orIf you want to take content creation seriously, you will need the best microphone for your needs. On this list, we take a look at the best in all price ranges.
I think we can all agree that communication and proper audio is a crucial part of modern gaming.
With the gaming scene shifting from single-player and couch co-op to online gaming, a good microphone has never been more critical.
Streaming, Youtubing, and content creation, in general, has also seen a massive spike in popularity and is now an actual career path. An industry where you cannot afford using a 5$ headset as your microphone if you want to create excellent content.
So with all that in mind, we have taken a look at the best computer microphones on the market today and thoroughly reviewed them.
So whether you want a microphone for gaming, streaming, or content creation, this list has got you covered.
Why the Neumann and Telefunken are not on this list: This list is for regular people with interest in streaming, music, gaming, and vocals. However, it’s not meant for professionals. The Neumann and Telefunken are too high end, and we feel it would be misleading to recommend them, and we also expect that people in need of such incredibly powerful microphones will not need a list such as this.
If you simply want a good microphone for skyping or gaming, you might want to consider a gaming headset instead.Â
Our Top 3 Picks
Best USB Microphones
1. Blue Yeti
Incredible sound and recording quality- Great for streaming and content creation
- Â High value for your money
- Â Fantastic noise cancellation & focus
- Â No pop filter included
There is no way around it, the Blue Yeti is without a doubt our favorite USBÂ microphone for all purposes. Whether it’s streaming, content creation, music or just gaming, this is the best one out there. While it is a little more expensive than the other microphones on this list, rest assured that it is money well spent.
Expand for Full Review Not only is it a phenomenal microphone in its own price class, it also outperforms a lot of vastly more expensive products on the market. There is nothing that the Blue Yeti does not do well, which is likely why it is so incredibly popular. People looking for a new microphone are often either gamers, streamers/content creators, or musicians, and no matter which of the above fit you the best, the Blue Yeti is likely the perfect fit for you. The only reason you should consider any other microphones is due to the price tag. While it is by no means expensive, there are a lot of great, more affordable options out there, such as Blue’s second most popular mic, the Snowball, which is a fantastic option for those looking for something a little more affordable. It is quite astounding how much value you get for your money with the Yeti. It offers actual studio-quality audio recording, and unless you are Pewdiepie or a successful musician, this microphone has all the power you could ever wish for. This bad boy turns your run of the mil recording into a professional audio clip, and you will instantly notice the increased quality if you are used to ordinary mics or the mic on your headset. Even if you are used to a decent quality mic, such as the BM-700, the difference is staggering. As someone who has had the pleasure of trying some of the most high-end microphones in the world, like the Neumann and even Sennheiser, I can honestly say that the Blue Yeti holds its own. Even though the Neumann costs six times more. While the Neumann is admittedly a little better overall, it is by no means six times better as the price would imply. I would only recommend the Neumann over the Yeti if you have a Youtube channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers or something of the sort. If not, it is just not worth the huge cost, and to most people, the Yeti will sound almost as good. So even though it is not cheap. It has some of the highest value for money on the market. What separates the Yeti from lesser mics are the tri-capsule technology, which delivers actual studio-quality recording. Furthermore, it also gives you a lot of options and adjustability to fit your needs. What the tri-capsule tech does: It allows you to choose between four distinct recording patterns to choose from. It is safe to say that whatever needs you have, the Yeti has got you covered. Zero-delay monitoring This feature is incredible and rarely seen on microphones for less than 300 dollars. It allows you to plug in a headset and listen to your recording, as you are recording, with absolutely no delay, which is fantastic for all kinds of content or musical recording. Specifications: The materials used to craft it are top-grade and put most other gaming accessories to shame. Which can be felt the instant you hold it in your hands, due to its considerable weight and smooth feel. It is worth mentioning that the weight might be an issue for some people. Especially if you already have a mount at home of questionable quality, as lesser mounts will have problems holding the Yeti straight. Luckily, Blue has already made a shock mount specifically for the Yeti, which works great. Even though the Yeti is already immensely powerful, it also has two upgraded versions, the Studio, and Pro Yeti. Like it is with many other pieces of computer equipment, these upgraded versions are not always worth the extra money. While both the Pro and Studio versions have some excellent additional features and specifications, very few people will need them. The Studio version was a little disappointing and only offered one real change. It has received some PreSonus Studio One Artist iZotope Nectar Elements, which can add some nice additional clearance to the audio. Still, for regular streaming, skyping, gaming, and proper recording, it will not make a difference. We can only recommend the studio version if you are a musician and you are serious about your craft. The pro version has a little more to offer for regular use and amps up the sample rate from 16bit/48kHz to 24bit/192kHz. This is a noticeable difference in overall quality, but not something most people need, and some may not even notice it. However, it is definitely worth the extra money if you are a content creator/Youtuber and want to make top-notch quality content. If you are serious about improving the quality of your audio recording, this is the pick for you. It is incredibly versatile and fits any recording needs. The only reason to consider any other mic is if you are on a budget or if you want to spend a LOT more on some of the most expensive and powerful microphones in the world. It is the best USB microphone we have ever had the pleasure of testing and is easily our ‘editors choice’ for this list.
As Powerful as The Name ImpliesLet’s Get Technical!
Strong and Sturdy like a Yeti
It is not only the performance that is powerful, but the build quality is equally impressive. It is clear that the engineers behind the beautiful piece of gear put a lot of love into it.Pro and Studio Versions
Conclusion
2. Samson G Track PRO
- Sturdy build & Value for money
- Outstanding sound quality
- Â Built-in audio interface with a mixer
- Â Minimal noise while recording & has multiple polar patterns for recording
- Â No shock mount of pop filter included.
A close second to the Yeti, the Samson G Track PRO is one of the best and most qualitative microphones for PC use on the market. It is ideal for everything from streaming to podcasting or even music recording.
Expand for More There is very little to separate the Yeti from the G Track Pro, and any real difference is more down to personal preference rather than performance. The G Track Pro has all the essentials for professional audio recording but also works great as a simple plug-and-use microphone. So whether you want to enhance your communication quality in-game or want to create highly professional videos for Youtube, the G Track Pro has got you covered. The option to easily adjust every setting on the microphone is one of it’s biggest strengths and is a lot easier than on most of its competitors. You can customize everything from the track numbers to the recording type with simple switches on the front, and the option to quickly change between omnidirectional recording to cardioid is a godsend. I would recommend the Samson G Track Pro to anyone looking to create professional content online, whether it be streaming or making a podcast. It is an excellent alternative to the Yeti by Blue, and it is one of the best USB microphones for computer use on the market right now.
Related: Want to start streaming? Then you will need a great webcam as well, here are our top picks.
Best mid-tier Microphones
1. Audio-Technica ATR2500
- Superb sound quality for your buck
- Streamlined design
- Â plug-and-play
- Â Very qualitative feel & build
- No boom arm or shock filter included
Audio-Technica is known for their audiophile worthy headsets and sound quality so it should come as no surprise that they have managed to create one of the best USB microphones on the market.
The ATR2500 has a beautiful level of quality for its price range and comes with all the necessary features to create studio-level recordings at home. It is incredibly simple to set up, and even a beginner can access this mic’s full potential and take their streams or videos to the next level in terms of quality.
 Expand for Full Review Audio-Technica has created something extraordinary with the ATR2500. It has a very reasonable price tag but still feels and looks like a professional studio-grade microphone, and to a certain extent, it works like one as well. It is a simple, mid-tier model that is made for beginners or people that just don’t want to deal with all the customizability that products like the Samson G Track Pro have. So despite having some of the best sound quality in its price range, it still lacks compared to high-end models like the Yeti. However, using this over most headset microphones or low-end options will see your content spike in quality considerably. It comes with a high-quality AD converter with a 16 bit, 44/48 kHz sampling rate, which is impressive for this price range. It has a handy built-in headphone jack that allows you to monitor your microphone quality output and audio delay. Although to be expected in a recording device of this quality, it is nice to see that the feature is working to perfection. The ATR2500 doesn’t have a lot of adjustments on hand, but it has convenient volume control so you can adjust your output on the fly. It is an easy-to-use streamlined microphone that works the second you plug it in without any need for adjustments. It comes with a 3-foot mount that you screw the device onto. Again, it’s simple, but it works. The mount feels very stable, and just like the microphone itself, it has a distinct qualitative feel to it. The ATR2500 is the simple option for people that want high-quality audio for their content, and it is among the very best in its price range.Beginner Friendly Studio Mic
2. Blue Yeti Nano
- Best in class audio quality
- Great pick for new streamers & content creators
- Â plug-and-play
- Cardioid and Omni pickup patterns
- Not a lot of adjustments on hand
The Blue Yeti finally has a more affordable version, and it is the perfect pick for new streamers and content creators. It is a slightly watered down and more simple version of the beloved Yeti, and it is exactly the kind of quality you would expect from Blue. Although it is cheaper, it is in no way a budget mic. This is a premium USB microphone, make no mistake about it. It offers best-in-class sound quality and is incredibly simple to use, even for beginners that don’t know anything about sample rates or pickup patterns.
 Expand for Full Review The Yeti Nano comes packing with both cardioid and Omni pickup patterns, giving you the two most important patterns that will give you the tools to create high-quality streams, videos, and even music. The sound quality is not on par with the original Yeti, but it still has a sample rate of up to 24-bit/48Khz, which is impressive for a recording device in this price range. The microphone might not come with a ton of knobs and cranks to customize the performance, but that is okay. The Yeti Nano is made for beginners, and it is clear that Blue focused on ease of use when creating this mic. All of the controls are streamlined, and setting a premium PC microphone up has never been this simple. The design is simple, sleek, and feels very durable. It comes in 4 different colors, Blue, grey, red, and gold, and all of them look pretty outstanding. The microphone doesn’t come with a boom arm or shock filter, but it can support both, and as always, we do recommend getting at least a shock filter to increase the quality. The Yeti Nano is the perfect choice for gamers, streamers, or content creators that don’t want to spend hours configuring bits and Kilohertz. It is the ideal plug-and-play microphone for beginners or intermediates that still want premium quality.Designed for ease of use
The Simple Choice
Best Budget PC Microphones
1. Blue Snowball
- Oustanding value for money
- Â Great for entry-level streaming
- Â plug-and-use
- Â Good recording quality
- Â Lackluster for established streamers and content creators
A superb microphone with some serious value for money. While not quite as powerful as the Yeti, it is much more affordable and will likely be more than sufficient for most people and still a huge step up from regular headphone microphones.
 Expand for Full Review The little brother to the Yeti is very affordable, but this does not mean it is not powerful, and certainly, the best mic of its price class. It does not have as many high-tech features either, but that’s okay. Since this is aimed at beginners and novices, who won’t need all that. However, it does still offer rich studio-quality recording with its duo condenser mic capsules. Which is what is often seen in studio and radio microphones, and quite astounding to see in a budget mic. Regardless if you are a streamer, musician, or want to start your own podcast. The Snowball is ideal for people who are just beginning, for two reasons. First, it won’t break your budget and still offer high and durable quality. Second, the differences between high-end recording devices and the Snowball are not something a beginner will notice or need. Trust me when I say that you don’t have to worry about the sound quality with this one, despite the price. You can confidently purchase this for your recording needs, without worrying about upgrading for a long time. Worth noting is also how easy it is to use compared to more expensive picks. It is a simple plug N play USB microphone that will work to its full potential the second you plug it in. The Snowball is the best of both worlds. It offers a high amount of quality, both in build and performance, while also being very affordable. When thinking of Blue as a brand, quality is one of the first things that come to mind. Pretty much with all their products, you can be sure you are getting your money worth and more. Despite the price tag, you will not worry about the Snowball in terms of durability. It is sturdy, durable and you won’t get rid of it unless you try. The adjacent shock stand, which is custom made for the Snowball works flawlessly and fits the plug-n-play style nicely. It offers three different pickup settings, cardioid, Omni, and cardioid -10db pad. Cardioid: The classic frontal recording mode, which is excellent for everyday use. Such as for streaming, solo vocals, and podcasts and offer outstanding noise cancellation. Omni: This switches the recording to a 360 degree ”in-the-room” kind of deal. Great for group conversations, band recording, etc. Cardioid -10db: Same primary function as the standard mode, but eliminates high noises. So if you do a little too much raging during your streams or merely want to reduce some of the clicking noise from your mechanical keyboard, this is ideal. Features: The Snowball fill the same needs as the Yeti pretty much, but to a lesser extent. We highly recommend this for people just starting or novices in their field, or those who seek quality recording on a budget. Likely the best ”value for money” microphone on the market and it offers a lot of versatility. So no matter your field, this mic will probably fit your needs.
Perfect Mic for Beginners
Sweet Spot Between Budget & Quality
Specifications
Let us break the Snowball down for you.
Final Verdict
2. Tonor BM-700
Best budget microphone runner-up
- Good performance for its price class
- Â Fantastic entry-level microphone
- Â plug-and-use
- Â Impractical build for some setups
Now we move on to this budget studio mic from Tonor, which has the honor of being our favorite mic of its price class and one of the best budget options on the market. It offers awe-inspiring performance for its price and only has a few real hiccups.
 Expand for Full Review Looking for a budget microphone for your computer is risky. We were shocked at how many truly horrible budget mics that are out there, and the Tonor BM-700 ended up being a delightful surprise. We would not recommend this for those who are serious about their craft, but it is perfect for those to seek to dip their toes in untested waters. If you dream of a career as Youtuber, Streamer, or even musician, but you haven’t tested it out yet, this is for you. For next to no money, you can get a decent recording device that will let you test out your dreams and see if they are really for you. Everyone has dreams, and some have more unrealistic or hard to achieve goals than others. A career in content creation such as Youtubing and streaming are by no means a safe and sure-fire path to take, but it is always worth testing out. At least when you can do it for this amount of money. With this mic, you can try streaming or create your first video with very decent quality and without committing a lot of your budget too soon. For smaller channels on Youtube, this is good enough, and it offers much better quality than most high-end headsets on the market. The BM-7800 is by no means as powerful as the Yeti or ATR2500, but when on a budget, one must make small sacrifices. This is the best you will get for this kind of money and is still good enough to secure decent quality recordings that your viewers/listeners will not complain about. Unlike the Yeti and Snowball, this focuses only on a cardioid recording. While it is always lovely with more features, it is what is to be expected for a budget PC microphone. Luckily, the cardioid is the recording setup that most people would end up using anyway, so unless you have extraordinary needs, you will be fine. Cardioid records in a frontal position, and it is what any streamer and Youtuber generally use, and it is also by far the best mode for gaming. Specifications: This mic has surprisingly few issues compared to other budget mic’s but still has a few noteworthy problems. Power consumption It uses 48v power, and while this is just fine for a desktop or even a plugged laptop, it is not suited for mobile, tablet, and other smaller devices. So if you want to use it for Garage band on your tablet, this is a huge problem, and you shouldn’t buy it. However, if you mainly look to use it on your desktop, you will be just fine. No Phantom power supply For lesser devices(as mentioned above), this will need a phantom power supply to work correctly, and this has to be bought separately, which is always sad to see. Impractical for some mounts If you go for the shock mount explicitly made for the Tonor BM-700, you will be just fine. However, it does have issues with some other standard mic mounts, even though the product description claims it doesn’t. Just fine if you are starting out and want to test yourself as a content creator, but lacking for those who are very serious about their craft. So if you already have a semi-large Youtube channel or a lot of followers on Soundcloud and are looking for a new microphone, this is not for you. But if you look to test out some recording for the first time, this is perfect, and one of our favorite budget picks on the market.
Get a Feel for your Dreams Without Breaking Your Budget
Power for Money & Features
Issues with the Tonor BM-700
Summary
How we tested them
We made sure to check each microphone for all kinds of different uses, to make sure they had a versatile performance.
Vocals
Sadly, we do not have a remotely talented singer on our testing team, so we had to improvise. What we did was find our best stereo and tested out how clean the mic’s recording music from it.
Gaming Session
First, we did a lot of gaming with these mic’s; this was mostly to test out how well they dealt with background noise and how sensitive they were. So we made sure to all have music on the stereo behind the mic and mechanical keyboards.
Having proper noise cancellation is a top-selling point for any recording device, and the microphones that ended up on the list all did well in this test.
We used mechanical keyboards to test out how sensitive the mic was at picking up small noises. Sensitivity can be both a good and a bad thing, but for gaming, you want something in between. Generally, the better mic’s had better sensitivity, which does mean that you will pick up on more keyboard and mouse clicks with a better mic, which can be annoying, but some people like that.
Omnidirectional
For those microphones with 360 degrees recording mode, we decided to test it out at the office. We sat all the mics to record side by side for an entire day at the office, which gave us an excellent insight into the quality of the recording.
Other Microphones we tested
When doing a ”best of” review test, there will be a lot of products that don’t make the cut. These are the most noteworthy:
Neewer NW-700
Probably our second favorite budget microphone, but sadly ran a little short compared to the BM-700. Despite the extra cost. Although we loved how you get the full package with this one, including filters, mounts, etc. However, all that extra stuff is in the price, and they skimmed down on the mic itself.
TONOR 3.5mm
This is a good middle-tier recorder, but when you compare it to the Snowball, it falls short in a lot of ways. The Snowball is just better in almost all aspects, and they have virtually identical price tags. So unless you hate the look of the Snowball or if the Tonor is on sale, we would always recommend the Snowball over it.
Turtle Beach – Universal digital USB Stream Mic
A little disappointed by this one. It is more expensive than the Snowball and was outperformed by even the Tonor. However, it is worth mentioning that it is made mainly for console streaming, and we tested it out on a PC. So it might be worth getting if you mostly game on your Playstation or Xbox One.
Samson Meteor Mic
This one was our runner-up for the best middle-tier mic and did incredibly well in tests. It was slightly worse or on par with the Snowball in most regards but did a little better with tablet and phone use, but it was not enough to justify the considerably larger price tag.
Razer Seiren Elite
This microphone is pretty outstanding and one of the more qualitative products from Razer. It was close to winning some of the tests, but Blue offers too much value for money with the Yeti to be competed with. We can recommend it if you are a huge fan of Razer products, but if not, we would stick with the Yeti.
CAD U37
This one landed in an awkward spot. It was slightly better than our budget pick in most tests but also close to our middle-tier pick in terms of pricing. So even though we loved this one, it was unable to knock the BM-700 and Snowball of the list. However, it is a fantastic middle-tier pick if you want something other than the Blue Snowball.
What to consider before purchasing a USB Microphone
What you need to know about PC Microphones
In the past, before gaming became widely accepted, the only people who required microphones were music lovers who needed something to boost and amplify the quality of music playback. In today’s world, where great strides are made digitally, and technology is advancing at a fast pace, computers have become extremely important. The widespread acceptance of the PC’s as more than a work machine has resulted in a chain reaction. And the USB microphone is used for much more than just music creation now. Such as for streaming, video and content production, and even just clear communication. Some gamers would also consider their microphone to be one of the most important pieces of gaming equipment they own. When only ten years back, you were lucky to have your very own PC with standard-issue mouse and keyboard.
Pc microphones allow users to transfer audio data to their computers, but the uses are not so limited. Whether you are into online gaming, podcasting, sound recording, or you need a way to communicate with your team in-game properly. Some people actively dislike having a headset on, which is where a stand-alone microphone can come in handy.
What makes a good PC Microphone?
A few things should be considered before shopping for a new Pc microphone, and the quality of the purchase can somewhat be rated by the features the device possesses.
Here are a few qualities that every good Pc microphone should have.
• Good audio quality
• Variety of setup options
• Reasonable price
• Good and easy to use mounting options
• Compatibility
Although all computers come with inbuilt receivers, the quality of such microphones is never good. To ensure that you are buying a quality USB microphone, you need to be well informed about the most critical aspects of a computer microphone. We will, therefore, examine the different types of Pc microphones and their various uses.
Types of PC Microphones
Pc microphones come in different styles and are often categorized based on the requirements of the user.
1. Integrated/Inbuilt Microphones – For Those who rarely need a mic
Several computer brands such as Mac produce laptops and desktops which come with inbuilt microphones. Computers that come with integrated or inbuilt microphones do not require any additional components before they can be set up. One or two small holes are usually placed close to the top or lower part of the monitor with a microphone sign to signify the existence of a mic.
Inbuilt microphones are usually not very qualitative and tend to have several problems. Such as picking up on the in-game sound, which can be incredibly annoying for the people in your Skype of Discord call. However, they do still get the job done for light users who do not require additional hardware. To find out if your computer comes with an integrated microphone, consider checking the system guide.
WebCam Microphones
Another type of Pc microphone which is only suitable for lighter computer users is the WebCam microphone. Creators and producers of webcams have begun designing models that contain additional features such as a microphone aptitude. One good thing about this type of mic is that it can be purchased as a single product, so you do not have to buy a webcam and microphone individually.
Such devices are often attached to the top or side of the monitor with a clip. This is to enable the WebCam to capture both audio and video. Webcam microphones are particularly useful when making Internet or video calls. That being said, built-in microphones are rarely any good, especially webcam microphones. While some webcam’s do offer decent receiver quality, it is very rarely the case.
2. Stand-alone Microphones – For musicians, video creators, and gamers
Musicians and video creators do a lot of voice recording and, as such, require microphones of a certain quality. Dedicated stand-alone mics are available in many shapes and forms, and they can be mounted on foundations or placed on the desk. Compared to other microphone styles, independent microphones are more lightweight and, therefore, sometimes a bit shaky.
Fortunately, dedicated microphones are available with stands that have modifiable heights so the mic can be manipulated to suit a user’s requirements. Most importantly, stand-alone receivers such as the Blue Yeti are the very best kind and is the type of microphone that any serious content creator should look for.
3. Headset mic – For Gamers and regular PC users
Headset microphones usually come with two 3.5 mm plugs that are similar to those of regular headphones.
With this type of microphone, users can listen to audio output from the computer and also generate audio input by speaking into the mic while making Internet calls or gaming. Because headset microphones enable the user to listen to the audio output and make audio inputs into the computer simultaneously, they are commonly used by gamers.
Pc headsets with microphones are the most common type of mic for gamers for a couple of simple reasons. Firstly, you most likely need a headset either way, and most of them come with a built-in receiver. Secondly, it is just so much easier, it has everything you need in one, and you won’t need extra spacing for a stand-alone mic. However, if you want to create quality content, separate microphones or high-end headsets are pretty much the only way to do it.
Microphone Connectors
The audio interface of Pc microphones cannot be utilized if they are not connected to the computer. There are two primary types of microphone connectors; analog or USB. However, USB microphones are more popular than their analog counterparts and usually offer better quality audio recording.
Analog: Analog microphones are plugged directly into the computer’s audio input jack. The analog ports offer users more flexibility as they have the option of adding other audio processing hardware to the microphone. Without such additional gear, the amplifier is controlled by the sound chipsets on the computer system’s motherboard.
USB: USB microphones are plugged in with the aid of USB cords. Unlike analog microphone connectors, not all USB models allow additional gear such as audio processors and pre-amps. However, quality USB microphones generate excellent sound output and comprise of all the essential features that users require, and other hardware are not intended or expected.
The different types of microphones are available in either USB or Analog variants, and the microphone connectors are available in various shapes and sizes. Both connectors can be useful, and no one can necessarily be placed higher than the other concerning quality. That will always depend on the specific product. The variant you choose to purchase should depend on the types of ports available on your computer and how often you’ll need it.
Conclusion
To understand what makes a good Pc microphone, you have to consider the various types of receivers, their modes of connections, and the kind of user they are suited for. Irrespective of the group you fall under, it is necessary to ensure that you only go for good quality microphones.
An extensive range of Pc microphones is available in the market with different designs, prices, and features. It is, therefore, essential to consider your needs and requirements before making a final purchase.
Sources
Bluemic – Blue Snowball Product Page – Technical feature and product description.
Bluemic – Blue Yeti Product Page – Technical and product description page.
Gearslutz – What makes a good microphone – an Informative forum about condenser microphones.
Mediacollege – How to choose the right microphone – an in-depth article about microphones and how to pick one.
Soundonsound – What makes different mic models sound different – an article that explains the differences between different types of microphones.
Reddit – Good microphones for streaming and gaming – Reddit post with a discussion about the best mics for streaming.
