The best microphone for gaming, streaming and podcasting is a growing necessity for the modern gamer. Whether you aspire to stream your gameplay, engage in intense Discord conversations with friends, or finally record that podcast, these top-tier microphones will make you sound your best.
The best microphone we recommend right now is the Shure MV7, a hybrid USB/XLR microphone that gives you the best of both USB's convenience and XLR's quality—if you don't mind dropping a bit of coin. If you want to spend less, the Razer Seiren Mini is currently our best budget microphone for less than $50. It might lack some features, but it makes it up for it in sound quality and price.
Achieving studio-quality sound with your streaming gear doesn't require an advanced degree in sound engineering (though it might help). In most cases, all you need is a USB port and some engaging content to discuss when you go live. To help you make an informed decision, we've gone the extra mile by recording test audio samples of all the microphones we've reviewed so far.
With a history in audio and a penchant for good quality sound, our Jacob is well versed in what makes a good microphone sound great. Whether it's an expensive XLR atop a boom mic, or a cheap desktop option for Discord or the Monday meeting, he's picked options for all.
The quick list
The best overall
The Shure MV7 is a great sounding microphone that'll give veteran podcasters and streamers a serious upgrade. The fact it's both USB and XLR compatible only makes it that much better.
The best budget
A stylish looking $50 ultraportable microphone that sounds great despite missing some key features. At this price, however, we're okay with a sole focus on mic quality and none of the extras.
The best mid-range
For under $100, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ microphone delivers excellent, crisp audio for less. The desk stand is a bit flimsy, but otherwise it's a superb mid-range choice.
The best USB bundle
The Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set is a great podcasting starter kit with a well-built mic and sturdy, quality boom arm, though the lack of a desktop stand single polar pattern makes it less versatile than we'd like.
The best looking
HyperX's signature microphone finds a new way to set itself from the competition. Spoilers: it's RGB lighting.
The best for streaming
The SteelSeries Alias Pro makes streaming simple, with a powerful interface and great sounding mic. You'll need a separate boom arm to get the most out of it though.
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The best headset microphone
If you're looking for a headset mic that really delivers the goods, look no further. The ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet isn't just a great set of headphones, but a great way of recording your vocals, too.
Recent updates
This guide was updated on July 12, 2024 to add in the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet as the best headset microphone recommendation, and to check over and update the text.
The best microphone for gaming and podcasting
✅ You're looking for exceptional sound quality: Shure is a name that comes with serious professional audio qualifications, and the MV7 is no exception. It sounds fantastic.
✅ If you want a USB connection and XLR: Yep, you can plug the MV7 straight into your PC, but the XLR connection is there if you want to go for a more powerful interface.
✅ If you want tough build quality: Shure microphones are designed to take some heavy abuse, and the MV7 is built like a tank, as you would expect.
❌ If you're on a tight budget: Professional gear comes with professional prices, but it's still a fair bit of cash to invest in a piece of audio gear, no matter how good it sounds.
❌ If you want a stand as part of the default package: You can buy a version with a stand for just $10 more, but make sure you get the right one if you don't have anything to mount it to.
If you want your voice to sound the way it's meant to be heard, the MV7 is an easy recommendation and our choice for the best microphone overall. That's if you don't mind reaching deep into your pocketbook, of course. There are much more 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 has been providing pro-grade microphones to musicians and audio professionals for decades, and the MV7 Podcast microphone is the company's attempt to create a microphone for the streaming and podcast age. No surprise here folks—it's a doozy.
The USB Type-B Micro/XLR connection will be the big draw for many. It gives you the best of both worlds by providing the adaptability of XLR (especially if you use professional audio interfaces) and the versatility of Type-B Micro inputs for recording on the go with laptops and mobile devices.
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. It's hands-down one of the best microphones I've used for recording.
The mic itself does an excellent job of isolating your voice while ignoring background noise, and you can get away without any fiddly noise suppression software in most environments. You will notice some pretty loud plosives though, so it might be best to invest in a pop-filter to block your breath from the mic, or keeping the mic slightly to one side of your mouth while recording.
The MV7 uses the ShurePlus Motiv software, with options for EQ adjustment, compression and limiters. It also features an Auto Level Mode, which essentially adjusts the level down if you start shouting, coughing, or doing anything very loud on mic. Horror streamers, what with all that high-pitched screaming, will find this something of a boon.
Also, sneezing. No-one wants to hear that delivered with absolute clarity at ear-busting levels.
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 at first and later can be useful in upgrading to an all XLR setup down the line, although if you're leaning in that direction it might be worth also taking a look at our best microphone for streamers, the SteelSeries Alias Pro.
Still, the Shure MV7 is for content creators who want to bring their production values to pro-grade levels but don't want to or can't spend that pro-grade money. $250/£250 for a hybrid USB/XLR microphone isn't that big of an ask when you consider the flexibility, design and overall performance. It's the best overall microphone we've ever tested. Full, and indeed, stop.
Read our full Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone review.
The best budget microphone
✅ You don't want to spend a lot for good audio: It might be light on features, but if all you're looking for is good sound quality for cheap, well, here you are.
✅ You like minimalist design: It's teeny, it's tiny, its almost unbearably cute. That won't do it for everyone, but its difficult not to be charmed by the aesthetic.
❌ You'd like a dedicated mute button: It might sound a bit picky, but a dedicated mute button on a mic is one of those things that you think you won't miss, but then probably will once you don't have one.
❌ You'd like to use your own cables: Yep, we don't like it either, but Razer insisted on using its own proprietary cable design. Boo.
The Razer Seiren Mini is our top budget microphone for streaming, and at just $50/£50, it might skimp on features but still delivers top-notch sound. If you're just looking to switch from a headset mic to a better-sounding desktop mic, but don't want to have to mess around setting it up, the Seiren Mini is as plug-and-play as it gets.
The pill-shaped design here comes in a variety of Black, Mercury White, and Quartz, or as it's more commonly known, pink. It's an adorable looking little microphone, which to some may seem more like a children's toy than a proper piece of audio equipment.
That would be a mistake, however, as the truth is the little Razer sounds remarkably good for the money. In fact, 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.
Nothing's perfect, and the Mini is, unfortunately, no exception. While the audio quality is brilliant for the money, its still not quite going to compete with the really high-end, close-mic friendly gear like the magnificent Shure MV7. Also, it makes use of a proprietary cable design, which is a particular bugbear here at PC Gamer. If it breaks, you're going to have to buy another one for Razer, rather than getting a cheap replacement or digging one out from your cable drawer.
There's also no dedicated mute button, which is one of those things that doesn't sound like a huge deal, but makes you feel a little unsure about the mic once you're using it. Having a switch on the mic itself to ensure that 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 just $50/£50 (and in the sales we've seen it go as low as $35/£35), 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.
Read our full Razer Seiren Mini review.
The best mid-range microphone
✅ You don't mind spending a tad more, but still want cheap: For the audio quality on offer here, the Audio-Technica is still remarkably cheap for what you get.
✅ You want great audio from a trusted brand: Audio-Technica is a known name in the audio space, and it's proven here that it knows how to bring that professional knowledge to an affordable desktop mic.
❌ You want a tough stand: It's a bit wibbly-wobbly this, and while it'll keep the mic upright, you're going to want to avoid knocking into it or banging the surface it stands on.
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ makes our list as the best mid-range microphone, but honestly, it's cheap enough that it could almost make our best budget pick as well, if the Razer Seiren Mini above wasn't so darn affordable. Retailing for under $100/£100 (and often found for around $70) the AT2020USB+ makes very few compromises where it really counts, and that's the great sound.
Inside that tough and resilient metal body lurks an excellent capsule that picks up all the crisp notes in your voice while maintaining a warmth that belies its diminutive price tag. It sounds absolutely great, and really that should come as no surprise to those familiar with their audio equipment.
Audio-Technica is a brand famous for creating some of the most accurate, well-built and studio-ready sonic equipment, so even on its more mid-range to budget offerings, it's flat out refused to compromise on the thing that really counts, and that's the audio pickup.
It's maybe a little plosive, which means "puh" sounds can become blown out, but pop-filters are cheap, and given its a condenser mic you could always adjust your distance and up the gain a bit to compensate if you're using decent background noise removal plugins.
There are of course, a couple of flies in our audio ointment, even towards the mid-range of the market. The included desk stands is wobbly and flimsy, so you'll want to avoid banging around 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 perhaps better than legacy micro-USB for maintaining connection but a bit old-school.
Still, with this level of audio quality, and the mic itself being of sturdy construction (it even comes with a little carrying bag, so you can chuck it in your backpack for field recordings), the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ ticks all the boxes that really count.
It's a magic little mic, with proper audio credentials and the sound quality to match, all wrapped up in a tough shell that makes it reasonably portable too. Oh, I suppose we could criticise the difficult to remember name, but at this point that's become as much of an Audio-Technica trademark as great sound.
It's a great all-round package, and—despite the wibbly-wobbly stand—the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is still the best mid-range mic you can currently buy.
Read our full Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ review.
The best USB microphone and boom arm bundle
✅ You'd like a boom arm package: A good boom arm, in combination with a great mic close up, is a superb way to capture the sort of vocal recording you'd hear on a really good podcast or stream. You get it all here.
✅ You want clean, crisp sound: The Sennheiser sounds simply great. Really, genuinely great. That'll do then.
❌ You want a software helping hand: Nope, you don't get any. Bit of a shame that. While good free versions of audio streaming and sound adjustment software do exist, they can be a bit fiddly, so an included solution would have been nice.
The Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set gives you everything you need to start your podcasting or streaming journey with a great-sounding microphone and sturdy boom arm combo for less than $200/AU$300. That makes it our top recommendation for the best USB microphone and boom bundle.
The Profile has two versions; the standalone microphone for $129/£129 or the Streaming Set for $199/£179. We'll take the latter thanks, as it's a great deal for a full set that means you have everything you realistically need for great, studio-quality audio.
The volume and mix controls are well placed, 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 physical button to ensure you're muted helps avoid any awkward streaming audio related accidents. No Mum, I know dinners ready. Can't you see I'm recording games for the internet over here.
More than that, the Profile is wonderfully warm in its audio quality, with a crispy 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, on the software front, you'll be reliant on using free or paid audio tweaking software if you want to engage in sonic trickery, but thankfully the sound is good enough that you shouldn't need a lot, if any, to still sound great. It must be said however, that setting up a good stream can be a fiddly procedure, and if you'd rather have something that came with an interface and software package that made it easy, it'd be worth taking a serious look at the SteelSeries Alias Pro below.
Other let downs? Well, it's very much a microphone just for you rather than you and your friends, as it only has the one pattern that captures the audio right in front of it, 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.
Also, if you pick the boom arm version, you don't also receive the desk stand. Bit of an omission that, but again, this is designed to get right in your face and capture great audio, so a desk stand would maybe doing it a slight disservice.
The boom arm itself is excellent, thankfully, and is as flexible and resilient as you like, so what you're getting here is something that you can use again, and again, and probably again too. Good boom arms are often not particularly cheap, but here its all part of the package.
Yep, its a great stream companion this, or a massive boost to meeting audio, in-game voice chat or a podcast, and a very well thought out package that hits all the right notes.
Read our full Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set review.
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The best looking microphone
✅ If you want RGB, and an entertaining aesthetic: The HyperX looks fantastic on camera, and luckily doesn't sacrifice audio quality to do it.
✅ You want loud and clear audio: It might be an older spec capsule, but to be honest, there wasn't a whole lot wrong with the original. There are nicer sounding mics, sure, but there's nothing wrong with the audio quality here.
❌ The software package is light: It's got software, sure, but it's mainly about adjusting the RGB (did you see what I did there?). Some more audio-wrangling settings would be nice, but what's there is functional at least.
The gamer-centric HyperX Quadcast S is an excellent microphone for the gamer or streamer looking for an easy-to-use, clear-sounding mic, and takes our top spot for the best looking. Might seem a bit strange to think about looks when buying a microphone, but if you've got your audio gear in shot, it'd be nice if it looked great as well as sounding it, dontcha' think?
More than just a looker, however, the Quadcast S has plenty of features that you usually end up paying more for in other mics. The built-in pop filter works well (and contributes to the sleek aesthetic, rather than covering your fancy new mic with an add-on attachment), and the top mounted tap-to-mute button is capacitive, meaning there's no audible click when its activated.
In terms of software, the Quadcast S makes use of HyperX's Ngenuity suite, and there's options to adjust the lighting, gain, and, err, not a whole lot else. Still, it's straightforward at the very least, but if you're expecting a lot of bells and whistles, you'll come away disappointed. Straightforward to a fault, but with all the basics covered will have to do.
When it comes to sound, the Quadcast S captures clear and crisp audio even on low gain settings, although it must be said its a little plosive-prone. Still, the sound profile leans towards clarity without becoming harsh, which means its a very good fit for anyone looking to do a bit of livestreaming or podcasting.
And after all, it seems a shame to keep all that lighting to yourself. It's got a rare combination of streamer-friendly good looks and excellent audio for a reasonable price, and those looking for something both aesthetically and sonically pleasing are well-catered for here.
Of course, you could go for the standard Quadcast and get, well, almost everything advertised here without the RGB, for around $20 cheaper. Still, if style is important to you as well as excellent audio, the HyperX Quadcast S is the best looking by far.
Read our full HyperX Quadcast S review.
The best microphone for streaming
✅ You're looking for something more than a desktop microphone: The Alias Pro performs fine on a desk, but that included Stream Mixer is so powerful, pairing it with an arm means you're getting into studio-quality territory.
✅ If you want to start streaming without the fuss: Streaming audio can be a pain, but the Sonar software in combination with the flexibility of the Stream Mixer takes as much of the hassle out as it can. Looks nice on your desk, too.
❌ If you're not looking to spend a lot: That extra interface comes at a cost, and that cost is, err, money. Plus an arm. Cheap, this isn't.
❌ If you're not going to use it with an arm: The Alias Pro sounds about the same as the regular Alias on a desk, which is to say, pretty good. Still, it'd be a waste not to take advantage of the potentially great audio here by getting it close up.
Setting up a stream with great audio is traditionally not easy, which is the reason we're sticking the SteelSeries Alias Pro in as our best microphone for streaming. It might be pricey, but what you're paying for here is really the Stream Mixer that comes with it, and all the streamer friendly features that make it a fantastic buy, even if it is pricey at a $330/£330 MSRP.
That little two-dial, two-button unit contains a powerful preamp that can connect out to an XLR microphone with 48V phantom power, which means you can use this with just about any good XLR mic on the market. However, SteelSeries has provided you with one of its Alias units here, and thankfully, it's a bit of a peach. It sounds lovely, particularly close up with a bit of an adjustment, although we'll get to that later.
Once you've booted up the Sonar software you'll discover it takes away most of the strain of setting up a load of complicated inputs, outputs and audio gear. Drop down menus and great hardware/software discovery means that this package does its best to make all those confusing settings as straightforward as possible, and the RGB lit buttons and dials on the front of the interface can be programmed in a variety of ways to make streaming control easy, straightforward, and right beneath your fingertips.
More than that, the included audio-adjustment settings are simple to use. There's a compressor, ClearCast AI-noise reduction and a straightforward EQ with plenty of useful presets, which means getting a great sound out of this setup is about as easy as it could be. However, there is a bit of a catch.
The SteelSeries Alias Pro, and that fantastic included preamp, really, really appreciates being up close, and that means using a boom arm to get the microphone right up to your face. That'd be all well and good, except SteelSeries doesn't provide one with the package, limiting you to a desk stand instead.
It'll sell you its own version, the SteelSeries Alias Boom Arm, for another $100, but in all honesty it's a bit overpriced for what it is. Thankfully, the socket at the back of the SteelSeries Alias mic provided here is a standard size, so many cheaper and just as good third-party boom arms should fit.
And you're going to want one. Up close, the SteelSeries Alias Pro really shines, and studio-quality audio becomes simple to achieve thanks to that software package and the quality of the 1-inch capsule provided. It's also small and compact, which means its not in your face in the same way something like the Shure MV7 might be, although if you're looking for ultimate audio chops the Shure still takes the crown on raw sound.
Streaming audio is difficult, and audio interfaces can be complicated beasts to wrangle. The SteelSeries Alias Pro takes as much hassle out of the process as it can, and that makes it the best microphone for streaming. Just make sure you price in an arm (or given the cost, even a leg) to get the most out of it.
Read our full SteelSeries Alias Pro review.
The best headset microphone
✅ You don't want a desk microphone: If you'd like a mic and a headset all in one, without the fuss, then this combo delivers exceptional audio quality on all fronts.
❌ You're after a cheaper option: You could buy a gaming headset and the best budget microphone for less, although the quality on offer here is well worth considering regardless.
Desktop mics are all well and good, but if you're looking for the best headset microphone it has to be the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x STS StreamSet. With this substantial piece of gear, not only are you getting a brilliant microphone, but a very good set of wired headphones all-in-one.
This headset features a proper, fully-fledged cardioid condenser mic. Don't let the relatively small size of that end capsule put you off—this unit is easily the best headset mic we've ever tested, and is capable of capturing your vocals just as well as some of the other options on this list.
There's a lot to be said for having an excellent microphone built into a headset, too. For a start, you won't have to worry so much about volume changes when moving around, as once the mic distance has been set with the bendy arm, that's where it'll stay. That makes it perfect for those that don't want to think about their mic technique while gaming, streaming or podcasting, as once you've got the distance right, you really don't have to think about much else.
With a range of sampling options, there's plenty of flexibility on offer. Plus there's a monitor mode. Ordinarily that can be pretty distracting, but we found that the version here was actually very useful for keeping an eye on your vocals while mid-stream.
Not only that, but noise-removal software shouldn't be necessary given the closeness of that mic to your speaking equipment (i.e. mouth). There it'll hover, picking up your vocal tones and not much else unless you really, really crank the gain to the guns.
There are a couple of downsides to consider. One, the lack of on-headset or on-wire buttons, which for some will be a bonus in terms of simplicity. A dedicated mute wouldn't go amiss though. The other is the price. At $229/£169, the Audio Technica is on the pricey side for both a good mic and a good headset, although of course you're getting two in one.
Still, it's rare to find a piece of gear that features not once, but twice in our buying recommendations. But the ATH-M50xSTS really is good at two, often quite separate roles. Together combined, it really does excel at both.
When it comes to headset microphones, it really is the best we've ever used. And for good measure, the drivers themselves are absolutely brilliant, too. Pricey, perhaps, but multi-talented, and built to last, to boot.
Read our full Audio-Technica ATH-M50x STS StreamSet review.
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Gaming 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.