Diving into the world of content creation requires some decent equipment. You don’t need to spend a bunch of money either; sometimes you can get by with some basic stuff just to see if you even enjoy the process of creating content. You don’t want to sound muffled or experience audio issues that could ruin your content. Trust me, I’ve been there before. Whether you are live streaming to an audience, making YouTube videos, TikToks, or anything else, we have a few suggestions to help you find the best mics for gaming and live streaming. Most of these will be USB-enabled mics for the best ease of use for all you gaming enthusiasts out there!
Best Entry Level: Logitech G Yeti Orb RGB USB-C
Best Budget: Blue Yeti USB
Best Midrange: Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
Best Small Mic: RODE NT-USB Mini USB
Best Mic Under $200: Logitech G Yeti GX
Best Mic Under $300: Shure MV7+
Best XLR: Shure SM7B
Honorable Mentions: Jump to section >>
Best Entry Level Mic: Logitech G Yeti Orb RGB USB-C
If you are someone just starting out in the world of live streaming, you might not want to break the bank right away. This is where the Logitech G Yeti Orb comes into play. Designed as a throwback to the classic Blue Yeti mic, the Yeti Orb retains the utility and audio quality of that mic while also adding a few new features. The Yeti Orb’s ease of use makes it one of the best mics for any beginning content creator.
Not only do we have a cardioid pickup pattern with a condenser capsule to capture the crisp sound of your voice, but it optimizes it for added clarity using Blue VO!CE processing. This enables you to remove background noise, such as keyboard clicks, the sound of an air conditioner, and other detracting sounds. Auto-Gain Control also assists with audio quality by adjusting pickup range that doesn’t drown your own voice out.
Additionally, the Yeti Orb includes customizable RGB lighting that is controlled by Logitech G’s LIGHTSYNC software. You can synchronize color and lighting effects with other Logitech G devices to make a unique and unified visual layout for your setup. The Yeti Orb connects to your system via USB and is ready to get you into your content creation world!
Best Budget: Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti is the grandfather of all USB gaming mics. When it comes to entry-level mics versus budget mics, we are talking about price to performance. What gives you great audio and enhanced features without being too expensive? This is where the Blue Yeti fits perfectly.
Delivering 48 kHz broadcast-quality sound, the Blue Yeti is the choice mic for plenty of game streamers. Not only does the internal design enable a wide range of pickup patterns, but it also has a bunch of built-in control options built right into the body. This enables you to adjust the gain, monitor your voice, and a whole lot more! With the press of a button, you can go from solo mode to figure-8 which is intended for two people recording. There is also Omni for room capture, allowing multiple people to partake in your online shenanigans.
The Blue Yeti also has a 3.5mm audio jack so you can plug in a pair of headphones, streamlining the playback process. You can also use the knobs on the Blue Yeti to adjust levels without accessing any software. But, if you want to use various FX, you can use the VO!CE software to enhance your stream with high-pass filter, noise reduction, de-esser, and so much more!
Best Midrange: Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
The AT2020USB-X comes with an enhanced design that captures exquisite audio thanks to a mix of high-quality internal components, directional pickup pattern design, and plug-and-play USB-C operation. The AT2020USB-X also features 24-bit, 96 kHz high-resolution audio that makes it perfect for live streaming games with immersive audio!
The AT2020USB-X also incorporates a headphone jack with volume control for monitoring. You can also send desktop audio through the mic, so you can balance your audio with your game’s audio and adjust accordingly. A mute button is also found directly on the mic, so you can turn off audio capture with the press of a button.
Best Small Mic: RODE NT-USB Mini
Measuring 5.6” tall and 2.1” wide, the RODE NT-USB Mini fully embraces the miniature aspect of microphones. Intended for podcasting and streaming, the NT-USB Mini is a wonderful addition for home users who want to save space, and a travel-friendly companion for those who want a professional setup for live shows at conventions and other gatherings. With RODE’s Connect Software, you can have four mics going at once which makes recording podcasts much easier!
Embracing its namesake, the NT-USB Mini connects to your system via USB and features plug-and-play connectivity, so you can get started the second you take it out of the box. It also has some great built-in features including a pop filter to reduce hard sound, an isolation stand to reduce vibration pickup, 3.5mm headphone jack with volume control, and high-quality 48 kHz recording! All of this provides users with the ease of access needed to live stream and podcast!
Best Mic Under $200: Logitech G Yeti GX
In the words of our wise elders, you get what you pay for. While less expensive mics will get you started in the world of live streaming, there comes a point where you may want something more substantial. This is where the Logitech G Yeti GX comes into play! It offers a ton of utility within a relatively compact package. The Yeti GX is a comprehensive device that also makes it easy for others to use without the need of tons of audio knowledge.
The Yeti GX features a supercardioid pickup pattern and custom dynamic capsule design, picking up your voice with enhanced clarity. Blue VO!CE audio processing takes your voice and enhances it further with various effects to make you sound better! There is also advanced auto-gain control and noise removal which can be accessed through the Blue VO!CE software. Convenient on-mic controls make it easy to adjust various sound profiles whether you are streaming or chatting it up with others. Additionally, the Yeti GX features dual-RGB lighting zones powered by LIGHTSYNC software, adding a bit more style to your desktop.
Best Mic Under $300: Shure MV7+
Sometimes the bar gets set in such a way where a singular device can end up becoming the industry standard. When it comes to mics that come at a premium that deliver exceptional performance, look no further than the famous Shure MV7+! Not only do we get USB-C connectivity, but it also features an XLR input, making this incredibly versatile for PC users as well as those who wish to use a full audio interface.
The MV7+ is often used for podcasting, but live streamers have also been welcoming it into the fold since the overlap between the two areas is quite large. But what makes this a coveted piece of equipment for many users is the rich sound it can produce. It is high-quality 48 kHz, 24-bit audio backed by physical and digital pop filters and integrated reverb control that can be fine-tuned to your liking. It also has a cardioid pattern pickup that minimizes ambient sound from the sides and rear of the mic. There is a built-in 3.5mm audio jack so you can easily monitor your audio. The integrated mount is also a great addition! Also, it comes in black and white, making it fit your personal desktop aesthetic perfectly!
The Shure MV7+ is OBS certified, which means ensures proper operation with the famous broadcasting application. It can also work with other recording software suits on Mac, Windows, iOS, and even Android.
Best XLR Mic: Shure SM7B
Some live streamers and content creators do not use USB microphones. Sometimes they might prefer an XLR mic. The big difference is how mics interact with your host system to produce the sound that you are looking for. But sometimes it is less about sound and more about specific controls. This is where Shure’s SM7B comes in.
This top-of-the-line mic doesn’t connect to your system via USB; it uses an XLR output that can be connected to an audio interface. This allows users to fine-tune various effects and levels depending on the audio interface. That being said, the Shure SM7B offers a ton of features designed for various content creators no matter their niche.
Cardioid pickup pattern with a dynamic element and frequency response from 50 Hz to 20 kHz makes the SM7B a solid microphone for any content creator. Integrated bass roll-off and midrange emphasis enables your voice to sound as good as it could ever be! It is also incredibly easy to use. Right out of the box, the SM7B can be attached to a number of stands or arms, ready to go when you are! There are no adjustable settings, knobs, dials, or anything like here. That is all accessible depending on the audio interface that you use.
If you are looking for a top-of-the-line mic, you don’t have to look much further than Shure. But, the world of XLR interfaces could end up becoming a bit tough to understand, so if you are someone who wants to learn more about that world, check out our Sound Mixers for Beginners guide and take your next step into the world of audio recording!
Honorable Mentions
HyperX QuadCast 2 S
I can’t go through all of these great mics without mentioning a few awesome picks that are worth recognition. The HyperX QuadCast 2 S is one of those USB microphones that are worth bringing up. It is a great middle-of-the-road microphone that offers a ton of utility, great audio support, and tons of deep customization options.
We get a ton of utility here with many different options right at your fingertips. Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8, and Stereo pickup patterns are built directly into the mic so you can adjust the best audio configuration whether you are alone or with someone else. Onboard adjustments and settings are easily accessed with a tap-to-mute sensor, volume knob, LED VU meter and indicators so you can get an idea of how the QuadCast 2 S operates at a mere glance. Additionally, the QuadCast 2 S features over 100 aRGB LEDs, which can be customized, giving you a ton of customization options to personalize your style.
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 USB Microphone
If you are looking for a versatile mic that fits a wide range of uses, the Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 is one of those that really stand out! If you happen to be part of the Elgato ecosystem, the Wave:3 MK.2 fits perfectly, giving you additional control options through the Elgato software as well as other pieces of hardware like the Stream Deck+.
The Wave:3 MK.2 connects to your system via USB-C and has a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring. The forward-facing knob can adjust gain, headphone volume, and blend, giving you the ideal real-time feedback. There is also an enhanced steel grille which reduces heavy breath and plosives. Additionally, for those who like mic arms, the Wave:3 MK.2 can be attached using the included 5/8” and 3/8” adapters.
Elgato Wave DX
Riding the literal wave of Elgato products, we have the Wave DX! This is a great, affordable mic that, just like the Wave:3 MK.2, fits snugly into Elgato’s entire ecosystem. We get condenser-like audio without noise thanks to the cardioid polar pattern. An internal pop filter also helps by limiting the clipping effect, always combating various plosives to make your voice sound excellent for listeners!
There are a few other neat additions here, such as the broadcast-style swivel yoke mount, additional mounting hardware, and an optimized proximity effect that takes your position into account. Overall, I think this is a wonderful mic for beginners that balances price to performance so well, I just had to mention it.
Sennheiser Profile USB
Do you like having the ultimate control over your voice? Then the Sennheiser Profile USB is the mic for you! Not only do we have some great performance that Sennheiser is known for, but the option to make any adjustment on the fly without tinkering with software or settings makes this a mic I absolutely couldn’t ignore.
We have an adjustable stand that allows you to get the ideal voice pickup. The forward-facing controls allow you to instantly mute your mic, adjust volume, adjust the mic pickup volume against the desktop volume, and also adjust volume going to your headphones (via 3.5mm headphone jack). Integrated LED lights tell you the status of the mic, so you know what is going on at just a mere glance. Whether you are live streaming or just hanging out with your friends in a chatroom, the Sennheiser Profile USB makes a great addition to your desktop space.
When it comes to finding the best microphones for your live stream or podcast, these are a few of the best ones you can get. For more information about each of these mics, make sure you hit the links!
