Best Microphones for Streaming and Gaming in 2026 (UK)

Quick picks

Dynamic or condenser?

This is the one decision that matters more than the brand.

• Dynamic microphones (Shure MV6, Shure MV7+) are less sensitive to sound from a distance. In a normal bedroom with a mechanical keyboard and a PC fan, that usually means less room noise, but you need to speak fairly close to the mic.

• Condenser microphones (Yeti 2, Sennheiser Profile, Snowball) pick up more detail, and more of the room. They suit a quieter space, or a setup where the mic sits on a boom arm close to your mouth.

If your room is untreated and your keyboard is loud, start with a dynamic mic. If you want flexibility for music or a second voice in the room, a multi-pattern condenser such as the Yeti 2 makes more sense.

Best overall: Shure MV6

PC Gamer's current top pick is the Shure MV6, a compact desktop USB dynamic mic from one of the best-known names in pro audio. PC Gamer says it "sounds great from a distance", which is unusual for a dynamic microphone and helpful if you do not want a mic in your face on camera. Shure now sells it as the MV6 Gen 2 (SKU MV6G2-K), so check which version a retailer is listing.

Choose it if: you game and stream in a normal room and want a small, simple USB mic that does not grab every keyboard click.

Best for streaming on a desk: Logitech G Yeti 2

TechRadar names the Logitech Yeti 2 the best overall microphone for streaming, calling it "one of the best consumer desktop mics on the market." It is the successor to the long-running Blue Yeti, adds an on-device display, and Logitech says it uses a voice proximity sensor to adjust gain and EQ automatically, plus AI-powered de-noising. Logitech's UK store lists it at £139.99.

Choose it if: you want a classic plug-and-play desktop mic with multiple pickup patterns and on-board controls.

Best upgrade: Shure MV7+

PC Gamer's podcast pick is the Shure MV7+, which it says is "about as good as it gets without breaking the bank." It has both USB-C and XLR outputs, so it can grow with you if you later buy an audio interface. At roughly £265 it is a serious step up in price.

Choose it if: you stream or podcast regularly and want a microphone you will not need to replace when you upgrade the rest of your audio chain.

Best bundle: Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set

PC Gamer rates the Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set as the best USB mic and boom arm bundle. Sennheiser's Profile USB Microphone is a cardioid condenser with gain, mix and volume controls on the body. The bundle adds a boom arm, which PC Gamer argues makes it "everything you realistically need". UK prices varied widely on 13 November 2026, so compare the standalone mic and the set.

Choose it if: you are starting from scratch and want the arm in the box.

Best for a dedicated streaming setup: SteelSeries Alias Pro

PC Gamer's best microphone for streaming is the SteelSeries Alias Pro. It is an XLR microphone that comes with SteelSeries' Stream Mixer interface, and PC Gamer's case for it is the mixer and the Sonar software rather than the mic alone. PC Gamer also warns that "you really need a boom arm" to get the best from it, and the arm is sold separately.

Choose it if: you want physical controls for game, chat and mic levels and do not mind paying for them.

Budget pick: Blue Snowball

TechRadar still recommends the Blue Snowball for new streamers because it is plug-and-play and cheap. It is a basic condenser mic, so keep it close to your mouth and away from the keyboard.

Setup tips that matter more than the mic

• Put the microphone close to your mouth, ideally on a boom arm, and aim it away from your keyboard.

• Set gain so your loudest laugh does not clip, then use a noise gate or suppression in software. Our NVIDIA Broadcast vs AMD noise suppression comparison covers the free GPU-based options.

• Monitor your own voice through headphones before you go live. Our best gaming headsets guide covers those.

• For the rest of the setup, see how to set up your PC for streaming, OBS Studio vs Streamlabs and our best webcams.

Our verdict

For most UK gamers who stream, start with the Shure MV6 if your room is noisy, or the Logitech G Yeti 2 if you want a classic desktop condenser with on-board controls. Step up to the Shure MV7+ if you want USB and XLR in one mic, and only pay for the SteelSeries Alias Pro if you will use its Stream Mixer. We have not tested these microphones; the picks come from PC Gamer and TechRadar, with approximate UK prices checked on 13 November 2026.