Popular content platforms like Youtube, Twitch, Mixer or WASD.TV have turned into full-fledged tools in recent years, with the help of which almost anyone can earn money on their own talent, unique knowledge, acting or gaming skills.
But if earlier it was enough for recording what is at hand – and many did without additional equipment at all – today the competition is already too high. The content you create has a chance of success if it is not only interesting and original, but also well-made.
This time we take a look at the sonic aspect of the perfect video, podcast, livestream or stream while you play – and find out what the best gaming microphones of 2022 are, how they differ and what opportunities open up for you depending on your scenarios with these gadgets.
Top 10 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Razer Seren Emote
The Razer Seiren Emote is a plug&play USB condenser microphone that, in addition to the high-quality technical component that transmits the tonality of the voice and at the same time “turns off” background noise, also knows how to interact with the audience thanks to the 8-bit emoticon display on the back of the microphone – the latter reacts to various emotional triggers during your stream. Among other things, we highlight the microphone power button and the volume control wheel on the front side, plus vibration protection to muffle noise in particularly intense gaming moments.
2. HyperX QuadCast
The main difference between the QuadCast microphone and the previous one is the variability in the choice of the directivity pattern. There are four of them here – from ordinary gaming sessions with friends to recording vocals, interviews or full-fledged “streaming”. Other benefits include bright RGB lighting, a headphone jack for real-time output monitoring, a touch-sensitive microphone power button with sensitivity adjustment, and a built-in pop filter to smooth out plosive sounds.
3. Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB
A feature of the model is the ability to work from different connection methods. At home, you can connect it to a USB cable, and if you need a live performance, the microphone can be safely connected to the mixing console with an XLR cable. In technical terms, it is a dynamic cardioid microphone, which is ideal for individual recording, as it practically does not pick up sounds from the sides and rear.
What other gaming microphones are worth considering
4. AKG Lyra
The microphone has four different diagrams, but the versatility of the microphone does not end there, because in addition to being able to connect to a PC, the device can be connected to devices based on Android or iOS. Lyra also boasts Ultra-HD (24-bit/192kHz) recording and vintage styling for timeless classic lovers. Among other advantages, there is a connector for monitoring sound recording, a record mute button and microphone sensitivity adjustment.
5. OMEN Mindframe
The world’s first headset with a built-in active cooling system that
removes heat from the ears. This is due to the operation of thermoelectric converters built into the headphones – they cool the aluminum mesh-speakers and remove heat from the acoustic chamber to the outside. The volume control is brought to one of the ear cushions to do it as quickly as possible, the sound in the “ears” is according to the 7.1 system, and the key link, the microphone, in this model can be turned off if you point it up, and also filters out extraneous sounds due to the noise reduction function .
6. Acer Nitro NHW820
One of the attractive nuances of this headset, in addition to the ability to reproduce and record sound, which is quite good for its price category, is its compactness and relatively light weight, which allows you to use the headset for a long time without feeling tired. The headphone microphone is omnidirectional and noise-canceling for clear voice in game audio chat.
7. Corsair HS60 Surround
Another 7.1 audio system, which is positioned by Corsair as a gaming solution that provides 100% immersion in the gaming process. The main features of the HS60 Surround are 50 mm neodymium drivers, ear pads filled with memory foam, and multi-platform, allowing you to connect headphones not only to PCs, but also to consoles and mobile devices. The microphone itself here is unidirectional, has noise-canceling technology and is Discord certified to guarantee the purity and quality of the output signal. If necessary, the microphone can be completely disconnected from the headset.
8. Logitech G PRO X
The microphone in this model is built on BLUE VO!CE technology – it allows you to apply various voice filters in real time. With their help, you can give your voice a clearer, richer and more professional sound, reducing background noise, reducing the dynamic range and eliminating the accompanying hiss. The speakers in the headphones support 7.1 sound format. High-fidelity sound, improved bass reproduction, and sound source zooming in and out effects allow you to estimate the distance to the sound source, for example, in a game, to more accurately calculate the location of the enemy.
9. Sennheiser GSP 670
It’s kind of the heavy artillery of the gaming mic world. The Sennheiser GSP 670 premium wireless gaming headphones bring your gaming experience to life with a closed-back design, comfortable ear cushions and up to 20 hours of active use. The headset microphone has noise-canceling technology and broadcast-quality recording. In particular, the headset can record two volume controls, for example, for chatting and playing, fast charging (2 hours of operation with 7 minutes of charging) and low latency when connected via USB-Bluetooth receiver.
10. Defender Scrapper 500
Finally, let’s talk about the budget gaming headset from Defender. Scrapper 500 is a closed-back headset that allows you to comfortably play games on PC, consoles and mobile devices at a low price. The body of the headset is made mainly in matte plastic and black and red tones, and you can also add a cable in a fabric braid and a volume control built into one of the ear cups to the practicality of the device. The microphone here is of a directional type, providing relatively good voice recording quality for this price category.
How to choose a gaming microphone
The best gaming microphones in the same price range usually have similar characteristics – in this case everything is known by comparison, but it is worth remembering that, like the importance of light for a good shot, recording quality also depends on external factors. Therefore, it is worth being puzzled by the arrangement of the room for the sake of high-quality sound – this is a whole science. However, if your goal is not to create content, then this item is not critical, and then you should pay attention to other nuances. For example, on the radiation pattern – unidirectional microphones are ideal here, which will be focused only on the player and will practically not pick up extraneous sounds, for example, the sound of a mechanical keyboard.
Expert Opinion
Alexander s1mple Kostylev, player of the Natus Vincere esports CS:GO team:
“If we are talking about a gaming headset with a microphone, then it is important that the latter be noise-canceling. People play over the Internet in different rooms: a motorcycle passes by someone’s window, a dog barks, something falls in the next room. The players are different, the cases are different. If we play in a team, I have to be sure that I will hear every word of a fellow teammate – this is what a good noise reduction system is for. It is also desirable that the microphone be on a flexible leg, and it can be customized. My personal preference: removable form factor or hardware shutdown button – not all words are meant for other people’s ears.
The microphone for the streamer is a completely different device. For streaming, it is important that the sound quality is equal to or even better than the picture quality. Therefore, a streamer microphone is often a separate professional-level gadget. You can mess around with the XLR connectors, but it will take a lot of time and will be very expensive. There is an easier option – high-quality USB microphones. There is no need to save money here, because the popularity of the streamer and the number of his subscribers depend on the quality of content delivery. And which one to choose – capacitor or dynamic – depends on your financial capabilities. However, there are already headsets on the market with professional-grade microphones that are almost as good as condenser and dynamic ones.”