The Best Broadcast Microphones

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.