Audio-Technica AT2020 vs Shure SM58

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Audio-Technica

AT2020

The AT2020 is a durable, versatile budget XLR condenser offering strong value, though room noise, close-placement artifacts, and extra setup gear are trade-offs.

Best for: Budget-conscious home studios, podcasters, and beginner vocalists
Skip it if: You need pristine low-noise capture in untreated rooms

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Audio-Technica AT2020

Shure

SM58

The SM58 is a rugged, easy-to-use XLR microphone best suited to live vocals, speech, and portable recording, with limited studio flexibility.

Best for: Live singing, public speaking, and portable XLR podcasting
Skip it if: You need USB or studio-level nuance and instrument versatility

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Shure SM58

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Specs side by side

Spec	Audio-Technica AT2020	Shure SM58
Capsule	Condenser	Dynamic
Best for	Streaming & gaming, Podcasts & voice, Singing & instruments	Singing & instruments, Podcasts & voice
Type	Desktop	Handheld
Connection	XLR	XLR
Boom arm	No	No
RGB	No	No

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: AT2020Streaming
room: AT2020Quiet room; SM58Some noise

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Audio-Technica AT2020

Affordable, strong value for entry-level home recording 1 2 3 4
Durable metal body and protective grille 1 2 3 4
Versatile for vocals, acoustic guitar, and podcasting 1 2 3 4
Detailed, usable sound across vocals and instruments 1 2 3 4
Cardioid rejection helps reduce room bleed 2 5 7
Relatively high self-noise can reveal quiet room ambience 1 2 5 6
Close placement can exaggerate plosives, sibilance, and bass 1 4 5
Requires 48V phantom power and a compatible interface 1 6 8
Lacks pop filter, shockmount, pads, and onboard filters 1 2 4 6

Shure SM58

Rugged build thrives on demanding stages and mobile use 1 2 3 4
Cardioid pattern rejects off-axis noise and feedback 1 2 3 4
Internal shock mount minimizes handling noise 1 2 3 5
Consistent vocal tone works for singing and speech 1 2 5 6
Strong value for live vocals and portable recording 2 3 6 7
Requires an external recorder or interface; it is not USB 3
Less ideal for instrument recording than the Shure SM57 1 2 6
Close placement can create a boomy proximity effect 1 6
Brightened midrange may not suit every recording need 2 8

Ranked in our guides

Guide	AT2020	SM58
Best podcast microphones	–	#3
Best XLR microphones	#10	#2
Best dynamic microphones	–	#2

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.