Wave:3

Reviewer verdict

Across 22 YouTube reviews, the Elgato Wave:3 earns a Summa score of 4/5, ranking #27 among Microphones. Reviewers most often praise its features, ease of use, sound quality, while the most common criticisms concern features, sound quality.

The Elgato Wave:3 is widely praised for its deep Wave Link software and tight hardware-software integration, with reviewers frequently (97 mentions) highlighting the app’s multi-channel mixing, separate monitor/stream mixes, clip guard, VST support and Stream Deck compatibility. Reviewers also commonly (41 mentions) note it is easy to set up and use out of the box thanks to plug-and-play USB-C, a capacitive mute button and a multifunction dial. Sound and recording quality receive consistent positive remarks (35 mentions for sound, 11 for recording) for clear, detailed condenser capture and useful monitoring via the zero-latency headphone jack. The mic’s compact, well-built aesthetic and included accessories round out praise, contributing to a perceived strong value for streamers and content creators (19 mentions).

Criticisms center on software limitations and usability issues (26 mentions) — reviewers report Wave Link can be non-intuitive, beta/buggy at times (especially at 96 kHz), lacks some onboard processing like noise gate/EQ/compressor, and has quirks routing into other apps. Sound criticisms (18 mentions) point out a thinner low end, sensitivity to room noise and plosives compared with some alternatives, and the need to position the mic close for best results. Value complaints (15 mentions) stem from accessories such as shock mounts and pop filters being sold separately and the unit’s USB-only design lacking XLR flexibility, which some reviewers felt made the package less compelling at its price. A smaller number also noted build or stand flimsy-ness and higher noise floor in untreated environments.

Analysis based on 22 YouTube reviews (4h 23m of video) with 279 pros and 89 cons extracted.

Pros (279)

Cons (89)

Review sources

• Elgato Wave 3 Microphone - Unboxing & Review! (w/ Sound Test) [4K] by Jordan Ash — 28 pros, 7 cons
• The BEST Beginner Microphone for Live Streaming - Elgato Wave 3 26 pros, 4 cons
• Elgato Wave 3 Streaming Microphone Review: More Than a Mic by BadSeed Tech — 15 pros, 11 cons
• This Update Changes Everything! Elgato Wavelink 3.0 by Stream Gear Talk — 16 pros, 5 cons
• Elgato Wave 1 & 3 Microphone Review + Mic Test! by randomfrankp — 14 pros, 7 cons
• Elgato Wave:3 Review 17 pros, 3 cons
• Elgato Wave Mic 3 Sound Test & Review by Adam Talks Tech — 14 pros, 5 cons
• DAS darf in DEINEM GAMING SETUP nicht fehlen!! Elgato Wave 3 im Test by HardwareDealz — 15 pros, 3 cons
• This Microphone Actually Makes Streaming Easier! - Elgato Wave:3 Setup & Review by Techtesters — 12 pros, 5 cons
• BEST Microphone for YouTube?! | Elgato Wave 3 Unboxing + Setup 🎙 16 pros, 0 cons
• It's STILL The BEST Microphone for Creators | Elgato Wave:3 & Wave Link App by HeroVision — 14 pros, 2 cons
• The Elgato Wave 3 Review - The Best Mic For Streaming 2021 10 pros, 6 cons
• ELGATO WAVE 3 MIC COMPARISION + REVIEW 9 pros, 6 cons
• I Returned the Elgato Wave 3 - Master Review by MacEbes — 6 pros, 8 cons
• DIESES TEIL GEHÖRT AUF JEDEN GAMING SCHREIBTISCH! Das neue Elgato Wave 3 im Test! by KreativEcke — 9 pros, 4 cons
• Elgato Wave 3 Long Term Review 13 pros, 0 cons
• Elgato's Wave 3 is the BUDGET KING! 9 pros, 3 cons
• Is This The GoXLR Killer?! Elgato Wave 3 Review 10 pros, 2 cons
• Top 5 Best Microphones by Consumer Tech Review — 6 pros, 6 cons
• Is This the BEST USB Microphone in 2021? - Elgato Wave 3 Review by Spudd Gaming — 11 pros, 0 cons
• Premium Streaming Gear That Doesn’t Drain Your Checking Account by Senpai Gaming — 5 pros, 1 cons
• Which is Better: Shure SM7B, FIFINE AM8, or Elgato Wave 3? by Brandon | Darkened Cyrus — 4 pros, 1 cons

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