Microphone
Your laptop or desktop most likely already has a microphone built in, but for some serious high-quality audio—whether that’s chatting with online teammates or adding a commentary on your stream—you need a dedicated mic that’s going to pick up everything you say.
There are plenty of plug-and-play USB options available. Audio-Technica, Epos, Razer, Roccat, Rode, Samson, and Shure all have models that are worth checking out. The ever-popular Blue Yeti ($130), which several Gizmodo staffers own and love, continues to attract plaudits and new fans, while the HyperX QuadCast S ($160) not only offers excellent clarity and versatility, it also looks the part with its own dynamic RGB lighting system.
