As an avid gamer and Youtube channel owner, I am constantly on the look out for good microphones for gaming and YouTube commentary.
Why?
Simply because running gaming commentary on Youtube right now is huge and I definitely want to stand out with awesome audio quality.
Gone are the days of using a desktop microphone with scratchy sounds and irritating background sounds.
These days you need to actually care for your audience and make sure that they can hear you clearly.
This is why when it comes to gaming and Youtube, you need to get the best noise cancelling mic for gaming… period.
There is no messing around and looking for shortcuts.
But the truth is that, there are so many brands and products out there that making a choice is actually very hard and confusing.
Should you go for desktop microphone for gaming or should you be more inclined towards getting a USB microphone for gaming.
Then there is the option of price, durability and audio quality.
These are all factors you need to consider before you make a choice.
In this article we will be looking at things you need to consider before buying a good microphone for gaming, reviews of the top 5 microphones you can choose from with their pros and cons and our editors top pick.
Top 5 Best Best Noise Cancelling Mic
- Blue Yeti USB Microphone – Editor’s Choice
- Antlion ModMic Microphone
- Zalman Zm-Mic1
- Blue Snowball Condenser Microphone
- Audio-Technica AT2035 Microphone – Premium Choice
Things you need to consider before buying a microphone
1. What is the recording quality?
This is the most important factor you need to consider when making a purchase.
Why?
Simply because you want to make sure that you get the mic with the best audio quality in the market.
The quality of your audio is very important especially the recording quality because you want to sound good when doing your recordings.
You want to avoid any product that picks up a lot of background noise or any mic that picks up your keyboard clicks.
You also need to make sure that it does not pick up any background noise or keyboard clicks.
So you need to be aware of this if you want to buy any microphone outside of the ones listed in this article.
2. Can be easily adaptable?
The simple truth is that my desktop settings and yours are completely different.
I might favour one setup over another and you might prefer to go with one over another.
So you need a gaming microphone that can perform well under different setups and scenarios.
You want to pick a mic that sounds great under any circumstance so that you can have a nice time playing your games and running your commentary.
3. How durable is it?
Also you need a mic that will last for a long time.
As games one of the things we know how to do very well is to play games.
While this is a good thing, we generally do not have the time to spend buying new mics every week.
So you want to make sure you get something that is made from quality material and lasts for a long time.
4. How much does it cost?
This has to do with the point mentioned above.
If you spend some extra cash to get a good and quality gaming microphone, you can sure that you are getting the best in terms of quality and durability.
Think of it like this…
Will you prefer to spend a few dollars on a microphone that lasts for 2 weeks and breaks down or you spend a couple extra hundred and get something that lasts for about 6 months to a year?
The answer is obvious
Our Top 5 Noise Cancelling Mic
1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
This is a USB microphone that delivers awesome and exceptional audio quality and is perfect for gaming and YouTube commentary.
It has a 3 condenser capsule that can record almost anything without picking up a lot of background noise and interference.
It has 4 different multiple pattern selections ( cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo) which makes it very easy to pick up sounds from any angle.
It has a gain control, mute button, zero latency and headphone output buttons which helps for easy control and navigation
It is ideal for a wide range of applications from vocal recording to voice overs, podcasting and also for gaming.
It is plug and play compatible and does not require any extensive setup to begin using.
2. Antlion ModMic Microphone
This is an attachment noise cancelling microphone that is ideal for gamers without a desk space.
With it’s precision cardioid capsule, it delivers professional audio quality while reducing and cancelling all background noises.
It comes with a detachable boom microphone which you can easily move around to help with your recording.
It is uniquely designed to provide comfort and flexibility making your job easier and much more fun.
It is ideal for gaming as it has a noise cancelling feature that helps to remove all background noises while giving you exceptional audio quality.
It comes with a 3.5mm jack that can be easily plugged into your PC making it very quick and easy to setup.
It comes with one ModmIc, two base clasps, one extra 3M pad, one foam pop filter, alcohol wipe, an instruction manual and a carrying case.
3. Zalman Zm-Mic1
The Zalman Mic is one of the cheapest microphones for gaming in the market today.
But make no mistake about the price, it produces awesome audio quality.
It has a unique design making it very attractive and compact.
It is a high sensitivity microphone which makes it ideal for recording vocals and for commentary.
It comes with 3 mini clips that helps in holding the microphone in place and for tidy arrangement.
It is made from very light piece of plastic that does not easily break or crack when dropped on the floor.
This is an ideal choice for gamers that are short on cash and also want something that is durable and delivers exceptional audio quality.
4. Blue Snowball Condenser Microphone
The Blue Snowball Microphone is a condenser microphone that captures and records audio quality perfectly.
It is ideal for gamers, Skype chats and also for recording audio on your YouTube channel.
It is plug and play and can be easily setup.
It is designed and built to be very portable and can be moved from one place to another easily.
It comes ready to go with an adjustable desktop mic stand and a USB cable
5. Audio-Technica AT2035 Microphone
The Audio Technica is a quality microphone that delivers exceptional audio sound and quality everytime.
It has a cardioid polar pattern that helps to reduce pickup of sounds from the sides and rear of the microphone.
This is very useful because it helps you record only the desired soundsIt has a large diaphragm which helps in producing smooth, natural and low noise.
It comes with a pop filter which reduces plosives and sibilance issues
It has a 10 feet XLR cable which makes it very convenient and easy to connect to your PC or an external mixer.
It has a microfiber cleaning cloth that cleans dusts and debris easily.
This is one microphone that is highly recommended for games to record their vocals.
Conclusion
A good microphone for gaming should have some basic features.
It should be able to deliver good sound quality.
It should be durable and very easy to setup
And it should be right to purchase for the right price.
All the mics reviewed in this article meet and surpass this criteria.
So make sure you take the time and pick one that works for you.
If you have any comments or tips, leave them in the box below.
