Whether you're a bedroom music producer or professional performer, a good microphone for singing is a crucial piece of equipment. Picking the right microphone depends more on your set-up and what you're planning on using it for, than the style of music you're singing or your type of voice. This buying guide will go through all the top info you need to know while shopping, including the different types of microphones and their features.
We've also scoured the web for the best condenser and dynamic microphones from trusted brands like Sennheiser, Shure, and AKG, available on Amazon. Whether you're looking to record a few samples and practice singing live on a budget, are planning on kitting out a professional-grade studio, or even just want something affordable to enjoy singing at home, there's something for you below!
Quick List - Top Microphones for Singing
Shure
A Microphone With Superb Sound Quality, Tailored for Both Live and in-Studio Vocals
Tonor
An Affordable Condenser Mic Bundled With All the Accessories You Need for Home Use
Behringer
A Great Option for Those Looking to Perform on a Budget
Sennheiser
A Great Option With a Gentle Presence for Performing Live or Recording
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
When looking at microphones for singing, the first thing you need to decide is whether you'd prefer a dynamic or condenser microphone. The main difference between the two is that a condenser mic needs an external power source, like a preamp or laptop, to function, while a dynamic mic can be plugged straight into an amplifier or PA system.
Condenser microphones also have a clearer, crisper sound and have a better frequency range than dynamic mics, making them better suited to recording. Dynamic mics are much better suited to live performance as they're much more robust when travelling and tend to be a cheaper option if you're looking to both record and play live.
Add some percussion to the mix with a drum machine!
All microphones, and recording devices in general, have a frequency range that they can pick up. The generally agreed-upon audio range is between 20 - 20000 Hz, meaning that sound waves within that spectrum are audible to the human ear. You'll find that most microphones will have a range somewhere within that spectrum. For reference, the lowest note on a piano is around 27 Hz, while the highest is 4186 Hz.
When it comes to recording devices, the frequency range is important when deciding how naturally you want to replicate the sound of a space or environment over the voice itself. For example, if you want to capture the feeling of singing in an empty church or outside in a field, pick the widest range possible. If you're looking to cut out any hisses when pronouncing S's, or lower rumbles, a smaller range will help.
Often, when you're purchasing a microphone, you'll want to make sure you have all the required accessories to use it as quickly as possible. Some extras, like cases and mic clips, are aimed towards those performing live and travelling on tour.
If you're looking at recording your vocals, you'll want to keep an eye out for pop filters that remove the "pop" created by the exhale of air when making P sounds. Shock mounts are also a great way of reducing the likelihood of any unwanted background noise; these can be built into the microphone's casing or as an external accessory.
Don't forget to pick up a microphone stand when performing live!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shure Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone|SM58-LCE | ![]() | A Microphone With Superb Sound Quality, Tailored for Both Live and in-Studio Vocals | |
2 | Tonor Condenser Microphone | ![]() | An Affordable Condenser Mic Bundled With All the Accessories You Need for Home Use | |
3 | Behringer Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone| XM8500 | ![]() | A Great Option for Those Looking to Perform on a Budget | |
4 | Sennheiser Cardioid Dynamic Microphone|E 835 | ![]() | A Great Option With a Gentle Presence for Performing Live or Recording | |
5 | Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser Microphone|AT2020 | ![]() | A Versatile Option for a Home Studio with a High Dynamic Range and Excellent Frequency Response | |
6 | AKG Professional Dynamic Live Vocal Microphone|D5 | ![]() | A Professional Dynamic Microphone, With a Dual-Shock Capsule, Designed for Performance | |
7 | Shure Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone|BETA 58A | ![]() | An Investment Piece for Touring Singers Looking to Get the Most Out of Their Performance | |
8 | Shure Vocal Dynamic Microphone|SM7B | ![]() | A Premium Product With a Natural, Clean Reproduction, Perfect for Professional Studios | |
9 | Logitech Blue Yeti USB Microphone | ![]() | A Trusted and Recognised Brand in the World of USB Mics for Home and Bedroom Recordings | |
10 | RØDE Dynamic Microphone with Integrated Swing Mount | ![]() | A Solid Option for Vocal Samples and Snippets With an Inbuild Swing Mount |
Whether you're looking to perform live or aiming for a studio-grade recording, this dynamic vocal microphone from Shure offers incredible sound clarity at a competitive price-point. It has a frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass roll-off.
Its pickup pattern isolates the main sound source, cutting down background noise, while the inbuilt pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down any noise when holding the mic or touching the stand. If you're serious about your singing, this is well worth the investment.
If you're looking for an affordable option for home or bedroom recording, then this offering from Tonor is perfect. Combined with a laptop, preamp and some music software, you'll have everything you need to start making music.
It comes with a couple of pop shields to mask those annoying P sounds, the relevant cables, and a moveable desk arm. If you're short of space, this is a lifesaver to have your mic always handy but never in the way.
When it comes to music, the cost of investing in quality equipment can quickly rise to high levels, and if you're just starting out, it can be incredibly off-putting. Finding an affordable microphone when learning to sing and perform can be crucial for those looking to express themselves on a lower budget.
This offering from Behringer comes with a hard protective case when travelling and features a smooth mid-frequency presence for excellent voice projection. It also has a shock mount system to cut down handling noise.
Similar to our No 1 pick, this is another excellent option for those looking to both perform live and lay down recordings. It features a gentle presence boost to even tonal response in your vocals and provides a consistently clear bass end performance when singing closer to or further from the mic.
If you perform in a lower register, this is arguably the best dynamic mic to pick up, to avoid the muddy sound that can plague some mid to low range recordings. Sennheiser creates quality products, so we know you won't be disappointed with this purchase.
Whether you're looking to record full tracks or smaller samples, this condenser mic from Audio-Technica lives up to its reputation as a versatile option for a home studio. It has a fantastic frequency response, for the price, with little drop-off or distortion.
At a glance, it may not seem like this option is the bargain it actually is, but when you consider that this is competing with studio-grade equipment rather than budget options, it's one hell of a deal. For a bedroom producer, this provides exceptional quality.
The D5 is something of an intermediate microphone that's worth picking up when you're at the stage where you're performing regularly rather than starting out. Whether for lead or backing vocals, this mic is designed for the stage rather than recording.
The dual-shock mounted capsule reduces handling and background noise making this a fine choice for those who prefer to hold their mic in their hands. It's also strong as the die-cast housing can handle the physicality of repeated live performances.
For those looking to get the most out of every performance on the road, then the Shure Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone is well worth packing away with you. Like other Shure performance mics, this is tailor-made for vocals.
It features a uniform super cardioid pattern for high gain before feedback and superior rejection of background sound. It also contains a high quality, neodymium magnet for an improved signal–to–noise output. It comes at a rather high price point but represents a solid investment for professionals.
If you're looking to kit out a professional studio with the best dynamic mics, then the SM7B from Shure better be on that shopping list. It features exceptionally clean, and natural reproduction of vocal sounds only found on premium dynamic mics.
Obviously, the high price point means this is only really an option for professionals with the money to invest rather than something for everyone. It's a premium product at a premium price but a valuable piece of equipment for those in the industry.
Blue Yeti is a name that will be familiar to any podcasters and streamers, but this USB microphone also serves as a fantastic option for those looking to add vocals to any home or bedroom recordings.
It's not quite studio standard, and the USB connector limits it to use with a desktop or laptop, but if you're looking for something to record some vocal samples as well as chat online, this is a fantastic option.
While designed for podcasting, this dynamic microphone also makes a solid option for home recording. The integrated swing mount makes it easy to get this into the right position for short vocal samples and snippets when inspiration strikes you.
It does require a lot of gain, however, meaning that it's best used with an equaliser or with the view of having effects applyed post-recording. Like the previous item, this makes a solid all-in-one option for singing as well as other uses.
No. 1: Shure|Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone|SM58-LCE
No. 2: Tonor|Condenser Microphone
No. 3: Behringer|Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone| XM8500
No. 4: Sennheiser|Cardioid Dynamic Microphone|E 835
No. 5: Audio-Technica|Cardioid Condenser Microphone|AT2020
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games