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The best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting in 2022

The best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting in 2021

Included in this guide:

Best headphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting
(Image credit: Blueish)

The best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting make information technology brilliantly easy to create your own home recording setup, with sound quality that can beat even the best gaming headsets. From in-game comms that cutting through the chaos to crystal-clear podcast recordings, even with with multiple guests, these mics will deliver.

For these rankings nosotros've focused on desktop microphones, rather than more than specialized content creation mics like the Sennheiser MKE 400. I of the swell things about these kinds of microphones is that they're easy to use: just plug them in, power up and start speaking. To detect out more about the best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasts that we've recorded, read on — and consider the best webcams for streaming likewise.

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We'll also update this list with new, and deserving, microphones as they come in. Go along an middle on the Rode PodMic in particular.

The best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Black Friday

Whether you desire a microphone for gaming, streaming or podcasting, you may well find what you're looking for at a bargain price in this yr's Black Friday deals.

We're tracking all the biggest discounts and best sales in our chief hub, so bookmark it at present and cheque back regularly if y'all don't want to miss out.

What are the best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting?

The Blue Yeti has been the king of affordable USB microphones for years, and it tops the list here as well. Its sound quality far exceeds its pricing, and with multiple recording patterns to choose from, yous tin adjust the Blueish Yeti for group podcasts and interviews too as the kind of solo recording you'd perform when gaming or streaming.

The JLab Talk is another groovy choice. It offers rich and clear recordings, and It as well has the exact same recording design options every bit the Blue Yeti, for a slightly lower price.

If you can beget to spend even more, the Blue Yeti X makes enough minor upgrades to the flagship model to be worth considering, while the Blue Snowball Ice heads in the opposite direction: it's a fine budget pick.

The all-time microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting you tin can buy today

Top Pick

(Image credit: Ken Makin)

1. Blue Yeti

The best microphone for gaming, streaming and podcasting

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 11.6 x 4.ix x iv.7 inches

Connection Blazon: USB

Reasons to purchase

+

Range of modes

+

Good price

+

High sound quality

Reasons to avert

-

Stock-still mountain

Blue microphones are held in high regard for their gaming and streaming operation, and y'all tin can see why from the number of them on this list. The flagship Blueish Yeti is the best of the all-time in terms of quality and value, combining peak-notch recording and a range of recording design options with an affordable price.

It's non just ideal for gaming and streaming, either. The Blue Yeti's omnidirectional and bidirectional modes also brand information technology an fantabulous pick for podcasters, especially if you want to tape someone multiple speakers with a single mic.

Read our full Blue Yeti review .

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: JLab Talk Top Pick

(Prototype credit: Future)

two. JLab Talk

The best value gaming, streaming and podcasting microphone

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 9.9 x 7.half-dozen 10 7.six inches (with tripod extended)

Connection Type: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Good sound quality

+

Excellent value for money

+

Versatile

Reasons to avoid

-

Tin can pick up groundwork dissonance

-

Bidirectional mode not cracking

The JLab Talk is absolutely worth considering if you want the flexibility and recording quality of the Blue Yeti at an even lower price. Its only real drawbacks compared to its large rival are a more than plasticky pattern and a less impressive bidirectional fashion — just the former is balanced out by the Talk'southward more adjustable stand, and the latter can largely be ignored if you just use omnidirectional recording instead.

Otherwise, this is a fantastic debut microphone from JLab. Phonation recordings sound a little richer than the identically-priced Bluish Yeti Nano, and it'due south as simple to become upwardly and running as a USB microphone tin get.

Read our full JLab Talk review .

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Rode PodMic

(Image credit: Future)

3. Rode PodMic

The best defended podcasting mic

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Cardioid

Size: 6.8 10 four.iii 10 2.iv inches

Connexion Type: 3-pivot XLR

Reasons to buy

+

Fantastic audio

+

High build quality

+

Low price

+

Internal popular filter

Reasons to avoid

-

XLR not platonic for beginners

-

Stand not included

While a lot of USB mics tin handle a lot of different roles, the Rode PodMic excels as a specialized podcasting microphone. Its integrated pop filter helps produce clean, articulate sound, with background noise kept to a minimum. This latter detail is of import on whatever microphone, obviously, but avoid distractions is especially vital when recording a podcast.

The PodMic's laser-focus means it's not for everyone. Besides lacking a stand, presumably on the grounds that whatever serious podcaster will add their ain preferred stand up, its XLR connection means yous can't just plug information technology into your PC or laptop. Merely if you take the hardware to support the PodMic, it'southward worth buying and then some.

Read our full Rode PodMic review .

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Blue Yeti X

(Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

4. Blueish Yeti X

The best premium Blue microphone for gaming, streaming and podcasting

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 11.4 ten 4.3 x iv.8 inches

Connectedness Blazon: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Blue Yeti sound quality

+

Enhanced controls

+

Flexible but not overcomplicated

Reasons to avoid

-

More expensive

This souped-upwardly Bluish Yeti spinoff adds a scattering of design improvements, similar a prepare of customizable LEDs that tin give you lot real-time feedback on how loudly yous're speaking. The gain control also moves to the front, which is a more than sensible position than the rear-mounted proceeds dial of the standard Blue Yeti.

Why, then, is the Blueish Yeti 10 not at the tiptop of this listing? Considering how much more expensive it is than both the Blue Yeti and the JLab Talk, it doesn't quite make the same value proposition, even with its various tweaks. That said, if y'all tin can afford the premium, there's no arguing against this being the most advanced gaming, streaming and podcasting microphone of the three.

Read our full Bluish Yeti X review .

(Image credit: Blueish)

5. Blue Snowball Ice

The best budget microphone

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Cardioid

Size: 10.0 10 7.9 x 4.nine inches

Connectedness Blazon: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Inexpensive

+

Like shooting fish in a barrel to set up

+

Includes a stand up

Reasons to avoid

-

Non suited for loftier-stop applications

-

No extra features

If you want a peripheral that's better than a built-in laptop mic, only don't have the patience (or funds) for annihilation fancier, you lot want the Blue Snowball Ice microphone. This is near the simplest, cheapest mic yous can become from a major manufacturer. The Snowball Ice is a compact, somewhat fashionable sphere that'due south available in either black or white. You connect it to your reckoner via USB cable, and then you speak into it. That's it. In that location are no options to for you to change, for better or for worse.

The Snowball Ice uses a cardioid pattern, making it perfect for videoconferencing or chatting with friends in games. It's perhaps not high-end enough to record your own podcast, but if you need to appear on someone else's on short notice, the Snowball Ice will go the task done.

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Movo UM700

(Prototype credit: Movo)

6. Movo UM700

A cheaper, lighter Blue Yeti culling

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 11.half-dozen 10 4.4 x iii.8 inches

Connexion Blazon: USB

Reasons to purchase

+

Appealing price

+

Plug-and-play simplicity

+

Sturdy pattern

Reasons to avoid

-

Sensitive to shocks and bumps

-

Blue Yeti sounds slightly better

The Movo UM700 is billed as a "Blue Yeti killer," and while we found it falling a little curt of such a feat, it's even so one of the best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting. At the very to the lowest degree it'southward cheaper than the standard Blueish Yeti, and is about a pound lighter besides.

You likewise become all of the same recording patterns, and then there'south plenty of flexibility for switching between a solo streaming setup and group podcasts. Other than needing some proceeds tweaks, the UM700 makes for a good beginner's mic, thanks to its simple plug-and-play design and straightforward controls.

Read our full Movo UM700 review .

(Paradigm credit: Rode)

7. Rode Podcaster

Another top microphone for podcasting

Specifications

Mic Blazon: Dynamic

Sound Patterns: Cardioid

Size: eight.v 10 2.2 x two.0 inches

Connexion Type: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Superb recording quality

+

Built specifically for podcasts

+

Integrated pop filter

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Needs accessories

The Rode Podcaster might not wait similar an astonishing bargain on paper — merely cardioid recording and no stand, for over $200? — just in practise, few microphones are equally ideal for podcast recording. Sound quality is exceptional, cheers the dynamic pickup that ensures rich voice tones even if y'all're not in the best acoustic environment.

The Podcaster as well has an internal pop filter and a headphone output: plug in a pair of headphones and you tin can monitor your ain voice with zilch latency. For gaming or streaming, there are cheaper and more newcomer-friendly alternatives, and the PodMic is cheaper, but if you want a professional-sounding podcast and so the Rode Podcaster more than lives upwards to its name.

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Blue Yeti Nano

(Epitome credit: Hereafter)

8. Blue Yeti Nano

A smashing compact Blueish Yeti microphone

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional

Size: 8.iii x three.8 x 4.3 inches

Connection Type: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Great audio

+

Written report build

+

Cheaper than the Blue Yeti

Reasons to avoid

-

No stereo fashion

-

Basic controls

Sitting somewhere between the standard Blueish Yeti and the Blue Snowball Ice, the Blue Yeti Nano aims to offer to the same recording quality every bit namesake — but in a smaller packet, and at a lower price.

Sure enough, the Blue Yeti Nano sounds swell and remains enticingly affordable. The JLab Talk delivers slightly better audio, a couple of extra directional patterns and an adaptable stand up, just the Nano is still a respectable alternative. Cardioid recording works well for gaming and streaming, while its omnidirectional mode caters for podcasts with multiple speakers.

Read our total Blue Yeti Nano review .

(Image credit: HyperX)

9. HyperX QuadCast

HyperX'southward best microphone for gaming

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 9.8 x five.1 ten iv.0 inches

Connexion Blazon: USB

Reasons to purchase

+

Born stand up and shock mount

+

Versatile recording patterns

+

Onboard gain control

Reasons to avoid

-

Lighting is an acquired taste

-

Imperfect pop filtering

HyperX sectional makes gaming hardware, and the QuadCast shows it: with a stark cerise-and-black colour scheme, including heavy onboard lighting, this is a microphone that wants to be seen also every bit heard. If y'all're the kind of streamer that likes to show off their gear on-camera, the HyperX QuadCast certainly has the aesthetics.

Yet, it's not just about visual flair. The QuadCast has the same various mix of directional recording patterns equally the Blueish Yeti, and its stand includes a built-in shock mount. This could reduce affect noise when you accidentally knock the microphone with your hands or mouse.

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: Elgato Wave 3

(Image credit: Corsair)

10. Elgato Moving ridge: 3

The best microphone for streaming

Specifications

Mic Blazon: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Cardioid

Size: six.0 x 2.vi 10 1.6 inches

Connection Blazon: USB

Reasons to buy

+

Designed for streaming

+

Intuitive setup

+

Simple design

Reasons to avoid

-

No standout features

-

Susceptible to background racket

Aspiring streamers, here's a microphone specifically for you. The Wave: 3 is accessibly priced, uses a cardioid recording pattern that's ideal for solo streaming, and is built to work seamlessly with the Elagto Stream Deck: a 16-button keypad that's become a staple of many professional streaming setups.

Past using the Stream Deck to control your mic'southward recording backdrop, y'all can accommodate the sound input using the aforementioned interface for controlling the stream itself. And the Wave: 3 itself isn't one-half bad either: it'south got high sound quality, easy USB connectivity and a more tasteful look than the HyperX QuadCast.

Read our full Elgato Moving ridge: 3 review .

Best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting: HyperX Quadcast S

(Image credit: Future)

11. HyperX QuadCast Southward

The best gaming microphone for RGB fans

Specifications

Mic Type: Condenser

Audio Patterns: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo

Size: 10 x five x 5 inches

Connexion Type: USB

Reasons to buy

+

High audio quality

+

Customizable lighting

+

Built-in stupor mount and pop filter

Reasons to avert

-

Standard QuadCast is cheaper

Yes, the standard QuadCast is cheaper, just if you want to add some flair to your on-screen streaming setup — or you just have a soft spot for RGB lighting — the more colorful, customizable HyperX QuadCast Due south is a skillful choice as well.

This delivers the clean, crisp recording quality you'd wait for the toll, and with its integrated pop filter and shock mountain, there's added protection against unwanted sounds. There's a adept range of directional patterns too, though the RGB lighting really is the star of the prove. You tin can enjoy its gently pulsing default result or download HyperX's NGENUITY software to cull your own colors and effects.

Read our full HyperX QuadCast S review .

How to choose the best microphone for gaming, streaming and podcasting

The qualities that make a microphone ideal for gaming also tend to get in ideal for streaming: when you're the only person speaking into the microphone, the only directional pattern you really need is cardioid, so as long equally overall sound quality is up to standard you can go without omnidirectional, bidirectional or stereo modes. You should be able to simply plug the microphone in, tilt it towards your mouth and focus on playing.

Conversely, you should cull a microphone with bidirectional and/or omnidirectional modes if y'all're going to exist recording podcasts by having multiple people speak into the same mic. The bidirectional patten records directly in front of and behind the microphone, while omnidirectional design picks up everything in a 360 degree radius. As such, bidirectional is better for 1-on-one conversations like interviews, while omnidirectional is better for group chats.

Alternatively, if you can afford multiple microphones for each speaker, brand sure they're all in cardioid mode and then they only pick up their respective user.

Many of the microphones on this list are capable of gaming, streaming and podcasting. You lot just need to spend more on a specialized device, similar the Rode Podcaster, if yous know yous're only going to focus on but one of these applications. Still, you should consider any features you might want exterior of sound quality and supported directional patterns, like onboard controls. These tin can help you adjust how y'all sound on the fly without needing to dive into potentially confusing software.

How we examination the best microphones for gaming, streaming and podcasting

Nosotros test microphones is conditions every bit close to their intended use cases as possible. For gaming, streaming and podcasting microphones, that naturally means trying each mic in a diverseness of situations.

Besides only gaming, usually with our headset mic disabled and using the microphone on examination every bit the input instead, we'll besides use each model in meetings and on grouping calls so nosotros can solicit feedback on how each ane sounds.

We'll as well record ourselves speaking, using the various directional patterns if available, and mind dorsum to judge for ourselves. This also lets usa see whether every microphone plays nicely with recording software, like you might use while streaming, though since plug-and-play simplicity is a hallmark of USB microphones at that place are rarely whatsoever hiccups.

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The best podcasting microphones: Blackness Friday

James joined Tom's Guide in 2020, bringing years of experience in consumer tech and product testing. Equally Sound Editor, James covers headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes dissonance. A PC enthusiast, he also covers the occasional spot of computing and gaming news, usually relating to how hard it is to find graphics card stock.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-microphones-for-gaming-streaming-and-podcasting

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