Over the years, video games have become increasingly more interactive and immerse. In part, this is due to the games themselves. We’ve come a long way since Pacman. But interactivity and connection between players in massively connected games has also played a role.
Discord is an instant messaging and VoIP application designed for creating communities. Many gamers use it to communicate with the other people they play with. But in order to use Discord to communicate with your fellow gamers, you’ll need the best microphone for Discord. For gaming you’ll probably want to choose a USB microphone. These plug directly into any USB port.
Best Overall
- Easy Setup
- Discord Certified Mic
- Professional Sound Quality
Premium Pick
- High Quality Studio Mic
- Zero-Latency Monitoring
- Comes With Pop Shield
Budget Pick
- Great Natural Sound Quality
- Stable Tripod Stand
- Reduces Background Noise
Best Microphone For Discord
There are thousands of microphone options out there to choose from. When selecting one you’ll want to go for the best audio quality that is within your budget. Microphones range in price from under twenty dollars to several hundred dollars. You also want to make sure that your microphone is user friendly enough that you know how to work it properly.
Listed below are the top microphones for Discord. It produces rich clear sound while preserving the speaker’s natural voice.
1. Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic – Best Overall
The very reasonably priced Blue Snowball iCE mic is certified by Discord as a recommended USB microphone for use with their app. It has a fun vintage look and it’s plug and play, so it’s very easy to set up and doesn’t require any drivers.
Our Pick
Blue Snowball iCE
It comes with a flat base stand, with an adjustable boom style arm making it perfect for gaming. Both the mute button and the headphone volume controls are located on the front of the mic, and there is a pickup pattern button located on the back.
It features zero latency monitoring and crystal-clear professional quality sound with 40 –18 kHz frequency response.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Fun vintage look and small enough to fit anywhere
- Mute and volume controls located on the mic
- Easy setup
- Comes with a flate base stand with adjustable boom style arm
- Professional sound quality and zero latency
Cons
- Users have complained that over time sound quality grows muddy
2. HyperX QuadCast
Another Discord certified mic, this top of the line microphone features its own anti-vibration shock mount. The mount helps to reduce the background sound of any movements. It also has a built-in pop filter that minimizes the sound of any muffles or popping noises, which creates exceptionally clear voice quality. clearer voice quality.
HyperX QuadCast
With four polar patterns (Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional and Stereo) it will meet all of your streaming needs and you can adjust the sensitivity by using the gain control knob. It features an LED indicator and a tap-to-mute function to easily mute yourself without any delay.
Pros
- Anti-vibration shock mount to reduce background noise
- Built in pop filter
- Four polar patterns
- LED indicator and tap to mute function
- Micro USB
- One button design, no Bluetooth or apps required
Cons
- Expensive
3. Blue Yeti USB Mic
The Blue Yeti USB microphone will require shelling out a bit of cash. It’s not the cheapest, but it has consistently been chosen by professional audio engineers as the best USB microphone on the market. It’s one of the most advanced and versatile multi-pattern USB microphones out there.
Blue Yeti USB Mic
This microphone captures sound with clarity and ease using a high quality A-D converter, built-in headphone amplifier for zero-latency monitoring, and direct controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain. It also comes in a variety of chic and sleek shiny colors.
Pros
- Excellent natural sounding audio quality
- Tri-capsule array - 3 condenser capsules can record almost any situation
- Multiple pattern selection - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
- Gain control, mute button, and zero-latency headphone output
- 100dB signal to noise
- Reduces background noise
Cons
- On the expensive side
4. Fifine Metal Condenser Recording Microphone – Budget Pick
For those on a limited budget but still looking for a high-quality USB microphone to use on Discord, the Fifine Metal Condenser microphone is the perfect choice. It’s plug and play and easy to install. There is a volume control right on the unit itself so you can adjust the volume to what you need at any given time.
Our Budget Pick
Fifine Condenser Microphone
This Cardioid polar pattern condenser microphone creates very crisp clear sound that convey a normal speaking voice. There’s no need to yell or raise your voice to be heard when you’re using this microphone.
Pros
- Great natural sound quality
- Stable tripod stand
- Sensitive microphone with external volume nob so you can change volume at will
- Reduces background noise
- Inexpensive
Cons
5. XLR Condenser Microphone
This is a mid-priced microphone option that comes with quite a few extras. It offers smooth, natural sound quality with consistent performance and high sensitivity. The XM-900 boasts a 16mm condenser capsule with plated membrane to facilitate a wide-ranging frequency response (20 – 18,000Hz), high sensitivity (-34dB ± 3dB (0dB = 1V/Pa @ 1kHz)) and a fast-transient response and requires 48V phantom power for operation.
XLR Condenser Microphone
The cardioid pattern design enables the microphone to cancel background noise from surroundings, so it has a clearer and more real sound. The pop filter that comes in the package reduces pop sound from the pronunciation of words that begin with the letters b, p, and f.
It comes with an adjustable scissor arm stand that is made out of all steel construction and is sturdy and durable. It is foldable, which makes it convenient to carry if you are planning on gaming in different place and the double-braced arms add strength. You will need to hook this microphone up to a Phantom V48 power source, which is not sold with it, so ensure you have one of these if you are planning on use this mic.
Pros
- Comes with extras such as pop filter, shock mount, and wind screen
- Excellent natural high-fidelity sound
- Cancels background sound
- All steel construction stand
- Wide ranging frequency response
Cons
6. Shure MV5 Microphone
If you’re working with a small space and you’re on the hunt for a microphone that won’t hog your whole desk, look no further than the Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone. This custom-tuned microphone capsule provides superior audio quality. It has both iOS and USB connectivity and instant setup making it a breeze to get started with. Three onboard DSP preset modes quickly dial in the right sound.
Shure MV5
It comes with an angle-adjustable stand and integrated ¼” thread mount that is compatible with any standard camera tripod. This low-profile microphone is only 2.5 inches tall without the stand and 5.5 inches tall mounted on it. It also comes with the ShurePlus MOTIV App.
Pros
- Great audio quality
- Very small and can be placed almost anywhere
- Fairly reasonable price
- Easy setup
- Includes an app
Cons
7. Rode NT-USB – Premium Pick
Another small microphone for those who don’t have a lot of space to work with, the Rode NT-USB is a higher priced pick for those looking to invest in the best mic for Discord.
Our Premium Pick
Rode NT-USB
It’s a highly versatile side-address microphone that features cardioid condenser polar pattern for outstanding sound quality and ships with a pop shield and desktop stand. It also includes a headphone jack built into the microphone stand.
Pros
- Portable and can be placed almost anywhere
- Features cardioid condenser polar pattern
- Comes with pop shield and desktop stand
- Includes built in headphone jack
- Exchangeable tip
Cons
- It is rather expensive
8. AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone
Another great budget microphone that fits just about anywhere, the AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser microphone is a mini single-capsule condenser microphone with unidirectional pick-up pattern. This microphone is perfect for those who want to be heard clearly, but don’t need all of the bells and whistles (and the price tag) that come with a high-end mic.
AmazonBasics Mini Condenser Microphone
It has good sound quality, plug and play technology which makes for easy setup, and comes with the AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty. 16 bit – bit rate; a sample rate of 48kHz; a 50Hz to 20kHz frequency response; and a max SPL of >100dB (THD: 1% 1kHz) this mic provides the ultimate in budget friendly reliability and performance.
Pros
- Small enough to fit anywhere
- Comes with a tripod stand
- Usage time lasts of 24 hours when fully charged
- Superfine rubber tip
- Very little lag time
Cons
- Some users complain it’s overly sensitive
- Some users had problems with the connectivity
9. Paladou 3.5MM PC Microphone
This microphone may not have the best sound quality in the world, but it does have one major perk – it’s incredibly inexpensive. The Paladou microphone is well priced and offers High Definition Audio. It might not be studio quality but with a frequency response 100Hz-16kHz this mic provides clear and high-fidelity sound with noise reduction technology.
Paladou 3.5MM Microphone
It’s plug and play, so it doesn’t require any drivers or complicated set up, simply plug it in and you are good to go. It’s equipped with a 360°adjustable gooseneck, which allows for easy positioning. Able to be set at any angle, angle this mic is perfect for communication over discord when you simply want to be heard.
The high sensitivity condenser microphone element produces warm sound, rich audio despite the low price tag. It does tend to howl if placed to close to a wall or power source, so ensure you keep your mic away from these elements.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Produces good high definition sound
- Adjustable gooseneck for positioning
- Plug and play for easy setup
Cons
- Some users complained that they had to place their mouth very close to the microphone to be heard
10. ZekPro USB Computer Microphone
This is another budget choice that has received good reviews. The ZekPro USB Computer Microphone offers smooth clear sound with built-in advanced noise-canceling technology through a CMTECK CCS 2.0 smart chip that provides echo cancelation and noise reduction. It is plug and play so it features hassle free installation and does not require drivers.
ZekPro USB Computer Microphone
It also features a mute button on the microphone so you can mute and unmute yourself anytime. LED indicator lets you know your status at all times. It comes with a carrying bag, so your microphone will be protected if you are moving it from place to place. It is also small and won’t take up a lot of space on your desk.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Advanced noise cancelling technology for clear sound
- LED indicator and mute button for one-click muting and unmuting
- Easy installation and no drivers
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Small in size and doesn’t take up a lot of space
Cons
- Some users complained that they needed to get very close to the microphone to be heard
How To Select A Mic For Discord
Which microphone you choose to purchase for Discord depends on your budget and your needs. You all need to consider the amount of space you have available, if you are working in a tight space you will want to choose one of the smaller mics. Discord has two certified microphones, one at a lower price point and the other at a higher price point, which the app makers have selected as the best choices, however there are lots of other great microphones out there.
If you are planning to use your microphone for other purposes, such as professionally recording, you will want to go with one of the higher end options, but if you are planning to use it only for communication in Discord any of the lower end options on this list will serve you well. Here are some things to take into consideration as you purchase a microphone.
Sound Quality
You want the best sound quality within your budget that meets your needs. It is not helpful to have top of the line sound quality if there is not space on your desk for your mic, or if you cannot understand the functions of the microphone and how to use it. Likewise, there’s no need to sell the farm to afford a mic for Discord. Unless you are using the microphone to record audio on a professional level, you probably don’t require a microphone that costs over $100.
Conversely, if you happen to have the funds available, some of the higher end microphones on this list as great investment. You never know when the need or desire will arise to record for other purposes and by purchasing the top of the line model you won’t have to upgrade later if that day ever comes.
Ease Of Use
Many pro gamers have very fancy top of the line microphones, but they also often have tech support to help them use their microphones. If you aren’t tech savvy, it’s best to go with a plug and play option that is easy to set up and doesn’t require drivers. Some of these microphones come with available tech support from the manufacturers, so if you are concerned you are going to have a problem figuring out how to work your mic it might be a good idea to opt for one of these.
Design
Where you are using your microphone and how much space you have available is very important to consider. You need to make sure you choose a mic that you will be able to place in a location where it will pick up your voice properly. Some of the lower end models need to be placed close to your face to be loud enough, so take this into consideration.
Closing Thoughts
Picking the best microphone for Discord comes down to choosing the one with the best audio quality, at the right budget point, that will fit best given your space constraints. Most of the very high end mics on this list are much more microphone than you need to simply chat with your friends on Discord while you are gaming, but they are a good investment if you plan to use your microphone for recording purposes. Own a PS4 and looking for a microphone? Find out the best PS4 microphone.
