At a glance
| Type | Condenser |
|---|---|
| Pattern | Cardioid |
| Sample Rate | 96 kHz |
| Monitor | Yes (3.5 mm stereo headphone jack) |
| Mute | Yes (tap-to-mute) |
| Connect | USB-C |
- Model Wave Neo
- Released 2024
ElgatoLast updated on November 2026
Elgato Wave Neo Review
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On this page
Overview
The Elgato Wave Neo is an entry-level USB-C condenser microphone with a cardioid pattern, tap-to-mute and a desk stand, designed to make meetings and casual streams sound clearer with minimal setup.
- Easy plug-and-play setup
- Tap-to-mute with clear status light
- Stand included
- Works with Wave Link if you want more
Key Takeaways
- Elgato's cheapest Wave mic
- Built for meetings first
- Easy upgrade from a laptop mic
Best For
- First desk mic
- Home-office calls
- Casual streamers
Avoid If
- Your room is loud or echoey
- You want hands-on gain control
Pros & Cons
The Wave Neo is a straightforward upgrade from a laptop mic. It sounds clear, mutes with a tap and needs no software. In loud rooms a dynamic like the Shure MV6 will hide more background noise.
PROS
- Easy plug-and-play setup
- Tap-to-mute with clear status light
- Stand included
- Works with Wave Link if you want more
CONS
- Condenser picks up more room noise
- Fewer controls than the Wave:3 MK.2
- No XLR or headphone mixing on the mic
Review Scores
Score Breakdown
8.2/10 Expert Score
- Capsule Quality & Fidelity8.5/10
- Interface Versatility & Patterns7.7/10
- On-Mic Hardware Controls9.3/10
- DSP Engine & Software6.0/10
- Mounting & Shock10.0/10
How this score is calculated
Each criterion is the weighted average of its available spec scores (0–10) from our Microphones scoring matrix. Empty specs are skipped, not scored as 0. The Expert Score is the weighted average of the scored criteria, shown out of 10; stars = Expert Score / 20, rounded to the nearest half star.
| Criterion | Weight | From specs | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule Quality & FidelityTransducer Type: Condenser → 7.5; Sample Rate: 96 → 9.5; Bit Depth: 24 → 9.5; Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz → 8.0; Max SPL: 120 → 6.0 | 40% | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Interface Versatility & PatternsConnection: USB-C → 10.0; XLR Output: No → 4.0; Polar Pattern: Cardioid → 9.0; Number of Patterns: 1 → 6.0 | 20% | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| On-Mic Hardware ControlsTouch Mute: Yes → 10.0; Headphone Monitoring: Yes (3.5 mm stereo headphone jack) → 8.0 | 15% | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| DSP Engine & SoftwareSoftware / DSP: Wave Link (optional) → 6.0 | 15% | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Mounting & ShockMount Thread: 1/4 in, 5/8 in, 3/8 in → 10.0; Stand / Mount: Desk stand included → 10.0; Pop Filter / Windscreen: Yes (included) → 10.0 | 10% | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Expert Score | 8.2/10 | ||
Elgato Wave Neo Review
Elgato added the Wave Neo below the Wave:3 and Wave:1 as the simplest microphone in its range. Its product page leads with meetings, a sign that Elgato sees remote workers as a market alongside streamers.
Capsule Quality & Fidelity 8.5/10
The Wave Neo uses a cardioid condenser capsule over USB-C. Its tone is clear and slightly bright, which helps voices cut through laptop speakers on the far end.
Compared with a built-in laptop mic, the improvement is immediate. Your voice sounds closer and fuller, and the hollow room sound typical of laptops fades.
It is not as rich as the Wave:3 MK.2, which has a larger capsule and Clipguard. For daily calls the difference is small, and for streaming you may notice less depth in the low end.
- Element Condenser
- Sample Rate 96 kHz
- Bit Depth 24 bit
- Freq. Range 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Interface Versatility & Patterns 7.7/10
As a condenser, the Wave Neo hears more of the room than a dynamic microphone. The cardioid pattern rejects sound from behind, so place it between you and your keyboard rather than beside it.
In a quiet home office that works well. With a dishwasher running or children playing nearby, the mic picks up more of it than a Shure dynamic would.
Software noise suppression in Teams or Zoom handles much of that. Leave it on with this mic, and speak from about 15 to 25 cm away.
USB-C connects the mic to Windows and macOS without drivers. It works with Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and any app that accepts a standard USB microphone.
Wave Link support means you can later route the mic into a streaming mix alongside game and music audio.
There is no XLR output, and the Neo is not built to grow into a studio setup. For that, look at a hybrid model, as explained in Shure’s pattern guide and similar microphone primers.
- Connect USB-C
- XLR No
- Pattern Cardioid
- Patterns 1
On-Mic Hardware Controls 9.3/10
The main control is tap-to-mute on top, with a light that shows when you are muted. For meetings, that is the control that matters most.
Compared with the Wave:3 MK.2 there are fewer hardware controls to learn, which suits people who simply want to join a call. The trade-off is that changing your level mid-meeting means opening software rather than turning a dial.
If you want more control, Elgato’s Wave Link software adds a mixer and effects. Most meeting users will never need to open it.
- Touch Mute Yes
DSP Engine & Software 6.0/10
The Wave Neo uses Wave Link (optional) for its companion software.
The software or onboard controls also include monitoring (3.5 mm stereo headphone jack). Official capture is listed at 96 kHz and 24-bit. When I hook this up for a webinar, I check whether the processing lives on the mic or only in the app.
Mounting & Shock 10.0/10
The body is compact and light, with a desk stand that lets you tilt the mic toward your mouth. It fits on a cramped desk without crowding the keyboard.
The plastic housing feels less premium than Elgato’s bigger models, but the stand is stable and the tilt joint holds.
A light body also means it suits slim boom arms. That is a good upgrade if you want it closer to your mouth but out of your webcam frame.
- Thread 1/4 in, 5/8 in, 3/8 in
- Stand Desk stand included
- Pop Filter Yes (included)
DSP Engine & Software
The Wave Neo uses Wave Link (optional) for its companion software.
The software or onboard controls also include monitoring (3.5 mm stereo headphone jack). Official capture is listed at 96 kHz and 24-bit. When I hook this up for a webinar, I check whether the processing lives on the mic or only in the app.
Full Specifications
General
| Best For | First desk mic for meetings |
|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Condenser |
| Release Year | 2024 |
| Launch Price | $89.99 |
| Use Case | Video calls and casual streaming |
Design & Build
| Weight | 450 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 92 x 182 mm (without riser); 92 x 92 x 282 mm (with riser) |
| Stand / Mount | Desk stand included |
| Mount Thread | 1/4 in, 5/8 in, 3/8 in |
| Pop Filter / Windscreen | Yes (included) |
| Boom Arm Compatible | Yes |
Audio
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Sample Rate | 96 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24 bit |
| Max SPL | 120 dB |
| Sensitivity | -23 dBFS (min gain), 7 dBFS (max gain) |
| Number of Patterns | 1 |
| Transducer Type | Condenser |
| Dynamic Range | 94 dB |
Controls & Monitoring
| Headphone Monitoring | Yes (3.5 mm stereo headphone jack) |
|---|---|
| Mute Button | Yes (tap-to-mute) |
| Lighting | Yes (mute indicator) |
| Touch Mute | Yes |
Connectivity
| Connection | USB-C |
|---|---|
| Cable | USB-C to USB-A, nylon-braided, 150 cm |
| Software / DSP | Wave Link (optional) |
| USB Connector | USB-C |
| XLR Output | No |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Works With | Windows, macOS, PS4, PS5, iPad, iPhone, Android |
| Phone / Tablet Support | Yes (iPadOS 17+, Android 10+, iPhone may need a Lightning-to-USB adapter) |
In the Box
| In the Box | Wave Neo, desk stand, USB-C cable |
|---|---|
| Warranty | Elgato limited warranty |
Identifiers
| Model Number | Wave Neo |
|---|
Product Details
| Brand | Elgato |
|---|---|
| Model | Wave Neo |
| Model number | Wave Neo |
| Release year | 2024 |
Price Comparison
| Store | Price | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Elgato.comOfficial Elgato store | Launch price $89.99 | View deal (opens in a new tab) |
The Verdict
I’d pick the Wave Neo for a quiet home office where you just want clearer meetings and a visible mute. For streaming as well, the Wave:3 MK.2 is worth the extra money.
FAQs
What kind of mic is the Wave Neo?
A cardioid condenser microphone that connects over USB-C.
Does it need software?
No. It works as a standard USB mic, and Wave Link is optional.
Does it have a mute button?
Yes. Tap the top to mute, and a light shows the status.
Is a stand included?
Yes. It comes with a desk stand.
Does it work with Teams and Zoom?
Yes, as a standard USB microphone.
Can I mount it on a boom arm?
Yes. The light body suits slim arms, which bring it closer to your mouth and out of the webcam frame.
Is it good in a noisy room?
It is a condenser, so a dynamic mic will reject more background noise.
How much does it cost?
Elgato lists it at $89.99.
