Buying guide
Shortlists built from the same scores used everywhere on the site.
XLR Cables
Best overall
3 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments
4.1 (1 owner comments)
$16.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I used the Hosa Pro series cables with Rean connectors for a long time and found them to be a solid balance between quality and cost.”
Read review →Cable Matters XLR Microphone Cable
3.0 (1 owner comments)
$21.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“That said, I've had success with Monoprice, Cable Matters Premium (metal connector body, thicker jacket), and some no-name thin optical cable that cam”
Read review →Whirlwind Audio Multitrack Snake
1.5 (2 owner comments)
$299.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“So, in front of my class, I took a 15' piece of Whirlwind WMKPVC cable that I had already soldered a male connector on.”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
3 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations
4.1 (1 owner comments)
$16.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I used the Hosa Pro series cables with Rean connectors for a long time and found them to be a solid balance between quality and cost.”
Read review →Cable Matters XLR Microphone Cable
3.0 (1 owner comments)
$21.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“That said, I've had success with Monoprice, Cable Matters Premium (metal connector body, thicker jacket), and some no-name thin optical cable that cam”
Read review →Whirlwind Audio Multitrack Snake
1.5 (2 owner comments)
$299.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“So, in front of my class, I took a 15' piece of Whirlwind WMKPVC cable that I had already soldered a male connector on.”
Read review →Best budget (under $22)
2 shown · criteria: priced at or under $22 when checked, best score first
4.1 (1 owner comments)
$16.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I used the Hosa Pro series cables with Rean connectors for a long time and found them to be a solid balance between quality and cost.”
Read review →Cable Matters XLR Microphone Cable
3.0 (1 owner comments)
$21.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“That said, I've had success with Monoprice, Cable Matters Premium (metal connector body, thicker jacket), and some no-name thin optical cable that cam”
Read review →XLR Microphones
Best overall
4 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments
Shure SM58
4.5 (26 owner comments)
$99.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Then, maybe pick up an SM58 or 57 for $100 too.”
Read review →Shure SM57
4.1 (24 owner comments)
$178.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I use a Sure SM57 with a foam ball for talking.”
Read review →
Samson Q2U
4.0 (12 owner comments)
$139.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I started with the Samson Q2U, eventually got a different one, and went back to my Q2U.”
Read review →
FIFINE K688
4.0 (3 owner comments)
$67.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“From my (very) limited knowledge on this topic, the K688 specs look really nice!”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
4 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations
Shure SM58
4.5 (26 owner comments)
$99.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Then, maybe pick up an SM58 or 57 for $100 too.”
Read review →Shure SM57
4.1 (24 owner comments)
$178.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I use a Sure SM57 with a foam ball for talking.”
Read review →Shure SM7B
3.2 (25 owner comments)
$597.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I also have an SM7B and Rode NT1A, and, while my L22 is better than both, I still occasionally use the SM7B for its darker sound that the L22 doesn't ”
Read review →Samson Q2U
4.0 (12 owner comments)
$139.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I started with the Samson Q2U, eventually got a different one, and went back to my Q2U.”
Read review →Best budget (under $159)
4 shown · criteria: priced at or under $159 when checked, best score first
Shure SM58
4.5 (26 owner comments)
$99.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Then, maybe pick up an SM58 or 57 for $100 too.”
Read review →Samson Q2U
4.0 (12 owner comments)
$139.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I started with the Samson Q2U, eventually got a different one, and went back to my Q2U.”
Read review →FIFINE K688
4.0 (3 owner comments)
$67.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“From my (very) limited knowledge on this topic, the K688 specs look really nice!”
Read review →Audio-Technica AT2020
3.9 (7 owner comments)
$118.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Bringing your At2020 too.”
Read review →Best xlr microphones for vocals →
Best xlr microphones for background noise →
Best xlr microphones for gain needs →
Audio Interfaces & Mic Boosters
Best overall
4 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments
Solid State Logic SSL 2+
4.2 (12 owner comments)
$199.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I think maybe something like the Audient iD24 or the SSL 2+ MKII or the UA VOLT 476 could be a thing for you.”
Read review →MOTU M4
4.2 (7 owner comments)
$279.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“MOTU M4, and M6 are also great options, depending on your budget.”
Read review →MOTU M2
4.2 (5 owner comments)
$199.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“If you need a new interface I'd recommend a Motu M2 and Buy it used.”
Read review →
Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1
4.2 (5 owner comments)
$189.90 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I’ve been toying with the idea of testing an inline preamp (I was leaning toward the FetHead rather than the, imo, well overpriced and YT-overhyped Cl”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
4 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
4.1 (15 owner comments)
$339.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“At the moment I have a Focusrite 2i2 4th Gen on the way to be used with some Sennheiser HD600, I used them with solo previously and they worked but I ”
Read review →MOTU M4
4.2 (7 owner comments)
$279.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“MOTU M4, and M6 are also great options, depending on your budget.”
Read review →MOTU M2
4.2 (5 owner comments)
$199.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“If you need a new interface I'd recommend a Motu M2 and Buy it used.”
Read review →Solid State Logic SSL 2+
4.2 (12 owner comments)
$199.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I think maybe something like the Audient iD24 or the SSL 2+ MKII or the UA VOLT 476 could be a thing for you.”
Read review →Best budget (under $170)
4 shown · criteria: priced at or under $170 when checked, best score first
Triton Audio FetHead
4.1 (3 owner comments)
$74.95 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I’ve been toying with the idea of testing an inline preamp (I was leaning toward the FetHead rather than the, imo, well overpriced and YT-overhyped Cl”
Read review →Behringer UMC202HD
4.1 (2 owner comments)
$129.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I have used a Behringer UMC202 for over a decade as my traveling interface and it's been rock solid.”
Read review →PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
3.8 (1 owner comments)
$169.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I've used the 24c for home recording and the audiobox go with my laptop when I'm travelling.”
Read review →
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
3.7 (2 owner comments)
$119.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I switched from a gen 3 Scarlett solo to a motu m4 and I'm really happy with the sound quality.”
Read review →Best audio interfaces & mic boosters for preamps →
Best audio interfaces & mic boosters for drivers latency →
Best audio interfaces & mic boosters for noise →
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