10 Best Recording Microphones 2025 in the United States

The Shure SM7dB Dynamic Vocal Microphone is designed for streaming, podcasting, and recording. With its built-in preamp providing up to 28dB of clean gain, it ensures your voice sounds clear and natural. This microphone retains the beloved warm tone of its predecessor, the SM7B, making it ideal for broadcasters and vocalists. Its unidirectional polar pattern is excellent at rejecting background noise, which is great for recording in less-than-ideal environments.

The Shure MV7+ is designed for those involved in podcasting, streaming, or recording, providing a versatile solution with both USB-C and XLR outputs. One of its standout features is its OBS certification, ensuring that it delivers high-quality audio and integrates seamlessly with the Open Broadcaster Software, making it a solid choice for content creators. The unidirectional polar pattern focuses on sound directly in front of the microphone, reducing background noise, which is especially beneficial for recordings in less-than-ideal environments.

The Neumann U 87 Ai is a highly regarded large-diaphragm condenser microphone often seen as a studio classic. It offers three selectable polar patterns (multipattern), including cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8, which makes it versatile for different recording situations like vocals, instruments, or ambient sound. Its large double membrane capsule helps capture clear, detailed audio with a smooth frequency response starting as low as 20 Hz, making it great for full, natural sound. The microphone features a switchable low-frequency roll-off to reduce unwanted rumble or proximity effect, which is useful when recording close to the source.