Shure

Shure SM58

Ranked #6 in XLR Microphones

642 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The durability king, ranked above several picks on pure ownership, but a handheld stage design is the wrong shape for podcasting and streaming, so buy the PodMic instead.

Consolidated from 2 independent outlets

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Flagged as a product to avoid

4 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

It is a handheld stage mic with a ball grille, the wrong shape for close-mic desk work, where a fixed broadcast design such as the Rode PodMic is favored; buyers cross-shop it on reputation alone.
Flagged 23 September 2026

It is a handheld stage mic with a ball grille, the wrong shape for close-mic desk work, where a fixed broadcast design such as the Rode PodMic is favored; buyers cross-shop it on reputation alone.
Flagged 23 September 2026
Famous as a live-stage mic, its grille and tuning are optimized for hostile stage environments rather than desk podcasting, and it is outclassed by cheaper podcast dynamics for voice work.
Flagged 23 September 2026
A handheld stage mic that needs substantial gain and fights plosives at desk distance, outclassed for podcasting and streaming by the Rode PodMic, while its own budget clone, the Behringer XM8500, delivers the same character for far less. Its legend is real, but it is a stage legend.
Flagged 23 September 2026
It is a handheld live-vocal mic, and on a desk it brings handling noise, plosives, and a proximity technique demand that podcast-focused dynamics like the Rode PodMic simply do not. Buy the PodMic or the Behringer XM8500 instead.
Flagged 23 September 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

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Pros & cons

✓ The most reliable microphone ever built
✓ Benchmark for pure reliability and durability
✓ Still works beautifully after years of abuse
✓ Excellent for vocal performance on stage
✓ A famous Shure vocal mic with a genuine stage legend behind it

✗ Handheld stage design with a ball grille, poorly suited to close-mic desk work
✗ Grille design awkward for desk use
✗ Tuned for hostile stages, not treated rooms
✗ Outclassed by cheaper podcast dynamics
✗ A handheld stage mic that needs substantial gain

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. 1 outlet wouldn't let us check its link.

1 glowing source

Higher Hz Brandon Schock · reviewer · Jan 2026

Considering the SM58 is pretty much the exact same microphone as the SM57 (despite the SM58 having a pop filter), it can work wonders on guitar amps. Its ability to handle loud volumes is especially great for this application.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #6 of 18 on our XLR microphones tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 2 independent outlets.

Handheld stage design with a ball grille, poorly suited to close-mic desk work. Grille design awkward for desk use. Tuned for hostile stages, not treated rooms. Outclassed by cheaper podcast dynamics. A handheld stage mic that needs substantial gain.