How to find the right streaming microphone for you! Our 2024 recommendations for streaming microphones! Including USB microphones
You want to start your own Twitch stream or finally want to buy a professional streaming microphone? Our comparison will help you find the perfect microphone to suit you and your voice. We also compare the different designs and connections. So you can quickly find the right streaming microphone for you.
The best USB streaming microphones (USB microphone)
– Polar pattern: cardioid
– Construction: Condenser
– Good entry-level model with the most important functions
– Tripod included, light pop protection integrated
The affordable entry-level model in the Røde family is ideal for beginners. It has a headphone output so you can listen to yourself and you have a USB connection. The “stand” for the NT USB Mini is also included. Nice! Despite the price, the sound is very pleasant and relatively low-noise for the price. The microphone has a light pop fitler integrated, so if you tend to have strong P and B sounds or like to get close to the USB microphone, you should also get a pop filter.
– Cardioid characteristic
– Construction: Condenser
– good entry-level model with all basic functions
– integrated pop shield and stand
The Beyerdynamic FOX is Beyerdynamic’s challenge to Røde. It has been on sale for $99 in recent months, and for the price you get a good bundle of basic functions. Good sound, relatively low noise, integrated pop protection and stand, headphone connection, mute button, volume control… What more do you need?
A good and affordable start for your podcast if you want to get started quickly and easily! Beyerdynamic is a high-quality brand that is best known for its headphones, but here they also prove that they can build good microphones in this price segment. In the long term, however, you could also upgrade to a higher-quality podcast microphone, or invest a little more straight away.
Tip: If you don’t have streaming headphones yet, there’s also an affordable bundle here: microphone and headphones* from around $150!
– Directional characteristic: Selectable
– Construction: Condenser
– Entry-level model with (RGB) illumination
– Includes stand and spider, additional pop protection recommended
The HyperX Quadcast is a popular model among streamers. This is mainly due to its appearance, as there is a red model for around $119* and an RGB model for around 159$*. In addition to the visual appearance, the model records relatively cleanly, but it should be noted that there is a background noise with a relatively high volume. In addition, the Quadcast cannot be operated without lighting effects (at least not without “tricks”).
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Condenser
– Good entry-level model with the most important functions
– including stand, additional pop protection recommended
The Elgato Wave:3 stands for modernity with its design, sound and connection. The built-in capsule is also modern in that it sounds good and clean. In combination with the low background noise, the Wave:3 is a well-suited microphone for streaming. There is also a suitable pop filter that can simply be placed over the microphone. According to the manufacturer’s website, a filter that reduces pop and plop noises is already built into the microphone, but this is not enough. The model is plug and play as usual, so you can start your twitch stream straight away.
– Directional characteristic: Selectable: Cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-eight and stereo
– Construction: Condenser
– Good entry-level model with the most important functions
– Includes stand, additional pop protection recommended
We list the Blue Yeti microphone here as an inexpensive alternative that does not exceed the magic price limit of $100 if you get a good deal. The Yeti comes with a practical stand, a volume control and a mute button. Due to the lower price, some functions are missing, such as the headphone output and the pop filter. We would also recommend a separate pop filter. Otherwise, the Blue Mircophones Yeti is a great microphone in the affordable range! The stereo mode is not suitable for classic voice recordings, speech should be mono!
– Cardioid characteristic
– construction: condenser
– good entry-level model with the most important functions
– Includes pop shield and stand
– NT-USB+ as the next generation
Røde is often one step ahead in terms of price-performance ratio. This model is also worth a closer look. Thanks to the controls and the headphone connection on the microphone, you can easily hear yourself and check the sound of your audio track directly during recording. It is particularly practical that the microphone package already includes a pop screen, as well as a small stand that also functions as a lightweight bumper to reduce noise from a table. A really simple plug and play solution to get your Twitch stream up and running quickly! This microphone is attractive for beginners, but can also make you very happy in the medium term. The microphone is available with holder and pop filter for about 150$.
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term model with practical additional functions
– Integrated pop protection, in the recommended podcast kit including stand
– You can use this mic with both XLR and USB connection
– Software tool for EQ, compressor during recording
This microphone has both connections: USB and XLR and its the younger brother of the legendary Shure SM7B. (There’s also the MV 7 X variant, which is cheaper, but does not have a USB connection!) We have made a detailed test about this microphone: Shure MV7 Test
– Polar pattern: Cardioid polar pattern
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term model with practical additional functions
– Integrated pop protection, mic arm required
– You can use this mic with both XLR and USB-C connection!
– Software with recording function, simple settings and advanced tools such as EQ, compressor, limiter, etc.
The Australian manufacturer has sent a competitor into the ring, and we have to say: this microphone has great potential to beat the Shure! With a lower price and similar sound characteristics, it is even slightly ahead. Another big advantage here is that it can be connected via USB as well as XLR. iPad and Android devices are also supported here. The Rode smartphone app also makes mobile recording super easy.
You can also connect your streaming headphones directly to this microphone to check the recording quality. A pop filter is included, which also works great. With the Rode software you can start recordings, make EQ settings and much more. The best thing is: there are two modes: for beginners there are 3 buttons with which you can change the sound characteristics, and for advanced users there are advanced settings in which you can adjust the EQ and compressor yourself as usual.
We have made a detailed test about this microphone: PodMic USB Review
The best streaming bundles with accessories
NT-USB with PSA-1 Mikrofonarm (approx.267$)
The NT USB would be compatible with the Røde PSA-1+ as well.
The best XLR streaming microphones (XLR microphone)
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good entry-level model
– Built-in pop filter, tripod required (well suited for mic boom arm)
The Røde PodMic is not only available as a USB version, but also with an XLR connection. It sounds like the PodMic USB and is a lot cheaper, as Røde logically saves on the integrated interface for this model. So if you have a USB interface, you can save costs and fall back on the PodMic.
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– good model incl. accessories
– Pop filter and spider included, tripod required
The Beyerdynamic sits well alongside the PodMic, as it is also in the $100 price range. The advantage of the M70 PRO X is that it comes with accessories such as a good pop filter and a spider. The M70 also makes absolutely high-quality voice recordings that are typical of a broadcast microphone. It sounds very clean and defined, but it also gives the voice a slight coloration. You need a tripod to be able to use it. The microphone is not convincing in terms of other features, but it is convincing in terms of price and quality.
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good entry-level model
– Pop protection and tripod required (well suited for so-called “spider”)
– Higher quality alternative: Røde NT-1A
Promise, we are not sponsored by Røde (unfortunately). But these mics are easy to recommend. The next level up from the PodMic is the Procaster. The two microphones are close to each other, the Procaster also has an integrated pop shield, but it works a little less well. The more obvious difference is the look. The Procaster looks a little more professional, it can be mounted in a “spider” shock mount (mic holder that is very shock-absorbent).
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term investment
– Pop protection not necessary, tripod absolutely necessary
– Legendary mic for vocal recordings
As already mentioned with the MV7, the Shure SM7B is probably the most legendary radio and voice microphone. It provides the typical muffled sound that makes both female and male voices sound more powerful. It sounds very pleasant, as the treble is not exaggerated. In addition, the foam on the microphone also provides pop protection and the microphone has a high-quality, robust construction. It’s not for nothing that you see this microphone in many popular twitch and youtube streams. It is simply the classic for dynamic microphones and offers excellent sound quality.
However, you will need a stand or microphone arm. This includes the SM7B, an XLR cable, a microphone boom (stand) and smaller accessories. Note that you will also need an interface. However, once you have all this equipment together, there is almost nothing standing in the way of an absolutely professional sound. A few settings in post-production and off to the Twitch charts!
Is there THE perfect streaming microphone?
Even though there are several YouTube videos on this topic that promise to show you THE perfect microphone for streaming, there is no single solution. Because everyone sounds different. Every person has a different voice, a different timbre and speaks differently into the microphone. The use of the microphone is also decisive for the audio quality, because if you speak extremely close into the microphone, you have a “proximity effect”, which makes the voice sound bassier. If you already have a dark voice and a microphone that cuts the low frequencies more clearly, this may be too much of a good thing.
Some people want an easy-to-use USB microphone without buttons, others want monitoring, i.e. a headphone output and a gain control. When streaming, however, we do not recommend always playing around with the gain control. Once you have found a setting that suits you, you should stick with it.
Others want an RGB microphone and would rather do without quality. Still others prefer to use a streaming headset.
XLR or USB microphone? The connections explained
The most common ways to connect your future microphone to your PC, Mac or recorder are USB and XLR cables. But which cables are best?
Basically, there are no major differences in terms of quality. USB microphones have come a long way in recent years. So there is no reason not to choose one. USB solutions are often much cheaper compared to the additional purchases you have to make if you buy an XLR microphone. This is because, logically, you can plug the USB microphone directly into the computer, whereas with an XLR microphone you need a so-called audio interface. This interface is then usually also connected to the PC via USB.
What exactly is the difference between USB and XLR microphones? While XLR microphones output the signal in analog form, USB microphones already have an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) built in. This converter can take over the job of the audio interface. In the past, the small A/D converters were usually of inferior quality, as the A/D converters were poor compared to those built into interfaces. This was mainly due to their size.
Cardioid or omnidirectional? Polar pattern
This illustration explains the directional characteristic/polar patterns relatively quickly. At 0 degrees, the microphone is picked up from the front. With the omnidirectional polar pattern, the microphone can also pick up sound from behind without loss. So if you are recording a podcast with two people, you love each other and you like to be talked to, it would be enough to buy a good omnidirectional microphone for two people. The room you are in should also be quiet.
The best directional characteristic for a classic streamer is cardioid. It is directed in such a way that the sound is not picked up from behind. This means you can speak into the microphone from the front and very little is picked up from the back. This is also practical if you are recording a podcast with two people and later cut out or shorten some parts. As each person has their own microphone, it is easier to make an edit. You have two isolated tracks, because if you are sitting opposite each other, the other person is behind your microphone in the “sound shadow”.
The figure-eight polar pattern can be used for two podcasters, as in the omnidirectional example. However, we do not recommend this. There are other polar patterns that we have omitted for the time being. The supercardioid and hypercardioid are useful in louder situations, as they are even more directional. These are used for professional street interviews, for example. The most directional characteristic is the so-called ultra directional.
Condenser microphone or dynamic? What type of microphone is suitable?
There are different types of microphones that you don’t always recognize from the outside: Dynamic, condenser and ribbon. Dynamic microphones generally sound somewhat muffled and the treble is not reproduced very accurately for physical reasons. For this reason, these microphones are used for drum recordings, for example. The condenser microphone sounds very detailed, “crisp” and “clear” in the treble. This is why it is also used for vocal and guitar recordings. The sensitivity is also somewhat higher. Ribbon microphones are rare and very expensive. For this reason, we will ignore them in this article.
Attention: Myth! Just because dynamic microphones are less sensitive in the treble range doesn’t mean that they pick up less ambient noise! They feel a little less because they have less treble, but your voice will also have less treble. If you adjust the treble, you will get almost the same result. Only the directional characteristic influences the ambient noise!
If you want the typical radio voice that sounds a bit muffled, use a dynamic microphone. If you are a big fan of treble and want to sound crystal clear, use condenser microphones. Both designs are great for your podcast, because it all depends on your voice. There is no one best microphone that fits every voice.
For nerds and interested parties: How exactly does the design differ?
The condenser microphone uses a diaphragm to pick up the sound, which begins to vibrate and thus enables the sound to be converted into electrical signals. This diaphragm is very small and sensitive, which is why this type of microphone is not well suited for very loud sound.
The dynamic microphone, on the other hand, uses a moving coil to convert the sound into electrical signals. This moving coil does not vibrate as sensitively as the diaphragm, and the sound usually has to be amplified more (by the volume control). It is therefore more suitable for loud signals. As the high frequencies have less energy, they cause the voice coil to vibrate less, resulting in a slightly muffled sound.
Accessories: Use a tripod and a pop filter
Some podcast and streaming microphones already have a stand or an integrated pop shield, but not all of them. You should definitely have both to make sure you get the best out of your voice. This is because the stand ensures that background noise is minimized. This noise occurs when you hold the microphone in your hand all the time (it’s not designed for this) or, for example, when you move around the table and it’s not properly cushioned. Most manufacturers have stands for their microphones that you can quickly find. A typical, inexpensive and functional pop protection is the Fun Generation Pop 1 for around $10. A more subtle alternative is the t.bone MS60. Please pay attention to the compatibility here.
If you want to have a studio-like situation, then a microphone arm can be worthwhile. It is super flexible, looks professional and absorbs unwanted sound from the table. However, these arms also cost a little more and are not always super easy to set up. Another professional solution is the so-called spider. This allows you to compensate for any contact and movement from the stand or table, as the microphone is only attached to elastic straps. In the picture above you can see an example from Røde.
FAQ
Why are the prices indicated approximately/not up to date?
There are new offers and price changes every day. Since we want to focus on improving your sound, we give you an overview with the price information, but not an exact, daily updated number, as this would be too much effort.
Do you use affiliate Links?
Yes, we currently use affiliate links. These are marked with the * symbol. The products are still 100% honestly reviewed by us and you will receive a partial discount. We will not recommend products just because we can earn more money from them. In the same way, we won’t skip a recommendation because you can’t find it with an affiliate partner. If you want to support us, have a look at our online course, there is a lot of helpful content and there are handouts that you can use as a cheat sheet for years. For product categories, we refer to Thomann, not because we are supported by them, but because Thomann is the most popular portal in this area.
What’s the best streaming microphone?
The best streaming microphone is the Shure SM7B*. At least, judging by its popularity. Other good and cheaper recommendations are the Røde NT USB*, and the Shure MV7* as a higher-quality recommendation.
Which microphone do most streamers use?
The Shure SM7B* is by far the most used microphone. It can be recognized by almost all professional streamers and therefore deserves the title “Most used streamer microphone”
How much does a good microphone cost?
For a good microphone that lasts a long time and sounds good, you should invest at least $100. More professional microphones cost up to $400 and more.
My microphone is noisy, how can I prevent this?
Take a look at our article: Removing Background Noise from Microphones – where we look at how you can prevent and remove static and other background noise!
Conclusion: The best microphone for streamers and gaming
Since you can usually see the microphone directly when streaming on Twitch, if you want to make a professional impression, you should go for a higher-quality version. It doesn’t have to be the Shure SM7B*, but our recommendation is the PodMic USB* or the Shure MV7*. With these models, you can get started immediately via USB connection and are well equipped for more than just streaming. For pure gamers, however, these microphones would be a little overkill.
If you need more tips for your future podcast, check out our blog or our online course. We also have a blog article on starting a podcast in 10 steps
Links marked with * are affiliate links. There are no additional costs for you, some of these links have an automatic discount for you. We mark these links for transparency and would never recommend bad products!
