Shure SM58 dynamic microphone: features and spec-based rating

Shure’s SM58 is a cardioid dynamic microphone with XLR connection.

A dynamic microphone is tough and picks up little surrounding sound. It suits streaming and recording vocals at home in a room whose echo is a problem.

In this article we rate it on 4 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 17 dynamic microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 17 dynamic microphones, SM58 is rank C. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and C is the lowest. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 2.5.

Things to keep in mind

• High-frequency range (15,000 Hz, 2 points): The range of high sounds it records is somewhat narrow.
• Features (1 of 5, 2 points): The features of the body are simple.

Main features of SM58

A sound shaped for the voice

This is a dynamic microphone tuned for vocals. It brightens the midrange and rolls off the lows gradually, which keeps the low end from swelling too much when you sing close to it (the “proximity effect”). It is known as a standard microphone of live shows and studios, and has now passed 60 years since its release.

Built to resist breath noise and vibration

A pop filter sits inside the spherical grille at the head, which reduces the “pop” of breath and wind. The capsule inside is held on a cushion of air, so the noise of vibration when you hold it in your hand (handling noise) is less likely to be passed on.

A tough body and accessories

With a metal body and a steel mesh grille, it is said that its performance changes little even when handled roughly. A microphone holder (A25D), an adapter screw and a pouch are included (the contents listed on the Japanese official page). Models with an on/off switch (SM58S and SM58SE) are also available.

Video: “Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone” (official Shure Performance & Production YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Recording a cover vocal or narration while keeping the room echo down
• Live streams and karaoke streams where you sing with speakers playing
• Speaking or singing while holding the microphone in your hand

Rating by criterion

Ease of getting enough gain: 3 / 5

Whether you can get a good level without turning the gain knob of the audio interface up too far. USB models raise the level inside the microphone and get full marks.

SM58: 1.6 mV/Pa. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

High-frequency range: 2 / 5

How high a sound it can record (the upper limit of the frequency response).

SM58: 15,000 Hz. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. The range of high sounds it records is somewhat narrow.

Rejection of surrounding sound: 3 / 5

How little it picks up sound from outside the front of the microphone (everyday noise and room echo), decided by the pickup pattern.

SM58: Cardioid. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features: 2 / 5

How many features of the body it has, such as USB and XLR connections, a low-cut and a headphone jack.

SM58: 1 of 5. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. The features of the body are simple.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 17 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Dynamic microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Ease of getting enough gain	Sensitivity at the XLR output (USB models have a built-in preamp and get full marks)	≥2.5	≥2	≥1.6	≥1.3	<1.3
High-frequency range	Upper limit of the frequency response	≥20000	≥18000	≥16000	≥15000	<15000
Rejection of surrounding sound	Pickup pattern	Supercardioid / hypercardioid	—	Cardioid (unidirectional)	—	—
Features	USB, XLR, low-cut, presence, headphone jack	4 to 5	3	2	1	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. "Ease of getting enough gain" answers the common question "do I need a preamp (booster)?". Over XLR, the higher the sensitivity (mV/Pa), the less you need to turn up the gain on the audio interface. Models that can also connect by USB have a preamp inside the microphone, so there is no worry about running short of gain and they get 5 points. Rejection of surrounding sound is decided by the pickup pattern: supercardioid and hypercardioid, which pick up little from outside the front, score highest. Weight is shown in the table for reference.

SM58 connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	No power is needed (it is a dynamic microphone, so it works without phantom power)
In the box	Microphone holder A25D, adapter screw and pouch (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other dynamic microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It connects by XLR. You need an audio interface or mixer. It is a dynamic microphone, so it does not need phantom power (+48 V).
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Microphone holder A25D, adapter screw and pouch (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a microphone stand, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.

Read next

• SM57: features and rating (rank C)
• SM7dB: features and rating (rank S)
• BETA 58A: features and rating (rank A)
• e 945: features and rating (rank A)