So, you finally decided to do some YouTube videos or Twitch streams of your own. To begin this exciting enterprise, you need a few things, like a funky hair dye, a high-quality camera, and a trusty microphone. Oftentimes, the mics on high-end headsets struggle to compare to others that connect to dedicated peripherals. If you plan to make any content at all, you don’t want your voice to sound like you are playing a Warzone match.

Choosing the right mic isn’t simply about finding the cheapest price-tag that still offers good value. You have to consider a couple of things, like your environment or your own technological limitations since you might not have the funds to invest in an expensive audio interface.

11 Razer Seiren Mini

Razer makes some of the best gaming headsets out there, in addition to extremely powerful laptops and more. It doesn’t come as a surprise that this company also deals in microphones. The Razer Seiren Mini should definitely be your go-to if you are just starting out and want solid audio quality.

For just $49.99, you get an amazingly precise super-cardioid pickup pattern that captures your voice clearly and slightly reduces ambient noises. Since this isn’t a directional mic, don’t use it with other people or loud sound sources in your room. Basically, the Seiren Mini is perfect for streaming something by yourself.

10 Blue Snowball

You might need a slight step-up from your headset’s mic, without investing in a fully-fledged podcast studio. The Blue Snowball retails for $69.99 and features the necessary qualities a beginner Twitch streamer needs to look out for.

This little USB microphone is easy to set up, so don’t fret if you don’t have much experience mounting audio peripherals. Simply plug it in and start your recording software. The Blue Snowball is capable of picking up sounds using omnidirectional or cardioid settings, with an additional special functionality capable of further reducing ambient noise by -10 dB.

9 MAONO AU-A04

If you need to set yourself up with something that has versatile mobility, but don’t want to spend exorbitant amounts, get the MAONO AU-A04. This will give you a decent foundation if you are just starting out with streaming. Keep in mind that the sound quality you get is good enough for the asking price of $56.99 plus shipping, depending on where you live.

You should get this primarily for the angle-mount and accessories that come with the mic. All these elements coupled together offer good value for your money, although there are definitely better options in terms of sound quality.

8 Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti offers a premium range of recording modes, perfect for a diversified variety of content. It uses a standard cardioid pattern to capture sounds in front of the microphone, omnidirectional to equally pick up noises from anywhere in the environment, and bidirectional for sounds coming from the front and rear of the mic (ideal for one-on-one podcast conversations).

It also features a dedicated stereo mode, should you wish to capture sounds from instruments. The Blue Yeti retails at $129.99 but considering its easy-to-access and set-up features, it’s well worth the price. You’ll be able to do a variety of things with this mic, which is ideal in case you plan to do something outside of live gameplay, like in-depth game commentary analyses or reviews.

7 HyperX QuadCast

Looking for lots of features and good quality audio? Look no more. The HyperX QuadCast is sold for $139.99, and it comes with plenty of functionalities any gamers can appreciate. Its cool design is a plus. This microphone has four polar patterns: omnidirectional, bidirectional, cardioid, and stereo.

That means you can record virtually anything that can be contained in a room, which is perfect for gaming purposes. It also comes with an anti-vibration shock mount, a sensor button for muting, a built-in 3.5 mm jack for your choice of headphones, and a versatile adapter that can be connected to most

6 Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Studio-quality audio is hard to reproduce if you don’t want to invest in a dedicated interface, which can set you back considerably if you are also shopping for a mic. The AT2020USB+ is basically the user-friendly version of a high-end mic because it connects using USB, as its name suggests. Plug-and-play, launch your recording software, no added frills.

The AT2020USB+ is used by singers, musicians, and voice-over artists. You can expect one of the best performances a USB can provide if you are willing to invest $149.99.

5 Elgato Wave:3

This is easily one of the best mics that focus on producing the best audio mixes. You never want to have sounds from a game, or anywhere else, overpower your own voice. The Elgato Wave:3 uses its Wave Link software to fine tune-up to eight separate audio channels. If mixing matters to you, buy this mic.

Its retail price sits at $169.99, and only offers a single cardioid pickup pattern. Keep in mind that audio mixing is essential to stream games, more so than having multiple pickup patterns at your disposal — you should create the perfect balance for the sounds you want to broadcast by mixing multiple audio sources.

4 Blue Yeti X

This mic accounts for a significant step-up from the Blue Yeti, not only because it’s sold for considerably more at $169.99. It features the same four polar patterns as its counterpart: cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, and bidirectional modes. However, the Blue Yeti X also adds customizable LED lighting, an audio software with seven vocal effects, and a smart knob with numerous audio mixing functions.

This microphone also has a four-capsule condenser, capable of capturing warm sounds by enhancing the capabilities of its dedicated polar patterns. You could do plenty with this mic, even produce ASMR content.

3 Shure MV51

Shure is a brand you want to pay attention to, especially when setting up the perfect recording ambient for the best games of the generation. The MV51 is an all-metal, large-diaphragm condenser microphone that captures sounds with remarkably high quality.

Sold for $149.99, you get everything you need out of the box. The mic features a premium touchpad that makes controls easy to access, and it comes with two cables that connect to micro and lightning USB. Make sure you check the specifications for the product, depending on what you want to use it with.

2 Shure MV7

If you are willing to spend a considerable amount of money on a mic, buy the MV7, which retails at $249.99. Its unique pickup pattern keeps it laser-focused on what you point it towards, isolating any other sound. Basically, if you direct this towards your face, your voice will sound like it was recorded in a professional studio.

Podcast producers use this mic for their shows, and it makes sense. The overwhelmingly positive user reviews on its product page clearly demonstrate that this mic is, undeniably, one best out there.

1 Shure SM7B

If you want to seriously consider investing in high-end equipment, the SM7B should be among your candidates, next to a television studio. Sold for $399.00, this mic is the final boss of audio capture. Get this and your voice is going to sound like it’s coming from heaven, as it should, considering the price tag.

The SM7B features a uniform cardioid polar pattern, that rejects off-axis audio. To put it simply, you can position this mic at an angle, even away from you, and still get phenomenal quality. Its design also blocks white noise from computers and other devices. You definitely need to know how audio actually works to be worthy of this mic.

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