Shure SM58 vs SM7B

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

Summed up from 16 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

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Shure SM58

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

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Specs side by side

Spec	Shure SM58	Shure SM7B
Best for	Singing & instruments, Podcasts & voice	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: SM7BStreaming

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 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	SM58	SM7B
Best podcast microphones	#3	–
Best XLR microphones	#2	#6
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.