If you need a microphone upgrade, in this guide, we’ve rated and compared seven of the best gaming microphones currently available.
As a gamer, you might find that a gaming headset and mic set up were all you needed to start playing an MMO or to team up with your friends around the world. You might have even started to record or stream your gaming sessions with a simple headset.
However, you’ll find that a basic headset with mic won’t really carry you too far if you are serious about being heard and understood over your game, whether it’s to stream, to record gaming sessions to be uploaded, or even just raiding with a large group. Additionally, you may find that the freedom of a free standing or boom mounted gaming microphone allows you greater comfort to move around and even eat or take breaks while gaming without the worry of your every breath and move being broadcasted to your friends and listeners.
A clear, high quality gaming microphone can make a huge difference in your experience and in the reception you get in game and from your wider audience. This list of best gaming microphones will help you decide which is best for you, at any price point or audio skill level.
Table of Contents
1. Quick-Look: The Best Microphones for Gamers
A Quick Look at the Best Microphones for Gaming
For a quick glance at our selections for the best gaming mics, the table below shows our favorite options across a few different categories. We’ve selected the best gaming microphone overall, a runner-up pick, the best extreme microphone option for gamers, and the best budget microphone.
|
|
NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP PICK
|
 |
Blue Yeti |
|
/10 | |
|
RUNNER-UP
|
 |
Razer Seiren X |
|
/10 | |
|
EXTREME
|
 |
Razer Seiren Elite |
|
/10 | |
|
VALUE
|
 |
Blue Snowball |
|
/10 |
*For a rundow o each of the gaming mics listed above, hit the “Read Review »” button. To see our Honorable Mention picks, keep scrolling down.
Best Gaming Microphone:
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The Blue Yeti is often lauded as the best gaming microphone, and even the best all round microphone at this price point as well. The sheer number of features and options explain why. The Yeti stands nearly 12 inches high on its included stand and comes in 11 different colors, including (but not limited to): silver, black, platinum, white, cool gray, and blue. This array of styles is useful if you have an audience and wish to impress.
The Yeti features four recording pattern settings: omnidirectional, cardioid, bidirectional, and stereo. If you record or stream with others, this increases your options for clear sound recording, no matter where you and your fellow gamers sit around the microphone.
The Yeti also features a headphone jack, a mute button–useful for mid-game sneeze or cough interruptions, and gain control, to adjust the sensitivity of the mic while streaming loud games or conversations. With greater frequency response (20Hz-20kHz) and three condenser capsules, the Yeti is a step up from the Snowball models, for the serious gaming streamer.
Our Runner-Up Pick:
Razer Seiren X
The Razer Seiren X is similar to the Elite (listed below), but with a few important differences. It’s both smaller and narrower, standing eight inches high on its included stand, and comes in black and pink. The X’s dual condenser capsules feature one pick-up pattern: super cardioid. This means the mic picks up from a tighter angle than the usual cardioid pattern, cutting out noise from the room or other people’s speech.
This combined with the greater frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz makes this an ideal mic for gamers with a higher or lighter voice, or who have issues with outside noise interfering with their recordings.
It also features a built-in shock mount and pop filter to avoid vibration and breathing sounds interfering with your voice. In addition to a mute and volume button, the mic has a headphone jack with zero latency technology, so you can hear yourself as your audience or friends do. As with all these mics, it connects with a USB for Plug and Play ease of use.
Extreme Gaming Mic:
Razer Seiren Elite
The Razer Seiren Elite is a step up for the serious streamer or Let’s Play recorder. It stands nine inches tall on its included stand and comes in black. This mic features a single dynamic capsule and one pick-up setting: cardioid.
The included high-pass filter ensures only your voice will be picked up, not the sounds from another room, from a fan or air conditioner, or the street, which is so important if you are looking for that crisp sounds that marks a more professional streamer or gamer.
A headphone jack and mute button are easily accessible on the front of the mic as well as gain control, to adjust the sensitivity of the mic when in loud gaming scenarios.
A mic windscreen is also included, to help filter out those breathing and popping sounds. The 50Hz-20kHz frequency response is a bit less than other mics on this list, but the extras may make up for this. The Seiren Elite connects easily to a USB port, and sets up with Plug and Play, no software needed.
Budget Gaming Microphone:
Blue Snowball USB Microphone
The Blue Snowball is one of the classics. It stands 10 inches tall atop its three-legged stand, and is available in three colors: black, silver, and white. Unlike many other mics, it doesn’t resemble a classic radio microphone, but is a sphere.
With both cardioid and omnidirectional pick-up, this mic can be used for solo recording or to capture the voices of your whole gaming group in the room. The -10 dB attenuation cardioid mode, adjusts the mic sensitivity, so your voice or other sounds come through clear and clean. 40 –18 kHz frequency response at all setting captures all the sounds you need while USB Plug and Play installation and a simple desk stand makes this easy to use for the beginner.
The clean, classic appearance also looks professional onscreen and it comes in five different color options.
Honorable Mention #1:
Blue Snowball iCE Condenser
The Blue Snowball ICE is the budget sibling of the Blue Snowball. It is the same size and shape as the above Snowball and comes in black and white. Featuring only cardioid pick-up, this mic is suited to the newer streamer still looking for an upgrade from a headset mic.
As there is only one directional setting, if you move around while recording this may not suit you, as the mic only picks up right in front. However, this cuts back on sound pick up from other areas of the room or outside, which is useful for you, if you share a living space, or live next to a busy street.
The custom condenser capsule keeps your voice sounding crisp and clear, while the 40 –18 kHz frequency response is more than capable that this price range. This mic is easy to install, with instant Plug and Play on Mac and Windows PCs and works with all you favorite recording and streaming applications and platforms.
Honorable Mention #2:
AmazonBasics Mini Condenser
The AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone is a low end, starter priced mic that could satisfy the requirements for a new streamer, while not completely breaking the bank.
This mic is nine inches tall, including its three-legged mic stand, and comes in silver, black, and white. As a basic model, it lacks the extras that some have, such as a headphone jack, but works immediately with Plug and Play technology out of the box and is easy to master.
Featuring a single capsule condenser and unidirectional pick-up, as well as a 50Hz to 20kHz frequency response, this mic works if you record or play solely in one location, without a lot of background noise.
Unlike the higher end microphones, this low-end model does not feature a mute button, pop filter, or any other extras, all of which can be invaluable while actively streaming or talking with your team or guild, but it offers a solid audio performance at this price point.
Honorable Mention #3:
Turtle Beach Stream Mic
The Turtle Beach Universal Digital USB Stream Mic is meant for streamers and gamers who play on high-end gaming PCs or on consoles. This mic stands six inches tall, and comes in black and silver, with an included mic stand.
It has dual Electret condensers, and a frequency response of 20Hz – 20kHz-about the same as the other higher end mics on this list. It features a headphone jack with a built-in headphone amplifier and three pick-up patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, and super cardioid, which is used to cut down on noise from other parts of the room, focusing only on the speaker.
An easily accessible front located mute button increased the ease of use, and this mic can use its included stand or boom mounted, depending on your needs. This mic also comes with software to adjust and personalize your voice, for greater flexibility and creativity and Plug and Play ease of use.
In the world of gaming microphones, the Turtle Beach provides options for the console gamer, or one who is not tied to one format.
Which Gaming Microphone is Right for You?
With the right microphone your gaming experience can be improved not just for you, but for your listeners and friends, whether you’re going pro or just having some fun. Finding the best gaming microphone for your budget and needs can be difficult, but with this list of the best microphones out there right now, your search can be quick and easy, leaving you plenty of time for you next raid.
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