Looks are very subjective, but we’ll try to list some of the best-looking microphones with great designs. However, on this list, you may also find microphones that aren’t the best looking for you but have a unique look to them that might be alluring, or otherwise are just iconic and therefore landed on this list. Microphones are in no particular order, except that we’re going to look at XLR microphones first and then we’ll take a glance at flashy USB microphones with their bright lights and gaming designs.
Some of these microphones are dynamic and can be used both on-stage and in camera view on a podcast, radio or gaming setup and we’ll mention that. On the other hand, some of these microphones are less suited for on-stage performance but are perfectly fine for gaming, podcast, studio or radio.
Best-looking XLR microphones
Shure 55SH
Shure 55SH is the microphone I’ve personally been eyeing for a couple of years now just for the looks even though I have no need for it. I love a unique industrial retro design, the metal grill and the black built-in pop-filter is a perfect combo for my taste. It’s an amazing-looking microphone that can be used anywhere: on stage, on a podcast or gaming setup where you have a microphone in the camera’s view.
The Shure 55 series were first released in 1939 and had quite a few tweaks throughout the years whereas we have a classic looking Shure 55SH, a supercardioid polar pattern Shure Super 55 Deluxe with a blue built-in pop-filter and a discontinued limited edition, 75th anniversary Shure 5575LE with a red built-in pop-filter, you may still find it on eBay.
Shure 55 is also known as the Elvis microphone, you can see him using it on stage and it’s portrayed in the Elvis movie.
Shure 55SH usually costs around $200.
Summary:
- All metal
- Vintage design
- Industrial look
- Metal color
- On-stage
- XLR connection
- Dynamic microphone
Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B has become a staple microphone for podcasting and gaming. In my opinion, it’s the best all-around microphone with pleasant darker sound quality and a great design, which has been copied by many other microphone brands. It’s all metal with a mesh covering the diaphragm and comes with a custom foam pop-filter, although if you take the pop-filter off, in my opinion, it looks odd in a good way. You’ll also get a swivel shock mount with the microphone.
The microphone is mainly used for podcasting and gaming videos as it sounds and looks incredible but could also be used on-stage.
You’ll find Shure SM7B used on podcasts by Joe Rogan, Marques Brownlee, H3 and many more. The original SM7 was first introduced in 1973 and also was frequently used by Michael Jackson to record his hit songs.
Shure SM7B usually costs around $400.
Summary:
- All metal
- Custom pop-filter
- Swivel shock mount
- Black color
- On-stage
- XLR connection
- Dynamic microphone
- Expensive
Shure SM58
Shure SM58 is another classic microphone from Shure. It has a sturdy all-metal build and it’s famous for being indestructible. The design is very simple and iconic. It’s probably the first microphone that comes to mind when someone says the word ‘microphone’.
Shure SM58 was first released in 1958; it’s a handheld and primarily used on-stage. You may as well use it for podcasting or gaming, however, it was designed to be taken on-stage for live performances and also music production. For me, this microphone is on this list not because it has a striking design but because it’s an epitome of an on-stage microphone.
Shure SM58 usually costs around $100.
Summary:
- All metal
- Simple design
- Handheld
- Black color
- On-stage
- XLR connection
- Dynamic microphone
- Budget option
MXL 990 Blackout
MXL has been putting out some good-looking yet very affordable microphones lately and MXL 990 Blackout is one of them. It’s a very slick, minimalistic and modern-looking microphone with a matt black color which I love and it’s made all out of metal.
If you’re interested in LED lighting then there are more versions of this same microphone, you can get MXL 990 Blizzard which has white and chrome colors and a built-in blue LED light. And there’s also an MXL 990 Blaze version, which combines black and red with a red LED light built in.
MXL 990 is a condenser microphone and is not designed to be used on-stage. However, it could be used for gaming or podcasting if you don’t mind 20dB self-noise.
Depending on which version you’re getting MXL 990 usually costs anywhere between the $75-$130 range.
Summary:
- All metal
- Modern design
- Minimalistic
- Matt black color
- LED lighting options
- XLR connection
- Condenser microphone
- Budget option
MXL R77
MXL R77 is another vintage-looking microphone with an all-metal, round shape build, distinctive golden mesh and a chrome body. It includes a custom shock mount and is quite affordable despite its interesting look.
This is a ribbon microphone with a bidirectional (8-figure) polar pattern. Although, there’s MXL CR77, a cheaper unidirectional dynamic version of this microphone, which looks very similar but has a silver and black color scheme and I am not sure which looks better.
The bidirectional pattern of the MXL R77 ribbon microphone might not be ideal for on-stage use, and probably is the best for studio work, however, the unidirectional MXL CR77 is primarily made for use on-stage and could very well be used for podcasting or gaming as well.
MXL R77 usually costs around $250, while a dynamic, MXL CR77 version usually costs around $145.
Summary:
- All metal
- Round shape
- Vintage design
- Gold or black color
- Custom shock mount
- Ribbon and dynamic versions
- Bidirectional and unidirectional versions
- XLR connection
Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active
Golden Age Project R is another microphone designed with a vintage look in mind, much like MXL R77, even though the Golden Age is a brand that came up in the 2000s. It has a similar design to an RCA 77-DX, another iconic microphone from the past. Golden Age Project R is round shaped, all-metal bidirectional ribbon tube microphone with a custom shock mount. I love this microphone’s color scheme, especially the washed red color of the body, which pairs well with the metal grill.
It’s a bidirectional microphone, which could be problematic when trying to avoid background noise. The microphone is mainly used for music production and live performances.
As of writing this article, Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active costs $400.
Summary:
- All metal
- Round shape
- Vintage design
- Red color
- Custom shock mount
- Ribbon active tube microphone
- Bidirectional
- XLR connection
- Expensive
AT 4040
AT 4040 is a modern-looking microphone with a clean black color design. I love the white minimalistic logo on the black background. It has a typical rounded rectangle shape of Audio-Technica microphones, from first glance you can tell it’s from Audio-Technica. It’s not a microphone that stands out; however, if you’re into clean modern designs, then this is for you.
AT 4050 and AT 4033A also have similar designs, you might want to look into them if you like what you see from AT 4040.
AT 4040 is a condenser microphone and is best suited for studio work, such as voice acting or singing. It’s not ideal for podcasting or gaming; ideally, you would want a dynamic microphone, but it could work.
As of now, you can get AT 4040 for $250.
Summary:
- All metal
- Rounded rectangle shape
- Modern look
- Minimalistic design
- Black color
- Condenser microphone
- XLR connection
Blue Spark Blackout SL XLR
Blue Spark Blackout SL XLR has an interesting design that isn’t common among microphones, but it’s the signature shape for Blue SL line microphones. The most distinctive part is a ball capsule that’s separated from the rest of the tube-shaped body. The Blackout version has a black and metal color scheme. The colors look clean and modern although the microphone’s shape is reminiscent of the older days.
This condenser microphone comes with a custom, yet very conventional looking, shock-mount. It’s advertised as a gaming and youtube microphone and that’s probably the main target audio for Blue. Although I personally prefer dynamic microphones for gaming and youtube.
If you like the shape of this microphone, check other Blue microphones from the SL line-up: Blue Bluebird SL with a blue, gold and silver color scheme; Blue Baby Bottle SL with a black, gold and silver color scheme.
As of now, Blue Spark Blackout SL is available for $185.
Summary:
- All metal
- Signature Blue SL shape
- Tube body
- Modern black and metal color scheme
- Custom shock mount
- Condenser microphone
- XLR connection
Neumann TLM 67
Neumann is one of the most respected microphone brands out there and usually, you can tell it’s a Neumann microphone from the first glance at it. Most Neumann microphones are cream or matt black color, although there are some nice exceptions. Neumann TLM 67 has a cream-colored capsule and the bottom, but the main body is gray and for me personally, this is the best-looking Neumann microphone.
Neumann TLM 67 has an all-metal construction, I love their red logo and also the gray color looks amazing.
Neumann has a way of making all of their microphones look premium, which they are. The premium quality and looks come at a high price, so this isn’t a microphone you should be buying just for looks, but I had to throw in at least a couple of Neumann microphones on this list.
It’s a condenser microphone which you should get if you’re a professional voice-over artist or musician with a studio environment to record the highest quality recordings.
If you’re into such looks you might also check out other honorable mentions from Neumann: Neumann TLM 170 R Nickel, and Neumann TLM 103-MT Black. Both of these condenser microphones have simple yet clean and premium-looking designs and the Neumann TLM 170 R Nickel version is a close second best-looking Neumann condenser microphone for me. I especially enjoy the monochromatic nickel color and black logo combo; it gives a neat industrial look to the microphone.
As of now Neumann TLM 67 is available for $2,495.
Summary:
- All metal
- Premium look
- Pastel colors
- Long tube shape
- Custom shock mount
- Condenser microphone
- XLR connection
- Very expensive
Neumann BCM 705
Neumann BCM 705 is another premium microphone from the famous brand, but this time it’s a dynamic one with a compact design, all-metal build, silver color and green logo, which pairs neatly. It has an interesting shape and it’s one of the few microphones designed to be placed upside down.
Neumann BCM is a dynamic microphone that comes with a custom shock mount. You’ll often find it on radio stations and it’s perfectly suitable for podcasting or even gaming. It will look great on your set and will probably sound even better. Also, among Neumann microphones, it’s one of the more affordable, although still expensive.
As of now, Neumann BCM 705 sells for $700.
Summary:
- All metal
- Premium look
- Compact form
- Silver color
- Upside down placement
- Custom shock mount
- Dynamic microphone
- XLR connection
- Expensive
Heil Sound The Fin
Heil Sound The Fin is a microphone reminiscent of the older days, much like Shure SH55. However, The Fin implemented LED lighting into the microphone. Therefore while the shape of the microphone is retro looking, the LED lighting indicates that it’s a modern microphone. You have an option of a chrome or black finish and there are options for different LED lighting: white, blue and red.
You might have seen this microphone, the chrome and white LED lighting version, in the Hunger Games movies, it appears quite often on the screen. I personally like both the chrome and black finish with the white LED lighting the best. Although, other options are neat as well, and I love that you can choose.
It’s a dynamic microphone that’ll look great on your camera and could be very well used on stage, for podcasting or gaming.
Currently, Heil Sound The Fin sells for $230.
Summary:
- All metal
- Monochromatic black or chrome colors
- LED lighting
- Vintage design
- On-stage
- Dynamic microphone
- XLR connection
Sennheiser Professional MD 441-U
Sennheiser Professional MD 441-U is a unique-looking retro-style microphone from another renowned brand – Sennheiser. It was first introduced in 1971 and there aren’t many microphones that look alike. It has a silver-colored metal body with a leatherette finish. Also, the shape of the microphone is rectangular, which is much less common these days.
It’s a dynamic microphone that is primarily used on stage and can be handheld. It’s been used by many musicians and is also perfect for studio work.
Currently, Sennheiser Professional MD 441-U sells for around $1,000.
Summary:
- All metal body
- Silver color
- Leatherette finish
- Rectangular shape
- Vintage design
- On-stage
- Dynamic microphone
- XLR connection
- Very expensive
Best-Looking USB Microphones
USB microphones have become much more popular with the rise of Youtube, gaming videos, and Twitch. They are usually relatively cheap, don’t require additional gear and are very easy to set up as you can plug in and record. On top of that, new brands have started tailoring USB microphones to look great on camera, as they understand that microphone aesthetics are vital for video recordings.
Hence, you’ll find no lack of new USB microphones released during the last 10 years, and the trend is still going strong. Lots of them incorporate lighting and ‘gaming’ design.
On the flip side, many USB microphones are condensers and will come with dedicated desktop stands. Be aware that the desktop stand will be a problem for anything involving keyboard clicking, like gaming, since it’ll pass lots of vibrations through the table, and a boom arm is highly recommended. Also, these pretty-looking USB microphones will seldom be of as good quality as XLR microphones from respectable brands. I notice many USB microphones pack low-quality features to make them look like fancy toys but lack the most important aspect, high-quality audio.
Razer Seiren X
Razer Seiren X was first released in 2017 and it’s a very modern-looking, slick design microphone with lots of bells and whistles that come from Razer, a gaming hardware company. It comes with a metal grill and a plastic body. The color is all black, but you get green/red mute button. The whole setup comes with a built-in desktop stand and the shape of the microphone is a classic tube.
Razer Seiren X is a condenser USB microphone primarily marketed for gaming and they have a super-cardioid polar pattern, background noise reduction and built-in shock mount systems to cater to gamers.
If you like the design of Seiren X, you might also be interested in another similar-looking microphone from Razer, a Seiren Elite, which is a dynamic microphone with a bit more LED lighting and a built-in limiter.
As of October 2022, the Razer Seiren X is on a discount and sells for $67.
Summary:
- Plastic body
- Metal grill
- Black color
- Modern design
- Tube shape
- LED button
- Condenser microphone
- USB connection
- Budget option
HyperX QuadCast S
HyperX QuadCast S was first released in 2020 and is another modern-looking USB microphone but this time with animated RGB lighting. It has an all-plastic body and you have options of black or white colors. The setup includes a custom shock mount and a desktop stand. The design is very colorful and yet clean looking.
HyperX QuadCast S is a condenser USB microphone with many features catering to gamers, which is what it’s mainly advertised for.
If you’re into red color, for a lower price, you can acquire an older version of the microphone called HyperX QuadCast.
As of October 2022, the QuadCast S sells for $115.
Summary:
- All plastic
- Black or white color
- RGB lighting
- Modern design
- Custom shock mount
- Tube shape
- Condenser microphone
- USB connection
MXL Tempo SURF USB
MXL Tempo SURF is a more retro-looking limited edition USB condenser microphone that came out in 2020. It has an all-metal, pastel-green color body shaped like a tube. The coloring is what gives it a unique vintage look and I dig it a lot. The all-metal body makes it stand out against similarly priced plastic USB microphones. It comes with a tripod desktop stand that’s very unappealing.
MXL Tempo is a condenser microphone primarily marketed for musicians, podcasters and streamers. You can also find different color versions of this microphone: black/red, silver/black and white/red.
As of October 2022, this microphone costs ~$80.
Summary:
- All metal
- Pastel green color
- Vintage look
- Tube shape
- Different color options
- Condenser
- USB connection
- Budget option
Anker PowerCast M300
Anker PowerCast M300 is the cheapest microphone on this list. Its body is a mix of plastic and metal and the microphone has RGB lighting. It’s a very compact and modern-looking design with black coloring. Also, you’ll be able to control the lighting of a bottom ring.
It’s a condenser microphone and the setup includes a desktop stand that allows rotating. It’s advertised mainly for streaming and gaming.
As of October 2022, Anker PowerCast M300 is available for ~$50.
Summary:
- Metal and plastic body
- Black color
- RGB lighting
- Modern design
- Custom desktop stand
- Condenser
- USB connection
- Budget option
AKG Pro Audio Ara
AKG Pro Audio Ara doesn’t have RGB or LED lighting but still offers an interesting industrial design. It’s flat and compact, the silver and dark blue color combo looks very aesthetic and the built-in custom desktop stand completes the design of this microphone. Besides the knobs, its build is all-metal, which at this price point, is appreciated.
AKG Pro Audio Ara is marketed for streaming, gaming and music, but like many condensers, it’ll be susceptible to background noise.
As of October 2022, AKG Pro Audio Ara is available for ~$70.
Summary:
- Metal body
- Silver and dark blue color
- Industrial design
- Compact
- Custom desktop stand
- Condenser
- USB connection
- Budget option
NZXT Capsule
NZXT Capsule is another USB microphone created by a company that primarily focuses on computer hardware for gaming. NZXT offers a very modern and clean-looking design with white circle lighting at the bottom of the body. It’s made out of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), high-quality plastic. The microphone comes with a custom desktop stand which is metal and in my opinion, looks great. Also, there’s a white version of this microphone.
NZXT is a condenser microphone marketed for gaming.
As of October 2022, NZXT Capsule is available for ~$90.
Summary:
- ABS plastic body
- Black and white color options
- Modern looking
- White lighting
- Custom desktop stand
- Condenser
- USB connection
- Budget option
ENDGAME GEAR XSTRM
ENDGAME GEAR XSTRM is a USB microphone with an interesting triangle shape, customizable RGB lighting, RGB gain indicator and everything about it screams that it’s a gaming microphone. The porous capsule looks neat and it comes with a custom desktop stand and pop-filter. You’ll also have the option to choose a white or black version of this microphone. The body and desktop stand are all metal, while the shock-mount and pop-filter are plastic.
ENDGAME GEAR XSTRM is a condenser microphone marketed for gaming and it packs features such as noise cancelation and shock mount to cater to gamers.
As of October 2022, ENDGAME GEAR XSTRM sells for ~$150.
Summary:
- All metal body
- Black and white color options
- Modern looking
- RGB lighting
- Custom desktop stand
- Condenser
- USB microphone
- Affordable