Behringer XM8500
Podcastage-endorsed and the cheapest way onto the board, but the quality-control lottery means your unit's ownership story may differ wildly from the next buyer's.
Backed by one cited source so far - limited coverage
See the source1 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.
Quality control on Behringer's budget dynamics is a lottery, and the SM58 itself is one of the cheapest mics here and effectively indestructible, so the clone saves little and risks more. Buy the SM58.
Flagged 23 September 2026
Pros & cons
- ✓ The honest ultra-budget entry point
- ✓ Listed among Podcastage's favorite XLR microphones
- ✓ Delivers broadcast-style dynamic sound despite low cost
- ✓ Excellent performance-per-dollar
- ✓ The budget dynamic that embarrasses everything near its price
- ✗ Behringer's quality control is a lottery, so the ownership experience is more variable than any other pick
- ✗ Inconsistent quality control unit to unit, so long-term ownership is a lottery
- ✗ Build and consistency are budget-grade
- ✗ Quality control is a lottery, with inconsistent units
- ✗ Saves little money against the SM58 while risking more
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. We quote no words from this source, so its row shows only where we placed it.
1 stance not read source
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #14 of 18 on our XLR microphones tier list, in C tier. That placement rests on one cited source.
Behringer's quality control is a lottery, so the ownership experience is more variable than any other pick. Inconsistent quality control unit to unit, so long-term ownership is a lottery. Build and consistency are budget-grade. Quality control is a lottery, with inconsistent units. Saves little money against the SM58 while risking more.
Ranked nearby in XLR Microphones
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F tier #18 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.