Head-to-head comparison
Behringer XM8500 vs Electro-Voice RE20
Two of the equipment tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Behringer XM8500
Pros
- Very cheap (~$25-65 across retailers)
- Decent rejection for the price
- Great as a spare or guest mic
Watch-outs
- Tone thinner than the SM58 it copies
- No shock mount included
- Build feels light
Electro-Voice RE20
Pros
- Minimal proximity effect (Variable-D)
- Broadcast-grade tone, used at major stations
- Built to last decades
Watch-outs
- $399-$499 puts it out of starter range
- 309A shock mount sold separately
- Needs ~60dB clean gain (Cloudlifter often helps)
Which one should you pick?
Pick Behringer XM8500 if
You’re building around . The Behringer XM8500 is the rock-bottom dynamic — currently around $25-$65 depending on retailer. Genuinely usable for guest mics, backup mics, or pop-up podcast setups.
Pick Electro-Voice RE20 if
You’re building around . The RE20 is the broadcast-industry standard for a reason — Variable-D pattern means proximity effect stays minimal even when you move close. Currently around $399-$499 at major retailers.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does Behringer XM8500 do better than Electro-Voice RE20?
Behringer XM8500's standout is "Very cheap (~$25-65 across retailers)". Electro-Voice RE20 doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Minimal proximity effect (Variable-D)" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Behringer XM8500; if the second does, pick Electro-Voice RE20.
What are the trade-offs?
Behringer XM8500: tone thinner than the sm58 it copies. Electro-Voice RE20: $399-$499 puts it out of starter range. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Behringer XM8500 and Electro-Voice RE20 together?
Both are equipment tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Behringer XM8500 for one show or episode type and Electro-Voice RE20 for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.