Buying Guide
The Best Dynamic Microphones for Gaming
We weighed three microphones on connection and capsule, and the NW-040 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Dynamic microphones reject background noise better than condensers, which helps in a loud room. Every pick uses a dynamic capsule, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these microphones on connection, capsule and polar pattern using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these microphones ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
NEEWER NW-040 Dynamic Microphone
The lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for NEEWER NW-040 Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Sennheiser XS 1 Dynamic Microphone
An on/off switch.
Best for: Buyers who want on/off switch.
Our take Check price for Sennheiser XS 1 Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for NEEWER NW-040 Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| An on/off switch. | Buyers who want on/off switch. | Check price for Sennheiser XS 1 Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
NEEWER NW-040 Dynamic Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
NEEWER's NW-040 is an aluminum dynamic mic with an XLR cable included.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
Its cardioid dynamic capsule gives high gain before feedback, and the metal body is solid. It needs an XLR interface or mixer. It suits podcasting, vocals, streaming and instrument recording.
Its extended frequency response gives warm, natural vocals. It also offers a low price tier. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included.
Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. It makes the most sense for keeping the budget tight, since it offers the lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the XS 1 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Clip, XLR cable
Pros
- Aluminum body
- Included XLR cable
- Low price tier
- The lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing
Cons
- no onboard mute
Also Consider2 of 3
Sennheiser XS 1 Dynamic Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XS 1 stands out for an on/off switch, and it adds a carry pouch.
Best for
- Buyers who want on/off switch.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NW-040 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a handheld cardioid dynamic mic with a silent mute switch, a clip and a pouch. It connects over XLR. It also offers a dynamic capsule for vocals.
XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included. Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the NW-040 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the NW-040 and the SM58, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: On/off switch
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Clip, pouch
Pros
- On/off switch
- Carry pouch
- Dynamic capsule for vocals
- On/off switch mute control, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the NW-040 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Shure SM58 is a metal-bodied dynamic vocal mic with a built-in spherical pop filter.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no onboard mut rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the long-running stage standard. You also get a cardioid pattern that rejects sound from behind. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included.
Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. Worth noting too: metal build. It also brings stand adapter in the box, the only one here.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want the most complete package, since it offers the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the XS 1.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Stand adapter
Pros
- Built-in spherical pop filter
- Metal build
- Cardioid pattern that rejects sound from behind
- Stand adapter in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the NW-040 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Dynamic Microphones for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three microphones on connection, capsule, polar pattern and mute control, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the NW-040 to the SM58, state connection, capsule and polar pattern and share XLR connection and Dynamic capsule.
- Who each pick suits
- The NW-040 for the lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing; the XS 1 for an on/off switch; the SM58 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NW-040 (under $50) to the SM58 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Dynamic Microphone for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The NW-040: an included XLR cable. The XS 1: a carry pouch. The SM58: a metal build.
Budget
Under $50 buys the NW-040; $50 to $100 buys the XS 1; $100 to $150 buys the SM58 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the NW-040. Buyers who want the most complete package: the SM58.
Polar pattern
Cardioid rejects sound from behind and suits one voice. Multi-pattern mics add omni or figure-8 for groups or interviews.
Mute and monitoring
Tap-to-mute and a headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring matter on streams and calls.
How to Choose a Dynamic Microphone for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | NW-040 | The lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want on/off switch | XS 1 | An on/off switch |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | SM58 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NW-040, the XS 1 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NW-040 | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| XS 1 | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | On/off switch |
| SM58 | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The NW-040 was the lowest-priced pick and the SM58 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | NW-040 |
| About $50 to $100 | XS 1 |
| About $100 to $150 | SM58 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the SM58 our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter. It suits anyone who wants the most complete package.
What extras do the NW-040 and the XS 1 include?
The NW-040: an aluminum body. The XS 1: an on/off switch. The SM58: a built-in spherical pop filter.
Who should choose the NW-040?
The NW-040 carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing. It ranks first of 3 here.
Should I pick the NW-040 or the SM58?
The NW-040 suits keeping the budget tight; the SM58 suits buyers who want the most complete package.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NW-040, chosen for the lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing. Look at the XS 1 for an on/off switch and the SM58 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in spherical pop filter if those matter more to you.
Speak close to the capsule; dynamic mics pick up less from a distance.