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If you’re looking to upgrade your mic for gaming, video calls and podcasting, here are five excellent options, plus a short guide on what to look for — so you can match one to your setup. 🎙 What to look for in a mic Before picking a model, keep these key specs in mind: Mic type (dynamic vs condenser): Condenser mics are very sensitive and pick up lots of detail (good for voice-overs/podcasts), but they also pick up more room noise. Dynamic mics are less sensitive, more rugged, and better if your room is not acoustically treated. SoundGuys +2 Voices.com +2 Polar pattern: How directional the mic is. For home use (gaming/calls/podcasts) a cardioid (front-facing) pattern is often ideal because it rejects sounds from the sides/back. SoundGuys +1 Connection (USB vs XLR): USB is plug-and-play (great for gaming/calls). XLR often offers higher quality but requires an interface/amplifier. Room & noise: If your room has echo or background noise, you might prefer a mic that rejects off-axis sound, or one you can place closer to your mouth. Budget & upgrade path: Be realistic about how much you’ll benefit from “studio grade” vs “good for streaming/voice”. As one Redditor put it: "First, a good thing to check out is [mic self-noise]. … If you look at something like the AT 2035 which has a sensitivity of –33 dB, … It’s not as GAIN hungry." Reddit ✅ Top 5 Mic Recommendations Here are five mics I recommend, covering from USB plug-and-play up to more professional setups. You should pick one based on how much you want to invest, and how “studio-ready” you need it to be. Shure MV7 (USB/XLR) ₹28,651 • Flipkart + others Rode PodMic ₹23,800 • Amazon.in + others Rode NT1 Signature Condenser ₹16,100 • Foto Centre India + others Adesso Xtream M1 USB Condenser ₹2,299 • mdcomputers.in + others FIFINE K688 Dynamic USB ₹5,379 • Amazon.in + others Here’s a breakdown: Shure MV7 (USB/XLR): A very versatile mic. USB for plug-and-play, and XLR for when you upgrade to an audio interface. Ideal if you want “one mic for everything” (gaming + serious podcasting). Rode PodMic: A broadcast-style dynamic mic designed for voice work. If you have a decent interface or mixer and want good voice delivery, this is a strong choice. Rode NT1 Signature Condenser: A high-end studio condenser mic. Great for very good voice capture (podcasts, voice­overs) especially in a quieter room. But it may pick up room noise, so room treatment helps. Adesso Xtream M1 USB Condenser: A budget USB option. Good if you want to improve over a built-in mic and don’t want to buy interface gear yet. FIFINE K688 Dynamic USB: Another budget build, dynamic USB mic. Good for home setups where you don’t have ideal acoustic conditions and want something easy to plug in. 🔍 Which one fits you? If you just game / video call and want something better than a headset mic, go for the budget USB choices (Adesso Xtream M1 or FIFINE K688). If you podcast and stream and want good voice quality without too much fuss, the Shure MV7 hits a sweet spot (USB now, XLR later). If you’re focused on high-quality voice recordings, and you have or plan to get an audio interface and decent room treatment, the Rode NT1 is a premium step. If your room is less than ideal (lots of echo/noise) and you still want good voice-centric sound, a dynamic mic like the Rode PodMic is a smart mid-level pick (less background picked up, higher gain needed though).