Best XLR Microphones Under $500

46 picks ranked by value score (rating + review confidence vs price).

Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500

#	Product	Price	Rating	Reviews	Value	Action
1	Behringer C-1 Behringer Condenser, cardioid, gold diaphragm, budget	$37.99	⭐ 4.2	18,700	9.45	View
2	Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Audio-Technica Dynamic, USB + XLR, cardioid, headphone out	$59.99	⭐ 4.5	18,700	6.41	View
3	MXL 770 MXL Condenser, cardioid, FET, gold diaphragm	$63.99	⭐ 4.4	7,890	5.36	View
4	Audio-Technica AT2020 Audio-Technica Condenser, cardioid, 20Hz-20kHz, 144dB SPL	$79.99	⭐ 4.6	34,200	5.21	View
5	CAD Audio GXL2200 CAD Audio Condenser, cardioid, gold-sputtered, 10dB pad	$69.99	⭐ 4.3	5,670	4.61	View
6	AKG P120 AKG Condenser, cardioid, 2/3" diaphragm, -20dB pad	$79.99	⭐ 4.4	12,300	4.50	View
7	Shure SM58 Shure Dynamic, cardioid, 50Hz-15kHz, pneumatic shock mount	$99.99	⭐ 4.8	45,600	4.47	View
8	AKG D5 AKG Dynamic, supercardioid, laminated varimotion diaphragm	$79.99	⭐ 4.5	7,890	4.38	View
9	Shure SM57 Shure Dynamic, cardioid, 40Hz-15kHz, instrument workhorse	$99.99	⭐ 4.8	34,200	4.35	View
10	Rode PodMic Rode Dynamic, cardioid, internal pop filter, swing mount	$89.99	⭐ 4.6	12,300	4.18	View
11	MXL 990/991 Kit MXL Condenser pair, LDC + SDC, includes case	$89.99	⭐ 4.3	12,300	3.91	View
12	sE Electronics V7 sE Electronics Dynamic, supercardioid, studio-quality for stage	$99.99	⭐ 4.6	5,670	3.45	View
13	Sterling Audio ST151 Sterling Audio Condenser, LDC, 3 patterns, -10dB pad, HPF	$99.99	⭐ 4.4	2,890	3.05	View
14	Audio-Technica AT2035 Audio-Technica Condenser, cardioid, -10dB pad, HPF, shock mount	$129.99	⭐ 4.7	12,300	2.96	View
15	AKG P220 AKG Condenser, cardioid, 1" diaphragm, HPF, pad	$129.99	⭐ 4.5	5,670	2.60	View
16	Behringer B-2 Pro Behringer Condenser, dual diaphragm, 3 patterns, HPF	$117.99	⭐ 4.3	3,450	2.58	View
17	Shure Beta 57A Shure Dynamic, supercardioid, bright HF, instrument	$139.99	⭐ 4.7	5,670	2.52	View
18	Shure Beta 58A Shure Dynamic, supercardioid, bright presence peak	$159.99	⭐ 4.8	8,920	2.37	View
19	Sennheiser e935 Sennheiser Dynamic, cardioid, warm smooth vocal, shock mount	$169.99	⭐ 4.7	5,670	2.08	View
20	Rode NT1 Rode Condenser, cardioid, 4.5dBA, Rycote shock mount	$189.99	⭐ 4.7	8,920	1.96	View
21	Rode NT1-A Rode Condenser, cardioid, 5dBA self-noise, XLR	$229.99	⭐ 4.7	21,300	1.77	View
22	Sennheiser e906 Sennheiser Dynamic, supercardioid, flat/side-address, 3 switch	$189.99	⭐ 4.7	3,450	1.75	View
23	AKG P420 AKG Condenser, 3 patterns, 1" diaphragm, HPF, pad	$179.99	⭐ 4.4	3,450	1.73	View
24	Rode Procaster Rode Dynamic, broadcast, tight cardioid, internal pop	$199.99	⭐ 4.6	5,670	1.73	View
25	Audio-Technica AT2050 Audio-Technica Condenser, 3 patterns, -10dB pad, HPF	$199.99	⭐ 4.6	3,450	1.63	View
26	sE Electronics sE2200 sE Electronics Condenser, cardioid, 1" capsule, -10/-20dB pad	$199.99	⭐ 4.6	3,450	1.63	View
27	Rode NT5 Rode SDC pair, cardioid, 1/2" capsule, gold-sputtered	$219.99	⭐ 4.7	4,560	1.56	View
28	Rode NT1 5th Gen Rode Condenser, cardioid, 4.5dBA, USB + XLR dual	$229.99	⭐ 4.7	5,670	1.53	View
29	Lewitt LCT 440 PURE Lewitt Condenser, cardioid, 1" capsule, matched pairs avail	$249.99	⭐ 4.6	2,890	1.27	View
30	Aston Origin Aston Condenser, cardioid, 1" capsule, wave-form mesh	$249.99	⭐ 4.6	2,340	1.24	View
31	Telefunken M80 Telefunken Dynamic, supercardioid, head-grille, high-output	$249.99	⭐ 4.7	1,890	1.23	View
32	Warm Audio WA-14 Warm Audio Condenser, cardioid, C414 tribute, Cinemag XFMR	$249.99	⭐ 4.6	1,890	1.21	View
33	AKG C214 AKG Condenser, cardioid, 1" edge-terminated, -20dB	$299.99	⭐ 4.7	5,670	1.18	View
34	Audio-Technica AT4040 Audio-Technica Condenser, cardioid, dual diaphragm, -10dB pad	$299.99	⭐ 4.7	4,560	1.15	View
35	Shure SM7B Shure Dynamic, cardioid, flat response, air suspension	$359.99	⭐ 4.8	18,700	1.14	View
36	Electro-Voice RE320 Electro-Voice Dynamic, cardioid, dual-personality filter	$299.99	⭐ 4.6	3,450	1.08	View
37	Shure SM81 Shure SDC, cardioid, 20Hz-20kHz, switchable HPF/pad	$349.99	⭐ 4.7	2,890	0.93	View
38	Sennheiser MD421-II Sennheiser Dynamic, cardioid, 5-position bass contour	$379.99	⭐ 4.7	4,560	0.91	View
39	Warm Audio WA-87 R2 Warm Audio Condenser, 3 patterns, Cinemag transformer, U87 style	$349.99	⭐ 4.7	2,340	0.91	View
40	Electro-Voice RE20 Electro-Voice Dynamic, cardioid, Variable-D, hum-bucking coil	$399.99	⭐ 4.7	5,670	0.88	View
41	Aston Spirit Aston Condenser, 3 patterns, 1" capsule, vintage/modern switch	$349.99	⭐ 4.6	1,890	0.86	View
42	Warm Audio WA-47 Warm Audio Tube, 9 patterns, vintage U47 recreation	$399.99	⭐ 4.7	1,890	0.77	View
43	Shure SM7dB Shure Dynamic, built-in preamp, USB-C for config	$449.99	⭐ 4.8	3,450	0.76	View
44	Audio-Technica AT4050 Audio-Technica Condenser, 3 patterns, transformer-coupled, -10dB	$499.99	⭐ 4.7	2,340	0.63	View
45	Lewitt LCT 540 S Lewitt Condenser, cardioid, 4dBA self-noise, ultra-quiet	$499.99	⭐ 4.7	1,230	0.58	View
46	Earthworks SR314 Earthworks Condenser, cardioid, 20Hz-30kHz, low-noise	$499.99	⭐ 4.7	890	0.56	View

Value score is a quick ranking signal, not an absolute quality measure. Check product details for I/O, gain, connectivity, and workflow fit.