The Best Pop Filters For Your Mic
Pop filters are a simple yet essential tool for recording engineers and musicians. When singing or speaking into microphones, certain consonant sounds tend to “pop” more than others. These are called plosive sounds. The pronunciation of letters like "p" and "k" are notorious for sounding nasty on microphones that aren't protected by pop filters. In this list, we hope to outline some of the most effective and reasonably priced pop filters on the market to help bring your recording game to the next level.
PemoTech Pop Filter
Vivid Vocals
PemoTech’s rounded pop filter might look a little different than traditional pop filters, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done well. This pop filter boasts an impressive and unique design, featuring three layers of high-quality protection. The foam, metal net, and basic etamine layer combine to create the optimal barrier around your microphone to shield from plosives and saliva. The rounded design provides more protection than traditional pop filters by forming a small enclosure around the entirety of your microphone. Unfortunately, the unique design makes it less compatible than other pop filters, but we highly recommend this pick if your mic is compatible with it.
Pros:
- Three layers of plosive protection
- Effectively stops pops and crackles
- The rounded design provides more protection
Cons:
- Not as highly compatible as other pop filters
Neewer Pop Filter
Pop Protection
Pop filters are a simple product with a simple job to do: protect your microphone from plosive sounds and saliva. This no-nonsense gooseneck pop filter from Neewer accomplishes that with flying colors. With a dual-layer design that effectively disperses plosive sounds before reaching your microphone, you can be sure to nail plenty of high-quality recordings with this pop filter. The adjustable gooseneck attachment gives this one universal compatibility with any mic and mic stand. This pop filter might not be the fanciest on the market, but it’s affordable and gets the job done.
Pros:
- Dual-layer foam pop filter that effectively blocks plosive sounds
- Universal compatibility
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- The gooseneck attachment could be sturdier
Moukey Pop Filter
Sing Clearly
Build your microphone the musical fortress it deserves with this powerfully protective pop filter from Moukey. Unlike most pop filters, this triple-layer design utilizes a metal panel, metal mesh, and foam layer to stop plosives and saliva in their tracks. To increase compatibility, Moukey provides two adapter rings for use with different-sized microphones. This unique pop filter is affordable and effective, but it won’t be compatible with all microphones. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to make sure you can use it with your mic.
Pros:
- Unique triple-layer design
- It comes with two adapter rings for increased compatibility
- Durable design
Cons:
- It’s only compatible with a handful of microphones
Aokeo Pop Filter
Studio Sound
Aokeo has apparently taken the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart in bringing us this minimalist and classically-designed pop filter. There’s not a studio in the world that doesn’t have a pop filter designed just like this one, and that’s because it’s been proven to work time and time again. Aokeo’s pop filter provides clear, non-muffled sound and excellent protection against plosive sounds. This product even goes above and beyond by helping to tone down hyped up vocal moments and amplify whispery quiet tones. You can’t go wrong with the classics, and that’s exactly what Aokeo has on offer for us with this pop filter.
Pros:
- Simple, classic, and effective design
- Tones down vocal takes that are too loud while boosting takes that are too quiet
Cons:
- It may have trouble staying in one place
Auphonix Pop Filter
The Perfect Pop
Pop filters are a simple and usually inexpensive purchase, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t find a better product at a higher price. This pop filter from Auphonix is the epitome of the premium pop filter. Everything from the sturdy gooseneck to the durable, high-performance double-mesh filter screams quality. Home recordings are bound to be plagued by nasty pops, crackles, hisses, and other unwanted noises. This pop filter is your best defense against them. Many similar pop filters suffer from weak goosenecks that constantly fall over, but the Auphonix’s gooseneck holds firm and true. As we mentioned, the asking price is considerably higher than some of our other picks, but the quality speaks for itself.
Pros:
- Premium protection against plosives and saliva
- Universal compatibility
- Durable gooseneck
Cons:
- The clamp part could be more durable
Frequently Asked Questions
What are pop filters usually made of?
Pop filters are almost always made out of nylon mesh material or thin metal wiring. Both materials do a fine job of muffling harsh plosive sounds and protecting your microphone from saliva exposure.
Are pop filters necessary for all microphones?
There are two kinds of vocal microphones: condensers and dynamics. Condenser microphones always require pop filters because of their high sensitivity and wide frequency range. Dynamic microphones usually have pop filters built into their design, making the auxiliary pop filters we featured on this list unnecessary for them. Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than condenser microphones and therefore can cope with loud plosive sounds better. Generally, pop filters are only required for vocal recordings. Since there’s no need to worry about plosive sounds from drums, guitars, or pianos, dynamic and condenser microphones for these instruments do not require pop filters.
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