Logitech G Yeti GX review

Logitech G Yeti GX: review in two minutes

When Logitech told us it would be releasing a new addition, the Logitech G Yeti GX, to the Yeti lineup, rounding it out to four models, expectations were understandably high.

After all, the original Yeti has become a household name in the field of USB microphones. People don’t necessarily declare it as the absolute best USB microphone on the market, but it has certainly secured its place among the best for its audio quality, build, and design. And it sets a standard that all Yeti microphones that follow it must live up to.

The Logitech G Yeti GX, however, takes a different approach. While the Yeti looms over most other USB mics I’ve tested with its big, tall design with multiple pickup patterns, this new model is small and short and supercardioid-only. And, just to make it clear to potential buyers that it’s meant for gaming and streaming rather than podcasts, vlogging and music production, it throws in RGB lighting for good measure.

However, this design choice is well executed. The Logitech G Yeti GX is still a sleek-looking microphone, with its beautiful capsule shape, soft matte finish, solid construction, and high-quality pop filter. Although it can be mounted on an arm (an adapter is included in the package for this purpose) it comes with a very stable table stand and has excellent articulation and sturdy build quality. It also has a dial to easily adjust the microphone position and lock it.

There aren’t many physical controls on the mic itself, just a mic gain dial with an indicator light and a mute button, but for what it’s made for, you don’t really need anything else. And to connect it to your PC or laptop, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom. And this is all.

Be careful when using the manual gain control dial, as this microphone has a lot of gain and you don’t want it turned all the way up. A volume between 30 and 50% should be sufficient when recording or talking to your teammates during gameplay. Luckily, it has Intelligent Audio Lock, a professional-quality audio processing technology that maintains the microphone’s gain level to avoid clipping and distortion. But more on that later.

As I mentioned, there is an indicator light, which is useful. It tells you when the microphone gain level is too high (flashes red) and when Smart Audio Lock is active (turns cyan).

Those who aren’t big fans of RGB lighting – yes, they exist – shouldn’t be upset. The RGB lighting is tastefully done here, covering the bottom of the microphone and radiating a soft but still bright glow that’s not at all obnoxious. There are 13 lighting zones, each of which is customizable via the Logitech G Hub app, where there are different lighting animations to choose from and the option to adjust the brightness. If you’re too lazy to use the app, the microphone itself gives you five effects on the fly.

Now, one might assume, due to its size and gaming aesthetic, that the Logitech G Yeti GX is not a USB microphone to be taken seriously. But it’s actually quite impressive, although admittedly there is room for improvement in terms of sound quality.

It is important to note that this is a supercardioid dynamic microphone. This means it’s a cardioid microphone with a narrower field of view – which should, in theory, make it better at side rejection – and front-addressed (captures audio at the top). Now, dynamic microphones are better at capturing the sound that is directly in front of them, while condenser microphones have a wider soundstage and tend to sound better due to their wider frequency range.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the Yeti GX offers somewhat poor audio quality. I found that there wasn’t much dimensionality to my voice – in my test recordings, it was a bit compressed, as if on the verge of distorting. That said, it seems like more than enough if you’re live streaming your gameplay or communicating with your teammates during an online gaming session – you’ll do so clearly and audibly.

Again, there’s a lot of gain here, so it’s wise to keep the volume at 30% to 50% or turn on Smart Audio Lock. Turn it all the way up and your audio will sound harsh with distorted mid-high tones. To be honest, the audio will still be clear, but not pleasant on the ears. I highly recommend using the Smart Audio Lock feature. It works like a charm and you can actually feel it gradually adjusting as needed.

On the bright side, he’s very good at handling sibilance and plosives. It also has no proximity effect, meaning you can talk to it directly and it will sound the same as when you’re five feet away.

It’s also surprisingly effective at rejecting vibrations and background noise. I tapped on the stand until my fingers went raw and none of those taps registered. If I press buttons on a keyboard while talking, you’ll still hear the clicking noises, but they’re very muffled, even if the keyboard is a few inches away.

So honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re creating a podcast or YouTube video that requires a more professional sounding microphone. However, the Logitech G Yeti GX offers a level of sound quality that’s great for gaming and game streaming, and comes with the features you need for these, which is really the point.

Logitech G Yeti GX: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $149.99 (about £120, AU$230)
• When it is available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

However, you will pay a high price for such a small USB microphone. At $149.99 (around £120, AU$230), the Logitech G Yeti GX is almost as expensive as the Yeti Elgato Wave:3which managed to secure our coveted five-star rating.

If you’re looking for something less expensive, the HyperX Duocast it’s a more affordable option that offers fantastic sound quality for podcasting. Just remember that both the Wave:3 and Duocast are condenser microphones and neither is supercardioid.

Logitech G Yeti GX: specifications

Should you buy the Logitech G Yeti GX?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Logitech G Yeti GX: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G Yeti GX

• I tested the USB microphone for a few days
• I used it for recording, during calls and while gaming
• I made sure to test its special features and used my usual microphone testing process

Using the Logitech G Yeti GX for a couple of days in video calls, gaming, and recording, I paid close attention to the sound quality and any artifacts it might detect. I also made sure to test its control, indicator lights, and the included software to see how easy it is to use, especially for beginners.

During the tests I spoke both frontally and from behind, sideways and from different distances. I also checked how it handled things like vibration and background noise by tapping the surface it was on and the stand and making background noises during recordings.

I have been testing devices such as computer peripherals for years. Microphones are a new thing for me, I only started testing them last year, but my experience with audio devices like gaming headsets, headphones and speakers has helped me easily understand USB microphones and what matters most to users during testing.

Learn more about how we test

First reviewed [Month Year]