For gamers or content creators who live stream, investing in a clean sounding microphone is essential. Luckily, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get solid performance. We've listed the best sounding and most popular USB mics for gaming and live streaming in every price range, since USB mics tend to be the more popular choice in this category. However, we've also included a few XLR dynamic and condenser mics at the bottom of the article should you want to elevate your sound performance to the next level.
USB Mics for Gaming and Streaming
USB Dynamic Mics
Dynamic mics are often a great choice for gaming and streaming because they tend to capture the warmth and presence in your voice, adding depth and richness to your vocal delivery. And unlike condenser mics, which tend to be very sensitive, dynamic mics are often less susceptible to noise from the surrounding environment, making them well-suited for untreated rooms or spaces with less-than-ideal acoustic surroundings.
Under $100
The PreSonus Revelator Dynamic USB Microphone offers fantastic bang for your buck. Modeled after PreSonus' best-selling PD-70 microphone, this dynamic model is designed to deliver clean and intelligible speech while minimizing handling noise and breath sounds. Also impressive for the price are the handy presets that facilitate a fully processed sound, eliminating any annoying artifacts from your vocal capture. Additionally, you can leverage PreSonus' easy-to-use mixer to add backing tracks to your livestream performance or to conference in a Zoom caller. With two dedicated stereo channels for loopback audio, you can mix audio from two different applications along with your voice, all at once.
Under $200
If you're gaming in a space with less than ideal acoustic conditions, check out the MV6 from Shure. It offers Voice Isolation technology that includes an Auto Level Mode to automatically adjust your gain levels, as well as a room noise-killing denoiser and a Digital Popper Stopper to kill any overwhelming plosive sounds. And with the help of a companion app, you can also adjust your vocal tone, from dark to bright. In addition, the mic features a tap-to-mute feature, allowing you quick access to privacy during your gaming or streaming sessions.
$250 and Up
Shure's famous MV7B sound profile is now available with USB connectivity thanks to its MV7+ model, which gives you both XLR and USB options in addition to a host of other features. You may also want to consider the MV7+ kit, which comes with a broadcast arm, allowing to use this famous mic the way it was intended. This updated "+" model adds an array of invaluable features, including a customizable color-lit touch panel with metering as well as improved DSP functions; you can now expect three reverb options and better sound quality with less noise overall. You can also make use of Shure's MOTIV Mix software to gain complete control over a wide array of sound-sculpting parameters.
USB Condenser Mics
Condenser microphones are a great choice for those who want a particularly tidy and detailed sound. While condenser mics are typically more sensitive and transparent than dynamic mics, they are also more likely to pick up room noise. So, condensers are often ideal for those streaming in quieter environments or acoustically treated rooms. That said, USB condenser mics are perhaps more popular from gaming and streaming than USB dynamic mics, partially because they offer reasonably high performance at lower price points.
Under $50
If you're a gamer simply looking to upgrade the sound from your headset, you can't go wrong with this wallet-friendly model from Logitech. The G Yeti Orb offers impressively crisp and nuanced sound, ensuring clear communication with your fellow gamers. With a cardioid pickup pattern, this mic focuses attention on the speaker while keeping surrounding noise to a minimum. (Room treatment may still be necessary if you're competing with cars and other ambient noise).
To optimize your sound quality, you can also make use of Logitech's accompanying software, which lets you adjust your EQ, make use of the limiter to avoid distortion and activate the Depopper feature to minimize plosives while speaking.
The G Yeti Orb also features Logitech's fun and handy LIGHTSYNC technology with RGB color effects that can sync with your games, as well as with LIGHTSYNC compatible keyboards and mice. Finally, included in the package is a desktop stand, which can be removed, allowing you to also mount the mic to a boom arm.
Under $100
For streamers looking for clarity and definition in their audio delivery, affordable option is the RODE NT-USB Mini USB Microphone. Specifically tuned for the spoken word, this USB model from RODE delivers both warmth and presence to the speaker's voice. The NYT-USB Mini also delivers professional studio quality resolution, providing 48 kHz/24-Bit recording.
With a built-in pop filter and isolation stand, this mic is designed to minimize any handling noise. And although some acoustic room treatment is always advisable, the cardioid polar pattern ensures that the focus remains on your voice rather than the noise from your surroundings.
Finally, the RODE NT-USB Mini comes with a stand, which you can remove from the mic, should you want to mount it on a different stand for more flexible positioning.
Lastly, you'll also be able to monitor your vocals directly from the mic via the 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is one of the most popular streaming and gaming mics on the market, not only because of its classic aesthetic design but also because it's so versatile.
A particularly useful feature offered by the Blue Yeti is its variable pickup pattern. When speaking alone, use the cardioid setting to reject off-axis noise and minimize room tone. But when you invite one or multiple guests, you can switch to a bidirectional or omnidirectional polar pattern. Furthermore, you can also switch to stereo mode should you want to record any music or ASMR content.
Under $200
The Austrian Audio MiCreator Studio is one of our favorite picks on this list, not only because of its portability and impressive functionality, but also because its sound quality punches way above its price point.
The MiCreator Studio's standout feature is not only its pristine vocal capture but also its built-in audio interface that allows you to plug in an additional mic as well as instruments. So, streamers who also moonlight as musicians get an all-in-one solution to their streaming and recording needs in a small form factor that can easily be taken with you on the road.
This model is also very user-friendly, offering two simple gain settings, a mute switch and a convenient on-knob jogwheel for quick volume adjustment.
Dynamic and Condenser XLR Mics
Some gamers and streamers prefer to connect their mics via an audio interface to capture vocals with superior transparency and nuance and monitor their voice with greater accuracy and control. With an audio interface or sufficiently powerful all-in-one streaming mixer, you'll be using mic with an XLR connection rather than a USB plug.
XLR Condenser Mics
As mentioned above, condenser microphones excel at providing a notably transparent and nuanced vocal reproduction. However, given their sensitivity, it’s best to use them in quiet environments so that they don’t pick up ambient noise and other sound interruptions coming from a distance.
Under $100
The RM-650 from Polsen is not only the cutest mic on the list, but also highly detailed with a wide frequency response. Given that it's a large diaphragm condenser mic, it is very susceptible to more distant sounds. Luckily, it comes with a pop filter and shockmount to ensure a quiet recording and save you the expense of having to buy these components separately. Still, with respect to all condenser mics, we do want to repeat that you will need to record in a reasonably quiet environment to avoid picking up any unwanted sound.
It should again be noted that like all large diaphragm condenser mics in this category, you will need an interface that can provide phantom power.
Under $300
If you're thinking about investing in an audio interface down the line, but you're not yet ready to take the plunge, consider getting a condenser mic that's equipped with both a USB and XLR connection, like the Rode NT1 5th Generation. You can expect to hear a highly transparent midrange with easy high frequencies and a warm bass. Like the example above, this model also comes with a shockmount and pop screen. In addition, the transducer itself is suspended inside the microphone, further reducing vibrations.
XLR Dynamic Mics
Again, dynamic mics are known for their warm and robust sonic qualities. They excel at lending gravitas to the speaking voice, though they may not reveal the same level of detail and condenser microphones, which are much more sensitive and have a wider frequency response. Still, they work better in less-than-ideal acoustic spaces, since they don’t pick up as much distant sound as do condenser mics.
Under $100
If room noise is an issue, you may want to check out Rode's budget-friendly PodMic dynamic microphone. It features a tight cardioid pickup pattern, focusing itself directly towards the speaker, while rejecting off-axis sounds. And, of course, like any typical dynamic mic, it does a better job at ignoring less than ideal acoustic environments than large diaphragm condenser mics. Employing classic dynamic broadcast mic characteristics, the PodMic works best when you get right up close; with the right positioning, you'll get a deep and luscious tone.
As is the case with most classic dynamic broadcasting mics, we do recommend investing in a cloudlifter to ensure adequate gain levels unless connecting your mic to a sufficiently powerful preamp, like the one that is employed in the RODECaster Duo.
Under $200
Modelled after the legendary SM7B, the Shure MV7X is a more affordable alternative to one of the most acclaimed broadcast microphones on the market (featured below). You can expect a super clear sound that offers a natural yet full-bodied reproduction of your vocals. And unlike the large diaphragm condenser models featured above, you won't need to get an external pop screen, as the built-in pop filter does a good enough job to minimize vocal plosives.
$300 and Up
Of course, if price is not a consideration, then you may as well opt for the original SM7B, which is an industry standard in the broadcast and podcasting world. With a smooth and refined sonic quality and a rich response in the low-end, your voice will not only be highly pleasing to the ear but will also possess the gravitas of a speaker who knows what they're talking about.
For more information about the mics covered in this article, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we'll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
0 Comments