Pop Filters and Wind Screens: What They Actually Fix

Plosives, the bursts of air from P and B sounds, can spike a microphone and ruin an otherwise clean take. A pop filter is a simple physical barrier that stops that blast before it reaches the capsule.

Pick the right protection for your setup.

1. A nylon mesh pop filter sits between you and the mic, deflecting breath.
2. A foam windscreen slips over the mic and tames both plosives and sibilance.
3. Keep the filter about two inches from the mic, not pressed against it.
4. Angle the mic slightly off-axis so breath passes beside it.

The best pop filter is the one you position correctly every time. A few dollars of mesh saves you from editing out a dozen popped Ps per episode.

A pop filter is one of the few pieces of gear where spending more rarely helps. The difference between a five dollar and a fifty dollar filter is mostly cosmetic, so buy the cheap one and focus instead on placing it correctly every single time.