Shure SM58 vs SM58S

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

Summed up from 14 published reviews

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

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What reviewers say about the Shure SM58

Shure

SM58S

The Shure SM58S is a rugged, proven live-vocal microphone with useful self-muting, but it is not a versatile studio or digital-recording solution.

Best for: Live vocalists and presenters who need reliable, self-managed muting.
Skip it if: You need quiet-studio fidelity, USB output, or a switch-free stage setup.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Shure SM58S

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Specs side by side

Spec	Shure SM58	Shure SM58S
Connection	XLR	XLR
Capsule	Dynamic	Dynamic
Best for	Singing & instruments, Podcasts & voice	Singing & instruments, Podcasts & voice
Type	Handheld	Handheld
Boom arm	No	No
RGB	No	No

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

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

Shure SM58S

Rugged, reliable construction suits demanding live environments. 1 2 3 4
On/off switch provides convenient muting between speakers. 1 2 3 5
Cardioid pattern helps suppress background noise and feedback. 1 4
Works without phantom power, keeping setup relatively simple. 2 6
A proven choice for intelligible live vocals and spoken-word use. 2 4 5 6
Switch can be accidentally toggled or become unreliable over time. 2 3 5
Opening the signal path may produce audible pops. 2 3
Less suited to quiet studios, podcasts, and some instrument duties. 1 2 6

Ranked in our guides

Guide	SM58	SM58S
Best podcast microphones	#3	–
Best XLR microphones	#2	–
Best dynamic microphones	#2	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 14 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.