10 Best Microphones for Gaming (2024): Buyer’s Guide and Unbiased Reviews | Costco, Walmart, Amazon

Are you on a quest to find the best microphones for gaming at costco, target, walmart or amazon?

Then you’re in the right place. Because I have done the hard work for you and have reviewed dozens of models to bring you the best microphones for gaming.

In addition, I will introduce the following related topics.

• Product Details
• Microphone for Gaming Buyer’s Guide
• Types of Microphones
• …

I will also answer some common questions.

• What Are Microphones for Gaming?
• When Would You Need Gaming Microphones?
• How To Set Up Your Mic / Microphone For Gaming?  (Video)
• How to Record Gaming Commentaries?
• …

Without further ado, let’s begin!

Best Microphones for Gaming Comparison Table

The Best Microphones for Gaming

1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
2. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone, Cardioid
3. CAD U37 USB Studio Condenser Recording Microphone
4. Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone
5. Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone
6. Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone
7. V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication
8. Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Microphone (Chrome)
9. Antlion Audio ModMic Attachable Boom Microphone – Noise Cancelling WITHOUT Mute Switch
10. Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone – Editor’s Choice: Best Microphone for Gaming & Best Seller

If you have been in search of a way to improve your gaming experience in association to quality audio, then the Blue Yeti USB Microphone offers everything you need and more. This microphone is currently rated as a few among the best for gaming microphones and is really well worth the price. This versatile and advanced microphone provides a way to create sound of studio-quality using only your computer.

This microphone features a sleek design which offer the classical appeal of an olden-day microphone. Built on the hinge-system which allows for simple adjustments and positioning. Screws in the microphone assist in keeping everything in place, while the hinge assist in easy portability and a way to fold it down.

Blue Yeti microphones are built with proprietary tri-capsule technology which provides a way to create pristine-quality, sharp and clear recordings. 3 condensers are designed to record under all situations without noise issues which is what makes it the ideal choice when it comes to game streaming and gameplay.

These mics also come with 4 different pattern modes, which includes bidirectional mode, omnidirectional mode, cardioid mode and stereo mode. In stereo mode you are able to use the left and right channels of the audio output which produces a realistic sound which is utilized for more standard use.

In cardioid mode you can record sounds from the sources positioned in the front part of the microphone and allow for an intense and rich sound. This is the mode that is suitable for game streaming and podcasts. Omnidirectional mode offers a way to capture sounds from every direction while the bi-directional mode is able to capture sounds from the back and front. Omni-mode offers sound ambiance in association to live performances, and bi-directional is compatible for instrumental sounds and for interviews.

With these outstanding features you might expect a complex set-up, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. All that is required is to plug the mic into a USB port and then calibrate the device to your own operating system and you are ready to record. You can set this microphone with Mac and Windows operating systems provided the system features a 64 MB RAM which makes it the ideal choice for a microphone computer.

A few accessories included with this mic include the 3.5 mm headphone-jack which allows for a way to listen to real-time recordings. These headphones feature zero-latency along with volume control as well as a mute-function

The Blue Yeti microphone is rated as medium range when it comes to pricing and is a worthwhile investment due to the superior quality in sound that can improve your gaming experiences which is what makes it a top-rated microphone for gaming.

2. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone, Cardioid – Great Value

The Blue Snowball iCE is the type of microphone that focuses on providing outstanding sound quality at a good price without including features that are often regarded as unnecessary. It makes use of the same-capsule of the previous (older brother) Snowball model but does not feature the 3 varying audio patterns. This microphone provides outstanding audio quality in a budget that is competitive, which you can usually find online for under $40.

Inside the box, you receive a microphone, the shielded USB (USB-to-Mini) plug, along with the tripod which threads inside the base of your mic. The quality in design is comparable to the Audio-Technica ATR-2500. While the ATR-2500 provides full-sound at a price that matches, these microphones are usually around $30 more than the Snowball iCE.

In summary, this mic is outstanding if you have enough desk space and the budget to accommodate a purchase of around $50. The great sound, clean design and iconic Blue build quality, this mic is a preferable product when it comes to beginners or a few of the intermediate streamers, podcasters or gamers.

3. CAD U37 USB Studio Condenser Recording Microphone

The condenser microphones offer a more rich and warm sound for your voice in association to communication when it comes to your gaming/ The CAD U37 pattern is cardioid which really helps with voice isolation from any background noises. If the room is quiet you can set the mic up to run all the time, and then speak without the need to use the hotkey. However, if you use Ventrilo or similar programs, it could become more difficult. These are great quality mics for gaming that also feature the small stand, so that it can sit right beside you, while you are gaming. The plug-in is simple through any USB port.

4. Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone – Best Sound

If you are looking for top-performance when it comes to delivering crystal-clear audio-recording with the aim of improving or boosting your gameplay, then the AT20202 microphone is hard to beat. This is the ideal microphone when it comes to streaming, and really delivers what it promises. This is also a good mic for gaming and works with Macintosh and Windows operating systems along with secure connectivity which is why it is one of the preferred choices for gaming microphones for gamers of all levels.

The construction of these mics is sturdy, while the capsule elements of the mic are positioned in the wire-mesh which is then supported by the durable metal framework. These mics also feature a desk-stand and pivot mount. The pivot comes with adjustable screws which allows for a way to set just the right angles that you desire, while the desk-stand features a tripod that has rubber tips to offer friction. Set-up is a breeze and only involves connecting your mic to your USB ports on your computer along with download of system software to get everything running.

These mics feature an AT2020 cardioid condenser which offers recording capabilities of studio-quality along with outstanding comprehensibility and articulation. The low-mass custom-fit diaphragm provided extended frequency responses. It is this feature that provides a way to record wide frequencies without frustrating backlashes. Cardioid patterns minimize picking up sounds from either the rear or sides and brings about sharp focus for the sound source intended. This feature assists when connecting with any other gamers or recording gaming sessions with minimal or no interferences. The noise amount is quite low, which makes it suitable for sophisticated and high-quality recording situations like YouTube gaming videos.

5. Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone – Best Budget Mic & Best Clip-On Headset Microphone

I was not expecting a “budget” category within my testing of gaming microphones. But the easiest answer for a budget is to only use a headset mic, which is in most cases a terrible experience. However, when I first tested the Zalman ZM Mic 1 I was surprised to find you can get this type of upgrade for around $10. This mic is not associated with top-of-the-line fidelity, yet I am sure it is much better than what you currently use with a gaming headset. I was so impressed by the quality and the price that I thought it was definitely worth mentioning on my list of top-rated gaming mics.

The much acclaimed and well-known Zalman ZM Mic 1 is often quoted by the critics for online gaming as a cheap microphone that offers outstanding audio quality. The attractive and compact design, this is a microphone that offers convenient usage. You can clip it onto your current headphone wires with 3 clips, to make sure your wires do not become damaged or tangled. The wire is around 10 feet in length which allows for comfort and a way to sit further away from a USB port.

However, to clarify things, there are many mics that offer a better quality in audio, but it still sounds great, but because it clips onto the headphone cord, your voice may sound quiet. In addition, the distance of this microphone can mean it is a lot more sensitive, meaning it is able to pick-up the background noises. It wont pick up anything in a quiet room, but is there is noises around you, it could be audible.

In the correct room or environment and at the correct volume setting, voice qualities are impressive. There will be no static caused for breathing or the loud S’s you usually get from headset-mounted mics. It is not close to studio-quality, yet you can still use the microphone for podcasts. It is definitely not an amazing mic, but still amazing when it comes to its price.

6. Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone

The audio quality, portability, and pricing should be the 3 most important considerations when looking for the best microphone to enhance your gaming experience. The truth is that none has a better ration of the 3 than the Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone.

The microphone is both efficient and unobtrusive and the latest in Samson’s line of portable Go Mics and definitely one of the best. You can either clip it onto a laptop or sit on a desk and is small enough to carry with you as you travel. If you want a microphone that’s both light enough and portable to place anywhere, still have effective results, and yet sturdy enough to withstand intense gaming sessions and your celebrations when you finally conquer that level on live streaming, this is the mic for you.

Affordable and cheap, the microphone offers quality at the lowest possible price. When recorded, the microphone never picks up on most of the background noise. It is a condenser microphone that also has a high-quality USB options, which means that it is capable of picking up on loud sounds more easily having a great frequency response. It is also capable of picking on short sounds amazingly well, which is a feature that you won’t typically find on other microphones.

The microphone has a smooth, flat frequency response of between 20 Hz and 18 kHz as well as a resolution of 16 bit/44.1 kHz, which means that the quality of audio is guaranteed to be as clear as possible. It features a switchable cardioid microphone or omnidirectional pickup patterns that allow for recording of audio in a manner according to user preferences.

It is thus the ideal for gaming voice chats as well as streaming game-plays for YouTube along with other media. Meticulous engineering and high-quality components ensure that the audio quality remains crystal clear and that sound reproduction is worthy of a professional microphone. You can even use it for recording live music, podcasts, and computer recordings, and providing for high quality gaming.

Due to the clarity of the audio quality, the microphone is great for voice recognition software as well as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which can be incredibly useful to both casual users and gamers

The Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone might not look like much, but it is an excellent addition to any gamer’s studio with advanced technology that serves to enhance your entire gaming experience.

7. V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication

The BoomPro is a boom microphone that’s designed to transform your regular headphones into headsets. It plugs directly into your headphones if you already have a compatible pair. The microphone terminates into a regular 3.5mm jack that plugs into your headphones directly, if you have a removable cable.

The BoomPro strikes the right balance between sound and build quality. While the microphone capsule is not too sensitive, it can actually sound nice if provided with the right gain boost. The microphone boom arm is itself capable of articulating fully while the wire running through it is highly bendable and keeps its position and shape incredibly well. The arm of the microphone and its cable are braided, even though both are quite thin. You will also find a mute switch and an in-line volume control on the cable along with a sturdy clip for attaching it to yourself whenever necessary. The cable is sufficiently long for most setups at about 6-feet long.

In the box, you will find the microphone as well as splitter, which is useful for devices that don’t feature a microphone and audio combo jack.

The V-MODA BoomPro is overall an impressive microphone that has many strong points that’s only held back just by its limited compatibility. Popular headphone models require modification to work with the BoomPro either because of the BoomPro being too large or due to the recessed audio jacks, or a combination of both. Not to mention that some popular headphone models also use a 2.5mm jack instead of a 3.5mm one, which requires the use of an adapter.

8. Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Microphone (Chrome)

Microphones from the Samson brand are for buyers on a budget since you can find them selling at below $100 on Amazon. The Meteor maintains the standard “studio mic” look that USB gaming microphones usually have and it is a solid device about the size of a light bulb. The Meteor, unlike its competitors, has in-built tripod legs that swing out and give it the perfect little stand for setting on a table or desk. It also comes with a screw mount for attaching it to a separate mic arm or stand. However, the USB port is partially blocked with the legs folded up, which means that you have to keep it slightly open to do so. This is rather unfortunate since the Meteor looks quite cool with its legs folded up with the polished silver exterior.

The Samson Meteor is a condenser mic too, which means that lie the rest, you need to sit relatively close to the front of it when you speak to get the best sound. The sound is 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution with a flat frequency response of between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. It comes with a stereo headphone jacks for monitoring, a decent carrying case for its portable size, and it is a solid microphone that does not feel cheaply made.

The drawback is that the Meteor is not ideal for picking up high-range sounds and tends to leave voices a bit flat. It also tends to malfunction at times, losing its connection randomly with your PC or Mac, the mic itself does not have any gain adjusts, while there have been reports of issues regarding the USB port becoming loose and coming apart. Overall, the Meteor is an excellent option for a lower-priced USB microphone for streaming, but it you can afford it, you can find other better options for an additional $50.

9. Antlion Audio ModMic Attachable Boom Microphone – Noise Cancelling WITHOUT Mute Switch – Best Attachment Mic & Best Attached Microphone for Gaming

Antilon is one of the most reliable and consistent brands in the world of gaming. The brand has released another high-quality microphone in the market. The Antilon ModMic is a classy and stylish attachable microphone ready for use in your gaming. It is easy to attach to your headphones and comes with a magnetic clasp for holding tight to headphones of all sizes, which ensures that it’s always positioned at comfortable heights for gamers to use according to their preferences. The microphone even comes with an additional clasp to allow more than one pair of headphones to use it. It features a sturdy and durable design and is build to last for a long time. It also looks incredibly attractive too.

The Antilon ModMic is a high-fidelity electret capsule condenser mic, which are known for their voice oriented and natural recording. The microphone’s pattern is a cardioid pattern that can be adjusted to get rid of all the surrounding sounds. This is particularly useful in noisy environments, which makes the microphone great for multiplayer voice chats in gaming as well as live streaming. The microphone’s cord comes with copper coaxial shielding that improves its stability and ensures that the signal the microphone emits is both natural sounding and clear. The microphone’s cable is 3.3 meters in length, which is more that sufficient for comfortable gaming. It weighs 4 ounces, which means that it is not only light but also sturdy and easy to wear.

The Antilon ModMic is a boom microphone from the ModMic 4.0 line that’s highly respected and acclaimed and which produces high-quality boom microphones with emphasis on canceling background noise for excellent communication during gaming. It comes with a plug and plays to, which means that you can easily connect it to any gaming PC. It has a response frequency of between 100 Hz and 10 kHz as well as high sensitivity of -38dB, which makes the ModMic a microphone that’s not to be dismissed. It is great for recording game plays, live streaming, and other activities that require a clear, accurate voice transmission.

10. Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone – Premium Choice

The Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone is one of the best ones currently available in the market. It is excellent for gamers since it comes equipped with a variety of features that enhance the user’s gaming experience. It’s a condenser microphone with a USB output that helps when it comes to digital recording. The sound quality is crystal clear and is incredibly sensitive to voice recording. The microphone’s build is very sturdy and of top-notch quality while its design is very professional and sleek. The reasonable price tag is another thing that makes it an excellent buy; it is not too high or too low.

The Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone is unidirectional and this feature makes it an excellent buy since it helps record the sound of just the targeted individual in a particular direction. It helps skip other unwanted noises in your surroundings. The microphone comes with a USB out that makes it incredibly easy to use since you can easily attach it to any electronic device. Another impressive feature is that it has a headphone jack that comes from the microphone itself directly. This helps get rid of lag from the computer program. You can listen to the real-time recording without any lag or delay. The microphone has a mix control feature too, which makes the entire experience of using it so easy and satisfying for your gaming requirements.

The Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone has a particular sound pickup pattern that delivers exceptional off-axis rejection. It also comes equipped with an A/D converter that has a 16-bit as well as 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate. Both features ensure that the microphone provides incredibly accurate sound reproduction to the user. The microphone also comes equipped with a high-output internal amplifier that ensures that the listener enjoys superior clarity, excellent musical detail, and more audio volume overall. The greatest feature of the microphone is that it comes from Audio-Technica, which is a brand that’s associated with both exceptional quality and highly reliable products. The Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone weighs about 2.2 pounds. The microphone is best for gaming as well as sound recording experience.

What Are Microphones for Gaming?

With most of the modern games, definitely the modern games, they will have a platform for multiplayer that is going to have some type of voice chat or voice input. These are generally going to need to mean you have to get a good quality microphone that will give you the best sound. You will find that live streaming of games is something that is modern as well and you will want to make sure if you are live streaming the games you have a clear voice coming through so you can get the attention of the viewers.

This is when you need to find that gaming microphones are the best solution to the problem. The high quality gaming microphones are going to have a tremendous improvement in the voice chat and also allow for a great synchornization between all the players ona single team. Even the worse microphones that are meant for gaming will be a vast improvement over the built in microphone for the computer.

Typically you will find that a gaming mic is sold outside of a gaming kit, but it can be utilized for games and streaming as well. You will also notice that you will have several different types of microphones fro gaming and often this will vary on which one you want to get for the job you are going to do.

When Would You Need Gaming Microphones?

In some of the online games, like World of Warcraft, they are going to require mics and everyone that is playing the game on the teams may only use the mics to commuicate with. This means if you do not have a microphone you will feel left out from the team chats. Since this is the case, you will want to make sure you have a microphone ready to be used.

The downside is when you are talking to strangers on the Internet you may find they can be rude, loud, and at times just make for a bad experience. You may even notice that some players do not even want to use the mics until they get to know the people, which is a good reason after seeing above.

Sometimes you will find that the voice chat is very distracting and can remove people from the fantasy world they are living in. If the game does not require a lot of coordination you may notice the microphone is not even something you need to have. Since this is the case, you will want to make sure you have a great microphone that you can use to get the best quality sound possible.

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Microphone for Gaming?

When you are looking at the gaming microphones you will notice that it is hard to find the best one that is going to work for you. Since this is the case you will want to consider several different pieces of information on each microphone

1. The Type of Microphone
2. The Pattern Of The Micorphone
3. Usage

The Type Of Microphone

All of the microphones are going to fall into one of two broad categories. They are going to be condenser or dynamic microphones.

– Dynamic Microphones

These are going to have a full body sound that is meant to have a friendly sound and going to have a friendly sound to it that is going to almost be artificial sounding. This does have a great sound for the higher frequency and it allows you to play your games in rooms that are loud. With that being the case, they can be held close to your mouth if you want to get a more bass type of sound.

The dyanmic mics are going to often be seen for radios and audio book narration, but can be used to play a game as well. If you do have a deep bass to your voice, though, you may have some problems in getting the great sound. Often these microphones do not have a sensitive sound to them and they can lead to some of the higher frequency sounds being left out,.

– Condenser microphones

These are the ones that are going to give you a natural type of sound. These are great for live streaming and chatting during the games. You will find that they do not garble the words and can be a great one for recording anything you are doing on the Internet.

The may disadvantage is these may require a DC power supply to be connected to the microphone on its own. These microphones may have a USB cord or that style of connection that will make it easier to connect the power source. These microphones also tend to be the more expensive models that are on the market.

You will also notice that two types of condenser microphones exist and that is the diaphragm microphones that are classified as large or small.

The larger diaphragm is meant for transmitting the clear sound that is going to be natural sound, but it does have a higher output frequency than what you put in and that is what helps to make these more expensive.

Pattern Of The Microphone

When you are using this for gaming you will want to get a cardoid pattern. This pattern is often seen as being heart shaped and does not have the outside sound that is going to be interfering at all.

This also has an omnidirectional pattern that is very popular, but is only used when the room is quiet or you could pick up the sounds you do not want to have recorded.

Usage

You will find the microphones can be used in several different ways. Some of these are going to clip onto the headset, but others are going to hard wire onto the headset for easy access. Either way these are the best microphones to give you the low cost sound that is clear and of decent quality.

You will find these are going to be able to sit on the desktop as well to still give you a great sound. However, you will find that sometimes these can be placed very close to the mouth to make it easier to use them.

You will find that these factors do not matter with the microphones that have amazing quality or they would already over compensate for the sound recordings which they are priced at.

The lower priced microphones, if the gamer buys, is going to require them to decide how to use the microphone. Often the really low priced microphones will require a clip for the microphone. If you are going to live stream the games, though, you may want to get a standing microphone.

This will allow you to have a better quality sound, but it does come at a higher price. Since this is the case, you will want to make sure you have an established budget when you are shopping for a microphone.

How To Set Up Your Mic / Microphone For Gaming?

How You Can Record Gaming Commentaries?

To get started with your recording, you first need to gather the equipment that you will need to record the sound, software to record the sound, and editing software for merging the video and audio together if the audio commentary and game-play video were recorded separately.

* What You Need to Start

– Microphone
– Headphones
– Sound Recording Software: It could be the software that you use to record the video or separate software. (Not necessary when using a portable sound recorder)
– Editing software for merging the audio and video footage (optional, depends on how audio was recorded)

* How to Capture Sound for the Commentary?

If you captured the audio using a portable sound recorder, you don’t have to worry about the recording software. If you are using a USB microphone or a headset, you will need to find software for capturing the audio.

Depending on how the video was captured, you can use the same software to record audio at the same time. However, it is strongly recommended that you record the audio separately to easily make adjustments to the audio levels.

If you would like to avoid editing your audio commentary and video footage and upload to YouTube directly, then it is advisable to record your game-play and commentary audio in Fraps or a different program.

* Using Fraps to Capture Audio

Audio capture in Fraps is as simple as checking a single box. This captures game audio and commentary from the external microphone in similar waveform. It won’t be possible to adjust the volume of the game audio or commentary. It is only possible to adjust the microphone recording level in the system sound properties.

* Using Audacity to Capture Audio

Using Audacity for recording requires the additional step of synching audio with the video file. Making adjustments to the audio levels is worth it in the end if certain parts are quieter or louder. This helps improve the audio of the commentary.

To sync up the audio with the video footage easily, record audio first, and when you are recording the video footage of the game-play, don’t forget to say “we are recording right…now”. The audio slate gives you the marker required for placing the audio track up properly with video.

* Synchronizing Audio with Game-Play Footage

Syncing audio to the video is incredibly simple if you have an audio slate of where you should match the 2 tracks together.

Ensure that you say that you are starting to record the video when you are recording the audio to have a marker. You will eventually cut out the slate and it makes synchronizing much easier.

You need to import both your audio and video within your editing software, whether you are using Final Cut Pro, Premiere, or Sony Vegas, and match them together. After they have been synced and you have cut out the beginning, you can make adjustments to the audio levels of the game play audio and commentary.

The Bottom Line

The microphones that have been listed here work well when it comes to teaming up with friends online as well as live streaming gameplay along with other types of content. It is basically impossible to go wrong with any of the options provided on your desk or person.

If you like live streaming, the microphone will probably appear in most views that you broadcast to your audience. So, if you have a choice, you should choose one with a design that matches your presentation style and theme.

Hopefully, you have enjoyed the list of top gaming microphones and that you have found the best gaming microphone according to your needs and budget.

Editor’s Choice

Professional’s Choice

Low-budget Choice

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Rating by Author / Affiliate links, Images, Descriptions & Price from Amazon Product Advertising API