The short answer
Keep your built-in microphone if people hear you clearly and background sound is not a problem. A standalone USB mic is an option if you want to keep using favorite earphones; a boom-mic headset can keep the mic a consistent distance from your mouth while playing. If your voice is quiet or missing only in Discord, check input settings first.
Need a different check? Find a related guide or tool →First check whether you need to buy anything
- In Discord’s desktop or browser Voice & Video settings, check that the intended microphone is selected as the input device. Check mute controls and the OS microphone permission too.
- Make a short recording, then run Discord’s mic test using the same microphone, posture and sentence. If recording is clear but Discord alone is quiet, investigate input settings and voice processing first. See the related low-microphone-volume guide (Japanese).
- If you run the mic test while connected to a voice channel, Discord temporarily mutes and deafens you in that channel. End the test before asking someone to check your voice in the call.
- If your built-in mic or another mic you already own works well, keep it. Check your usual posture and typing as well as volume.
Compare built-in mics, standalone USB mics and headsets
Choose based on the problem you want to solve and how you will use the equipment. This is not a performance ranking.
| Option | Useful when | Check before buying or using |
|---|---|---|
| PC’s built-in microphone | Current calls sound fine and you do not want extra equipment | Can others hear you in your usual posture? Does moving the PC change the sound? |
| Standalone USB microphone | You want to choose earphones and a mic separately | USB connector, supported OS, placement and which side of the mic should face you |
| Headset with a boom microphone | You want the mic to stay a consistent distance from your mouth when you move your head | Comfort, mic adjustment range, connector and supported devices |
| USB clip-on microphone (a type of standalone USB mic) | You want to keep the desk clear and can clip it near your chest | Clothing and cable contact, cable reach and background-sound pickup |
Consider background sound, direction and distance
USB describes a connection; a headset describes a physical design. USB headsets also exist. This comparison is about how built-in mics, standalone USB mics and headsets are used.
An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from many directions. A directional microphone is more sensitive to sound in front and less sensitive in other directions, but it does not eliminate background sound (Shure).
Even a directional mic may disappoint if its pickup side faces away from your mouth or it is too far away. Follow the manufacturer’s positioning instructions and test in your usual gaming posture.
Discord’s Krisp reduces background noise on your side, not the other caller’s. It can reduce audio quality in a quiet room, so compare it on and off (Discord).
With Bluetooth, compare another input before buying
If Bluetooth earphones sound muffled only when you join a call, a switch to headset audio mode may be involved (Discord).
On a PC, you can select your audio output and microphone input separately. First try the built-in microphone you already have as the input, then check your usual game and call together. Results depend on the device and OS; buying a separate mic does not guarantee a fix.
The related Bluetooth game-audio guide below (Japanese) explains the checks. If the built-in microphone works well, an additional purchase is unnecessary.
Check connections, placement and supported devices
Once you know the type you need, check each model’s requirements.
- Device: PC, phone and console compatibility can differ. A PC-compatible label does not establish compatibility with other devices.
- Connector: USB-A, USB-C or 3.5 mm. For 3.5 mm, check whether the port you will use supports microphone input. An adapter must also support the intended use.
- Position: check the desk placement, headset boom adjustment range or clip position. Consider your normal posture as well as desk space.
- Listening equipment: standalone microphones may not include earphones or headphones. Check whether you can combine the mic with what you already use.
- Purchase details: check supported OS versions, included items, seller, returns and warranty. Prices and stock change; use the current seller information.
An option for a clip-on setup: Sanwa Direct 400-MC017
The 400-MC017 is a USB-A clip microphone. It may fit someone who wants to clip a mic near their chest without putting a stand on the desk. We are not claiming it offers the best sound quality or recommending it for every Discord user.
When it may suit your setup
- Your supported PC has a USB-A port and you can verify the manufacturer’s supported models and OS list
- You want to add only a microphone while keeping your existing earphones
- You can clip it near your chest and its approximately 2 m cable reaches the PC
| Connection | Supported PC with a USB-A port |
|---|---|
| Design | Clip-on |
| Pickup pattern | Omnidirectional |
| Cable length | Approximately 2 m |
| Weight | Approximately 30 g |
| Earphones or headphones | Required separately |
When to choose something else, and what to check before buying
- Its omnidirectional pattern also picks up surrounding sound. We do not recommend it solely as a noise fix for someone trying to exclude household voices and other background sound.
- Check whether you can wear it without clothing or the cable brushing the microphone.
- Do not use this page alone to determine compatibility with USB-C-only devices or phones. Check manufacturer support for the device and any adapter together.
- Check the manufacturer’s supported OS and device list before buying. This guide does not guarantee operation on every OS or console.
This example is based on the manufacturer’s specifications. It is not a recommendation based on hands-on testing or recording comparisons.
After connecting, check input and output separately
- Select the new mic as Discord’s input device. Check your earphones separately under output device.
- Speak a short sentence at your normal volume. Compare your usual posture, typing and small head movements.
- End the mic test, then ask the other person to check your voice in a call. While the test is running, Discord mutes and deafens you in the voice channel. This checks practical use; it is not a controlled audio-quality measurement.
FAQ
Do I need an expensive microphone for Discord?
No. If people hear you clearly and surrounding sound is not a problem, keep the mic you have. Identify the problem before choosing equipment.
Should I choose a USB microphone or a headset?
A standalone USB mic is an option if you want to keep your earphones; a boom-mic headset can keep the mic near your mouth. USB is a connection type, so USB headsets also exist.
Will a directional microphone eliminate keyboard noise?
Not completely. Directionality describes where sound is picked up. Check the positions of your mouth, mic and keyboard, and any voice processing.
Does the 400-MC017 work with a USB-C phone?
We have not verified that. A PC compatibility list does not guarantee phone support. Check compatibility for the phone and adapter together.
Should I replace my mic if the other person sounds quiet?
First check your output settings and that person’s user volume. This is separate from deciding to replace your own mic. See the related quiet-caller guide below (Japanese).
Japanese version of this page · Report an error (Japanese contact form)
Sources and editorial notes
We used the linked sources to explain what to check before buying. This is not a hands-on comparison, product test or ranking. Prices and stock are omitted because they change.
Discord: Voice and Video Troubleshooting GuideDiscord: Mic Testing, including temporary effects on callsDiscord: Krisp FAQDiscord: Known issue with audio quality dropping when joining a callDiscord: Missing audio input and voice issuesShure: Microphone directionality and polar-pattern basicsSanwa Direct: 400-MC017 specifications and supported devices (Japanese)