Best Microphones in January 2024: for superior sound quality

More and more, today’s gamers need the best microphones for streaming, podcasting, and playing games. These top-notch microphones will help you sound your best whether you want to stream your games, have heated conversations with friends on Discord, or finally record a podcast about Marvel movies like everyone else. If you don’t mind spending a little money, the Shure MV7 is the best microphone right now.

It’s a hybrid USB/XLR microphone that gives you the best of both USB’s ease of use and XLR’s quality. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Our cheap pick shows you that. Other than a few features, it sounds great and is a good price. You don’t need a master’s degree in sound engineering to get studio-quality sound from your streaming gear, but it might help.

Most of the time, all you need is a USB port and something interesting to talk about when you go live. One of the hardest things about looking for the right microphone for streaming, gaming, or podcasting is that you can’t be sure of how good the sound is until you use it.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Microphone

Getting high-quality audio recordings means picking the right microphone, whether you’re recording singing, instruments, podcasts, videos, or any other kind of audio. When choosing a microphone, you should think about the following:

???? How to use: Think about how you’ll use the microphone. Different mics work best for different things, like recording vocals, recording instruments, podcasting, broadcasting, etc.

????️ Pattern of Polar: Polar patterns show how a microphone picks up sound from different directions. Some common patterns are cardioid, which picks up sound from the front but not from the sides or back, omnidirectional, which picks up sound from all directions, and bidirectional, which picks up sound from both the front and back.

???? Sound Origin: Your choice will depend on what kind of sound source you’re recording. For example, a dynamic microphone might be better for close-miking a guitar amp, while a condenser microphone might be great for catching the subtleties of a vocal performance.

????️ The setting: Think about where the recording took place. If you’re in a noisy place, you might need a microphone that cuts out background noise well. If you’re in a studio, you can choose a microphone from a wider range of options.

???? Spending plan: Prices for microphones can be very different. Set a budget, and then look for mics in that price range. Most of the time, more expensive microphones are better, but there are good choices at all price points.

Best Microphones Comparison Table

A simple USB microphone is recommended if you just need a plug-and-play microphone for video calls and working from home. However, simplicity doesn’t necessarily mean that features have been limited in favor of a quick setup on your desk. There are often additional features that make these user-friendly models perfect for streaming or recording podcasts.

Shure MV7

As soon as you open the box and pick up the Shure MV7 Silver, you know it means business. From the high-quality all-metal construction to the professional studio look, this unit screams, “You better bring your A-game.” Sip some hot tea with lemon and prepare your vocal cords – it’s time for business. The Shure MV7 is worth every penny of its $249 price tag.

From its rugged all-metal construction to its professional studio-quality audio that focuses on vocals with Voice Isolation technology, it’s without a doubt the best microphone we’ve tested yet. The Shure Plus Motiv EQ software makes the overall experience even better, bringing out the best in the microphone and your voice. Simplicity is a plus, and the user interface is very pleasant to use. What sets the Shure MV7 apart from other microphones is the ability to use USB or the more professional XLR connector. Overall, this is one of the best microphones that you can buy right now.

Samson G-Track Pro

If you stream your games, record a podcast, or do both on a regular basis, the Samson G-Track Pro is the microphone to choose. It is a really powerful condenser microphone. For starters, it supports a number of recording configurations thanks to its three selectable polar patterns. With the cardioid pattern, you can focus just on yourself in a desktop setup, chat with a guest with the bidirectional setting, or try to pick up everything with the omnidirectional. Overall, it is one of the best microphones that you can buy.

The Samson G-Track Pro is also suitable for high-end recording. It can record anything from 50Hz to 20kHz, covering the typical human vocal range and beyond. With a maximum sound pressure level of 120dB, it can handle volume as well. All of these sounds can be recorded at up to 96kHz and at 16 or 24 bits. There are a number of simple controls on the microphone to adjust everything, as well as a jack for headphones and even a quarter-inch jack for a second input source.

Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti has been on the market for more than a decade, and not much has changed since its introduction. In fact, nothing needed to be changed in one of the best microphones. It’s a smart and versatile device that doesn’t cost much and offers everything amateur and semi-professional audiophiles need to record their material. The Blue Yeti is a high-quality condenser microphone with a built-in stand, a USB port and, most importantly, four different polar patterns.

With the Blue Yeti you can record audio with cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional or bidirectional polar patterns. Few microphones offer multiple polar patterns, and even fewer can switch between them. But thanks to the Blue Yeti’s variety of audio patterns, you can record anything from a podcast to an interview to a musical performance or an entire panel discussion. Still, it is one of the best microphones that you can consider.

Razer Seiren Elite

If you play PC games a lot, you’re probably already familiar with Razer hardware. So it should come as no surprise that they make one of the best USB microphones for professional Twitch streamers on the market. Razer’s Seiren Elite USB mic has a single-capsule design with a built-in filter and limiter, making it a great mic for any broadcast setup. Easily one of the best microphones available on the market.

The high-pass filter eliminates low-frequency background noise, such as the hum of fans on the back of a PC, while the voice limiter automatically adjusts gain and volume for sudden volume changes. Those familiar with Razer peripherals may be surprised by the microphone’s limited customization features, and it doesn’t integrate well with Razer’s Synapse software, so don’t expect it to fit seamlessly into the rest of Razer’s ecosystem.

IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio

Not every budget is able to match the prices of professionals, but the explosion in popularity of streaming and podcasting has led to a surge in demand for simple, high-quality bus-powered microphones. Buying one of the best affordable USB microphones on the market is now easier than ever.

We chose IK Multimedia’s iRig Mic Studio because it’s easy to set up, has great sound, and offers access to a range of recording and production apps. The iRig Mic Studio is just as comfortable on a portable device as it is on a laptop or computer, and the price/performance ratio makes it a very attractive option for anyone looking to get into recording on a budget.

HyperX SoloCast

The HyperX SoloCast is the best in a line of new affordable microphones. This new generation offers the same audio performance as its more expensive brethren and prioritizes sound over advanced functionality at a truly fantastic price. With the JLab Audio Talk GO and Razer Seiren Mini all offering excellent sound, the HyperX SoloCast sets itself apart from the rest by essentially giving us the audio capabilities of its more expensive QuadCast S compatriot.

It’s a fantastic microphone in its own right, and we can live with the loss of the full list of features and polar pattern selection if we want an easy-to-use microphone. The QuadCast’s RGB lighting is missed, but the sound is almost identical. And if you just want higher quality audio and don’t want to play with gain settings mid-recording, the SoloCast may be the mic for you. Currently, this is one of the best microphones that you can buy right now.

Elgato Wave:3

If you are looking for a mainstream gaming microphone that is a bit more advanced in terms of features than the Blue Yeti USB mentioned above, then the Elgato Wave:3 is for you. Not only does this mic work with the Elgato Stream Deck, but it also features Elgato’s Clipguard feature, which successfully limited volume in testing. The Wave:3 is suitable for Twitch streaming, YouTube compression, and high-resolution audio recording, and its small size makes it easy to carry around.

The price of this microphone is comparable to the Blue Yeti X, which is also on this list; however, Elgato’s streaming microphone only has one type of polar pattern, making it less versatile than the Blue Yeti X. For a microphone that can cover a wider range of situations, the Yeti X is still preferable. The Wave:3 could also use more bass, but thanks to its many software and hardware features, such as the handy pop shield, the Wave:3 is a great microphone for those focused on streaming. So, if you want one of the best microphones, we highly recommend this product.

Rode NT-USB Mini

The Rode NT-USB Mini is designed to produce studio-level audio recordings. For $99, you won’t find a better USB mic, and it’s even better than some of the more expensive USB mics I’ve tested. What it lacks in features and style, it makes up for in plug-and-play usability, with plenty of “let’s record and play great” know-how.

The Rode stands out not only for its sleek, square design, magnetically attached base, and adjustable push buttons, but also for its studio-quality condenser mic sound quality, which matches that of many XLR mics I’ve used. And the free Rode Connect software takes everything to the next level. So let’s dive into the Rode NT-USB Mini Microphone and find out why it could be one of the best USB mics for under $100.

Rode PodMic

One of the best microphones for podcasting, the Rode PodMic prides itself on its studio qualities, right down to using an XLR connector instead of USB. But it’s also not overly complicated: One of our favorite aspects of the PodMic is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time making adjustments to get excellent sound.

The internal pop filter helps keep recordings under control, and the rugged construction prevents unwanted noise if you accidentally bump into the table or need to quickly adjust the positioning. Again, this isn’t an ideal microphone for beginners, in part because no stand is included. But the PodMic has another advantage: it’s so inexpensive that you can easily afford additional accessories.

Sennheiser MKE 400

Both beginners and amateur filmmakers should take a look at the Sennheiser MKE 400. This shotgun microphone uses a highly directional supercardioid pickup pattern to capture speech clearly, even when filming in locations with lots of background noise.

The MKE 400 is great for do-it-yourself content creation because it’s very easy to use. While you simply plug it into your camera’s hot shoe and connect via a 3.5mm cable, the MKE 400 offers the same plug-and-play operation for smartphones. Just plug it into your phone’s headphone jack, and you’ll be able to record clips with excellent sound even without a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Currently, this is one of the best microphones that you can buy right now.

Tips for Proper Microphone Placement

Putting the microphone in the right place is very important if you want to catch clear, high-quality audio. Here are some tips for getting the best microphone placement, whether you’re recording singing, instruments, podcasts, or any other kind of audio:

???? Think about the type of microphone: Different mics have different pickup patterns, like cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-eight, which determine how they pick up sound from different directions. Choose a microphone with the right sound pattern for the way you want to record.

???? Keep the Right Distance: Keep the same distance between the microphone and the source of the sound to make sure the sound is clear and balanced. The best distance depends on the microphone and the sound source, but a good starting point is about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) and you can change from there.

???? Avoid Plosives and Sibilance: Use a pop filter or windscreen to keep your audio from being messed up by plosive sounds (pops caused by bursts of air) and sibilance (harsh “s” and “sh” sounds). Put the pop filter a few inches away from the sound source and the microphone.

???? Mic Position for Vocals: For most voice recordings, place the microphone slightly above the mouth and angled down. This makes it easier to record a more realistic sound and cuts down on plosives. Try different distances and angles to find the right mix between clarity and warmth.

???? Mic Position for Instruments: For instruments, especially acoustic ones, try different places for the mic to get the tone you want. Close mics pick up more direct sounds, while far mics pick up more of the room’s atmosphere. For an even sound from an acoustic guitar, try putting the microphone around the 12th fret.

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