If you’re looking to get started with Twitch streaming or if you’re looking to take your streams to the next level, you’ll need a good microphone. There are tonnes available on the market, but looking through them all can be a real pain. That’s where we come in. In this guide, we’ll let you know what the best microphone for Twitch 2019 is. Below, you’ll find a list of the best microphones for streaming, including a selection of high-end and more budget-friendly options so you’re covered, no matter your bank balance. We’ve got the best budget microphone, the best USB microphone, and the best XLR microphone down for you below.
Best Budget Microphone for Twitch 2019
Blue Snowball ICE
- $49.00
- 16-bit
- 44.1 kHz
- Single capsule
- Cardioid pickup
Picking up a decent microphone for under $50 can seem a daunting task, but the Blue Snowball ICE would be a solid pick. The Snowball ICE is incredibly simple to set up (plug it in and you should be ready to go) and will take up very little space on your desk. It doesn’t look the most impressive, but that shouldn’t matter. This little USB microphone only features one microphone capsule for cardioid pickup, but if you just want to record yourself clearly enough on a budget, this is the microphone to go for.
For $61.99, however, you can upgrade a little to the Blue Snowball microphone. This dual capsule microphone features both cardioid and omnidirectional pickup. It’s just as easy to set up and use as the Snowball ICE, too, which is a nice bonus.
Blue Snowball ICE: Buy it on Amazon
Blue Snowball: Buy it on Amazon
Fifine USB Microphone K669B
- $29.99
- Single condenser
- Cardioid pickup
- 20-20 kHz frequency response
Just as with the Blue Snowball ICE, this offering from Fifine features plug-and-play technology. Simply plug it into your PC or Mac via USB and you should be good to go. it’s surprisingly fully-featured for its price. It features an onboard control dial for volume, too, which is a bonus at under $30. As with most more budget-friendly microphones, this one only features a single condenser capsule that is only capable of cardioid pickup. It should provide you with a clear enough voice recording, however, if a bit of light streaming is all you’re up for.
Zalman Zm-Mic1
- $8.38
- Single condenser
- Cardioid pickup
- 100 Hz-16,000 Hz frequency
If you’re looking to add a microphone to your already existing headset, the Zalman Zm-Mic1 offers unbelievable value for money. You’ll consistently find it under $10. As long as you don’t expect the very best sound quality from your microphone, with a little bit of light streaming here and there, it’ll do the job. There are plenty of better microphones out there and you will notice that it will pick up some noise from around you and that it will be a little quiet, but for under $10 you won’t find anything better.
Antlion Audio ModMic 4
- $49.95
- Single condenser
- Cardioid pickup
- 100 Hz-10 kHz frequency
The Antlion Audio ModMic 4 offers a much more premium experience of attachable microphones than the Zalman Zm-Mic1 of above. It should eliminate most background noise and only pick up your voice when being used. Simply plug it into your PC or Mac and clip it onto your headphones and you should be good to go. The attached noise-canceling mic should help eliminate any background noise you come across.
Best USB Microphone for Twitch 2019
Samson G-Track Pro
- $109.99
- 24-bit
- 96 kHz resolution
- ¼” instrument/line-level devices input
- ⅛” stereo headphone output
- Cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional pickup
- Dual 1” condenser capsules
The Samson G-Track Pro USB microphone is one of the best all-rounders you can pick up. At $109.99 it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to pick up a microphone on a bit of a budget but do have some money to spend. The stats listed above are impressive and the 24-bit 96 kHz resolution pickup will ensure that your voice or whatever it is you want recording sounds great. Whatever setting you wish to use, be it cardioid, bidirectional, or omnidirectional, you’ll find buttons for it built into the microphone. What’s more, you can plug in instruments and other microphones thanks to its extra input jacks.
It’s not all sunshine and lollipops, however. The G-Track Pro is a large boy. It weighs in at 3.5 pounds and will take up a sizeable space on your desk if desk space is something you worry about. Our next USB microphone should help you out with this, though.
Blue Yeti Nano
$99.99
- Cardioid and omnidirectional pickup
- 24-bit
- 48 Khz
- Dual Condenser capsules
If you’re looking to save a little bit of money over the Samson G-Track Pro, the Blue Yeti Nano could be a solid choice. It’s smaller than the G-Track Pro (1.4 pounds) and less fully-featured, but it still sounds great. The sound quality is fine, especially given you can often pick these microphones up for under $100. It’s a simple to use, clear microphone that should be an option you look at when beginning your streaming journey or picking it up a notch.
Be careful you don’t speak into the microphone too closely, however, as it will pick up pops. If you’re after something more premium, however, Blue has you covered with the Yeti and Yeti Pro, which offer more than the Nano, but at a higher price ($127 and $249.99, respectively). If utmost quality is your jam, no matter the price, the Blue Yeti Pro is your microphone, with an impressive 192 kHz, triple condenser pickup.
Blue Yeti Nano: Buy it on Amazon
Blue Yeti: Buy it on Amazon
Blue Yeti Pro: Buy it on Amazon
Best XLR Microphone for Twitch 2019
Shure SM58
- $109.99
- 16-bit
- 48 kHz
- Single condenser
- Cardioid pickup
- 50 Hz-15 kHz frequency
The Shure SM58 is a sure-fire way to get yourself introduced to the more customizable world of XLR microphones without breaking the bank. It’ll seemingly set you back anywhere between $99.99 and $109.99. It’s a fully-featured microphone, but you will likely need a stand with it, too, which will set you back a bit of extra cash. This is a lightweight, easy-to-use XLR microphone that will sound great no matter what kind of streaming you’re up to.
Shure SM7B
- $399.00
- 16-bit
- 44.1 kHz
- Cardioid pickup
- 50 Hz-20 kHz frequency
If you’re after a high-end XLR microphone, the Shure SM7B is a great choice. It’s a fully professional dynamic microphone, however, with a premium price-tag to boot ($399). This is an excellent microphone that should suit your needs for whatever you throw at it.
For that money, though, you’re getting one of the best microphones in the business, with absolutely excellent sound quality. It should cancel out any and all vibrations that other microphones might pick up from your desk or game, too. An excellent, but expensive option, this.
Heil PR 40
- $329-399.99
- 28 Hz-18 kHz
- Cardioid pickup
The Heil PR 40 dynamic cardioid microphone is a similar alternative that you can pick up, with a mount and arm included for $399.99. This microphone should remove any of the popping noises with a smooth sound that should please just about everybody.
Despite this, however, the Heil PR 40 perhaps won’t be quite on the same level as the Shure SM7B but is another popular choice. Its frequency pickup isn’t quite as high fidelity as the Shure SM7B, but it will sound largely the same and is even available in the nifty gold coloring you can see above. Whatever of these high-end XLR options you choose, however, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.
