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Experts recommend Blue Yeti more than Elgato Wave 3

As of 3 Jan 2025, experts prefer Blue Yeti over Elgato Wave 3, but both Microphones have solid expert endorsements.

As per this month's meta ranking, Blue Yeti received 3 recommendations: from MusicTech (6 Apr 2022), CNN Underscored (1 Jan 2025) and Tom's Guide (15 Nov 2024). Elgato Wave 3 was also endorsed 3 times: by IGN (2 Jan 2025), SoundGuys (22 Feb 2024) and CNN Underscored (1 Jan 2025). However, experts generally ranked Elgato Wave 3 lower than Blue Yeti in their articles, which caused it to rank lower in ReviewFinder ranking.

Rank Change Price Microphone
IGN
PCMag
MusicTech
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
PC Gamer
SoundGuys
CNN Underscored
Tom's Guide
Wirecutter
1
- $100
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.
-
-
11
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
3
- $120
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.
8
-
-
-
-
-
1
3
-
-

Curious to see this month's entire Microphones ranking? It's here

About our ranking methodology

Endorsement summary:

  • On 1 Jan 2025 CNN Underscored ranked Blue Yeti as #1 and Elgato Wave 3 as #3
    Rank Microphone Comment
    #1 out of 3 Blue Yeti
    Best overall microphone
    ... ... ...
    #3 out of 3 Elgato Wave 3
    Best microphone for streaming
  • On 6 Apr 2022 MusicTech ranked Blue Yeti as #11
    Rank Microphone
    ... ...
    #11 out of 15 Blue Yeti
    ... ...
  • On 15 Nov 2024 Tom's Guide ranked Blue Yeti as #1
    Rank Microphone Comment
    #1 out of 6 Blue Yeti
    Editor's Choice / The best microphone overall
    ... ... ...
  • On 2 Jan 2025 IGN ranked Elgato Wave 3 as #8
    Rank Microphone Comment
    ... ... ...
    #8 out of 10 Elgato Wave 3
    Best Plug-In-Play Microphone for Streaming
    ... ... ...
  • On 22 Feb 2024 SoundGuys ranked Elgato Wave 3 as #1
    Rank Microphone Comment
    #1 out of 5 Elgato Wave 3
    The Best
    ... ... ...

After counting and adding up the 92 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Blue Yeti outranks Elgato Wave 3. This is not to say that Elgato Wave 3 is a bad option. Like Blue Yeti, it is recommended by experts, but less.

MetaRanking Common points from expert reviews summarized.
As can be seen below, Blue Yeti outranks Elgato Wave 3 by 2 positions. This indicates that, as of 3 Jan 2025, Blue Yeti is more critically acclaimed than Elgato Wave 3.
Rank Change Price Microphone
IGN
PCMag
MusicTech
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
PC Gamer
SoundGuys
CNN Underscored
Tom's Guide
Wirecutter
1
- $100
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.
-
-
11
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
2
- $99
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.
-
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
3
- $120
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.
8
-
-
-
-
-
1
3
-
-
4
+12 $279
Shure MV7 Plus
5
7
-
-
-
6
-
-
3
-
Show all rows
Expert Reviews There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

Expert reviews [22]

110
Total expert reviews: 22
  • with a score: 10
  • without a score: 12
Highest score by Music Radar
300
Average score based on 22 reviews
110
Lowest score by CNET
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20

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
From Seller:
  • Custom three-capsule array: This professional USB mic produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube videos, Twitch game streaming, podcasting, Zoom meetings, music recording and more
  • Blue VOICE software: Elevate your streamings and recordings with clear broadcast vocal sound and entertain your audience with enhanced effects, advanced modulation and HD audio samples
  • Read more
From Seller:
  • Cardioid Condenser Capsule: capture speech with clarity and detail.
  • Wave Link App: control Wave:3 and up to eight other audio sources, plus create two independent mixes.
  • 24-bit/96kHz Analog-to-Digital Converter: professional broadcast audio quality.
  • Read more
Video Reviews Most popular unboxing/review videos.
YouTube Gear #1 | Blue Yeti!
Review by Marques Brownlee
Crazy popular! 2.0M views!
Play video review
Best USB Microphone! Blue Yeti Review + Mic Test
Review by Andy Slye
Crazy popular! 1.0M views!
Play video review
Blue Yeti Review and Setup Guide - How to get the best sound
Review by JayzTwoCents
Crazy popular! 1.0M views!
Play video review
Elgato Wave 3 USB Mic Review / Test (Compared to Snowball, Yeti, Quadcast, Seiren X, & more)
Review by Podcastage
Very popular! 193K views!
Play video review
Elgato Wave 3: THE streaming microphone
Review by CNET
Popular! 99K views!
Play video review
Elgato Wave 3 Streaming Microphone Review: More Than a Mic
Review by BadSeed Tech
Popular! 59K views!
Play video review

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