Top 5 Best Gaming Microphones in 2024

For the modern gamer, having the best microphone for gaming, streaming, and podcasting is becoming increasingly important. These excellent mics will help you sound your best whether your goal is to record that podcast, stream your gameplay, or have heated discussions with pals over Discord.

Which therefore should I purchase? Currently, the Shure MV6 is the best gaming microphone available. It’s a desktop USB microphone that sounds amazing and has the official credentials from one of the most reputable brands in the audio business. Our top pick for a budget microphone is the Razer Seiren Mini, which is undoubtedly bright and cheery while being inexpensive. It’s not just adorable as a button, but despite its little size, it records a really decent sound.

An advanced degree in sound engineering is not necessary to achieve studio-quality sound with your streaming gear, however it can be helpful. Generally, all you need to go live is a USB port and some interesting stuff to talk about. We’ve gone above and above by capturing test audio samples of every microphone we’ve examined so far in order to empower you to make an informed choice.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Gaming Microphones in 2024

1.Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone does a very cool trick when it comes to party tricks. Although we’re huge fans of the Shure MV7, the podcast-friendly variant of this microphone, Shure has managed to condense some fantastic, MV7-like vocal capture power into something far more desktop friendly here. The Shure MV6 is the greatest gaming microphone we’ve used to date since it doesn’t need to be really near to your mouth to produce fantastic results.

Let’s take a brief minute to discuss form factor. Although using a good microphone on a boom arm or something similar will yield the best performance, most gamers won’t find this to be the most practical arrangement. On the other hand, the MV6 is made to rest on your desk at a more reasonable distance—capturing excellent vocals without being too precious about how far you sit from it.

This is made possible by the Motiv Mix software, which uses auto gain-leveling to continuously adjust the volume so that you are always audible. It does a great job of maintaining your voice consistency from a reasonable distance away, so you can concentrate on what’s on screen rather than perfecting your mic technique. However, it’s not magic, so we still advise being fairly close.

Furthermore, the integrated noise reduction effectively reduces background noise in the room, such as the humming of radiators and PC case fans. Though you may occasionally hear it overcompensating, overall it’s a set-and-forget system that guarantees you won’t have to tinker about to acquire a clean vocal signal. It is actually a little on the aggressive side.

If you do want to get up close and personal for the full podcast-like sound, you also receive the aptly titled Digital Popper Stopper to minimize plosives. There’s also a lot of versatility here because, of course, you can take this microphone off of its stand and arm-mount it like other excellent microphones.

Speaking of the stand, it’s pretty chonky. This microphone is quite unlikely to wobble, and it feels sturdy enough that you might use it as a boat anchor in an emergency. Shure has created a microphone and stand pair that feels almost indestructible, clearly drawing lessons from its extensive experience in live music.

It does, however, have a huge footprint. While it’s much more compact than its MV7 forebearer, it’s still rather huge, so those looking for a more discrete solution might want to take a look at something truly tiny like the Razer Seiren Mini.

Although the small Razer performs admirably considering its affordability, it is not as good in terms of pickup and overall audio quality as it could be. In actuality, most microphones that aren’t as sleek and instantly useful as the MV6 accomplish the same. You’ll really need to invest in anything genuinely professional to perform better than this, right up to your grill. Here, convenience is the most important factor.

If you want a desktop-based microphone that is simple to use, has great sound quality, and is reasonably priced at $149, the Shure MV6 is the one to choose. Because of this, it’s the greatest gaming microphone you can put on your desk and it will probably continue to work well.

2.Razer Seiren Mini

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Razer Seiren Mini is our best low-cost streaming microphone; despite its lack of functionality, it still produces excellent sound. The Seiren Mini is as plug-and-play as it gets if all you’re looking for is a better-sounding desktop microphone to replace your headset without having to fiddle with setup.

This design, which is in the shape of a pill, is available in Black, Mercury White, and Quartz—or pink, as it is more well known. It’s a cute-looking small microphone that can look more like a kid’s toy than a functional piece of recording equipment to others.

That would be a mistake, though, because the small Razer seems incredibly impressive for the price. Actually,scrap that, it just sounds remarkably good in general. The internal capsule is of a surprising quality given the price, meaning that its capture is warm, detailed, and clear all at the same time. Just what you want from any microphone really, but especially impressive in one this cheap.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and the Mini is no different. Even while the audio quality is excellent for the price, it can’t quite match the truly expensive, close-mic-friendly equipment, such as the amazing Shure MV7. Furthermore, it has a proprietary cable design, which PC Gamer finds particularly annoying. Instead of finding a cheap substitute or pulling one out of your cable drawer, you’ll have to purchase a new one for Razer if it breaks.

In addition, there isn’t a specific mute button, which may not seem like a big concern at first but gradually gives you second thoughts about the microphone when you use it. Including a button on the microphone itself to guarantee you definitely aren’t transmitting audio is a reassuring feature, although this is almost certainly left out as a concession towards keeping the Mini as cheap as they come.

The simple fact that the Mini, at jus (and in the sales we’ve seen it go as low), sounds as good as its more expensive brethren will attract users who just want a simple mic that looks elegant and sounds excellent. It’s the best budget microphone by miles.

3.Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

We rank the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ as the best mid-range microphone, but it’s really so inexpensive that, if the Razer Seiren Mini above weren’t so dang cheap, it could also rank as our top budget option. The AT2020USB+, which retails for less than, makes very few sacrifices in terms of quality where it matters most—the excellent sound.

Encased within that sturdy and durable metal casing is a superb capsule that captures every high note in your voice while retaining a warmth that belies its low cost. It really shouldn’t surprise anyone who is experienced with their audio equipment that it sounds fantastic.

As a company known for producing some of the most precise, well-made, and studio-ready audio gear, Audio-Technica has always refused to sacrifice the audio pickup on any of its more affordable or mid-range models.

It may sound a little plosive, so “puh” sounds may get blown out, but pop-filters are inexpensive, and as it’s a condenser mic, you can always change the gain and distance to make up for it if you’re using good background noise reduction plugins.

Naturally, there are a few fly in our audio pie—even in the mid-range of the market. Keep in mind that the desk stands that come with it are unstable and light, so you should not pound on your desk much and making the mic wobble in turn. It’s also got a USB Type-A, which if you ask me is s better than legacy micro-USB for maintaining connection but a bit old-school.

Nevertheless, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ checks all the important boxes with its degree of audio quality and robust build (it even includes a small carrying bag for field recordings).

This tiny microphone is truly amazing, possessing high-quality sound and appropriate audio credentials, all housed in a durable casing that allows for reasonable portability. Yes, we could certainly point out that the name is hard to remember, but excellent sound quality is now just as much of an Audio-Technica hallmark as it is.

It’s a fantastic package all around, and the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is still the greatest mid-range microphone available right now, even with its shaky stand.

4.Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

You can get the Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set, which includes a robust boom arm and a great-sounding microphone, all you need to begin podcasting or streaming. For that reason, it comes highly recommended as the best USB microphone and boom combo.

The volume and mix controls are neatly located, and the dedicated mute button is one of those features you probably wouldn’t care much about on paper, but makes all the difference in practice. Having a tactile button to check if you’re muted helps prevent embarrassing mishaps with streaming audio. I know supper ready, so no, mom. Can’t you see I’m taping games for the internet over here.

Furthermore, the Profile’s audio quality is incredibly warm, with a sharp level of clarity that just makes your voice sound great. Sennheiser know what they’re doing when it comes to sound, and the Profile captures your vocals beautifully, ensuring its just down to your performance rather than too much fiddling with the dials.

Speaking of dials, if you want to play about with the sound, you’ll have to use either free or commercial audio tuning software. Fortunately, the sound quality is excellent enough that you shouldn’t need to use a lot, if any, of them to get a decent sound. However, it should be noted that configuring a suitable stream can be a laborious process. If you would prefer something that had an easy-to-use interface and software package, you could consider the SteelSeries Alias Pro, which is listed below.

Other disappointments? Since it just has one pattern that records the sounds directly in front of it, it’s really a microphone for you and no one else.rather than the whole room. Still, chances are if you’re bringing your buddies in for a group session you’d want to use more than one mic, although it is worth pointing out that mics like the HyperX Quadcast S do have facility for multiple polar patterns if you’d like some more flexibility.

Additionally, you will not receive the desk stand if you choose the boom arm version. A little bit of an oversight there, but remember that this is meant to be used directly in the face and record high-quality audio, so using it as a desk stand would be a little misleading.

You’re getting something that you can use again and again and perhaps even more times because the boom arm itself is great and can be as flexible and robust as you like. Although they are sometimes not very inexpensive, good boom arms come with everything in this case.

Indeed, this is a fantastic streaming companion that really enhances meeting audio, in-game voice chat, podcasts, and other features. It’s a very well-designed product that smashes all the right notes.

5.HyperX Quadcast S

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Our top pick for the best-looking microphone is the HyperX Quadcast S, a microphone designed specifically for gamers and streamers who want a crisp, easy-to-use sound. It may seem a little odd to consider appearance when purchasing a microphone, but if you’ve already invested in audio equipment, wouldn’t it be lovely if it looked as good as it sounded?

But the Quadcast S is more than just a pretty face; it includes a ton of capabilities that other microphones generally cost extra for. The top-mounted tap-to-mute button is capacitive, so there is no audible click, and the built-in pop filter functions nicely (and adds to the sleek design instead of obscuring your beautiful new mic with an add-on attachment).

The Quadcast S uses the Ngenuity suite from HyperX for its software, with settings for illumination, gain, and, well, not much more. At the very least, it’s simple, but if you’re hoping for a lot of bells and whistles, you won’t be satisfied. Simple to a fault, but it will have to do as all the fundamentals are covered.

When it comes to sound, the Quadcast S catches clean and crisp sounds even on low gain settings, however it must be acknowledged its a tad plosive-prone. However, the sound profile leans toward clarity without becoming harsh, making it an excellent choice for anyone wishing to dabble in podcasting or livestreaming.

It seems wrong to keep all that lighting to yourself, after all. It’s got a rare combination of streamer-friendly beautiful looks and outstanding quality for a fair price, and those looking for something both aesthetically and acoustically pleasant are well-catered for here.

Of course, for around $20 less, you could have the normal Quadcast and, well, practically everything mentioned here minus the RGB. Still, the HyperX Quadcast S is by far the best-looking device if you value appearance as much as great music.

Gaming microphone FAQ

Do I need a microphone boom arm, shock mount, or pop filter?

Everybody has various needs for their desk and setup, therefore a microphone needs to work effectively in a variety of situations. Let’s say a microphone sounds better than all the others put together, but only if it is mounted on a suspended stand and the shock mount is placed exactly six inches from your lips. If so, it might not be a trustworthy choice to suggest.

Having said so, if you want to organize your space more effectively or create a more polished appearance, there are a few essential pieces you may wish to acquire.

Undoubtedly, a boom arm aids in accomplishing both of those goals. These are really useful for keeping your microphone close at hand when away from your work, saving valuable time. They almost always clip onto the side of your desk.

What’s is a good sample and bit rate for a microphone?

Sample rate is the number of samples of audio recorded every second. The most typical sample rate on most microphones is 48 kHz, and you shouldn’t be using a sample rate lower than that.

The pace at which an audio or digital file is encoded is known as its bit rate. As long as one stays out of audiophile zone, 16 bit and above is regarded as a decent bit rate.