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I truly believe that one of the best microphones for streaming and gaming could be the difference maker between someone stopping on your content for 30 seconds or so, and you gaining a dedicated audience member. Sound quality is a massive deal, it's the first thing people usually notice about your content, and is one of the key ways to engage them instantly.
When it comes to the best microphones for streaming and gaming, you have a choice to make. The first option is using a USB microphone, which will make things nice and easy since you can literally plug it in and use it. Alternatively, you can go for an XLR mic. Generally, these tend to be more expensive, plus, they require a dedicated audio interface. Affording the best gear for streaming is bad enough these days, but opting for a cheaper USB-C mic isn't the hamstring it used to be.
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The recent update to possibly the most iconic content creation mic somehow improves it further. If you're willing to spare no expense, look no further.
If you're on a strict budget for content creation goodies but you don't want to compromise on audio quality, this is still the best affordable microphone money can buy.
The SteelSeries Alias and Alias Pro are simple, easy-to-use, and have some decent sound quality for the money. If you're only starting out on your content creation journey, this might be all you need.
There are so many great USB-C microphones out there and they're all priced so similarly, but Shure's MV6 microphone has to be my favorite option.
Shure's MV7+ might not be quite as good as the SM7dB, but its versatility its dual USB-C and XLR connectivity makes it an excellent choice for pro-level creators.
Maono offers quite the package in its PD200W. USB, XLR, and wireless connectivity (along with great audio quality) for the same cost as competitive USB mics on this list.
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RODE is easily one of the best brands on the planet when it comes to audio quality, and the PodMic USB is perhaps the most overlooked and underrated option on this list.
The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 is an incredible wireless mic system for those creators who don't want to be tied to a desk or static setup.
The Logitech Blue Sona is one of the best XLR mics money can buy. It also offers you a bit more personality than Shure's muted black options.
If you're already integrated into the Elgato content creation ecosystem, the Elgato Wave 3 will give you the simplest tool to add to your setup.
I've been a content creator for almost a decade now, and that's meant a lot of shopping for mics, a lot of using them, and working out the differences between different types. I've tested loads in the last ten years, including USB options and more premium XLR ones. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I think a good mic is one of the keys to you growing and maintaining an audience, and I want to help you find the right one for you.
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Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.
Alex streams on Twitch multiple times a week, and he's leant us his expertise for reviewing microphones plenty of times now. You'll find his expert buying advice scattered through this guide, and it's worth listening to.
Fraser has years of experience using microphones for recording podcasts, voice overs, and live streaming, and he's tested a few of the mics on this page for us. You'll hear him in audio samples deliver a perfect first take of "Peter Piper" every time, and he's got excellent knowledge of the USB microphone scene in particular.
The best microphone for streaming and gaming overall
The Shure SM7dB is the first major update to the world's most immediately recognizable content creation mic. The SM7dB takes the incredible quality of the SM7B and adds an internal pre-amp that will boost your signal up to +28db. Granted, this mic might be overkill for the majority of streamers or gamers who are just looking for a simple way to communicate with friends, but there's no denying its supreme quality for professionals.
Design & Features: You may notice a bit more branding on the updated Shure mic than we're used to. There's a glossy Shure logo as well as some more visible tape around the new version, but we still enjoy how muted and classy this mic looks on stream. You should note that this is a bit longer than the regular SM7B as well, and although it's not that much different, it might serve to mount this mic to some sort of boom arm to ensure it doesn't block the bottom half of your monitor. Regardless of the small differences, the SM7dB sports the same iconic design of the mic you see in the majority of professional setups these days.
Performance: The pre-amp on board here really does polish up the one thing owners of the SM7B had to complain about. There's a feeling with this mic that you have to crank up the gain to uncontrollable levels to get the best quality out of it. With an internal pre-amp, you take out the need for a middle device, and depending on your use-case and voice quality, match its settings to suit you.
In testing, we did find that the cardioid pattern was fairly strict and that the best results truly came from being around 6 inches away from the mic, or up close and personal for that ASMR quality. You will need to mind your mic etiquette more than you would with others, especially if you're used to a USB-C option. Nonetheless, the quality this mic is able to pick up is out of this world. There's a reason it's one of the most popular picks for professionals.
The best budget microphone
Blue, which has now been absorbed into the larger Logitech G brand, is very well known when it comes to streaming mics, and for a good reason - they're masters of the craft when it comes to bang for buck. The budget Yeti Nano (the scrappy younger sibling of the Yeti range) is very impressive. It packs the accessible price tag of the entry-level Snowballs mics into a really professional package that sounds as good as any USB mic you'll find at this price range.
Hitting hard with great audio and a dual condenser setup, it perfects the Yeti formula while reducing that microphone's cost. It's a whole lot smaller and lighter, too; the Nano is half the weight of the original Yeti, making it much more portable than its counterpart. The ease of setting it up certainly helps. Thanks to a plug-and-play USB connection, you can be recording in no time.
This is an amazing option for those who want to take advantage of Blue Yeti quality without forking out the cost of a full-sized one. Moreover, the newest Logitech G Yeti GX now exists, but for us, the best value still lies with the Nano. When that changes, we'll let you know.
The best microphones for beginners
Whether you opt for the cheaper USB SteelSeries Alias or the pricier XLR Alias Pro, you're grabbing a great-sounding, easy-to-use microphone here. This won't break the bank compared to other USB mics designed for gaming and streaming, and that makes them a great choice for beginners who are just getting started with content creation - or for people who are just looking to take a regular gaming setup to the next level of audio control.
These dropped late in 2023 and were immediately met with universal praise for their convenient all-in-one package, and because they quite simply do the basics so well.
First and foremost, these are both brilliant microphones. They capture sound at a studio level, but they also look like no other microphone on this list. Inside both the Alias and Alias Pro is a cardioid capsule, which manages to get that rich podcast quality up close, but doesn't fail to maintain that quality when you're a little further away from it.
That's honestly just the tip of the SteelSeries iceberg though, because the Sonar software you get with your purchase takes things to a whole new level. Whether it's noise-cancelling or managing multiple audio profiles running through your PC, this software is as conclusive as you'll find. Lump in the fact that you get a small mixer/interface with the Pro model, and you have a true all-in-one package with these brilliant microphones.
The best USB mic for streaming and gaming
The $130 price point in the USB microphone world is one of the most competitive there is. This tends to be a sweet spot where you don't overspend on a professional option, but get the production quality that gives your content the kind of sound that makes people take it seriously. The Shure MV6 is our new favorite USB mic to recommend because it takes a lot of the great things about the brand's high-end mics and brings it down to an affordable level.
In its look, you can see quite a resemblance to the SM7dB. It's clear that Shure has identified the number of gamers that aspire to the lofty heights of YouTube and Twitch stardom, but can't afford the mics they see their favorite content creators use. The solution? Hold onto that iconic design and price it at a point that's attainable.
This is a dynamic microphone, which means it isn't as generous as a lot of the other condenser options in this price range. But if you mind your mic etiquette and stay close to the dynamic capsule within, you'll be rewarded with pristine sound quality. There's a stand windguard in the box with the MV6, as well as a disappointingly short USB cable. In the brand's MotivMix app, you'll get access to the real value for money, including a digital popper stopper and de-noiser which gives SteelSeries a run for its money.
The MV6 can capture professional-sounding recordings with or without these things, and for a USB microphone, it really is tough to find a better all-rounder. The 3.5mm audio jack will prove useful for live monitoring and hearing PC game audio all through one channel, and there's no need to invest in an additional pop filter either.
The best microphone for most
We might deem the Shure SM7dB the best mic overall, but it's only going to really benefit a fringe group of creators who either really desire the best quality or want the prestige of having that iconic mic. The Shure MV7+ on the other hand, is a bit more budget-friendly and still packs in some excellent performance. What's more, dual connectivity means it's maybe the more practical one to choose.
Granted, this updated model of the Shure MV7 still won't come cheap - Shure is one of the premium names in this space, so this will likely suit professionals more than it will a beginner. Still, if you're looking for something that will give you XLR quality in a USB-C package, the MV7+ is the guy who can do both. It isn't the first microphone to focus on this dual-connection package - the Rode PodMic USB is very similar, but the fact this one lets you use both outputs at the same time puts it a cut above. Not to mention, this is a Shure product that gives you iconic audio quality.
The design is a less muted black capsule than you'll find on the brand's SM7B - it has more branding and a nice RGB strip around its mid-section to help you control it, and to communicate with you. That RGB also doubles as a capacitive mute button. On its bottom, you'll find a USB-C output, XLR output, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for live monitoring - something we wish the more expensive XLR rivals on this list would include too. Inside, you'll get a unidirectional cardioid capsule.
We found this mic performed exactly as you'd expect a Shure product to. Using it with the Shure MOTIV Mix app really brought out the best in it, but considering you essentially get SM7B quality for significantly cheaper, there's value to be had here. Admittedly, we did find that there was better performance to be had at close proximity for this microphone, which makes sense since Shure has designed it for podcasters first and foremost. It also doesn't have quite the same Yoke mount as the SM7dB and suffers some bumps and knocks as a result.
Still, if you're willing to invest in audio quality, and you go between XLR and USB-C use, or need to use both simultaneously, then you won't find a more versatile option than this.
The best value microphone for streaming and gaming
Dual connection mics have begun to pop up more frequently in the last couple of years, but these often come from brands like Shure and Rode that, while offering excellent audio standards, tend to charge a fair bit for them. Maono has taken the versatility of the Rode PodMic USB, the convenience of the Shure MV7+, and topped them both by also adding a third mode of connection, wireless support. All that, and it's priced at the same level as competitive USB-only options.
The design of Maono's mic would have you thinking it was a Shure product, since it has a very similar look to the MV6, save for some branding on its side and a more fool-proof shockmount. But the classy visage is still here - it's an all black finish with a well-shaped pop-filter wind guard over its top. It may come on a stand, but it's mountable to any boom arm too.
Inside, there's that aforementioned triple connectivity. You get XLR, USB-C, and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle. Battery life is a thing, which isn't common for microphones that look like this. You'll get 60 hours, which is certainly impressive, although that will down to a still stellar 30 hours if you use the aesthetically pleasing ring light around the one volume/mute control knob.
You may think that because it's a more affordable option that offers novelty of three connections, its sound quality can't be so good. That's wrongly what we assumed, because the performance of the PD200W using all three of its connections surprised us. This is essentially a mic that offers exceptional value for money versus the competition, so it's well worth considering for beginners, intermediate content creators, or for people who need to record in different scenarios and on various devices.
The best RODE mic for streaming and gaming
This is hands-down the biggest rival to Shure's MV7+, and might be one of the most underrated mics on the market right now. If you're sick of hearing the debate between USB and XLR mics, the RODE PodMic USB might just be the pacifier you need. As RODE mics go, this is accessible and versatile, so it has to be on this list for the folks that have always looked at RODE audio products as the golden goose that's just that bit too expensive to ever afford.
The PodMic USB sounds just as good as you'd expect a RODE product to. There are crisp, full profiles to be had across a range of situations. Being a dynamic microphone, it benefits from a focused, directional pickup while ignoring unwanted noises from within the room. Vocals were unsurprisingly strong with a great level of presence and without wandering into over-the-top late-night radio territory.
The included windsock sleeve confidently rejected plosives without adding any noticeable muffle but despite an internal shock mount I did find the PodMic USB susceptible to desk bumps and knocks to the mic arm. Overall, if you need something with USB-C connectivity but you want to futureproof yourself for an XLR setup later, this is a superb option.
The best wireless microphone
Alright, so I'll grant you that most gamers making a perfect PC setup don't need a wireless mic to talk to their friends over Discord. However, if you're a content creator looking to diversify and free yourself up to loads of different content styles, a wireless mic can take you places that the wired options on this list simply can't match.
There are loads of these mics out there these days, as TikTok presenting, tiny mic ASMR and all sorts of vertical video has taken off. Rode has been there since the beginning, and its latest version of the Wireless Go system gives you absurd quality for something that isn't tied to an XLR audio interface.
For years, I kept a lot of my voice-over recordings for the videos I make at my desk, which, when I started to present to camera, meant I was always using the same sorts of backgrounds. When I got more adventurous, I started wanting to do my pieces to camera in different settings, but a limited quality on the voice-over side of things from a USB mic I would hold in front of my face was a big drawback. I needed a wireless mic to give me that kind of versatility.
I'm astounded at the amount of clarity that these mics capture, and the Rode Central app allows you to customize sound profiles and adjust gain as well.
Rode's Wireless Go Gen 3 comes as a pack of three identically shaped modules. There are two transmitters (microphones that pick up your desired audio), and a receiver that runs the show. You can use both transmitters simultaneously, recording an interview or conversation, and you can get a clear audio recording even if those transmitters are up to 260m away from the receiver. Battery life is up to 7 hours, and there's clever onboard recording in play to ensure your audio files aren't lost if you do run out of juice.
In terms of the actual microphone mechanics, you get an excellent omnidirectional polar pattern, which cuts out the noises around you that you likely don't want, while capturing voice and closer noises with crystal clarity. I'm astounded at the amount of clarity that these mics capture, and the Rode Central app allows you to customize sound profiles and adjust gain as well.
I also love that there are physical design elements that make these mics even more versatile. There are clips so you can attach them to your lapel and go hands-free. There's a carrying case that you can buy that charges your mics for you when not in use. There's a handheld mic attachment if you want that classic broadcaster look. You can also personalize and get the Gen 3s in loads of different colors. In short, these are some incredible wireless mics. The only downside? They're on the more expensive side. Still, I'd pay for the amount of quality you get here.
The best Shure alternative
Logitech has hit the ground running with its debut broadcast microphone. The Blue Sona leans on the years of expertise of leading audio brand Blue to deliver a premium XLR microphone perfectly suited to streamers and content creators.
At $349/£299 the Logitech Blue Sona is at the top end of home microphone options but we found it delivered audio quality in line with its price point. The supercardioid polar pattern, combined with a few clever bits of tech under the hood offered bright, clean vocals without unwanted room noise creeping in. Despite being a dynamic microphone the Blue Sona produced a nicely balanced tone without sounding overly close or stylized. On-board EQ toggles are a nice touch and will be beneficial to some voices, but we found them a little overbearing so kept them switched off.
The Blue Sona’s high-end metal body is designed with flexibility in mind. The integrated mounting bracket is reversible and we found it easy to integrate it into our existing studio setup. You’re treated to two windscreens in the box, either neutral black or striking red and they can be swapped on the fly thanks to a nifty magnetic joiner. We tested the white variant of the Blue Sona and found the red windsock gave the mic a little more personality.
Yes, the Logitech Blue Sona is one of the most expensive microphones for streaming that we’ve tested but it’s also one of the best and you won’t be disappointed in your investment if you take the plunge.
The best mic for Elgato fans
If you're already integrated into the Elgato ecosystem with any of the brand's other premium content-creation gadgets, its USB-C mic might be the best audio solution for you. Thanks to some helpful software updates to the Wave Link software, this mic keeps getting quality-of-life updates as well, some of which might be all you need to take your sound quality to the next level.
This is an ideal mic if you want your streams to sound great with little to no tweaking on your part at the same time. Elgato’s utilitarian-looking Wave:3 is good enough to use out of the box and has handy control dials and mute functions built into its chassis. Now significantly cheaper than it was at launch, it’s no longer going toe-to-toe with Blue’s imperious Yeti X in price but offers something comparable in features and sound quality.
A lot of its best attributes are hidden away, like Clipguard, an anti-peaking hard limiter built into the mic without the need to install any software. It works intelligently, squishing your signal just enough for it to feel smooth and subtly processed for your audiences. This is a streamer mic, after all, not something designed to capture the dynamic range of a live orchestra.
The Elgato Wave 3 is a workhorse model for any streamer
Elgato Wave 3 review
You genuinely don’t need a pop shield with this one either, thanks to a built-in design that catches hard plosives before they explode anyone’s eardrums. Again, it works well and sounds great in conjunction with Clipguard.
The overall sound is crisp and detailed, not quite as warm as the very best we’ve tested but only by fractions. It will get you compliments on Discord and its easy operation will keep your Twitch sessions ticking over without tech issues - all except for an awkwardly placed touchscreen mute control, which is a bit too easy to accidentally tap.
Best microphones for streaming - FAQs
What is the best microphone for streaming and gaming?
For most creators, the best microphone for streaming and gaming is the Shure SM7B, or its updated SM7dB. These are undoubtedly some of the most expensive mics on the market though, and today, you can get excellent mic quality from USB-C options like the Shure MV6, the Rode PodMic USB, and even the SteelSeries Alias mics.
What mic do gaming streamers use?
There are loads of microphones out there designed specifically for streaming and gaming on Twitch. USB-C microphones like the SteelSeries Alias, the Shure MV6, and the Blue Yeti models are all worth buying thanks to their generous polar patterns and accessible condenser capsules. If you have the budget for more professional gear though, and XLR mic will give you a lot more control while demanding a bit more know-how.
Do I need a microphone for streaming?
Gaming headset mics and built-in mics on webcams are okay for talking to your friends, but if you're addressing an audience (or trying to build one) then a dedicated microphone is essential. It won't matter how good your gameplay is or how captivating you are on screen. If you're not being heard clearly, or your sound quality is poor, people won't have much patience to stick around and watch you.
What type of mic is best for streaming?
You have two choices when it comes to the best microphones for streaming - USB and XLR. The former is usually cheaper and easier to use with its plug and play functionality, however, the latter, offers greater overall sound quality closer to true studio sound. Every microphone in our roundup sounds the part, but if you want the best for streaming then you can find high quality USB and XLR models around the $100 mark that won't disappoint.
What mic do most YouTubers use?
Different content creators will use varying mics, and although there are more popular options you'll see regularly, it's hard to nail down one that's the absolute best mic for streaming and YouTube. A popular choice is something like the Blue Yeti, since it comes in a few different models and doesn't break the bank. Another you'll see that is used by a lot of popular podcasters is the Shure MV7, or the Shure SM7B. For the most part, however, we'd recommend cheaper options that offer strong performance - especially if you're just starting out.
What is the best budget streaming microphone?
In our eyes (or ears), the Blue Yeti Nano is the best microphone for streaming if you're on a tight budget. It can usually be found under $100 / £100, and it offers amazing sound quality for that price. It's no slouch in terms of features either, since it has zero latency monitoring, mute functionality, and can switch between omni-directional and cardioid modes. One of the underrated qualities of this mic is that it has great bass response, too. Essentially, the Blue Yeti Nano gets you a lot of the quality and features of the more expensive Yeti X, without breaking through your budget in the slightest.
Why do streamers need an audio interface?
Some streamers use an XLR microphone for better sound quality which needs its own 48V Phantom Power source to work. However, an audio interface is a versatile piece of kit that will let you customize you and your sound mix with ease, and that's why many streamers feel they need one. Audio interfaces range from budget options, like the Behringer UMC202HD ($89) and Scarlet Solo ($119) to higher-end alternatives if that's the route you want to down.
How we test microphones at GamesRadar
Every microphone that passes our desks goes through a rigorous testing process which includes being used for streaming and video creation, through programs such as OBS and Nvidia Shadowplay, but is also utilized for music creation. Such software includes Cockos Reaper, Audacity, and other DAWs to test the microphones to their full capacities.
You can find out more about how we test microphones in our full GamesRadar Hardware Policy.
Complete your setup with the best webcams, green screens, and ring lights, too, in order to stand out from the crowd online.
