The best microphone for gaming and streaming gives you everything you need to sound like a pro. You can have one of the most amazing setups with the best webcam and lighting, but expect viewers to tune out if you sound terrible.

USB microphones are the go-to option for at-home streaming and podcasting. So, that's going to be the majority of what we recommend. Audiophiles will want to down the XLR route because of its sound quality and flexibility; however, good XLR mics are often way more expensive than your typical USB mic. XLRs also require an external audio interface to connect to your PC, like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which isn't cheap as well.

Some mics do specific things better than others, so make sure you don't spend money on a microphone with features you don't need. Are you doing more talking or singing? Do you need something that you can mount on your desk or travels well? These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself when shopping around.

One nifty trend we've noticed the last couple of years is the rise of budget microphones under $100. They offer excellent recording quality at a fraction of the price despite lacking some features you'd find on more expensive options. Below we've put together a list of the best microphones we've tested for all sorts of budgets and uses.

Best microphone for streaming

1. Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone

The best hybrid USB/XLR microphone

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Unidirectional Cardioid Polar PatternConnectivity: USB, XLRRecording Sample Rate: 24-bit 48kHz Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Integrated Touch Panel for Mic Controls

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REASONS TO BUY +Excellent vocal clarity +USB/XLR combo +Versatile +Easy use software

REASONS TO AVOID -No mic stand included -Uses Micro-USB rather than Type-C

If you're a musician or want your voice to sound the way it's meant to be heard, the MV7 is an easy recommendation. Well, if you don't mind reaching deep into your pocketbook, that is. There are affordable mics on this list, but it is still absolutely true that if you want the best, you will have to pay for it.

Shure's first hybrid XLR/USB microphone manages to provide pro-grade sound with minimal set-up and expertise. While it is more expensive than your average premium mic, its versatility completely justifies the cost.

The Shure MV7 is a great-sounding XLR/USB hybrid microphone that'll give veteran podcasters and streamers a serious upgrade, especially if you're looking for a microphone that'll plug into a USB audio interface with a view to going all XLR down the line.

Read our full Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone review.

2. Blue Yeti X

The best microphone for podcasting

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo Connectivity: USB Recording Sample Rate: 24-bit 48kHz Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Blue Voice, zero-latency monitoring, Smart knob controls

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REASONS TO BUY +Best sounding Blue microphone +LED front panel +Blue Vo!ce software offers great flexiblity

REASONS TO AVOID -Low mic stand -Better with a mic arm -Delicate ports

There's a reason Blue microphones tend always to have a place on our list. The Blue Yeti X is a hybrid model of the Nano and the original Yeti, an amalgam of the better bits of both. Even as new microphones enter the space, the Yeti X continues to be a reliable recommendation for anyone looking for a great-sounding mic.

The sturdy microphone now has an LED-lit front panel that usefully monitors your volume levels at a glance, and the sound quality remains top-notch. It's clear why this is still the mic of choice of many professional podcasters and streamers.

Blue recently released a World of Warcraft Edition Yeti X. It offers the same features as the Yeti X, except it's rocking a nice black with gold trim design along with some neat fantasy glyphs all over the mic. More importantly, it lets you choose to voice to various Warcraft races like gnomes, imps, and of course, Orcs.

3. HyperX SoloCast

The best budget microphone

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Unidirectional Cardioid Polar Pattern Connectivity: USB Recording Sample Rate: 16-bit 48kHz Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Tap-to-mute sensor

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REASONS TO BUY +Sounds nearly identical to QuadCast Mic +Great price +Portable design REASONS TO AVOID -No gain control on mic, which makes this one fiddler than some for small tweaks Advertisement

The HyperX SoloCast is the best of a slew of new budget-oriented microphones. This new breed delivers their more expensive siblings' audio performance, prioritizing the sound over extensive feature sets for a frankly fantastic price.

With the JLab Audio Talk GO and Razer Seiren Mini all offering great sound, the HyperX SoloCast stands above the others because it's essentially giving us the audio chops of its pricier QuadCast S compatriot. That's a fantastic microphone in its own right, and we can bear losing the full list of features and range of polar patterns when we want an easy plug-and-play mic.

I mean, you lose the sexy RGB lighting of the QuadCast, which is missed, but they sound almost identical. And if you're just after higher-quality audio, and don't want to start messing around with gain settings mid-stream, then the SoloCast could be all the mic you need.

Read our full HyperX SoloCast review.

4. Rode NT-USB-Mini

The best microphone for entry-level content creators

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid Connectivity: USB Recording sample rate: 24-bit 48kHz Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Zero-latency monitoring, mute & headphone volume controls

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REASONS TO BUY +Great Sound +Simple Compact Design +Decent Software

REASONS TO AVOID -Software only works with NT Minis -Picks up background noise Advertisement

As tiny mics go, the Rode NT-USB-Mini is an impressive offering from Rode. It takes everything we want from a premium mic and shrinks down to something more affordable but still retains the top-tier audio quality we've come to know from Rode. It's a solid-sounding microphone despite its tendency to pick up some background noise. The $100 Rode microphone seems a bit unbelievable, but somehow it's a reality.

The Rode NT Mini's digital mixer, Rode Connect, allows for up to four Minis (and only Minis) to be plugged into a PC. That's great for podcasts, or streams featuring multiple people, along with being a pretty handy tool for folks who hate dealing with messing with audio settings during a stream.

Read our full Rode NT-USB Mini review.

5. HyperX Quadcast S

The best microphone with RGB

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo Connectivity: USB Recording sample rate: 16-bit 48kHz Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Built-in Shockmount

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REASONS TO BUY +Easy to set use +Touch-sensitive mute button +Built-in Shockmount +Cool RGB lighting

REASONS TO AVOID -RGB is not for everyone… -… and costly

The gamer-centric HyperX Quadcast S is an excellent microphone for the gamer or streamer looking for an easy-to-use, clear-sounding mic. While it doesn't quite match up to the Yeti X in terms of sound quality, the Quadcast S makes up for it in design and feature set.

The touch-sensitive mute button at the top of the microphone is a good example of this. Often, mute buttons and switches make a loud click when recording. This doesn't. The Quantcast S hits the sweet spot of price, sound, and features if you're looking to add something to your live stream.

The biggest difference between the Quadcast S and last year's Quadcast is that it offers dynamic RGB lighting, so it looks like you're speaking into a lava lamp. If you're not an RGB fan, you can save yourself $20 and pick up Quadcast since they are the same microphone sans the light show.

Read our full HyperX Quadcast S review.

6. Elgato Wave 3

Best microphone for streaming and gaming

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid Connectivity: USB Recording sample rate: 24-bit 96kHz Frequency response: 70–20,000Hz Features: Capacitive Mute, Volume control, Gain Control

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REASONS TO BUY +Clear audio +Digital mixer +Simple mounting

REASONS TO AVOID -Single polar pattern

Elgato's debut microphone is aimed at streamers looking to add quality audio to their streams with the minimum of fuss. The Wave 3 is a feature-packed 96kHz microphone that sounds incredible, is easy to use, and is compatible with most desk boom arms.

The digital audio mixer supports up to 8 channels of audio and can output to OBS and Xsplit, giving you more control over your stream's audio without needing to be a sound engineer. The capacitive mute button is a nice touch with Clipguard tech that automatically adjusts your levels from ever hitting red.

The single cardioid polar pattern ultimately limits the Wave 3's versatility, but if you're looking for an easy-to-use microphone for your next stream, this is a decent option.

Read our full Elgato Wave 3 review.

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7. Razer Seiren Mini

The best tiny microphone

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Super-Cardioid Recording Sample Rate: 16-bit 48kHz Connectivity: USB Frequency response: 20–20,000Hz Features: Tap-to-mute sensor

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REASONS TO BUY +Pill-shaped design +Great sound +All you need on a budget

REASONS TO AVOID -Bare minimum features

The Razer Seiren Mini is one of those obnoxiously adorable pieces of hardware I instantly want to put on my desk. Its stylish pill-shaped design and color variety give the Mini the personality lacking in some of our other choices on this list. And it sounds great, to boot.

What the Mini lacks in features, it makes up in price and sound. Some people won't get over the fact that there's no mute button, and the proprietary micro-USB is a bit of a pain. Even so, the Seiren Mini makes for an excellent starter mic for budding podcasters and streamers.

Read our full Razer Seiren Mini review.

8. Epos B20

Best looking microphone for streaming

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo Recording Sample Rate: 24-bit 48kHz Connectivity: USB Frequency response: 50–20,000Hz Features: EPOS gaming suite software, gain and volume dials

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REASONS TO BUY +Built-in controls and sidetone +Excellent sound out of the box +Multiple pickup patterns

REASONS TO AVOID -Slight background hiss -Stand transmits vibration noise -Pretty pricey

EPOS' stunning streaming microphone, the B20, is definitely going for a stylish Silicon Valley exec look rather than a Twitch streamer. From the gunmetal finish to the sleek cylinder design, the EPOS B20 finds a way to turn heads without being flashy.

In case you're wondering if the B20 sounds just as good as it looks. You'll be happy to know that the sound is right out of the box. Honestly, for a $200 mic, I was expecting it to do just that. This feature-packed condenser mic gives any mic you plug into it access to the EPOS suite of EQ settings and surround sound. The only downside is that the mic stand isn't shockproof, so that the vibrations might get picked up during recording.

Read our full EPOS B20 review.

9. Focusrite Scarlett 2I2 Studio Bundle

Best XLR and audio interface bundle

SPECIFICATIONS Polar patterns: Cardioid Recording Sample Rate: 24-bit 192kHz Connectivity: USB Type-C Frequency response: 50–20,000Hz Features: Scarlett CM25 MkIII Microphone, Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen interface,Scarlett HP60 MkIII

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REASONS TO BUY +Fantastic mic quality +Everything you need for XLR +Great for streaming +Easy to use +Makes mixing easy

REASONS TO AVOID -No microphone stand included -Headphones feel cheaper than the rest of the bundle

Think of the Scarlett Solo Studio 3rd Gen bundle as the perfect XLR microphone starter kit for under $300. The bundle includes Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen Interface, a CM25 MkIII condenser microphone, a pair of HP60 MkIII closed-back headphones, one XLR cable, and a Type-C to Type-A USB cable to connect it to your PC. Everything you need to start podcasting or streaming.

XLR mics are known for their sound quality but require a USB interface like the Solo Studio to use, which could end up being a bit pricey. The $280 is an incredibly great price for all of that.

The 2i2's twin-preamp design lets you run two microphones through a single interface. This has always been a pain point for anyone who tried to plug more than one USB mic into a PC knows far too well. Each input has individual gain control for on-the-fly mixing of two XLR microphones or instruments. The value alone is worth the price of admission.

Read our full Focusrite Scarlett 2I2 Studio Bundle review.

Best microphone FAQ

What is a polar pattern and which do I need for gaming?

A polar pattern determines how much and from which direction an audio signal will be picked up by a microphone. For gaming, you'll mostly want a pattern that picks up sound directly in front of the microphone (you) and not much else from anywhere else (the environment).

These are the most common polar patterns:

Cardioid: Records in front of the microphone. Perfect for voice-over, vocals, and streaming.

Bidirectional: Captures audio in front of and behind the mic. Ideal for one-on-one interviews.

Omnidirectional: Picks up sound from every direction. Perfect for round-table interviews, but not so much for gaming or streaming.

Stereo: Perfect for ASMR recordings. YouTube 'ASMR' if you want the best example because I couldn't do it just justice.

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

Everyone’s desk and setup requirements are different, so a mic must perform well under a handful of different scenarios. Suppose a microphone sounds better than all the rest combined but only when it’s on a suspended mic stand with a shock mount positioned precisely six inches away from your mouth. In that case, it’s not necessarily a reliable option to recommend.

Saying that, however, there are some valuable bits you might want to pick up if you're looking to clear away clutter or build a more professional setup.

A boom arm certainly helps achieve both of those things. These almost always clip onto the side of your desk and are super handy to keep your mic close to hand while off your desk, saving precious real estate.

While a pop filter will help reduce plosives, the sound of air escaping violently from your mouth and towards the mic, from making their way over to airwaves to your listeners' unfortunate ear holes. It'll also stop your microphone from getting grubby when you're up-close and sounding sibilants.

A shock mount is perhaps the least necessary of the lot, at least for gaming. These prevent vibrations from traveling through your microphone stand or boom arm and into the microphone, which can come through as rustle, thuds, or otherwise unwanted noise. Certainly a must-have for music studios, unless you are one to slam your way through a match of Apex Legends, you might be okay without.

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

Sample rate is the number of samples of audio recorded every second. 48kHz is the most common sample rate you'll see on many microphones, and you shouldn't be any lower than that.

Bit rate is the speed at which a digital and audio file gets encoded. Without trekking too much into audiophile territory, 16 bit and above is considered a good bit rate.

What connector do I need? XLR or USB?

USB microphones are among the most prevalent for gaming and streaming fare, but you'll sometimes see the more widely used professional connection standard, XLR, make its way into high-end units. Hybrid USB/XLR can offer you the best of both worlds but tend to be more expensive.

USB is the simpler of the two, and if you're looking for plug-and-play ease, then it's your best bet. However, that simplicity comes at a cost. It's difficult to record more than one USB microphone simultaneously, and monitoring and adjusting the mix will be done digitally.

With the added complexity of XLR comes a great deal of flexibility that you otherwise wouldn't be able to access without even more complex digital mixing software on a USB mic. You can mix, adjust, and monitor an XLR mic before it ever touches your PC, and that's a massive boon if you're looking for a more complex setup.

The downside to XLR is that they will require additional equipment to connect to your PC. It is nothing wild, just something to interface between the mic and PC, such as the many devices by that name, which often comes with mixing functionality built-in.

How much should I spend on a microphone?

And as PC gamers, we will, of course, always try to get the best we can for less. It’s easy to get lost in the deep dark woods that are the world of audio and even easier to spend a ludicrous amount of time and money chasing the best possible setup. But we don’t need studio-ready equipment, so the price is essential when looking at how good a particular mic is.

Think about your use case; if you're only using a microphone to chat with your teammates, chances are, you don't need a microphone with half a dozen polar patterns and have a podcast studio level of quality. Don't spend money on features you don't need or use. Some $50 or fewer microphones are more than adequate and great for gaming. We picked out the best budget microphones that we have tested this year if you need some guidance.

The Best Microphone for Streaming, Gaming, and Podcasting