Best gaming microphones in 2023

Whether you want a gaming microphone for chatting with your friends or streaming, there’s an option out there for you.

A good-quality gaming microphone is one of the best additions you can make to your at-home gaming setup. It’ll pair up nicely with a mechanical keyboard, monitor, and webcam, whether you just want your voice heard by your in-game teammates or want to stream on Twitch. But just like any other peripherals, there are plenty of options for gaming microphones, and it can be tough to choose which one is best for you. So there are the best gaming microphones out on the market right now.

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Our picks for the best gaming microphones in 2023

HyperX QuadCast S The best gaming microphone

With all the good features

$140 $160 Save $20

The HyperX QuadCast S is the best gaming microphone you can buy. It comes in different colors and offers many good features, including touch to mute. It’s also not too over priced and has good audio quality, though not everyone will like the RGB lighting effects.

Pros

  • Tap to mute button
  • Great audio quality
  • Cool lighting

Cons

  • Not everyone might like the RGB effects

$140 at Amazon $143 at Best Buy

HyperX has a lot of gaming peripherals to its name, and its Quadcast S gaming microphone is one of the best in the business. It’s a fairly simple microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern that connects via USB, offers perfect audio quality, and is fairly simple to use. It’s one of those microphones that doesn’t really leave much room to complain about.

The HyperX Quadcast S microphone offers superb audio quality thanks to the 16-bit/96kHz bit depth and sample rate and four directional patterns (stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, and bidirectional). This microphone sounds nice and warm and the people hearing your voice will clearly hear and understand what you are saying. The audio quality of this microphone is good enough to be used for streaming too. There are definitely higher-quality microphones out there for podcasting, but this will get the job done.

When it comes to the design, this microphone comes in either black or white, but it stands out with RGB. This is more of a “gaming” aesthetic, which you may or may not really like. Through software, though, you can personalize the RGB lighting, and make the mic look a little less eye-catching. Another good thing about the HyperX Quadcast is that this mic also comes with a tap-to-mute button on the top. You can instantly mute yourself by tapping the top of the microphone.

The mounting options for the HyperX Quadcast are also great. You get a shock mount and desktop stand with the mic that keeps it suspended above the surface it’s placed on. While this should be enough for most people, it’s best to mount it on a boom mic arm. You can easily mount this mic on a boom arm, so that’s not an issue either. And regardless of how you mount it, controls remain easily accessible.

Elgato Wave:3 Runner up

Great compatibility with streaming software

The Elgato Wave:3 is yet another reliable gaming microphone that works well for various use cases. Plus, if you use other Elgato products, it’ll fit right in. This mic is easy to set up, has touch-sensitive controls, and comes with software that’s useful for streaming. The price is a bit high, though.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Touch-sensitive top
  • Includes software for streaming

Cons

  • Slightly expensive

$150 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy

If you are a streamer or simply looking for a good-quality microphone to add to your gaming setup, then we highly recommend picking up the Elgato Wave:3. This is a compelling microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern that offers a lot of great features. It’s a bit expensive at around $150, but there are plenty of other more expensive microphones on the market that are not as good as the Wave:3. Plus, you’ll get some great features.

For one, it’s simple to set this microphone up and get started. Just plug your microphone into the computer, and you are ready to record or start talking. For connections, you get a USB-A to USB-C cable.

There’s a dial on the front that clicks in to let you cycle through different volume options. The top of the mic is also touch-sensitive, and you can tap it to mute the microphone. Tapping the touch-sensitive panel will make the LED ring around the dial turn red. The overall build quality is also great. The mic is made out of metal and hard plastic with a brushed matte finish. It also has a compact form factor and won’t take up much space. By default, the microphone comes with a plastic mount screwed onto a metal stand, but you can also mount it on any microphone arm.

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Another interesting thing to note about the Wave:3 is that it works well with the Elgato WaveLink software, which is great for a variety of things including recording, streaming, and more. If you’ve ever used software like the VoiceMeeter, then you’ll feel right at home with the Elgato WaveLink. The overall audio quality of Wave:3 is also great thanks to the 96Khz sample rate. It’s not the best option for professional studio recording needs, but it’s a great microphone for both live streamers and podcasters.

Blue Yeti X Best for streaming

For going live

$140 $170 Save $30

The Blue Yeti X is one of the best microphones out there that can even be used for professional recording beyond gaming and streaming. It has gain dials and switches, is easily mounted, and has a sleek design. Just keep in mind with this microphone, you have to speed directly at it.

Pros

  • Has gain dials and switches
  • Can be mounted on a stand
  • Multiple pickup patterns.

Cons

  • Need to speak directly at it

$140 at Amazon $140 at Best Buy

There are plenty of reliable, high-end microphones out there for streaming and gaming, but one name stands out — Blue Yeti. The Blue Yeti X, the classic microphone’s follow-up, is a desktop USB microphone that has a gain dial on the front with lights that shows how loud you are currently speaking. This is a great addition as it allows you to adjust your volume without having to look at the monitoring software separately. And yes, do note this microphone has multiple patterns, too — cardioid, omni, figure 8, and stereo — making it versatile.

You can expect good quality from the Blue Yeti X thanks to its 24-bit / 48kHz sample rate. While this is a great microphone for recording your own voice for a podcast, it’s equally good for streamers too. We’re sure your buddies in-game will appreciate the crisp and clean microphone quality. One thing to note about the Blue Yeti X is that you’ll want to speak directly at it, not at its top because the diaphragms are aimed at the front, sides, and back.

For connectivity, you get a Micro-USB port at the bottom along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Setting up the Blue Yeti X is as simple as plugging in a Micro-USB cable and switching to it as the input on your computer. There’s also a socket at the bottom that allows you to mount the microphone on a stand. While the Blue Yeti X comes with a hard metal stand of its own, you can also mount it on other stands or mic arms that you may have. For software, you can install the Logitech GHub to control different things like equalizers, LED lights, and more.

NZXT Capsule Best features

Affordable but feature-packed

$86 $99 Save $13

The NZXT Capsule is a sleek gaming microphone that comes with in-line controls and an LED ring at the bottom. it has a sleek simple design, buttons to adjust gains, and even a ring light. You’ll need to use your own software to adjust the audio quality, though.

Pros

  • Simple design
  • Buttons to adjust gains
  • Ring light on bottom

Cons

  • Recommended to use software to adjust audio quality

$86 at Amazon $90 at Best Buy

The NZXT Capsule gaming microphone is a simple and stylish gaming microphone that is worth considering. It’s a fairly affordable mic that works well for a variety of use cases, and it deserves a spot on this list.

The NZXT Capsule microphone, as you can see, has a fairly simple design. There’s not a lot going on when it comes to the overall build, and it’s got a very minimal design. You’ll see only two buttons on the body of the microphone along with a ring light on the bottom. The top knob controls the gain of the mic, whereas the bottom one adjusts the volume of the headphones you’re wearing. Additionally, you also get a USB Type-C port at the bottom along with a 3.5mm audio jack. This particular microphone can be connected to a variety of different arms, but it will look best with NZXT’s own boom arm.

The NZXT Capsule microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, and it sounds good overall. The audio quality that you get with this microphone is good for both gamers and streamers alike. While the overall audio quality of the Capsule may not be as good as what you’d get from a high-end professional-grade microphone (for reference, it has a 24-bit/96kHz resolution), it’s better than a lot of other options in its price range.

Also, NZXT doesn’t have its own software to tweak or adjust settings, so you may have to rely on other third-party monitoring software. Casual users, however, don’t need to worry about the software and can simply rely on the basic controls.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the NZXT Capsule gaming microphone. The plug-and-play nature of the NZXT Capsule microphone makes it a great option for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up a professional-grade microphone.

NZXT Capsule Mini Budget microphone

Won’t break your bank

$61 $70 Save $9

The NZXT Capsule Mini is a great budget microphone. It’s a mini microphone that’s not short on features or quality. Best of all, you can just plug it in and get started without any drivers. There are some limits for the low price, however, including the fact it only has one pattern and that the USB cable is short.

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Pros

  • Stunning design
  • Excellent recording quality
  • No drivers needed
  • Sturdy stand

Cons

  • Only one pattern
  • Short USB cable

$61 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy

If you’re just getting started with gaming or streaming games online and don’t want to spend much money on microphones, then we recommend checking out the NZXT Capsule Mini microphone. It’s one of the most affordable microphones on the market with great recording quality and a study design. In our NZXT Capsule Mini review, Rich Edmonds was shocked to find it offered big brand recording at a really low price.

When it comes to the design, the NZXT Capsule Mini looks great. It comes in either black or white and has a matte finish, which is sure to match your setup. There are not many buttons and controls, though, asides from a volume knob in the front, a status indicator LED, and a mute button. Connectivity is via USB-C too, and though the cable is short, that port is right on the bottom for easy touring of cables and use with a boom arm. It’s a plug-and-play microphone as well, so you need not worry about drivers. You even get a 3.5mm headphone jack for live output, and the option to use NZXT’s CAM software for playing around with settings.

In terms of audio quality, Edmonds and loved the way it sounded on factory settings. He found that the capabilities were excellent and audio was “crystal clear.” in video calls and during playback. There were a few downsides, which is expected for the price, though, and that’s the lack of pop filtering and also the fact that it only has one cardioid pattern. Note that this microphone has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern and hits 24-bit depth and 48kHz sampling rate

However, for gaming, video recording, and those who just streaming, though, this is the ideal microphone that won’t break your budget.

Razer Seiren Mini Compact gaming microphone

Small but mighty

$36 $50 Save $14

The Razer Seiren Mini is one of the most affordable gaming microphones in this collection. It’s also one of the most compact microphones you’ll find out there since it’s lightweight, and offers decent audio quality. The only flaw is that it has a short stand and there’s no manual mute button.

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Lightweight
  • Decent audio quality

Cons

  • Short stand
  • No mute button

$36 at Amazon $37 at Best Buy

The Razer Seiren Mini is one of the most compact gaming microphones on the market. And despite its compact form factor, it doesn’t skimp on any important features.

This is a great microphone that works well for a variety of use cases. Its compact form factor also makes it very easy to carry, thereby making it a great option for those who need a mic to take on the go. Using the Razer Seiren Mini is simple as connecting it to your PC and changing the audio input to the mic. You don’t have to fiddle with too many cables or set up any complicated software to get started with it.

The Seiren Mini has a simple and sleek pill-shaped chassis. Despite the small size, the Razer Seiren Mini doesn’t feel delicate or cheap. One thing to note about the Razer Seiren Mini is that it comes with a very short stand. While that makes sense to keep the overall form factor small, it might be an issue while using it.

Another thing to note about the Razer Seiren Mini is that it lacks onboard buttons and inputs. All you get is a Micro-USB port on the mic to connect it to your PC and that’s about it. This means you will have to rely on your PC or other software to adjust things like volume, gain, and more. There’s no button to mute yourself either, which is a little bit annoying.

The Seiren Mini has a supercardioid polar pattern, which means the sound field it picks is very directional. It has a narrow pick-up on the front and a little bit on the back, but it rejects side noise. The mic has a 14mm condenser capsule that records 16-bit audio at a 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rate. The overall audio quality is great, but it’s nothing to rave about.

V-MODA Boom Pro X gaming microphone Best headset microphone

For those with headsets

$26 $45 Save $19

The V-MODA Boom Pro X is a fairly simple headset microphone that works with a variety of different devices without demanding a dedicated space. It’s compact, works with all headsets, and has a mute button. It’s also affordable, though there’s no built-in monitoring, and the sound quality is decent.

Pros

  • Compact
  • Works with all headsets
  • Has mute button
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • No built-in monitoring
  • Sound quality is just OK

$26 at Amazon

If you have a headset with a spot for a microphone, then we recommend checking out the V-MODA Boom Pro X microphone. This is as small and compact as it gets when it comes to gaming microphones. The V-MODA Boom Pro X connects directly to the 3.5mm jack of your headset to upgrade the overall microphone quality from what might be included with your original headset. It’s a cardioid unidirectional microphone.

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Despite being as small as it is, the V-MODA Boom Pro X has some nifty features. There’s an in-line remote with volume and mute sliders (although no gain slider). You also get a 3.5mm Y-splitter, which is necessary if your desktop has two separate inputs for the mic and headphones. You also get a 3.5mm extension cable, doubling the length of the cord from 100cm to 200cm.

Connecting and using the Boom Pro X microphone is fairly simple. All you need is headphones with a 3.5mm input for wired listening and a computer or a smartphone with a 3.5mm input. Your host device should automatically route the audio input through the mic and the output to headphones as soon as you connect the Boom Pro X mic. This microphone doesn’t have built-in monitoring, but that’s understandable, given the sheer size of this thing. You will need dedicated software to monitor the audio. You do get a mute button, which is very handy.

Moving on to the audio quality, the Boom Pro X sounds decent for its size. It’s certainly not the best-sounding microphone in this collection, but it gets the job done without demanding much from the user. It also does a great job of reducing background noise.

EPOS B20 gaming microphone Microphone with multiple pick-up patterns

For all kinds of recording

$107 $150 Save $43

The EPOS B20 is a microphone with all kinds of recording patterns. It also offers a good set of features for the price. You get an LED indicator light on it and plug-and-play support.

Pros

  • Has a great look
  • Has LED indicator light
  • Plug and play without worrying about drivers

Cons

  • Expensive

$107 at Amazon $127 at Best Buy

A lot of the microphones mentioned in this particular collection have a single pickup pattern, but the EPOS B20 is different. It has multiple pickup patterns and studio-quality audio with a sampling rate of 48KHz and 24 bits.

The EPOS B20 offers four different pickup patterns for different use cases and offers good audio quality as a result. You can choose either cardioid, stereo, bidirectional, or omnidirectional. While most people will use it in the cardioid pattern for gaming or even streaming, it’s also good for those who want to have guests over for a podcast recording session. You can use bidirectional or omnidirectional patterns to pick up multiple voices around the mic. The EPOS B20 is known to be a little sensitive to background noise, though, so keep that in mind. Also, the fact that you can connect your headphones directly to the microphone makes it a great option that offers excellent EQ and virtual surround sound.

Setting up the microphone is also fairly simple, and you can further tune things like gain, sidetone volume, and pickup patterns with the help of the onboard dials if you want to get the most out of the mic. The EPOS B20 works well with the EPOS Gaming suite software, so be sure to install it to fine-tune other mic settings. Monitoring is built into the microphone itself, so you are not necessarily going to miss out on much if you don’t have access to the software either.

And now for the final reason we like this microphone. The EPOS B20 comes in a gunmetal color with a tall, black-colored metallic cylindrical body and controls for volume and mute. You also get an LED indicator light that glows white when the mic is in use and turns red when it’s muted. Underneath, you get a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Recapping the best gaming microphones in 2023

As you can see, there’s no shortage of gaming microphones on the market and there are many great options to choose from. That said, most users will find plenty of what they need in the HyperX QuadCast S gaming microphone. This is a great mic overall that works for both gaming and streaming. It has a fantastic design with a tap-to-mute button, it’s not too overly priced, and the audio quality is great, though not everyone might like the lighting effects.

HyperX QuadCast S The best microphone

With all the good features

$140 $160 Save $20

The HyperX QuadCast S is the best gaming microphone you can buy. It comes in different colors and offers many good features, including touch to mute. It’s also not too over priced and has good audio quality, though not everyone will like the RGB lighting effects.

$140 at Amazon $143 at Best Buy

Alternatively, the Elgato Wave:3 is another solid option to consider if you don’t mind spending a little bit more money. Those looking to buy something premium can check out the Blue Yeti X whereas budget shoppers should consider buying either the NZXT Capsule Mini or the Razer Seiren Mini.

If you ended up on this page looking for some peripherals for your new gaming setup, then consider checking some of our other collection articles. It’s never a bad time to upgrade or build a new setup from scratch. Alternatively, you can also consider joining our XDA Computing Forums to discuss your build or get more product recommendations from the experts in our community.

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