Streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube has become incredibly common these days. It's not just gamers; many other types of users want to build an audience around something they're passionate about. This could be sharing a live music session, engaging in other creative or informative activities, or simply chatting. If you're thinking about doing the same, or if you already do and want to improve your sound quality, these are the best microphones for streaming.
Are you going to stream? Improve audio quality
When you start a Twitch channel or do your first live shows on YouTube, it's normal to do it with the material you already have. Sometimes it will be with the webcam of your laptop and a simple hands-free headset and in others there will be a little more luck and you will be able to use a mirrorless or DSLR camera with a higher quality microphone.
However, assuming that you start with little equipment or that you want to improve what you already have. Our advice is that the first thing you should invest in is audio. In other words, get a good microphone and the quality of your streaming will improve remarkably. Because if you are heard clearly and well, it will be much easier to retain the audience if the content is also interesting and/or entertaining.
That's why we're going to help you. We'll give you the key factors you really need to consider when choosing the best microphone for streaming. And no, we're not going to bore you with hundreds of technical terms that will probably confuse you more than clarify the concepts. In fact, if you're truly passionate about sound, you'll easily find everything you want to learn more about.
What a good streaming microphone should have
The question of what a good microphone should offer for streaming is almost the same as what a good microphone should have for podcasting, recording videos, etc. and it's two things: capture quality and ability to adapt to the scenario where you record.
The first point is easy to understand: the microphone capsule must be able to capture the widest possible range of frequencies . This will prevent the metallic sound of cheap microphones and ensure that even after applying the compression used for online streaming, the audio quality remains good.
The second point isn't so obvious and has to do with echo, reverberation, and whether the microphone is dynamic or condenser. If you're streaming from a sparsely furnished room, you're likely to encounter echo and reverberation problems. Therefore, while ideally you should adapt the room's acoustics as best you can with acoustic foam, rugs, curtains, furniture, etc., it's always better to opt for a dynamic microphone rather than a condenser one.
It is true that there will be exceptions and a condenser microphone will give you a great result. But first of all, the dynamic ones are much more appreciated for all those users who do not have much knowledge in sound matters.
Done, really the rest of the data that they can give you about a microphone is not going to make a big change when choosing a new model. So, if that's okay with you, let's go directly to our recommendations for the best microphones for streaming and why each one of them.
Shure SM7B, the microphone of Ibai Llanos
If you follow Ibai Llanos' Twitch channel and many other influential users on the platform, you'll have noticed they have something in common. That's right, they've all been using the same microphone lately: the Shure SM7B.
The reason is very simple: it's one of the best microphones on the market. The problem is that it's not exactly cheap. The microphone itself costs around 400 euros, but in addition to that, you need phantom power and an audio interface with an XLR connection to then connect it to your computer. In the end, the investment goes up to 700 or 800 euros to have that same setup.
Is it worth it? The answer depends on the individual. If you can afford it, it's a safe bet, but if not, or if you have other devices to buy, there are models that are very similar and might even be more appealing in certain cases, such as the Rode PodMic (which also requires a sound interface). So let's continue.
See offer on AmazonBack MV7
This Shure MV7 was recently released and is clearly inspired by the microphone we mentioned earlier. The main difference is that it's a hybrid model that you can use with a USB audio interface with an XLR connection or directly connected to your computer via the built-in USB cable.
Then, at the sound level, it offers that performance characteristic of the manufacturer and, together with an audio output, allows you to monitor the recording as well as listen to what other people may be saying in the event of a live show with guests.
See offer on AmazonBlue Yeti
While I'm not a huge fan of Blue Yeti condenser microphones , this relatively recent model offers very good sound quality. The problem is that, being a condenser microphone, if the room isn't acoustically treated, it will pick up even the slightest ambient noise. For example, the sound of typing on the keyboard, the mouse moving across the desk, and so on.
See offer on AmazonSamson Q2U
It's a basic, yet very simple and capable microphone, as it can be used via USB or its XLR connection. With surprisingly good performance for the price, if you're on a budget, there's probably no better option on the market to get started with streaming. What we like most is the depth and clarity it provides to the sound.
See offer on AmazonRode NT-USB Mini
The Rode NT-USB Mini could be considered the evolution of the popular Mode NT-USB. This compact microphone is surprisingly responsive, and the quality is what we've come to expect from the manufacturer. Connecting directly to a PC via a simple USB cable, it also features an audio output and volume control for monitoring the recording.
See offer on AmazonRode VideoMic NTG
This microphone is a bit different from what you usually see on many streams, but it's an interesting option you should consider. First, because it's a shotgun microphone that provides much better isolation from surrounding noise. Second, because although it's designed for use with video cameras, it also offers a USB-C connection so you can connect it directly to your computer or mobile device. And the 3,5mm jack connection allows you to monitor the audio.
Therefore, you have almost a three-in-one or a multifunctional microphone that without being extremely cheap justifies its value with these options depending on what type of use scenario.
See offer on AmazonRemember to get a microphone arm
We are convinced that any of these microphones will adapt perfectly to your budget and will give that leap in sound quality that you need so that your streaming starts to sound differently.
Of course, remember to get a microphone arm. With them you will not only be able to get closer to the mouth to have a better audio capture, but also the possibility of eliminating possible noises caused by vibrations on the table or similar.
See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonThere are many types of arms, the Rode arm is a true classic and its build quality is more than proven. However, if you are looking for a slightly cheaper option without going for the cheaper models that end up not being able to support the weight of the microphone among other problems, the Neewer option is quite attractive.
*Note to the reader: All Amazon links in this text are part of an affiliate program that allows us to earn a small commission without affecting the price of your purchases. All links have been placed freely and without any request from the brands.