Shure SM57 vs SM7B

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

Summed up from 15 published reviews

Shure

SM57

The Shure SM57 is a rugged, versatile instrument microphone that handles loud sources well, though it is not optimized for vocals.

Best for: Loud instruments, guitar amps, drums and live stage work.
Skip it if: You need a dedicated studio vocal microphone.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Shure SM57

Shure

SM7B

The Shure SM7B delivers clear, full-bodied vocals and strong noise rejection, but requires proper gain, setup, and room treatment.

Best for: Professional vocals, podcasts, voice-over, and broadcast recording.
Skip it if: You want USB, onboard monitoring, or a lightweight portable microphone.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Shure SM7B

Affiliate link · we may earn a commission

Specs side by side

Spec	Shure SM57	Shure SM7B
Best for	Singing & instruments	Streaming & gaming, Podcasts & voice, Singing & instruments
Type	Handheld	Desktop
Connection	XLR	XLR
Capsule	Dynamic	Dynamic
Boom arm	No	No
RGB	No	No

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: SM7BStreamingPodcasts

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Shure SM57

Rugged metal construction suits demanding live and studio use. 2 3 4 5
Handles loud instruments with minimal distortion and high SPL tolerance. 1 2 3 4
Cardioid pattern rejects background noise and off-axis sound. 2 3 4 6
Effective for guitar amps, drums, brass and close-miked sources. 1 3 4 6
Not optimized for vocals; a dedicated vocal microphone suits singing better. 1 2 4 5
Needs careful placement because proximity effect can boost bass. 2 3 7
May lack high-frequency detail or full acoustic-guitar body. 1 3 6
Plosives remain an issue without a windscreen or pop filter. 3 6 7

Shure SM7B

Rich, clear vocals suit podcasts, voice-over, broadcasts, and studio recording. 1 2 3 4
Strong off-axis rejection reduces room noise, fan hum, and keyboard sounds. 1 2 3 4
Onboard filters provide bass roll-off and presence shaping. 1 2 6
Durable, professional build suits demanding studio and broadcast use. 1 6 7
Includes pop filter and shock mount for a straightforward XLR setup. 2 3 6
Requires substantial preamp gain; lower-quality preamps can introduce noise. 1 2 4 5
Its single cardioid pattern limits multi-pattern versatility. 1 5
High price and minimal controls may discourage beginners. 3 6 7
Room acoustics and processing can still introduce hiss or plosives. 1 4

Ranked in our guides

Guide	SM57	SM7B
Best XLR microphones	#3	#6
Best dynamic microphones	#3	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 15 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.