Shure

Shure SM58 Review

Shure SM58S Pro XLR Dynamic Vocal Microphone with On/Off Switch

$99.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)

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Reddit score

4.5 Based on 26 Reddit owner comments · Top 6% of 18 tracked xlr microphones

Owner sentiment
4.2
Recommendations
5.0
Spec score
Not rated
Value
4.8

How these are computed: methodology. Components without evidence show “Not rated” and their weight moves to the others.

Is the Shure SM58 worth it?

Based on 26 Reddit owner comments, the Shure SM58 scores 4.5 out of 5 (owner comments average 4.1 stars), and the theme owners raise most is vocals (14 mentions).

Who it suits

  • You care about vocals (11 positive owner mentions)
  • You care about value (11 positive owner mentions)
  • You care about background noise (9 positive owner mentions)

Who should skip it

  • Vocals matters a lot to you (2 critical owner mentions)
  • Value matters a lot to you (1 critical owner mention)

What Reddit owners say

22 positive and 3 critical owner comments. Quotes link to the original Reddit comment.

vocalsvalue
“Then, maybe pick up an SM58 or 57 for $100 too.”
owner comment via r/audioengineering · 2026-04-30
background noise
“The SM58 is basically the same thing but has a built in wind screen.”
owner comment via r/podcasting · 2026-02-08
background noise
“Usually a SM58 or RE20 was the best choice since a high quality condenser seemed to have additional noise.”
owner comment via r/audioengineering · 2026-05-22
gain needs
“Get a SM57 or SM58, use a wind screen to reduce plosives.”
owner comment via r/podcasting · 2026-02-08
vocalsvalue
“An SM58 won’t pick up all the nasty reflections coming back at your face from the garage door, clouding up the track.”
owner comment via r/audioengineering · 2025-11-09
vocals
“With the right mic and technique you can get a quite insane "voice to bleed ratio" Ditch the sm58 for a beta 58/sennhesier e945, or other quality super-cardioid mic.”
owner comment via r/livesound · 2025-04-01
“If you cup the SM58 or any other cardiod you effectively block the porting on the capsule, making it an omni directional microphone, picking up audio from literally everywhere around the capsule, this also drasticly increases the feedback risk and is the only …”
owner comment via r/livesound · 2025-03-31
vocalsgain needs
“In my humble experience, as a tour engineer for decades, the best thing you can do might be to move away from the SM58.”
owner comment via r/livesound · 2025-03-31

Key specs

As listed on the Amazon product page we checked; missing fields are never estimated.

Connectivity TechnologyWired
Connector TypeXLR
Special FeatureOn/Off Switch
Compatible DevicesAudio Mixer
Polar PatternUnidirectional
Audio Sensitivity54.5 db
Impedance150 ohm
Microphone Form FactorMicrophone Only
Power SourceCorded Electric
Number of BatteriesUnknown batteries required.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio78 db
Number of Channels1
Frequency Response4000 hertz
Frequency Range50 hz - 15 khz
Audible Noise78 db
ColorBlack
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Item Weight10.5 ounces
Item Dimensions6.37 x 2 x 2 inches
Antenna LocationSinging
BrandShure
Model NameSM58
Model NumberSM58S
Built-In MediaIncludes SM58 cardioid dynamic vocal microphone with integrated on/off switch, A25D swivel stand adapter and storage bag

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XLR to XLR Cables is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Commissions never affect scores, rankings, or verdicts.

FAQ

Is the Shure SM58 worth it?

Based on 26 Reddit owner comments, the Shure SM58 scores 4.5 out of 5 (owner comments average 4.1 stars), and the theme owners raise most is vocals (14 mentions).

What do Reddit owners complain about with the Shure SM58?

The most common critical theme is vocals (2 mentions).

How much does the Shure SM58 cost?

It was $99.00 on Amazon when we checked on 2026-11-07. Prices change, so check Amazon for the current price.

Alternatives

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gain needsvalue

“If you want some variety, I’d pick one of those and the MXL 990/991 set.”

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Audio-Technica

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3.9 (7 owner comments)

$118.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)

vocalsvalue

“Bringing your At2020 too.”

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FIFINE K688 product photo
FIFINE

FIFINE K688

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$67.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)

podcastingbackground noise

“From my (very) limited knowledge on this topic, the K688 specs look really nice!”

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Last updated 2026-11-07. Amazon listing ASIN B0000AQRSU.