Shure Sm58 roundup
Shure Sm58: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you buy a Shure SM58, know what the model suffix actually means, what's missing from the box, and how to avoid an overpriced bundle or a counterfeit.
Right, so you've decided you want a Shure SM58. Smart move — but before you click "buy" on the first listing you find, there are a few things worth knowing, because SM58s aren't all sold the same way, and it's easy to end up paying for accessories you didn't need or missing one you did. Here's the buyer's guide I wish someone had handed me before my first one.
First: What Are You Actually Buying It For?
This matters more than any spec sheet. A microphone bought for a weekly open-mic night has different priorities to one bought for home podcasting, or one that's going to live in a gigging band's kit bag. The SM58 is a cardioid dynamic mic built for close-up vocal work, and it's genuinely versatile — but knowing your main use case will steer which package and accessories actually make sense.
Check the Model Suffix Before You Pay
This is the single biggest gotcha for first-time buyers. "Shure SM58" on its own doesn't tell you what's in the box — the suffix does:
- SM58-LC — just the microphone. No cable. Fine if you already own one.
- SM58S — same mic, plus an on/off switch built into the body. Handy for spoken-word or houses of worship where you want to mute between segments; some engineers dislike switches on stage mics because they can be knocked accidentally.
- SM58-CN — the mic bundled with an XLR cable, aimed squarely at people buying their very first one.
Older listings sometimes throw around names like SM58-LCE too, which is a regional variant of the same idea — always read the actual product description rather than trusting the headline name.
Don't Skip These Extras
The mic itself is only part of the setup. Before you check out, make sure you've budgeted for:
| Extra | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| XLR cable | Only included with the -CN version — check before assuming it's in the box |
| Mic stand or clip | The SM58 doesn't come with a stand; you'll want a boom stand for most setups |
| Pop filter or foam windscreen | The built-in grille already does a decent job, but an external screen helps further indoors or on a podcast setup |
Genuine vs Counterfeit
Because the SM58 is so widely copied, it's worth buying from an authorised dealer or a marketplace listing with proper seller ratings, especially if the price looks unusually low. A genuine SM58 should have crisp printing, a solidly weighted body, and come with proper Shure documentation. If a "too good to be true" price turns up on an unfamiliar site, it probably is.
Specs Worth Actually Caring About
You don't need to memorise a datasheet, but a few numbers are worth knowing when you're comparing listings or deciding if the SM58 suits your use case at all:
- Polar pattern: cardioid — it picks up from the front, rejects a good chunk from the rear, which helps massively with feedback on stage.
- Frequency response: 50 Hz–15 kHz, with a presence bump that helps vocals cut through a mix without much extra EQ.
- Power requirements: none — it's a dynamic mic, so no phantom power, no batteries.
- Connection: balanced three-pin XLR, the standard on essentially every mixer and audio interface going.
Some spec sheets quote slightly different impedance and weight figures depending on the source — don't get too hung up on tiny discrepancies between listings; Shure's own official page is the one to trust if you need an exact figure.
SM58 or Something Else?
Before you commit, it's worth being honest about whether the SM58 is actually the right microphone for your situation, rather than just the most famous one. If you need tighter rejection for a loud stage, the Beta 58A's supercardioid pattern might serve you better. If you're recording instruments rather than vocals, the flatter-grilled SM57 is the more natural fit. For a fuller breakdown of how the SM58 stacks up generally, our Shure SM58 explainer covers the full picture.
Buying on a Budget vs Buying to Last
Here's the thing about the SM58: it's one of the rare bits of gear where the cheapest genuine option and the priciest bundle contain the exact same capsule. You're not paying more for better sound by buying a fancier package — you're paying for cable, switch or stand convenience. If money's tight, the bare SM58-LC plus a cable you already own is every bit as good, sonically, as a full bundle. For a proper look at how different bundles stack up against each other on value, see our round-up of the best Shure SM58 packages for the money.
If This Is Your First Microphone
New to all this? There's no shame in it — everyone's first proper mic purchase involves a bit of googling. Our beginner's guide to the Shure SM58 walks through getting set up and using it properly once it arrives.
The Bottom Line
Buying a Shure SM58 isn't complicated, but it rewards a bit of care: know which suffix you're buying, budget for the stand and cable if they're not included, and buy from a seller you trust. Get those basics right and you'll own a microphone that, frankly, should outlast most of the other gear in your setup.
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