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Best Microphones for Streaming Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Sound Quality
If the streaming microphone that you buy doesn't have good sound quality, then why even consider it in the first place? All the microphones on this list will do a good job at giving your viewers a clear picture of your voice. There are many things to look for in a microphone's ability to deliver clear sound. There are many artefacts that can come into play, like microphones that sound like the metal that they are encased in, or scratchy sounds from a badly sampled bit rate. These microphones will all give you great quality sound that will make it easy for people to hear you. It is important to look for microphones that sample the audio at a high enough rate. A useful feature to look out for is the ability to monitor your audio as it comes out of the microphone. This will let you know what is being caught by the microphone.
Adjustability
Every sound stage is a little different. There are professional studios, and then there are not so professional bedrooms. The ability to switch your microphone's settings very easily will be important to making sure your stream goes off without a hitch. There are tons of types of sound patterns that you could look for. Cardioid sound is probably best for most streamers who are working alone. When it is just you and the game you probably want your viewers to only hear your voice. The other things to keep in mind are things like the ability to change the volume at a moment's notice. Look for microphones that have controls right on the side of the microphone that are easily within reach. This category is a rating that lets you know how many options you can switch around on your microphone, and how easy it is to do that in the first place.
Ease of Use
Another important element to finding a good streaming microphone is how easy it is going to make your life. There are lots of little things that these microphones do to make your streaming experience as simple as possible. The first thing to look for is how easy it is to hook the microphone up to your computer. Many of the options on this list are designed with a USB in mind. This makes it simple to attach the microphone to your computer without needing to worry about complicated hook ups and long processes of downloading drivers. Another thing to think about is how easy it is for the microphone to get set up. Stability is a real issue with microphones because you don't want them to move around and change the acoustics of whatever it is you are directing at the microphone. This category will let you know how easy it will be to set up and use your microphone.
Insulation
Being able to choose the sounds that your audience can hear is an important part of any microphone. The amount of sound that the microphone lets through can be affected in many ways. Some microphones use pop filters to stop some of the sounds that are created by the breathing of a close mouth to be heard. There are also technologies designed right into the speakers that can do a good job of stopping sounds outside of a certain range. Very soft sounds can be isolated from being heard, such as the sound of far away cars, or something like a person's footsteps in the hall. This category lets you know how much you'll be able to be certain that your microphone is only picking up the sounds that you want it to. It can really help the audience get into the stream better.
Value
All the headphones on this list will do a good job in any situation that you put them in, but the difference in prices between many of these microphones probably has you wondering which microphone you should choose. There is a big difference between the studio microphones, and the simpler ones. The simpler ones are useful for how portable and easy to move around they are. They are also cheaper, but they should still do a good job at bringing you clear audio. The studio microphones' biggest difference is that they are designed so that you can't easily move them around. The studio microphones are definitely a good idea if you are looking for something that can be more of a permanent fixture in your studio or room. This category is a rating that lets you know how much value your are getting for your dollar.
10 Best Microphones for Streaming
1. Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti will bring high quality audio to your streaming session without the need for time-consuming set up or exorbitant prices.
Everything You Could Want
The Blue Yeti is a great microphone for all kinds of people. That is because it comes with settings that make it a perfect fit for all kinds of work. It can be set for all kinds of patterns of sound reception. This includes omnidirectional to pick up the sounds of an entire room, and cardioid for picking up what is only in front of the microphone.
Other Features
The Blue Yeti is great for lots of other reasons too. It is designed so that you can switch around lots of settings. It has easy to reach buttons for volume and muting that will make on the fly adjustments a breeze. It is also great because it can be very easily set up. All you need to do is plug the Blue Yeti into the side of your computer and then you'll be ready.
Cost and Value
The Blue Yeti falls right in the middle of the pack as far as price goes. What makes this such a great option is that it is designed to maximize the effectiveness of all its sound settings. If you want a microphone that will do a good job no matter what you want from it, then the Blue Yeti is the one you should seriously consider picking up.
2. Samson G-Track
The G-Track is another great choice if you are looking for a mid-range microphone that can do just about anything.
Condenser Mic
The G-Track is a condenser microphone, just like the Blue Yeti. This means that it will do a great job at handling all kinds of mellow sounds. It is great for any kind of talking or music that you need to do. It has multiple settings so that you can pick the right sound pattern for what you are doing. It will do a great job of picking up all the personality of your voice.
Other Features
The G-Track is lovable for tons of other reasons, too. It is designed with tons of settings that you can switch around on the fly. They are all right on the base of the microphone, which makes it easy to change it up as you go. Another great feature is that this microphone comes with a lone-in for attaching electrical instruments.
Cost and Value
The G-Track costs a little more than the Blue Yeti. These are both durable and powerful microphones that are good enough to pick up any kind of high quality sound that you want. The G-Track is very similar to the Blue Yeti, and it is mostly a choice of which one looks better to you. They both come from respectable companies, too.
3. Rode NT-USB Cardioid
The Rode puts all its eggs in one basket, and is specifically designed for one person to chat into it. It does a great job of giving you perfect sound audio.
Cardioid Microphone
The Rode is designed with a single sound setting, but it does commit to that setting very effectively. A cardioid sound pattern is named the way it is due to the heart shape that it picks up. It is perfect for picking up noise from a single direction, without letting in any bleed from outside that heart shape. This makes it perfect for a single speaker, such as with podcasts or streams.
Other Features
The Rode comes with some other clever features, too. It comes with a pop filter that does a great job of reducing any unwanted and uncontrollable noises. The pop filter is very well-made and effective. It also comes with tons of pieces of equipment for set up. This includes a stand for the microphone, a bag for storage, and an attachment arm for hanging the mic.
Cost and Value
The Rode is a pretty high-end choice for a cardioid microphone, It will give you some of the best recorded audio you could hope for. This choice is perfect for anyone who knows exactly what this microphone is being set up for. Using the Rode microphone will make sure that your listeners know exactly what you are trying to say.
4. Audio-Technica Cardioid
This is another cardioid microphone, but this time it is made by Audio-Technica. Their microphones are a bit simpler and cheaper than the Rode ones.
Simpler Cardioid
Outside of being a cardioid microphone, the Audio-Technica is the perfect microphone for those who are seeking versatility. It has a high range of sound that it can comfortably handle, so don't worry if you have any unexpected shouts due to the game. The Audio-Technica is designed to be able to handle all kinds of sounds and situations.
Other Features
The Audio-Technica has lots to get excited about. The isolation of its sound pattern is very effective, which makes it perfect if you are worried about any side noise being picked up. It also comes with tons of goodies, including an arm for mounting it on a table or stool. It also comes with a bag that will let you package it all up safely when you are done.
Cost and Value
The sensitivity of the Rode makes it a good choice if you can control your environment perfectly, but the Audio-Technica's isolation makes it perfect when you need something to use in a more free studio. It does a great job of only allowing for the noises that you want people to be able to hear. It is also a cheaper solution, which is something to be excited about.
5. Antlion Audio ModMic 5
The ModMic is a unique option that will easily convert your favorite pair of headphones into a gaming headset. This is a perfect solution if you want something lowkey.
Headphone Attachment
The way that the ModMic works is that it is attached to the side of your preferred headphones with some adhesive tape. It is very easy to set up, and it lets you put it just where you want. The microphone is attached to a short arm that lets you place it just how you should like it. The result is a perfect microphone that doesn't get in your way when you are trying to focus on the game.
Other Features
The ModMic has tons of features that will make your life easier. The microphone can actually be set for multiple modes. It will do a great job being used as a unidirectional or as a omnidirectional microphone. The arm of the microphone is also flexible, which makes it easy to switch up the positioning if something isn't working out.
Cost and Value
A big thing going for the Antlion is that it doesn't cost very much. Although it is such a small option when compared to the other microphones, it does a great job at picking up any sounds you need it to. The way that it is designed is also perfect for making sure that you don't feel like you are being distracted by the bulkiness of the other Mics on this list.
6. Razer Seiren Elite
This is a dynamic microphone that is designed to be able to pick up every little switch up in your voice and setting. This is a professional microphone.
Professional Microphone
The Seiren has been designed with streaming specifically in mind. It has been designed to do a great job at capturing your voice perfectly. It uses a single capsule, compared to the three capsules found in many other options, so that your voice is being recorded in a natural way. It also does a great job at filtering out incidental sounds you don't want your viewers to hear.
Other Features
The Seiren does a great job in many other ways, too. It is designed so that you can easily keep up with what you voice sound like, due to the implementation of a monitor. The monitor program works with no latency, so you'll never feel behind your viewers when something goes wrong. The Seiren is also designed with a wide range that is perfect for catching all your laughs and shouts when things get hectic.
Cost and Value
The Seiren is designed with streamers in mind, and the results are apparent. The Seiren does a great job at making sure that your voice comes out in a natural and pleasant way. The sound quality is perfect. It also does a good job at filtering out anything unwanted. This microphone costs a bit more, but it is worth the cost if you have the money.
7. Samson Meteor
The Meteor is a simple and cheap microphone that does a great job at giving you some of the best audio you could hope for from a microphone.
Simple Set Up
The Meteor is a studio performance mic, but without all the hassle of the other mics of that caliber. The Meteor is packed with features that put it in the same category. It has a cardioid pattern that does a great job of picking up only the sounds that you want. It is also designed so that the sound you record is very high definition.
Other Features
The Meteor has other features going for it, too. The other thing that makes this such a good choice is how easy it is to set up. The meteor comes with a three-pronged stand that is perfect for setting the microphone up very quickly, without needing to worry about its stability. The microphone also is attached through USB cable, which makes it even easier to set up.
Cost and Value
The Meteor is a great option for tons of reasons. Another one of them is that the Meteor doesn't cost very much, at all. This microphone is perfect for anyone who wants something simple. This microphone doesn't need a studio, or any special set ups. It can rest under its own weight while giving you great audio quality that you can be proud of.
8. Zalman
The Zalman is another headphone microphone that you can attach to your headphones. This one is even easier to use, and easy to set up.
Headphone Microphone
The Zalman has a very clever design that makes it incredibly easy to set up. It comes with a jack that you plug right into the head phone jack. This attaches the microphone right into your headphones, without the need for any complicated set up. It is easy to personalize where the headphone is through the mini clips that come with the microphone.
Other Features
There are some other greta things about the Zalman. One thing about the Zalman that many reviewers noted is that it doesn't have any sort of noise isolation. This microphoen will pick up any sounds that it hears. This can be good for immersion, as your listeners will more fully appreciate where you are. The other great thing is the cord is incredibly long, which is great for being able to position yourself anywhere.
Cost and Value
The Zalman is the best deal on this list by a wide margin. You will get a very effective headphone for an incredibly cheap price. It doesn't have much in terms of other features. There are no options or settings to worry about. This is a very powerful microphone that will do a good job of making sure that your viewers can hear you.
9. Blue Snowball
The Snowball is another microphone option from Blue that will do a great job at keeping your audio woes as minimal as is possible.
Simple and Effective
The Snowball is designed to be a microphone that you can quickly set up and get to work with. It is connected through a USB plug in, which makes it very easy to plug it into your computer and then immediately be ready. It also comes with a convenient stand that can be set up in seconds. You won't have to worry about the stability of your mic, at all.
Other Features
The Snowball comes with tons of other things to like, too. It comes with a few different settings, which is great for switching it up when necessary. It can be used in both a cardioid pattern, and an omnidirectional one. The Snowball is also great because it is so lightweight, which makes it perfect for storing and taking out as needed.
Cost and Value
The Snowball has another big selling point going for it. That is the fact that it doesn't cost very much, at all. This is a great budget microphone that just about anybody can buy and enjoy. It will do a great job for any kind of streamer. The multiple settings and easy set up also makes it a perfect choice for anyone who is just getting into the hobby,
10. HyperX Quadcast
The HyperX is a newer microphone that is designed for streaming. It is packed with features, and strikes a good balance between professional and cool.
Fancy Microphone
The HyperX has a very striking design, but the design of it is the real eye-catching piece. It is packed with different options for its use. It has cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, and stereo settings to work with. It also uses some ease of use functions that make your life much easier, such as the single touch button to mute the mic.
Other Features
The HyperX has tons of other things going for it. It comes with a mount that is incredibly easy to set up. It is also shock resistant, so the mic will remain stable if someone smacks the table that it is sitting on. The HyperX is also great for how easy it is to set it up. It has a professional look, but all it takes is a USB plug to set it up.
Cost and Value
The HyperX is a great microphone for anyone who is interested in getting something a little fancier. It does a great job in any of the settings that it is set in, and it sports a good pile of quality of life features that will immediately make your life easier. The flashy style is also a big selling point. It is one of the costlier options, but does a good job at its price point.
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