Best Microphones for Toms 2025

Top-rated microphones for toms 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

Audio-Technica ATM350D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Audio-Technica ATM350D

Fusion Rock Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Compact clip-on design
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
✗ CONS
  • • May sound boomy without EQ
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile

Audio-Technica ATM350DCondenser Clip Microphone with Drum MountModular design for high flexibility with various...

4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Earthworks Audio DM20 Gen2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Earthworks Audio DM20 Gen2

Live Sound Studio Recording Jazz
Key Feature:
• Optimized for tom frequency range
✓ PROS
  • • High SPL handling
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
✗ CONS
  • • May sound boomy without EQ
  • • Positioning affects tone

Earthworks Audio DM20 Gen2Gooseneck Condenser MicrophoneFor tom and snare mikingPolar pattern: CardioidFrequency range:...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
DPA 4099 Core Drum - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DPA 4099 Core Drum

Studio Recording Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Compact clip-on design
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
✗ CONS
  • • May need individual channels
  • • Limited to tom applications

DPA Core 4099 DrumCondenser Clip-On MicrophoneEspecially for drumsPolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 20 -...

4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Universal Audio SD-3 Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Universal Audio SD-3 Set

Fusion Jazz Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Compact clip-on design
✓ PROS
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
  • • Compact clip-on design
✗ CONS
  • • May need individual channels
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile

Universal Audio SD-3 Set, Microphone set with Hemisphere Modelling*Set consisting of 3 x SD-3*Dynamic microphone with...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Audix D2-Trio - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Audix D2-Trio

Rock Metal Jazz
Key Feature:
• Optimized for tom frequency range
✓ PROS
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
  • • Easy positioning and setup
✗ CONS
  • • Positioning affects tone
  • • Limited to tom applications

Audix D2-TrioMicrophone SetSet of 3 piecesDynamic microphones specifically for tomsSuitable for...

4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Lauten Audio Tom Mic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Lauten Audio Tom Mic

Rock Fusion Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Compact clip-on design
✓ PROS
  • • High SPL handling
  • • Easy positioning and setup
✗ CONS
  • • May sound boomy without EQ
  • • Positioning affects tone

Lauten Audio Tom MicTom MicrophoneFET capacitorPolar pattern: SupercardioidCapsule: 32 mmFrequency range: 20 Hz - 20000...

4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Universal Audio SD-3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Universal Audio SD-3

Fusion Jazz Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Reduces cymbal bleed
✓ PROS
  • • Compact clip-on design
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
✗ CONS
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile
  • • Positioning affects tone

Universal Audio SD-3Dynamic MicrophoneHemisphere modelling allows the sound characteristics of Sennheiser and...

4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Audio-Technica ATM230 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Audio-Technica ATM230

Metal Live Sound Rock
Key Feature:
• Compact clip-on design
✓ PROS
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
✗ CONS
  • • May need individual channels
  • • May sound boomy without EQ

Audio-Technica ATM230Dynamic Instrument MicrophoneSpecifically for tomssnare and other percussion instrumentsPolar...

4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Shure Nexadyne 6 3Pack - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Shure Nexadyne 6 3Pack

Studio Recording Jazz Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Easy positioning and setup
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
✗ CONS
  • • May need individual channels
  • • Limited to tom applications

Shure Nexadyne 6 3PackSet of Dynamic Tom/Snare MicrophonesPolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 50 Hz - 16000...

4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Telefunken M81 SH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Telefunken M81 SH

Metal Fusion Rock
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Optimized for tom frequency range
  • • Easy positioning and setup
✗ CONS
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile
  • • Limited to tom applications

Telefunken M81 SHMicrophone for tom'sDynamicDirectivity: SupercardioidFrequency range: 30 - 18000 HzImpedance: 325...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
SE Electronics V Beat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

SE Electronics V Beat

Fusion Metal Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Compact clip-on design
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
✗ CONS
  • • May sound boomy without EQ
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile

SE Electronics V BeatDynamic Instrument MicrophoneIdeal for TomsSnare and PercussionPolar pattern:...

4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Shure Nexadyne 6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Shure Nexadyne 6

Live Sound Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Reduces cymbal bleed
✓ PROS
  • • High SPL handling
  • • Compact clip-on design
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to tom applications
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile

Shure Nexadyne 6Dynamic Tom/Snare MicrophonePolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 50 - 16000 HzSensitivity:...

4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Audix D2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Audix D2

Metal Rock Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Easy positioning and setup
✓ PROS
  • • Easy positioning and setup
  • • Compact clip-on design
✗ CONS
  • • Clip mechanism can be fragile
  • • Limited to tom applications

Audix D2Special Microphone for TomsProfessional dynamic microphoneHypercardioid44 - 18 kHz250 ΩMax. SPL: 144...

4.5/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Sennheiser E 906 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sennheiser E 906

Metal Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• High SPL handling
✓ PROS
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
  • • High SPL handling
✗ CONS
  • • Positioning affects tone
  • • May need individual channels

Sennheiser E 906Dynamic Instrument Microphone"Evolution" seriesEspecially suitable for electric guitarsnare...

4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Universal Audio SD-7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Universal Audio SD-7

Studio Recording Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Compact clip-on design
✓ PROS
  • • Reduces cymbal bleed
  • • Easy positioning and setup
✗ CONS
  • • Positioning affects tone
  • • May sound boomy without EQ

Universal Audio SD-7Dynamic MicrophoneWith Hemisphere modelling for tomsguitar and bass ampsbrasspercussion and much...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10

How to Choose the Best Microphones for Toms

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced microphones for toms typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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