1. Quick list
2. Best mic overall
3. Best build quality
4. Best for versatility
5. Best retro mic
6. Best mid-range tube
7. Best for live
8. More options...
9. Buying advice
10. How we choose
If you’re looking for the best vocal microphone for your needs, you’re in the right place. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start – but we’ve got your back. In this guide, we’ll outline some of the things you should be thinking about when choosing a vocal mic, and we’ll explain some of the key differences between the different types of mics.
Many of us are inspired by particular artists or performers, however, it can be a harsh reality check when we see the cost of a typical pro-grade microphone. Don’t worry though; in this guide, we’ve got a list of superb microphones for a variety of different applications and styles, and each of them can produce truly magical results.
We’ve included some expert buying advice at the end of this guide. If you’d like to read it, click the ‘buying advice’ tab above – or if you’d rather get to the products, keep scrolling.
Best vocal mics: Quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out exactly which we think are the best vocal mics on the market right now? Below, you’ll find a round-up of our top choices. You can jump to a more detailed review of every pick and better yet, our clever price comparison tool will help you find the best deal.
As an all-rounder vocal mic, the Shure SM7B takes some beating. Over the years it’s been adopted by some of the music world’s biggest names – Michael Jackson swore by them – while its rich, balanced tone has found it adopted more recently by the podcasting community.
Aston Microphones has quickly become one of the music equipment industry’s rising stars on account of a growing portfolio of high-quality, yet affordable, microphones. Made in Britain, the brand has picked up multiple NAMM ‘Best in Show’ awards for its gear, and we’re huge fans here at MR.
As the most expensive mic in the line-up, the AKG C414 XLII has a lot to live up to. It’s also just about one of the most versatile microphones we’ve come across, excelling at everything from speech to vocals, via acoustic instruments and even drums.
The Shure Super 55, known affectionately as the ‘Elvismic’ on account of its most famous user, proves microphones don’t need to be dull. The Super 55 is a sturdy, eye-catching dynamic microphone built for a lifetime on stage.
Australian brand Rode is one of the best-known microphone specialists operating today. The Rode NTK is their flagship mid-point condenser, delivering exceptional performance for vocals and other speech-related applications. Part of the NTK’s magic comes from the twin-triode 6922 tube, which adds a touch of vintage warmth to recordings.
It would be remiss not to include the Shure SM58 in this list, right? We did consider omitting it, but couldn’t bring ourselves to do it. After all, for a large number of live performers this mic has been the go-to choice for decades now. You don’t become one of the best-selling vocal mics in the world by accident.
Best vocal mic overall
As an all-rounder vocal mic, the Shure SM7B takes some beating. Over the years it’s been adopted by some of the music world’s biggest names – Michael Jackson swore by them – while its rich, balanced tone has found it adopted more recently by the podcasting community.
For home recording it’s a great choice as it features in-built protection against electromagnetic hum, meaning your computer monitor isn’t going to interfere with your signal. It’s also, as with all the Shure SM range, built to withstand all manner of performance situations without letting you down.
Read the full Shure SM7B review
Best for build quality
Aston Microphones has quickly become one of the music equipment industry’s rising stars, on account of a growing portfolio of high quality, yet affordable, microphones. Made in Britain, the brand has picked up multiple NAMM ‘Best in Show’ awards for its gear, and we’re huge fans here at MR.
The Aston Spirit, the company’s flagship model, boasts a 1” gold-evaporated capsule, along with a variety of pickup patterns. What surprised us most, however, was the price. For a shade under $500 you get an incredibly well made, great sounding microphone. Highly recommended.
Read the full Aston Microphones Spirit review
Best for versatility
As the most expensive mic in the line-up, the AKG C414 XLII has a lot to live up to. It’s also just about one of the most versatile microphones we’ve come across, excelling at everything from speech to vocals, via acoustic instruments and even drums.
A total of nine pickup patterns are available, including combining two different patterns, meaning there is no application where this mic won’t suit, while the overall levels of quality, durability and construction are exemplary. Oh, and it sounds incredible too.
Best for retro look and sound
The Shure Super 55, known affectionately as the ‘Elvismic’ on account of its most famous user, proves microphones don’t need to be dull. The Super 55 is a sturdy, eye-catching dynamic microphone built for a lifetime on stage.
A mic has to sound good though, and there are no complaints from us regarding its audio performance. The lack of an off/on switch will irk some, and the sheer weight of the thing will give roaming vocalists something to think about, but as a hard-as-nails workhorse, the Shure Super 55 is definitely worth your consideration.
Best mid-range tube mic
Australian brand Rode is one of the best-known microphone specialists operating today. The Rode NTK is their flagship mid-point condenser, delivering exceptional performance for vocals and other speech-related applications. Part of the NTK’s magic comes from the twin-triode 6922 tube, which adds a touch of vintage warmth to recordings.
We particularly like the build quality of the Rode NTK, which offers easy access to replace the tube, should you need to. As with the rest of the Rode range, there’s a lot of quality on display here at a great value price point.
Best for live vocals
It would be remiss not to include the Shure SM58 in this list, right? We did consider omitting it, but couldn’t bring ourselves to do it. After all, for a large number of live performers this mic has been the go-to choice for decades now. You don’t become one of the best-selling vocal mics in the world by accident.
As a specialist live performance mic, the Shure SM58 offers the perfect combination of reliability, performance and durability, and all for a price which sits very nicely under $100.
Read the full Shure SM58 review
More options...
So those are our top picks, but there are many more great options to choose from that offer something a little different in terms of features and performance. We've selected some more of our favourites below.
The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure may, on paper, be a simple microphone with a single polar pattern and nothing in the way of pads or filters, but what it does, it does to such a high level that it becomes an incredibly attractive proposition.
The mic’s 1” condenser is a thing of beauty, and is perfect for vocals – both sung and spoken – with a very low noise floor meaning there’s very little post-production required. It’s a premium set-up, for a very reasonable price indeed.
Read our full Lewitt LCT 440 review
Not every vocal application involves singing. Some of us, naming no names, have singing voices which resemble the noise a burning pet shop might make. If you can picture that scene. Yet there are plenty of other scenarios where a quality vocal microphone is required; think podcasts, voice-overs, speeches and broadcast. For this, the AKG C636 is a superb choice.
The AKG C636 features a uniform cardioid pattern, designed to accentuate only what it’s meant to, while its design is geared towards reducing the vibrations caused when hand-holding the mic. Sure, music and singing situations may require a different tool, but for speech tasks this is a great choice.
Read the full AKG C636 review
Jagger, Bowie, Beyonce, Rihanna, Sheeran, Drake, Eilish – all are legendary for their magnetic live performances. Why? Because they know how to use every inch of the stage.
If you’re a live performer looking to up your game then you simply must go wireless. Come on, unleash yourself from the shackles of your mic stand and liberate your creativity.
Sennheiser is one of the best trusted names in wireless mics and the EW 500-935 kit is the place to start if you want to invest in a pro system that can be expanded as your requirements, fame and earnings grow. It features an SKM 500 G4 handheld transmitter (the mic body) armed with a dynamic MMD 935-1 cardioid capsule. This can be swapped out for any capsule in Sennheiser's G4 range, including condensers, supercardioids and so on. It’s also compatible with some Neumann capsules, making it a great value gateway to that legendary sound.
The EM 300-500 G4 rack mountable receiver can handle up to 3,520 frequencies, and it’s true diversity too for ultra-reliable, stable performance.
Neumann is a premium German mic brand, and the TLM 102 is pitched as its most inexpensive large diaphragm condenser. Frankly, it’s not cheap but it is a more affordable option for producers, musos or vocalists working out of modest studios to buy into the famed Neumann tone. Neumann clearly understands this market because, very sensibly, its engineers have developed the TLM 102 to be both small and versatile. So, while it’s perfect for vocals it’s also very capable of covering a lot of other ground too – everything from acoustic guitar to light percussion.
Its frequency response is authentically flat across the mid-range which gives it a transparent, open character that’s perfect for faithfully capturing vocals without adding any colour. The lower frequencies do have the kind of richness that’s expected from a large diaphragm condenser, but fortunately it doesn't muddy up when close-miking.
If you’re happy investing the money, you’ll find the TLM 104 is a wonderful mic for vocals and a lot more besides. If you work with clients, they’ll appreciate the premium branding too.
The M80 is a flamboyant stage mic that’s available in no less than 15 colours including fluoro pink, yellow, orange and a handful of metallics. Need a mic to match your Elvis-inspired gold lamé suit? Step forward the M80. If you’re the kind of performer who lives on the very edge of good taste then you can even mix and match the colour of the body and grille to go full-on ’80s neon. Or you can rein it back in and go traditional black and chrome for sophisticated appearances. It’s your choice.
However, the M80 is much more than just a pretty face. Despite its potential for looking like a colourful toy, Telefunken’s engineers have succeeded in their quest to give it the robustness of a solid dynamic mic but with the wider frequency response of a condenser. The holy grail of performance mic tone.
They’ve achieved this by arming the M80 with a lightweight capsule that features a thin yet tough diaphragm. The resulting character is open, airy, detailed but strident. Despite its elevated sensitivity, transients are well tamed and handling noise is subdued.
Build quality is top-notch and, although it’s not cheap, it’s a real step up from less expensive mics such as the Shure SM58. Just be aware that this is a super-cardioid mic with a focused pattern, so if you’re a lively performer be careful not to move too far off-axis.
As a tube microphone, the Lewitt Pure Tube promises smooth, rounded tonality with a low noise floor, meaning you can happily stack and layer vocal tracks to your heart’s content without fear of an ever-increasing hiss.
Unboxing the Pure Tube is pure theatre, with the mic and its dedicated power supply coming in a seemingly bomb-proof case, while the overall product design and build quality are exceptional.
This is not a cheap or budget microphone, but for vocalists it could be the go-to studio workhorse you’ve been looking for.
Read our full Lewitt Pure Tube review
Best vocal mics: Buying advice
What type of microphone do I need?
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
When venturing into the world of vocal microphones, the first crucial consideration revolves around the context in which you intend to use them. Your microphone choice will dramatically impact the quality of your recordings or performances. Whether you're gracing a grand stage or nestled in the cosy confines of a studio, the type of microphone you select is pivotal.
For live vocal performances on a bustling stage, you should be looking for a dynamic microphone. These workhorses thrive in environments fraught with ambient noise. Their dynamic nature imparts robustness, and the microphone capsule's lower sensitivity ensures they reject unwanted noise. They also remain unfazed by some of the more common challenges of live venues, like sudden volume fluctuations or shifts in humidity.
However, if you're crafting vocal magic within a controlled, well-treated studio, the throne belongs to the large diaphragm condenser microphone. Condenser mics, equipped with active circuitry, display heightened sensitivity compared to their dynamic counterparts. This sensitivity captures the nuances of the human voice, delivering cleaner, more detailed recordings that exude audio brilliance.
Yet, in the realm of untreated home studios plagued by ambient noise and reflections, dynamic microphones offer a budget-friendly alternative, efficiently combating background noise due to their low sensitivity. While they may lack some nuances, especially in the upper-frequency range, their sound quality remains excellent, and post-recording cleanup becomes a breeze.
Dynamic microphones come into their own when recording metal vocals, thanks to their unparalleled robustness. A dropped condenser mic often meets an unfortunate demise, while a dynamic microphone scoffs at such accidents, with the floor bearing the brunt of the impact.
Which pickup pattern do I need?
But microphone choice doesn't stop at dynamic or condenser; it extends to pickup patterns, a critical factor shaping a microphone's performance.
Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions, ensuring uniform signal reception regardless of the singer's orientation.
In contrast, figure-8 microphones have weak side sensitivity but excel in front and rear pickup. Cardioid microphones fall in between, offering a directional focus. However, they can be unforgiving if the vocalist strays off-axis, leading to signal loss.
Selecting the right pickup pattern hinges on the recording environment. If you intend to use a specific room's acoustics, an omnidirectional microphone will faithfully capture its ambience. On a raucous stage or in a booth, the cardioid microphone shines, though beware of the proximity effect (a bass boost when the vocalist gets too close).
Omnidirectional microphones produce a fuller, more open sound, while cardioids offer more containment. They are preferable when combating sound leakage and feedback, though the latter can be a screeching nightmare if improperly handled.
Who makes the best microphones for vocals?
As you delve into microphone options, you'll encounter established brands like Shure, AKG, and Røde, with decades of music and broadcasting history backing their quality. However, newer contenders such as Aston and Lewitt also offer stellar alternatives. Your choice should align with your specific needs and the sonic world you aim to create.
How we choose
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best vocal mics available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best vocal mics on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar
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