10 Best Pop Filters Compared & Reviewed

 

Best Pop Filter Review – Top Rated Models with Buying Guide

 

Here you will find out about the best pop filters you can find on the market these days, especially with not a lot of time on your hands to do the research on your own. After carefully examining the quality and value offered by some of the critically acclaimed products that have really gained recognition, our team has come to the conclusion that the one you definitely want to try is the Dragonpad Studio Microphone Mic Pop Filter. The dual layers of nylon mesh are great when it comes to reducing popping and lisping from the recordings, the neck is strong yet flexible, and the entire filter has a unique bracket angle that guarantees it can be mounted pretty much anywhere. In the unfortunate event that the studios have already bought every product available, you can also take a look at the Neewer Professional Microphone Pop Filter Shield.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

10 Best Pop Filters (Updated Reviews) in 2021

 

 

Considering how many pop filters you can find on today’s market and how easy it is to mess up a recording if you’re not using the right product, our team has spent a considerable amount of time in order to make sure we only show you filters that work and won’t make you regret purchasing them.

 

 

1. Dragonpad Studio Microphone Mic Pop Filter

 

The best pop filter is definitely going to be the one that best fits your studio and the rest of your equipment. However, since this one boasts this firm and flexible gooseneck that seems to be strong enough to be attached anywhere, it can be considered a strong candidate to that title.

Such a useful item is essential for the recording, speaking, or singing needs of pretty much any self-respecting artist. A lot of singers these days, especially those just starting out, have the problem of not really getting their message to come across to the public because it’s hard to understand what they’re saying.

Save yourself the same trouble and make sure your message is heard loud and clear, without the horrific hissing and lisping sounds that come with using a low-quality product and pronouncing the letters “s”, “b”, and “p” very close to the microphone.

 

Pros

The amazing dual-layer mesh pop filter works great when it comes to eliminating popping and lisping from your recordings due to the pairing it does with the air gap.

The nice thing is that it manages to eliminate impurities without diminishing the clarity of your song.

Using a pop filter is always good in order to protect your microphone from the corrosive salts found in saliva. This way, it’ll last longer and it will mean cost saving in the long run, particularly since you won’t have to break the bank to get this product in the first place.

The firm and flexible metal gooseneck is strong enough to withstand pretty much anything you may throw at it in your recording rages.

 

Cons

While the filter in itself works great, the clamp’s design seems to greatly inhibit the product’s usability as it’s hard to make it stick anywhere.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

2. Neewer Professional Microphone Pop Filter Shield

 

Do you find it hard to figure out how to use a pop filter? There’s no need to worry about this product from Neewer as it’s relatively simple to unpack and figure out right away, especially since it’s designed for people who have the Blue Yeti and Blue Yeti Pro, even though it’s compatible with pretty much any recording device.

You will always want to use it in order to protect your mic from surplus saliva that will always be caused by over-eager performers when they really start getting into their jam. Since the substance in our mouth can be corrosive in the long run, having a shield to protect your recording device is pretty much mandatory if you want to look professional.

You’ll enjoy the double-layered defense as the first screen will block regular air blasts and the gap until the second one disperses any remaining air pressure, obtaining a clear and crisp sound.

 

Pros

The 360-degree flexible gooseneck holder is not only modern and professional but it’s really easy to use since you won’t have to keep turning around just to make sure you’re in range.

The manufacturer also provides adjustable clamp fixes that should allow you to work with any mic stand without worrying too much about stability.

For those just starting out or who are not very good with their hands, the swivel mount makes for an easy installation process.

The fact that this is a pop filter commonly used in recording studios also speaks for itself in terms of the product’s reliability and accountability in the long run.

 

Cons

The clamp seems unable to hold still and it may cause issues if you’re not setting up the device in a place that guarantees stability so you should take this into account before purchasing the pop filter.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

3. Vocalbeat Professional Foam Windscreen

 

Buying a cheap pop filter might not be something that inspires trust in everyone but the reality is it only needs to be as good as its ability to cover your needs. If it’s able to do that then it can be heralded as perfect since it’s hardly worth getting a studio-quality piece if you’re only recording videos for your Youtube channel.

Also, we think some people will be happy to find out that this device is specifically designed as a pop filter for Blue Yeti and even the Blue Yeti Pro, even though the foam is so flexible that it should be able to fit pretty much any other large microphones on the market that go up to 2.5 inches in diameter, regardless of the brand.

Hurry up and buy this product in order to get rid of that annoying background noise once and for all and finally be ready to focus on the message you are sending through your art rather than on how to make sure people can hear it properly.

 

Pros

This is very easy to install regardless of the microphone you’re using it on and will fit particularly beautiful on the Blue Yeti series.

The high-quality foam materials do not only provide excellent protection but guarantee years and years of continuous use without once experiencing issues with them.

Completely filter out those harsh “p” and “t” sounds and finally start experiencing true quality in terms of the way your work sounds.

Not only will this pop filter protect your microphone from saliva and dust damage but it is sensible enough to capture the subtle tones while still blocking out any unwanted noises.

 

Cons

The foam is very thick but feels a little odd to the touch, even though it’s hard to point out the way in which this impacts the quality of the recording process, especially if you’re using it over a larger mic.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

4. PEMOTech Upgraded Three Layers Pop Filter

 

Let us guess: You’ve checked the best pop filters reviews and found out a good one is always going to have double layers of protection? Well, what if we told you that this product from PEMOTech actually boasts itself with three upgraded layers that include a foam one, a metal net one, and the basic etamine layer?

This design has been shown to do a better job when it comes to reducing the explosive pops and crackles in your recordings, something that may turn out to be particularly useful if you also live or record in an area where wind interference is strong. If you have artists that breathe into the microphone a lot, this product is also going to be great.

Furthermore, this gadget will also help you protect your microphone in the long run as it prevents saliva spraying, accumulated moisture, and harmful dust from settling it and wearing it down.

 

Pros

There are not two, but three protective layers that ensure your sound quality is crisp and the only thing that’s going to be heard from your recording is your artistic message and mantra.

The studio mic shield isolation is another tool used by professionals around the world as it is most effective in getting your best possible vocal recording.

The metal mesh is great because it is quite functional in terms of preventing saliva from gathering up and keeping a clean environment so that your microphone can keep on working as intended.

Even if you’re not the handiest person around, this pop filter is very easy to set up and start using as soon as you get it out of the box.

 

Cons

Before you buy this product, we want to let you know that it is not designed for the Blue Yeti mics so be aware of this and make an educated purchase.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

5. Blue The Pop Universal Pop Filter

 

This is definitely an affordable pop filter that can still get the job done and take care of your universal recording needs, especially since it’s hailed as able to work with pretty much any product on the market. This is a do-it-all windscreen that simply needs to be clamped to the mic stand and positioned as best you see fit.

If you’re worried about durability, take a look at the sturdy wire mesh and frame that are incorporated to ensure you get years and years of durability out of the product and you really get everything you paid for.

This is the perfect item for people just starting out their Youtube channel or podcast who need to make sure they get a crystal-clear sound without going all out and investing in an expensive piece of equipment for a venture that may not work out at the end of the day.

 

Pros

Works amazingly well with any microphone on the market, therefore eliminating the need to switch your pop filter if you happen to opt for a different brand of microphones.

It helps to reduce or even completely eliminate the popping sounds that are naturally made during pretty much any recording when the fast-moving air hits the microphone or when over-eager singers bring a little too much out of their mouth.

Ideal for moving around since it’s easy to clamp the device to the mic stand and position it in any way, shape, or form it currently suits you instead of having to adapt to an immobile filter.

 

Cons

The delivery system seems to be quite faulty as pieces have been proven to potentially be missing upon delivery.

Furthermore, we want to let you know that this is a very large pop filter so be prepared for this if you buy it.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

6. Enabled Dragonpad USA 6” Microphone Studio Pop Filter

 

With the progress being made in technology these days, it’s quite easy to come across affordable pop filters but it’s still worth knowing the characteristics of each one as sound recording is a serious and volatile business where you always need to be prepared with gear that corresponds to your entire studio.

This product from Enabled should (pun intended) enable you to pretty much eliminate every popping and lisping sound found in your recording and obtain a clear and crisp product that will only let your listeners hear what you want them to hear, regardless of how the original version sounded like.

Since Enabled is a multinational enterprise that specializes in creating amazing products for the musical instruments and sound recording business, their name precedes them and you should be sure that you are receiving a quality product designed in a very professional environment.

 

Pros

A dual-layered pop filter that works wonders when it comes to eliminating the air pressure and then filtering any remaining discrepancies through the use of the gap between the first and the second layer.

The flexible gooseneck arm allows the recorder to achieve precise positioning right from the get-go, removing the struggle to position oneself in such a way as to get the most out of the recording device.

This product is compatible with most of the recording devices out there so you won’t have to change it if you switch microphones, for instance.

A unique type of bracket angle and tension screw allows the pop filter to be mounted to virtually any type of stand due to its C-shaped clamp, while the swivel mount helps a lot in terms of installation and removal.

 

Cons

The clamp and the securing screw seem to both be made of plastic which involves a certain risk of going limp and falling down as the months go by, especially with heavy use.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

7. Rode WS2 Microphone Pop Filter/Wind Shield

 

While reading a pop filters review will tell you that these older, wind shield-type models are not fashionable anymore, the reality is that they’re still extremely practical and functional, especially if you don’t have the largest microphone in the world that you want to protect. Pay no attention to the naysayers and check out the great tool from Rode, bent on showing you a good time.

This product is great at providing additional protection for the microphone capsule when it comes to the risk of capturing things like wind noise or sound explosions on vowels like “p” and “b”. The pop filter is also compatible with a lot of types of microphones so it’s definitely worth checking out if it matches yours.

The stylish black color and simple design ensure that you really can’t go wrong with it, regardless of the way you designed your studio’s mojo.

 

Pros

While a little bit old-school in a sense, this is a very good item that can protect your microphone from the damaging long-term effects of having saliva on it or from capturing unwanted sounds during your recordings.

This product can be just what a budding podcaster or broadcaster is looking for, especially if they’re at the beginning of their journey and are looking for a nice microphone pop filter that they won’t have to spend too much money to get.

With a weight of 10 grams and dimensions of 110mmh x 85mmw x 85mmd, you should be good to go with it as long as you don’t own a freakishly large microphone.

 

Cons

While this is a good product that definitely gets the job done, its design makes it look a bit rough and porous so we feel this is the sort of thing people should know before buying, especially if everything in their studio needs to mesh to get the mojo going.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

8. Stedman PS101

 

Buying a mic pop filter is serious work as you need to make sure you get the best possible gear for your studio but, at the same time, it needs to be able to work with the rest of your equipment. This pop filter from Stedman seems like the go-getter of the pop filter industry as it’s a generic, all-around-awesome product that should fit wherever you put it.

The Stedman Proscreen 101 is heralded as using the same unique, well-known metal screen as the branded PS100. Also, this one comes with a flexible and sturdy gooseneck whose adjustable clamp will allow you to set it up pretty much anywhere you want without worrying about location.

This way, you can attach the Proscreen 101 to any stand or boom while still managing to position the screen any way you want due to the flexible gooseneck. Made in the U.S.A, this should outlast and outperform fabric filter designs so be warned before you purchase something else.

 

Pros

This is a very good product that comes from the same origins as other branded pop filters which have proven their quality in the long run.

The fact that you are able to place it pretty much anywhere and everywhere you want can prove to be invaluable, especially if you’re the type of person that likes to do vlogs or podcasts from outdoorsy locations.

This product can be cleaned using only detergent and hot water so you needn’t worry about expensive and messy ways to get it sparkling new after a long recording session.

Coming with a lifetime warranty and manufactured right here in the U.S.A, this item should outperform most of the fabric filter designs out there.

 

Cons

The only negative thing we can say about this pop filter is that its best use will come when being attached to a round post of some sort as it’s hard to use it with a rectangular object.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

9. HDE Microphone Pop Filter for Blue Yeti

 

Looking for the best pop filter for Blue Yeti? Well, we’re not even going to tell you that this is a strong candidate for that title but we’ll surely encourage you to give it a go and see how it feels, especially after a few big recording sessions. In an era where it seems like everyone can put your voice on the Internet, how do you stand out? By not using amateur equipment, of course!

This HDE beauty is your ticket to differentiating yourself from the competition that is clogging the airwaves with the use of professional-sounding audio and crispy-clear words for every single one of your recordings. With a filter that doubles the protection against excess mouth moisture from those overly-confident performers, this product should be with you for years and years to come.

Even if you are not the most DIY person out there, the installation process is so simple that literally anyone can do it since it only involves clamping the end of the product to your pre-existing microphone stand.

 

Pros

The high-quality, dual-layered, nylon-woven material will assist you in producing amazingly clear recordings each and every time and also look good while doing it.

The double mesh also works by reducing things like wind interference, dust accumulation and the bad overtime effects of saliva, basically ensuring you get a better microphone for a longer period of time.

The 360-degree potentially-trained-in-gymnastics gooseneck is so flexible that it will support the weight of the shield without any issues and still allow you to set it up in any type of position that you want.

You also get a screw-on clamp that’s very easy to attach and remove so you can rest assured it will never damage your microphone.

 

Cons

As is the case with many similar products, the quality of the bendable arm seems much more worrisome in the long run compared to the actual pop filter that’s doing all the work.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

10. Techson Dual Layered Pop Filter Microphone

 

Any pop filters review will tell you that a product worth its value will always have a double-layered extra measure of protection, just like this one does, regardless of the fact of whether it’s made from metal or plastic, just like this one is. At the end of the day, it’s important that you understand the need for such a device if you want to get out quality content.

The first and the second screen actively share the duties of protection between them, eliminating the air pressure that comes when a person speaks or sings close to the microphone and dispersing any blasts that might get through and affect the quality of your recording.

Whether your cup of tea is recording, singing, or speaking, it’s a great product that will help you achieve the best performance possible while also protecting your microphone from having to be changed once every couple of months due to the excess amount of moisture that will accumulate on it.

 

Pros

Good and sturdy design due to the use of high-quality materials that should ensure your purchase is with you for years to come, regardless of how avid of a recorder you are.

It was also imperative that such an item does not miss the fabled dual layer of protection and indeed it does not, guaranteeing you’ll get the very best in terms of endurance and value for your money.

It helps you banish the dreaded hissing and lisping sounds forever as well as the explosion of air that usually comes when saying letters like “b” and “p”. As a result, your recording will get an overall increase in quality and crispiness of sound.

 

Cons

The one other thing we want you to understand about this product and that may possibly affect your decision to buy is that it’s a pretty big pop filter. While some people will like that as it means it’ll work with any microphone, others may want something a bit more stylish.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

Our Comprehensive Buying Guide

 

If you’re wondering about how does a pop filter work, then chances are pretty high you’re in need of this guide in order to make sure you get the right product for your recording needs and you don’t get tricked splurging out a large sum of money for an all-too-valuable object you will have no use for in the long run.

For a beginner, such a tool might also look simple and one might even assume that they are all the same. It’s also true that when you get a microphone, especially for the first time, investing once more to get a mic pop filter is not often the first thing that comes to mind. But it should!

As you go through the ups and downs of gradually increasing your level of expertise in this area, you’ll surely learn just how essential pop filters are and the world of difference they make in regards to the quality of the content that you put out. Since learning the ropes can be tricky, let’s shed the mystery a little bit in regards to these all-important pieces of metal and plastic.

The reason you actually need a pop filter

For those who still don’t get what pop filters are, their name sounds pretty self-explanatory to us, as what this thing does is remove pops and thumps that are otherwise known in the biz as “plosives”. In layman’s terms, they represent excess air and vibrations that appear particularly through the pronunciation of sensitive letters like “b” and “p”.

When you want to get a quality recording, these “plosives” are an obstacle and one that needs to be removed fairly early in the process. Also, your mic needs protection from excess saliva as that can be quite hurtful for your gear in the long run. If you want a seamless output without having to replace your microphone every couple of months then yes, you need a pop filter!

 

What will you use it for?

When buying such a piece of equipment it’s always important to think just what exactly you are going to use it for. Pop filters can be used for studio recordings, home practice, and even live performances where these tools can be especially important if you’re a live streamer or broadcaster.

When it comes to studio recording, anyone in the business will know that this is a tough ordeal all by itself and removing unwanted sounds is only going to serve in making everyone’s lives a little bit easier. Because sound engineers dread having to go through the process of editing and manually removing “plosives”, studios often need the best and brightest in terms of gear.

If you’re just starting out and need a little bit of practice at home, truth is you may not need the most expensive gadget on the market and an all-around, not too hard when it comes to how to attach pop filter may be just the thing for you, especially if you don’t want to begin by spending a lot of money.

Using it correctly

Beginners should always get a pop filter that comes with a clamp since that is easy enough to fix to a mic stand. Attached to a flexible and volatile support called a gooseneck, your filter is going to act as the protective wall between you and the microphone so you will want to place it somewhere between a 4-to-6 inch distance from your mic.

Another nice tip is to slightly tilt the filter at an angle with the mic, this being particularly useful if you happen to own a smaller sized filter that won’t do as good a job if it’s farther away.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q: What does a pop filter do?

To put it simply, a pop filter is a shield that protects your recordings against unwanted sounds creeping up on them and spoiling your entire day of work. In technical terms, it is a noise protection filter that you are usually going to find in a recording studio, even though you’ll often find it in some other places, especially those that come incorporated into a microphone.

By reducing and eliminating the popping sounds caused by the mechanical impact of air blasts generated when a person is speaking, singing, or exhaling air in any way near a microphone, pop filters make sure you get a crispy-clean recording and that your sound engineers will not berate you for having to manually clean it up afterward.

This product is so useful that you’ll be hard-pressed to find any self-respecting studio or radio around the world that is not using one anymore.

Q: What is a pop filter?

A pop filter is a device that was invented in order to speed up the time that was necessary for sound engineers to clean up studio recording and make them as clear as possible. Unwanted sounds that can occur from a slight breath or potentially over-pronounced sound will always screw up your recording if you are not careful so that’s why it pays off having a pop filter.

Pretty much any studio around the world will have these products because they do a great job reducing and eliminating those popping sounds generally made when someone emphasizes a certain word or part of the word, particularly where sounds like “p” and “b” are concerned because these are quite easy to hear over any recording.

Removing that inhaling sound when the speaker or singer takes a breath is also another reason why pop filters have become crucial devices in studios and radios around the world.

 

Q: How to clean a pop filter?

How and whether it’s worth cleaning a pop filter at all has always been a hot item when it comes to debates in the studio recording community. The short answer to this would be that the “Yes” or “No” answer is highly dependent on what type of pop filter you have and how much you’ve paid for it.

If you have an expensive metal one that you can’t simply throw away, using a simple combination of detergent and hot water seems to do the trick most of the time. We’ve heard about people sometimes soaking the filter in mouthwash too as it still does the job in terms of removing the stink but it’s not as harsh a substance as straight alcohol.

If it’s not a break-the-bank pop filter, a lot of people seem to prefer simply throwing it away once they can’t get close to it anymore. However, every pop filter on the list we made above is a quality item so you should think twice before throwing it away.