The Best Budget Dynamic Microphones ($100 or Less!)

Whether you’re recording vocals, instruments, or something else, dynamic microphones offer the flexibility you need to record in any situation. And thankfully, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get professional-sounding audio. These budget dynamic microphones will save you money and give you flattering results.

Quick Look: The Best Budget Dynamic Microphones

1. Behringer XM8500 — The Best Budget Dynamic Microphone

• Design inspired by classic dynamic microphones
• Cardioid polar pattern for sound isolation
• Great for recording vocals and instruments
• Rugged build for supreme durability

Even though it’s cheap, the Behringer XM8500 sounds better than it has any right to sound. It’s genuinely a good microphone that can stand up to legends like the Shure SM58 and SM57.

It has a smooth sound that works well with any instrument or vocalist. Use it to jump-start your podcast, or stock up on a bunch of these for your home recording studio.

On top of that, the XM8500 is a super durable microphone that’ll practically last forever. Even if you drop it a few times, it’ll still work perfectly fine.

It’s the ultimate budget microphone that works for everything.

2. Shure SM58 & Shure SM57 — The Classics

• Industry-standard microphones
• Cardioid polar pattern for sound isolation
• Great for recording vocals and instruments
• Extremely durable

I’m bundling these two microphones together since they’re so similar. Both the Shure SM58 and SM57 are industry-standard microphones that professional audio engineers use on a daily basis.

The SM58 and SM57 actually use most of the same parts. The main difference is the grille:

• The SM58 is designed for vocals. It uses a classic ball grille with a built-in pop filter to eliminate plosives.
• The SM57 is designed for instruments where plosives aren’t really a concern. It has a flat grille that lets you get up close to instruments and cabinets.

Both microphones are incredibly flexible and work for pretty much everything. Use the SM58 for your podcast, or if you need a mic for speaking and singing on stage.

Likewise, the SM57 is the Swiss Army Knife of microphones. It’s great for vocals (as long as you don’t talk or sing directly into it), and perfect for capturing loud sounds up close like drums, guitars, saxophones, and anything else you can think of.

But if you want more options, you can check out these SM58 alternatives and SM57 alternatives.

3. Rode PodMic — Best for Podcasting, Streaming, & YouTube

• Cardioid polar pattern
• Tight frequency response for vocals (20Hz-20kHz)
• Internal pop filter for reducing plosives
• Chunky metal construction for superb durability

If you need to elevate your audio presentation on a budget, the Rode PodMic will do the trick. It’s the perfect choice for someone’s first “real” broadcast dynamic microphone.

It’s small, chunky, and highly durable thanks to its metal body. So it’ll easily withstand drops and dings without taking any damage.

But more importantly, the microphone offers excellent sound quality for the price. The frequency response is tailored for most voices. And the built-in pop filter can help reduce those annoying plosives.

Plus, it looks cool on camera.

The PodMic is a fantastic choice for any podcaster, streamer, or YouTuber. Get one for yourself, or pack your studio with a bunch of these mics if you record with multiple people.

4. Samson Q2U — Best Budget USB Microphone

• Simple, portable handheld design
• Tight cardioid pattern resists room & background noise
• Includes tripod stand and windscreen
• USB and XLR connectivity for more flexibility

If you’re on a budget and you don’t have an audio interface, the Samson Q2U is a fantastic choice. 

For the price, it sounds amazing. It rejects background noise pretty well, and your vocals will sound crisp and clean. And it’ll do well with instruments too.

The Q2U offers both USB and XLR output. It’s also small and travels really well, which makes it incredibly flexible for any setup:

• It plugs directly into your desktop or laptop computer.
• The small size makes it a great companion for smartphones, tablets, and portable recorders.
• The XLR port also lets you connect with traditional mixers and audio interfaces.

And for what it’s worth, the design makes it easy to use as a handheld mic.

All-in-all, the Q2U is a solid choice. I’d go so far as to say it could potentially be the last microphone you’d ever need.

Why We Picked These Budget Dynamic Microphones

These are all microphones I’ve used at one point or another. From my experience, they sound amazing for the price.

All the microphones on this list are awesome choices for singing and podcasting. And for the most part, they’re all great instrument mics as well.

The two Shure microphones have been in production since the 1960s, and have stood the test of time for their sound quality and durability.

Behringer’s XM8500 and Samson’s Q2U are comparable microphones that work just as well. Some folks even prefer their sound over the SM58 and SM57. Plus, the Q2U has the added benefit of being a USB microphone.

The Rode PodMic is extremely good for most vocalists — after all, that’s what it’s made for. But if you need an instrument mic, consider one of the other options on this list.

Which Budget Microphone is Right For You?

Any of these budget dynamic microphones will do nicely in most situations. But here are some thoughts to guide you:

• Behringer XM8500 — This is the perfect microphone for almost any situation. It sounds great and it’s durable. And it’s worth having no matter what your experience is.
• Shure SM58 — This is a fantastic microphone that sounds smooth with pretty much everyone’s voice. It’s also best for live singing or speaking engagements.
• Shure SM57 — The SM57 is primarily an instrument microphone. Use this if you often record things like guitars, drums, amp cabinets, or brass instruments.
• Rode PodMic — As the name suggests, it’s a vocal-first microphone made with podcasters and streamers in mind. Use this if you want a good entry-level broadcasting microphone.
• Samson Q2U — Best for beginners who need a USB microphone. It offers amazing sound quality for the price.

Our Overall Pick: Behringer XM8500

For my money, the Behringer XM8500 is the top choice that every musician, podcaster, and audio engineer should consider having in their collection.

It sounds comparable to leading microphones like the SM58, and it’ll work well in practically any situation.

And at such a dirt-cheap price, it’s hard not to recommend it.

Discover More Great Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones have plenty of advantages over other types of mics. Check out some of our other favorites:

• Dynamic Microphones: What Are They and How Do They Work? — Learn how dynamic microphones work and why you should use them.
• Dynamic Microphones for Podcasting That Sound Awesome — Most podcasters will benefit from using dynamic microphones. Here are the best ones.
• Shure SM7B Alternatives That Don’t Suck — The Shure SM7B is a legendary dynamic microphone. But it’s not for everybody. These are the best ones.