Finding a good-quality XLR cable that will allow you to use your brand-new gaming microphone, stereo system or a studio microphone is no easy task. However, if you are persistent, you will sooner or later stumble upon one of them.
Of course, in order to find the best XLR cable, you will have to invest a bit of your time into the searching process, or take a shortcut and read guides like this one that will give you all the information necessary to find the perfect cord.
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Last update on 2023-10-30 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to choose the best xlr cable
When looking for the best XLR cable, you must look after these cord characteristics:
Cable Length
As you may probably guess, the cable length is one of the most important aspects, not only for XLR cables but for any type. If the cord is too short, you will be unable to use it for connecting the desired devices.
In other words, you may end up with the best XLR cable, but what is the point if you can’t use it?
Shielding
Shielding is the most responsible for providing proper cable durability, flexibility, as well as noise cancellation. Although it might not seem like that, inadequate cord protection will make the cable prone to hum and other noise that will ruin the whole audio experience.
For that reason, pay closer attention to the sort of shielding your desired XLR cable has and what sort of protection it provides, and get yourself the best audio performance possible.
Price
Lastly, there is the price. Yes, branded cables are a more secure option; however, there are also numerous “no-name” XLR cables that deliver excellent performance and are pretty cheap at the same time.
Basically, don’t limit yourself only to familiar names and find the cord that gives you the best quality possible and has a reasonable price at the same time.
Best XLR Cables
A Cable with a Great Value for the Price
Cable Matters Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable is a reasonably-priced cord, with a solid overall build and great versatility.
It is available in eight different sizes (0.9m, 1.8m, 3m, 4.5m, 6m, 7.5m, 10.5m and 15m) and can be successfully used for connecting microphones, mixing boards, speaker systems and many other devices intended for both professional and regular use and equipped with 3-pin XLR connector.
Thanks to its sturdy build that, among other things, includes gold-plated XLR pins, as well as metal build connectors, you may be sure that this cable won’t fail you when you least expect it. More importantly, its copper conductors, along with copper braided shielding will deliver high-quality sound, relieved of hum and noise.
Cable Matters Premium XLR comes in packages of two cables and provides great versatility. It is affordable, reliable and basically has any characteristic you would expect from the best XLR microphone cable.
- Good value for the price
- Decent build quality
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Versatile
- XLR connectors are a bit loose
GLS Audio XLR to XLR Cable
An Affordable, High-Performing XLR Cable
Keeping the money in your pocket and getting a great quality XLR cable at the same time is a winning scenario, and thanks to GLS Audio XLR to XLR Cable, this has become possible.
Have in mind that this is a 7.5m cable with a solid build, featuring 21g dual copper conductors responsible for clean sound transmission, and thick, flexible rubber shielding that provides great durability and longevity of the cord.
GLS Audio XLR to XLR Cable is a good XLR cord option, even for professional use, where it showed its greatness in a variety of occasions, from recording vocals, to performing live.
In other words, if you are seeking the best combination of price, usability and overall great noise-free performance, GLS Audio XLR is the best XLR cable you can get for your business or pleasure.
- Affordable
- Durable
- Noise-free performance
- Good sound transmission
- Not the best quality control
AmazonBasics XLR Cable
A Super-Cheap, yet Efficient XLR Cable
Many people don’t expect much when they buy affordable products; nevertheless, with AmazonBasics XLR Cable, the situation is rather different.
To begin with, this is a cable intended for home use, available in four different lengths (1.8m, 3m, 7.5m and 15m) and fitted with a one-year warranty.
More importantly, it is equipped with flexible PVC shielding and protective metal jackets, while its inside is made out of copper conductors, with spiral copper shielding that deliver both great durability, and sound relieved of any excess noise and interferences. In other words, great performance and reliability are guaranteed.
AmazonBasics XLR Cables are made only in black color and deliver great value for the money. Yes, they are not perfect and have some minor issues, but let’s get real. For something that costs as little as they do, this is probably the best XLR cable for the money you can get.
- Cheap
- Durable
- Decent performance
- Their movement (even a little one) creates an unpleasant crackling sound
- Its build requires for more refinement
Mogami Gold STUDIO
The Only XLR Cable You’ll Ever Need
Mogami Gold STUDIO XLR Microphone Cable is a cord that will impress you with its great performance and amazing durability, but repel you as well, with its high price tag. Nevertheless, if the best microphone cable is what you are after, you will quickly realize that Mogami Gold STUDIO XLR is exactly that.
This is a cord that comes in eight different lengths (0.6m, 0.9m, 1.8m, 3m, 7.5m, 15m, 23m and 30m) and is designed primarily for professional use, which is one of the reasons for its a bit bulky design and lack of flexibility. However, as soon as you start using it, you became aware of each of its benefits, such as reliable operations, durable build, zero noise and many others.
When talking about the build itself, Mogami Gold STUDIO XLR comes with gold-pin connectors and black metal jackets, as well as a 4-conductor cable (Mogami Neglex Quad High Definition Microphone Cable) inside of it, that is the main reason for its great noise cancellation and lack of RF interference.
To make a long story short, if you already own a great microphone for streaming and need a perfect XLR cable to properly connect it, you may be sure that Mogami Gold STUDIO XLR is one that simply won’t disappoint you.
- Available in a variety of lengths
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Durable
- Reliable
- A bit bulky
- Pricey
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable
Diversity at Its Best
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable is highly usable and versatile, available in the impressive nine colors (black, blue, green, red, etc.) and eight different lengths (0.5m, 1.8m, 3m, 4.5m, 6m, 7.5m, 9m and 12m).
To begin with, this cable is made for live performances, studio recording and use with the appropriate applications. It is very durable, due to 24AWG copper braided shielding and twin conductive PVC shielding inside, as well as gold plated pins and metal housing connectors that significantly add to its overall stamina.
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable comes with a five-year warranty, it provides noise-free operations, and more importantly, has a reasonable price. To make a long story short, say welcome to one of the best XLR cables for recording and live gigs out there, and enjoy every benefit that it brings along.
- Five-year warranty
- Available in a variety of lengths and colors
- Noise-free performance
- Very well built
- Reasonable priced
- Connectors fit a bit too tight when connected
Hosa XLR-115
An XLR Cable Built for Professionals
As you have probably witnessed many times, price isn’t always the proper indicator of the quality of the product. A device may have a low price, but offer great performance that makes it comparable with the best products of the class, and Hosa XLR-115 is exactly that type of product.
With its low price, reliable performance and overall great shielding, this cable is dedicated to a large base of users, including professionals that can exploit its flexibility, noise cancellation capability and reliability (that came as a result of its OFC spiral shielding and XLR connectors internal strain relief) in the best possible way.
Hosa XLR-115 cord is available in six lengths (0.6m, 0.9m, 1.5m, 3m, 4.5m and 6m), comes fitted with XLR3F to XLR3M connectors and altogether presents one of the best-quality XLR cables for the money out there.
- Excellent overall quality
- Good value for the money
- Available in a variety of lengths
- Great performance
- Connectors fit a bit too tight when connected
Planet Waves Classic Series
A Good-Quality XLR Cable
Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Microphone Cable is a solid, basic XLR cord, with good noise cancellation characteristics, at an affordable price, and without any major issues.
Its inside is built out of shielded oxygen-free copper that provides a decent noise cancellation performance, as well as reliable operations, backed by the limited lifetime warranty that makes it suitable for a variety of uses and both studio and stage performances.
Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Microphone Cable comes fitted with nickel-plated brass connectors and is available in 3m, 7.5m and 15m length, as well as packages of one, two, three or four cords. More importantly, this cable provides an excellent value for the money and is one of the best XLR cables for home audio on the market.
Therefore, if that is your primary expectation from your chosen cord, Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Microphone Cable is probably the best match for you.
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Good value for the money
- None
Monoprice Premier Series
A Great Quality for the Price
Monoprice Premier Series XLR Male to XLR Female cable is a well-performing, well-built XLR cable, designed for the more budget-oriented users who care about their every cent, but still seek a respectable quality.
This cord is available in lengths from 0.5m to 45.5m and thanks to its quality built, it delivers a very well-balanced audio signal transmission. The main reason for that are, of course, sturdy connector housings, shielded copper inside, as well as gold-plated connectors that don’t only provide purity of sound signal, but also reduce EM and RF noise as well.
Monoprice Premier Series XLR Male to XLR Female cable has a lifetime warranty, good usability and altogether presents one of the best XLR cable options available. It is thick, durable and before anything else, it does a good job, exempt of any serious issues.
- Lifetime warranty
- Reasonable price
- Sturdy build
- Available in a variety of lengths
- Not the best quality control
Conclusion
So, are you ready? You have our list, you have the criteria to consider, now all you have to do is make a choice! Good luck and have fun!
