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Elgato Wave 3

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Sound Quality
Directionality
Connectivity
Features
Compatibility
Durability
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24 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [24]

85
Total expert reviews: 24
  • with a score: 12
  • without a score: 12
Highest score by TechRadar
100
Average score based on 24 reviews
85
Lowest score by PCMag
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
88
The Elgato Wave:3 is a well-built USB microphone aimed at podcasters, Twitch streamers, and online callers. It features a sleek design, intuitive controls, and comes with the WaveLink software for audio source organization.
+ pros
  • Well-built and compact design that blends in well with most home office, streaming, and gaming setups.
  • Hassle-free, set-it-and-forget-it mic that works well for frequent conference callers.
  • Clipguard feature and frequency response make it as close to an idiot-proof recording device as possible.
  • WaveLink software is very easy to use and has clear benefits for people like Twitch streamers.
- cons
  • Plastic mount feels a little flimsy and may not be durable in the long-term.
  • Pronounced de-emphasis in the sub-bass range may not be ideal for music recording.
  • Only has one recording pattern, which may not be versatile enough for some users.
  • For non-streamers, there are other options to consider.
70
A clear and simple USB microphone best for speech
The Elgato Wave: 3 is a USB microphone that is best suited for gamers who stream and podcasters who want a mic that sounds good out of the box with little tinkering necessary. It has a user-friendly design, onboard level controls, a built-in headphone jack for low-latency monitoring, and strong signal quality.
+ pros
  • Good sound quality with peak limiting technology.
  • Onboard level controls and built-in headphone jack for low-latency monitoring.
  • Simple to use and comes with free software for streaming.
- cons
  • Fixed cardioid pattern may be limiting for some users.
  • Clipguard feature, while useful, may sound too processed for musical vocalists.
  • No physical button to disable Clipguard feature.
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Expert consensus

The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.

The Elgato Wave 3 is a USB microphone that is designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers who need a high-quality microphone that produces crystal clear audio. It features a cardioid polar pattern that effectively captures audio signals from the front and sides while minimizing background noise from the back.

The microphone offers two connectivity options: USB Type-C and auxiliary connection, making it easy to connect to a variety of devices. It also comes with advanced features such as a built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring, touch-sensitive mute button, and LED lights that indicate when the mic is muted.

The Elgato Wave 3 is compatible with both PC and Mac and is a reliable and versatile option for anyone looking for a high-quality microphone that is compatible with a wide range of devices. The microphone appears to be a well-constructed and durable product suitable for use in a variety of settings.

Sound Quality

The Elgato Wave 3 is a USB microphone designed for podcasters and live streamers, with a frequency response range of 70Hz-20kHz, high-resolution 24-bit/96 kHz quality, Cardioid polar pattern, noise cancellation, and anti-clipping technology.

The Elgato Wave 3 is a USB microphone that produces clear and detailed sound with a frequency response range of 70Hz-20kHz. It is designed to capture vocals with high precision and has a sound profile tailored to the needs of podcasters and live streamers. The microphone has a high-resolution 24-bit/96 kHz quality and can make voices sound clear and smooth.

It captures depth and richness of sound through its 24-bit resolution and 48/96 kHz sample rate, and its Cardioid polar pattern focuses on sound sources directly in front of the mic while reducing unwanted background noise. The Elgato Wave 3 has excellent noise cancellation and background noise reduction, making it ideal for folks sitting in a sound-proofed space and talking.

It also features proprietary anti-clipping technology that prevents sound clipping from increased volume, making it suitable for more animated, excitable streamers. Overall, the Elgato Wave 3 is an excellent option for content creators on-the-go who need a high-quality microphone that produces crystal clear audio.

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Directionality

The Elgato Wave 3 is a cardioid condenser microphone that effectively captures audio signals from the front and sides while minimizing background noise from the back, making it suitable for individuals who need a microphone for recording in a quiet environment and speaking from the front.

The Elgato Wave 3 features a cardioid polar pattern that effectively captures audio signals from the front and sides while minimizing background noise from the back. The microphone is effective at minimizing vibrations and reducing sound pickup from the side and back, making it suitable for folks sitting in a sound-proofed space and talking.

The microphone is very sensitive and can pick up sound from a few feet away with minimal gain adjustment, but it is suggested to keep your mouth at least a 2 to 3 fist distance from the mic for the best recording quality. However, the Elgato Wave 3 might not be the best option for recording in a noisy environment as condenser mics can often struggle with background noise.

Overall, the Elgato Wave 3 is well-suited for individuals who need a microphone for recording in a quiet environment and speaking from the front.

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Connectivity

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone offers high-quality audio transmission with USB Type-C and auxiliary connectivity options, making it ideal for content creators, podcasters, and streamers.

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone offers two connectivity options: USB Type-C and auxiliary connection. It is easy to switch between the two options using the push-button dial on the front of the device. The microphone is designed to deliver high-quality audio transmission with a 24-bit resolution and 48/96 kHz sample rate, and features a cardioid polar pattern to reduce background noise.

The USB-C connectivity option ensures crisp and clear audio quality. The microphone does not have any other connectivity options besides USB-C, making it ideal for users who prioritize high-quality audio transmission and do not require additional connectivity options. It is suitable for content creators, podcasters, and streamers who need a reliable and easy-to-use microphone for their recordings.

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Features

The Elgato Wave 3 is a high-quality microphone with a built-in headphone jack, touch-sensitive mute button, LED lights, and easy-to-use volume controls, making it ideal for live streaming, podcasting, and voiceovers.

The Elgato Wave 3 is a high-quality microphone that comes with a built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring. It has a touch-sensitive mute button that is easy to use and LED lights that indicate when the mic is muted. The volume controls are also easy to use, with a single dial that controls mic volume, headphone volume, and mixer crossfade.

The LED lights around the dial display sound levels, and a circular LED around the volume control knob lights up in red to let you know it's muted. This microphone is ideal for live streaming, podcasting, and voiceovers, as it provides excellent sound quality and a high degree of control over the audio mix.

Overall, the Elgato Wave 3 is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality microphone with advanced features.

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Compatibility

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone is a versatile and reliable option for content creators, podcasters, and gamers looking for a high-quality microphone that is compatible with a wide range of devices.

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone is a versatile device that is compatible with both PC and Mac. It features a USB-C port and auxiliary connection, making it easy to connect to a variety of devices. The microphone runs well with Windows 10 and macOS 10. 15 or newer operating systems, and there is no information available about any operating system or software that it is not compatible with.

This makes it a great choice for content creators, podcasters, and gamers who need a high-quality microphone that can work seamlessly with their devices. Overall, the Elgato Wave 3 microphone is a reliable and versatile option for anyone looking for a high-quality microphone that is compatible with a wide range of devices.

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Durability

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone is made of a mix of black metal and hard plastic with a brushed matte texture, and comes with a sturdy stand and shock mount to reduce vibrations and noise, making it a well-constructed and durable product suitable for use in a variety of settings.

The Elgato Wave 3 microphone is made of a mix of black metal and hard plastic with a brushed matte texture, and has a steel grille for smooth sound diffusion and to protect all of the inner components. It comes with a weighted circular black base and a thick 6. 5-foot USB-C cable. While there is no information on its physical durability or resistance to drops or impacts, the microphone does come with a sturdy stand and shock mount to reduce vibrations and noise.

The microphone's body is made of metal, which should provide some level of durability. However, it is not waterproof and should be kept in a dry and safe place to avoid any damage. Overall, the Elgato Wave 3 microphone appears to be a well-constructed and durable product suitable for use in a variety of settings.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all microphones.

Rank Change Price Microphone
Wirecutter
Tom's Guide
MusicTech
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
PC Gamer
SoundGuys
CNN Underscored
PCMag
IGN
1
- $76
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and durable device with four directional patterns, a built-in headphone jack, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and software, making it a popular choice among content creators, podcasters, and gamers.
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1
11
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1
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2
- $97
Shure SM57
The Shure SM57 microphone is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, durability, versatility, and compatibility, making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and recording engineers for capturing instruments and vocals in various live and studio settings.
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1
1
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-
3
- $109
Elgato Wave 3
The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.
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-
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1
3
-
8
4
- $115
Blue Yeti X
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2
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1
Show all rows
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ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. microphones below are at the top of our ranking this November.

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9.1
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Price
The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and durable device with four directional patterns, a built-in headphone jack, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and software, making it a popular choice among content creators, podcasters, and gamers. The Shure SM57 microphone is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, durability, versatility, and compatibility, making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and recording engineers for capturing instruments and vocals in various live and studio settings. The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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