These are the best microphones for streaming you can buy

Streaming is as popular today as it ever was, and if you’re interested in trying it out, you’ll need a good microphone for the job. A solid gaming headset will do, but a good mic will be your best option. The question is: do you need to pay for the premium models? Not all mics are created equal, and some are better than others for the casual environment of streaming.

Here are the best microphones for streaming you can buy, with recommendations for a variety of price options and use cases.

Road X XDM-100

Best Semi-Pro Microphone for Streaming

The Rode XDM-100 Microphone is a high-end, semi-professional microphone for streaming that will give you great sound when you talk to your audience. It’s a cylindrical dynamic microphone that you connect over a USB-C connection, although there’s also a 3.5mm connection for monitoring headphones. Although it’s designed to be used with the company’s UniFi software, it includes a physical gain dial, so you can adjust it manually if you prefer.

With the increased power delivery of a USB-C connection, Rode makes it pretty straightforward too. You just plug it in and you’re ready to use it. You’ll get more out of it if you install companion software, but you don’t have to.

It’s a bit expensive, so it’s not the microphone to have if you’re just starting out streaming, but it’s still a great option for anyone.

Road X XDM-100

Best Semi-Pro Microphone for Streaming

blue yeti x

Best beginner friendly microphone

If you close your eyes and imagine a streaming or podcasting mic, the Blue Yeti probably comes to mind. That’s because this mic was everywhere, and the Blue Yeti

The new model comes with a four-condenser capsule array and four mic patterns, making it great for streamers who are recording in isolated environments or with other people. The Yeti X also has no DSP, which is a plus if you’re looking for a compression-free signal. Like its predecessor, the Yeti It also includes BlueVoice, a recording software that lets users apply DSP-like presets to audio. This is fine if you’re a beginner, but users will likely move on to their own software.

However, as a mic, the Blue Yeti Get the original Yeti Blue if you want to save a little, but the Yeti X is worth the upgrade.

blue yeti x

Best beginner friendly microphone

elgato wave 3

Best for simple setup

There’s a lot to like about the Elgato Wave 3, especially if you’re not a seasoned audio expert. The Elgato Wave 3 was designed with podcasters and streamers in mind, and offers a streamlined cardioid mic experience. There are no other pickup patterns, which may not be the best for those who want to mess around with settings. But for someone looking for a mic that gets the job done, the Elgato Wave 3 is hard to beat. Wave 3 also includes free software for mixing audio while streaming.

The Elgato Wave 3 doesn’t come with a pop filter, but you can buy one for fairly cheap. It doesn’t have digital signal processing (DPS), but the ClipGuard feature essentially does the same thing by limiting peaks in the signal. You can always disable it if you want a cleaner signal.

For a simple and convenient mic that’s built from the ground up for streamers, the Elgato Wave 3 is our top recommendation.

elgato wave 3

Best for simple setup

HyperX QuadCast S

Best for advanced features

The HyperX QuadCast S is designed for gamers first, which should come as no surprise from HyperX. This is most notable in its programmable RGB, but it’s also a high-quality mic that streamers will love, whether it’s for gaming or just talking. It has four recording patterns, a gain wheel, and support for USB-C charging.

The shock mount is made only of plastic, which feels a little cheap compared to the rest of the package. But aesthetics aside, the QuadCast S is one of the best streaming mics you can get. It doesn’t offer any flexibility for bit rate or sampling, so it’s another option best suited for those looking for simple functionality.

However, the package is one of the most feature-rich mics available, and its simplicity and attractive RGB make it perfect for streamers.

HyperX QuadCast S

Best for advanced features

Shure SM7B

Best Premium Microphone for Streaming

If you’re just starting to get attention on your streams and need to bring your streaming setup to the next level, the Shure SM7B is a mic you should consider. This is an XLR mic, so you’ll also need to pick up an audio interface if you don’t already have one. This gives you a much better sound profile over a USB mic.

You may be spending a lot, but you get a lot with the Shure SM7B. It has a built-in pop filter to eliminate plosives, so you can talk freely no matter how close you are to the mic, and it has high-quality internal components. The Shure SM7B is durable and built to last.

If you’re ready to take your stream to a professional level, there’s no better way to do it than with the Shure SM7B.

Shure SM7B

Best Premium Microphone for Streaming

razer seren mini

Best budget microphone for streaming

The Razer Seren Mini is the smallest and arguably the least impressive in its range, but it still gives you good sound quality in a very cheap and compact package. This makes it a great microphone for streamers on a budget, but it also works really well for travel or as a backup mic when your main microphone has a problem.

The short height is useful for packing it in boxes, although it does make it a bit awkward to work with. The lightweight design is great for transport, but less useful when you’re trying to keep it from falling over while recording. It doesn’t have the widest range of features, but it’s still much better than the type of mic you’ll find in laptops or most gaming headsets.

This microphone won’t set the world on fire, but it’s a solid upgrade from what you have right now and it’s extremely affordable.

razer seren mini

Best budget microphone for streaming

Now that you have a great microphone for streaming, how about a webcam? Here are our favorite webcams for streaming.