HeadphonesAddict is user supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Here are the best gaming microphones that are worthy of your money. If you’re a gamer, you’ll find a gaming mic for your needs. Previous Next Rating Price Type Connection Pick-up pattern More info Antlion ModMic Wireless Best wireless 4.4 Under $120 Mod mic Wireless, Bluetooth Uni & omnidirectional Review Elgato Wave:3 Best standing 4.8 Under $140 Standing, condenser Wired – USB Cardioid Review HyperX QuadCast S Best streaming 4.8 Under $160 Standing, condenser Wired – USB Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional Review Antlion ModMic USB Best wired mod mic 4.3 Under $80 Mod mic Wired – USB Uni & omnidirectional Review PowerDeWise Lavalier Microphone Best lavalier 4.3 Under $50 Clip-on (lavalier) Wired – 3.5mm Omni-directional Review Blue Yeti X 4.6 Under $150 Standing, condenser Wired – MicroUSB Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional Review Zalman Zm-Mic1 Best cheap 3.7 Under $10 Clip-on (lavalier) Wired – 3.5mm Omni-directional Review V-Moda BoomPro Best detachable 4.4 Under $30 Microphone, mod Wired – 3.5mm Omni-directional Review Picking the best microphone for gaming isn’t a straightforward process. There are many different types of gaming microphones, and you have to know what you need them for. This is a buyer’s guide to the best gaming mics. Gaming microphone: get a detachable microphone or mic mod like ModMic and BoomPro or a clip-on lavalier microphone. Streaming microphone: you should up your game and get a quality microphone like Blue Yeti X or iCE. Twitch streaming and YouTube video production are getting more competitive, you need the right streaming microphone to be successful. Serious production microphone: get a professional condenser microphone or an XLR setup with a dynamic XLR microphone with a single cardioid polar pattern, XLR cable, and other necessary equipment. Do it like the pros. Whatever type of gaming microphone you use, set your budget beforehand and stick with it. How much does a decent microphone cost? You can pay hundreds of dollars, $300-$400 or more for high-end mics, but you can get a good microphone for around $100. And, a decent gaming microphone for around $50. If you’re just starting out with a Twitch streaming career or your own YouTube channel, a mic is an essential part of your gaming hardware. However, you don’t need hundreds of dollars of additional equipment. Pick between more affordable USB microphones and upgrade once you grow and become successful. To eliminate annoying pops, you might want to invest in a pop filter (if you don’t already have a built-in pop filter) if your gaming microphone supports it. So that you don’t have to worry about breathing too loudly. They’re cheap and effective. CONTENTS (show more) Related: Best gaming headphones Top wireless gaming headsets Best PC gaming headsets The Best Gaming Microphones 1. Antlion ModMic Wireless Best wireless AntLion ModMic Wireless is the best gaming microphone and our top pick. Connection: Bluetooth Driver size: / Frequency range: 50-20.000Hz (response range) Type: Wireless microphone | Battery life: 12h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes (for speech) | Charging: Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: aptX Low Latency | Water resistance: No | Features: USB-A dongle | Bitrate: 16-bit, 48khz (uni & omni modes) Crystal clear voice quality Reliable performance A short delay (aptX Low Latency) Sturdy build quality Nice carrying case Easy setup Pricey 12h battery short for heavy users Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones – Compatible with… Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones – Compatible with… $139.95 in stock 2 new from $139.90 4 used from $101.24 as of June 2, 2023 10:33 am Buy now Amazon.com Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones out of stock Buy now eBay Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones – Compatible with PC,… Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless Attachable Boom Microphone for Headphones – Compatible with PC,… out of stock Buy now Walmart.com A great thing about this mic is its reliable connection and over 12 hours of battery life. It works without any noticeable delay, so you don’t miss any important sounds. Also, the microphone is well built and has a lovely, functional carrying case. On top of that, it sounds clear and without distortion, suitable for professional use too. You can even choose from a uni-directional or omnidirectional mode. You can use this mic with any kind of headphones you have. You attach it with strong magnets that keep it on the headphone. Setup is simple and doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes. If you already own a great pair of headphones but lack a good microphone, AntLion ModMic Wireless is the best gaming microphone right now. Antlion ModMic Wireless review 2. Elgato Wave:3 Best standing A simple and one of the best gaming microphones for your streaming and videoconferencing needs. Connection: Wired – USB Driver size: 17 mm electret condenser Frequency range: 70-20.000Hz Type: Condenser microphone | Bitrate: 24-bit, 96kHz | Noise cancelling: No | Impedance: n/a | Weight: 20.6 oz (585g) | Cable lenght: n/a | Sound pressure level: 120dB (140dB with Clipguard) | Pattern: Cardioid | Features: Stand, WaveLink app, onboard controls Great sound quality Easy operation App with a digital audio mixer interface Subdued lower-bass frequencies The Wave:3 gaming microphone only works in cardioid mode. Still, it can pick up your voice with excellent neutrality, with just a slight hump in the lower treble. While it has crystal clear audio, frequencies below 150Hz are cut off. That means this desktop microphone is great for everyday use as a streaming microphone or if you want a better mic for online calls. However, it isn’t suitable for professional studio music recording. With the USB mics from Elgato, you get the WaveLink software that acts as a virtual audio mixer (so you don’t have to buy a physical one to manage all the audio sources). Elgato Wave:3 comes with easy-to-use controls and a built-in stand so you can put it wherever you want. You plug them into a gaming PC via a USB cable. 3. HyperX QuadCast S Best streaming What makes this gaming mic excellent for streamers is the amazing RGB light show it can put out on top of sounding excellent. Connection: Wired – USB Driver size: Three 14mm condensers Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: Condenser microphone | Bitrate: 16-bit, 48kHz | Noise cancelling: No | Impedance: n/a | Weight: 25 oz (710g) | Cable lenght: 9.84 ft (3m) | Sound pressure level: n/a | Pattern: Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional | Features: Stand, RGB lights, NGENUITY Software app Great voice quality RGB lighting effects Multiple pick-up patterns Most features accessible without the app App only works on PC HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone for PC, PS4, PS5 and Mac, Anti-Vibration Shock… HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone for PC, PS4, PS5 and Mac, Anti-Vibration Shock… $129.99 $159.99 in stock 22 new from $129.99 13 used from $115.74 as of June 2, 2023 8:13 am Buy now Amazon.com HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone for PC, PS4 and Mac, Anti-Vibration Shock Mount,… HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone for PC, PS4 and Mac, Anti-Vibration Shock Mount,… $283.96 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Hyperx Quadcast S Standalone Microphone RGB Writing Streamer Hyperx Quadcast S Standalone Microphone RGB Writing Streamer out of stock Buy now eBay The QuadCast S has a very flat pickup sound signature, with only a few dB drop towards sub-bass frequencies. That makes it highly versatile for everything from simple video calls to recording vocals or instruments in your home studio. This high-end gaming microphone can toggle between multiple polar patterns: cardioid, bi-directional, omnidirectional, and stereo mode. Learn the difference between directional vs. omnidirectional polar patterns. QuadCast S is made of quality materials and comes with a mic stand that you can mount on the boom arm. The one downside is that you can’t unmount it from the built-in shock mount. By using Ngenuity software, you can access the mic and headphone volume control and play around with RGB lighting effects. Thankfully, since the app only works for PC, you can mute the mic during a Twitch stream, perform zero-latency monitoring, and select recording patterns without any software. 4. Antlion ModMic USB Best wired mod mic A wired mod mic that doesn’t cost too much yet delivers good clarity for your gaming. Connection: Wired – USB (USB-A) Driver size: n/a Frequency range: 50-20.000Hz Type: Detachable boom microphone | Bitrate: 16-bit, 48kHz | Noise cancelling: No | Impedance: 2.2 Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable length: 6.5ft (2m) | Sound pressure level: 114dB | Pattern: Uni-directional & omni-directional | Features: Magnet for attaching, mute button Clear voice recording for gaming, Skyping, and more Uni-directional and omni-directional modes Works out of the box Smart, sturdy design The double cable is heavier and can be annoying Antlion Audio ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone with Mute Switch Compatible with… Antlion Audio ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone with Mute Switch Compatible with… $84.95 in stock 2 new from $84.95 2 used from $66.59 as of June 2, 2023 8:13 am Buy now Amazon.com Antlion ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone Antlion ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone out of stock Buy now eBay Antlion Audio ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone with Mute Switch Compatible with… Antlion Audio ModMic USB Attachable Noise-Cancelling Microphone with Mute Switch Compatible with… out of stock Buy now Walmart.com For a mod gaming microphone, the sound is excellent and on-par with the best gaming headsets. It works best in quieter environments but still does an admirable job when your room gets overly noisy. ModMic USB microphone supports two pickup patterns, unidirectional and omnidirectional. The physical toggle is located on the microphone itself, as well as the Mute button. Omni-directional mode is great for live streaming as it picks up sounds from all directions. So, your Instagram Live streams, for example, will have much better sound quality. USB microphone uses a strong neodymium magnet to attach to your headphones, so you can use the ones that you already own. The connection runs through the USB port, and you can also opt for a version with a 3.5mm connection, which is also a bit cheaper. Antlion ModMic USB review 5. PowerDeWise Lavalier Microphone Best lavalier PowerDeWise Lavalier Microphone is the best cheap clip-on gaming microphone (lavalier). Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: Lavalier mic Frequency range: 50-16.000Hz Type: Lavalier | Bitrate: n/a | Noise cancelling: n/a | Impedance: n/a | Weight: n/a | Cable lenght: 6.56 ft (2m) + extension | Signal-to-noise ratio: 56dB | Pattern: Omnidirectional | Features: Shirt clip, Y cable, TRRS to TRS adapter Great in quiet environments Long cable Plenty of accessories Not the best in windy situations SALE! PowerDeWise Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone SALE! PowerDeWise Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone $25.99 in stock Buy now eBay Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone – Perfect for iPhone Phone or Camera Blogging… Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone – Perfect for iPhone Phone or Camera Blogging… $29.99 $45.00 in stock 3 new from $29.99 as of June 2, 2023 5:03 am Buy now Amazon.com PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Clip-on Mic, Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone for iPhone, Android,… PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Clip-on Mic, Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone for iPhone, Android,… $33.33 $59.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com PowerDeWise mic is among the affordable ones, yet it still delivers solid sound quality. It can sound a bit flat compared to more premium offerings and not with the widest frequency response. The included windshield also doesn’t do wonders in windy conditions but will provide clear audio inside a quiet room during gameplay. Lavalier microphone comes with a nifty carrying pouch, cleaning cloth, a TRRS to TRS adapter, Y cable, and extension cord. Just be aware that every time you add a wire, it might degrade the audio quality. The mic’s cable is long (2 meters), so you can easily wire it under your shirt and into your interface of choice. 6. Blue Yeti X Blue Yeti X is a highly regarded gaming microphone that offers almost studio-level sound quality. Connection: Wired – USB Driver size: 14mm (4 condenser capsules) Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: Self-standing | Bitrate: 48 kHz, 24-bit | Noise cancelling: n/a | Impedance: 13 Ohms min, 16 Ohms typical | Weight: 2.8 lbs (1.28kg) | Cable lenght: n/a | Sound pressure level: 122dB | Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional, Stereo | Features: Volume knob Great sound quality Good performance in non-ideal situations Quality construction Pricey Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition Wired Multi-Pattern Condenser USB Micropho Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition Wired Multi-Pattern Condenser USB Micropho $70.00 in stock Buy now eBay Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser USB Microphone with High-Res Metering, LED Lighting & Blue… Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser USB Microphone with High-Res Metering, LED Lighting & Blue… $139.99 $169.99 in stock 2 new from $139.99 2 used from $109.99 as of June 2, 2023 2:31 am Buy now Amazon.com Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition Microphone with Boom Arm, Bundle Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition Microphone with Boom Arm, Bundle out of stock Buy now Walmart.com While it struggles with sibilant letters like s, sh, ph, and so on, the Yeti X handles very well in even the least ideal situations with lots of ambient sound. And that’s without any extra accessories. Overall, your voice sounds nice and full, and for a self-standing mic, you get a better sound quality than most USB mics. It’s almost professional-like. That makes Yeti X an excellent choice for gamers with not-so-ideal room acoustics. It offers four polar patterns, and you don’t need other expensive interfaces since it’s simply plug & play. Blue Yeti X has a volume gain control with tiny LED lights in the center. They indicate how much volume you applied as well as how loudly you’re speaking. The only downside is its relatively high price. 7. Zalman Zm-Mic1 Best cheap Zalman Zm-Mic1 is probably the most popular clip-on microphone on the market due to its low price and reliable performance. Connection: WIred – 3.5mm Driver size: / Frequency range: n/a Type: Clip-on lavalier mic | Bitrate: n/a | Noise cancelling: No | Impedance: 2.2k Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable lenght: n/a | Pattern: Omni-directional | Features: Clip-on design, high sensitivity Dirt-cheap Easy to use Decent voice pick-up quality Easily picks-up background noise Zalman ZM-MIC1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone with Mini Clip, Computer PC Streaming Gaming… Zalman ZM-MIC1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone with Mini Clip, Computer PC Streaming Gaming… $6.49 $12.99 in stock 3 new from $6.49 as of June 2, 2023 10:33 am Buy now Amazon.com Zalman Zm-Mic1 with 3.5mm Gold Plated Splitter Cable Zalman Zm-Mic1 with 3.5mm Gold Plated Splitter Cable $10.99 $999.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone $16.09 in stock Buy now eBay It works well, especially for under $10. It’s simple to use with a clip-on design, plug and play without the need to play with audio settings. Like the lower price range would suggest, this is the simplest possible gaming microphone you can get. And that’s its advantage. You get a good mic for gaming, and when needed, you can use it for streaming, Zoom calls, or Discord as well. If you’re playing in a quiet room, it will work fine, but if ambient sounds are present, you won’t have the best sound quality. Zalman clip-on microphone has no background noise reduction. It will pick up a lot of unwanted background noise. From air-conditioning, mechanical keyboards, washing machines, and even sound from headphones at higher volume levels. For the absolute cheapskates, Zalman Zm-Mic1 will do the job better than any other cheap lavalier microphone. See gaming earbuds with microphone. 8. V-Moda BoomPro Best detachable V-MODA BoomPro is the best budget microphone and a great choice to upgrade your existing headphones. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: / Frequency range: n/a Type: Detachable boom | Bitrate: n/a | Noise cancelling: n/a | Impedance: 2.2k Ohm | Weight: 1.05 oz (30g) | Cable lenght: 74.8 inch (1.9m) | Sound pressure level: 100dB | Pattern: Omni-directional | Features: Detachable Easy to use Affordable price Good voice quality with little background noise Only works with headphones with removable wires V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication – Black V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication – Black $19.99 in stock 3 new from $19.99 38 used from $14.99 as of June 2, 2023 12:51 pm Buy now Amazon.com V-MODA BoomPro Gaming, VoIP Headset Mic Black V-MODA BoomPro Gaming, VoIP Headset Mic Black $19.99 in stock Buy now eBay V-MODA BoomPro Detachable Boom Microphone V-MODA BoomPro Detachable Boom Microphone $30.60 in stock Buy now Walmart.com The sound is clean without hiss or distortion and has just the right amount of sensitivity. It will pick up very little unwanted noise which is exactly what you want for a gaming headset. If you have headphones with detachable cables, V-Moda BoomPro is the best gaming microphone. It’s basically a new headphone cable with a boom microphone attached to it. Replace the old wires with this one, and you have a very nice headset. The good thing about it is that you only need one 3.5mm (headphone jack) input to use it, so it works with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X with the new controller or the separate adapter. And there’s even a mute button on the cable as well. Honorable Mentions Shure SM7B The most popular professional microphone among most streamers. For the price of $400, it ensures excellent audio quality and selectable EQ presets for smooth and warm-sounding vocals. It’s best used for close-proximity applications. (Check SM7B price) Antlion Audio ModMic 5.0 This is one of the best microphone with a headphone jack that can be attached to a headphone. The voice quality is good compared to any gaming headset mic out there. (Check ModMic 5.0 price) Blue Snowball iCE Still one of the best budget gaming microphone for streaming and a go-to mic for many beginners. And for a good reason. The mic itself looks sturdy and is quite heavy, which gives it a premium feel. It’s a small and portable standing mic that’s a cheaper copy of the Blue Yeti. (Check Snowball iCE price) Audio-Technica AT2020 One of the best professional microphone for your streaming setup under $100, but it’s quite old to this point. You can buy many different accessories for it, either the more professional mic arm stand, a shock mount, or regular table legs. (Check AT2020 price) Razer Seiren Mini Razer Seiren Mini is one of the best USB mic for under $50. It’s a great option for beginners with compact design and better quality audio than any other mics. This standalone budget microphone from Razer is what a vast majority of gamers need to start their streaming journey. (Check Seiren Mini price) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can you turn headphones into a headset? If you already own a pair of excellent headphones that lack a microphone, you can buy a mic mod and attach it to them. Some are designed to replace your wires, or use a separate wire and attach to your headphones by magnets. Of course, to get the best voice quality, buying a dedicated microphone is an overall better idea. Especially if you’re serious about streaming. Are XLR mics good for gaming? If you want ultimate audio recording quality, the XLR mic is still the best solution. The reason is in balanced connection, which eliminates static noise for a clean audio signal. However, you’ll have to buy a separate audio interface for XLR microphones, which isn’t cheap. Also, most best gaming microphones use USB, which is more convenient and gives more options for software tweaking. Which is better, condenser or dynamic mic? For everyday use, there is no huge difference since both can sound excellent. The biggest difference is in overall durability and sensitivity. Condenser microphones are more sensitive and better suited for studio work (wider dynamic range), whereas dynamic microphones boast more robust construction and are better for use on the stage. Does a professional mic make you sound better? Sure, it does. However, before purchasing a new mic, you have to first try and squeeze as much out of your old mic as possible. To get the best out of your microphone, use it at a proper distance (a thumb away from your mouth) and at a proper angle (the sweet spot is about 45 degrees correlated to your mouth). How can I improve my mic quality? – Try keeping your mic close to you (a few inches away from your mouth).– Don’t keep it on your desk, especially if it doesn’t have a shock-resistant mount.– Turn OFF all loud house appliances like AC, and close the windows if you live next to a construction site or near a busy road.– Use a pop filter if you notice that your mic is picking a lot of popping sounds. Want to read more? Best wireless PlayStation headsets Best wireless Xbox headsets The best headphones under $100
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