Nowadays, you can get quality gaming microphones for around or under $100. If you already have suitable peripherals, having the best gaming microphone should complete your armory for a great gaming or streaming experience.
What Are Gaming Microphones?
Gaming microphones are utilized by different people such as gamers, podcasters, streamers, and vloggers. These microphones are directly connected to your computer or gaming console. Also, it is a separate entity from your other peripherals such as gaming keyboards and gaming mouse models.
Features of an Efficient Gaming Microphone
Sound Quality
The best gaming microphones should produce excellent sound quality. Your voice should sound crisp and clear when you’re streaming a game or recording a new vlog entry. For example, a condenser or dynamic microphone picks up the intonations and intricacies of your voice, which results to perfect voice clarity and the elimination of delays.
Game Suitability
First, you need to consider what game you play. Most notably, online RTS, shooters and adventure games need gaming microphones that allow distinctive voice pick-up. As such, most of these games need you to speak clearly over the noises that happen naturally in the game. Thus, a good microphone allows your companions or audience to hear you with clarity.
Noise Cancellation Features
Furthermore, a microphone for gaming, vlogging, and streaming purposes should have noise cancelation. The tight and cardioid pattern of a microphone enables effective noise cancellation. In other words, you’ll need a good microphone with noise cancellation features to make sure that your audio is top-notch.
Convenient Set-Up
You don’t want a device that requires a long installation time. In reality, most studio microphones need additional segments and parts like preamplifiers, audio interfaces, phantom power supplies, and extra cables. If you want to be practical, you should opt for a desktop microphone that has a plug-and-play option.
Affordable and Cost-Efficient
Nowadays, you can find practical and budget-friendly microphones in the market. In fact, some options cost around $100 or less. Nonetheless, if you want a better microphone, you can also search for some that cost of about $200 upwards. Gamers and podcasters prefer gaming microphones that provide more features such as durability and voice quality. These features obviously come at a price, so pick your priorities when buying a gaming micc.
The Best Gaming Microphones
How to Use Gaming Microphones?
You can easily use your gaming microphone by simply plugging it into your device. Whether it’s a computer, a mobile phone, or a gaming console, your device should have ports that tell you where to connect your microphone. Specifications:
Four pick-up patterns Headphone output and volume control Mic gain control Adjustable stand Plug & Play features Tri-capsule array – three condenser capsules can record in almost any situation Multiple pattern selection features Great for recording vocals, music instruments, podcasts, and streaming Signal to noise: 100dB Compatible with Windows XP to 10 and Mac OS X 64 MB of RAM Required
Check out the Snowball iCE today to get a mic that is perfect for streaming games and podcasts. Specifications:
Features a Cardioid condenser capsule The stand can be adjusted to your liking Plug-and-play compatible with Mac or PC, doesn’t require drivers to install Great for online meetings, podcast recordings, and gaming with friends 40 –18 kHz Frequency Response USB 2.0 device, but also USB 3.0-compatible Sample/word rate of 44.1 kHz/16 bit
Specifications:
Perfect for podcasting, game streaming, Skype calls, YouTube recording, or music production No-latency headphone output, volume, and mic mute Radius III Shock Mount and Compass Boom Arm features standard threading Plug-and-play ready Cardioid and Omni pick-up patterns Power Output (RMS): 130mW
Check out the BENGOOO G9000 today to get a great gaming microphone from a good headset. Specifications:
Wired connection 3.5 mm Jack Multi-platform compatibility with computers and gaming consoles Surrounding stereo subwoofer 40mm magnetic neodymium driver Acoustic positioning precision Noise-isolating microphone Great humanized design Effortless volume control
Check out this Logitech product today to get a microphone packaged as an awesome headset. Specifications:
Wired connection 3.5mm jack DTS headphone compatible with X and Dolby 7 One surround sound: immersive 360-degree sound Lightweight and comfortable design Folding noise-canceling boom microphone 32 ohms impedance Features a volume dial Compatible with Windows Vista to 10 and PlayStation 4 10.5 ft. cable length 20Hz-20KHz frequency response Cardioid (unidirectional) pickup patter 50-20khz microphone frequency response Sensitivity: 90dB SPL/mw
Specifications:
Studio condenser microphone technology Ideal for home studios, playing games, and recording podcasts Noise level: 20 dB SPL High SPL handling Wide dynamic range Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm Cardioid polar pattern Integral three-pin XLRM-type output R7 case included
Check out this BENGOO product to enjoy a quality headset with a great microphone that doesn’t break the bank. Specifications:
3.5mm jack wired connection Multi-platform compatibility support for computers and gaming consoles Surrounding stereo subwoofer Noise-isolating microphone Great humanized design Immersive sound experience
Specifications:
Plug-and-play ready Professional studio-quality performance Blue’s renowned circuit and unique two-capsule design Switchable microphone patterns
Specifications:
Condenser microphone fit for different jobs Excellent for vocals and instruments Balanced bass response Low-frequency roll-off features Low noise FET preamp A balanced, transformer-less output Patented design Versatile for streaming and podcasting
Specifications:
Compact and portable design USB Output The design features a fold-up function Comes with an integral clip Switchable dual pick-up patterns (cardioid and omnidirectional) Great for online meetings, conferences, podcasts, and more Onboard headphone amplifier Computer-controlled analog input gain with peak LED Compatible with Mac and Windows OS Connect to an iOS device using an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter. Compatible with Android devices using a host OTG Adapter
Check out the Razer Seiren X today to get a microphone that’s perfect for gaming and streaming. Specifications:
Sample rate of 48 KHz Bit rate: 16-bit Frequency response: 20 Hz20 KHz Electret condenser Super cardioid polar pattern The cable is 3.3 feet (1m) long USB Type-A connection
PROS
Portable High-end production Competitive price
CONS
Low mid-range and bass capability not the best Single polar pattern Includes keyboard clicks
Specifications:
Wired Connectivity 50mm drivers Convenient on-ear volume and mute control features Multi-platform compatibility
PROS
Excellent value Superb stereo surround
CONS
Easily misplaced microphone
One of the essential features of this gaming and streaming microphone is its convenience. Gamers do not have time to find unseen buttons, especially when they are in the middle of a battle game, so the fact that this microphone can be muted by merely tapping its top part, simultaneously switching off its light, is a godsend during a game’s most action-packed moments. The best part is that this gaming component is an effective streaming and podcasting tool as well. You can easily use it during live recordings irrespective of the environment. Specifications:
A sample rate of 48 KHz 16-bit bit rate 20 Hz-20 KHz frequency response Electret condenser Cardioid, omnidirectional, bi-directional, and stereo polar patterns 9.8 feet (3m) cable length USB Type-A connection
PROS
Superb sound clarity Four polar patterns Easy controls Excellent adapter and shock mount
CONS
Expensive USB interface limits audio capacity (48 KHz/16-bit)
How to Connect It to Your Computer
Connecting gaming microphones to your PC is dependent on device compatibility. Modern computers are now USB-capable, and most gaming microphones do not need various drivers or installers for you to set them up. However, you need to remember several points. Here are some things to remember when testing your gaming microphone in a particular PC game. Visit your game’s sound settings and make sure that you turn on its “push-to-talk” feature. Next, turn off its VOIP (voice over IP) as well. Check if you can already communicate with your gaming friends through the mic. You can also use free apps like Discord that enable in-game voice communication. Go to your computer’s sound settings. Then, search for Windows “Sound” settings. Next, switch on “Speaker.” Finally, go to the “Recording” tab, right-click the gaming microphone you see there and click on “Properties.” Make sure that you placed your microphone cable in the correct port and that your computer detects your microphone.
How to Set It Up For Streaming?
Whenever you are streaming, it is important to have a gaming microphone that has many polar pattern capabilities. HyperX Quadcast employs four polar patterns. This feature makes it a perfect gaming microphone as it allows you to switch between gaming and streaming purposes. Most microphones are plug-and-play capable. But at the same time, you can also add other components like an amplifier, audio interface, and phantom power supplies to improve the vocal quality it captures. Nonetheless, you can simply use the same tips given above for gaming. Whether you’re planning to stream via YouTube, Twitch, or Discord, you can simply follow the same steps given via the streaming app you’re using.
Why Should You Use Gaming Microphones?
It is essential to use gaming microphones moreover when you play games that need clear and concise communication. A lot of these games are typically noisy to say the least, so a superb gaming microphone will allow you to give clear instructions to your party or raid members. Similarly, gaming microphones also help you make top quality streaming or vlogs. Opting for microphones with multiple polar pattern capabilities is great. It will allow you to switch between noise isolation and cancellation. For instance, you can enable noise cancellation when you need only your voice to be heard. Then, you can also switch to having your surroundings heard if you wish. A gaming microphone is a great option when you are attempting to record natural sounds.
Pros and Cons of Gaming Microphones
PROS
Gaming and streaming suitability Easy installation and plug-and-play set-up Noise cancellation and isolation Frequency range Multiple polar pattern capabilities
CONS
Inline monitoring Can be expensive
Get A Gaming Microphone Today!
There are different reasons why gaming microphones are a necessity. Many gamers and streamers need a microphone that allows them to record with clarity. However, ordinary headsets are still usable as long as you only talk with friends and colleagues online. With that, serious gamers, podcasters, and vloggers need better microphones for their audience to better understand them. Get one of the items we listed above and see for yourself how it changes your gaming and vlogging experience!
