The 7 Best Pop Filters (2023) for Vocal Recordings
Pop filters are a small, but essential piece of equipment that will help you eliminate unwanted noises from your recordings. They are one of the most iconic pieces of studio gear and can be vital to ensure a good quality vocal recording.
Microphone Pop Filters are incredibly affordable pieces of equipment but make a huge difference when it comes to vocal recording. Having a good pop filter is a must in the studio nowadays.
My top recommended pop filter is the Nady MPF-6. It’s a very budget-friendly pop filter that has a well-rounded build and an overall good quality sound filter.
My second recommended pop filter is the Aokeo Professional if you want a more affordable yet decent pop filter to get the job done.
The 7 Best Pop Filters (2023)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
The Nady MPF-6 is a top-rated, highly versatile professional pop filter that has been designed for studios and other recording environments. It is a clamp-on filter that comes with a boom mic stand clamp and features a double mesh screen for more effective protection.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Highly flexible positioning
- Double screen mesh
Cons
- The screen frame is made of plastic
- Stabilizing arm doesn’t hold up quite well
The Nady comes with an elongated metal bracket that enlarges the reachable area while a swivel mount and flexible gooseneck holder allow easy positioning, It also features a metal construction.
| Material | Steel |
| Item dimension | 15.75 x 8.55 x 1.75 inches |
| Item weight | 0.95 lbs |
This filter can be used in a variety of situations as it has an extending bracket and a screen that rotates 360 degrees. Optimal positioning is easily achieved thanks to the adjustable screen angle.
The Aokeo Professional pop filter offers excellent value for money. Despite its low price, it is well made and comes with a double-layered screen for better suppression of air blasts. Furthermore, the mesh filter is of high strength so it will not break easily.
Pros
- Low price
- Double layered screen
- Universally compatible
Cons
- Hinge may break
- The flexible neck is not very strong
This filter has an adjustable screw rotating clamp with a gripper that makes it compatible with a variety of booms or microphone stands. Surface spacing acts as an amplifying modifier, lowering loud volumes while ensuring that softer sounds remain audible.
| Material | Steel |
| Item dimension | 12 x 6.2 x 1.1 |
| Item weight | 0.4 lbs |
The steel metal gooseneck easily supports the weight of the filter and keeps it in place. It can also be adjusted for angle and distance, delivering optimum performance in different situations. Best of all, the low price allows you to try this filter out without breaking the bank.
3. Stedman Proscreen XL
The Stedman Proscreen XL pop filter is a highly advanced pop filter that is designed for professional applications and can be used when high-quality audio is vital. The screen is produced from an exclusive patented material that delivers better results than regular fabric. In addition to the sonic benefits, it can also be conveniently washed.
Pros
- High-quality professional design
- Patented screen material
- Suitable for high volume recordings
Cons
- The rubber bezel is not very strong
The unique design of the screen allows sound to pass while diverting bursts of air downwards, eliminating distortion even when extremely close dynamic vocals are being recorded. This allows signal levels to be maximized without having to worry about pops appearing on the recording.
| Material | Steel |
| Item dimension | 10.4 x 7.8 x 2.7 inches |
| Item weight | 0.9lbs |
The Stedman Corporation Proscreen XL has a long, flexible gooseneck with an extended adjustable clamp for easy adjustment and placement. It has a large six-inch screen with a rubber bezel.
The Shure Popper Stopper is a heavy-duty pop filter that is widely used in professional settings. Although it is designed for Shure microphones, it is widely compatible with other microphones.
Pros
- Four-layer screen for better filtering
- Rugged build
- Professional design
Cons
- It may not fit all mounts
- Delicate around the screen
A unique 6-inch diameter four-layer screen provides superior filtration of plosive sounds that many other filters fail to suppress. This filter can be used in different installations as it features a fully adjustable 14-inch gooseneck. Secure mounting is provided by the rugged mic stand clamp.
| Material | Steel |
| Item dimension | 11.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 |
| Item weight | 0.75 lbs |
The highly durable Popper Stopper comes from a reputed company in recording and broadcasting, backed by a full warranty.
5. Auphonix Pop Filter
The Auphonix pop filter offers great value for money as it is very well built despite its low price. Nor does it fall short on features as it has a dual-layer mesh screen that removes plosive completely without diminishing sound quality or stifling vocals.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Secure, stable mounting
- Fits a variety of installations
Cons
- May not stay in position
- Not sturdy enough
The dual-layer mesh allows the Auphonix pop filter to deliver pristine results that are usually found in far more expensive filters. A flexible and fully rotational arm and 14-inch gooseneck allow this filter to be positioned conveniently at any height or angle, enabling it to be used in a variety of situations.
| Material | Plastic |
| Item dimension | 14.57 x 7.28 x 1.18 inches |
| Item weight | 0.66 lbs |
The adjustable clasp enables stable and secure mounting and can fit surfaces up to 1.75 inches thick. The filter can be connected directly to the edge of a desk, stand, or boom.
The Neewer Professional pop filter offers unbeatable value for money. Despite its budget price, it is extremely well built, with a steel metal gooseneck holder that securely supports the weight of the filter.
Pros
- Great price
- Dual-layer screen for better filtering
- 360 degree stabilizing arm
Cons
- Poor gooseneck
The dual-layer of this filter’s screen is unique at this price point and effectively blocks air pressure from creating plosive sounds. The 360-degree swivel mount allows this filter to be used in a variety of installations. It is extremely easy to install, adjust and remove.
| Material | Steel |
| Item dimension | 6.3 x 1.1 x 12.01 |
| Item weight | 0.6 lbs |
The adjustable screw rotating clamp with scratch-proof grip allows it to be securely attached to a variety of mounting booms and microphone stands. This filter is similar in many ways to the Aokeo filter. Ultimately, it may not be of professional standard but is a great choice if you are looking for a cheap option that can reliably get the job done.
7. On-Stage ASFSS6-GB
The On-Stage pop filter features a micro-weave nylon mesh filter that effectively diffuses plosive sounds while preserving the natural tonality of the sound. The filter is kept taut by non-conductive plastic dual hoops with snap rings for optimum performance.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Effective nylon filter
Cons
- Vocal clarity may suffer
- Not the most stable gooseneck
Installation is easy thanks to the 11.5-inch flexible gooseneck which locks noiselessly into any required position. The great build of this filter is reflected in the fact that the gooseneck is made of coated brass, which is not only very durable but also allows the pop blocker to be positioned precisely between the vocalist and the microphone.
| Material | Plastic |
| Item dimension | 14 x 8 x 2.5 inches |
| Item weight | 0.65 lbs |
The On-Stage comes with a versatile, easy-grip C-clamp with nylon tipped screw, enabling it to be securely attached to any boom arm or microphone stand.
What are Pop Filters and what do they do?
Pop filters are pieces of equipment that prevent the recording of explosive sounds when you talk (p from the word “popping” is the perfect example).
Several letters are called plosives which, when spoken, produce high-velocity wind that hits the microphone and produces a popping sound on the record. To prevent this, people are using metal pop filters (metal screen, metal mesh) and mesh pop filters to break down that wind and slow it down before it reaches the microphone, without losing the sound quality in the way.
Do Pop Filters improve vocal quality?
Pop Filters are known to improve vocal quality for singers quite a lot, which is why they are so frequently used, even a must nowadays in every studio around the world. As the music industry grows and improves, the standard is rising which, in turn, leads to more and more perfectionist material. The Pop Filter is crucial because it brings a professional level of vocal sound, hence its frequent use.
Are Pop Filters absolutely necessary?
Pop Filters are considered necessary equipment these days and you will unlike find a studio that does not use one already. You can make a recording with just a microphone, but if you are hearing unwanted plosive sounds in your recordings, then you should consider using a pop filter. They are known to be used in a podcast setting.
Do Microphones already have Pop Filters?
Microphones often do have their own pop filters built into them. But, as always, having a big external pop filter can never be replaced with having a small one crammed inside of the microphone. So, even though your microphone might have a pop filter inside, you should still think about getting an external one.
What’s the difference between a Pop Filter and a Windshield?
Pop filters and windshields (windscreens) have pretty much the same goal, and that is to prevent the excess wind (from breath or the outside world) to reach the microphone and affect the sound it records.
Windshields are usually used when you’re doing an outside recording to help the mic cope with the outer world obstacles like wind, while pop filters are usually used inside the studio to prevent the breath of the vocalist from affecting the record.
How to make your own Pop Filter?
Pop filters can be made relatively cheaply and easily. You just need to take a frame (you can use an embroidery frame, as it is perfect for this task) and cover it with nylon or silk stockings that are stretched over it.
You can manufacture a frame for it out of wire coat hangers or some similar material, but you should note that the frame should on rest on the microphone itself, but on the mic stand, as the vibrations from the filter can affect the sound of the recording when attached directly to the mic body.
Conclusion
Pop Filters are a necessary piece of equipment for any vocal recording and should be taken into consideration if you want to produce high-quality sound. There are many different types and brands of pop filters available on the market and this list has a variety of them.
My top pop filter pick is the Nady MPF-6 if you’re looking for an all-around product. It has a good quality build and overall great value for the price.
My budget pop filter pick is the Aokeo Professional if you want a more affordable yet decent option.
