Buying Guide
The Best Dynamic Gaming Microphones
Three microphones ranked on connection and capsule; the FIFINE AM8 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A dynamic mic picks up less room noise than a condenser, which suits an untreated room. Every pick has a dynamic capsule, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these microphones on connection, capsule and polar pattern using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money.
Our take Check price for FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Swing Mount In the Box
RODE PodMic USB
A swing mount in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want a swing mount in the box.
Our take Check price for RODE PodMic USB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone
An LED touch panel at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money. | Check price for FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
| A swing mount in the box. | Buyers who want a swing mount in the box. | Check price for RODE PodMic USB (opens in a new tab) |
| An LED touch panel at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FIFINE's AM8 is a dynamic mic with both USB and XLR outputs, a headphone jack and RGB.
Best for
- Getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The XLR cable is not included. It has both USB and XLR outputs, a 50Hz to 16kHz response and a cardioid dynamic capsule that rejects room noise. The RGB ring has three modes.
A USB and XLR connection is unique to it among these picks, while the MV7+ uses a USB-C and XLR connection. No other pick in this guide offers a mute button mute control; compare the MV7+, which has a touch panel mute mute control. It is the only pick here with a stand in the box; the PodMic USB has a swing mount in the box instead.
It also offers an XLR output for later upgrades (XLR cable not included) and RGB lighting. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the PodMic USB the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB and XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Stand
Pros
- 50Hz to 16kHz response
- XLR output for later upgrades (XLR cable not included)
- RGB lighting
- USB and XLR connection, the only one here
Swing Mount In the Box2 of 3
RODE PodMic USB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RODE's PodMic USB is a dynamic broadcast mic with both USB-C and XLR outputs and APHEX processing onboard.
Best for
- Buyers who want a swing mount in the box.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no onboard mut is a problem.
Why we like it
A headphone jack handles monitoring. It has both XLR and USB-C outputs, so it can move from a laptop to an interface later. Over USB, onboard APHEX processing adds compression, and zero-latency monitoring runs through its headphone jack.
It shares a USB-C and XLR connection with the MV7+; the FIFINE AM8 goes with a USB and XLR connection. It is the only pick here with a swing mount in the box; the FIFINE AM8 has a stand in the box instead. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. It was priced above the FIFINE AM8 and below the MV7+ at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C and XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Swing mount
Pros
- APHEX processing onboard
- Both USB-C and XLR outputs
- Headphone jack
- Swing mount in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the FIFINE AM8 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Shure's MV7+ is a dynamic mic with USB-C and XLR outputs, an LED touch panel, auto level and a denoiser.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FIFINE AM8 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a later move to an interface. Like the PodMic USB, it has a USB-C and XLR connection, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a USB and XLR connection. You get a touch panel mute mute control here, which sets it apart from the FIFINE AM8 and its a mute button mute control.
You get a yoke in the box here, which sets it apart from the PodMic USB and its a swing mount in the box. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the PodMic USB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C and XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Touch panel mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Yoke
Pros
- LED touch panel
- Auto level and a digital denoiser
- Both USB-C and XLR outputs
- Touch panel mute mute control, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FIFINE AM8 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Dynamic Gaming Microphones
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three microphones on connection, capsule, polar pattern and mute control from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the FIFINE AM8 to the MV7+, state connection, capsule and polar pattern and share Dynamic capsule and Cardioid polar pattern.
- Who each pick suits
- The FIFINE AM8 for the lowest price of the group at our last check; the PodMic USB for a swing mount in the box; the MV7+ for an LED touch panel at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the FIFINE AM8 ($50 to $100) to the MV7+ ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Dynamic Gaming Microphone
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The FIFINE AM8: an XLR output for later upgrades (XLR cable not included). The PodMic USB: both USB-C and XLR outputs. The MV7+: auto level and a digital denoiser.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the FIFINE AM8; $150 to $250 buys the PodMic USB; $250 to $500 buys the MV7+ at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money: the FIFINE AM8. Buyers who want a swing mount in the box: the PodMic USB. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the MV7+.
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 Gaming Microphone
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money | FIFINE AM8 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want a swing mount in the box | PodMic USB | A swing mount in the box |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | MV7+ | An LED touch panel at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The FIFINE AM8, the PodMic USB and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFINE AM8 | USB and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | Mute button |
| PodMic USB | USB-C and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| MV7+ | USB-C and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | Touch panel mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The FIFINE AM8 was the lowest-priced pick and the MV7+ the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | FIFINE AM8 |
| About $150 to $250 | PodMic USB |
| About $250 to $500 | MV7+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the PodMic USB our Swing Mount In the Box pick?
It earns the label for a swing mount in the box. It suits anyone who wants a swing mount in the box.
Do the FIFINE AM8 and the PodMic USB differ on connection?
The FIFINE AM8 uses USB and XLR; the PodMic USB and the MV7+ use USB-C and XLR.
What extras do the FIFINE AM8 and the PodMic USB include?
The FIFINE AM8: a 50Hz to 16kHz response. The PodMic USB: APHEX processing onboard. The MV7+: an LED touch panel.
Should I pick the FIFINE AM8 or the MV7+?
The FIFINE AM8 suits getting 50Hz to 16kHz response for the least money; the MV7+ suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
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 FIFINE AM8, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the PodMic USB for a swing mount in the box and the MV7+ for an LED touch panel at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Get close to the mic for the best isolation.