One of the best microphones for streaming and gaming is essential, I don't care who you are. if you play on a PC, even with a great gaming headset, a microphone will let you communicate with your friends clearly for hours on end as though they were in the room with you. In multiplayer games, they'll help you make clear callouts, and in Twitch streams they can be the difference between people loving your content or barely being able to stand it for a minute. Thankfully, there are so many great mics out there, and we've got loads to recommend down below.
When it comes to the best microphones for streaming and gaming, you have a choice to make. The first option is using a USB microphone, which will make things nice and easy since you can literally plug it in and use it. Alternatively, you can go for an XLR mic. Generally, these tend to be more expensive, plus, they require a dedicated audio interface. With streaming gear creating a pretty expensive shopping list, you might want to go for a simpler USB option. Affording one of the best capture cards is bad enough, and you won't miss out on quality by going for a non-XLR mic.
The other thing to consider, especially if you want the absolute most from your microphone, is getting the right one for your voice. If you have a rich, low voice, you want something that will support that, while also offering something that will boost any treble sounds so things remain balanced. On the other hand, if you haven't been blessed with the low dulcet tones of James Earl Jones, there are mics out there that will pick up and boost bass for you.
Best microphones for streaming 2024
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Shure’s certainly got a history of audio excellence behind its name, and its recent SM7B podcasting mic extended the brand’s remit beyond live and studio sound. Then the MV7 came along, with dual XLR and USB inputs and a lower price.
It sounds rich and full of detail out of the box with no need for plugin tinkering, with some subtle refinements to the EQ response that flatter a recorded vocal. But then you knew that because we’re talking about a Shure mic.
This one in particular might be the streamer mic to rule them all
Shure MV7 review
What’s more surprising is that the dual-input layout feels genuinely useful. Not everyone has an audio interface with XLR ins, so the USB connection solves that potential pitfall. And for those who do, recording a scratch track via the USB creates a handy failsafe, and can be used as a dry performance track to sit beneath an affected track in your DAW. (You might even nudge one fractionally ahead of the other for an efficient doubled vocal effect.)
- Read more: Shure MV7 review
Good things come in small packages with the RODE XCM-50. This super compact USB-C microphone is part of the RODE X launch range and a brilliant option for streamers.
Designed specifically with gamers and streamers in mind, the RODE X XCM-50 performed brilliantly in our testing. We found it delivered balanced, crisp vocals without a feeling of being overly fabricated or forced. The XCM-50 brings a more natural sound than you might see from a dynamic microphone and built-in post-processing does a great job of offering a high-quality overall sound. When live streaming, viewers commented on it sounding like we were speaking to them in the same room and less like a podcast.
Looking a lot like a red-tinted RODE NT-USB Mini, the XCM-50 packs in an integrated shock mount and pop filter inside a small black form factor. The 360-degree swing mount brings the flexibility of using the included tripod or a traditional mic arm and you’ll find a high-quality 3m USB-C to USB-C cable in the box too.
All of this comes at a reasonable cost though, $149/£169 is on the steeper end for USB microphones but the XCM-50 delivers performance well worth the investment.
Read more: RODE X XCM-50 review
Whether you opt for the cheaper USB SteelSeries Alias or the pricier XLR Alias Pro, you're grabbing one of the very best microphones for streaming and gaming currently on the market. These dropped late in 2023, and were immediately met with universal praise for their convenient all-in-one package, and because they quite simply do the basics so well.
First and foremost, these are both brilliant microphones. They capture sound at a studio level, but they also look like no other microphone on this list. Inside both the Alias and Alias Pro is a cardioid capsule which manages to get that rich podcast quality up close, but doesn't fail to maintain that quality when you're a little further away from it.
That's honestly just the tip of the SteelSeries iceberg though, because the Sonar software you get with your purchase takes things to a whole new level. Whether it's noise cancelling or managing multiple audio profiles running through your PC, this software is as conclusive as you'll find. Lump in the fact that you get a small mixer/interface with the Pro model, and you have a true all-in-one package with these brilliant microphones.
The RODE X XDM-100 is a debut product from RODE’s new ‘Streaming and Gaming Division’. A USB-C dynamic microphone offering studio-quality vocals in a unit with all of RODE’s usual build quality.
With a souped-up design based heavily on the popular RODE Procaster, the XDM-100 is a step away from RODE’s usual studio aesthetic but it’s not over the top and the red accents really pop off an otherwise all-black body, a nice fit for most streaming setups. It’s a big beast however, more than 21cm long and 11cm wide when sat in the shock mount, making it one of the largest microphones we’ve tested. This XL size brings XL weight too so make you have a mic arm up to the task.
The audio performance is unsurprisingly impressive. In our testing, we found it to deliver excellently rich, warm vocals in particular. The RODE XDM-100 offers that close, rounded podcast sound synonymous with dynamic microphones and sounds great even without any extra post-processing. The USB-C connection saves the effort and cost of an external audio interface and once plugged in we couldn’t have told the difference between the XDM-100 and XLR microphones we’ve tested.
At $249/£269 the RODE X XDM-100 is certainly at the top end of the price range for a USB microphone but it’s also right at the top in terms of performance too and would make a strong addition to any creator’s setup.
Blue, which has now been absorbed into the larger Logitech G brand, is very well known when it comes to streaming mics, and for a good reason - they're masters of the craft when it comes to bang for buck. The budget Yeti Nano (the scrappy younger sibling of the Yeti range) is very impressive. It packs the accessible price tag of the entry-level Snowballs mics into a really professional package that sounds as good as any USB mic you'll find at this price range.
Hitting hard with great audio and a dual condenser setup, it perfects the Yeti formula while reducing that microphone's cost. It's a whole lot smaller and lighter, too; the Nano is half the weight of the original Yeti, making it much more portable than its counterpart. The ease of setting it up certainly helps. Thanks to a plug-and-play USB connection, you can be recording in no time.
This is an amazing option for those who want to take advantage of Blue Yeti quality without forking out the cost of a full-sized one. Moreover, the newest Logitech G Yeti GX now exists, but for us, the best value still lies with the Nano. When that changes, we'll let you know.
As the saying goes, get a guy that can do both. If you're sick of hearing the debate about if USB mics are as good as XLR mics, the RODE PodMic USB might just be the pacifier you need. As RODE mics go, this is accessible and versatile, so it has to be on this list for the folks that have always looked at RODE audio products as the golden goose that's just that bit too expensive to ever afford.
The PodMic USB sounds just as good as youd expect a RODE product to. There are crisp, full profiles to be had across a range of situations. Being a dynamic microphone, it benefits from a focused, directional pickup while ignoring unwanted noises from within the room. Vocals were unsurprisingly strong with a great level of presence and without wandering into over-the-top late night radio territory.
The included windsock sleeve confidently rejected plosives without adding any noticeable muffle but despite an internal shock mount I did find the PodMic USB susceptible to desk bumps and knocks to the mic arm. Overall, if you need something with USB-C connectivity but you want to futureproof yourself for an XLR setup later, this is a superb option.
Building off the hugely successful Wave:1 and Wave:3, the Wave DX is Elgato’s first dynamic microphone and a strong entry into a new area for one of the leaders in streaming gear.
In our testing we found the Elgato Wave DX to be excellent in pretty much every area. Despite a very reasonable $99/£109 price point, the Wave DX delivers premium build quality with a Lewitt audio capsule hiding inside a fully hardened steel chassis. Audio performance is just as good, with strong and balanced vocals out of the box plus you have Elgato’s intuitive Wave Link software on hand to refine your sound.
The Wave DX doesn’t feature the super intimate, deep podcast sound some dynamic microphones boast but this is to its credit. Our tests unearthed a pleasantly bright and neutral tone which will likely suit a wide range of creators and is perfect for gameplay commentary. You’ll still benefit from the rejection of unwanted off-mic noise like mechanical keyboard clacking but need to be more precise with your mic placement and etiquette than you would with a condenser microphone.
Perhaps the only weakness of the Wave DX is that while it features a built-in pop filter that works well enough, there’s no opportunity to shock mount so our testing revealed it was prone to picking up every bump and knock off the desk it's mounted to. It’s a minor blemish however and takes little away from what is already one of the best options for a balanced dynamic streaming microphone at a competitive price.
Logitech has hit the ground running with its debut broadcast microphone. The Blue Sona leans on the years of expertise of leading audio brand Blue to deliver a premium XLR microphone perfectly suited to streamers and content creators.
At $349/£299 the Logitech Blue Sona is at the top end of home microphone options but we found it delivered audio quality in line with its price point. The supercardioid polar pattern, combined with a few clever bits of tech under the hood offered bright, clean vocals without unwanted room noise creeping in. Despite being a dynamic microphone the Blue Sona produced a nicely balanced tone without sounding overly close or stylized. On-board EQ toggles are a nice touch and will be beneficial to some voices, but we found them a little overbearing so kept them switched off.
The Blue Sona’s high-end metal body is designed with flexibility in mind. The integrated mounting bracket is reversible and we found it easy to integrate it into our existing studio setup. You’re treated to two windscreens in the box, either neutral black or striking red and they can be swapped on the fly thanks to a nifty magnetic joiner. We tested the white variant of the Blue Sona and found the red windsock gave the mic a little more personality.
Yes, the Logitech Blue Sona is one of the most expensive microphones for streaming that we’ve tested but it’s also one of the best and you won’t be disappointed in your investment if you take the plunge.
If you want your streams to sound great with little to no tweaking on your part, Elgato’s utilitarian-looking Wave:3 should be right at the top of your list on your search for the best microphone for streaming. Now significantly cheaper than it was at launch, it’s no longer going toe-to-toe with Blue’s imperious Yeti X in price but offers something comparable in features and sound quality.
A lot of its best attributes are hidden away, like Clipguard, an anti-peaking hard limiter built into the mic without the need to install any software. It works intelligently, squishing your signal just enough for it to feel smooth and subtly processed for your audiences. This is a streamer mic, after all, not something designed to capture the dynamic range of a live orchestra.
The Elgato Wave 3 is a workhorse model for any streamer
Elgato Wave 3 review
You genuinely don’t need a pop shield with this one either, thanks to a built-in design that catches hard plosives before they explode anyone’s eardrums. Again, it works well and sounds great in conjunction with Clipguard.
The overall sound is crisp and detailed, not quite as warm as the very best we’ve tested but only by fractions. It will get you compliments on Discord and its easy operation will keep your Twitch sessions ticking over without tech issues - all except for an awkwardly placed touchscreen mute control, which is a bit too easy to accidentally tap.
- Read more: Elgato Wave:3 review
Best microphones for streaming - FAQs
What type of mic is best for streaming?
You have two choices when it comes to the best microphones for streaming - USB and XLR. The former is usually cheaper and easier to use with its plug and play functionality, however, the latter, offers greater overall sound quality closer to true studio sound. Every microphone in our roundup sounds the part, but if you want the best for streaming then you can find high quality USB and XLR models around the $100 mark that won't disappoint.
Do I need a microphone for streaming?
Gaming headset mics and built-in mics on webcams are okay for talking to your friends, but if you're addressing an audience (or trying to build one) then a dedicated microphone is essential. It won't matter how good your gameplay is or how captivating you are on screen. If you're not being heard clearly, or your sound quality is poor, people won't have much patience to stick around and watch you.
What mic do most YouTubers use?
Different content creators will use varying mics, and although there are more popular options you'll see regularly, it's hard to nail down one that's the absolute best mic for streaming and YouTube. A popular choice is something like the Blue Yeti, since it comes in a few different models and doesn't break the bank. Another you'll see that is used by a lot of popular podcasters is the Shure MV7, or the Shure SM7B. For the most part, however, we'd recommend cheaper options that offer strong performance - especially if you're just starting out.
What is the best budget streaming microphone?
In our eyes (or ears), the Blue Yeti Nano is the best microphone for streaming if you're on a tight budget. It can usually be found under $100 / £100, and it offers amazing sound quality for that price. It's no slouch in terms of features either, since it has zero latency monitoring, mute functionality, and can switch between omni-directional and cardioid modes. One of the underrated qualities of this mic is that it has great bass response, too. Essentially, the Blue Yeti Nano gets you a lot of the quality and features of the more expensive Yeti X, without breaking through your budget in the slightest.
Why do streamers need an audio interface?
Some streamers use an XLR microphone for better sound quality which needs its own 48V Phantom Power source to work. However, an audio interface is a versatile piece of kit that will let you customize you and your sound mix with ease, and that's why many streamers feel they need one. Audio interfaces range from budget options, like the Behringer UMC202HD ($89) and Scarlet Solo ($119) to higher-end alternatives if that's the route you want to down.
How we test microphones at GamesRadar
Every microphone that passes our desks goes through a rigorous testing process which includes being used for streaming and video creation, through programs such as OBS and Nvidia Shadowplay, but is also utilized for music creation. Such software includes Cockos Reaper, Audacity, and other DAWs to test the microphones to their full capacities.
You can find out more about how we test microphones in our full GamesRadar Hardware Policy.
Complete your setup with the best webcams, green screens, and ring lights, too, in order to stand out from the crowd online.
