2022 has been an interesting year for gaming and streaming microphones. This year saw mic makers start to push heavily into the prosumer market with high-quality products aimed at content creators looking to step up their sound game.
XLR microphones sound amazing but require an investment in the form of an audio interface, whereas a USB mic is always the way to go if you want an affordable, easy plug-and-play solution. Though this year seemed like slim pickings as XLR mics started to become more and more popular among even streamers just starting out.
Either way, we narrowed it down to three of the best gaming microphones of 2022. Of our nominees, HyperX’s debut XLR mic, the Procast, might be the best microphone we’ve spoken into all year; Elgato’s maiden XLR, the Wave DX, is the best value; and the 512 Audio Tempest is one of the better-sounding premium USB mics we’ve seen.
But which of those below will be crowned the best microphone of 2022?
Best microphone 2022: the nominees
The winner of the PC Gamer Hardware Award for the best gaming microphone of 2022 will be announced on New Year’s Eve. May the best noise maker win.