Shure SM58S vs SM7B

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

Summed up from 14 published reviews

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.

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What reviewers say about the Shure SM58S

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 SM58S	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 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

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	SM58S	SM7B
Best XLR microphones	–	#6
Best microphones for singing	–	#4

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.