Dynamic mics are excellent for recording vocals – everything from podcasting to voiceovers to singing – and work especially well when you’re recording multiple people in the same room.
Like our similar article on the best condenser microphones, there are a variety of different models at different price points.
Dynamic mics, especially higher end models, tend to require a large amount of gain to record adequate levels.
This can introduce noise on cheaper preamps (and some might not even have enough gain to record), so I recommend considering investing in a separate preamp (the DBX286s is a great option) or the Cloudlifter CL-1 (it uses phantom power to give passive mics an extra 25dB of gain). Just remember to get an extra XLR cable.
Dynamic microphones also work well for live performances, so you’ll find a handful of wired dynamic mics that you’d find during a live presentation.
If you’re interested in wireless live vocal mics, we have a separate article for that.
To save you some time, here my top dynamic mic picks in 2025 at various price points:
- Under $1,000: Sennheiser MD 441-U
- Under $500: Shure SM7B
- Under $300: Rode Procaster
- Under $100: Shure SM58
Best Dynamic Mics Under $1,000
There’s only two:
Sennheiser MD 441-U
It’s characteristic unique shape, excellent sound quality, and feedback rejection make it worth the price.
It has a supercardioid pickup pattern, 5-position bass roll-off, treble boost, integrated shock mount & pop filter, and a hum bucking coil.
Neumann BCM 705
It has a hypercardioid pickup pattern, but a slightly higher self-noise level that other competing microphones, so you’ll definitely want a high-quality preamp to drive this thing.
It has a built-in shock mount and a removable grille, but you’ll definitely want a boom arm or mic stand that can rotate and adjust to get the BCM 705 in the correct position.
Best Dynamic Mics Under $500
Electro-Voice RE27N/D
For about $50 more than the RE20, you get:
- 6dB extra sensitivity
- The ability to dial in specific frequencies
- And a little extra high-end response
It has a built-in pop filter, is effective off-axis, and is great at not picking up room noise. A solid choice for voice over, podcasting, and radio.
Pair with:
Beyerdynamic M99
It is a large-diaphragm hypercardioid dynamic mic with a built-in shock mount, flat frequency response, and is built like a tank.
It uses neodymium magnets, has an EQ switch for flat, vocals, or instrument miking, a switch for presence boost, and can handle high SPL. It also works well for bass drums.
Pair with:
Electro-Voice RE20
With excellent compensation for proximity effect and off-axis pickup, the RE20 will be equally valuable for both beginners and professionals.
You’ll find sets of these in many radio and podcasting studios, in addition to home studios. Add this to your kit:
Pair with:
Shure SM7B
There is no need to get a shock mount or windscreen as it comes with everything built in (plus it comes with an additional windscreen, not pictured).
In my mind, this makes it one of the best values out there and it produces great sound. Highly recommended!
Pair with:
Telefunken M82
Telefunken makes excellent microphones and this little guy is great.
Personally, I love the sound you get with it.
Heil PR-40
At around $330, it’s offered at a fair price the quality that competes with the $400+ options, although you’ll definitely want to get a shock mount and pop filter.
Another cool, but maybe little-know fact, is that it has the same dimensions as the RE20, so you can use the Electro-Voice shock mount with it, which is one of the best out there for broadcasting.
Pair with:
Sennheiser MD 421-II
It is a cardioid dynamic mic with a frequency range of 30Hz to 17kHz. There is a 5-position bass switch, it’s dust- and humidity-proof, has great feedback protection, and will handle high sound pressure levels.
You can use this mic for drums, vocals, guitar, and more – it’s definitely a workhorse for all kinds of studios.
Audio-Technica BP40
It’s a broadcast-ready vocal mic with a large-diaphragm dynamic element. A humbucking voice coil eliminates electromagnetic interference too.
What’s great about the BP40 is that you can use it with a wide range of mixers or audio interfaces without needed a ton of addition gain (from something like the Cloudlifter) like you do with some of the more popular models above.
Pair with:
Best Dynamic Mics Under $300
Electro-Voice RE320
This is great when you are speaking with someone in person and might move your head away from the mic a little. It’s also great when you have inexperienced (as far as microphone technique goes) interviewees.
It has a humbucking coil to eliminate EMI and just sounds great. It has two EQ curves as well: one for kick drums and one for voice.
Shure Super 55
It’s tailored for vocals and speech, has great off-axis rejection, and will really stand out with its vintage look.
Heil The Fin
It has a cardioid pickup pattern with a frequency response from 60Hz to 18kHz and needs a bunch of gain to get past the noise floor.
Rode Procaster
It does a great job of not picking up background noise, is built solid, and looks great.
The included mount isn’t that great, so I highly recommend picking up the PSM 1 shock mount (listed below).
Pair with:
Heil PR-781
Many people use this for YouTube videos, podcasts, amateur radio, and more.
Rode Podcaster
I’m a big fan of the Procaster (XLR version) but I’m less thrilled about the USB version.
MXL BCD-1
It’s an end address cardioid dynamic mic designed for voice and broadcasting.
It comes with the mount shown that allows you to position it perfectly, a carrying case, and a windscreen.
The mount isn’t the best at reducing vibrations, but as an “all-in-one” package, you get a lot for under $200.
Best Dynamic Mics Under $100
Rode PodMic
The Rode PodMic is brand new as of Feb 2019. It’s an end-address cardioid dynamic mic with an internal pop filter and internal shock mount designed for home or business broadcast use.
It’s perfect for podcasting, streaming, YouTubers, and other creators.
You will need a mic stand and an XLR cable, as it doesn’t come with those.
Learn more at our PodMic review.
Audio-Technica ATR2100x
The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB has both an XLR connection and a USB connection. You can use either one, or both of them at the same time, which is really cool.
Check out more details in our ATR2100 review, but I love this mic as a travel mic. Just grab this Caseling Hard Case to secure everything.
Shure SM58S
It’s tailored for vocal recording and live performances of any kind, has a pneumatic shock mount, and is meant to take a beating.
I like the model with the on/off switch so that’s what is linked here.
Shure SM57
The Shure SM57 uses the same capsule as the Shure SM58, just a different grill design.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!