than good and will certainly satisfy the majority of users. In addition, its build is rugged, while the gain is set at the ideal 50%.
NZXT Capsule is a unidirectional microphone, with a Cardioid polar pattern and 24-bit/96kHz resolution voice pickup that drastically reduces background noise. Moreover, this microphone brings low-latency performance, USB-C to USB-A Cable connectivity, and much-needed ease of use, which is always welcomed, no matter the class of the device.
All in all, NZXT Capsule is a very good product, and certainly one of the best microphones for gaming, especially if the simplicity and great performance are the main goals of your search.
- Low latency
- Rugged
- Great audio
- Plug-and-play functionality
- Easy to use
- No EQ tweaking
HyperX QuadCast
Intuitive & Versatile on a Wide Range of Platforms
The HyperX QuadCast microphone is not just for gamers as it delivers amazing quality for podcasts, streaming, interviews, and even recordings. Designed with an anti-vibration shock mount and a mount adapter that lets you install it in any position, the microphone is easy to use and setup.
It has four selectable polar patterns (stereo, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and cardioid), a pop filter, and gain control adjustment that’s easy to reach and switch. Furthermore, it has tap to mute with an LED indicator that lets you avoid any accidental tea spilling. This way, you know for sure that when the light is on the mic is active and when the light is off, you can talk freely.
Lastly, the mic has a headphone jack, so you can hear your own voice. This feature is great for gaming sessions, streaming, and even podcasts.
- Easy to mount and setup
- Works with a wide array of platforms
- Very intuitive mute/unmute system
- Delivers natural sound
- Four polar patterns
- Shock mount that does a good job
- Ideal for gaming, streaming, and recordings
- Picks up environmental sound
- The headset has no volume controls when plugged into the mic
- A bit expensive
Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone
The Best Affordable Microphone for Gaming
For those with some financial constraints, we would recommend paying attention to Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone. It’s also a good option in case you just don’t want to spend a fortune on a new mic for gaming.
This Blue Snowball mic is designed with a custom condenser capsule which provides crisp and clear sound for communication and recordings. Having this mic you can also create podcasts or add narration to home movies. By the by, Blue Snowball iCE Condenser is very easy to set up. You don’t need any driver installation – just plug and play.
- easy setup
- low price
- good sound quality
- lightweight
- noise cancelling
- only one audio setting
- poor construction quality
- lacks adaptability
Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone
The Best Affordable Gaming Microphone
Finding the perfect equipment for your gaming is never easy, especially if you have a limited budget. However, some products deliver excellent performance and still don’t have a premium price, and Shure MV5 is precisely that type of device.
This is a highly compatible microphone that can work along with Windows, Mac, and iOS, offering a clean and clear voice, surprisingly good for its price. Moreover, this microphone also comes with a built-in headphone output and both USB and Lightning cable, offering a great level of versatility.
Its frequency range is between 20Hz and 20kHz, while the microphone itself has the 16/24-bit, 44.1/48kHz recording quality.
Shure MV5 is available in black/gray color combination, as well as black/red color. Also, it features three DSP Preset Modes (Vocals, Flat, and Instrument), and brings an excellent value for the price, as it should be the case with one of the best microphones for gaming available.
- Affordable
- Built-in headphone output
- Three DSP preset modes
- Both USB and Lightning connectivity
- Good audio
- Not the most stable design
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
The Best PC Mic for Gaming
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is another mic for gaming with unparalleled sound quality. Its high-grade A/D converter provides 16bit and frequency response, which is quite extended and smooth. Add to this 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate as well as high-output internal headphone amplifier and you will get lifelike and detailed sounding suitable for gaming, podcasting and home studio recording.
This USB microphone comes with mix control due to which you can blend the mic signal and pre-recorded audio. There is also volume control using which you can monitor the signal any time you need it. Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is compatible with such OS as Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X.
- high-grade recording
- accurate sound
- high sensitivity
- full frequency response
- solid build quality
- easy setup
- no pop-filter
- no microphone gain control
- poor tripod
Elgato Wave:3
Designed with a streamer’s needs in mind, the Wave:3 has several impressive features that also make it a gamer’s dream!
On the surface, Wave:3 looks like a regular streaming microphone with a steel grille. It also has a built-in control interface (the multifunctional dial), a capacitive mute button, and comes with a heavy-duty desk stand (U-mount with padded base). It also has the necessary fittings for your boom arm of choice).
Under the case, you’ll find superior circuitry that supports 24bit/96kHz analog to digital conversion and can deliver broadcast-grade detail and clarity. There’s also a premium condenser capsule with a cardioid polar pattern (fine-tuned for speech) and a multi-layered noise shield.
Wave:3 is a USB-C plug-and-play microphone that can be used for any production (from podcasts to gaming, even to ASMR).
Now all these cool features can be perfectly controlled and fine-tuned with the Wave Link app that lets users control up to seven audio sources and create two independent mixes. Lastly, the mike comes with proprietary Clipguard technology that makes distortion virtually impossible.
- Compact & solid build
- Can be used for a wide range of productions
- Very easy to set up (app included)
- Capacitive mute button & control interface
- Amazing sound clarity
- Proprietary Clipguard technology
- It doesn’t feel as heavy as it looks
- The design is overly simplistic
Summary
When it comes to gear for gaming, a high-quality mic is one of the things a gamer should have. We offer the list of mics which vary both in price and options, so you can easily choose the most suitable one.
