The Best Microphones for a Gaming PC

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.

It is the only pick here with a USB and XLR connection; the QuadCast 2 has a USB connection instead. A dynamic capsule is unique to it among these picks, while the Yeti Nano uses a condenser (two capsules). It shares a button mute control with the Yeti Nano; the QuadCast 2 goes with a tap mute control.

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. Its price falls between the SoloCast 2 and the Wave Neo, based on our last check.

The cable is 9.84ft. It connects over USB with a 9.84ft cable and lists a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range. It is the only pick here with a multi-pattern; the FIFINE AM8 has a cardioid polar pattern instead.

It shares a tap mute control with the SoloCast 2 and Wave Neo; 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 FIFINE K669B and its a tripod 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 Yeti Nano.

Tap-to-mute sits on top. A built-in suspension reduces desk vibration, and the foam pop filter, tilting stand and arm thread are all included. It needs no extras to start.

Like the QuadCast 2 and Wave Neo, it has a tap mute control, while the FIFINE AM8 uses a button mute control. It shares a none stated headphone monitoring with the FIFINE K669B; the Yeti Nano goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. It was priced above the FIFINE K669B and below the FIFINE AM8 at the time of writing.

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 tap mute control with the QuadCast 2 and SoloCast 2; the Yeti Nano goes with a button mute control. You get a high-rise stand in the box here, which sets it apart from the FIFINE K669B and its a tripod in the box.

It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. Its price falls between the FIFINE AM8 and the Yeti Nano, based on our last check.

It keeps a headphone output. 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.

It is the only pick here with a condenser (two capsules); the FIFINE K669B has a condenser capsule instead. Like the FIFINE AM8, it has a button mute control, while the QuadCast 2 uses a tap mute control. No other pick in this guide offers a desk stand in the box; compare the Wave Neo, which has a high-rise stand in the box.

It also comes with a smaller body than the Yeti. It plugs straight into a USB port and needs no interface. When we checked, only the Wave Neo and cheaper picks cost less, and the QuadCast 2 cost more.

It has no mute button. A USB (USB-A plug) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the QuadCast 2 uses a USB connection. It shares a none stated headphone monitoring with the SoloCast 2; the Yeti Nano goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring.

It is the only pick here with a tripod in the box; the FIFINE AM8 has a stand 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 SoloCast 2 the next step up.