The 5 Best Pop Filters for Home Music Studios

Pop filters are a rather simple object with a pretty powerful impact on recorded audio quality. To date, not many alternatives have proven to make these handy little tools obsolete. Pop filters are totally essential to any recording studio, which is why here we discuss what some of the best pop filters for home music studios could be.

What are they for?

Simply put, Pop filters have two major purposes. Firstly, they eradicate the impact of “plosive” sound hitting the diaphragm of the microphone and causing undesired signal clipping. These are basically bursts of air that rush toward the mic, caused by words beginning with stop consonants like “P” and “B”. This ultimately allows for very clean sounding recordings. Secondly, pop filters help prevent any moisture or saliva from entering the microphone and causing damage.

Now, let’s take a look at what some of best pop filters for home music studios to purchase are. We’ll observe what makes them different, and suitable based on your need.

Our 5 Best Pop Filters for Home Music Studios

1. On-Stage Stands ASVS6GB

This pop filter pretty much follows the standard function and form factor of an average pop filter. It entails a one layer nylon mesh that forms the key basis of the filter. It features a 6-inch diameter filter, along with a 13-inch steel gooseneck. The fact that it has a single layer mesh does, to some extent, inhibit the ‘plosive’ dissipation somewhat. However, overall, it performs its job reasonably well.

Common points of appraisal for this pop filter includes the budget-friendliness, as well as the overall sturdiness of the gooseneck. This provides assurance of decent durability. The On-Stage Stands ASVS6GB is ideal for beginners in the game on a budget.

For more on prices and reviews, check it out here on Amazon.

2. Stedman Proscreen PS101 

This Stedman Proscreen pop filter notably stands out as a result of its physical construction. As opposed to the popular nylon mesh, this pop filter is constructed with a metal 4.6″ mesh, making it considerably more durable than nylon builds. It also features a 20-inch gooseneck and a clamp with an opening diameter of 0.5.

The metal construction of the filter enhances the diversion of plosive sounds from the microphone, allowing for impeccably clear recordings into the mic. The one possible downside regarding the Stedman Proscreen PS101 Pop Filter is, of course, the relatively smaller diameter filter. Beyond this, metal pop filters have the advantage of being easier to clean with soap and water, as opposed to fabric filters. it performs a great job of plosive blockage at a reasonable price.

Check out the Stedman Proscreen filter here on Amazon for more.

For a larger 6-inch version of the PS101, have a look at the Stedman Corporation Proscreen XL – Black here on Amazon. When deciding on the best pop filter for home music studios, this a great durable choice for a professional setup.

3. Avantone PS-1 PRO-SHIELD

Diverging a little from the previous circular builds, the Avantone PS-1 PRO-SHIELD is intended to curve closely around the microphone for a more secure positioning. Its sturdy metal build proves to be superior to nylon meshes in terms of durability. This is great for professional studios in multiple vocalists may want to keep readjusting the pop filter, the curved security ensures there is little damage to the gooseneck.

Users have described this filters as highly effective in eradicating the ‘plosive’ B’s and P’s. It makes for incredibly crisp recordings with no obscurities. One possible downside of this product is that fact that the length of the gooseneck is a little shorter. However, the general appraisals for its effective performance seem to outshine this factor by far. A definite must in considering the best pop filters for home music studios.

For more on reviews and prices of the Avantone PS-1, have a look here on Amazon.

4. Auphonix 6 Microphone Pop Filter

The Auphonix mic pop filter differs from our previous nylon version in that it features a double nylon mesh. The double mesh is hugely advantageous as it filters out ‘plosives’ with even greater effectiveness. The primary layer disperses burst of air directed toward the microphone, while any remaining excess air pressure is further dissipated by the second layer. It is designed for the Blue Yeti microphone, although it works well with other USB microphones equally.

The Auphonix filter features an adjustable gooseneck for greater precision depending on the vocalist. It also features a 6″ diameter.

For more on the Auphonix Microphone Pop Filter, check it out here on Amazon.

5. Blue “The Pop” Universal Pop Filter

This is a wonderfully constructed pop filter from Blue Microphones. This is a brand has a well-known reputation for quality microphones, such as the Blue Yeti amongst others, for home recording.

This elegantly constructed pop filter is not only one of the more aesthetically appealing out there, but its rigid metal frame offers outstanding durability and a professional sounding output. It also has a wonderfully sturdy gooseneck that will be resilient against constant readjustments, as well as a clamp for microphone stands. It is a universal filter that can be used for different microphones

Users of this pop filter have offered many positive reviews regarding the filter, mainly appraising not only its build but also its effectiveness in eradicating those plosive sounds.

For reviews and prices on the Blue’s “The Pop” Universal Pop Filter, check it out here on Amazon.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Pop Filter

Just a few useful tips to consider when deciding on what the best pop filter for home music studios would be for you…

The material of the pop filter

Typically, you’d find pop filters to be constructed using either nylon or fabric to form the filter. These are generally more budget-friendly and perform the necessary task at the end of the day. However, one thing to note about these types of filters (especially fabric filters) is a that they are relatively harder to clean.

Another popular build of pop filters is those created using a metal that is either perforated or woven to create the filter. These offer the advantages of being far more durable and are far simpler to clean using soap and water. Many also argue that metal builds offer superior filtering of plosives, however, they are typically a little pricier than nylon and fabric filters.

The quality of the gooseneck

The sturdiness of the pop filter’s gooseneck is really important as this is constantly readjusted for recordings. You don’t want something that is flimsy and does not stay in position or wears down. You also don’t want something that is too difficult to manipulate. Also, take into consideration the length of the gooseneck.

The Size of the filter

The conventional diameter for a pop filter is 6 inches. Smaller 4-inch options are also available. The larger filters provide the advantage of less restricted movement for the vocalist as there is a larger area to work around.

For essential gear for your home music studio, check out our Recommended Gear page. Otherwise, that’s it for our top picks for best pop filters for home music studios.