Elgato
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2
$169.99
Best Microphones · head-to-head
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 vs Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is cheaper at $169. Every spec and price links to its source.
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
$169Cheaper
Released 2022
Which is better: the Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 or Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X?
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is the cheaper at $169. The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 | Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $169.99 | $169 |
| Brand | Elgato | Audio-Technica |
| Released | — | 2022 |
| Connectivity | USB-C | USB-C |
| Polar pattern | cardioid | cardioid |
| Type | condenser | condenser |
| Sample rate (kHz) | 48 | 96 |
| Bit depth | 24 | 24 |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mute button | Yes | Yes |
| Mount | included desk stand; 1/4" thread adapter (3/8" and 5/8" adapters included) | included desktop stand; 5/8"-27 thread adapter included |
| Release | — | 2022 |
Sources — Elgato Wave:3 MK.2: elgato.com (verified 2026-09-21). Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X: newegg.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 and Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (2 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Sample rate (kHz): Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 48 vs Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X 96
- Mount: Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 included desk stand; 1/4" thread adapter (3/8" and 5/8" adapters included) vs Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X included desktop stand; 5/8"-27 thread adapter included
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2
Across 3 testing outlets, the Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 lands as a well-regarded but not universally praised USB mic. GIGAZINE and MediaBerry both found the sound clean and polished with minimal setup effort, and MediaBerry called it 'a very easy recommendation,' while Stream Tech Reviews pushed back, describing the sound as sharp and harsh in the highs despite being detailed. Build quality draws mixed but non-damning notes across outlets — a mostly plastic body with a metal grille/upper section that doesn't feel cheap. The bundled Wave Link software and Clipguard 2.0 anti-distortion processing were called out as standout strengths. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Clean, polished, natural-sounding audio with little setup effort; Strong hardware paired with the Wave Link software experience; Clipguard 2.0's 32-bit float processing effectively prevents distortion even when gain is maxed out.
Flagged: Sound can come across as sharp/harsh in the high frequencies; Body is mostly plastic, feeling less premium than an all-metal build (though not cheap).
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
Two whitelisted hands-on reviewers (SoundGuys, TechRadar) covered this exact model; neither published measured numbers. Both praise its clear voice/sound quality, sturdy all-metal build, and silent touch-mute controls, and both fault the missing gain control plus high sensitivity that picks up room noise. Verdict: excellent for treated, quiet spaces, weak in noisy rooms. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Clear, professional voice/sound quality; Sturdy all-metal build quality; Silent touch-sensitive mute with LED indicator and easy controls.
Flagged: No gain control; high sensitivity picks up ambient/room noise, poor in untreated spaces; Only a single cardioid pickup pattern (no pattern switching); No onboard noise reduction.