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!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of microphones for singing available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Shure | 2 ![]() Tonor | 3 ![]() Behringer | 4 ![]() Sennheiser | 5 ![]() Audio-Technica | 6 ![]() AKG | 7 ![]() Shure | 8 ![]() Shure | 9 ![]() Logitech | 10 ![]() RØDE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone | Condenser Microphone | Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone | Cardioid Dynamic Microphone | Cardioid Condenser Microphone | Professional Dynamic Live Vocal Microphone | Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone | Vocal Dynamic Microphone | Blue Yeti USB Microphone | Dynamic Microphone with Integrated Swing Mount |
Features | A Microphone With Superb Sound Quality, Tailored for Both Live and in-Studio Vocals | An Affordable Condenser Mic Bundled With All the Accessories You Need for Home Use | A Great Option for Those Looking to Perform on a Budget | A Great Option With a Gentle Presence for Performing Live or Recording | A Versatile Option for a Home Studio with a High Dynamic Range and Excellent Frequency Response | A Professional Dynamic Microphone, With a Dual-Shock Capsule, Designed for Performance | An Investment Piece for Touring Singers Looking to Get the Most Out of Their Performance | A Premium Product With a Natural, Clean Reproduction, Perfect for Professional Studios | A Trusted and Recognised Brand in the World of USB Mics for Home and Bedroom Recordings | A Solid Option for Vocal Samples and Snippets With an Inbuild Swing Mount |
Price | £89.99 | £64.99 | £18.60 | £86.49 | £76.00 | £67.99 | £141.00 | £325.00 | £119.00 | £88.57 |
Condenser / Dynamic | Dynamic | Condenser | Dynamic | Dynamic | Condenser | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Condenser | Dynamic |
Best For | Live performance, professional recording | Home recording | Performing and recording on a budget | Live performance, professional recording | Home Recording | Live performance | Live performance, professional recording | Professional recording | Home recording | Home recording |
Frequency Range | 50 - 15000 Hz | 20 - 20000 Hz | 50 -15000 Hz | 40 - 16000 Hz | 20 - 20,000 Hz | 35 - 20000 Hz | 40 - 20000 Hz | 50 - 20000 Hz | 20 - 20000 Hz | 20 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, mic clip | Desk arm, pop filters, shock mount cables | Hard case, mic clip | Soft case, mic clip | Soft case, stand | Soft case, mic clip | Soft case, mic clip | Swing mount, pop filter | Stand, cable | Integrated swing mount |
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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!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
SM58-LCE
£89.99
Condenser / Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Live performance, professional recording |
Frequency Range | 50 - 15000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, mic clip |
£64.99
Condenser / Dynamic | Condenser |
---|---|
Best For | Home recording |
Frequency Range | 20 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Desk arm, pop filters, shock mount cables |
XM8500
£18.60
Condenser / Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Performing and recording on a budget |
Frequency Range | 50 -15000 Hz |
Extras Included | Hard case, mic clip |
E 835
£86.49
Condenser/Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Live performance, professional recording |
Frequency Range | 40 - 16000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, mic clip |
AT2020
£76.00
Condenser/Dynamic | Condenser |
---|---|
Best For | Home Recording |
Frequency Range | 20 - 20,000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, stand |
D5
£67.99
Condenser/Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Live performance |
Frequency Range | 35 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, mic clip |
BETA 58A
£141.00
Condenser/Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Live performance, professional recording |
Frequency Range | 40 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Soft case, mic clip |
SM7B
£325.00
Condenser/Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Professional recording |
Frequency Range | 50 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Swing mount, pop filter |
£119.00
Condenser/Dynamic | Condenser |
---|---|
Best For | Home recording |
Frequency Range | 20 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Stand, cable |
£88.57
Condenser/Dynamic | Dynamic |
---|---|
Best For | Home recording |
Frequency Range | 20 - 20000 Hz |
Extras Included | Integrated swing mount |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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