Buying Guide
The Best Cardioid Gaming Microphones With Mute
From the FDUCE M160 to the AT2020USB-X: three microphones ranked on connection and capsule, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A cardioid pattern rejects sound from behind the mic. Every pick uses a cardioid pattern and has a mute control, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: connection, capsule and polar pattern come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone
A lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Stand In the Box
MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone
A stand in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want a stand in the box.
Our take Check price for MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X with Boom Arm
The top of this price range, adding 24-bit/96kHz recording.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X with Boom Arm (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for FDUCE M160 USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| A stand in the box. | Buyers who want a stand in the box. | Check price for MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding 24-bit/96kHz recording. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X with Boom Arm (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
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. It is the only pick here with a USB (USB-C adapter) connection; the MRSDY has a USB connection instead. It shares a mute button mute control with the MRSDY; the AT2020USB-X goes with a capacitive touch mute mute control.
It also offers RGB lighting. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers a lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MRSDY was the next step up.
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
Stand In the Box2 of 3
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
- Buyers who want a stand in the box.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FDUCE M160 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has RGB lighting. A 3.5mm headphone output gives latency-free monitoring of your own voice. Noise cancelling cuts typing and clicks, and the RGB lighting can be switched off.
No other pick in this guide offers a USB connection; compare the FDUCE M160, which has a USB (USB-C adapter) connection. It shares a mute button mute control with the FDUCE M160; the AT2020USB-X goes with a capacitive touch mute mute control. No other pick in this guide offers a 3.5mm jack headphone monitoring; compare the FDUCE M160, which has a headphone jack headphone monitoring.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper FDUCE M160 and the pricier AT2020USB-X, 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
- USB connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X with Boom Arm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Audio-Technica's AT2020USB-X bundle records at 24-bit/96kHz and includes a boom arm.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FDUCE M160, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Mute is a capacitive touch pad. No other pick in this guide offers a USB-C connection; compare the FDUCE M160, which has a USB (USB-C adapter) connection. A capacitive touch mute mute control is unique to it among these picks, while the MRSDY uses a mute button mute control.
Like the FDUCE M160, it has a headphone jack headphone monitoring, while the MRSDY uses a 3.5mm jack headphone monitoring. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MRSDY and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Capacitive touch mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Boom arm
Pros
- 24-bit/96kHz recording
- Capacitive touch mute
- Boom arm in the bundle
- USB-C connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Cardioid Gaming Microphones With Mute
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three microphones on connection, capsule, polar pattern and mute control from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the FDUCE M160 to the AT2020USB-X, state connection, capsule and polar pattern and share Condenser capsule and Cardioid polar pattern.
- Who each pick suits
- The FDUCE M160 for a lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked; the MRSDY for a stand in the box; the AT2020USB-X for the top of this price range, adding 24-bit/96kHz recording.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the FDUCE M160 (under $50) to the AT2020USB-X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Cardioid Gaming Microphone With Mute
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The FDUCE M160: an included USB-C adapter. The MRSDY: a gain control. The AT2020USB-X: capacitive touch mute.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY; $150 to $250 buys the AT2020USB-X at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the FDUCE M160. Buyers who want a stand in the box: the MRSDY. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the AT2020USB-X.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Cardioid Gaming Microphone With Mute
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | FDUCE M160 | A lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want a stand in the box | MRSDY | A stand in the box |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | AT2020USB-X | The top of this price range, adding 24-bit/96kHz recording |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The FDUCE M160, the MRSDY and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDUCE M160 | USB (USB-C adapter) | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button |
| MRSDY | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button |
| AT2020USB-X | USB-C | Condenser | Cardioid | Capacitive touch mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The FDUCE M160 was the lowest-priced pick and the AT2020USB-X the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | FDUCE M160, MRSDY |
| About $150 to $250 | AT2020USB-X |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the MRSDY the Stand In the Box?
It earns the label for a stand in the box. It suits anyone who wants a stand in the box.
Do the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY differ on connection?
The FDUCE M160 uses USB (USB-C adapter); the MRSDY uses USB; the AT2020USB-X uses USB-C.
Beyond the specs, what sets the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY apart?
The FDUCE M160: a headphone monitoring jack. The MRSDY: noise reduction. The AT2020USB-X: 24-bit/96kHz recording.
Should I pick the FDUCE M160 or the AT2020USB-X?
The FDUCE M160 suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build; the AT2020USB-X suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Do USB mics work on consoles?
Some do; check the product page for PS4, PS5 or Xbox support.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the FDUCE M160, chosen for a lower price than the MRSDY and the rest when we checked. Look at the MRSDY for a stand in the box and the AT2020USB-X for the top of this price range, adding 24-bit/96kHz recording if those matter more to you.
Face the mic toward your mouth and away from the keyboard.