A microphone is one of the must-have tools if you’re serious about streaming, especially if you’re just starting out. However, microphones for computers aren’t exactly cheap; the best ones tend to go well past the $200 price range, and this can be disheartening. Still, you don’t have to settle for those; there are budget mic models for streamers who are just starting out.
If you’re not recording anything for a contest or a high-end use case, then these budget mic models will do the job and more.
You mostly just need to be able to talk to your audience, talk to your squad in games, or record some amateur singing (amateur as in ‘nonprofessional,’ mmkay? Calm down).
They probably won’t please the ears of audiophiles, but these budget mic models can give you a good headstart in streaming or other online activities.
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HyperX SoloCast
PROS
- Affordable
- Studio-level recording
- Versatile boom arm
- Comes with RGB
- Dedicated mute button
- Good device compatibility
CONS
- Can still pick up footsteps, typing, or other small sounds
Specs:
- Audio Resolution: 24-bit/96 kHz
- Compatibility: PC, PS5, PS4, or Mac
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
It’s a lot more affordable compared to other microphones– even the budget ones, but that doesn’t make the HyperX mic a slouch. It’s one of the best on the market since it has everything that most streamers and gamers want.
There’s noise cancellation, sound quality fit for studio recordings, and there’s even an RGB. Athough for the sake of maintaining a budget limit, it’s best to go for the red-only lighting.
The boom arm is also versatile so you can purchase a good alternative arm for this mic since it doesn’t come with many other accessories. It’s also easy to use, just plug and play; the mic already comes well-configured out of the factory.
HyperX SoloCast
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
PROS
- Versatile polar patterns
- Great for any use case
- Dedicated mute button
- Sturdy stand and build
CONS
- Big mic, needs lots of space
- Can still pick up keyboard noise
- Pricey
Specs:
- Audio Resolution: 16-bit/48 kHz
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, Android, iOS
- Polar Pattern: Four Patterns (Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional, Stereo)
If you do want something that’s bordering on the more “premium” category while still maintaining its entry-level price tag, then the acclaimed Blue Yeti is always a good option. Granted, most mics from the Blue brand have a good reputation.
This mic, in particular, is famed for providing its users with four polar pattern options which lets them choose how the mic picks up sound. It’s quite important depending on what you’re recording since the listening devices of your audience can vary greatly.
As for the use case, it’s great for nearly everything, according to the manufacturers. This is a mic that you can take to almost any job, save for those that require perfect audio clarity and representation.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
MAONO USB Microphone
PROS
- Comes with a generous kit
- Good audio resolution
- Affordable
- Good compatibility
- Pop filter included
CONS
- Arm can be flimsy and loose
- Mic picks up too much background noise despite the kit
Specs:
- Audio Resolution: 192kHz/24Bit
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, Android, iOS, PS4
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Most of the budget mic options here are just barebones; it’s mostly just the mic with its stand and a few essential accessories. The Maono USB Microphone begs to differ. It comes with a condenser, a pop filter, a boom arm set, a foam windscreen, a magnet ring, and a shock mount.
It’s a generous package no doubt, so even if the mic performs less than you expected, you still get a good kit.
And take note, it doesn’t disappoint. The most common complaint about the mic is its sensitivity since it picks up a lot of background noise. But generally, the sound and recording quality are nearly on par with more expensive budget mics in the market.
MAONO USB Microphone
Razer Seiren Mini
PROS
- Compact and portable
- Supercardioid feature
- Impressive noise cancellation, blocks keyboard typing sounds
- Minimalist design
- Excellent recording quality
CONS
- Needs to be close to your face or mouth for recordings and speech
- No dedicated mute button
Specs:
- Audio Resolution: 48 kHz/16 bit
- Compatibility: PC, Camera, devices with USB ports
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Big budget mics can take up a lot of space and if you’re conscious about your desk real estate and want something more minimalist, then the Razer Seiren Mini might be the preferable choice.
It’s smaller than most mics but still has a sturdy and flexible stand that allows for wide tilts. Otherwise, you can always take the mic out and put it on a boom arm.
Its most defining feature, apart from the small size, is its unique cardioid pattern called supercardioid which Razer promises to produce better noise cancellation from the side audio sources due to the tighter pickup.
Razer Seiren Mini
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you use a gaming and streaming mic for more demanding recording tasks?
Generally, you can. These kinds of microphones were made to pick up as little background noise as possible and to make speech clear through enhancement. So they can handle singing voice recording or even a podcast. -
Are gaming mics better than headset mics?
Yes. The limited engineering and design of the headset mic reduce recording quality.