So, you want to have the best gaming microphone, right?
I know how it feels when you find out the microphone with your headset stopped working. And the realization of your in-board mic’s inefficiency hurts you badly, especially when you are a gamer.
That’s why you are here to read about the best microphone for gaming.
You have to be extra vigilant while selecting a microphone. Why because, a microphone can break or beautify your voice. Who does want their voice to be heard ugly? You may also like best headphones for watching movies.
I know you are waiting eagerly for the list of gaming mics.
Hence, here we go.
#1. Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone
Audio-Technica is one of the reputed microphone manufacturing companies, whose products are being used by many famous YouTubers.
Don’t get panicked by the phrase Cardioid Condenser. It’s a type of polar pattern well suited for streaming and gaming.
At first, the brand, Audio Technica has decided to make this as an ordinary studio microphone. But then they changed their mind to add USB feature to it.
AT2020 is a beast at its price I would say. You can’t find any other mic under $100 that would beat this one regarding audio capture quality.
The cardioid polar pattern is a dedicated technology to record sound produced right in front of the microphone. So, AT2020 can easily ignore sounds from back and sides.
Do you want a microphone to record sounds of high frequency without glitches and deliver the same
But you have to admit that some sacrifices have been done by Audio Technica to provide such an out-of-the-box device with a low price. Lack of dedicated buttons is one of them.
You can’t find volume knobs and mute button on this one. If you really want dedicated buttons on an Audio Technica microphone, consider going for AT2020 Plus. But you must shell out more bucks for that.
Most probably, you don’t know that there are four polar patterns available for microphones. Yet, our first pick offers only one, cardioid pattern, which is ideal for gaming and streaming. Read the other items on the list to find out best gaming microphones, supporting multi-polar patterns.
What we want in a microphone is the sound quality. And, AT2020 has got it barring the subtle cons.
Also check out: Best USB DAC under 200$
#2. Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone
If you consider the microphone market today, you will find out Blue Yeti Microphones have the higher features to price ratio.
The biggest strength of this microphone is the build quality itself. They did make sure that you are getting best-in-class hardware by spending $100.
I have only one word to describe Yeti USB Microphone’s sound quality; that’s ‘Awwesome’ (though it’s inferior to AT2020 in this segment).
I have already mentioned about different polar patterns. One of the cons of AT2020 is it lacks multiple polar patterns support. But with Yeti Microphone, you can overcome this issue.
This beast can record sound in all the four polar patterns (Stereo,
So, versatility is at its best on Yeti USB Microphone. And, I would say that it’s one of the best microphones for gaming.
You will get two dedicated audio control buttons on this microphones, which are a volume knob and a mute button. Zero latency output is yet another advantage of Yeti microphones.
You don’t have to install drivers on your computer to make this device works. Even a non-geeky guy can plug the mic and record his voice like a breeze.
#3. Sony ECM-CS10 Tie-Clip-Style Omnidirectional Business Microphone
Are you a brand freak? Then, you can’t go blind towards the word, Sony here.
We can consider this microphone as Zm-Mic1 version two as it’s an omnidirectional one. But don’t think the features are limited that much. Indeed, you will be getting more features and extraordinary sound quality.
ECM-CS10 has a long cable of 1.2 meters. Just like Zm-Miz1, it has a clip to keep it tight by attaching to your shirt or jacket. Just plug one end into your computer and clip the other end to your shirt as the mic stays nearer to your mouth. Yeah, you are ready to go now.
Nothing can beat the build quality of Sony devices. Obviously, Sony didn’t do opposite with this microphone too.
The highlight of EXM-CS10 is stereo channeling. Let me explain what it meant.
As an omnidirectional gaming mic, this Sony child grabs every sound around it regardless of where it comes from. So, you can use this particular microphone to play multiplayer games with your partner (or rival) in the game besides you.
If your partner sits right to the microphone, his sound will be dominant in the right stereo channel. So clearly, your voice (as you sit left) will be dominant in the left channel.
Sony ECM-CS10 won’t take much space on your computer table as it’s a small device. And, you should be careful while recording sounds with this microphone. Why because it catches every nearer sound as having the omnidirectional feature.
But it never corrodes the quality of this best mic for gaming.
#4. Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Microphone
No, no, I spelled it right! It’s Samson, not Samsung.
Samson Meteor Mic is highly portable desktop gaming microphone. Three legs are provided to support the mic to stand up. With the legs, its height is about six inches and without four inches.
So, I think you will never feel pain in transporting the mic. Unlike every other item I have stated here, this one is a unidirectional gaming microphone. Means, you have to position yourself at the right place in front of this microphone to record your voice accurately.
Even though the company has added the term ‘Studio,' this one badly lacks studio quality. But it’s close that an untrained ear can never distinguish between both the qualities.
If you want to use this microphone for multiplayer games, you will be desperate very soon. Note the point; unidirectional microphones are not ideal for multiplayer games and interviews.
I think your perfect pick should be Sony ECM CS-10 then. You won’t have to spend more than $50 for bagging Samson Meteor Mic.
#5. Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone
Here comes another best gaming microphone from Blue.
The very first thing you would notice about this is its design. I like the design of Blue’s Snowball USB Microphone.
As the name shows, this PC gaming microphone has been built in the shape of a ball with a 4 inches diameter.
Just like the previous microphone listed here, this one also comes with a supportive tripod using which you can adjust the height from 4.5 inches to 6 inches.
Seven different
Two microphone capsules are embedded in this device that makes this one superb. But I can’t say Snowball has a professional quality. Still it rocks as one of the best microphones for gaming.
Blue has launched two different versions of Snowball microphone. The one I mentioned here supports three polar patterns while the other one supports cardioid pattern only.
#6. Razer Seiren Pro Elite XLR /USB Digital Microphone
Here comes the big boy of this list, Razer
It is a versatile multi-pattern USB gaming microphone with integrated XLR feature. I know $225 is not small for a microphone. But I am damn sure that if you eliminate every doubt and buy this one, you will not get even a single chance to regret on your buying decision.
Razer has built
I have already told you that
The word, XLR might have already conquered your mind. Don’t you know the biggest con of sensitive gaming mics? Yeah, it’s indiscriminate about sounds. As a result, we get unwanted voices as well in our end file.
XLR technology helps us to eliminate all the unwanted sound without post-processing. It can distinguish between core vocal and noises. So, you can bravely record voice in a room with AC on if your microphone is Razer
Even the standard
Considering every subtle sound quality criteria, I can surely say that Razer
#7. Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone
Audio Technica is here again with an exquisite gaming microphone for 2017.
If you are here by checking out every single item I have suggested, you should have read about AT2020 already.
The nature of AT2035 is the same as that of its little brother. Both AT2035 and AT2020 are condenser microphones (cardioid polar pattern).
But the diaphragm in AT2035 is 8 mm larger than that in AT2020. The former features a 24 mm diaphragm while the latter has only 16 mm one.
Larger diaphragm helps to cover more dynamic range and thus provide more accuracy to all recorded sounds.
You can find two physical switches on AT2035; one is a low- cut switch while the other is 10 dB pad switch. Both of them reduce unwanted bass from being recorded.
Overall, this is a good gaming microphone barring the versatility.
If you are on a shoestring budget of $100 and want to own a condenser microphone, AT2020 will be your ideal pick. But never hesitate to buy AT2035 if you have an extra $50 to spend.
#8. Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone
You may be thinking like ‘Hey dude, I am not that rich to throw a hundred bucks away for a microphone.' And still you want the good mic for gaming. I would have considered this as an impossible irony if I hadn’t found Zm-Mic1.
Zm-Mic1 is the cheapest microphone and the only item priced under $10 on this list. But that doesn’t mean you are getting something bad. Just like the price, the size of Zm-Mic1 is also small.
Carrying this microphone with you is a sheer joy. But you should be more careful while dealing with the long cable because there’s a chance to get it tangled.
The package contains no extra stuff but the microphone only. So, the unpacking will be similar to that of a premium pen.
As the name indicates, Zm-Mic1 is highly sensitive. That means it records even low sounds being made around. So, you have to turn off the fan and make sure that no one is going to talk in the next room while the recording goes on.
Unlike AT2020, this one is not a USB gaming microphone. Here, I am challenging you to come up with another cheap gaming microphone under $10 that can beat Zm-Mic1 regarding quality.
Have You Chosen the Best Gaming Microphone for 2017?
I have introduced eight great gaming microphones to you. It’s your turn now to decide what to buy.
You should consider your needs and budget before finalizing the product. I hope you would go for Razer
I am glad you spent some time here, reading this article. And I am hoping that this article cleared your confusion.
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