The Best Microphones for Gaming

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 mute control with the Wave Neo and TONOR TC310+; the Yeti Nano goes with a 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.

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 control here, which sets it apart from the TONOR TC310+ and its a tap 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.

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 mute control with the QuadCast 2 S and TONOR TC310+; the Yeti Nano goes with a 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.

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 button mute control; compare the Wave Neo, which has a tap 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.

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 mute control, while the Wave:3 MK.2 uses a capacitive 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.

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.