Best Vocal Mic 2021 Reviews (Buying Guide Included)

If you need to find the absolute best vocal mic, you’ll have many different options to consider. The mic you choose will ultimately determine the overall sound quality of your vocals.

We have listed some of the best microphones for vocals below. Our top choice is the Behringer Ultravoice Xm8500 Dynamic Vocal Microphone.

This mic has a cardioid pickup pattern that is perfect for singing or podcasting. You’ll want to take a close look at all of the options below before deciding which one meets all of your requirements.

A Spotlight On Some of The Best Vocal Mic 2021:

Shure SM48-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

The Shure SM48-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone is specifically designed to block off-axis sound for optimal gain before feedback. This mic’s frequency response is ideal for vocals, offering enhanced midrange and bass roll-off to manage the proximity effect. It also features a shock-mounted cartridge for increased sturdiness and minimal handling noise.

This unidirectional dynamic microphone also boasts a built-in pop filter, which eliminates breath and wind sounds. You can therefore expect crystal clear playback on a consistent basis.

One of the reasons we included Shure’s SM48-LC in our best vocal mic list is its sheer versatility. You can use this microphone for karaoke, regular speech, and music vocals. It also has a very durable overall construction that you can depend on to hold up well over time. The steel mesh grille is incredibly tough and doesn’t damage easily.

With a frequency response range of 55 to 14,000 Hz, this microphone is a great choice for any vocal work. It offers superb low through high-frequency performance. Also included with this product is a carrying bag and stand adapter. These accessories are very useful when traveling for live performances or events.

Audio-Technica AT2035PK Vocal Microphone Pack

The Audio Technica AT2035PK cardioid condenser microphone features a large diaphragm that delivers a consistently smooth and natural sound. It also offers high SPL handling, as well as a wide dynamic range. This microphone is highly versatile and can be used for everything from karaoke to podcasting.

The microphone included in this comprehensive pack has a switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad as well. This makes it easier than ever to get the best performance possible every single time. A custom shock mount is also included, giving you optimal sound isolation.

The studio headphones have a circumaural design that contours around the ears. This allows you to hear your own vocals with minimal interference from outside transmissions. These headphones have 40-millimeter drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. They offer the perfect combination of power and durability.

You will also receive a studio boom arm, which is fully adjustable and can be rotated 360 degrees. It features spring-stabilized joints with thumbscrews, allowing you to position the microphone exactly how you want. You can clamp the boom arm to your desk or table so it is always secure. This greatly reduces unwanted noise while recording vocals.

Pyle Professional Dynamic Vocal Microphone

The Pyle Professional Dynamic Vocal Microphone has a unidirectional cardioid pickup pattern that focuses on the source signal while blocking out ambient noise. This gives you a clear and concise vocal sound that is consistently impressive. It has a dynamic design that delivers a robust overall sound.

This microphone is extremely durable and resistant to moisture. It is ideal for live performances and events, as well as a studio recording. You can use it to record or amplify vocals as well as a variety of instruments.

One of the reasons that we included this product on our best vocal mic list is because of its ultra-wide frequency response. You can always rely on this microphone to give you brilliant sound with its built-in pop filter. The windscreen also helps with dampening breath and pop noises for a nice clear sound.

The sheer durability of this mic is also worth mentioning. It features all-metal construction with a zinc die-cast case, and the steel mesh windscreen has an anti-dent ring. You can travel with it without having to worry about any damage whatsoever.

When you buy this microphone, you will also receive a 15-foot XLR-to-1/4 cable. This gives you a good amount of space from the microphone to the output device.

Behringer Ultravoice Xm8500 Dynamic Vocal Microphone, Cardioid

The Behringer Ultravoice Xm8500 is definitely one of the best vocal mic options on the market right now. It features a cardioid pickup pattern with a design that enables impressive feedback suppression. This microphone also uses a shock mount system that will keep breath and pop noises to a minimum.

We especially like this mic’s two-stage pop filter, which also helps a lot with maintaining crystal clear vocals. The 50 Hz to 15 kHz frequency response range is ideal for this purpose. The high output design is perfect for live performances and events when you really need to make your voice heard.

This microphone’s mid-frequency performance is very impressive, enabling you to project your voice far and wide. This is something you’ll be sure to appreciate when singing or speaking in live situations.

When you buy this microphone, you will also receive a stand adapter as well as a carrying case. This is perfect for traveling to live gigs. The carrying case has an impact-resistant design and will keep your microphone secure in transit.

You can count on this microphone to stand the test of time. It has an all-metal construction as well as electromagnetic shielding. In fact, there are few other mics on the market that are quite as sturdy as this one.

Best Vocal Mic Buying Guide

When attempting to find the best vocal mic, you need to know what to look for. Not all microphones have the same design or features, so you’ll have to consider certain criteria before making a decision.

Pickup Pattern

There are a number of different pickup patterns to choose from when searching for the best vocal mic. The pickup or polar pattern of a microphone ultimately determines which direction it “hears” sound from.

A microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern is most sensitive to sound coming from the front of a mic. This is why most singers choose cardioid microphones. It is an excellent choice if you need a mic primarily for vocals. These mics are also designed to minimize feedback, which is very important.

Omnidirectional microphones are sensitive to sound coming from all around them. This is the best option for those who want to pick up what is happening all over the room. It is not, however, a good choice for vocals.

Bi-directional microphones focus on picking up sound from the sides. These mics can be good for vocals when two people are singing into the same microphone.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of your microphone is something else to consider. Some microphones have a very high sensitivity, which is good for when you need to record a lot of detail. It is a good choice for instrumental recording, but not so much for vocals.

If you want to find a good microphone for vocals, you’ll need to look for a sensitivity of around -70Db. This is ultimately the ideal range for singing or speaking.

Dynamic Microphones

There are many dynamic microphones on the market, and many of them are excellent for vocals. These mics are often specially designed to picking up vocals, which is something to consider. They are a great choice for singing or podcasting, making them quite versatile overall. You will have many different models to choose from though, so it is important to look closely at each one.

If you are a loud singer, a dynamic mic is probably going to be the best option you have. It is also a great choice if you plan on performing live. You will get a nice full, robust sound that will blow the doors off. This is why a lot of rock or heavy metal singers choose these mics.

Condenser Microphones

A condenser microphone is a great option to consider if you need to record vocals. Just make sure that you get one with a large diaphragm. Condenser mics typically need an external power source to function. All you really need is a mixer that is capable of providing a 48-volt direct current.

There is a wide range of condenser microphones, some of which are very high-end and expensive. You can find plenty of these mics that work well but won’t cost too much. A condenser microphone is one of the best options you have when it comes to vocals. Whether you are a singer or have your own podcast, we highly recommend this type of mic.

Frequency Response

When you are searching for the best vocal mic, you’ll want to look for one that offers a response range of 80 Hz to 15 kHz. This is definitely the best range for vocals. It’s always good to get a mic with a wide range, as it gives you more versatility. This will be one of the most important factors to focus on when reviewing your vocal mic options.

Noise Suppression

Some of the best vocal mic options on the market feature a built-in pop filter. This will help with minimizing breath and pop noises to give you a clearer, better overall sound.

It’s also recommended that you get a mic that uses a shock mount system. This will help with reducing handling noise, which can also be a big concern with vocal work.

While these features might seem relatively minor or inconsequential, they can go a long way towards improving the overall sound of your vocals. You will find that many microphones include these things, and they are very important, to say the least.

Microphone Bundles

You’ll find that some microphones come with some accessories like a carrying case and/or cable. If you plan to travel a lot with your mic, you’ll want a nice sturdy case to keep it in. You might also want to look for a mic that comes with a stand adapter, which can also be useful for live performances.

A microphone bundle should provide you with everything you need to get started. While you might need to spend a bit more than with a standalone mic, it can definitely be well worth it. Check out what each of these bundles includes so you can choose one that matches your needs perfectly.

Conclusion

There are many different options available when searching for the best vocal mic. It is, however, crucial that you decide on one that will perform well on a consistent basis. You certainly don’t want to choose just any microphone, as not all of them are well-suited to vocals.

Condenser microphones are great for vocals, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. Mics with large diaphragms tend to be best for this particular purpose. It is also important to consider the frequency range and sensitivity of each mic you come across.

Let us know what you think about our list by leaving a comment below.

Like this guide? Then you’d definitely love our other guides on the best microphone for vocals.