Buying Guide
The Best USB Microphones for Streaming
We weighed five microphones on connection and capsule, and the FDUCE M160 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A USB mic is the simplest upgrade over a headset for streams. Every pick connects over USB, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects connection, capsule and polar pattern from maker specifications; we did not test these microphones ourselves, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 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)
Also Consider
MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone
Noise reduction.
Best for: Buyers who want noise reduction.
Our take Check price for MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Dynamic Capsule
FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone
A dynamic capsule.
Best for: Buyers who want a dynamic capsule.
Our take Check price for FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Tap-to-mute Control
Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone
A tap-to-mute mute control.
Best for: Buyers who want a tap-to-mute mute control.
Our take Check price for Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech G Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The top of this price range, adding four polar patterns.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Logitech G Blue Yeti USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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. You get a USB (USB-C adapter) connection here, which sets it apart from the Blue Yeti and its a USB connection. Like the MRSDY and Wave Neo, it has a condenser capsule, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a dynamic capsule.
No other pick in this guide offers a tripod in the box; compare the Wave Neo, which has a high-rise stand in the box. It also offers 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
Also Consider2 of 5
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 noise reduction.
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. 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.
It shares a USB connection with the Wave Neo and Blue Yeti; the FIFINE AM8 goes with a USB and XLR connection. Like the FDUCE M160 and Wave Neo, it has a condenser capsule, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a dynamic capsule. You get a 3.5mm jack headphone monitoring here, which sets it apart from the Blue Yeti and its a headphone jack headphone monitoring.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the FDUCE M160 and below the FIFINE AM8 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
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Dynamic Capsule3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want a dynamic capsule.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FDUCE M160 cost less when we checked.
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 MRSDY uses a USB connection. No other pick in this guide offers a dynamic capsule; compare the Wave Neo, which has a condenser capsule. Like the MRSDY, it has a stand in the box, while the Wave Neo uses a high-rise stand in the box.
It also comes with 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 was priced above the MRSDY and below the Wave Neo at the time of writing.
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
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Tap-to-mute Control4 of 5
Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Wave Neo stands on a high-rise stand that lifts it toward your mouth, with tap-to-mute and a headphone jack.
Best for
- Buyers who want a tap-to-mute mute control.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the FDUCE M160 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is Elgato's entry USB mic. It is plug-and-play with PS5, iPad and iPhone as well as PCs, and a tap-to-mute sensor with an LED shows mic status. A headphone jack gives zero-delay monitoring.
It reduces the distortion common in headset mics. It shares a USB connection with the MRSDY and Blue Yeti; the FIFINE AM8 goes with a USB and XLR connection. Like the FDUCE M160 and MRSDY, it has a condenser capsule, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a dynamic capsule.
No other pick in this guide offers a tap-to-mute mute control; compare the FIFINE AM8, which has a mute button mute control. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the FIFINE AM8 and below the Blue Yeti at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Tap-to-mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: High-rise stand
Pros
- High-rise stand that lifts it toward your mouth
- Tap-to-mute
- Headphone jack
- High-rise stand in the box, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Logitech G Blue Yeti USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Blue's Yeti uses three capsules to offer four polar patterns, with onboard gain and mute.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FDUCE M160 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Blue VO!CE processing runs in G HUB. Its three-capsule array supports cardioid, omni, bidirectional and stereo patterns, and zero-latency monitoring runs through its headphone jack. Like the MRSDY and Wave Neo, it has a USB connection, while the FDUCE M160 uses a USB (USB-C adapter) connection.
You get a condenser (three capsules) here, which sets it apart from the Wave Neo and its a condenser capsule. A desk stand in the box is unique to it among these picks, while the MRSDY uses a stand in the box. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Wave Neo and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser (three capsules)
- Polar pattern: Cardioid, omni, bidirectional, stereo
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Desk stand
Pros
- Four polar patterns
- Onboard gain and mute controls
- Blue VO!CE processing in G HUB
- Condenser (three capsules), the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the FDUCE M160 at the time of writing
How We Chose These USB Microphones for Streaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five microphones on connection, capsule, polar pattern and mute control as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the FDUCE M160 to the Blue Yeti, state connection, capsule and 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 noise reduction; the FIFINE AM8 for a dynamic capsule.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the FDUCE M160 (under $50) to the Blue Yeti ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a USB Microphone for Streaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capsule
The FDUCE M160, the MRSDY and the Wave Neo list Condenser; the FIFINE AM8 lists dynamic; the Blue Yeti lists Condenser (three capsules). Settle this first, then compare prices.
Mute control
The FDUCE M160, the MRSDY, the FIFINE AM8 and the Blue Yeti list mute button; the Wave Neo lists tap-to-mute. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Fit and compatibility
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included.
Extras that separate them
The FIFINE AM8: an XLR output for later upgrades (XLR cable not included). The Wave Neo: tap-to-mute. The Blue Yeti: onboard gain and mute controls.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY; $50 to $100 buys the FIFINE AM8 and the Wave Neo; $100 to $150 buys the Blue Yeti at our last check.
Polar pattern
Cardioid rejects sound from behind and suits one voice. Multi-pattern mics add omni or figure-8 for groups or interviews.
How to Choose a USB Microphone for Streaming
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 noise reduction | MRSDY | Noise reduction |
| Buyers who want a dynamic capsule | FIFINE AM8 | A dynamic capsule |
| Buyers who want a tap-to-mute mute control | Wave Neo | A tap-to-mute mute control |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Blue Yeti | The top of this price range, adding four polar patterns |
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 |
| FIFINE AM8 | USB and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | Mute button |
| Wave Neo | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Tap-to-mute |
| Blue Yeti | USB | Condenser (three capsules) | Cardioid, omni, bidirectional, stereo | Mute button |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The FDUCE M160 was the lowest-priced pick and the Blue Yeti the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | FDUCE M160, MRSDY |
| About $50 to $100 | FIFINE AM8, Wave Neo |
| About $100 to $150 | Blue Yeti |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Wave Neo our Tap-to-mute Control pick?
It earns the label for a tap-to-mute mute control. It suits anyone who wants a tap-to-mute mute control.
Do the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY differ on connection?
The FDUCE M160 uses USB (USB-C adapter); the MRSDY, the Wave Neo and the Blue Yeti use USB; the FIFINE AM8 uses USB and XLR.
Will the MRSDY work with my setup?
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
What extras do the FDUCE M160 and the MRSDY include?
The FDUCE M160: a headphone monitoring jack. The MRSDY: noise reduction. The FIFINE AM8: a 50Hz to 16kHz response.
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 noise reduction, the FIFINE AM8 for a dynamic capsule and the Wave Neo for a tap-to-mute mute control if those matter more to you.
Use a boom arm to keep the mic close.