5 Best Microphones for Gaming and YouTube Reviews | 2022 Mic Guide

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USB microphones getting so trendy these days and hence are evolving over the years. Technology is something that can’t stop evolve. So, yes definitely there are hundreds of choices available in the market and that can lead to confusion.

XLR mics are still in the race and still can offer an amazing performance. XLR mics are even more budget-friendly as compared to the USB microphones but their setup is quite difficult than that of the USB microphones.

With XLR, the thing is they have gone outdated and evolution has brought up the USB microphones. When it comes to choosing the best microphones your mind will be thinking what and how to start with.

Let me tell you that also, while choosing the microphones for Gaming and YouTube the first thing to be considered is the noise cancellation feature to keep away all the background noise out and all will be focusing on the music only.

The microphones are ideal for Gaming and YouTube where you can hear the low notes, the detailed mids, and the high pitches so clearly that you’ll literally lost in the sound.

While Gaming, along with the graphics the sound plays an equally important role and for an amazing sound quality, you should own the microphone. If your laptop has an RTX card, you should definitely try that feature, it has the RTX Voice feature in it. This RTX Voice plays just like the noise cancellation feature and removes all the background noise out of your microphone.

Despite RTX if you’re one of those who loves AMD then you’ll have the Asus Noise-cancelling Microphone Adapter there. Both these RTX and AMD plays the same role of the noise-cancellation.

What I think is, without this Active Noise-Cancellation feature, there’s nothing worth to invest more in these electronics gadgets. While streaming on YouTube or Gaming, in both the cases, you require a good microphone.

5 Best Microphones for Gaming and YouTube 2022

So, once you’re done with your mindset, you are welcome here to look for the best microphones for Gaming and YouTube streaming as reviewed in 2022. And, yes if you’re more interested in streaming, I would like to recommend you a good webcam also.

There are a variety of mics available in market. If you’re looking for screen recordings only, then USB or XLR mic is the best to go with.

The next one is the Lavalier microphones that are the best or we can say kind of all-rounder for many of the situations. With this kind, you don’t need to think much like how closer or how far you should be from the mic, all you need is to set and start with your content.

The last one in the list is the Shotgun mic. With this kind of mic you can record run-and-gun kinda videos, vlogging of, course, and you can even shoot the interview-style videos too.

Let’s finally dive into the list of the 8 best microphones for Gaming and YouTube as reviewed in 2022-

  1. Elgato Wave:3
  2. HyperX SoloCast
  3. HyperX QuadCast
  4. ZINGYOU USB Microphone Bundle ZY-UA1
  5. Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic

Elgato Wave:3

[https://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Wave-Microphone-Podcasting-Capacitive/dp/B088HHWC47/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=elgato+wave+3&qid=1612946050&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNE1MOEI5SE04V1kmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0OTU2MzFTVkFZVFdRVkQxSVcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDMyNjY2NTcxNlVXWkhOTTFUSCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=]

Elgato Wave:3 is available on Amazon at a price value of $153.99, here comes the two variants in Elgato i.e. Wave:1 and Wave:3. The Elgato Wave:3 is for the ones who wants the idiot-proof audio in their videos.

The frequency-response of the Elgato Wave:3 is 96kHz. It’s easy to use and compatible with almost all the desk boom arms. There are people who thinks it requires to be a sound engineer to control such devices but no, this is not the case at all.

Elgato Wave:3 is so easy to use and provides you around 8 game audio channels and also the devices can be easily imported into OBS and split, hence giving you more control over the mic and you can easily set things as per your preferences.

There’s a mute button that uses the Clipguard technology which automatically adjusts the volume level whenever it feels like it’s going over the pitch. The mic weighs only 1.3 pounds.

With the Elgato Wave:3 comes the single cardioid polar pattern and that somewhere is the limitation of this mic but overall, the mic is pretty good for streaming and gaming.

Key Features-

  • Captive mute button with clipguard technology
  • Volume control
  • Gain control
  • Audio clarity
  • Supports digital mixing
  • Simple mounting

HyperX Solo Cast- USB Condenser Gaming Microphone

[https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-SoloCast-Microphone-Tap-Mute/dp/B08KFL3SFV/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=hyperx+solocast&qid=1612947263&sr=8-3]

HyperX Solo Cast- USB Condenser Gaming Microphone is placed on the second in our list of the best microphones for Gaming and YouTube. The mic is available on Amazon at a price value of $59.99 in amazing black color.

If you want to acquire quality that too in budget, HyperX is the best to go with. This mic has the Unidirectional polar pattern with USB connectivity. There are no compatibility issues with HyperX solo cast as the mic is compatible with PS4, PC, and Mac.

HyperX Solo Cast- USB Condenser weighs only 9.12 ounces features the noise level of 74dB and has corded electric power source.

The mic has got a rating of 4.5 out of 5 that is no doubt pretty much impressive. HyperX is one of the most selling mics cause of its budget only. Getting all the expensive features in such a budget is like WOW!

To be honest, the mic has prioritized the sound quality being in the budget over all other features and that’s what we also look up for when it comes to mic. Frankly speaking, this is literally the best mic to go with if you really don’t want to affect your pocket much.

The plug-and-play HyperX comes with a flexible and adjustable stand and hence it’s really easy to set the angle and position as per your requirement. It’s flexibility makes it really easy to shoot for the streamers.

HyperX Solo Cast uses the Tap-to-Mute feature that has the clipguard technology and it automatically set up the volume level when required.

Key Features-

  • Tap-to-Mute with Clipguard technology
  • Budget friendly
  • Sounds similar to the expensive QuadCast mic
  • Affordable and Portable

HyperX QuadCast- USB Condenser Gaming Microphone

[https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-QuadCast-Condenser-Microphone-Anti-Vibration/dp/B07NZZZ746/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=hyperx+solocast&qid=1612948744&sr=8-5]

There’s no doubt HyperX is delivering the best performance and has an amazing quality. HyperX is in the industry for a very long time and is really performing pretty well. For the brand, it’s the quality that matters the most over any other thing.

HyperX QuadCast is expensive as compared to its prior listed model i.e. HyperX Solo Cast. QuadCast is available on Amazon at a price value of $140 in a really good Red and Black color.

HyperX is known as the gamer-centric brand in the industry. QuadCast is extremely easy to use and has a really clear sound. With the active noise cancellation that keeps away all the background noise, HyperX QuadCast has everything that a gamer can look for.

The most appealing factor of the HyperX QuadCast is the built-in shock mount that actually is responsible for not letting the microphone picking up any accidental bumps and thuds while streaming that means it ensures safety as well.

On the top of the HyperX QuadCast is the touch-sensitive mute button. As compared to other mics, it creates a loud click when clicking on the mute button and other switches that can actually create disturbance while streaming so this is not the thing with the HyperX QuadCast.

The QuadCast has the Red LED indicator that gives you completely another level feel while recording. It comes with the four selectable polar patterns. Not only this, the HyerX QuadCast has the chat program compatibility also.

Key Features-

  • Setup is easy
  • Touch-sensitive mute button
  • Red LED indicator
  • Mount adapter
  • Gain control adjustment
  • Chat program compatibility

ZINGYOU USB Microphone Bundle ZY-UA1 Recording Condenser

[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LYJ8N4X/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B08LYJ8N4X&pd_rd_w=WOqWZ&pf_rd_p=4269e1a0-a218-4fbd-9748-1cd337d2f2a5&pd_rd_wg=jdkFk&pf_rd_r=2MASETV58BHYFRZ2HS38&pd_rd_r=17a9f1af-fa39-48b2-9269-03d035545fd8&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUUJMMEhEOExCSERXJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTg5NTQ5MUlaN0NXRldOUlJCOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDg0Njk0MTVDWkxYUUFGT0o5WiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=]

ZINGYOU USB Microphone Bundle ZY-UA1 is the best for Podcasting, Gaming, and Streaming on YouTube. This is something can be called as the all-rounder. This mic is highly budget oriented and you get all the important features required while having a mic without affecting your pocket much.

ZINGYOU ZY-UA1 is available on Amazon at such a great price value of $44.99 in gray color. After HyperX Solo Cast, this is the second microphone available in such a low price. The mic has the frequency response of 20Hz-16kHz.

This recording condenser is compatible with Windows as well as with the MacOS, so no need to get worried about the compatibility issues. The sound quality is pretty amazing and it has the active noise reduction feature, thanks to the upgraded circuit board of the ZINGYOU ZY-UA1.

The factor that is responsible for the clear and realistic sound is the frequency rate and it’s frequency is 20Hz-16000Hz. ZINGYOU ZY-UA1 mic head is made up of the net with sponge that makes the vocals even more real and clear.

Here’s the thing, the mic require to front face it whenever you want to record something in it that means the ZINGYOU logo should facing on your side and then it will work properly.

ZINGYOU ZY-UA1 ensures high durability and affordability of, course. It has a scissor arm that is made up of aluminum entirely. It’s light in weight and the size is quite compact makes it very handy. Also, the mic comes with the table clamp base that can easily attach to the tables and counters.

ZINGYOU ZY-UA1 features the shock mount that prevent the friction adding a layer to it in terms of support and protection. The only drawback with this mic is that it has only one polar pattern i.e. unidirectional.

Key Features-

  • All-rounder, ideal for Gaming and Streaming YouTube
  • Good Sound Quality
  • Budget Friendly
  • Sturdy and Durable

Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic

[https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Premium-Recording-Streaming-Blackout-988-000400/dp/B07QLNYBG9/ref=sr_1_2?crid=41M94OFTI26C&dchild=1&keywords=blue+yeti+nano&qid=1612954985&sprefix=blue+yeti+%2Caps%2C492&sr=8-2]

Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic is available on Amazon at a price value of $99.95 and there are 5 colors available- Blackout, Cubano Gold, Red Onyx, Shadow grey, and vivid Blue.

Blue Yeti Nano is majorly used by the ones who are new in the world of streaming. basically, this mic is good for the beginners, who just started streaming. Under $100, this is the third best microphone you can have in the list of the best microphones for Gaming and YouTube.

Its small size and lightweight makes it a really good choice for Gaming as well as YouTube Streaming and hence easy to carry anywhere. Blue Yeti Nano weighs only 16 ounces.

With Blue Yeti Nano either you can use it for podcasting, game streaming, YouTube streaming, or even the Skype calls too. There’s no latency with this microphone. Just like all other microphones listed above, Blue Yeti Nano has the shock mount and compass boom arm.

The Plug-and-Play Blue Yeti Nano has cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns and features the sample rate up to 24-bit/48kHz.

Key Features-

  • Tiny in size
  • Light weight
  • 48kHz sample rate
  • Zero-latency monitoring
  • Tap-to-mute button
  • Volume controls
  • Controls are easy to use

FAQs

What’s with the Polar Pattern and it’s requirement for Gaming?

Polar Pattern basically identifies the direction from where the microphone will be picking up the audio signal. And, when it comes to gaming, the microphone should always and always picks up the audio signal from you only rather than picking it up from the environment.

To what extent the sound quality should be here?

To be honest, all these listed microphones produces the wonderful sound quality and the sound quality also depends on your place where you’re recording.

What’s the best to go with, either XLR or USB?

USB connections are more easy to use and setting it up. But USB connectors are expensive as compared to the XLR connectors. Also, the XLR connectors requires additional equipment to connect to your PC and comes with high complexity.

So, this is all about the 5 best microphones for Gaming and YouTube. All these mics have gone under the proper Quality Assurance Testing and then are here in this quick guide. Hope it will be helpful for you choosing the best microphone for you.

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