Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Gaming Microphones
A cheap USB mic sounds clearer than most headset mics. These six differ in mute, monitoring and what comes in the box.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
A budget USB condenser mic is an easy upgrade over a headset mic for chat and casual streams. At this price, the differences are in controls and what comes in the box.
We compared mute, monitoring, gain and mounts from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most Complete Kit
MAONO DGM20S USB Gaming Microphone Kit
Boom arm, shock mount and pop filter included.
Best for: A tidy first setup
Our take Check price for MAONO DGM20S USB Gaming Microphone Kit (opens in a new tab)
Clearest Mute Indicator
FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone
RGB turns off when muted.
Best for: Streamers
Our take Check price for FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best With Boom Arm
TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit
Boom arm kit with tap-to-mute.
Best for: Keeping the desk clear
Our take Check price for TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit (opens in a new tab)
Best With Monitoring
FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone
Headphone jack and USB-C adapter.
Best for: Hearing yourself
Our take Check price for FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best Noise Reduction
MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone
Noise reduction with gain control.
Best for: Noisy rooms
Our take Check price for MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Plain Budget Pick
Amazon Basics USB Condenser Microphone
14mm diaphragm with one-tap mute.
Best for: Simple chat
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics USB Condenser Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most Complete Kit1 of 6
MAONO DGM20S USB Gaming Microphone Kit on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MAONO's DGM20S kit includes a boom arm, shock mount and pop filter with noise reduction and a gain knob.
Best for
- A tidy first setup
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FDUCE M160, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the most complete cheap kit here. It comes with a metal boom arm and shock mount, works with PC, Mac and PS5 without drivers, and has controllable RGB. It shares a mute button mute control with the FDUCE M160 and MRSDY; the Amazon Basics mic goes with an one-tap mute mute control.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the FIFINE A6V and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: None stated
- In the box: Boom arm, shock mount, pop filter
Pros
- Boom arm, shock mount and pop filter
- Noise reduction
- Gain knob
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Clearest Mute Indicator2 of 6
FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FIFINE's A6V comes with a tripod, shock mount and pop filter, and its RGB ring goes dark when muted.
Best for
- Streamers
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FDUCE M160 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It samples at up to 192kHz. Its RGB cycles through seven colours, and a shock mount with rubber bands absorbs keyboard taps. It works with PS4, PS5, Windows and Mac without extra software.
It won an iF Design Award and records at up to 192kHz. You also get a gain knob. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the TONOR TC310+ and the MAONO DGM20S, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Mute button (RGB off when muted)
- Headphone monitoring: None stated
- In the box: Tripod, shock mount, pop filter
Pros
- 192kHz sampling
- Gain knob
- RGB ring that turns off when muted
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Best With Boom Arm3 of 6
TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TONOR's TC310+ ships as a kit with a boom arm, tap-to-mute and four RGB modes.
Best for
- Keeping the desk clear
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FDUCE M160 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The arm keeps it off the desk. Tap the top to mute, long-press to dim the RGB, and it comes with a boom arm. A tap-to-mute mute control is unique to it among these picks, while the FDUCE M160 uses a mute button mute control.
A boom arm kit in the box is unique to it among these picks, while the Amazon Basics mic uses a stand with shock absorber in the box. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Amazon Basics mic and the pricier FIFINE A6V, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Tap-to-mute
- Headphone monitoring: None stated
- In the box: Boom arm kit
Pros
- Boom arm in the box
- Tap-to-mute
- Four RGB modes
- Boom arm kit with tap-to-mute
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Best With Monitoring4 of 6
FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FDUCE's M160 adds a headphone monitoring jack to a budget cardioid USB mic.
Best for
- Hearing yourself
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
A USB-C adapter is in the box. You get a USB (USB-C adapter) connection here, which sets it apart from the TONOR TC310+ and its a USB connection. Like the MAONO DGM20S and MRSDY, it has a mute button mute control, while the TONOR TC310+ uses a tap-to-mute mute control.
A headphone jack headphone monitoring is unique to it among these picks, while the MRSDY uses a 3.5mm jack headphone monitoring. It also comes with RGB lighting. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MRSDY was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB (USB-C adapter)
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Tripod
Pros
- Headphone monitoring jack
- Included USB-C adapter
- RGB lighting
- USB (USB-C adapter) connection, the only one here
Best Noise Reduction5 of 6
MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MRSDY's mic adds noise reduction, a gain control and a 3.5mm monitoring jack.
Best for
- Noisy rooms
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FDUCE M160, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has RGB lighting. Like the MAONO DGM20S and FDUCE M160, it has a mute button mute control, while the TONOR TC310+ uses a tap-to-mute mute control. You get a 3.5mm jack headphone monitoring here, which sets it apart from the Amazon Basics mic and its a none stated headphone monitoring.
It is the only pick here with a stand in the box; the TONOR TC310+ has a boom arm kit in the box instead. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the FDUCE M160 and below the Amazon Basics mic at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: 3.5mm jack
- In the box: Stand
Pros
- Noise reduction
- Gain control
- 3.5mm monitoring jack
- Stand in the box, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Plain Budget Pick6 of 6
Amazon Basics USB Condenser Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Amazon Basics's condenser mic has a 14mm diaphragm, one-tap mute and a shock absorber on its stand.
Best for
- Simple chat
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FDUCE M160, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a plain cardioid USB mic. A condenser (14mm) capsule is unique to it among these picks, while the MRSDY uses a condenser capsule. You get an one-tap mute mute control here, which sets it apart from the MRSDY and its a mute button mute control.
You get a stand with shock absorber in the box here, which sets it apart from the FDUCE M160 and its a tripod in the box. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the MRSDY and the TONOR TC310+, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser (14mm)
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: One-tap mute
- Headphone monitoring: None stated
- In the box: Stand with shock absorber
Pros
- 14mm diaphragm
- One-tap mute
- Shock absorber
- Condenser (14mm) capsule, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Cheap Gaming Mics
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Mounting
- We noted stands, arms, shock mounts and pop filters in the box.
- Controls
- We checked mute, gain and headphone monitoring.
- Capsule and pattern
- We noted dynamic or condenser capsules and polar patterns.
- Connection
- We recorded USB, XLR or hybrid connections.
What to Look for in a Cheap Gaming Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Mute and monitoring
Tap-to-mute and a headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring matter on streams and calls.
Stand, arm and shock mount
A desk stand picks up bumps. A boom arm and shock mount put the mic closer to your mouth and away from the keyboard.
USB or XLR
USB mics plug straight into the PC. XLR mics need an interface but let you upgrade parts separately. Hybrid mics offer both.
Polar pattern
Cardioid rejects sound from behind and suits one voice. Multi-pattern mics add omni or figure-8 for groups or interviews.
Dynamic or condenser
Dynamic mics pick up less room noise and keyboard clatter, which suits untreated rooms. Condensers capture more detail and more of the room.
Software and processing
Some mics offer noise reduction, auto gain or limiters in software. Check it runs on your operating system.
How to Choose a Cheap Gaming Mic
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A tidy first setup | MAONO DGM20S | Boom arm, shock mount and pop filter included |
| Streamers | FIFINE A6V | RGB turns off when muted |
| Keeping the desk clear | TONOR TC310+ | Boom arm kit with tap-to-mute |
| Hearing yourself | FDUCE M160 | Headphone jack and USB-C adapter |
| Noisy rooms | MRSDY | Noise reduction with gain control |
| Simple chat | Amazon Basics mic | 14mm diaphragm with one-tap mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAONO DGM20S | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button |
| FIFINE A6V | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button (RGB off when muted) |
| TONOR TC310+ | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Tap-to-mute |
| FDUCE M160 | USB (USB-C adapter) | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button |
| MRSDY | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button |
| Amazon Basics mic | USB | Condenser (14mm) | Cardioid | One-tap mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pop filter?
It helps with plosive sounds such as P and B. Many mics include a foam cover or internal filter.
How far should I sit from the mic?
About a hand's width to 15cm for most voice mics; dynamic mics often want to be closer.
Do USB mics work on consoles?
Some do; check the product page for PS4, PS5 or Xbox support.
How do I reduce keyboard noise?
Use a dynamic or cardioid mic, position it close to your mouth and pointed away from the keyboard, and consider a boom arm.
What interface do I need for XLR?
Any USB audio interface with an XLR input and enough gain. Condensers also need 48V phantom power.
Is a separate mic better than a headset mic?
Usually, yes: a desk mic has a larger capsule and sits in a fixed position. Placement still matters more than price.
Bottom Line
The MAONO DGM20S is the most complete cheap kit. The FIFINE A6V has the clearest mute indicator, the TONOR TC310+ adds a boom arm, the FDUCE and MRSDY add monitoring jacks, and the Amazon Basics is the plain option.