Over the years, multiplayer gaming has largely transformed from physical LAN parties to playing with your friends online. Communication is key, and a high-quality gaming microphone can make all the difference. Whether you’re coordinating with your team in a fast-paced shooter or streaming your gameplay to an audience, a good microphone can ensure that your voice is clear and easily heard.
A high-quality microphone can significantly enhance the gaming experience, enabling crystal-clear communication with teammates and providing an immersive experience. In this article, we’ll delve into the top entry-level microphones for gaming and the essential features to consider before purchasing one.
What to Look for When Buying A Gaming Microphone?
When searching for a gaming microphone, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Sound Quality: The most important aspect is the quality of the sound it produces. Look for microphones that provide clear, crisp audio without any distortion or background noise.
- Noise Cancellation: Background noise can be a significant issue when gaming. Look for microphones with noise-cancellation features that will help to eliminate any unwanted sounds.
- Polar Pattern: The polar pattern determines how a microphone picks up sound and its directional sensitivity. The two most common polar patterns for gaming microphones are cardioid and omnidirectional.
- Ease of Use: It should be easy to use and set up. Look for ones that are plug-and-play or are simple to install.
- Price: Finally, consider your budget. While high-end microphones can cost upwards of thousands of ringgit, there are plenty of quality entry-level options available at a more affordable price point.
Blue Snowball iCE
Coming at just under RM300 is the Blue Snowball iCE. It has always been a popular choice among gamers due to its compact form factor and ease of installation. It features a cardioid polar pattern, which helps to reduce background noise and focus on your voice.
The Snowball iCE is also easy to set up and use, with a simple plug-and-play design. Additionally, it’s compatible with both PC and Mac, making it a versatile option for gamers.
Where to buy: Shopee and Lazada
Fifine Ampligame A8
Fifine is a fast-growing brand in the budget space, and the Ampligame A8 punches above its weight in terms of quality. Not only you get a solid cardioid condenser microphone, the Ampligame A8 also comes with a stand with shock mount and a pop filter. You can also adapt it to a third party boom arm using an included adapter.
In terms of features, you get a gain control knob, a mute touch button,, USB Type-C output and headphone monitoring. It is also plug and play, and is compatible with PC, consoles, and Mac.
To learn more about the Fifine Ampligame A8, do check out our in-depth review here.
Where to buy: Shopee and Lazada
HyperX SoloCast
Unlike the Fifine Ampligame A8 which has a lot of functions built into the microphone, the HyperX Solocast just works. It has a mute button and that is just about it. It is plug and play, with no additional software suite needed, making it a great option for people who are not familiar with audio.
It’s diminutive capsule shape makes it a great option for carrying around, as it can be detached from the stand. If you game on laptops, this could be a great option for you.
Where to buy: Shopee and Lazada
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our entry-level microphones for gaming. For more buyer’s guides like this one, do have a look at our full list here.