Buying Guide
The Best Microphones for Gaming
Six USB microphones for game chat and streaming, compared on mute controls, monitoring and how they mount at the desk.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
A desk microphone is the usual upgrade from a headset mic for game chat and streaming. For gaming, the practical questions are how quickly you can mute, whether you can hear yourself through a headphone jack, and whether the mic can sit close to your mouth without picking up every keystroke.
Every pick here is a USB microphone, so none needs an audio interface. We researched them from their Amazon listings and makers' specifications and did not test them ourselves.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Streaming
HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone
Four polar patterns, tap-to-mute and more than 100 addressable RGB LEDs.
Best for: Streamers who want the mic to be part of the setup.
Our take Check price for HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best for Loud Moments
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 USB Microphone
Clipguard 2.0 anti-distortion with automatic gain.
Best for: Players who shout during clutch rounds.
Our take Check price for Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best Closer Placement
Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone
A high-rise stand that lifts the mic toward your mouth.
Best for: Desks without room for a boom arm.
Our take Check price for Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best for Group Play
Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone
Two capsules with cardioid and omni patterns.
Best for: Couch co-op and shared rooms.
Our take Check price for Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Best Boom Arm Kit
TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit
A boom arm in the box with tap-to-mute.
Best for: Keeping the mic off a crowded desk.
Our take Check price for TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit (opens in a new tab)
Clearest Mute State
FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone
An RGB ring that turns off when muted, plus a shock mount and pop filter.
Best for: A first mic on a small budget.
Our take Check price for FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Streaming1 of 6
HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX's QuadCast 2 S is a USB condenser with four polar patterns, tap-to-mute and a headphone jack, wrapped in more than 100 addressable RGB LEDs.
Best for
- Streamers who want the mic to be part of the setup.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TONOR TC310+ was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It adds a multifunction knob, and the stand includes a shock mount. Over 100 addressable RGB LEDs can match stream colours, and a tap-to-mute sensor sits on top. It connects over USB.
It is the only pick here with a multi-pattern (4); the Wave:3 MK.2 has a cardioid polar pattern instead. It shares a tap-to-mute mute control with the Wave Neo and TONOR TC310+; the Yeti Nano goes with a mute button mute control. You get a stand with shock mount in the box here, which sets it apart from the TONOR TC310+ and its a boom arm kit in the box.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Wave:3 MK.2.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Multi-pattern (4)
- Mute control: Tap-to-mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Stand with shock mount
Pros
- More than 100 addressable RGB LEDs
- Four polar patterns
- Multifunction knob
- Multi-pattern (4), the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the TONOR TC310+ at the time of writing
Best for Loud Moments2 of 6
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Wave:3 MK.2 is built around keeping loud moments usable: Clipguard 2.0 guards against distortion, automatic gain evens out levels, and onboard DSP handles processing.
Best for
- Players who shout during clutch rounds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TONOR TC310+ cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C, with capacitive mute on top and a headphone jack. It is the only pick here with a USB-C connection; the FIFINE A6V has a USB connection instead. You get a capacitive mute mute control here, which sets it apart from the TONOR TC310+ and its a tap-to-mute mute control.
It shares a desk stand in the box with the Yeti Nano; the Wave Neo goes with a high-rise stand in the box. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. Its price falls between the Yeti Nano and the QuadCast 2 S, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C
- Capsule: Condenser
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Capacitive mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Desk stand
Pros
- Clipguard 2.0 anti-distortion
- Automatic gain
- Onboard DSP
- USB-C connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the TONOR TC310+ at the time of writing
Best Closer Placement3 of 6
Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Wave Neo sits on a high-rise stand that lifts the capsule toward your mouth instead of leaving it low behind the keyboard.
Best for
- Desks without room for a boom arm.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TONOR TC310+ cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It adds tap-to-mute and a headphone jack, and it was the lowest-priced Elgato here at the time of writing. 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 tap-to-mute mute control with the QuadCast 2 S and TONOR TC310+; the Yeti Nano goes with a mute button mute control. A high-rise stand in the box is unique to it among these picks, while the Wave:3 MK.2 uses a desk stand in the box.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper FIFINE A6V and the pricier Yeti Nano, 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 TONOR TC310+ at the time of writing
Best for Group Play4 of 6
Logitech G Yeti Nano USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Blue's Yeti Nano puts two capsules in a smaller body than the Yeti, with cardioid for solo play and omni for a room.
Best for
- Couch co-op and shared rooms.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TONOR TC310+ was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It keeps a mute button and a headphone jack on the desk stand. Cardioid and omni patterns cover solo and group recording, and onboard controls handle headphone volume, mute and pattern. Blue VO!CE software adds broadcast effects.
No other pick in this guide offers a condenser (two capsules); compare the Wave Neo, which has a condenser capsule. No other pick in this guide offers a mute button mute control; compare the Wave Neo, which has a tap-to-mute mute control. Like the Wave:3 MK.2, it has a desk stand in the box, while the QuadCast 2 S uses a stand with shock mount in the box.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the Wave Neo and below the Wave:3 MK.2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB
- Capsule: Condenser (two capsules)
- Polar pattern: Cardioid, omni
- Mute control: Mute button
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Desk stand
Pros
- Two capsules
- Cardioid and omni patterns
- Smaller body than the Yeti
- Condenser (two capsules), the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the TONOR TC310+ at the time of writing
Best Boom Arm Kit5 of 6
TONOR TC310+ USB Microphone Kit on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TONOR's TC310+ comes as a kit with a boom arm, so the mic can sit near your mouth without taking desk space.
Best for
- Keeping the mic off a crowded desk.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no headphone jack listed.
Why we like it
Tap-to-mute and four RGB modes round it out on a USB connection. Tap the top to mute, long-press to dim the RGB, and it comes with a boom arm. Like the QuadCast 2 S and Wave Neo, it has a tap-to-mute mute control, while the Wave:3 MK.2 uses a capacitive mute mute control.
It shares a none stated headphone monitoring with the FIFINE A6V; the Yeti Nano goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It is the only pick here with a boom arm kit in the box; the QuadCast 2 S has a stand with shock mount in the box instead. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the FIFINE A6V the next step up.
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
Cons
- No headphone jack listed
Clearest Mute State6 of 6
FIFINE A6V USB Gaming Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FIFINE's A6V bundles a tripod, shock mount and pop filter with a USB condenser that samples at up to 192kHz.
Best for
- A first mic on a small budget.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no headphone jack liste is a problem.
Why we like it
Its RGB ring switches off when muted, which makes a live or muted mic easy to see mid-game. 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. It shares a none stated headphone monitoring with the TONOR TC310+; the Wave:3 MK.2 goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It also offers a gain knob.
It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. When we checked, only the TONOR TC310+ cost less, and the Wave Neo cost more.
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
- An RGB ring that turns off when muted, plus a shock mount and pop filter
Cons
- No headphone jack listed
- Costs more than the TONOR TC310+ at the time of writing
How We Chose These Microphones for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection
- We recorded USB, XLR or hybrid connections.
- Capsule and pattern
- We noted dynamic or condenser capsules and polar patterns.
- Mounting
- We noted stands, arms, shock mounts and pop filters in the box.
- Controls
- We checked mute, gain and headphone monitoring.
What to Look for in a Microphone for Gaming
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.
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.
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.
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 Microphone for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Streamers who want the mic to be part of the setup | QuadCast 2 S | Four polar patterns, tap-to-mute and more than 100 addressable RGB LEDs |
| Players who shout during clutch rounds | Wave:3 MK.2 | Clipguard 2.0 anti-distortion with automatic gain |
| Desks without room for a boom arm | Wave Neo | A high-rise stand that lifts the mic toward your mouth |
| Couch co-op and shared rooms | Yeti Nano | Two capsules with cardioid and omni patterns |
| Keeping the mic off a crowded desk | TONOR TC310+ | A boom arm in the box with tap-to-mute |
| A first mic on a small budget | FIFINE A6V | An RGB ring that turns off when muted, plus a shock mount and pop filter |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuadCast 2 S | USB | Condenser | Multi-pattern (4) | Tap-to-mute |
| Wave:3 MK.2 | USB-C | Condenser | Cardioid | Capacitive mute |
| Wave Neo | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Tap-to-mute |
| Yeti Nano | USB | Condenser (two capsules) | Cardioid, omni | Mute button |
| TONOR TC310+ | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Tap-to-mute |
| FIFINE A6V | USB | Condenser | Cardioid | Mute button (RGB off when muted) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | TONOR TC310+, FIFINE A6V |
| About $50 to $100 | Wave Neo, Yeti Nano |
| About $100 to $150 | Wave:3 MK.2, QuadCast 2 S |
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.
What interface do I need for XLR?
Any USB audio interface with an XLR input and enough gain. Condensers also need 48V phantom power.
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.
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 HyperX QuadCast 2 S is the pick for streamers who want four polar patterns and lighting, while the Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 suits players who get loud, with Clipguard 2.0 and automatic gain. The Elgato Wave Neo is the simpler Elgato, with a high-rise stand that brings it closer to your mouth.
The Blue Yeti Nano adds an omni pattern for a room of players. On a tighter budget, the TONOR TC310+ includes a boom arm, and the FIFINE A6V comes with a shock mount and pop filter and makes its mute state easy to see.