Gaming microphone in test 2023
Microphones to connect to a PC or laptop can be bought in stores for comparatively little money. However, these do not always result in a sufficiently good recording quality. Demanding gamers in particular therefore swear by so-called gaming Microphone or streaming microphone, which promises a crystal-clear sound - but is also a bit more expensive to buy. But when exactly is such a gaming microphone actually worth it? And which important criteria should one consider when looking for a suitable model? Our guide article below will tell you.
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BBeiyy Gaming Microphone PC with Arm RGB, Microphone... |
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FIFINE Gaming Microphone PC with Arm, USB Microphone... |
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Trust Gaming 22400 GXT 252 Emita Plus Studio... |
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FIFINE XLR Streaming Microphone with Arm for Podcast... |
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HyperX SoloCast –... |
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NJSJ Gaming Microphone PC with Arm, USB Microphone... |
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OBVHNUA Gaming Microphone PC USB Microphone RGB... |
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Logitech G Yeti GX Dynamic RGB Gaming Microphone... |
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For whom can a gaming microphone be advantageous?
Anyone who only occasionally calls their friends via Skype on the PC certainly does not need an expensive microphone for this. However, if you belong to the ever-growing group of demanding gamers, regularly record YouTube videos or stream on online platforms such as Twitch, it can prove to be advantageous to use a high-quality gaming microphone. This offers its user excellent sound quality, so that you can be understood perfectly in audio group chats, but also when streaming and making videos - without any annoying background noise such as hissing or humming. Especially with Lets Play videos on Youtube, the viewers are also happy about an existing gaming microphone - after all, nobody wants a video with miserable sound quality.
Is a gaming headset not enough?
Many gamers find that buying a gaming microphone is not necessary because they already have one Gaming Headset own. In fact, such a headset offers several advantages compared to a classic headset - but it cannot keep up with the excellent sound quality of a free-standing gaming microphone. Gamers in particular who talk to other players while gambling know the problem: the other player can once again be recognized more than clearly by the noise of his breathing. These are caused by the fact that the headset's microphone is located very close to the wearer's mouth, which means that the annoying background noise can hardly be avoided. An equally annoying phenomenon that you hear again and again during gaming sessions is the clicking of the keyboard when a fellow player has to enter several messages in the chat. Through a stand microphone, which is at a suitable distance on the Desk of the player, both background noises are a thing of the past - at the same time you can still hear the owner of the microphone very well. Furthermore, it is of course also extremely advantageous for your own well-being if you do not have to wear a heavy gaming headset all the time when gambling - and Lets Play videos also look much cooler and more serious without a headset on.
Different types of gaming microphones
Unfortunately, it is not that easy to find a good gaming microphone, because the trade offers an almost confusing selection of different models. So that you don't lose track of things during your search, we will present the individual subtypes in more detail in the following section - including their advantages and disadvantages.
Plug-in microphone
A lapel microphone is a particularly inexpensive type of gaming microphone. As the name suggests, it is attached near the mouth, for example on the collar of the sweater. However, real gamers should quickly forget such microphones, because their audio quality is usually anything but good - you also hear annoying noise all the time when the player moves. The only advantage of such clip-on microphones is their low purchase price.
Boom Microphone
A boom microphone ranks after the lapel microphone in terms of quality. In addition to the microphone capsule, this model has a special extension arm that is attached directly to the headphones. This in turn ensures that the microphone capsule is positioned directly in front of the player's mouth, which helps to reduce unsightly background noise. Many boom microphones can be retracted at the user's request, and some models even automatically mute the microphone as soon as the extension arm is folded up. The advantage of a boom microphone is of course the high degree of flexibility in use. However, since the microphone is directly in front of the mouth, you can hear the breathing noises mentioned at the beginning, which many players find annoying.
USB or XLR microphone
Both USB microphones and XLR microphones belong to the top class among gaming microphones and are used by almost all demanding gamers as well as Youtubers and Twitch streamers. These models, which are also offered under the name of desktop microphones or table microphones, were specially developed for setting up on a desk or for alternative mounting on a microphone arm and are therefore of course significantly larger. As long as the desk offers enough space, this is of course not a problem at all - and if necessary, you simply reach for the swivel arm mentioned. The significantly larger shape of the USB or XLR microphones has the advantage that the sound quality is excellent and such a microphone is therefore ideal for demanding gamers. But there is also a small disadvantage here: This subspecies of gaming microphones also tends to pick up background noise – active noise suppression is only on board in very few models.
USB and XLR Microphone: What's the Difference?
USB and XLR microphones differ in terms of their connection options. As the name suggests, USB microphones connect directly to the PC via a USB port and are therefore very user-friendly. Even users who have no experience with connecting microphones will easily get along with such a microphone.
With an XLR microphone, however, the connection to the PC proves to be much more complicated, because it is not possible without special additional hardware. This is necessary because an XLR microphone has a special XLR plug, which is now the standard in the professional field (e.g. in recording studios) - but not necessarily in home PCs. So that the connection is still possible, you need an additional audio interface that is able to convert the analog signal into a digital signal. Alternatively, you can do this with the help of an XLR-to-USB adapter, which you also have to buy separately for your purchased XLR microphone. In our experience, XLR microphones score with the best sound that can be found in the field of common gaming microphones and also offer additional recording options for professional purposes. However, if you have absolutely no idea about audio interfaces and the like, you should definitely opt for a classic USB microphone. Here, too, many models offer an excellent sound that is completely sufficient for gaming, Twitch & Co.
Different types of recording or directional characteristics
Depending on the model selected, the individual gaming microphones also record their surroundings in different ways. When looking for a suitable model, you will certainly come across the following three directional characteristics, which we would like to present to you in a little more detail for better understanding.
cardioid (kidney)
Microphones with cardioid or cardioid technology are particularly common because they are very popular with gamers. With such a model, the sound is primarily recorded directly from the front, so that the gamer's voice is particularly good and clear. On the other hand, the noise coming from the side and from behind is only absorbed, which many gamers see as a big plus.
Omnidirectional (sphere)
This looks completely different with an omnidirectional microphone, which in this country is called "ball". Here the sound is picked up evenly from all sides - this means that the entire room and the prevailing acoustic elements are covered. Such a microphone is less popular with gamers because it simply records too much unsightly background noise. In professional recording studios, on the other hand, omnidirectional microphones are very popular. In addition, such microphones are also excellent for recording podcasts where several people are gathered in the room.
Bidirectional (Eight)
Bidirectional microphones allow your user to pick up the sound equally well from both the front and the back. In contrast to an omnidirectional microphone, however, any interference that may come from the other two sides is completely suppressed. Such a microphone is ideal for recording the voices of two singers facing each other - this would of course also work with two gamers talking about a game while recording a gaming video.
And finally ...
Although gaming headsets are very popular with many gamers, they have the disadvantage that other gamers are constantly confronted with annoying breathing noises. If you value flawless sound during a gaming session, when recording Lets Plays or live streaming via YouTube, Twitch & Co, you should ideally use a high-quality gaming microphone.
The table microphones, which are quite bulky in some cases but sound excellent, are particularly recommended here. They can be easily positioned on the desk or mounted using a movable microphone arm. If you want to get started right away without major installation, the best thing to do is to opt for a plug & play microphone, which is simply connected to the PC via USB and is then ready to go. On the other hand, we recommend experienced audio enthusiasts to use a professional XLR microphone, which delivers the currently best possible sound after the installation of additional hardware.
