High-quality microphones are no longer prohibitively expensive. When it comes to streaming, you don’t need a microphone with a tonne of bells and whistles, such as RGB illumination or a tonne of audio options.
It may be difficult to accept, but all a microphone has to do is perform well and produce high-quality sound (ideally plug-and-play). Extra features are, well, extra.
Even though many of the best budget microphones for streaming cost upwards of $100, the ones on our list skip all the frills and even mute buttons in favour of delivering clear audio. In the beginning stages of streaming, you don’t need to spend $200 or more on a microphone in order to have high-quality audio.
However, despite their modest price, these microphones are nothing but high-quality and, in some cases, rival with some of the most expensive microphones now on the market.
In order to discover the best of the best among the many options available on the market, we put up a list of the most popular budget USB and XLR microphones currently available.
In today’s market, there are thousands of various microphone models to choose from, and the amount of money you’ll have to pay on a particular model can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Here are some of the best budget microphone for streaming and gaming that can provide you with decent audio quality.
What type of microphone is best for streaming?
1.HyperX SoloCast
The king of inexpensive mics, if you will. With a single eye on audio quality, the HyperX SoloCast excels. While the SoloCast lacks some of the more glitzy features of its more expensive QuadCast siblings, it is still one of HyperX’s best budget microphones, if not their best overall.
Streaming and podcasting are both excellent uses for the SoloCast’s cardioid condenser. USB-A to USB-C cable and matching 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 16-bit sample rate make this microphone a good match for QuadCast microphones.
The lack of RGB illumination isn’t the most glaring flaw with the SoloCast. SoloCast has no audio customisation or gain control on the microphone, unlike its QuadCast siblings.
The mic is a touch hot out of the box, so you may want to drop the level a bit. You may adjust the volume in OBS or whichever sound programme you’re using. The top of the device has a tap-to-mute button, which is a convenient feature you’ll reach for more often than you expect.
It’s a simple pill-shaped plastic microphone with a stand that can be screwed onto any standard microphone arm.
The HyperX SoloCast could easily be a $100 mic based on audio quality alone, and that would be an absolutely reasonable pricing point. For this price, you get a USB microphone that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and does it effectively.
2.Razer Seiren Mini
It’s a direct competitor to HyperX SoloCast, but Razer’s Seiren Mini is a more affordable option that still provides excellent sound quality.
If you’re looking for an audio-only streaming service, SoloCast is your best bet.
It’s worth picking up the Seiren Mini even if you’re anti-HyperX or already have a complete Razer setup.
At about $50, the Seiren Mini has a condenser microphone with a super-cardioid condenser that does a good job of removing background noise while focusing on what’s directly in front of the microphone.
Compared to the SoloCast, which is as sturdy as it is, SoloCast is more prone to picking up background noises.
A mute button is missing on the Seiren Mini, therefore you’ll need to mute your microphone manually in OBS in order for it to not pick up any unwanted noises. Additionally, the Seiren Mini is equipped with a built-in shock mount, which is more helpful than you may expect yet is absent from the SoloCast.
There are many of reasons to consider picking up the Seiren Mini instead of the SoloCast, including the fact that its audio quality is nearly identical to the SoloCast’s, if not identical. In terms of price, this is a good option for individuals on a budget.
3.Blue Yeti Nano
Even while the Blue Yeti Nano is a “cheap” microphone, it’s also one of the most luxurious on our list, depending on your point of view.
It’s a tiny version of the Blue Yeti, a well-loved and trusted product, and it has many of the same traits as the Blue Yeti, such as excellent sound quality.
As an added bonus, it’s around 40% smaller than the Yeti, making it much more portable.
Even more essential is its 24-bit, 48kHz recording sample rate, which is the highest and greatest on this list, or any other “cheap” list for that matter.
Besides, it has two polar patterns (cardioid and omnidirectional) and a dial to modulate mic gain, which is a wonderful quality of life feature that the final two less expensive microphones on our list do not possess.
It’s hard to justify the Nano’s $100 price tag when you consider that the Yeti costs only $30 more than the Nano does.
If you’re looking for a high-quality microphone that offers a few extra functions that other microphones don’t, this is the one for you.
Even if the Yeti costs a few dollars more, this is still a good buy for people on a limited budget.
4.Rode NT-USB-Mini
We don’t need to explain the benefits of rode microphones.In terms of microphones, they’re one of the best out there.
If you want high-quality audio at a reasonable price, the Blue Yeti Nano is a good place to start, but the NT-USB-Mini is a great alternative.
Despite its boxy design, this microphone is remarkably small, like the HyperX SoloCast and the Razer Seiren Mini.
USB-A to USB-C is a simple plug-in, and it has the same sample rate and bit depth as the Blue Yeti Nano (48kHz/24bit).
Because it only contains a cardioid condenser, it can only pick up noises directly in front of the mic, but it performs a better job of picking up background noise than the SoloCast and Seiren Mini, which are both less expensive alternatives.
The NT-sound Mini’s quality is comparable to some of the most costly, premium microphones on the market, despite its small size.
It incorporates a headphone connector for zero-latency mic monitoring and a gain control identical to the Yeti Nano.
It makes use of Rode Connect, a capability not found in the other microphones in this list, to record with several NT-Minis simultaneously.
The NT-Mini is one of the most popular microphones in the industry for a good reason.
Even though $100 isn’t exactly budget-friendly, the NT-Mini gives the popular Yeti Nano a run for its money because of its high-quality sound and flexibility to connect several microphones.
Even while the Rode NT-USB mic for streaming is on the more expensive end of the budget pricing range, it is also one of the best and most efficient microphones available for this application.
A lot of popular streamers use it as well, and it’s quite professional. With a price that is more than affordable, it has the appearance of a high-end studio microphone.
Sound quality is exceptional, and your Twitch stream viewers will be able to hear you clearly and loudly during the broadcast. Also helpful is the complimentary pop shield that comes with it..
5.JLab Audio Talk GO
JLab is well known for their cheap audio devices, so it’s not strange to see them on this list or any other budget microphones list.
The Talk Go competes with HyperX and Razer in the cheap microphone market, yet it manages to strike a worthy punch with its $50 price point.
JLab’s Talk mic line includes a $150 Talk Pro, a $100 Talk, and the Go, which we’ll discuss in this article. The Talk Go is the budget model.
It has two condensers and a higher sampling rate of 96kHz at 24-bit depth, which is outstanding for a microphone that costs less than $100.
Among its features is a typical cardioid microphone, but it also has an omnidirectional microphone, which is a nice and helpful addition.
Audio quality is the Go’s Achilles’ heel.
The Go’s sound is a touch tinny and doesn’t filter out your “P’s” as much as most people would want, despite the fact that it has a greater sample rate and depth.
For $50, there are better microphones available than the JLab Talk Go, which is the major shortcoming of this device.
We might easily overlook JLab because of the already existing Blue Snowball, HyperX SoloCast and Razer Seiren Mini.
If you’re just getting started and don’t want to spend a lot of money, you might be surprised by the Talk Go’s performance as a budget mic.
6.USB Condenser UHURU
The UHURU Professional PC mic is another another model that deserves to be included in our list of the best cheap mics for streaming.
This microphone, in contrast to the other microphones on our list, is equipped with a cutting-edge chipset that is not typically found in microphones in this price range.
In comparison to the other models, this one uses a sample rate that is four times higher. In terms of streaming, it may not sound like Blue Yeti Nano or Razer Seiren Mini, but it does not rule it out as an option worth considering in the long run.
It’s generally thought to be more popular among professional podcasters, which is wonderful if that’s your side business.
This studio-quality USB microphone is ideal for Twitch streamers who are also making money through podcasting.
For just $50, you can have high-quality recordings that are authentic to the source material. You can also rest assured that the audio won’t be tainted or distorted in any way.
Additionally, if you’re streaming in a noisy setting, this microphone will help you avoid picking up unwanted sounds from the sides.
There is no need to purchase extra microphone accessories because of the included mic stand, shock mounts, windscreens, and pop filters.
Setting it up is simple, and you can begin streaming at any time.
The microphone has a high-end processor, which is its main advantage. There aren’t many mics on this list that can deliver smooth audio at a sampling rate of 192 kHz/24 bit.
In order to make recording easier, the cardioid polar pattern removes background noise.
Also included in the kit is a pop filter-in to improve the sound of harsh words like p, b and f, which can be difficult to pronounce.
As a bonus, you don’t need any additional driver software to set it up. The software is compatible with Macs, Windows, and other laptops.
Because of the strength and stability of the metal, the scissor arm can be adjusted to your liking. The microphone may also be folded if you need to take it elsewhere.
7.Samson G-Track Professional Mic
This is one of the best streaming microphones on the market. The Samson G-Track Pro’s greatest asset is its versatility.
A two-track audio mixer is supplied, and you can use one of the few included recording patterns. This microphone has a USB connection and is compatible with both Macs and Windows computers.
This USB microphone is mainly designed for podcasters, content makers, and especially Twitch streamers to produce high-quality audio recordings.
This microphone is popular with Twitch streamers of all levels of experience, but even though it’s priced at 130 dollars, it’s more expensive than the majority of the other products on our list.
There aren’t many mics on the market that can match this one in terms of capturing the subtleties and nuances of your voice while remaining reasonably priced.
Overall, this model is incredibly detailed, has a wide range of functions, and can generate high-quality music for a reasonable price.
Characteristics that make this one of the best mic for streaming:
Multi-pattern USB makes it excellent for Twitch streaming because of its sturdy construction.
The 1/4-inch audio input on the Samson G-Track Pro transforms it into a two-track audio mixer.
Adding a second microphone, audio source, or even a keytar is now possible without the need for an additional mixer.
Three sound modes are also included in the package. Your voice can be recorded in a cardioid mode by speaking directly in front of the microphone.
For those times when you’d like to share your stream with a friend, it’s possible to record in a bidirectional figure-8 mode that can pick up sound from both sides.
Finally, the omnidirectional mode captures all of the surrounding noise. Three sound modes are a rarity among inexpensive microphones, making this one even better.
Buying the Best Budget Microphone for Streaming: Things to Keep in Mind
- The Quality of the Audio
Budget microphones with 16-bit recordings at 44.1kHz or more are generally considered to be of higher quality than their less expensive counterparts.
Increased storage capacity and greater streaming and editing freedom are both possible with these figures.
- Polar Pattern
To put it another way, the polar pattern is simply the inherent sensitivity to detect sound waves and determine their direction of travel.
To put it simply, it’s the capacity to hear your voice from any angle. Bidirectional and cardioid are the only two types of cardioid microphones.
- Method of connection
Both XLR and USB are commonly used to connect microphones to a computer. These two are quite different.
It is not possible to connect your laptop directly to an XLR port. To use an XLR microphone, you’ll need to buy a mixer or audio interface.
Improved sound quality can be achieved by giving the user more control over the sound. However, you won’t have to spend money on a USB microphone.
Conclusion
As audio professionals, we realise how challenging it may be to select the right microphone for your project, especially if you have no prior experience.
This list is intended to help you narrow down your search and perhaps even make a decision on one of the possibilities we’ve included below.
We think the Samson G-Track is the greatest choice for Twitch streamers because of the many capabilities it provides.
