10 Of The Best Microphone Brands In The World

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A microphone ranks as one of the most versatile and necessary pieces of music equipment you can buy. Any listener will be able to quickly determine if you are using a microphone of inferior quality. As a result, it's important to invest in a high-quality microphone to meet your specific purposes.

Whether you are a vocalist, provide backup vocals, or just need a microphone to communicate between band members, a solid purchase is what you need when it comes to this equipment.

In this post, let's check out 10 of the best microphone brands that guarantee quality and great sound. Read on!

Table of Contents

We begin our list with one of the most famous microphone brands in the world. Shure, an American company with beginnings in 1925 in Chicago, selling kits to make AM radios. During the Great Depression, Shure transitioned to selling microphones, and now, mics make up the bulk of their sales today.

Shure is a brand that is truly trusted in the audio industry. Their microphones are highly regarded for their reliability, durability, and high sound quality. They are used in a variety of environments, from musicians performing live to people recording music or podcasts to television stations broadcasting news.

Some of their popular mics include the SM7B, which is very popular with podcasters, and their SM58, which is one of the best-selling vocal mics of all time.

So if you need a microphone that works well and sounds great, you can count on Shure!

For a compact but powerful technology, you might want to consider Sennheiser. With its headquarters in Germany, the late 1940s company became a global leader in audio technology.

They not only provide distinguished audio technology of their own but also houses other smaller brands on this list under its enormous, globally-dominant product line.

For on-the-go vloggers, social media content creators, and singers and musicians who love to travel, Sennheiser's microphones would be perfect. The MKE 200 Mobile Kit delivers a tidy bundle of microphones, a smartphone clamp, and a tripod.

Aside from portable kits, Sennheiser also provides innovative ceiling-mounted microphones for conference rooms as well as sells a wide range of professional and personal-use noise-cancelling headphones.

For serious artists, you might want an AKG mic. While this brand does sell some plug-and-play USB microphones for casual use, their bread and butter remain in high-end professional-quality microphones.

AKG also began in the 1940s and helped revolutionize the industry for professional musicians. Their trailblazing condenser microphones started to appear in diverse places, from radio stations like the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) to theaters and jazz clubs.

The C414 XLII Reference Multipattern Condenser Microphone costs more than $1,000 for this industry standard. It can pick up subtle nuances of individual instruments even at a distance, making it a great choice for stage performances.

Australia-based brand Rode began as a husband-and-wife team offering audio technology to the beginning Australian audio industry in 1967.

They started out specializing in amplifiers, loudspeakers, and custom electronics for musical professionals, and then transitioned to elevating microphone technology for amateurs and skilled artists alike in the 1990s. Rode microphones are known for their versatility and clarity of sound.

If you’re looking for a professional setup at a reasonable price, the NT1-A Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone might be something you’ll want. This microphone includes a useful accessories package—shock mount, pop shield, XLR cable, and dust cover—to help you record crisp audio with no outside noise.

With more than 50 years of history, Rode continues to add diverse products to their repertoire, like clip-on lavalier microphones and specialized handheld mics for reporters.

While the name refers heavily to headphones, Audio-Technica offers an impressive spectrum of condenser microphones for people at all stages of their careers, musical or otherwise.

Audio-Technica began in Tokyo in the early 1960s when its founder desired to make exceptional sound quality at a more accessible price. As the accessibility of music exploded in the late 20th century, Audio-Technica's vision became more and more relevant to the average consumer.

If you’re looking for a first microphone, the Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Medium-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone might fit the bill. It is an effective and quality equipment at an affordable price that can serve musicians on stage and while touring.

A Berlin-based company, Neumann has set the professional standard for audio technology since 1928. Their microphones have dotted the stages of musical artists around the world.

With retro-cool style at contemporary prices, a Neumann microphone makes a statement in more ways than one. The brand get serious about capturing sound, with a product list categorized by individual instruments or microphones specialized for vocals.

Their TLM 103 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone works for complex, varied situations, from recording vocals to capturing the dynamic ranges of classical music instruments. This particular Neumann microphone, and most microphones from this brand, will cost around $1,000.

Portugal brand Electro-Voice has been helping musicians make music since the 1930s. This company stands apart by designing all its microphone components in-house. It prides itself on a deep understanding of the science of sound as well as the art of designing beautiful products.

Electro-Voice products represent the industry standard for microphones used in concerts and studios to pick up sound from various instruments, especially the low frequencies of drums.

Their RE20 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone with Variable-D offers a mid-range microphone for people looking for a solid, intermediate microphone. While not a condenser microphone, the large diaphragm mimics the dampened noise of a condenser.

Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics, shortened to Blue, microphones has been providing top-quality microphones since 1995. Their microphones run the full spectrum of price and capabilities.

Blue sells simple plug-and-play USB microphones in vibrant colors like pale pink, cobalt blue, or mint green, perfect for traveling performers or those on a budget. Or professional artists can invest in their pricier, high-quality tube microphones.

Notable Blue microphones are their unique designs. Most feature a cylindrical handle with a spherical mic extended from the top, while others are more retro-looking. Regardless of the look, the capture of sound is quality and crisp and is always guaranteed.

One of the youngest brands on this list, Samson Microphones joined the scene during the memorable music era of the 1980s. This new kid on the block offers a wide range of affordable and dependable audio equipment to help you get started.

Samson's simple USB microphones offer some of the best options for beginners on the market. As a bonus, these spaceship-shaped models, with their small size and flexible tripod base, fit anywhere. Many of these quirky, portable, and easy-to-use microphones from Samson retail for around $100 and up.

The Samson R21 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone offers a great option for vocalists, particularly touring musicians, as it can withstand the rough days of traveling. It can withstand high-pressure levels of sound and come with a dual-stage windscreen.

Closing our list, we have Heil Sound, which began in the mid-1960s. Before anyone knew it, Heil became the touring microphone and audio system of choice for legendary bands like the Grateful Dead and the Who.

Heil Sound produces an exciting range of available microphones, including some with tremendous visual appeal. The Heil Fin Dynamic Microphone looks, unlike any other mic on the modern market.

It showcases a style similar to a 1950s muscle car. While this microphone may turn heads, it delivers clear sound for live music performances and in the studio.

This company conveniently organizes its website by either product name or microphone application. You can easily compare products that work best for broadcast or instrumentalists. It also provides considerate help for beginners with its "Mic Primer" section.

Choosing the best microphone brand to meet your needs will help boost your artistic pursuits to higher levels of success. The brands listed here represent a wide range of capabilities and prices to help you wherever you are on your journey.

Brands like Blue and Neumann offer high-end microphones with delightfully retro designs. Others, like Shure and AKG, build on decades of innovation, offering microphones for vocalists, podcasters, instrumentalists, and more.

Grab one of these trusted microphone brands and capture warm and clear sound to take your art to the next level.