Updated on 13 October 2022
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Shure PS-6 Popper
The Shure PS-6 Popper pop filter has the largest diameter, which allows for greater freedom of movement. It primarily filters out high frequencies and is intended for high-pitched voices.
This model allows a reduction of plosive consonants from 20 dB to 30 dB. It also filters out fricative consonants by about 3 dB at low frequencies. It is very good for everyday use as well as for streaming. If your voice timbre is low, you will have to resort to other pop filters, as the Shure PS-6 Popper Stopper blocks mainly high frequencies. Its 15 cm diameter offers ample freedom of movement.
Pop filters deal with plosive consonants (such as 'p') and fricatives (such as 'f' and 's').
Metal mesh or perforated metal filters offer more clarity and transparency of sound.
The standard diameter of the filters is 15 cm.
The stability of the filter and the length and flexibility of its gooseneck play a major role.
Conventional models usually have a clamp for easy attachment to the microphone suspension arm.
Neewer NW(B-3)
This Neewer pop filter features a 5.5 cm wide clamp and a double filtration layer. Its gooseneck is strong, rigid and efficient.
The Neewer NW(B-3) has the particularity of offering a double layer, allowing better filtration. It has a 33 cm gooseneck and a 5.5 cm larger than the average clamp. This makes it a good choice as a first material to filter out unwanted sounds from your voice. When testing it, we have to say that we had some difficulty attaching it to the microphone stand, as the weight of the microphone stand was too light compared to that of the filter. Therefore, we recommend fixing it to the desk (with some protection) or to a suspension arm like the one in the Neewer NW-35 kit (which we have also tested).
JZ-PF Pop Filter
This device has a unique design. It allows for the reduction of not only plosive and fricative consonants but also reverberation. Ideal for professional singers.
This metal model distinguishes itself by offering a double-layered, wave-shaped metal filter. During our tests, it correctly reproduced the details of the voice, filtering out ambient sound, breath, and plosive and fricative consonants. Although it is the smallest, with a diameter of 10 cm, it is also the most robust thanks to its high-quality materials. Furthermore, its 43 cm gooseneck is made of malleable and robust metal. On the other hand, the filter frame and clamp are made of particularly hard and thick plastic. What did we like the most? It’s easy to install.
Aokeo Pro 6269
It has a double-layered nylon filter that helps block out breaths and ambient sounds in your recordings. It is also practical and lightweight thanks to its featherweight construction.
This device has a 15 cm plastic frame and a filter with a diameter of 30.5 cm. While it is covered, it should be noted that it is quite flexible. However, our tests showed that this makes it a little less effective. Lightweight at only 170g, it also offers a good overall fit thanks to its 4.7 cm clamp. We also noticed that the gooseneck was particularly malleable, which is not too positive, as it can prevent it from holding its position. The latter could be overcome with a suspension arm for the microphone.
RØDE SM6
This model stands out for the quality and resistance of its materials. Provided with metal support, the filter itself has a sturdy metal rod and a double layer of nylon.
As soon as we opened the package, we noticed the high quality of the design and materials. Although this filter is quite small, with its 13.3 cm frame (11.8 cm filter), it has proven to be very effective. It has 2 layers of nylon with a tighter mesh than average, allowing it to enhance your recordings even further. When put to the test, not only did it provide good filtering of ambient sounds and breaths but also of plosive consonants. And you may ask, despite all its qualities, why did you guys put it as an alternative? Because it is not compatible with all microphones. We found it impossible to install it correctly on our test mic.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best high-end | Budget alternative | Mid-range alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | |
| Shure PS-6 Popper | Neewer NW(B-3) | JZ-PF Pop Filter | Aokeo Pro 6269 | RØDE SM6 |
| The Shure PS-6 Popper pop filter has the largest diameter, which allows for greater freedom of movement. It primarily filters out high frequencies and is intended for high-pitched voices. | This Neewer pop filter features a 5.5 cm wide clamp and a double filtration layer. Its gooseneck is strong, rigid and efficient. | This device has a unique design. It allows for the reduction of not only plosive and fricative consonants but also reverberation. Ideal for professional singers. | It has a double-layered nylon filter that helps block out breaths and ambient sounds in your recordings. It is also practical and lightweight thanks to its featherweight construction. | This model stands out for the quality and resistance of its materials. Provided with metal support, the filter itself has a sturdy metal rod and a double layer of nylon. |
Price search in progress... please wait | Price search in progress... please wait | Price search in progress... please wait | £ 12.47 on Amazon | £ 52.60 on Amazon |
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How did we do the tests?
First, we tested the effectiveness of the filters on the quality of the audio recordings, in terms of ambient sound, breathing, and plosive and fricative consonants. We also judged and compared design, robustness, weight and dimensions of each model.
Concerning ergonomics, we first evaluated the ease of installation by means of the clamp. Next, we looked at the manoeuvrability and rigidity of the swan-type stands and necks, and how this affected the stability of the filter (in case it was too heavy to counterbalance the mic’s weight). In addition, we checked the width of the mic stand or suspension arm that could fit into the various mounting brackets.
How to choose your pop filter?
The pop filters deal with plosive consonants (such as “p”) and fricatives (“f” and “s”) and are also synonymous with better hygiene as it keeps the microphone away from the saliva of singers and streamers.
Without this device, plosive and fricative consonants very briefly increase the volume of the microphone, as it sends too much air into the microphone.
We have examined the data sheets of the different products according to the type of audience and their essential characteristics.
- Materials: pop filters are often made of nylon or low-quality materials. Others are constructed of woven or perforated metal. The latter offer greater clarity and transparency of sound.
- The diameter of the filters: the standard diameter is 15 cm. There are also smaller models of about 10 cm. The larger the filter, the more important the singer’s movements can be. On the other hand, smaller filters are much lighter and more practical in smaller spaces.
- Ergonomics: length, flexibility and stability play an important role. A filter that constantly falls out or cannot be properly handled is particularly annoying.
- Compatibility: most pop filters have a mechanism that allows them to be easily attached to a microphone. Make sure your microphone can balance the weight of the filter, and go for small-diameter models if not.
Other models we recommend
Currently, no other product available on the European market has the desired qualities to be included in our top selection. We will provide you with relevant alternatives as soon as we become aware of them.
Other pop filters tested
Aokeo B-7 (£7.95 upon publication): a limited compatibility. This pop filter was not only the least practical of the ones we tested, but its compatibility is also quite limited. Depending on the brand, its diameter can accommodate microphones from 45mm to 63mm in diameter. That said, our test was carried out with a 57mm diameter microphone, but installation was tricky due to the design of the filter, which has hooks that can damage the microphone.
InnoGear Microphone Filtre Pop (£13.99 upon publication): a lower quality. This model has a filter with an especially soft and gentle material. It is very thin and fluffy but this is not all good… During our tests it prevented the sounds from being properly filtered. On the other hand, the gooseneck is convincing but lacks a bit more overall quality and rigidity.
Traducido por Ramsés El Hajje
