Alternatives to Electro-Voice RE20
9 Electro-Voice RE20 alternatives,
ranked.
Looking for something different from Electro-Voice RE20? We rounded up the 9 closest equipment tools — what they do, what they cost, who they're for.
Why people look for alternatives to Electro-Voice RE20
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. You need a clean preamp; modest interfaces struggle with its low output. Shock mount (309A) is sold separately.
The common trade-offs:
- $399-$499 puts it out of starter range
- 309A shock mount sold separately
- Needs ~60dB clean gain (Cloudlifter often helps)
The 9 alternatives below all sit in the same equipment category and address similar use cases — but each has its own personality. Here's how they compare.
All 9 alternatives to Electro-Voice RE20
Direct comparisons
Want a side-by-side breakdown? See how Electro-Voice RE20 stacks up against each alternative.
Frequently asked
What's the closest alternative to Electro-Voice RE20?
Samson Q2U. The Samson Q2U is the budget pick that earned its reputation — dual USB and XLR outputs, headphone monitoring built in, and around $60-70 at most retailers. Build is plastic but the capsule is honestly competitive with mics three times the price.
Why would someone switch away from Electro-Voice RE20?
The honest answers: $399-$499 puts it out of starter range; 309a shock mount sold separately. Whether either matters depends on your specific workflow — for plenty of people, neither does.
Are there free alternatives to Electro-Voice RE20?
Not in this category — most equipment tools in our list charge from day one. Worth checking each tool's site for new free tiers.
How is Samson Q2U different from Electro-Voice RE20?
Samson Q2U leans into "Dual USB and XLR for the price (~$60-70)". Electro-Voice RE20 leans into "Minimal proximity effect (Variable-D)". They overlap in the equipment category but solve slightly different parts of the workflow.