The Best XLR Cables
No concert you've ever been to or recording you've ever heard would've been possible without the help of XLR cables. XLR cables connect microphones to mixers, allowing for the amplification and recording of audio input. Whether you're starting a musical project and need to start rehearsing, looking to do some home recordings, or need to prep for a presentation, you'll need to purchase some XLR cables first. Here, we've run through some of the best XLR cables on the market to help you with any and all of your audio needs.
Amazon Basics XLR Cable
Jam out
No home studio or live rehearsal space is truly complete without its fair share of XLR cables. If you’re looking to stock up on a few, these XLR cables from Amazon Basics are an affordable and durable alternative to pricier options from big-name electronics brands. The three-pin connectors are made from a strong zinc alloy with nickel plating that increases connectivity. And Amazon Basics offers these cables in lengths ranging from 3–25 feet. Shorter XLR cables are ideal for home recording situations, while longer cables make more sense for live play. The PVC outer-sheath is easy to roll up and provides a strong protective barrier to shield the inner workings of the cable.
Pros:
- Affordable and durable
- Reduces hum and noise
- Size options from 3–25 feet
Cons:
- The cable is difficult to pull out of certain mixers
Cable Matters XLR Cable Two-Pack
Make your voice heard
If you’re a musician who records at home or rehearses live, you know that you can never have enough XLR cables. That’s why Cable Matters’ XLR cable two-pack is such a must-have purchase for musicians. Not only are they cost-effective, but they also promote better sound quality in your music. These PVC-coated XLR cables feature copper-braided shielding that provides optimal noise and hum cancellation. What’s more, the heavy-duty metal connectors utilize strain relief and grip threads that make it easy to plug in and plug out of any mixer or soundboard.
Pros:
- Easy to plug in and out of mixers and soundboards
- Excellent hum and noise cancellation
- Cost-effective two-pack
Cons:
- Not the most durable cables
Gearlux XLR Cable
Rock the mic
Gearlux is well-known in the music industry for making high-quality instrument cables at an affordable rate, and these XLR cables are no different. Gearlux offers its XLR cables in single, double, and triple packs, and in lengths of 10 feet and 25 feet. If you’re looking to stock up on XLRs for your rehearsal space, the three-pack of 25-foot cables is an excellent deal for the price. These cables feature an oxygen-free copper core, which enhances and clarifies the high-frequency audio frequencies from the microphone. The six millimeter PVC coating makes the cables easy to wrap up, and it also provides a durable outer layer that protects the insides of the cable.
Pros:
- Available in packs of one, two, and three
- 10- and 25-foot options
- Each cable has an oxygen-free copper core that enhances high-frequency sounds
Cons:
- The connectors are sometimes hard to fit into mixers
Bifale Braided XLR Cable
Colorful cables
Aesthetics might not be the first thing you’d think about when purchasing XLR cables, but these colorful braided XLR cables from Bifale look good enough to make you reconsider. Bifale offers its XLR cables in multiple different lengths and quantity packs, making this a versatile purchase that can accommodate the needs of musicians and engineers of all levels. The braided casing provides a durable outer sheathing that encases the XLR cable’s copper wiring and protects against wear and tear. We highly recommend these unique, stylish, and durable XLR cables to any musician or engineer looking to spruce up the vibe of their space with some vibrant and functional gear.
Pros:
- Vibrantly colored braided XLR cables
- Stronger than most PVC-coated cables
- Comes in multiple quantity packs and lengths
Cons:
- Pricier than comparable XLR cables
Tisino Female XLR to 1/4-Inch Cable
Amped up
If you’re a new musician just starting out, expensive mixing boards with XLR inputs might be out of your price range. With these XLR-to-1/4-inch cables from Tisino, you can plug your vocal mics right into a guitar or keyboard amplifier and rock the house down regardless. These cables feature first-rate metal connectors with aluminum die-cast housings that increase the cables’ longevity. When plugging microphones into guitar or keyboard amplifiers, hum and electrical noise can become a frequent issue. Luckily, Tisino’s cables include multiple layers of shielding that keep your mic sounding pristine and free of unwanted frequency interference.
Pros:
- An excellent choice for new musicians who don’t have PA speakers or a mixing board
- Gold-plated connectors
- Reduces hum and electrical noise
Cons:
- They won’t produce as clean of a sound as regular XLR cables
Frequently Asked Questions
Are XLR cables only used for microphones?
Yes, the sole purpose of an XLR cable is to connect microphones to mixing boards and amplifiers. Microphones can sometimes have 1/4-inch cable inputs, but these tend to be cheaper products that wouldn’t be used in professional recording studios or music venues.
What length XLR cables should I buy?
This depends on what you intend to use the XLR cables for. If you’re getting into home recording, three to five feet should be more than enough length to work with. However, if you’re prepping your rehearsal space or venue for live play, longer cables are a much smarter buy. Long XLR cables ensure that musicians have more freedom to spread out on the stage without knocking over microphones or unplugging the connectors.
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