Platforms like Twitch have given way to a massive rise in video game streaming. It’s now not just a hobby for some, but a full-time, professional career for many. To start off on the right foot, you need great equipment. Today, we’re going to reveal what we believe is the best mic for streaming on Twitch and other stream-based sites.
BEST MIC FOR STREAMING (2022 EDITION)
A good mic is a necessity for streaming. You want your viewers to be able to hear you clearly without any input lag or low-quality audio issues.
Today, we’re going to be looking at a variety of streaming mics from companies like:
- Blue Microphones
- Razer
- Rode
- Audio-Technica
- Samson
- Turtle Beach
- …and more
We’re going to start off by highlighting the models that we believe are the absolute best to use for Twitch streaming, YouTube, and other similar sites. Then, we’re going to outline streaming microphones based on a few different budgets, and also discuss what to look for in a quality mic for streaming. And if you need to figure out the rest of your setup, be sure to read our guide to what do you need to stream on Twitch.
QUICK PICKS: OUR TOP 3 CHOICES FOR BEST STREAMING MICROPHONE
For those of you that don’t have the time to read our entire streaming mic buyer’s guide below, here’s a brief summary of the three mics we recommend most…
NUMBER ONE PICK – The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is the go-to mic for pretty much every Twitch streamer these days – and for good reason. It’s a high-quality, well-made microphone with superb audio, easy to use functionality, and stylish good looks.
SECOND PLACE – For gamers with a slightly higher budget, we highly recommend checking out the Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser USB Microphone. This mic features a unique and sexy appearance, unmatched audio that’s good enough for even professional voice-over work, and it works well with PC, Mac, or iOS-based mobile devices.
THIRD PLACE – The Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone is another excellent choice for Twitch streaming. This is a studio-quality mic with background-noise elimination, on-board volume controls, a handy tripod, plus bonus accessories such as an included pop-filter and ring mount.
OUR 2021 BEST STREAMING MIC REVIEWS
Down below we reveal what we believe are the 10 best mics for streaming overall. Our picks were made based on audio quality, ease of use, overall build construction, and, of course, price.
In this section we also provide a more in-depth overview of our top 3 choices mentioned above. For each microphone we provide a description, a list of pros and cons, and other important details.
- Designed to deliver crystal clear audio
- Features an adjustable pop filter and USB connectivity
- Perfect for gaming, podcasting, and YouTube videos
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone has essentially become the gold-standard among gamers when it comes to Twitch streaming mics. It’s also used heavily among YouTube gaming personalities. In our honest opinion, this is the best mic for streaming – period.
The mic itself is incredibly simple to setup and use. It can pick up voices very well, provides crystal-clear audio output, and looks fantastic on a desk as well. The Yeti is one of the pricier USB streaming microphones, but the quality most definitely justifies the price.
Best Attributes
- Fantastic audio quality
- Quick and easy set-up
- Multiple sound patterns
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- On-board volume and mute controls
- Available in multiple colors
Where it Could Improve
- A bit pricey
- Not ideal for mobile use
- Designed for streaming, game commentating, and YouTube videos
- Premium studio sound with premium construction
- Eliminates background noise for clear audio communication
- Works great with Twitch and other livestreaming applications
Gamers looking for the ultimate streaming microphone may want to consider the Blue Yeti X. This mic has superb audio clarity, takes just a couple of minutes to set up, and is perfect for Twitch streaming, game commentating, YouTube gaming videos, and more.
The Yeti X is on the higher-end of the spectrum in terms of price, but its studio-quality sound, premium construction, and mobile potential make it a wise investment for a serious streamer.
Best Attributes
- Rich, high-quality audio
- Effortless setup
- Built-In LED Lighting
- Built-in microphone stand
- Easy-access controls located on mic
Where it Could Improve
- Slightly Expensive
- Only Available in Black or a WoW Theme
- High quality studio microphone with the convenience of USB connectivity
- Pop shield, Tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 6m (20’) USB cable included
- 3.5 millimeter stereo headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring
The Rode NT USB Condenser Mic rounds out our top three picks for best mic for streaming. This is a professional-grade mic that’s received a lot of praise from streamers on Twitch, YouTube personalities, and a slew of others including pro voice actors and media professionals.
This particular model also comes with an included tripod stand, a pop filter that fits it perfectly, and a ring mount. So, essentially, you’re getting everything you need in one package rather than having to buy the accessories individually in addition to the mic itself.
Best Attributes
- Great vocal audio quality
- Fast and simple set-up
- Compatible with PC, Mac, and iPad
- Includes pop filer and stand
- 2-year warranty (must register to get it)
Where it Could Improve
- Headphone jack doesn’t give great audio
- Only comes in black
- Features a built-in headphone jack for easy monitoring
- Can be used for streaming, podcasts, voice over work, or any other audio need
- Works with Mac or PC to give you reliable results
- Stand mount and tripod stand included with the purchase
Up next is the Audio Technica ATR2500 USB Mic – another fantastic microphone for streaming, podcasts, voice-over work, or any other audio need. One of the best features is the built-in headphone jack that allows you to gauge your voice output as you go.
Audio Technica includes a tripod stand, USB cable, and a stand mount with the ATR2500. The plug and play design means you can un-box the mic, connect it to your PC, and be up and running in just a couple of minutes. The price isn’t too shabby either which makes it a great choice for Twitch streaming for gamers that don’t want to spend a ton of cash on a good mic.
Best Attributes
- Superb voice audio
- Great for streaming, videos, and more
- Volume controls on front of mic
- Works with PC and Mac computers
- Good price
Where it Could Improve
- Doesn’t pick up vocals well if too far away
- Catches background noise a bit more than we’d like
- Made from heavy duty metal for durability
- Designed to deliver excellent audio output and clear vocals
- Brushed nickel or titanium black color scheme available for choice
- Built-in stand offers flexibility
Coming in at number 5 on our list of best stream mics is the Samson Meteor USB Studio Mic. This is one of sleekest looking mics you’ll come across. The chrome finish gives it major sex appeal. But, more importantly, it rocks killer audio output and great vocal clarity.
If chrome isn’t your thing – don’t worry – it’s available in a brushed nickel or titanium black color scheme as well. The mic has a built-in stand, but also features an adapter that accommodates third-party microphone stands as well. Overall, a solid Twitch streaming mic at a great price.
Best Attributes
- Incredible sound quality
- Durable and strong build design
- Looks absolutely amazing
- Easy-access mute button on mic
- Great price for what you get
Where it Could Improve
- Integrated stand is a bit short
- Included USB cable is cheaply made
- Portable and lightweight design for hassle-free use
- Designed to provide clear, high-quality audio for streaming
- Pop filter helps to reduce annoying noises
- Suitable for use with PC or MAC
For quality Twitch streaming audio on a mid-range budget, we highly recommend checking out the Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone. The Blue brand has secured multiple spots on our list for a reason – they make an excellent mic for streaming. The Snowball is another winner in our books.
The Snowball is moderately priced, well-constructed, and provides streamers with fantastic audio quality for the price. Coupled with a good pop filter and a decent stand, this is a great choice for beginner or intermediate Twitch streamers.
Best Attributes
- Ideal for beginner or intermediate streamers
- Very easy to setup and use
- Great build quality
- Comes with tripod stand
- Available in black or white
Where it Could Improve
- No on-board mute button
- Needs a pop filter and a better mic stand
- Microphone is perfect for streaming and recording
- Metal body construction ensures lasting use
- Designed to be used by gamers and audio professionals
Razer is a company that makes a lot of higher-end pieces of gaming equipment. The Razer Seiren Elite USB Digital Mic is one of them. This is a decent choice for a streaming microphone. It has good audio quality, a very durable metal-body build, and a stylish appearance as well.
The Seiren is a bit more expensive than we’d like it to be, but it’s specifically tailored to gamers and Razer’s customer support is stellar, too. If you’re a big Razer fan you’ll definitely appreciate it. Some of the lower-priced models listed above do outperform it in terms of audio, though – something to keep in mind.
Best Attributes
- Good audio output
- Relatively easy to use
- Very sensitive microphone
- 4 recording patterns (cadioid, omni-directional, bi-directional, stereo)
- Convenient volume knobs
- Plug ‘n Play
Where it Could Improve
- More expensive than it should be
- Definitely requires a pop filter to reduce background hiss
- Compact and portable design for easy setup
- USB recording device with condenser mic for clear audio output
- Designed to meet the needs of new streamers and budget-conscious users
The Samson Go Portable USB Condenser Mic is a surprisingly good option for streamers that need a good mic on a lower-end budget. This mic is compact, sets up in minutes, and has much better audio quality than you’d expect at this price point.
It’s obviously not the best mic for streaming that money can buy, but if you’re just getting started or aren’t ready to invest in a higher-end microphone – the Samson Go is most definitely a mic that you should consider.
Best Attributes
- Decent quality audio
- Perfect for on-the-go use
- Plug and Play design
- Works with PC and Mac (no extra drivers needed)
- Cardioid and omnidirectional patterns
- Comes with travel case
- Very affordable
Where it Could Improve
- Not the best attached case (plastic and flimsy)
- Included USB cable is too short
- Cardioid-pattern microphone for clear audio capture
- Simple plug-and-play setup and easy to use
- Great starter microphone for beginners or casual gamers
For Twitch streamers looking for one of the most inexpensive options available, there’s the Fifine Plug & Play Home Studio USB Mic. This is a very basic, cardioid-pickup pattern microphone. It’s a decent mic, but don’t expect it to give you professional-grade audio.
This may not be the best mic for streaming, but it’s a great starter microphone for beginners or very casual gamers. The sound quality isn’t terrible, but it lacks bass depth and it picks up room sounds quite a bit. Nevertheless, it’s great if you want to build your streaming setup on the cheap.
Best Attributes
- Moderate audio quality
- Plug ‘n Play for fast setup
- Includes a mic stand
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- No extra software or drivers to install
- Super affordable
Where it Could Improve
- Mic stand isn’t too sturdy
- Picks up a lot of background noise
- Doesn’t handle low voices well
- Perfect for gamers who are just getting into streaming or YouTube
- Designed to look like a USB flash drive
- Features an integrated stand, mute button, independent volume controls, and adjustable neck
Finally, we come to the end of our list of best Twitch streaming mics. Our final pick for the top 10 is the KLIM Desktop USB Microphone. It’s a nifty-looking mic with better-than-you’d-expect audio quality that’s ideal for gamers that are just getting into streaming or YouTube.
The KLIM has its own integrated stand, a mute button, independent volume controls, and even an adjustable neck. If that isn’t enough for you – well, it can even hold your cell phone for you while you game. It may be more gimmick than mic, but it’s actually not a bad choice for beginners.
Best Attributes
- Moderate vocal audio quality
- Simple to use and fast to set up
- Features an integrated mic stand
- Works with both PC and Mac
- On-board volume and mute controls
- Available in red or blue
- Budget-priced
Where it Could Improve
- Sound quality is nothing to write home about
- Mic picks up background noise a lot
RECOMMENDED STREAMING MIC ACCESSORIES
While some of the streaming microphones we listed above come with things like stands, mounts, and pop filters, not all of them do. And some come with very cheap, flimsy accessories that will break after a short while.
For many gamers – these are not optional accessories, they’re must-haves.
The good news is that most of these extra pieces are relatively inexpensive.
POP FILTER
This is an essential for pretty much any microphone you buy. While some mics are definitely better than others at blocking the sound of wind and pops, none are perfect.
To ensure you don’t get these obnoxious sounds while recording or streaming it’s highly recommended that you get what is called a pop filter or windscreen. It’s a simple piece that is placed in front of the mic to help filter out pops and blowing wind coming through the mic input.
MIC STAND OR BOOM ARM
Only a select few of the models we listed above in our picks for best mic of streaming include a stand for the microphone. And even the ones that do, don’t have a sturdy or reliable one.
A good stand or boom arm is another core necessity for any aspiring Twitch streamer.
Which one you should use really comes down to personal preference. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
A mic stand, for example, is subject to vibrations created from typing or even just putting down your headset or controller, moving your mouse around, etc on your desk.
SHOCK MOUNT
If you plan to keep your streaming mic on a boom arm or a stand you’re also going to need a little gadget called a shock mount.
This is a special enclosure that is used to significantly decrease audio interference created by vibrations. In other words – your mic won’t produce booms, clicks, or pops whenever the stand or arm is hit, moved, or even if someone stomps on the floor nearby, sending shockwaves through whatever is holding your microphone.
This is an essential accessory for many streamers due to most people using gaming chairs that roll around on the floor, throwing controllers around, typing on keyboards located on the same desk as the mic, and so on.
Even the best Twitch streaming mic isn’t capable of blocking out 100% of the sound caused by vibrations. Using a shock mount will greatly reduce the chances of having your audio affected by it, though.
WHY INVEST IN THE BEST STREAMING MIC?
If you plan to make a career or even part-time job out of streaming or making videos in gaming you need to have good equipment to produce quality content. One of the most important pieces is your microphone.
SIDEBAR – A good mic doesn’t make your setup complete. Be sure to check out our answer to “What equipment do I need to stream?” to find out everything that should be on your list to be successful on Twitch!
Viewers want to be able to hear a streamer or YouTuber without having to jack up their volume or struggle to decipher words between pops and hissing. If your viewers encounter these problems – they may bounce right off your channel to the next guy or gal.
To avoid this embarrassing issue you NEED to get a good mic for streaming.
A good microphone gives you the ability to stream without having to worry about your viewers complaining about the audio quality while you’re playing games or even chatting with your fans directly.
