An XLR mic never plugs straight into your computer: it needs an XLR cable and an interface or mixer with a mic preamp. Choose one if you already own an interface or want to build your setup a part at a time; otherwise a USB/XLR mic lets you start on USB.
Each pick’s maker lists it for this setup. Its catch is right under it.
You already own an interface
A dynamic mic that goes into the interface you already own over XLR, with USB as well for a second computer.
Over XLR its touch mute, headphone jack and voice processing stop working: your interface does that job.
Or: Elgato Wave DX, Elgato's XLR-only dynamic, if you'll never need USB.
Maker price $299.00 at Shure ↗ · checked October 31
You want XLR later
USB now and XLR when you add an interface; both cables come in the box.
There is no gain knob on the mic, and it needs a stand or arm that puts it a hand's width from your mouth.
Or: Shure MV7+, Shure's USB/XLR mic with touch mute and app processing over USB.
XLR without buying an interface
An XLR mic with SteelSeries' Stream Mixer in the box, so there's no interface to buy: the mixer has the mute button and the headphone jack.
SteelSeries lists it for Windows only, not for a Mac or a console.
Or: FIFINE AmpliGame AM8, USB now; its XLR output needs an interface later.
Maker price $334.99 at SteelSeries ↗ · checked November 2
A cheap dynamic mic with USB and XLR in the box, for a noisy keyboard
Windows PC: Works
The cable is mini USB, an older plug: keep the supplied cable or buy a mini USB one.
Windows PC: Works
Razer's voice processing works over USB; on XLR, add an interface and do the processing there.
Maker price from $249.99 at Razer ↗ · checked October 15
A dynamic mic with USB and XLR: plug it into your PC today, or into an interface or mixer later
Windows PC: Works
At 900 g it needs a sturdy arm or stand.
Maker price $209.00 at RØDE ↗ · checked November 2
A cheap dynamic mic that Samson says is less sensitive to background noise, with USB now and XLR for later
Windows PC: Works
There is no gain knob on the mic: set the level in Windows, macOS or your interface.
A dynamic mic for USB now, with touch mute and a headphone jack, and XLR when you add an interface
Windows PC: Works
On XLR you lose the touch mute, the headphone jack and the voice processing: your interface does that job.
Maker price $299.00 at Shure ↗ · checked October 31
Windows PC: Works
In XLR mode the mute button, gain, headphone jack and lighting stop working; the interface does that job.
Maker price $56.99 at FIFINE ↗ · checked November 2
A USB/XLR dynamic mic with tap-to-mute and a headphone jack for a PC, a Mac or a PS5; FIFINE says it does not work on Xbox
Windows PC: Works
In XLR mode the mute button, gain knob and headphone jack stop working; the interface does that job.
Maker price $67.99 at FIFINE ↗ · checked November 4
A USB/XLR dynamic mic with a mute button that works on both outputs and a headphone jack, for a Windows PC or Mac now and an interface later
Windows PC: Works
No gain knob: over USB you set its level with the computer's input volume; over XLR on the interface.
A Windows XLR mic and desk mixer kit: mute and a headphone jack on the mixer, and it can feed two PCs
Windows PC: Works
The mic is XLR: SteelSeries sets it up with the Stream Mixer in the box, which connects it to your PC over USB.
Maker price $334.99 at SteelSeries ↗ · checked November 2
An XLR condenser for gamers who have, or will buy, an audio interface with 48 V phantom power; Audio-Technica sells the AT2020USB-X for plugging straight into USB
Windows PC: With an audio interface
It has no USB: it needs an XLR cable and an audio interface or mixer before a PC, Mac or console can hear it.
A low-cost handheld dynamic XLR mic for a first interface setup: it needs an XLR cable, an interface and a stand
Windows PC: With an audio interface
It has no USB: it needs an XLR cable and an audio interface or mixer before a PC, Mac or console can hear it.
A dynamic XLR mic: you need an XLR cable and an audio interface to use it
Windows PC: With an audio interface
Add an XLR cable and an interface with a microphone preamp. A USB cable or passive XLR adapter alone cannot connect this microphone to the computer.
Maker price $99.99 at Elgato ↗ · checked November 2
An XLR-only dynamic mic for a desk boom arm, for gamers who already own or will buy an audio interface or mixer; RØDE's PodMic USB is the version that also plugs straight into USB
Windows PC: With an audio interface
It has no USB: it needs an XLR cable and an audio interface or mixer before a PC, Mac or console can hear it.
Maker price $99.00 at RØDE ↗ · checked November 4
The XLR-only version of Shure's MV7 for a desk boom arm, for gamers who already have an audio interface; the MV7+ is the one with USB
Windows PC: With an audio interface
It has no USB: it needs an XLR cable and an audio interface or mixer before a PC, Mac or console can hear it.
Try a different platform or headset edition, remove a control filter, or shorten the model name.
USB alone does not confirm console chat support.
14 models in this guide.
The mic sends an analog signal down an XLR cable to an interface or mixer. The interface boosts it, turns it into a USB input your computer can choose, and gives you a headphone jack to hear yourself. Every mic on this page except the Alias Pro is a dynamic that needs no phantom power, its maker says; the Alias Pro is a condenser, and the Stream Mixer in its box gives it phantom power.
None of these makers lists a console for the XLR connection. For PS5 or Xbox chat, start with the console pages.
On a USB/XLR mic, the mic's own controls usually belong to its USB side. Over XLR, the Shure MV7+ loses its touch mute, headphone jack and voice processing; the FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 loses its mute button, gain, headphone jack and lighting; the RØDE PodMic USB and Razer Seiren V3 Pro keep their voice processing on USB. The Samson Q2U and Audio-Technica AT2005USB are the exceptions: their on/off switch mutes both outputs.
So over XLR, mute and hear yourself on the interface, and set the gain there.
Already own an interface: the Elgato Wave DX, which is XLR only, or a USB/XLR mic you can also use on its own. No interface yet: a USB/XLR mic on USB for now, or the SteelSeries Alias Pro, which brings its own mixer. Want to mute on the mic itself over XLR: the Q2U or the AT2005USB.
Price the whole setup: the mic, an XLR cable, the interface and a stand or arm. A dynamic mic works best close to your mouth, so plan the arm with it.
USB for one person at one computer: one cable, nothing else to buy. XLR also needs an interface and an XLR cable, so price those with the mic; it suits you if you'll add mics or upgrade parts separately. A USB/XLR mic lets you start on USB and move later.
Placement first: any cardioid mic a hand's width from your mouth, aimed away from the keyboard, picks up less of the room than one at arm's length. The type alone doesn't decide it. Some makers of dynamic mics, FIFINE for the AM8 and Samson for the Q2U, say their model picks up less background noise; that is their claim for that model, not a test of ours.
No. A desk stand works if it puts the mic close to your mouth. An arm helps when your desk is busy or the stand leaves the mic down by the keyboard. Check the arm's weight limit and the mic's thread before buying one.
The mics on this page start at $56.99 at their makers. Decide by the controls you need, such as mute, a headphone jack to hear yourself or USB plus XLR, then price the whole setup: a stand or arm, headphones, and for XLR an interface and cable. Discord and party chat compress your voice heavily either way.
Check the exact platform, connection and required controls. Then measure the stand or arm position before adding mounting parts.