Any audiophile who has ever used a budget USB microphone knows that the sound quality can not compare to a great XLR microphone. However, with so many XLR microphones on the market, finding a great one can be a difficult task. We made this guide to showcase some of the best XLR microphones that Amazon offers to simplify your search for the perfect microphone for your own unique needs.
What to Look for in an XLR Microphone
There are plenty of factors to consider when shopping for an XLR microphone. Naturally, sound quality is the most important factor, and luckily you will not need to break the bank to find an XLR microphone with amazing sound. Sensitivity is another key factor, especially if you will not be recording in a soundproof room, so note which microphones are better at isolating the intended sound source. Finally, add-ons such as a desk stand, cables, and pop filters can add a lot of value to your microphone purchase, so these should be considered as well if they suit your needs.
Top Choice: Shure SM58-CN Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone
This microphone is an industry-standard, and for good reason. This Shure Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone features vibrant sound with brightened midrange and bass roll-off while minimizing background noise wonderfully. It sports rugged construction for long-term usability and has multiple purchasing options as well, making this an excellent microphone that is reliable in a wide variety of uses.
Shure SM58 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone with 25' XLR Cable, Pneumatic Shock Mount, Spherical Mesh Grille with Built-in Pop Filter, A25D Mic Clip, Storage Bag, 3-pin XLR Connector (SM58-CN)
This microphone features legendary sound quality, a built-in wind and pop filter, and impressive durability.
Best Value: Uhuru Professional Studio Cardioid Microphone Kit
The Uhuru Professional Studio Cardioid Microphone Kit comes with a boom arm, shock mount, pop filter, XLR cable, and windscreen, making it perfect for streamers looking for a solution to upgrading their setup. The XLR microphone features great sound quality for the price, and everything in this kit is built solidly, with no cheap filler components. For a high-quality microphone kit that does much more than its price tag would imply, this is a great choice.
UHURU XLR Condenser Microphone, Professional Studio Cardioid Microphone Kit with Boom Arm, Shock Mount, Pop Filter, Windscreen and XLR Cable, for Broadcasting,Recording,Chatting and YouTube(XM-900)
This microphone kit features a high-quality XLR microphone and everything you will need to set it up so that it sounds its best.
Best for Vocal Clarity: Marantz Pro MPM1000 With Shockmount, Desktop Stand, and Cable
The Marantz Pro MPM1000 features crystal clear vocal clarity with 38 dB audio sensitivity and is tailor-made for podcasters looking to get the most out of an XLR microphone. With high sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio, this microphone can capture details that lesser microphones are apt to miss. This XLR microphone also comes with a cable, desktop stand, and shock mount, making it a great value for the price.
Marantz Professional MPM-1000 - Studio Recording XLR Condenser Microphone with Desktop Stand and Cable – for Podcast and Streaming Projects
The amazing vocal clarity and high audio sensitivity of this microphone make it a great choice for podcasters and voice actors.
Best for Audiophiles: Shure MV7 XLR/USB Microphone
The Shure MV7 features an XLR and USB output for effortless digital or analog recording and simple touch panel controls to tweak your sound on the go. With impressive voice isolation technology and mic position presets, this microphone can be used near or away from you without having your audio quality suffer. This microphone is also durably built with all-metal construction and features an intuitive desktop app to help you get the best sound out of your Shure MV7.
Shure MV7 USB Microphone for Podcasting, Recording, Live Streaming & Gaming, Built-in Headphone Output, All Metal USB/XLR Dynamic Mic, Voice-Isolating Technology, TeamSpeak & Zoom Certified – Black
This microphone has a wealth of great features such as built-in headphone output, touch panel controls, and voice isolation.