2026– date –

Sennheiser's e 945 suits people who want to pick up less surrounding sound and still record the highs. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Audio-Technica's AT2020USB-X suits people who want to start singing and streaming with USB alone. We rate it on 4 criteria (recording detail, switchable pickup patterns, controls at hand, range of connections) and rank it among 11 USB microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Shure's BETA 58A suits people who want to record vocals while picking up less surrounding sound. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

RØDE's Procaster suits people who want to record narration and streaming voice. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Sennheiser's e 835 suits people who want an affordable vocal dynamic microphone. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Shure's SM58 suits people who want to start singing or narrating with a standard microphone. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Shure's SM7B suits people who want to record streams and vocals with a thick voice. We rate it on 4 criteria (ease of getting enough gain, high-frequency range, rejection of surrounding sound, features) and rank it among 17 dynamic microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Audio-Technica's AT4033a suits people who want to record loud voices and instruments solidly. We rate it on 5 criteria (quietness, sensitivity, handling of loud sound, features, lightness) and rank it among 32 microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

RØDE's NT1 Signature suits people who want a low-noise microphone at a reasonable price. We rate it on 5 criteria (quietness, sensitivity, handling of loud sound, features, lightness) and rank it among 32 microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.

Audio-Technica's AT4050 suits people who want to switch pickup patterns for different ways of recording. We rate it on 5 criteria (quietness, sensitivity, handling of loud sound, features, lightness) and rank it among 32 microphones, using official manufacturer specifications.