Best gaming microphones 2021: top USB and XLR mics for streaming

Best gaming microphones 2021

Best USB mic for streaming: Elgato Wave 3

• Best-in-class software and integration with good usability
• Integrated eight-channel mixer is a rare feature well implemented
• Clear, no-clip cardioid recording - but no other patterns

In our best streaming accessories article, we have separate categories for "best USB mic" and "best mixer", but you could make a strong argument for the Elgato Wave 3 to take over both categories. That's because this mic is also a virtual mixer, thanks to the Wave Link software which allows you to adjust the mix of the mic and up to eight additional audio channels. This is great for streaming, because it makes it dead-simple to make sure your game audio, your subscriber alerts, your music and anything else running on your PC or Mac sounds properly balanced. This also integrates into the Elgato Stream Deck - either the physical devices or the phone apps - so you can control your audio settings while streaming with a tap, which is neat.

Even if you don't need the mixing features, the Wave 3 also performs well as a straight-up USB mic. One of the big reasons for this is the inclusion of a "Clipguard" feature, which effectively swaps the standard recording channel for one 20dB lower if the mic detects clipping. Both channels run all the time, so swapping between the two sounds natural and it eliminates a common pitfall for streamers. There's still a 3.5mm jack on the back for zero-latency monitoring, which is always nice to have, and the Wave 3 is powered by USB-C.

While the software experience is best-in-class, the Wave 3's hardware has been developed cleverly too. A single dial on the front can be pressed in to switch between adjusting gain, headphone volume and the mic/PC mix, while a capacitive sensor on the top allows for a one-tap mute (indicated with a clear red LED). There are no different capture patterns here, as on the Blue Yeti, but for recording a single person's speech this is no problem.

The audio we recorded came out clear and distinct, with good clarity in the mid and high frequencies if lacking a little warmth. As this is a condenser mic, you'll still pick up the clatter of mechanical keyboards if the mic is too far away from your face or the gain level is set too high. Plosives are catered for via an included shield, but a proper pop filter may still be necessary depending on how much fire you're spittin'. Finding the perfect positioning is made easier if you swap the included desk stand for a proper arm mount, via the included adapter.

Overall, the Wave 3 is a great-sounding USB mic that is easy to use and offers some intriguing possibilities for streaming thanks to its anti-clipping and audio mixing features. The mic is more expensive than our previous picks though, at around $160/£160, so you may want to consider the $130/£130 Wave 1 instead. It offers the same features, only lacking some physical controls and 96kHz recording - neither of which are significant drawbacks.

Runner-up: HyperX QuadCast

The QuadCast is the second-best USB microphone we've found for streaming thanks to its excellent audio quality and its long list of well-implemented features. There are four recording modes on offer and a physical gain dial, allowing the mic to be adapted for one audio source or multiple voices with ease. Being able to mute your audio quickly can be indispensable, and the tap-to-mute system - accompanied by the entire microphone dimming - is the best implementation we've seen. Other handy features include an internal pop filter that ensures p and b sounds don't result in an annoying pop, a shock mount in the provided desk stand and lag-free audio monitoring. The only real drawbacks are that the LED lighting isn't optional and the default stand is a little short, so using a proper boom arm or another mount is recommended. Note that the QuadCast S was released in late 2020, which adds RGB lighting but is otherwise the same.

Second runner-up: Røde NT-USB Mini

The Røde NT-USB Mini is a compact USB mic with a short stand but excellent audio quality for its £100/$100 price point. Rather than offering multiple recording patterns, as with the Blue Yeti, Røde have focused on capturing the best audio they can from right in front of the mic, with recordings typically emphasising the mid-range in a manner that's pleasant for acoustic instruments or - helpfully for us - human speech.

The focus on simplicity means this mic really is plug-and-play, with no gain knob to adjust or polar patterns to select, and it works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS over full-size USB or USB-C. The NT-USB Mini does include one very helpful extra feature though - zero-latency monitoring via 3.5mm, which is great for dialling in your sound before you go live. The included desk stand is quite short, so we do recommend picking up a simple desk mount to make sure your dulcet tones are being captured rather than the mechanical clatter of your keyboard. Overall, a great low-profile microphone that's easy to use and sounds fantastic.

Best USB mic for recording and podcasting: Blue Yeti X

• Choice of four recording patterns to suit a wide range of scenarios
• Standout audio quality that requires little cleanup
• Useful LED volume metre and extensive software options
• Will pick up background noise like keyboards if gain is too high
• New: available in World of WarCraft edition with voice presets and samples

When it comes to streaming and podcasting, the Blue Yeti series is perhaps the most popular microphone in the world. Whether plunked down on a desk to be held aloft by its chunky stand or held in place on a strong boom arm, the Yeti provides strong audio quality for a range of use cases thanks to its four different recording patterns: cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional and bidirectional. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack means you can also plug in headphones to monitor exactly what the mic is hearing.

The Yeti X is the latest edition and includes a new LED volume metre and multi-function control knob right up front, making it easy to adjust gain to dial in the perfect levels on the fly. On the software side of things, the Blue Vo!ce section in the Logitech G Hub includes plenty of options for adjusting tone and removing annoying sonic artefacts, including presets from popular streamers. Overall, the Yeti X is a solid improvement over the standard Yeti and even comes in a special World of WarCraft edition, but if you're working to a budget the original model is still worth considering.

The popularity of the Blue Yeti has also seemingly spurred the development of microphones that offer a very similar featureset and audio quality at a lower price. I'd normally advise that you stick with the name brand, but some mics we've tested at Digital Foundry HQ like the Movo UM700 come very close to the original Yeti in specs and features while costing around less ($100 vs $130 for the Yeti) - so they're worth picking up if you see a similar price difference in your region. The biggest disadvantage these microphones possess is their appearance, which is a little ungainly compared to the Yeti, but this is probably the least important quality of a microphone unless you really want to show off your new mic on stream!

Runner-up: Trust Gaming GXT 259 Rudox

The Trust Gaming GXT 259 Rudox is an interesting alternative to the Blue Yeti X that really specialises in solo podcasting or voiceover. Instead of the four patterns on the Yeti X, you get just one here, but in exchange you get a combination mic stand and shield that make the mic very well suited to its singular role. The shield makes it harder to pick up ambient noise, ameliorating one of the biggest disadvantages of condenser microphones, and allowing lots of rich detail to be captured without distractions. The rest of the package - most notably direct zero latency monitoring and a good assortment of dials on the front and back of the mic - make it straightforward to dial in the sound you want. If you're in the UK and don't foresee yourself using this mic with more than one person or hanging it in front of a computer screen, then you'll doubtless benefit from the GXT 259's more focused design over the Yeti X.

Best XLR mic: Audio-Technica AT2020

• Warm, precise sound
• Professional, almost anonymous appearance
• Allows entry to the complex but powerful XLR ecosystem

The AT2020 is a popular entry-level XLR mic, offering the possibility of extremely clear audio if you're willing to put together the necessary equipment to get it running. All that comes in the box is the mic, a bag and a stand adapter, so you'll need to provide at least an XLR cable, a stand and an audio interface or mixer that provides at least 48V of phantom power. Once all of these components are in place, your reward is warm, crystal-clear audio that's ideal for recording podcasts or video voiceovers. It's worth noting that the AT2020 is fairly hefty and skews towards 'professional' rather than 'gamer' in the looks department, but that's no bad thing.

Runner-up: Avermedia Live Streamer Mic 330

The £92/$100 Avermedia Live Streamer Mic 330 is a strong alternative pick to the AT2020. It's a dynamic mic rather than a condenser, meaning it captures a little less detail but offers much better off-axis noise rejection, which can be great for streaming or recording in a busy environment where you may have other people's vocal effluence or the clatter of mechanical keyboards competing with your voice. The AM330 is well-built and looks great on camera, with a choice of three rings around the business end of the mic, and a convenient on/off switch on the body of the mic itself. It sounds pretty reasonable out of the box too, but I got a richer, warmer sound from a few EQ tweaks in Avermedia's Live Streamer Nexus mixer. The downsides? Its built-in pop filter isn't really adequate (and there's no convenient way to mount an external one) and you'll need an arm to mount it. I've also definitely had better out-of-the-box sound - but if you're going to be investing in an XLR setup, I guess you'll also be tweaking any mic you get to sound its best, so this isn't a massive deal-breaker to me. Given its entry-level price, it's definitely worth considering for anyone interested in streaming games in a normal, not-always-silent space.

Best cheap USB mic: Blue Snowball Ice

• Excellent audio quality for the money
• Plug and play USB operation
• No physical controls or added features

If you've only got $50/£50 to put toward upgrading your recording setup, you'll get the most bang for your buck from the Blue Snowball Ice. This older desk mic provides surprisingly good audio quality, more than enough for recording voiceover for a video or starting your streaming career. It's also easy to use - just plug it in and hit record, with no software or additional equipment to install. However, you do lose out when it comes to features compared to the more expensive recommendations on this list, with only one recording pattern on the less expensive Ice model.

Runner-up: Trust GXT 258 Fyru

• Convenient pattern, gain and volume controls, plus live monitoring
• Cool streamer-friendly appearance, with LED surround lighting
• Good cheaper alternative to Blue Yeti for European buyers

While the Blue Snowball is a great budget choice, the Trust GXT 258 Fyru is another strong alternative that goes on sale semi-regularly at around the £75 mark. Unlike the Snowball, it provides a choice of four recording patterns, so you can record in an interview or group podcast format easily. The current pattern is indicated clearly on the top of the mic, with lit LEDs signifying active microphones. There's also some LED backlighting within the sheath, which looks cool in photos or on stream without being too distracting. Gain controls and live 3.5mm monitoring are also offered, which is nice. The mic comes with a simple desk stand which works well, and can also be affixed on any arm with a standard thread mount. There's a lot to like here, not least the audio quality which feels close to the Yeti standard.

Second runner-up: HyperX SoloCast

Another option, this time available in both the US and UK, is the recently released HyperX SoloCast. As the name suggests, this mic only offers a single cardioid pattern, compared to the four built into the more expensive QuadCast. That makes the mic a little less flexible, but audio quality remains good and the tap-to-mute functionality we loved on the original mic remains. The overall appearance is more sober here, with only a single red LED to indicate the mic's status, making it a little better at blending in on video. The included stand is very short, so we recommend using the screw mount on the bottom with a mic arm for best results. Overall, a solid option at its current £65 price point.

Best audio interface for streamers: TC-Helicon GoXLR / GoXLR Mini

• Simple all-in-one audio interface and mixing solution
• Convenient assortment of ports, faders and buttons
• Reasonably priced, but buying individual components can be cheaper

The GoXLR is the most convenient all-in-one audio interface we've tested for streamers, offering 48V of phantom power to XLR microphones and up to 70dB of gain to drive almost all mics on the market. While the GoXLR is more costly than a simpler audio interface of equal quality, the added convenience of the hardware controls like faders, buttons and knobs on this unit is substantial. Combined with the system performance benefits of accomplishing your mixing and routing via hardware rather than software, and you're left with a convincing package.

The impressive audio hardware and controls are backed up by a powerful - and even somewhat intuitive - software package that allows microphones to be dialled in and various processing to be done to keep your voice sounding just the way you want it. You can also adjust how audio is routed to any of the unit's multiple USB audio devices. For example, you can set your game to one audio device, your mic to another, your chat to another and so on. You can also set up various fun voice effects and samples, if that's your style. Finally, the lighting is also adjustable, which makes it a nice visual accessory as well.

While the original GoXLR is impressive, the smaller GoXLR Mini offers much better value to money. The ports and processing hardware remain unchanged on the Mini, although you do lose out on the sample and effects controls from the right hand side. Honestly, these are the least important parts of the unit, so they're a very acceptable sacrifice given the substantial difference in price.

Best headset mic: Antlion Audio ModMic USB

• Industry-leading audio quality, available in 3.5mm, USB or wireless versions
• Can be added to almost any gaming headset or headphones
• Requires a small amount of initial setup

The Antlion ModMic has long been recommended by tech insiders, and after testing out the ModMic Uni, ModMic USB and ModMic Wireless it's easy to see why - this family of mics sound better than pretty much every headset microphone on the market. Each can be installed on pretty much any set of headphones, using a small piece of adhesive. The bulk of the mic can be removed as needed, leaving just the small magnetic base you stuck on behind, and there are a couple of replacement bits of adhesive in the box if you want to move the mic to a new headset in the future.

Where the microphones differ is largely to do with how they connect to your PC or console. The ModMic Uni comes with a 3.5mm jack, like the ModMic 4 and ModMic 5 before it, while the ModMic wireless uses Bluetooth AptX Low Latency good for about twelve hours between recharges. The ModMic USB is the most advanced model, with a USB connection for PS4 and PC that allows Antlion to roll in their own sound processing to improve aural performance.

If you're on a budget, the lower cost ModMic Uni is the best choice, as it provides substantially better audio quality than any headset mic we've tested. We also recommend it for Xbox, or PC users with headphone amps or advanced sound cards. For PS4 or PCs with on-board audio, the better sonic performance of the ModMic USB makes it a worthy upgrade. Finally, the ModMic Wireless pairs best with wireless headsets, allowing you to recharge both headset and mic together while retaining a fully cable-free connection for gaming.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories are useful?

Rather than relying on the short stands included with many USB and XLR microphones, a proper adjustable arm makes it easier to position your microphone so that it picks up your voice without taking up too much of your screen (if you're playing a game) or your camera's point of view (if you're streaming). When adjusting your arm, take your microphone's style of address into account. Side-address microphones, like the Blue Yeti, work best when you're speaking into one side, while top address microphones should be pointed directly at your mouth. We used a Blue Compass arm and Radius 3 shock mount for testing these microphones, but there are many other options available at a range of price points.

Pop filters and wind shields are the next accessory you should consider, as they reduce the impact of plosives - sounds like p and b that are harsh on the ears if they are recorded by a bare microphone. Pop filters and wind shields are normally mounted onto your mic or boom arm, and need to be positioned between you and your mic to be effective.

For XLR mics, you'll also need an audio interface and an XLR male to female cable to hook up your microphone.

Is it better to use USB or XLR?

If you're just going to use your single mic at your PC, then a USB microphone is ideal - it's plug and play, with no extra equipment needed. XLR mics need to be connected via an audio interface, but these allow you to include other audio equipment like multiple microphones or mixers. If you're just starting out, USB is the way to go, while XLR may be a better choice for dedicated content creators that want room to grow into more advanced setups. You can also split the difference - pick up an XLR mic, but use a simple XLR to USB adapter until you bring in a proper audio interface.

Which platforms can I use these mics on?

The USB mics mentioned above will work pretty much out of the box on Windows, macOS and PS4, while XLR mics will need to be connected to an adapter or interface with a USB output to achieve the same goal. The Xbox One doesn't support USB mics, unfortunately.