The Best Gaming Microphones For PCs
With streaming and team comms at the forefront of the PC gaming experience today, no desktop setup is complete without a microphone. Whether you're capturing commentary for streaming, whispering tactical commands at a crucial moment, or simply chatting with friends, high-quality audio from a high-quality mic is essential for a seamless gaming experience. Advances in USB audio technology mean you no longer have to break the bank on interfaces, amps, and other audio hardware to get a top-quality mic set up for recording.
What to Look For
With so many great options for gaming microphones on the market today, we used three main questions to guide our search: Does this microphone provide a clear vocal response and a range of options for high-quality audio capture? Does the microphone hardware make for an ergonomic interfacing experience? How well does the mic handle external noise inevitable in a gaming environment? We love the Maono AU-A04 kit as a comprehensive introduction to USB PC audio. This high-performing mic comes with all the additional hardware you could imagine, meaning you’ll be recording like a pro in no time. If you’re looking for the ultimate in noise-canceling technology, check out the option from Razer for an optimized low-noise solution. Read on below to discover the rest of our top picks.
Maono AU-A04 Podcast Condenser Cardioid Kit
All in one and one for all
Finding the right microphone is one thing, but if you want to optimize your PC setup for talkback and voice recording you might also find yourself shopping around for some extra hardware. This mic kit from Maono has you covered for all eventualities. The AU-A04 condenser cardioid mic will capture crisp 24-bit audio via a USB connection and comes bundled with a boom arm, shock mount, pop shield, wind filter, and velcro cable ties. If you’re looking to get started in no time, this is the kit for you.
Pros:
- The entire kit was quick to assemble out of the box. We found we could get the hardware set up on our desk in just over a minute.
- It’s plug-and-play, so you don’t need to hunt around the web for the appropriate drivers.
- The boom arm included in this kit has a sturdy design that didn’t droop even when fully extended.
- The dry audio signal from the AU-A04 has a naturally warm tone and easily produces a professional sound with a touch of EQ and compression.
Cons:
- The vertical attachment of this boom arm might not suit smaller desk spaces.
Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone
Pattern prospects
If you’re looking for a microphone that offers ultimate versatility in a compact package, the Blue Yeti is one of the best all-around options on the market. This broadcast-quality mic utilizes a custom three-capsule array to capture clear and dynamic audio. With four pickup patterns available at the turn of a switch, this mic can be deployed to handle a range of recording situations with ease. What’s more, the Yeti comes bundled with a sound studio program, which can help bring professionalism to your recordings.
Pros:
- If your desk space is limited, you’ll love the sturdy adjustable stand which does away with bulky hardware. We found it was easy to find a comfortable position for talkback or recording, and it’s also easy to remove the mic for use with an external stand if you want to explore an alternate setup.
- With four flexible patterns, we found that this mic could serve as our primary microphone across a range of applications. The stereo and bidirectional patterns make this great for group podcasting and solo voice recording.
- If you’re looking for a design to coordinate with a specific visual aesthetic, this range of eight bold color finishes won’t disappoint.
Cons:
- The adjustable stand isn’t as good at absorbing interference and vibrations as some other options.
HyperX QuadCast USB Condenser Gaming Microphone
Worth the splurge
This suave design brings all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a premium standalone mic. Interfacing with the QuadCast couldn’t be easier, with a range of physical controls built into the mic chassis that will save you from menu diving during your next stream. A tap-to-mute function and ergonomic gain control at the bottom of the mic put you in direct control of audio flow. And you can say goodbye to the common noise hallmarks of amateur recording. This pick features a built-in pop filter to tackle percussive vocal distortions and an elastic suspension shock mount that will isolate your signal from rumbles and external vibration.
Pros:
- The QuadCast doesn’t require any drivers or external software to operate and is certified for use on many common platforms like TeamSpeak, Discord, OBS studio, and more. Thanks to this supreme compatibility, we could get it up and running in no time at all.
- The built-in 3.5mm output made it easier than ever to monitor audio.
- We found that the noise floor on this mic was substantially lower than other USB mic options, without compromising on overall crispness and warmth in our recordings.
Cons:
- We found that the red light inside the mic was quite bright and could disrupt the vibe of dimly lit RGB setups.
Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone
Block out the chatter
Many gaming setups host a range of whirring hardware and lack sound isolation, making noise reduction a pressing concern for in-game talkback and streaming. The Razer Seiren X is optimized to reduce unwanted signals, bringing you crisp and direct audio. A super-cardioid pickup pattern and noise-canceling technology work to combat external ambiance, isolating your vocal delivery from a symphony of keyboard taps, computer fans, or the like. Coupled with one of the best dampening shock mounts we could find, you can rely on this mic for crystal clear audio wherever you’re recording.
Pros:
- We found this mic was intuitive to control during gaming sessions, with built-in headphone monitoring and physical mute and gain controls making it easy to adjust levels.
- With a compact all-in-one design, we found that this mic was a great choice for smaller gaming setups.
- We love the great value of this mic, bringing functionality and audio quality comparable to other options far above its price point.
Cons:
- If you’re a stickler for cable management, you might be frustrated by the frontal USB connection on this mic.
CMTECK USB Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone
Somewhere to start
If you’re just getting started with building an online gaming setup without committing to a high-end mic option, you probably have your sights set on an option that will get the job done without breaking the bank. This plug-and-play mic from CMTECK brings high-quality audio with no fuss, and all at an absolute steal. With a flexible gooseneck mount and omnidirectional mic pattern, this compact design can be easily positioned to capture clear talkback.
Pros:
- This mic felt much sturdier than other hefty capsule designs, we found it could comfortably withstand accidental knocks or drops.
- For such a bargain, we weren’t expecting state-of-the-art audio quality with this mic. Nonetheless, we were surprised and impressed by the crisp, dynamic performance of this budget option and found it was ideal for in-game talkback and conference calling.
- The bold and minimal LED display made it easy to check the mic status without using software metering.
Cons:
- With limited physical volume, gain, and input control, it took us a little longer to dial in and adjust levels using system settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What audio quality is acceptable for in-game voice chat?
No one wants to be that one person in the voice chat lobby mumbling through a fog of distorted crunch. If you want to do you and your friends a favor when using voice chat, it pays dividends to ensure you’re capturing a high-quality audio stream. Some high-end mics use sample rates of up to 192kHz at 24bit to capture a rich and full frequency spectrum for streaming and recording. We found that a standard 48kHz audio stream was more than enough to be clearly understood by friends during talkback. If you’re having issues with your signal, make sure that your mic and system settings are configured to the same sample rate to avoid clicks, pops, and audio cutout.
When do I need to use a pop shield with my microphone?
Pop shields use an absorbent material, often nylon mesh, to dampen spikes in air pressure caused by plosive sounds (consonants like ‘B’ and ‘P’). A pop shield might not always be necessary if we’re able to carefully position ourselves in front of the microphone capsule. However, when we’re capturing audio while engrossed in our favorite games, we might benefit from having a device in place to avoid capturing the annoying pops and thumps that can result from speaking too close to the mic.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.