A quality microphone is a necessity when streaming. Whether you’re a gamer, artist, singer, or host a news stream, a quality microphone can make all the difference in your results. If you settle for a low-quality microphone, your viewers may be unable to understand you or be unimpressed and leave your stream.
It can be difficult to know where to start your search and what to look for. While there are a lot of options, not all microphones are created equally. Paying more doesn’t always equate to a better microphone. Instead, you need to look into the details of each microphone and consider your primary uses, then balance those against your budget to make the best selection possible.
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Audio Technica AT2020
The Audio Technica AT2020 is a great option for an entry-level streamer, especially one who streams music or is a solo podcaster.
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Blue Yeti
While this microphone is best used for streaming games or speech, it can work for singing as well.
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Blue Yeti Nano
If you purchase a Blue Yeti Nano you’ll wind up with a great microphone for the price. It has similar sound quality of other Blue Yeti microphones at higher price points.
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Elgato Wave 3
This microphone is best for podcasters or gaming streamers, not for singers. The Elgato Wave 3 is an outstanding mic for gaming and podcasting, with its own pop filter, a simple setup, and an included shock mount.
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JLab Talk
The JLab Talk is a good budget microphone for streaming. It has good sound quality overall at a low price, with a nice selection of polar patterns to choose from.
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Razer Seiren Elite
The Razer Seiren Elite produces very good sound quality with a warm tone. This makes it an excellent choice for a solo podcaster or streamer who will be in front of the mic. It has a solid, sturdy build.
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Rode NT
The Rode NT is a very well respected, sturdy microphone that can be a great streaming mic for almost anyone. It provides superior sound quality, close to studio-level quality.
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Zalman ZM-Mic1
The Zalman ZM-Mic1 is a very cheap microphone, which is the advantage it has over the competition. It comes in under $10, making it a viable option for someone wanting to stream their gaming who is on a tight budget, or as a backup for others.
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Samson G-Track Pro
The Samson G-Track Pro is a great overall microphone for streaming. It works well for singers and gamers alike.
There are a vast number of microphones that are available for streamers. Here are some of the best options we found. At least one of these should work for you.
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New Microphones for Streaming Listings
Recent Microphones for Streaming Reviews
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Microphone
When you’re searching for a new microphone, you’ll need to consider a lot of options. The best way to figure out which is best is by considering which features and options you need. Make a list of your top priorities, then look at microphones that meet all or most of your requirements. Below are some things to consider.
Primary Use
Gaming
Many people would assume a lower-quality microphone is all you need if you’re a gaming streamer, but that is not the case. Consider your audience if you use a microphone that muffles your voice or misses some of your words. And if you’re playing a game with teammates online, they need to hear what you are saying loud and clear.
Gamers may not need all of the features some other streamers need, though. A cordless mic may not be necessary in a gaming setup, for example. You may not need quite as much dynamic range in your microphone as a singer would. By considering microphones that do not have these features, you may find one that works better for you.
Vlogs And Podcasting
If you’re streaming a vlog, twitch, or a podcast, consider what your typical stream is like. If you move around a lot, consider a wireless microphone. A streamer who may have guests needs a mic that will pick up more than just one direction, such as a bidirectional mic.
Many vloggers and podcasters opt for dynamic microphones instead of condenser mics because dynamic mics don’t pick up air vents or other sounds as much as condenser mics do. This comes at the cost of picking up less detail, though. Condenser mics are good options if you can properly deaden sound in your room, since they pick up more vocal detail.
Singing
For singing, you want a microphone that will pickup the full range of sound in your voice. If you are streaming your singing, you may have already properly prepared the room to avoid echoes, vent sounds, and other extraneous sounds. For this reason condenser mics are popular for singers. Many times, what works best is a condenser mic that is multi-pattern or omni-directional, which allows you to mount the microphone in one place and move around as you sing while still picking you up clearly.
Price
Most people begin their search for a new microphone with a specific budget. This makes price an important factor to consider when selecting your microphone. You may need to compromise on a few options and features to get something that fits within your budget.
While some higher priced microphones may have features or qualities that the low-end microphones don’t have, you may find that those are features you don’t really need. Don’t be dissuaded if you have a low budget, there are good options available to you.
Features And Types
Polar Pattern/Directional Characteristics
This is the directional pattern which the microphone picks up. There are a few common patterns you may see.
Unidirectional or cardioid: Unidirectional microphones pick up sound from one side only, sometimes as wide as 180 degrees, sometimes in a narrower range. These microphones can work well for gamers.
Bidirectional: These pickup sounds from roughly both the front and the back. This makes them work well if you’re interviewing someone who is sitting across from you.
Omnidirectional: Omnidirectional mics pick up sound from every direction. They work well if you’re recording several people around a room. But be careful if using these for streaming, as they make it more difficult to limit what sounds they pick up.
Multi-pattern: A multi-pattern microphones have multiple options, letting you change the pickup pattern from unidirectional, bidirectional, or omnidirectional.
USB vs. XLR
This refers to the type of connection a microphone uses. The way a microphone connects can make a big difference in which mic you select.
USB: The USB connection is the common one that most home computers have, so it’s the connection type most streamers go for. It’s cheaper and easier to work with, but doesn’t work as well if you need to record from multiple microphones at one time.
XLR: XLR connections are more typically used in professional environments. They have a very different, 3-prong connection on the end, making it easy to distinguish from a USB cord. This means you’ll need an audio interface to connect the microphone to your computer. That interface will typically allow you to connect multiple mics and adjust the levels of each independently.
Type Of Computer
Whether you have a Mac or PC can make a difference on which microphone you select. While most USB mics will work with both, make certain that the mic you select has the appropriate device drivers available to match your system.
A microphone that uses a 3.5mm audio jack usually works in most computers regardless of the manufacturer or operating system, provided the computer has an audio jack. Some computers may use a combined headphone/microphone jack, which could require an appropriate adapter to work with your microphone.
While most PCs have the typical USB port, some Macs have firewire ports instead. Some laptops may only have USB-C ports or micro-USB ports, not standard USB ports. These are not deal breakers, but they will require an adapter or even an audio interface to sit between your system and your microphone.
The biggest consideration, especially if you choose a microphone with an audio jack, is any included software. Some microphones come with software that allows you to adjust the mic, edit the inputs, add effects, and more. If a microphone that you are interested in includes any of this software, be sure it is compatible with your system before you purchase.
Lavalier, Wireless, Etc.
The form of the microphone can make a difference. Depending on your use, you may want a microphone that sits on a desk stand directly in front of you, a microphone that easily fits into a boom, or a wireless mic that you can hold in your hand and walk around with.
If you want a microphone that doesn’t take up desk space and leaves your hands free then you may want to look into a lavalier mic, also known as lapel mics or clip-on microphones. These are small mics that will clip to your clothing or headset. They are available in both wired and wireless. Singers don’t often use these, since their sound quality can be somewhat lower than other mics. In exchange for that you get mobility, which for some people is a reasonable trade-off.
Alternatives To Buying A Microphone
If you do not have an opportunity to buy one of the microphones above, you have some options available to you. In fact, there is a good chance you already have something that could work.
Cell Phone
If you don’t have a microphone, one alternative that most streamers have on hand already is a cell phone. Using an app like WO Mic, Ownvoice, or similar you can use your current cell phone as your microphone. You may not get the same quality as with a standard microphone, but it can work in a pinch.
Built-In Mic
Another option to buying a microphone that many people already have available is the microphone that is already built-in to their laptop. The sound from these is lower quality, and you’ll pick up a lot of room noise and echo, but this can get you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Shock Mount?
Your setup makes a huge difference in whether you need a shock mount. A shock mount isolates your microphone from the surroundings, preventing vibration from the desk, floor, or wall from transferring into the microphone as unwanted sounds. If you move about a lot or have others in the room while you are streaming, you may be able to improve your sound quality by using a shock mount.
Should I Install A Pop Filter?
When you say certain letters like P, B, or T, it can produce air pressure that can create a popping sound when picked up by a microphone. A pop filter breaks up the air pressure before it reaches the mic. You can increase your sound quality by installing a pop filter, but some microphones come with one built-in. Check your mic, but if yours doesn’t have one then you should consider a pop filter.
What Is A Good Sampling Rate For A Microphone?
For most streamers, sample rates don’t need to be higher than 44.1kHz. Many microphones already hit this rate, and it is adequate. Some better quality equipment can have a 48kHz or 96kHz sampling rate, but there is very little difference in the real world sound quality. When it comes down to it, any of these are fine, you just don’t want a microphone with a lower sampling rate than these.
Is Latency A Concern?
The kind of latency to consider here can best be explained by this: You speak, your viewers see your mouth move, then a fraction of a second later they hear what you said. It is when your mouth and your voice are out of sync. It can be jarring to watch, and many viewers will leave if it is not corrected in short order.
While you are unlikely to completely get rid of latency completely, aim for as low of latency as possible. Many XLR microphones have less latency than USB microphones, but this is not always the case. Just keep a close eye on the specifications and reviews for the mics you are considering to be sure you don’t wind up with a high latency microphone.
