The Best XLR Microphones for Streaming

Its cardioid dynamic capsule gives high gain before feedback, and the metal body is solid. It needs an XLR interface or mixer. It suits podcasting, vocals, streaming and instrument recording.

Its extended frequency response gives warm, natural vocals. You also get a low price tier. 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 makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $50, since it offers the lowest price among these microphones at the time of writing. It undercut the XS 1 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

It is a handheld cardioid dynamic mic with a silent mute switch, a clip and a pouch. It connects over XLR. It has a cardioid polar pattern and ships with a mic clip and a carry pouch.

An on/off switch mute control is unique to it among these picks, while the MV7+ uses a touch panel mute control. It also comes with a dynamic capsule for vocals. 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper NW-040 and the pricier Wave DX, at the time of writing.

It mounts on 5/8in threads with adapters. Its speech-tuned dynamic capsule works with any XLR preamp without a booster, according to Elgato. The cardioid pattern is forgiving if you move off-axis.

No other pick in this guide offers a 5/8in mount with adapters in the box; compare the MV7+, which has a yoke in the box. 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 XS 1 and cheaper picks cost less, and the MV7X cost more.

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.

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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the NW-040 at the time of writing. It was priced above the Wave DX and below the MV7+ at the time of writing.

It suits a later move to an interface. It is the only pick here with a USB-C and XLR connection; the NW-040 has an XLR connection instead. You get a touch panel mute control here, which sets it apart from the XS 1 and its an on/off switch mute control.

It is the only pick here with a headphone jack headphone monitoring; the NW-040 has a via interface headphone monitoring instead. It works over USB now and can move to an XLR interface later; an XLR cable may not be included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the MV7X.