HyperX’s new streaming microphone looks like a Shure product, but does its sound quality match up? I tested it out
By Erin Bashford
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HyperX’s new streaming microphone looks like a Shure product, but does its sound quality match up? I tested it out
The difference between this and a Shure? It’s in the software
Erin Bashford
12 September 2025
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Recommended
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
Tom’s Guide Verdict
The HyperX FlipCast is a great microphone, with impressive AI noise reduction and an easy-to-use design. It features XLR and USB-C inputs for hi-res recording, making it suitable for streaming and podcasting. Although personally I’m more impressed with similarly priced Shure and SteelSeries options, the FlipCast is a reliable mic for streamers I have no problems recommending.
$229.99 at HP US
$229.99 at Amazon
$229.99 at Walmart
$229.99 at Newegg
Faithful recording quality
Easy to use
XLR and USB-C connectivity
Fantastic AI noise reduction
Not as many features as similarly priced competitors
A little pricey when you factor in the boom arm/desktop stand
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Cheat Sheet
Price & availability
Design & controls
Features & connectivity
Audio quality
The HyperX FlipCast is the gaming manufacturer’s newest microphone, released in August 2025. The FlipCast looks the part: it’s got a delicious RGB LED panel (completely customizable in the app, of course) and a design (presumably) inspired by Shure’s MV7 range.
So how does the sound quality match up? Is it enough to make it one of the best microphones on the market? Well, the AI noise reduction is excellent, and the overall recording quality is buttery smooth. While I think the mic’s proclivity for popping and hissing isn’t ideal, if you know your mic etiquette, this shouldn’t be a problem.
If you want to know more, keep reading. I’ll discuss everything in detail in this HyperX FlipCast review.
HyperX FlipCast at HP US for $229.99
HyperX FlipCast review: Cheat Sheet
What is it? A gaming/streaming mic with AI noise reduction
Who is it for? Streamers and content creators
What does it cost? $229 / £194
What do we like? It’s got USB-C and XLR connectivity and records in 32-bit
What don’t we like? It hasn’t got as many features as I’d like for a $200+ mic
HyperX FlipCast review: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
$229 / £194
Connectivity
PC: USB-C, XLR
Audio resolution
32-bit 192kHz
Frequency response
20 Hz to 20 kHz
Microphone type
Polar pattern
7.5 x 7.5 x 1.7 inches
Black, RGB panel
HyperX FlipCast review: Price & availability
The HyperX FlipCast is $229 from Amazon U.S. and £194 from HyperX U.K.. This makes it pretty pricey for a plug-and-play mic, but the FlipCast isn’t just a plug-and-play: it has an XLR input too.
Other XLR mics tend to go for around $250, like the Shure MV7+ and the Shure MV7i. I’ve also tested the Rode PodMic — which requires an audio interface to work — which could be a great option for serious podcasters.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
For gaming/streaming beginners, I’d recommend saving as much money as possible and getting the super beginner-friendly Shure MV6. I love everything about this mic: it sounds great (despite “only” being USB-C) and is the easiest mic I’ve ever used.
This isn’t a con, more of a forewarning: the FlipCast mic is only PC-compatible, so if you’re a Mac user, I’d recommend the Shure MV6 instead.
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HyperX FlipCast review: Design & controls
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Shure-inspired design
Customizable LED RGB panel
Touch mute panel
There’s no doubt in my mind that HyperX has taken some inspiration from Shure’s MV line of microphones. The FlipCast looks nearly identical to the Shure MV7, MV7+, and MV7i. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it does mean I can’t stop comparing it to the Shure versions in my head. Is that for better or for worse? For me, a little worse, as the Shure mics are just a touch prettier.
The FlipCast doesn’t come with a stand, so you’ll need to buy one separately. HyperX sells a boom arm and camera mount for $94 on its website, which is pretty pricey. Bear in mind that the Shure MV7+ with a desktop stand is $299, which works out cheaper than the FlipCast.
On the top of the microphone is a touch pad for instant muting and unmuting, which is also something you’d find on the Shure MV7+. I love this feature — it’s so great for pauses on your stream or when another person is speaking and you don’t want to pick up background noise. There’s also a volume dial for gain adjustment, which is useful.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
There’s also a customizable RGB panel, which you can adjust in the NGENUITY app. I chose the ‘confetti’ style. You can also change the opacity and speed of the lights, so depending on your stream, you can have relaxed or energetic lights.
I think the design is simple and functional without compromising finesse. The FlipCast is still as bright and modern as the Shure MV7 range, and without the desktop stand or boom arm, a little cheaper.
HyperX FlipCast review: Features & connectivity
XLR and USB-C
Windows only
AI noise reducer
If you want a broadcast-quality microphone for content creation, you’ll want one with an XLR connection. As a result, the HyperX FlipCast would be a good choice. XLR connection, in short, results in a higher quality recording and richer, smoother sound.
The HyperX FlipCast records in 32-bit 192kHz, which is basically one of the highest resolutions you can get. The Shure MV7+ records in up to 32-bit as well, but is also $50 pricier at $279.
The FlipCast also has a USB-C connection (which is what I used for testing), which makes the mic much more versatile, as you don’t need an audio interface. If you did, however, need an audio interface, I’d recommend the Rode AI-1 ($129).
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
While the FlipCast app has a few features, it doesn’t have as many as I’d expect at this $229 price point. There’s an AI noise reducer, which is great, but there are no EQ presets. I’ll discuss the AI noise reducer in the ‘audio quality’ section below.
Yes, the EQ has a 10-band customizer, but for beginners, this can seem a little overwhelming. I would’ve liked to have seen some EQ presets, similar to Shure’s “dark” and “bright” vocal presets.
As I mentioned briefly earlier, this isn’t a con, more just a useful nugget of information. The HyperX FlipCast is Windows-only. This isn’t a huge issue as it’s intended for high-end gaming streamers, and virtually all PC gaming happens on Windows. If you’re a Mac user, you’d be better off elsewhere. I’d recommend either the Shure MV7+ ($279) or the Shure MV6 ($129), depending on your budget.
HyperX FlipCast review: App
Easy-to-use app
No digital pop filter
Can’t record into the app
The HyperX FlipCast uses the NGENUITY app, which has a clean, simple UI and is easy to use. However, it lacks some features you’d find on apps like the SteelSeries Sonar and the Shure MotivMix. However, the SteelSeries Alias Pro will set you back a pretty hefty $329.
For example, there’s no ability to record directly into the app, and there’s no digital pop filter as with Shure’s app. Even so, I think this is a straightforward, clean app with a decent range of features. Personally, I’d lean more towards the SteelSeries or Shure app, but the HyperX NGENUITY app does the job too.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future / HyperX)
(Image credit: Future / HyperX)
(Image credit: Future / HyperX)
As you can see, there’s a good range of features in the app. You’ll find a limiter, compressor, AI noise reducer, and a customizable EQ in the app. You can create your own vocal EQs to adjust your voice to your preference. For the purpose of testing, I left the EQ turned off.
As I said earlier, the NGENUITY app is good, but it’s not best-in-class. It’ll do the trick and is simple to use, but it’s not a breakthrough in audio customization.
HyperX FlipCast review: Audio quality
Clear, warm recording quality
Faithful voice reproduction
But can be a little prone to pops and hisses
Overall, the FlipCast offers faithful, warm vocal reproduction. I was impressed with the clarity and softness of my voice, and I never struggled to understand what I was saying on recordings. No, the FlipCast isn’t quite as adept as the Shure MV7 range, but I think it’s still a worthy competitor.
In this test clip, my voice is accurate, warm, and clear. I was recording in a soundproofed, quiet room, which is ideal for the dynamic cardioid microphone.
Standardized audio testing
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
As usual, I tested the HyperX FlipCast with a series of plosive and sibilant tests, with the limiter and compressor turned on and off. I also tested the AI noise reduction with a cafe white noise track.
As there’s no built in pop filter, the FlipCast is a little prone for popping. I don’t think it’s the worst microphone I’ve ever used for pops, but if you’ve got a guest speaker whose microphone etiquette is less than ideal, it might pose an issue. Here’s an example recording.
So, while the pops aren’t overwhelmingly loud, they’re a little more noticeable than on the Shure MV7+ and the Shure MV6. Whether you want to splurge on the MV7+ (well, with a desktop stand it’s actually a little cheaper than the FlipCast) or save with the MV6 (but with lower recording quality and no XLR) is up to you.
I think the FlipCast’s audio quality is great, but it’s not amazing.
Fricatives/sibilance
Similarly with the plosive performance, the sibilance is a little louder than I’d normally like to see, but it doesn’t majorly detract from the listening experience.
Take a listen to this sample MP3.
As you can hear, the hissing isn’t overwhelmingly loud, but it’s still present. I know sibilant hissing is one of my quirks (am I secretly a snake?) but, again, if you’re a little less experienced on a mic, it might take you a few tries to adapt your speaking style.
Again, I don’t think this is bad — it’s actually good — but it’s not as good as the Shure MV7 range, in my opinion.
Ambient noise performance
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Now this is where the FlipCast shines. As it is, by design, a gaming and streaming microphone, it’s natural that the FlipCast will have a great low-cut filter built in. The FlipCast also has great AI noise cancellation. But there’s only so much my words can explain. Why don’t you take a listen?
This is with the AI noise cancelling on.
I can barely hear the white noise track I was playing in the background. This is some of the best noise cancelling/noise reduction I’ve heard on a streaming mic. This is definitely one of the FlipCast’s best features.
Now here’s the same track without the AI noise cancelling, so you can hear the difference.
So the mic didn’t pick up much of the background noise even with the AI noise reducer turned off, which means you might not even need to activate the AI setting when you’re recording in a quiet room. This is partly because the FlipCast is a dynamic mic (less sensitive than a condenser, which is usually used for music) and partly because the FlipCast is a gaming mic.
I think the FlipCast really excels with its AI noise cancelling and this would be a great mic for noisier recording environments.
HyperX FlipCast review: Verdict
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
If you’re in the U.K., the FlipCast is, in my opinion, priced more accurately to its performance. I’d be more inclined to recommend it for U.K. readers. Considering the barebones app, the FlipCast performs like a £150/$150 mic, not a $229 mic.
However, it’s very worth noting that the FlipCast has an XLR and USB-C input, which means it can record in hi-res bitrates. As a result, I think if you need a broadcast-quality mic and for some reason you don’t want to buy a Shure, then the FlipCast would be a good option.
As you can see from above, I’ve awarded FlipCast a 4-star rating. I think this is a really great microphone that is easy to use and sounds professional. For me personally, I’d rather stick with a Shure or a SteelSeries for the innovative companion software, but these aren’t necessary for great recording quality. If you want a reliable, robust microphone, then the FlipCast will be a great option.
HyperX FlipCast: Price Comparison
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Erin Bashford
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Staff Writer, Reviews
Erin Bashford is a staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista and avid home cook, she’s got a soft spot for coffee and home tech; as a proud music nerd, she’s always on the hunt for the best headphones, speakers, and earbuds. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.
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