Shure SM7B vs Electro-Voice RE20

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

Summed up from 16 published reviews

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

Electro-Voice

RE20

The RE20 is a durable, versatile broadcast microphone that delivers clean, consistent vocals, though its price, weight, and gain requirements may deter beginners.

Best for: Professional podcasters, broadcasters, and voice artists working in noisy rooms
Skip it if: Those needing USB convenience, portability, or a minimal starter setup

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Electro-Voice RE20

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Specs side by side

Spec	Shure SM7B	Electro-Voice RE20
Best for	Streaming & gaming, Podcasts & voice, Singing & instruments	Streaming & gaming, Podcasts & voice
Connection	XLR	XLR
Capsule	Dynamic	Dynamic
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Boom arm	No	No
RGB	No	No

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: SM7BMusic

What reviewers like, and what they don't

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

Electro-Voice RE20

Excellent background rejection keeps vocals clean in noisy environments. 1 3 4 6
Detailed, balanced voice with minimal proximity-effect coloration. 2 3 5 6
Durable build suits demanding studio, broadcast, and live use. 2 4 5 6
Built-in filtering reduces pops, sibilance, and bass buildup. 2 3 4 7
Handles vocals, bass, and kick drums with an honest response. 2 5
Needs a clean, capable preamp because it is relatively gain-hungry. 2 6 8
Higher price and added accessory costs can strain tight budgets. 3 4 6 8
Heavy, bulky construction is less convenient for portable recording. 4 5
It can sound sibilant or dark, depending on voice and mixing. 1 2 4

Ranked in our guides

Guide	SM7B	RE20
Best XLR microphones	#6	–
Best dynamic microphones	–	#10
Best microphones for singing	#4	–

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.