Top 10 Best Microphone Pop Filters
Introduction
Every voice actor, songwriter, podcaster, and audiophile has dealt with that annoying noise that sneaks into audio recordings. That popping sound is a clear sign of how a lack of preparation, gear, or attention can catch even the best creators off guard—often without realizing that their microphones can pick up every little sound.
A pop filter doesn’t just control those pesky plosive sounds; it also helps tame harsh sibilance. Keeping your studio clean is crucial, especially when you’re recording. Using a pop filter can prevent stray saliva droplets from reaching your microphone, and it’s a good idea to clean your pop filters regularly.
When you say stopping consonants (also known as “plosives”), the air inside the mic’s diaphragm is forced to move quickly, which can cause unwanted signal clipping. Pop filters diffuse this air, reducing its speed and allowing for clean vocal recordings—even during strong consonant sounds.
So, let’s dive a little deeper into the 10 best microphone pop filters you can find on the market. Below, you’ll find brief reviews of each model to help make your buying decision easier.
1. Stedman Proscreen PS101
Stedman’s metal pop screens come in a standard size. The 4.6″ metal screen filter is paired with a 13″ gooseneck, allowing you to easily adjust its position. The clamp is designed to fit comfortably on a variety of mic stand shafts.
It’s important to note that the Stedman Proscreen PS101 offers excellent transparency. By directing airflow, it prevents sibilant sounds from being selectively filtered out (a common issue with fabric-based filters), making them easier to detect and remove during post-production. The PS101’s metal filter also makes it more durable than fabric filters.
The Stedman Proscreen PS101 provides a unique, minimal pop filter design that performs differently from others. It lets your microphones capture a transparent upper range while effectively reducing lower plosives. This product is highly recommended if you need absolute transparency.
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Stedman Proscreen PS101 |
2. Shure PS-6 Popper Stopper
Among the thicker pop filters available, the Shure PS-6 Popper Stopper Pop Filter stands out as an excellent choice. It features a sturdy, highly adjustable gooseneck and is constructed with four layers of nylon.
This Popper Stopper’s four-layer nylon mesh is especially effective at reducing plosives, all while preserving your sound quality and tone.
With its 14-inch gooseneck, you won’t need to clamp it too close to the mic. You can position it at the perfect angle for your style without having to adjust your mic stand.
The 6-inch diameter pop filter covers most microphones, giving you more freedom to move around the mic compared to smaller filters.
Though this pop filter is well-built, its design can be a bit frustrating. However, if you don’t mind making occasional adjustments, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.
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Shure PS-6 Popper Stopper |
3. Avantone Pro PS-1
Among the various curved pop filter options, the Avantone PS-1 Pro-Shield Pop Filter stands out thanks to its unique shape and design. Unlike most metal pop filters, the PS-1 has fewer holes in its metal screen, which helps reduce even more plosives—though this does come at the cost of sacrificing some higher-frequency sounds.
Because of its curved top, this filter works with most studio microphones without blocking much of your equipment. In contrast, a traditional round filter often takes up more space just to fully cover the microphone.
Additionally, the PS-1 Pro-Shield is not flat but curved to wrap around the sides of your microphone. This is especially helpful if you tend to move around a lot while recording.
The filter also comes with a long gooseneck and clamp, making it easy to mount on your microphone stand. You can easily adjust the angle so that unwanted noise gets filtered out before it reaches your microphone.
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Avantone Pro PS-1 |
4. Neumann PS 20 a Pop Screen
Neumann offers a thin pop filter called the PS 20 Pop Screen. This filter works best when paired with other pop filters. When used with vocal microphones, a pop screen helps eliminate unwanted “pop” noises from sounds like “p” or “t.” Pop filters are typically frames covered in black gauze on both sides and have a diameter of 7.9 inches.
The pop shield comes with a gooseneck that measures about 30 cm (12 inches) in length. The microphone stand clamp attaches securely to the stand using a knurled screw. Compared to a metal pop screen, this one is high quality and does not noticeably change the sound of the microphone. It is also more effective at blocking unwanted pops from reaching the mic.
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Neumann PS 20 a Pop Screen |
5. sE Electronics Dual Pro Mic Pop Shield
With the sE Electronics Dual Pro Pop Filter, you can easily control your vocal recordings. This pop filter features a sturdy gooseneck and combines both a fabric membrane and a professional metal pop shield on a hinged mechanism, offering a straightforward yet highly effective solution for vocal performances.
The strong gooseneck supports both sE Electronics’ pro metal pop shield on a hinge and a standard fabric membrane. Depending on your needs, you can use either both shields at once or just one individually.
The sE Electronics Dual Pro Pop Filter is engineered to eliminate pops from your recordings without affecting your sound quality. Its precise positioning ensures you get the best possible acoustic performance and a clean, professional look.
This filter blocks unwanted bursts of air while allowing high-frequency details to pass through clearly. Thanks to its flexible yet durable gooseneck and clamp, it’s easy to attach the sE Electronics Dual Pro Pop Filter to any microphone stand.
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sE Electronics Dual Pro Mic Pop Shield |
6. Nady MPF-6
The Nady MPF-6 is one of the most well-known and best-selling pop filters in the world, largely because it’s so affordable. But there’s more to its popularity than just the low price.
While there are plenty of other pop filters in the same price range, very few sell as well as the Nady MPF-6. Most budget pop filters have goosenecks that won’t stay in place or are made from flimsy materials that break after just a few weeks.
Only a handful of inexpensive pop filters actually work as promised, and the Nady MPF-6 is one of them. It offers great value for the price, but as with most budget products, you get what you pay for. One downside is that its frame is made of plastic, which may not be as durable as metal alternatives.
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Nady MPF-6 |
7. JZ Microphones JZ-Pf Pop Filter
The JZ PF features a unique wave-patterned filter mesh designed to reduce unwanted reverberations and effectively eliminate pops and blows. While the mesh is mounted on a 17.7″ long gooseneck, the actual filter itself is quite small, so vocalists who move around a lot may not find it as beneficial.
Sometimes, the best way to achieve great vocal tracks is by solving problems as close to the source as possible. Depending on the situation, this could mean addressing issues with the room, the microphones, or even the type of cable used. Thanks to the JZ PF, many users found they needed less processing in their mix because problems with plosives and clarity were dealt with early on.
If your budget allows, this benefit alone makes the JZ PF a worthwhile investment. The mic-stand mount has a large thumbscrew, making it easy to attach the filter securely to your mic stand. No matter your recording experience level, using one of these can be a real advantage.
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JZ Microphones JZ-Pf Pop Filter |
8. On-Stage ASFSS6-GB Dual Screen Microphone Pop Filter
Designed by On-Stage, this piece of equipment features a 6-inch dual-layer nylon filter with an 11-inch gooseneck. Unlike conventional single-layer filters, the dual nylon layers have an air gap between them, which helps disperse plosive energy more effectively.
Be sure to check out reviews and do a bit of research, as some users have reported concerns about the build quality. Despite this, the dual-layer pop filter remains relatively affordable.
Shaped in a classic round design, the ASFSS6GB Dual-Screen Pop ensures that air from your mouth does not reach your microphone. This results in an effective reduction or elimination of plosives.
Because this filter does not alter the tone or quality of your voice, it serves solely to reduce those annoying plosive sounds. Therefore, you’ll want to be especially careful when handling and adjusting the gooseneck to make sure it properly covers your microphone—otherwise, you risk causing permanent damage to the filter.
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On-Stage ASFSS6-GB Dual Screen Microphone Pop Filter |
9. Aspen Pittman Designs PFM+ Magnetic Pop Filter Plus
Aspen Pittman Design’s PFM+ Magnetic Pop Filter is another excellent metal pop filter, featuring a magnetic attachment mechanism and a unique design. The metal filter is rectangular but slightly curved, so it covers most angles even if you move around a lot. This means you won’t have to constantly adjust it during use.
Although the filter uses a magnetic attachment and a metal screen, it doesn’t reduce your mic’s sound quality and still does a great job minimizing plosives.
However, you might notice that the magnetic pop filter doesn’t have very strong magnetism. It can easily fall off if you apply too much force or move it around too much. So, be careful when handling or repositioning the filter.
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Aspen Pittman Designs PFM+ Magnetic Pop Filter Plus |
10. ISOVOX IsoPop Filter
The IsoPop can be mounted directly onto a microphone stand and works with virtually any type of microphone. It features a 35 cm (14″) long gooseneck, coated with a soft outer layer to help the pop filter stay securely in place. With a discreet 10 cm (4″) diameter, this pop filter allows vocalists and voiceover artists to remain visible on video or while communicating during recording sessions.
The IsoPop comes with a Neutral Pro Filter, while the IsoVox offers an interchangeable De-Ess Pro Filter to soften harsh treble or sibilance from tricky microphones or your own voice. You can also mount the IsoPop directly to a desk using the included color-coordinated clamp, which fits surfaces up to 25 mm (1″) thick.
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ISOVOX IsoPop Filter |
Conclusion
We recommend being mindful of your budget. If you’re working with limited funds, you might want to consider an affordable pop filter. No matter which pop filter you choose, you’ll be able to achieve professional-quality recordings by minimizing plosive sounds.
Investing in a higher-end filter is worthwhile because of its excellent build quality, clear sound, and long-lasting durability. If your budget allows, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a more expensive filter, as it will likely handle frequent use much better than less costly options.
We’ve listed what we believe are the best pop filters for eliminating unwanted popping sounds. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the models mentioned in this article, please let us know in the comments section below. We’ll be happy to provide more information or assistance.
