Buying Guide
The Best Broadcast Microphones
We weighed five microphones on connection and capsule, and the SM58 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Broadcast microphones are usually dynamic, which rejects room noise and suits speaking close to the mic. Every pick offers a dynamic capsule, from the premium end down.
The order reflects connection, capsule and polar pattern from maker specifications; we did not test these microphones ourselves, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Shure SM7B Dynamic Vocal Microphone
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with air suspension shock isolation.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Shure SM7B Dynamic Vocal Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Touch Panel Mute Control
Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone
A touch panel mute mute control.
Best for: Buyers who want a touch panel mute mute control.
Our take Check price for Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Shure MV7X XLR Podcast Microphone
The MV7 shape in an XLR-only version.
Best for: Buyers who want MV7 shape in an XLR-only version.
Our take Check price for Shure MV7X XLR Podcast Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Swing Mount In the Box
RODE PodMic USB
A swing mount in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want a swing mount in the box.
Our take Check price for RODE PodMic USB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone
Undercutting the PodMic USB on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Shure SM7B Dynamic Vocal Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Shure's SM7B is a dynamic broadcast mic with air suspension and shielding against monitor hum.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
It needs an interface with plenty of gain. It shares an XLR connection with the MV7X and SM58; the PodMic USB goes with a USB-C and XLR connection. It shares a via interface headphone monitoring with the MV7X and SM58; the PodMic USB goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring.
Like the MV7+, it has a yoke in the box, while the PodMic USB uses a swing mount in the box. It also offers air suspension shock isolation and a close-talk windscreen. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included.
Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. Only the MV7+ came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Yoke
Pros
- Air suspension shock isolation
- Close-talk windscreen
- Shielding against hum from monitors
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with air suspension shock isolation
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the SM58 at the time of writing
Touch Panel Mute Control2 of 5
Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Shure's MV7+ is a dynamic mic with USB-C and XLR outputs, an LED touch panel, auto level and a denoiser.
Best for
- Buyers who want a touch panel mute mute control.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SM58, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a later move to an interface. Like the PodMic USB, it has a USB-C and XLR connection, while the MV7X uses an XLR connection. Like the PodMic USB, it has a headphone jack headphone monitoring, while the SM58 uses a via interface headphone monitoring.
It shares a yoke in the box with the SM7B; the SM58 goes with a stand adapter in the box. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper MV7X and the pricier SM7B, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C and XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: Touch panel mute
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Yoke
Pros
- LED touch panel
- Auto level and a digital denoiser
- Both USB-C and XLR outputs
- Touch panel mute mute control, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the SM58 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Shure MV7X XLR Podcast Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MV7X stands out for the MV7 shape in an XLR-only version, and it adds an integrated shock mount.
Best for
- Buyers who want MV7 shape in an XLR-only version.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
Its dynamic cardioid capsule and built-in shock mount reduce room noise and desk bumps. The design follows Shure's broadcast microphones, and it needs an XLR interface. Its all-metal body sits in an adjustable yoke with a 3/8-inch adapter for stands and arms.
It shares an XLR connection with the SM7B and SM58; the PodMic USB goes with a USB-C and XLR connection. It shares a via interface headphone monitoring with the SM7B and SM58; the PodMic USB goes with a headphone jack headphone monitoring. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included.
Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. When we checked, only the PodMic USB and cheaper picks cost less, and the MV7+ cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Yoke with integrated shock mount
Pros
- The MV7 shape in an XLR-only version
- Integrated shock mount
- Yoke mount
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the SM58 at the time of writing
Swing Mount In the Box4 of 5
RODE PodMic USB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RODE's PodMic USB is a dynamic broadcast mic with both USB-C and XLR outputs and APHEX processing onboard.
Best for
- Buyers who want a swing mount in the box.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no onboard mut rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
A headphone jack handles monitoring. It has both XLR and USB-C outputs, so it can move from a laptop to an interface later. Over USB, onboard APHEX processing adds compression, and zero-latency monitoring runs through its headphone jack.
It shares a USB-C and XLR connection with the MV7+; the SM7B goes with an XLR connection. It shares a headphone jack headphone monitoring with the MV7+; the MV7X goes with a via interface headphone monitoring. No other pick in this guide offers a swing mount in the box; compare the SM58, which has a stand adapter in the box.
It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. When we checked, only the SM58 cost less, and the MV7X cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: USB-C and XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Headphone jack
- In the box: Swing mount
Pros
- APHEX processing onboard
- Both USB-C and XLR outputs
- Headphone jack
- Swing mount in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
- Costs more than the SM58 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Shure SM58 is a metal-bodied dynamic vocal mic with a built-in spherical pop filter.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no onboard mute.
Why we like it
It is the long-running stage standard. Like the SM7B and MV7X, it has an XLR connection, while the MV7+ uses a USB-C and XLR connection. Like the SM7B and MV7X, it has a via interface headphone monitoring, while the MV7+ uses a headphone jack headphone monitoring.
You get a stand adapter in the box here, which sets it apart from the SM7B and its a yoke in the box. It also comes with a cardioid pattern that rejects sound from behind. XLR-only: it needs an audio interface or mixer, plus an XLR cable if one is not included.
Low-output dynamic mics may need a high-gain interface or an inline booster. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the PodMic USB was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: XLR
- Capsule: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Mute control: None
- Headphone monitoring: Via interface
- In the box: Stand adapter
Pros
- Built-in spherical pop filter
- Metal build
- Cardioid pattern that rejects sound from behind
- Stand adapter in the box, the only one here
Cons
- no onboard mute
How We Chose These Broadcast Microphones
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Controls
- We checked mute, gain and headphone monitoring.
- Capsule and pattern
- We noted dynamic or condenser capsules and polar patterns.
- Mounting
- We noted stands, arms, shock mounts and pop filters in the box.
- Connection
- We recorded USB, XLR or hybrid connections.
What to Look for in a Broadcast Microphone
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Dynamic or condenser
Dynamic mics pick up less room noise and keyboard clatter, which suits untreated rooms. Condensers capture more detail and more of the room.
Mute and monitoring
Tap-to-mute and a headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring matter on streams and calls.
Software and processing
Some mics offer noise reduction, auto gain or limiters in software. Check it runs on your operating system.
Polar pattern
Cardioid rejects sound from behind and suits one voice. Multi-pattern mics add omni or figure-8 for groups or interviews.
USB or XLR
USB mics plug straight into the PC. XLR mics need an interface but let you upgrade parts separately. Hybrid mics offer both.
Stand, arm and shock mount
A desk stand picks up bumps. A boom arm and shock mount put the mic closer to your mouth and away from the keyboard.
How to Choose a Broadcast Microphone
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want the most complete package | SM7B | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with air suspension shock isolation |
| Buyers who want a touch panel mute mute control | MV7+ | A touch panel mute mute control |
| Buyers who want MV7 shape in an XLR-only version | MV7X | The MV7 shape in an XLR-only version |
| Buyers who want a swing mount in the box | PodMic USB | A swing mount in the box |
| Spending as little as possible | SM58 | Undercutting the PodMic USB on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Microphone | Connection | Capsule | Polar pattern | Mute control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM7B | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| MV7+ | USB-C and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | Touch panel mute |
| MV7X | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| PodMic USB | USB-C and XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
| SM58 | XLR | Dynamic | Cardioid | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Microphones |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | SM58 |
| About $150 to $250 | PodMic USB, MV7X |
| About $250 to $500 | MV7+, SM7B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick costs the least here?
Start with the SM58, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The SM7B is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Is a separate mic better than a headset mic?
Usually, yes: a desk mic has a larger capsule and sits in a fixed position. Placement still matters more than price.
What interface do I need for XLR?
Any USB audio interface with an XLR input and enough gain. Condensers also need 48V phantom power.
How far should I sit from the mic?
About a hand's width to 15cm for most voice mics; dynamic mics often want to be closer.
Do I need a pop filter?
It helps with plosive sounds such as P and B. Many mics include a foam cover or internal filter.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SM7B, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with air suspension shock isolation. Look at the MV7+ for a touch panel mute mute control, the MV7X for the MV7 shape in an XLR-only version and the PodMic USB for a swing mount in the box if those matter more to you.
Dynamic mics need gain; an XLR model may need an interface with plenty of it or an inline booster.