Best Budget Microphones for New Streamers

Your First Streaming Mic: A South African Q&A

It’s 2025, and starting a stream from your home in South Africa has never been easier. But before you go live with the next big Apex Legends or Lethal Company broadcast, there’s one hurdle you must clear: your audio. Bad audio is the number one reason viewers leave a stream. To help you get it right, we sat down with our in-house tech experts to answer the most common questions new creators have when choosing a budget-friendly microphone. 🎙️

Corsair Elgato Wave Pop Filter / Perfect Addition to Your Premium Wave:1 or Wave:3 Microphone / Dual-layer Steel Mesh / Optimum air Current Diffusion / Anti-Plosive Noise Shield / 10MAD9901

R599.00In Stock

Saramonic USB-C Mic, SmartMic UC Mini Condenser Flexible Microphone Plug&Play Mic Compatible with iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy, HTC Google, and Other USB-C Type Devices for Vlogging YouTube Video / SmartMic UC Mini

R499.00In Stock

Corsair Elgato XLR Microphone Cable – Shielded Microphone Cable for Studio Recording and Live Production, Gold-Plated Pins, Male to Female, for Mic and Balanced Analog Line Levels, 10ft/3m - 10CAL9901

R649.00In Stock

Neat Bumblebee II - Professional Cardioid Directional USB Condenser Microphone with 24 bit/96 kHz Digital Audio for Recording, Streaming, Podcasting, and Gaming - Black / MIC-1020-01

R2299.00In Stock

Saramonic Blink500 Pro B3 Mini Dual-Channel Stereo Wireless Microphone with Charging Case, OLED Display& 3.5mm Headphone Output with MFi Certified Lightning Connector Receiver for iPhone 13 12 iPad

R2499.00In Stock

Corsair Elgato Wave DX - Dynamic XLR Microphone, Cardioid Pattern, Noise Rejection, Speech optimised for Podcasting, Streaming, Broadcasting, No Signal Booster Required, Works with Any Interface, for Mac, PC - 10MAH9901

R2249.00In Stock

Answering Your Top Mic Questions

Q: My gaming headset has a mic. Isn’t that good enough to start? A: Honestly, not if you want to grow an audience. Headset mics are designed for basic communication, so they compress your voice heavily, making it sound thin and distant. A dedicated microphone is the single biggest and most noticeable upgrade you can make to your stream’s quality.

Q: What’s a realistic budget for a good starter microphone in South Africa? A: You don't need to break the bank. You can find excellent, high-quality USB microphones that will make you sound professional for a reasonable price. A great place to start your search is to browse for microphones under R3000, as this range offers the best balance of price and performance for beginners.

Q: USB or XLR... what's the difference and what should I get? A: USB mics are plug-and-play. You plug them into your computer, and they just work. XLR mics require a separate piece of gear called an audio interface. For a first-time streamer on a budget, a USB microphone is almost always the right choice for its simplicity and great value.

Q: Are there any specific brands I should look for? A: Definitely. Many brands known for quality PC gear also make fantastic microphones. For example, the range of Corsair microphones includes some excellent, easy-to-use models perfect for gaming. Similarly, checking out Saramonic microphones will show you some great options known for clear audio at a competitive price.

Saramonic Blink 100 B6 TX+TX+RX 2-Person 2.4GHz Micro Clip-On Wireless System w/Device-Mountable Dual USB-C Receiver for Android & iOS Devices, Computers, More / Blink100 B6

R1799.00In Stock

MARVO MIC-07 Blast 60 Gaming Microphone - Black / Cardioid/Omnidirectional Microphone / Noise reduction AMP1821 / / Adjustable Stand Angle / RGB Backlight / Plug & Play Easy Connect / 2m Cable Length / USB Connector / MIC-07-BK

R699.00In Stock

Saramonic Ultra-Compact Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone with Lightning for iPhones & iPads (SmartMic Di Mini), SMARTMICDIMINI, Black

R499.00In Stock

Saramonic 3.5mm TRS Male to Apple Lightning Connector Microphone & Audio Adapter Cable 9" (22.86cm) (SR-C2000), black / SR-C2000

R199.00In Stock

Corsair Elgato XLR Microphone Cable – Shielded Microphone Cable for Studio Recording and Live Production, Gold-Plated Pins, Male to Female, for Mic and Balanced Analog Line Levels, 10ft/3m - 10CAL9901

R649.00In Stock

MARVO MIC-07 Blast 60 Gaming Microphone - White / Cardioid/Omnidirectional Microphone / Noise reduction AMP1821 / / Adjustable Stand Angle / RGB Backlight / Plug & Play Easy Connect / 2m Cable Length / USB Connector / MIC-07-WH

R799.00In Stock

Q: I see the term "Cardioid" a lot. What does that mean? A: That’s the microphone’s polar pattern, which is just a fancy way of saying where it picks up sound from. Cardioid is perfect for streaming because it captures sound directly in front of the mic (your voice) while rejecting sounds from the sides and back (like your keyboard and mouse clicks).

**Q: ** Besides the mic, what’s one cheap accessory that makes a big difference? A: A pop filter. It’s a small mesh screen that goes in front of your mic and costs very little, but it drastically reduces the harsh "popping" sounds from "p" and "b" words. It's a non-negotiable part of sounding professional. You can see all the options by Browse the full range of PC microphones and accessories.

Key Takeaways for Your First Mic Purchase

• Go for USB: For your first mic, a USB model offers the best combination of quality, price, and ease of use.
• Budget Accordingly: You can get a massive audio upgrade for between R1,000 and R3,000.
• Cardioid is King: Always look for a microphone with a Cardioid pickup pattern for the best results while streaming.
• Don't Forget the Pop Filter: It's a small investment that makes a huge difference in your audio quality.