If you spend a lot of time on your gaming computer, chances are that you play at least one multiplayer game. Whether it’s an indie game, first-person shooter, or MOBA, you’ll undoubtedly need a good mic to be able to coordinate with your teammates.
Any professional gamer needs a high-quality microphone. This is crucial if you want to stream your gaming concurrently on YouTube, Twitch, or other streaming platforms. Some amazing mics out there will offer your top-notch sound quality so that your fellow gamers of people watching your streams can hear you clearly.
All gamers want their mics to produce great sound and be strong enough to serve them for a long time. Thankfully, some best mics are pocket-friendly, so they don’t leave a dent in your wallet to get exceptional quality. To ensure you buy the best standalone mic for gaming, then check this list of our top five on the market and the buying guide that follows, which will help you invest your hard-earned money wisely.
Contents
What are Gaming Microphones?
A top-notch gaming mic boosts the voice chat quality and improves the gaming experience. A gaming microphone is any mic that’s designed for the purpose of steaming games or gaming. There are various types of gaming mics, which are used for various uses. However, live gamers need mics of greater quality than ordinary gamers.
FAQs
Is it better to Use USB or XLR?
If you’re a beginner, USB mics are the way to go, while XLR is suitable for professional content creators that want to grow to more advanced levels.
Which Platforms Can I Use These Mics On?
Standalone Mic for Gaming Buying Guide
To ensure you get the best mic for gaming that will suit your needs, you need a mic with all the features you require. In order to get the right gaming mic, here are some key things you need to consider before making a purchase.
Microphone Type
All gaming mics can be classified into dynamic and condenser mics, each of which has its own advantages.
- Dynamic Mics: These microphones offer a full, warm sound that sounds comforting and friendly. They tend to filter out unwanted sounds, so if your game in a noisy room, these mics are the best. For this reason, you can hold them close for a loud and deep voice.
- Condenser Mics: These mics are known for producing clear sound. Therefore, these microphones are great for voice chats and live gaming. They are the best mics for recording anything factual online and don’t garble words. However, these mics need phantom power, meaning you have to connect DC power directly to the mic. They are usually USB microphones and are more expensive than dynamic mics.
Mic Pattern
The cardioid pattern is the best mic design for gaming. It’s heart-shaped and filters out external sounds to offer clean sound. The omnidirectional pattern is also common, but it’s only used in quiet environments.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a crucial component of a condenser mic. You should look out for mics with large diaphragms that will boost the frequency response they offer. Also, ensure that the frequency range of the diaphragm is flat and wide.
Connectivity
Most modern gaming mics connect to laptops or computers via a USB. In the past, low-quality mics used a 3.5mm headphone jack that didn’t allow good data quality. The best microphone should be USB-enabled. Additionally, ensure your PC’s audio interface is compatible with the mic.
Adjustability
Some mics offer better adjustability than others. For instance, many mics have a gain control, which helps you control your voice volume. It works like the headset volume control. You should also look for a gaming mic with a mute button. This is important when you want to mute your voice when you’re gaming.
Sound Quality
There is sound, and then there is sound quality. When looking for the best gaming microphone, always go for one that delivers high-quality sound even at a low mic cost.
Budget
The budget will always determine the kind of mic you get. If you’re operating on a tight budget, you can still get a gaming mic with top-notch features. However, don’t buy a mic that has features you don’t use or need.
Best Standalone Mic for Gaming Reviews
Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming on PC and Mac
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The Blue Yeti USB Mic is a versatile and advanced gaming mic that helps you create high-quality sound with your PC. This mic has a sleek design and has a hinge system that allows you to adjust and position the mic according to your needs. It is designed with proprietary tri-capsule technology that gives you clear, sharp, and high-end recordings.
The mic has three condensers on the mic that help you record audio in any environment without noise disruptions. It comes four different pattern modes like cardioids, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional mode. This microphone works well with both Mac and Windows OS.
Features
- 3 condenser capsules
- 4 pickup patterns
- 100dB signal to noise
- Output and volume control
- Mic gain control
Pros
- Plug and play
- Adjustable stand
- Built-in headphone amplifier
- 2-year warranty
- Compatible with Windows and macOS
Cons
- 64 MB of RAM
HyperX QuadCast – USB Condenser Gaming Microphone
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Are you looking for the best standalone mic for gaming that offers crystal clear audio with deep bass? Look no further! The HyperX QuadCast comes with an anti-vibration shock mount that minimizes background noise and brings the best gaming experience. It has four diverse polar patterns that offer you a versatile choice.
The HyperX QuadCast comes with a LED indicator and has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20 kHz and 36dB sensitivity. This gaming mic is compatible with all window types, Skype, Mac, etc. It also has a convenient gain control adjustment and a mount adapter. With this gaming microphone, you can take your gaming to the next level since it’s compatible with the chat program, and you can use it for multi-device.
Features
- 4 polar patterns
- Tap-to-mute sensor
- 3m cable length
- 5V power consumption
- 14mm condenser type
- -34dB sensitivity
- 32 Ohms impedance
Pros
- Compatible with Skype, Windows, and macOS
- Anti-vibration shock mount
- Chat program and multi-device compatibility
- Convenient gain control adjustment
Cons
- The bass is not as strong
Audio-Technical AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone
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The Audio-Technical AT2020USB is well-known for its crystal-clear audio and its compatibility with macOS and Windows. It has a desk stand and a pivot mount. This microphone is easy to set-up; you need to download the software and connect it to a USB port.
This mic comes with a cardioid condenser that offers studio-quality recording with great comprehensibility and articulation. It comes with an attachable headphone that helps you hear the recordings in real-time.
Features
- USB output
- Cardioid polar pattern
- 20-20,000Hz
- 16-bit depth
Pros
- Smooth frequency response
- USB compatibility
- Superb audio quality
- Non-existent noise
- High and sophisticated records
Cons
- A bit pricey
Elgato Wave 3 – USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixer for Streaming
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The Elgato Wave 3 microphone is a feature-packed gaming mic that produces high-quality sounds and is easy to use and compatible with most PCs. This gaming mic is geared towards making audio creation simple. It comes with a cardioid polar pattern meaning it has a heart shape around the mic. What’s more, this mic comes with a plastic mount attached to a weighted metal stand.
Features
- Condenser capsule
- Clipguard technology
- Wave link software
Pros
- Digital mixer
- Simple mounting
- Clear audio
Cons
- It has only one pattern
Razer Seiren X: Supercardiod Pick-Up Pattern – Condenser Mic
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The Razer Seiren X is specially designed for game lovers. It comes with excellent noise reduction technology and filters any unnecessary sound to give a crystal-clear voice. This speaker eliminates background noise easily and delivers a clear and loud voice to your audience.
This gaming mic is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows. It also has a built-in shock mount that reduces vibrations to give smooth and undisrupted audios.
Features
- Built-in shock mount
- 20Hz-20kHz
- Zero-latency monitoring
Pros
- Excellent noise reduction
- Compatible with most operating systems
- Has an ultra-precise pickup pattern
- Plug and play
Cons
- It’s not a multipurpose mic
Conclusion
A gaming microphone is not just for communicating with competitors and teammates; you can also use it to stream other games. Make sure you choose a mic that suits your environment and gaming style.
Additionally, go for a device that does not compromise adjustability and has lots of handy accessories.
Happy gaming!