One of the primary fun elements of video game streaming is live commentary. If they want, your viewers can go play the game by themselves; they watch your stream to listen to your unique feedback and reaction to it. In view of this, getting the right microphone for your setup is essential.
Although the product selection out there might seem rather straightforward, once you get into the details it can get quite confusing. In this article, I’ve boiled it down to three simple features you need to look out for along with five of the best microphones you can buy for streaming in 2022…
What To Consider When Purchasing A Microphone For Streamers
It’s not every day that you buy a new microphone for your streaming setup. So, when you do, it’s essential to pick the right one. Here are three factors that are most important for making a final decision:
Polar Patterns
When shopping for a microphone, this is one term you’ve probably come across many times. And no, it doesn’t have anything to do with polar bears. Polar patterns simply indicate in which directions a mic will be sensitive to recording sound.
The cardioid polar pattern, for example, picks up sound in a heart shape. It’s most sensitive to sound from the front, significantly less from the sides, and null from behind. Some other polar patterns are: omnidirectional, bidirectional, and super-cardioid.
Audio Sensitivity
When looking for a microphone, always be mindful of how sensitive it is. Counted in dB, sensitivity is a measurement of the quietest sound that a mic is capable of picking up. The lower that number is, the quieter a sound can be that will be picked up in the live stream.
Solid Build Quality
As a streamer, you’ll be using your microphone for hours and hours at a time. So, it’s always good to get one that is capable of handling that use without breaking apart. An aluminum housing is a must, along with a pop filter and anti-vibration shock mount.
With these three essential features in mind, let’s go ahead and dive into the list…
Top 5 Best Microphones For Streamers in 2022:
1. HyperX QuadCast S – Best Overall
SPECS:
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo
- Connectivity: USB
I’ve talked about the HyperX QuadCast S in the past, and it definitely deserves a spot on this list. The best feature of this microphone is the four polar patterns you get to choose from: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. In addition to that, it’s also fairly sensitive by default, but you get a dial to adjust it to your requirements.
Unlike most microphones out there, this one also comes with RGB! It can be controlled using the HyperX Ngenuity software along with other settings. To top it all off, it also has good build quality so it’ll last you a long time too.
Pros
- Cool RGB lighting
- Adjustable mic sensitivity
- Includes pop filter and anti-vibration shock mount
Cons
- Expensive
2. Razer Seiren X – Best on a Budget
SPECS:
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Patterns: Super-Cardioid
- Connectivity: USB
Coming in under the $75 mark, the Razer Seiren X is wallet-friendly, but it also packs some serious features that make it suitable for any streaming setup. The first feature that comes to mind is the super-cardioid polar pattern. This pattern is most sensitive to on-axis sounds, wherever the mic is pointed, with almost no sensitivity on the sides and on the rear.
So, although you’ll have to be a bit careful not to let any outside sounds bleed into your stream, it’s still useable. Plus, there’s a built-in shock mount just like on the HyperX QuadCast S and something Razer calls “Zero Latency Monitoring” which reduces echo. Overall, it’s a solid microphone, and even more suitable for an all-white setup.
If you have an even smaller budget, you can go for the Razer Seiren Mini. It’s also available in Mercury and has similar features but in a smaller form factor.
Pros
- Perfect addition to an all-white setup
- Highly sensitive
- Durable build quality
Cons
- Limited to only one polar pattern
3. Blue Yeti – Best Value for Money
SPECS:
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo
- Connectivity: USB
By hanging around Twitch streaming circles, you’ve no doubt heard about the Blue Yeti. Trusted by Swagg, Dreamwastaken, and Moistcr1tikal for their own setups, it’s definitely popular in the community, and for good reason. It comes with four polar patterns and a custom three-capsule condenser mic array for the best sound.
On the software side of things, you get Blue VO!CE. Although you need to get Logitech’s G HUB to set it up, once you have it running you can tweak your audio settings and also add effects and samples.
All in all, the Blue Yeti is perfect for any streamer who’s not looking for any fancy RGB and just wants a solid value-for-money microphone that records crisp and clear audio. If you’d like to learn more about how to set up the Blue Yeti for streaming, check out this post.
Pros
- Clear audio
- Hardware controls for headphone volume, pattern, mute, and gain
- Impressive software
Cons
- Mediocre design
4. EPOS Gaming B20 – Best Premium Option
SPECS:
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo
- Connectivity: USB-C
EPOS might not be a brand you’ve heard of before, but the B20 is definitely worth looking into if you want a studio-quality microphone for your live streams. In terms of audio recording capability, it has a 1 dB sensitivity paired with four unique polar patterns to choose from.
Another feature that adds to its versatility is the multi-positional design. You can place the B20 at any angle you want: up, down, or sideways. If you want, you can also mount it on a boom arm using the provided standard 3/8” thread.
When it comes to build quality, it feels high-end too. The aluminum housing along with the LED indicator lights makes it blend in naturally in the background without sacrificing functionality. Overall, this is a great premium microphone and will fit right into any streaming setup.
Pros
- Sleek and elegant design
- Plug-and-play functionality
- Also compatible with PS4 and PS5
Cons
- Buggy software
5. Shure SM7B – Best for Professional Studio
SPECS:
- Type: Large-Diaphragm Dynamic
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid
- Connectivity: XLR
If you often have guests on your stream or just need the best audio recording quality possible, you might want to go for the Shure SM7B. What sets this one apart from the pack is that it’s an XLR microphone. What does that mean?
There are three components necessary for any audio recorder to work: a microphone, a pre-amp, and an analog-to-digital converter. USB microphones have all three of these components built-in. However, an XLR microphone has a three-prong design, and needs to be connected to an audio interface and then to your PC.
As a result, these can be heavy on the wallet, but offer next-level sound quality in return. The Shure SM7B is trusted by many top-level streamers like Castro_1021, Alexelcapo, Lvndmark, and Diegosaurs. So, go for this one if you’re looking to develop a true professional-grade stream.
Pros
- Professional XLR connection
- Includes pop filter
- Includes electromagnetic shielding to muffle hum of other electronic components
Cons
- Very expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Audio Mixer Worth It in 2022?
If you’re buying a high-end microphone to provide the best audio to your viewers, it’s likely that you’re also interested in a professional mixer too. Besides giving you multiple channels to control your stream, a mixer can also provide various fun effects and sound sampling features.
However, a good mixer can cost quite a lot. So if you’re still on the fence about that decision and don’t know which one to go for, definitely check out this post.
Do You Need a Boom Arm?
Yes, a boom arm is absolutely necessary for a streaming setup. Along with freeing up desk space, it can also make a significant difference in how the microphone captures sound. This is because of the polar pattern that the microphone uses.
Plus, a boom arm can also lower vibration-related sounds. If the microphone is placed directly on your desk without any buffer and you’re typing on your keyboard, it can easily pick up the vibrations from the desk, creating a rattling sound.
Although boom arms from brands like Elgato and Gator Frameworks can go well over $100, you can always get an off-brand version for around $50. Some good options in that regard are the InnoGear Boom Arm, the Samson MBA28, and the Bietrun Boom Arm. Each has a few unique features like a built-in pop filter or shock-absorber, but more or less serve the same purpose.
Wrap Up
There you go! That’s all the information you need to right the best microphone for your streaming setup in 2022. Aside from budget and aesthetics, your decision should be made based on your studio design and content type. To wrap up, here are all the microphones I featured in this post:
- HyperX QuadCast S is Best Overall
- Razer Seiren X is Best on a Budget
- Blue Yeti is Best Value for Money
- EPOS Gaming B20 is Best Premium Option
- Shure SM7B is Best for Professional Studio
