How to put your Sony WH-1000XM6 in pairing mode

Hold down the power/pairing button to start the process.

To get your Sony WH-1000XM6 into pairing mode, you’ll need the headphones powered off, and the battery charged enough to use. If you haven’t connected your headphones yet, or you simply want to connect to a new device, the below should get you where you need to go.

1. With the headphones powered off, press and hold the power/pairing button.
2. After a few seconds, you will be told via voice prompt when the headphones are in pairing mode.

How to pair your Sony WH-1000XM6 to a Mac or Macbook

Pairing to a Mac computer follows roughly the same process as the other platforms.

1. Place the headphones into pairing mode.
2. On your computer, open the System Preferences (gear) icon in the Mac dock.
3. Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on. Your headphones should be listed among Devices.
4. Click the Connect icon next to the Sony WH-1000XM6’s name in the list. A voice prompt will let you know when pairing is successful.

How to pair your Sony WH-1000XM6 to a Windows PC

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have similar pairing processes. If Fast Pair doesn’t work, or isn’t supported by your device, following the below steps will get you the results you need.

1. With the headphones powered off, press and hold the power/pairing button.
2. Open the Start Menu of your device.
3. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices to toggle Bluetooth on if it isn’t already.
4. Tap or click Add Bluetooth or another device.
5. Select the Sony WH-1000XM6 in the list of available devices. Once connected, you will hear a voice prompt.

How to pair your Sony WH-1000XM6 to an iPhone or iPad

Connecting your headphones to an iPhone or iPad is relatively straightforward. If the headphones aren’t detected upon powering on, the usual method to pair audio products will work:

1. With the headphones powered off, press and hold the power/pairing button.
2. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
3. Navigate to Bluetooth and enable the feature.
4. After searching for a few moments, the headphones should appear on the list of available devices under Other Devices.
5. Tap the Sony WH-1000XM6 item in the list. Your device will attempt to pair with the headphones.

How to pair your Sony WH-1000XM6 to an Android phone or tablet

Android devices are pretty easy to get devices connected and running quite well. However, with added control options can come more complexity.

1. With the headphones powered off, press and hold the power/pairing button.
2. Open the device’s Settings and turn on Bluetooth.
3. When presented with a list of Bluetooth devices, tap Pair new device or Details to see the list of devices within scanning range.
4. Select the Sony WH-1000XM6 in the list of available devices. Your device will then attempt to pair.

Some devices may not have LDAC enabled by default. Instead, you’ll need to enable developer options.

1. In the device’s Settings, open About phone.
2. Find the Build number of the phone, and tap it rapidly.
3. Once Developer options are enabled, open it and scroll until you see Bluetooth codec.
4. Enable LDAC.

Does TIDAL or Spotify have better music discovery?

Spotify and TIDAL both have clean, dark-themed user interfaces.

Both TIDAL and Spotify offer various music discovery features and enable browsing by genre, mood, activity, and more. Whether you’re on TIDAL or Spotify, you have access to a radio feature that makes it easy to discover music similar to what you’re already listening to. Both streaming services use algorithms to learn your music tastes and recommend songs, but how they do so differs.

TIDAL creates up to eight playlists called “My Mix” that focus on eight genres you listen to and have saved to “My Collection.” These update gradually rather than on a weekly schedule like Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist. And, if you like the “My Mix” you’re listening to today, you can save it as a separate playlist that isn’t lost forever when the mix updates.

Spotify’s algorithms create not only the “Discover Weekly” playlist but a weekly “Release Radar” playlist, up to six “Daily Mix” playlists, and, every so often: special static playlists such as “Your Time Capsule.” The “Discover Weekly” feature collects data about your listening habits and recommends songs from artists and genres you like. “Release Radar” is a one-stop shop for newly released music from all the artists you follow on Spotify. “Daily Mix” playlists combine music you’ve been listening to a lot recently and similar songs, and is essentially the same feature as TIDAL’s My Mix. Algorithmically designed static playlists are Spotify exclusives released every so often and not on a particular schedule. For example, “Your Time Capsule” uses recent listening data to create a playlist of music users would likely have listened to as a teenager.

Global playlists and chart-toppers

TIDAL’s interface is slick and easy to navigate.

Spotify has a “Charts” tab, which organizes the top songs all over the world by which country they came from. These playlists tell you if the song is new, on the uptrend, or on the downtrend. TIDAL also has chart playlists, but there are fewer of them. On the other hand, TIDAL has “TIDAL Rising,” where you can discover artists rising in popularity who TIDAL’s curators have selected to feature based on the potential they see in them. TIDAL Rising is a great way to discover new artists who are just starting to make their mark in the music industry.

Spotify has pretty much everything TIDAL has and more when it comes to music discovery. In addition to algorithm playlists, both Spotify and TIDAL have a smorgasbord of editorial playlists that are frequently updated. However, Spotify simply has more playlists for every genre, mood, and activity, so there are more options to choose from. Many of these playlists serve a similar function to TIDAL Rising by creating exposure for less popular artists.

TIDAL vs Spotify: Which has better content?

Spotify has plenty of personalized playlists and radio stations for its users.

TIDAL offers over 100 million tracks, whereas Spotify also has over 100 million; clearly, both have a considerable amount of music. Some artists opt to release exclusive music only to TIDAL, sometimes for months, before releasing it to the rest of the world.

Spotify used to accept music submissions from anyone, whether submitted through a third-party distributor such as CDBaby or submitted directly to Spotify. However, in 2019, the company scrapped its direct-upload program, so now independent musicians must use a distributor to get their music on the platform. The same goes for Tidal.

Podcast and audiobook fans can get their fix with Spotify, but TIDAL has videos

Spotify hosts a large selection of podcasts for all your educational and entertainment needs.

TIDAL focuses on musical artists and, therefore, doesn’t offer many podcasts. With Spotify, you have access to over 6.5 million podcasts and a few podcast-specific playback features, such as a sleep timer and speed adjuster. Spotify also now has over 375,000 audiobooks included with a premium membership.

TIDAL offers over 650,000 videos, many of which are exclusive to TIDAL users and which include music videos, filmed live performances, and movies and documentaries about music. Spotify also now has video podcasts and Canvas short-form music videos.

TIDAL does more to support artists

TIDAL is a streaming service for artists. Not only does it pay its artists more per stream than Spotify, but it also has in-depth credit pages that outline who contributed to the music and how.

TIDAL also offers its members exclusive artist content. TIDAL X is a program for TIDAL users that includes exclusive access to live shows, meet-and-greets, live streams, concert tickets, and more. Examples of TIDAL X events were Kanye West’s Yeezy fashion shows, which over 500 TIDAL members were allowed to attend, and which were live-streamed for all other TIDAL members around the world.

TIDAL Rising is a program in which TIDAL’s curators select artists rising in popularity who they feel have potential and offer them free support. Artists get professionally photographed, get their music placed on the front page of TIDAL, are offered Tour Support, and more. Not only does this feature support musicians in a direct and tangible way, but it’s also a great way for TIDAL users to discover new artists who are just starting to make their mark in the music industry.

Spotify’s clean user interface puts your content at the forefront before giving you recommendations.

Spotify has a few similar features, such as artist playlists which an artist can make and then add to their profile’s home page, and the Concerts tab, which lists the artist’s upcoming shows in your city. Additionally, artists can record exclusive Spotify Singles in Spotify’s studios.

How does pricing compare between TIDAL and Spotify?

TIDAL HiFi Plus is more expensive than Spotify but has higher-quality audio.

TIDAL costs $10.99 per month for an individual plan, with the option for a free 30-day trial. Students can get Tidal for $5.49 per month, while a family plan is $16.99 per month.

Subscribers also have the option to add the DJ integrations for extra $9 USD/month, which allows performers to stream Tidal tracks with stem separation features directly in their DJ software of choice.

Tidal subscription plans:

Spotify is slightly more expensive overall, though you can also stick with the free plan with ads, or try out a 30-day free trial. A Spotify individual plan is $11.99, a Duo plan is $16.99, and a family plan is $19.99. A student plan is $5.99 and also includes access to Hulu. If you just want access to 15 hours a month of Audiobooks on Spotify and don’t care about ad-free music, you can get the Audiobooks Access plan for $9.99.

Spotify subscription plans:

Do you get better streaming quality on TIDAL or on Spotify?

If you’re looking for HiFi audio, TIDAL is your friend. As of July 24, 2024, TIDAL discontinued support for MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio formats. The platform now focuses on high-resolution FLAC and Dolby Atmos for immersive audio experiences. You can stream music on Tidal in three different levels of quality:

• Low (compressed AAC up to 320 kbps)
• High (Lossless FLAC up to 16-bit, 44.1kHz)
• Max (HiRes FLAC up to 24-bit, 192kHz)

Spotify also offers different audio quality settings, but the maximum streaming quality is Ogg Vorbis at 320kbps. Spotify has teased a HiFi tier in the past, but has yet to actually support lossless streaming. If you care about your music streaming quality, go with Tidal.

Tidal supports Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Audio

TIDAL currently has a large advantage over Spotify when it comes to playing surround-sound audio. With support for tracks mixed for Dolby Atmos, TIDAL users can listen to surround-sound music on their headphones or even on their TV or home stereo setups. To find Dolby Atmos content within the TIDAL app, navigate to “Explore” and then scroll down to select Dolby Atmos.

What social features do you get through TIDAL HiFi Plus and Spotify?

If you want the ability to view your friends’ listening activities or playlists, Spotify is the way to go. Spotify has a Friend Activity section that displays the songs your friends are actively listening to, along with the album or playlist they are listening from. Unfortunately, this section is only available on the desktop app for Spotify, not the mobile app. You can follow friends by searching for their usernames or by linking your Spotify account with Facebook. However, if you don’t want people to be able to view your Spotify activity, you can always disable the feature that publishes your activity. You have the ability to save your friends’ playlists to your library and create collaborative playlists where multiple friends can add and remove songs. Spotify also has partnerships with Instagram and Tinder, so it’s easy to share your music tastes with people on these apps as well.

If you often find yourself getting into heated battles with your friends for control of music playback during hangouts, you’ll enjoy Spotify Blend. It combines your music interests with those of your friends to create a shared playlist. The Spotify Blend playlist will incorporate songs that you and your friends have saved, as well as songs that you think you will like.

The only semi-social feature of TIDAL is the ability to share a song from the TIDAL app to your social media profiles, which is also a feature on Spotify.

TIDAL vs Spotify: What extra features does each service provide?

Tidal lets you explore music based on your mood or activity but lacks social functionality.

Seeing your end-of-year statistics

In December of every year, Spotify releases Spotify Wrapped which is an animation of infographics outlining your listening statistics from the year. These stats include things like how many total minutes you spent listening to music, which artist you listened to most, and which countries your favorite artists are from. Once you’ve viewed your statistics, you can share a card with your top songs and artists to your Instagram Stories to prove to everyone that you have superior music taste.

Tidal has its own end-of-year recap called My Rewind. It will also outline your most-listened-to artists and songs and collect the data into a playlist and graphic for sharing on social media.

Spotify allows you to play local files

If you still have MP3 files saved to your computer from the old days and want to listen to them in the same media player as your streamed music, you should get Spotify. TIDAL doesn’t allow local file playback, which is a shame for listeners with vast libraries from the CD-ripping days.

However, you can easily transfer your music library and playlists from a different music platform into TIDAL. TIDAL employs third-party services to complete this task.

You can download files for offline listening on both TIDAL and Spotify. However, if you download a lossless FLAC file on TIDAL, it will probably take up a lot of storage space on your device.

Both services have easy car integration

Both TIDAL and Spotify are compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto so long as your car has that functionality. These enable easier navigation of your music while in the car, but you shouldn’t use them while actively driving. Additionally, Spotify can be integrated with Google Maps and Waze, and TIDAL can be integrated with Waze for local control of your music from within the navigation app.

Spotify has advanced AI features

The Spotify AI DJ features an AI radio host that walks you down memory lane with some of your favorite tracks, while mixing in a few new tracks you might like. You can also check out the Spotify AI Playlist feature, which allows you to generate a playlist based on a text prompt, ChatGPT style.

TIDAL vs Spotify: Which streaming service should you subscribe to?

You can easily add Spotify songs to Instagram stories.

Both TIDAL and Spotify hold up among the best streaming services. Still, the key differences between the two are as follows: TIDAL is all about the artist-listener relationship, whereas Spotify focuses on the listener as an individual who wants to discover new music and share it with their friends. TIDAL offers high-fidelity audio, whereas Spotify does not, or at least won’t until Spotify HiFi comes to fruition. If you have a really good home stereo setup or a high-quality pair of studio headphones and want the best quality music possible, you should go with TIDAL. Everyone else will probably enjoy Spotify more for its song-recommending algorithms, AI features, and social integrations.

Outside of music, Spotify is superior. With a wide selection of podcasts and audiobooks to select from, Spotify can keep you entertained on your long commute home.

Frequently asked questions

How to factory reset the WH-1000XM6

If for some reason the WH-1000XM6 don’t automatically pair with your phone, or don’t output any sound, first make sure it is charged by plugging the included USB-C cable into the headphones and a charging outlet. If you know there’s a charge but it still doesn’t have sound, here’s how to factory reset the WH-1000XM6:

1. Press both the power and Noise Cancellation or Ambient noise buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
2.  The indicator light will flash blue.
3. Your WH-1000XM6 is now factory reset.

How to pair your WH-1000XM6 manually

If the automatic pairing doesn’t appear automatically, or want to pair to another device like a laptop after pairing to your phone and want to go into pairing mode on the WH-1000XM6. To manually pair the WH-1000XM6 to your device:

1. Turn off the WH-1000XM6.
2. Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds as the WH-1000XM6 turn on.
3. Once you hear the chime and a female voice say”pairing” you’re in pairing mode.
4. Go into your devices Bluetooth settings and select the WH-1000XM6. You may need to have the device scan for new connections.

How to make sure the WH-1000XM6 is connected with LDAC

To be able to use the LDAC codec, you will have to be on a device that supports LDAC. Sorry no iOS devices support LDAC as of time of writing. To ensure your device is connected with a higher data transmission codec LDAC:

1. Open your Bluetooth device settings.
2. Go into the settings of the WH-1000XM6, this is normally through the gear icon next to the WH-1000XM6 name on Android. The icon and method may vary depending on device.
3. Under the codecs option, there should be a setting for LDAC, turn it on to enable higher-quality audio.

How to make sure you microphone is enabled on the WH-1000XM6

If the microphone isn’t working during calls when using your WH-1000XM6, you can try the following steps:

1. Open the Sony Connect app and scroll down to the “device settings” option.
2. Move into the “System” tab and scroll down to “enable the headphones’ microphone operation” and select it.
3. This will allow you to switch the microphone on or off by pressing the headphones’ noise-cancelling button twice during a call. This is off by default as the microphones normally engage when in a call.
4. You can also enable the notification to indicate that your microphone is off, in the same menu.

How to use Multipoint connection on the WH-1000XM6

If you want the audio on the WH-1000XM6 to automatically move between your phone and laptop, you can make sure it’s enabled in the Sony Connect app with the following steps:

1. Open the Sony Connect app and scroll down to the “device settings” option.
2. Move into the “System” tab and the first part of the menu, “Connect to 2 devices simultaneously” and make sure it’s enabled. This is enabled by default.

How to enable the equalizer on the WH-1000XM6

If you want the change how the WH-1000XM6 sounds, you can enable the equalizer. The Sony Connect app also has a “find your equalizer” function for ease of use. To enable the equalizer on the WH-1000XM6, follow these steps:

1. Open the Sony Connect app and scroll down to the “device settings” option.
2. Scroll down to the equalizer section.
3. Press the start button on the “find your equalizer” section.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. This should get you closer to how you would like the WH-1000XM6 to sound.

How to manually equalize the WH-1000XM6

1. Open the Sony Connect app and scroll down to the “device settings” option.
2. Scroll down to the equalizer section.
3. Press the gear icon at the bottom right-hand corner of the equalizer section.
4. Adjust as you see fit. If you want to know how to manually EQ your WH-1000XM6, check out our article on how to EQ.

How to enable automatic switching on the WH-1000XM6

If you want your WH-1000XM6 to automatically move between your headset and compatible sony speakers, you can enable it in the Sony Connect app with the following steps:

1. Make sure you are connected to both the WH-1000XM6 and a compatible Sony speaker.
2. Open the Sony Connect app and scroll down to the “device settings” option.
3. Move into the “System” tab and scroll down to “Auto Switch” and select it.
4. Select the Start setup options and follow the instructions on screen.
5. You can now take off the WH-1000XM6 and have the speaker take over playing audio.

How to find the serial number on your WH-1000XM6

If you’re able to connect the WH-1000XM6, you can still find the serial number by checking the WH-1000XM6 in the Sony Connect app on Android or iOS.

But if you’re unable to connect to the WH-1000XM6, the serial number is located underneath the earpad of the right earcup. To remove the earcup from the WH-1000XM6:

1. With the earpad facing you, use the bottom right corner of the earpad to lift the pad off.
2. When pulling from underneath the earpad, make sure you’re not pressing the center of the earcup, as you can damage some of the internals.
3. The serial number is located on the bottom right of the earcup.
4. When attaching the earpad back onto the earcup, remember not to press the center of the earcup, with the internal mics sticking out.
5. There will be alignment posts to ensure you’re placing the earcups correctly, and they will snap into place when attached properly.

Once you step outside, the number of variables outside of your control increases significantly. Still, as long as you have the right gear and know how to use it, you should be able to get usable audio. If you need some pointers, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on May 5, 2025, to add section for pencil condenser microphones

What types of mics are best for field recording?

You can’t just grab your condenser mic off your desk and run outside to start recording. Well, you can, but it won’t sound good. It’s just not the right kind of mic for this situation. For field recording, depending on what it is you’re trying to capture, you’ll want either a lavalier mic, a shotgun mic, a dynamic mic, or even just a digital recorder.

What are lavalier microphones good for?

Lavaliers are small and super portable, making them easy to use while on-the-go.

The lavalier (or “lav”) microphone is very commonly used outside because of its portability. Whether you’re a reporter on the go or making a short travel vlog for your YouTube channel, lav mics are small and easy to use. If you’re short on sound engineers and are doing everything yourself, being able to get clean audio from something that fits in your pocket can be useful. You can plug it right into your camera or voice recorder and get clean audio all by yourself. Lav mics are really good at capturing speech, as long as they’re mounted on the person speaking.

One downside to using a lav is that it has little to no isolation from shocks, so a slight bump will probably clip your audio as heard in the clip above when our former podcast producer, Adam Doud, removes the lav from his shirt.

When should you use a shotgun microphone?

The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a shotgun mic with a supercardioid polar pattern.

If you’re you have more room in your kit, one of the most popular mics for recording outside is the shotgun microphone. If you’ve ever seen a behind-the-scenes shot where some poor soul holds a long stick with a microphone at the end, that’s a shotgun mic. These have a very directional pickup pattern, which means it won’t pick up too much sound happening outside of where it’s pointing. This is why shotgun mics are usually pointed directly down at the person speaking. In the case of something like the popular Rode VideoMic, it gets attached to the camera and points directly at the person speaking.

The good thing about a shotgun microphone is that you can get clear sound without the microphone being in a shot. It’s also made to pick up sounds that are directly in front of it, and reject ambient, off-axis noise.

Unfortunately, shotgun mics usually require other hardware like a boom pole, which then requires a boom operator—unless you’re fine with mounting it on your camera. These mics are usually fairly large and not the most portable option, not to mention that they are generally expensive.

When recording in an untreated room, is it better to use a pencil condenser?

You can still use a shotgun mic when shooting in an untreated space, however, you will be picking up a lot more of the room reverb. In that case you might want to consider a pencil condenser, also known as a small diaphragm condenser. Pencil condensers look similar to shotgun mics, but tend to be smaller and with a less prominent interference tube, aka the grills that allow sound to pass through. Yes, I know this is a field guide to microphones, but there are times when you’ll have to move the recording indoors, into an untreated space without the ability to sound-dampen the audio.

Pencil condensers don’t actually reject most room reverb, so why would I recommend using a pencil condenser over a regular condenser shotgun microphone? It’s because they tend to pick up the sound more accurately, including the room reverb. At least it will be closer to what it would sound like to when you’re in the same room. This is due to how the interference tube of most regular shotgun mics rejects noise from the sides, which means they are much more sensitive to the sound from the front, including the reverb. For the most part, it’s best to use pencil condensers in tandem with a hidden lav. It’s more widely used in instrumentation due to its ability to record spikes in loudness or high transient noise, without distorting.

Can you record outside with a dynamic microphone?

The grille is easy to remove and replace if it becomes damaged.

Dynamic microphones are great at recording just about anywhere, especially if you get one like the Shure SM58, an industry standard. When a reporter interviews someone and passes the microphone back and forth, they’re often wielding a dynamic mic. While not as convenient as something like a lav mic for run-and-gun outdoor recording, the improvement in sound quality might be worth it depending on the kind of sound you’re going for.

Can you record outside with a digital recorder?

The Zoom H5 is one of the most versatile voice recorders around.

Another way to get quality audio outside is to use a digital recorder. Some, like the Zoom H1n () or the Zoom H5 (), are pocketable and super easy to use. Just turn it on and press record. Just like a lav, handheld recorders are fairly portable. Even the bulky H5 can squeeze into a jacket pocket if you really need it to. While they work wonderfully in a pinch, you won’t always get the best vocal sound quality compared to something like a shotgun mic. That said handheld recorders are great if you want to record an assortment of ambient sounds to fill out your project. Just drop it on a table, hit record, and voila, perfect ambiance.

These are great for capturing sounds to add your own effects to the recordings. You can hear me use the Zoom H5 for exactly this reason in our very first podcast episode at around the 0:37 mark.

Although digital voice recorders excel in convenience and portability, they can get pretty expensive. Fortunately, there is a selection of budget digital voice recorders on the market that can record high-quality audio without breaking the bank.

Can you record with just a voice recording app?

A voice recorder app can’t compare to external hardware, but it’s always on hand.

If you’d rather not spend your cash on a dedicated recording device, consider turning your smartphone into a voice recorder! There are plenty of voice recording apps available on the market for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to capture relatively clean audio from a device that’s always in your pocket.

Voice recording apps are ideal for recording meetings, lectures, notes, and even song demos. In fact, artists across all genres commonly record new song ideas on their phones, and sometimes even record audio samples that make it into their final song releases. For example, in the post-chorus of Billie Eilish’s hit song Bad Guy, you can hear the percussive sound of a crosswalk horn in Australia.

While recording apps may not provide the best sound quality, they're always with you and that's invaluable.

Be aware that you’re limited by the quality of your smartphone’s microphone, which has a limited frequency response compared to the mic capsules on digital voice recorders. However, when inspiration strikes, voice recording apps can help you quickly keep track of your ideas faster than any other recording method.

If you want to get around the limits of internal mics, consider investing in a smartphone-compatible lavalier mic. There are a limited number of lightning compatible mics or (far more) USB-C compatible mics, and these can cost more than just buying a dedicated voice recorder. Lavalier mics allow you to record someone speaking without holding your phone to their mouth, while mini condenser mics do a good job of accurately recording the environment and the people. Most voice recording apps already support external microphones, so compatibility is a non-issue.

Why you should leave your studio condenser mics at home

Under no circumstances is it a good idea to take this rig outdoors.

One of the traits condenser microphones are lauded for is the ability to pick up absolutely everything. While it’s true this is desirable in a fixed and controlled setting, like a studio, they’re really not suitable for use out in the field. The high sensitivity of studio condenser mics also means they are very sensitive to shocks and damage, but not all condensers are created equal. Most studio condensers are not as rugged as their purpose-built field counterparts. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks like a singer would use it in a studio, it probably doesn’t belong outside. With the wrong mic, your intended subject can get lost in the deluge of other sounds, which just means more otherwise avoidable editing in your DAW.

Shotgun mics are often condenser microphones, but due to their tough build and controlled polar pattern (more below) they’re exceptional, as are the condensers built into Zoom and Tascam handheld recorders. With that said, even handheld recorders will sometimes still pick up unintended handling noise that a Shure SM58 will reject. Lav mics come in both condenser and dynamic versions, but because of the small capsule size, they tend to pick up only nearby sound sources.

How to combat wind when field recording

Nature can be great, but it can also be a nuisance if you’re trying to record outside. Unless you’re reporting live from the eye of a hurricane, it’s unacceptable to have windy audio. Besides crackling and making it harder to hear your subject, it’s also just super annoying to listen to. So how do you record outside without wind getting in the way?

Pexel: A dead cat, like the one seen on the dangling microphone, significantly reduces wind noise.

The most effective way to reduce wind noise is something called a windshield. For regular outdoor use, you can probably get by with just the foam that comes with most microphones. In more intense wind, you’ll have to use something gruesomely referred to as a dead cat.

Thankfully, the name is a bit of a misnomer—it’s actually made of synthetic materials instead of poor ol’ Fluffy. This is that infamous furry cover that you put around your microphone. Not only does it make it look like the tail of a very fluffy cat, but it also helps reduce wind noise. The fur will break up and disperse the wind before it actually gets recorded into your microphone.

Bring the right tools for the job. If it's windy you'll need a dead cat and maybe a blimp. At the very least you'll need a foam windshield.

When you’re recording in windy conditions, you may need to upgrade to a blimp: a plastic housing for your shotgun microphone which acts as both a windscreen and shock-mount system. As an extra cherry on top, wrapping the blimp in a large dead cat—sometimes called a “dead wombat”—will help eliminate light to moderate wind noises from your recordings.

Before going out to record audio, make sure to anticipate your shooting conditions to make sure that you’re bringing the right tools for the job. After all, using one of these can be the difference between getting usable audio and you needing to go out and re-record (if you’re even able to).

Tips and tricks that you should know for field recording

Bring headphones to monitor your sound

You don’t need the fanciest headphones to monitor, but they should be closed backed. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a fine choice.

If you are interviewing someone, headphones might get in the way of being fully present and interacting with your subject, especially if they aren’t wearing headphones too. You should, however, at the very least wear headphones to test the levels of everyone and environmental elements like wind noise before beginning your recording in earnest. Assuming nobody starts screaming, you can probably take the headphones off if you’re just recording a conversation once levels are set and mics checked.

This might seem obvious to some, but it’s worth mentioning because setting the gain at the wrong level or pointing the mic in the wrong direction are all easy mistakes to make without headphones, and will ruin a recording no matter how nice your gear is. There’s only so much you can fix in post production, but some problems are avoidable. Sometimes headphones are not an option, but in a scenario where you’re in control, like an interview or filming an outdoor scene, don the headphones.

Polar patterns

A cardioid pickup pattern can record sound from the front and sides of the unit.

Why do some products make the cut when others don’t? Aside from practical reasons like size and portability, one key reason is their polar patterns. A polar pattern is basically a graphical representation of the directions a microphone can pick up sounds in.

The Shure SM58 has a cardioid (heart-shaped) pattern which is perfect for picking up sounds directly in front of it and slightly off to the sides as well. This is great if you’re going to be moving around or constantly holding out the microphone so someone else can speak. In short, your placement doesn’t have to be perfect every time since the microphone can pick it up anyway. In field recording that flexibility is super helpful.

Unidirectional microphones are great at picking up sound in front of the mic, but not very good at recording sound from the side.

Shotgun microphones are usually supercardioid or hypercardioid. This pattern doesn’t give you much flexibility as you need to be aiming it pretty much perfectly at the audio source at all times, but it does the best at picking up only the sound you want and nothing else.

Unless you’re on a set, keep it light

Field recording requires you to move around a lot, and the last thing you want to worry about is setting up your laptop, audio interface, and stands at every location. If you’re looking to get in and out, keep it lightweight. While that’s easy to do with lav mics, it’s a little more difficult with something like a shotgun microphone.

An audio interface and laptop in your bag are going to weigh you down.

In that case, it’s probably best to also invest in a digital recorder like the Zoom H5. Not only is it a great outdoor recording option thanks to its built-in mics and camera mount if you’re shooting video, but there are also two XLR inputs on the bottom should you decide to add an outboard mic. Skipping the laptop altogether, you can record straight to a memory card.

Have fun with sound effects

Since the microphone doesn’t require phantom power, it pairs well with handheld recorders.

If you’re capturing decent audio, you can turn almost any weird sound into a fun sound effect to add to your final project. A loud crowd walking by may seem like a nuisance at the moment, but instead of throwing that audio in the trash, you can save it to use later. Just make sure to name it something descriptive like “LoudCrowd.wav” to make it easier to find later.

Frequently asked questions about recording outside

Much of the technical jargon surrounding audio isn’t important, but it can be hard to separate the fluff from the good stuff. No matter what your project, starting a YouTube channel, upgrading your podcast rig, or tracking a singer, there are a few things you should know about microphones before you go shopping.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 25, 2025, to update the formatting and change some terms into more updated terminology.

How do you plan to use your microphone?

The microphone is good for musicians looking to share their music on social media.

Arguably, the most important step in picking a mic is figuring out exactly what you’re going to record. You can get the most expensive microphone and still not get crisp, clear audio if you’re in the wrong environment. It’s likely that if you’re reading this, you mainly only care about recording vocals or instruments. Knowing which is most important to you will help you decide which type of microphone to get.

What are the different kinds of microphones?

Once you know what you’re trying to record, it’s time to determine what kind of tool you need for the job. Not all microphones are built equally; some perform better than others in certain contexts. There are two main kinds of microphones: dynamic and condenser. (There are others which we’ll get to.)

What is a dynamic microphone?

The Shure SM58 dynamic mic grille is easy to remove and replace if it becomes damaged.

If you picture the mic that a singer or even your favorite comedian uses on stage, it’s most likely a dynamic microphone. These microphones work great in noisy environments. You can use these to record a performer on stage, if you’re interviewing someone on the street, or even a guitar or drum kick. The way dynamic mics function is relatively simple: Inside a magnetic field is a small coil of wire, which is attached to a diaphragm that’s sensitive to sound vibrations. As soundwaves move the diaphragm, the coil converts the movement into an electrical signal that can be recorded.

Dynamic mics are great for most recording environments because the magnets and coil inside are fairly durable and can take a beating without getting destroyed. Most people recommend the Shure SM58 () as it’s a pretty tough and versatile microphone that works well whether you’re on location or recording at your desk.

If you like the idea of a dynamic mic and want something a little higher up on the spectrum, the Telefunken M80 Dynamic microphone () is another great pick and it’s the microphone of choice for our Editor at large, Chris Thomas.

What’s a condenser microphone?

The Rode NT1-A is one of the most popular condenser microphones.

The other type of popular microphone type is a condenser mic, which works differently by using capacitor plates instead of a coil and magnets. It’s easy to go further down the technical rabbit hole, but the practical thing you need to know is that condenser mics can be much more sensitive to smaller vibrations than dynamic mics. While dynamic mics are fine with bass drums, condensers are not. You’ll want to use these if you’re trying to pick up the subtleties in a voice (e.g., when recording a podcast or a singer in a booth).

If you’re looking for a solid all-around mic to use at home for vocals or string instruments, my personal mic of choice is the Rode NT1-A () condenser mic which does a fairly good job with almost everything.

What is a ribbon microphone?

Ribbon mics are much less common and work on a slightly different principle. Essentially, a conductive ribbon rests between two electromagnetic poles, which respond to your sound source. These mics are technically a sub-type of the dynamic mic category. Think of early crooners in the studio who probably have a ribbon mic in front.

AEA R84 Series Newer ribbon mics can handle high SPL sounds, and bidirectional ones can record from either face of the microphone.

Newer ribbon mics have sturdier builds than old ones, often using stronger nanomaterials. Generally, you should still avoid placing a ribbon mic in front of a guitar amp, unless approved by the manufacturer, like the Pinnacle FAT Top (), whose mics are designed with amps in mind. This is because of the mechanically delicate ribbon structure. Usually, these mics have a bidirectional polar pattern, which works well for recording two sources simultaneously on either face of the mic, like two people speaking.

Ribbon mics make great vocal microphones too, and were used extensively in the early days of broadcasting. If you want a different tone, try a ribbon microphone. These mics used to be prohibitively expensive, but companies like Golden Age Electronics and Studio Electronics make more accessibly priced options like Studio Electronics X1R ().

Should you get a USB or XLR microphone?

USB microphones are not only convenient and easy to use but are also typically cheaper than XLR microphones. USB mics are great for making podcasts or voiceovers.

The MV7 accepts the simultaneous use of the XLR and microUSB outputs.

However, if you intend to record vocal or instrumental music, or want a higher quality sound for your podcast, go with an XLR mic. XLR mics can be pricey and require the purchase of an audio interface, but they typically produce audio of higher quality than USB microphones.

This is because, as well as the microphone capsule itself, USB microphones have a built-in analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which won’t necessarily be set up optimally for the sound level you’re putting into it, plus the whole package is generally built to meet a more accessible price point. XLR microphones, on the other hand, don’t include the ADC and will have an analog output stage that is typically balanced on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR connector to reject noise induced in the cable connecting it to the recording equipment.

What are microphone polar patterns?

Once you’ve figured out what you want to use the microphone for and in the environment you’ll use it in, the next step is to determine what you want your microphone to record. Do you want your microphone to record only what is perfectly in front of it, or if you want to pick up sound all around you?

A cardioid pickup pattern can record sound from the front and sides of the unit.

These directivity charts are called polar patterns, aka recording patterns, and they’re easier to read than they look. The names for the different kinds of patterns can be intimidating, but they don’t get any more complicated. They’re all just different names for “Where do you want the microphone to record?”

One very common polar pattern is the cardioid. This one is super easy to understand as the root word the pattern gets its name from means “heart-shaped” in Latin, so these microphones pick up sound within a heart-shaped periphery. Another fairly common polar pattern is omnidirectional, which, as you may have guessed by the name, picks up sound in all directions. There are a few others, such as super-cardioid and bidirectional, but I’m willing to bet you can guess what those look like.

What is a good microphone frequency response?

The HyperX Cloud Core onboard microphone is an example of a frequency response that’s not accurate, but is shaped for its specific application.

Frequency response refers to how well the microphone can reproduce the signals it picks up. In a perfect world, it’d be a one-to-one reproduction. The microphone will “hear” a sound and perfectly convert it into an electronic signal that’s perfectly transferred into the recorder. In reality, some vibrations get lost along the way, and some of the information never makes it to the final recording.

In the user manual, Samson provides the frequency response of both polar patterns.

How well a microphone can reproduce the acoustic signal can be visualized as a frequency response graph. In simple terms, if a certain tone comes out of the mic slightly weaker than it went in, this is visualized as a slight dip in the graph. If it comes out stronger than it went in, it is visualized as a slight hump.

There are all kinds of information in frequency response charts, especially once you know which products you like or dislike and can see their charts to compare with other products. With a deeper understanding of how this affects your sound and your music, you’ll develop skills for choosing which mics best suit a sound source and how to edit it later.

What is microphone sensitivity?

Every microphone should have a sensitivity specification.

You will also see the term sensitivity when looking at tech specs. This tells you what the electrical output of a microphone will be (usually in millivolts or dBV) for a given acoustic input, in Pa for Pascals, or dB(SPL), usually measured at 1kHz. The higher the number, the more sensitive the microphone is. For example, the Rode NT1-A condenser microphone has a rating of 25mV/Pa, whereas the dynamic, Telefunken M80 has a rating of 1.4mV/Pa, so the NT1-A is clearly more sensitive. This means you don’t need as much gain (amplification) from the preamp (or as much loudness from the source creating the sound) to get the more sensitive microphone to an adequate recording level.

How can you improve recording quality?

Acoustic foam can help a little.

Knowing the ins and outs of a microphone is important if you’re serious about your craft, but knowing what everything means isn’t going to turn you into an audio engineer overnight. You need to mess up a few times before knowing exactly how each factor will affect your final product.

Does acoustic room treatment improve recording quality?

Proper acoustic treatment is the most important and underrated tip no one talks about. It’s arguably more important than what mic you pick up. Recording in a properly treated room will take your audio from good to great. However, the cost of good acoustic treatment adds up quickly. Singers on a budget can try placing a sound isolating shield around the mic stand. This isn’t as good as a fully treated vocal booth, but it’s better than nothing.

Any acoustic treatment is better than nothing.

To keep some money in your pockets, one tried and true method, believe it or not, is a simple blanket fort, although it won’t help to clean up bass frequencies. If you’re recording your voice, you’ll be surprised how much throwing a blanket over yourself and your mic can clean up your sound quality. My favorite is to flip up my mattress to help absorb even more of the reverberation caused by ricocheting sound. In the worst case, you can try to fix what you have in post with software.

What are the benefits of a pop filter and shock mount?

Pop filters are a great tool for improving your audio. These diffuse the pressure of the air coming from certain vocal sounds, for example, plosives (p sounds), fricatives (th sounds), and sibilants (s sounds). This helps capture a cleaner recording without annoying “popping” sounds or ear-piercing exaggerations. Typically, condenser microphones do not have built-in pop filters, so you’ll need to get one. Many (not all) dynamic mics like the Shure SM58 do have a built-in pop filter, but, you may still want to use a separate one or a foam cover that slips over the grille, depending on the application.

The Beyerdynamic M70 Pro X includes a pop filter and a shock mount.

Most condenser microphones include a shock mount, which can help reduce vibrations transferred by handling or through the floor. Handheld dynamic mics generally don’t need a separate shock mount, as there’s one built in. Studio style mics, regardless of type, whether dynamic, condenser, or ribbon, should be used with a shock mount for the best possible recording.

If you’re using a lavalier (lav) mic, don’t knock it around

The Sennheiser XS Lav USB-C is a great option for anyone surrounded by USB-C devices.

Ever wonder why lavalier mics are always positioned right under the chin in the chest area? There’s another reason, besides being close to the mouth of the person speaking: Lavalier mics have to be small and innocuous, which doesn’t allow for much protection, so careful placement is one way of avoiding ear-popping thumps.

Aim shotgun mics down at the chest

The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a shotgun mic with a supercardioid polar pattern.

A shotgun microphone is a great choice when you plan to record people on camera. You’ll usually see the person holding a shotgun mic over the heads of the actors, pointing down in a behind-the-scenes video shoot. Shotgun mics are a type of condenser microphone, so they’re usually fairly sensitive to loud noises.

If you point the microphone upwards into the person’s mouth instead of their chest, you’ll pick up everything behind the person too. Outside noise can really hamper recording quality, so you’ll want to learn more about positioning your mic and recording techniques. It’s a bit easier to edit out extra room tone when you record something inside, but you’re still adding another step.

Look into getting a Cloudlifter if you have a quiet dynamic mic

This little device will take full advantage of phantom power and give your dynamic mic all the power it needs.

For low sensitivity dynamic mics like the Telefunken M80 or the popular Shure SM7B, you also might want to look into a trusty little device called the CL-1 Cloudlifter. This can be helpful if your recording device doesn’t have enough gain to get a good recording level, since it boosts the audio signal before it reaches your interface to be recorded.

Now that you know the important aspects of what to look for in a microphone, it’s going to be much easier to figure out which is the right one for you. Of course, USB microphones require nothing but a computer, so that’s still a good option.

What if you work from home and need a mic?

Gaming headsets can be useful for remote work.

Due to the increase in remote working, there’s an increased market for audio recording devices: remote workers who want to sound better over conference calls like Zoom. You may have noticed that the microphone built into your laptop sounds pretty rough. Video and voice chat apps will compress your audio data as it moves across the series of tubes that is the internet, so XLR recording mics like the ones we’ve been discussing are likely overkill. If you’re looking for something that will strike the right balance of ease of use and noticeable improvement, the USB microphones we mentioned are probably the best option. If even that is a little daunting to you, even a decent gaming headset will make a big difference.

Frequently asked questions about What to look for in a microphone

How do I upload my podcast to Spotify?

Uploading an audio-only or video podcast to Spotify for Creators is straightforward.

There are a few different ways to upload your podcast to Spotify. However, before you click submit, you must ensure your content complies with Spotify’s rules and requirements. For example, it is against Spotify’s terms of service to upload audio that belongs to someone else. Likewise, while there is no file size limit, audio-only content must be uploaded as MP3, M4A, or WAV. When uploading MP3 files, Spotify recommends keeping embedded artwork, ID3v2 tags, and other metadata as small as possible. You can upload audio-only podcasts using the Spotify for Creators web app by clicking New episode and selecting the audio file you wish to upload. It can also be done on the mobile app by tapping Podcast, then +, and finally Select a file.

You can also upload video podcasts to Spotify via the Spotify for Creators web app. To do this, log in to your account, click New episode, and choose Select a file. You can schedule your release if you don’t want your video to go live immediately. Alternatively, you can save it as a draft on the web app and publish it later using the Spotify for Creators mobile app. Like audio-only content, it is against Spotify’s terms of service to upload video content owned by someone else. There is no file size limit, and Spotify currently supports MOV, MPG, and MP4 video files. However, the duration of your uploaded file cannot exceed 12 hours. Those encoding their videos must also ensure they contain only one video track and one audio track.

Uploading from an aggregator

While you can upload your shows directly to Spotify for Creators, many podcasters use third-party hosting services like Transistor and Buzzsprout. Submitting your shows to Spotify from these platforms differs from one to the other. However, the process is usually straightforward and should follow these simple principles:

1. Create an account with your chosen aggregator
2. Upload your show and all relevant information to your third-party hosting service
3. Once uploaded, select the show and navigate to the Distribution tab
4. Select the Spotify icon and press Activate
5. When prompted, read and accept Spotify’s terms of service to submit your show
6. Your podcast should be visible on Spotify within one hour

You may need to contact your aggregator to authorize your show on Spotify if you host with Art19, Ausha, Cast Plus, or Zencast.

Claiming a podcast through Spotify for Creators

Alternatively, you can claim your podcast through Spotify for Creators by submitting your show’s RSS feed link:

1. Create a Spotify account and log in to Spotify for Creators
2. Select Find an existing show
3. If your show is hosted with Megaphone, select Megaphone by Spotify
4. Otherwise, select Somewhere else
5. Paste your RSS feed URL into the RSS feed link box
6. Select Next
7. Click Send code and verify your podcast via email
8. Fill out your podcast’s details
9. Review your submission and click Submit
10. Your podcast should be visible on Spotify within one hour

Hosting your show with Spotify for Creators

The process is even simpler if you are already hosting your show with Spotify for Creators:

1. Log in to Spotify for Creators
2. Select Find an existing show
3. Click Spotify for Creators
4. Search the podcast name or associated email address and verify the podcast you want to upload
5. Click Send code and verify your podcast via email
6. Select Finish
7. Your podcast will automatically be published to Spotify

How to set up a podcast page on Spotify?

Podcasters can tailor their show’s details in Spotify for Creators.

You need a Spotify account to set up a podcast page on Spotify. However, if you already have a Spotify subscription, you can create a Spotify for Creators profile with your existing account details. Here, you can select Create a new show if you’re launching a new podcast or posting videos on other platforms and want to add them to Spotify.

Once selected, you’ll see the Spotify for Creators home screen. This is where you can manage your podcast episodes, view analytics, and monetize your content through the Spotify Partner Program. Navigating to Settings from the bottom of the left-side panel opens the podcast page settings menu. Once selected, you’ll find a form to fill out the show name, description, and creator name. You can also upload cover art and social media handles, and select your podcast category, language, and host recommendations.

Spotify for Creators has many tools to make your podcast stand out and help monitor engagement.

You can tailor the information for each episode you upload to Spotify for Creators. For example, you can input unique titles, write captivating descriptions, and select thumbnails for video podcasts. If your episode features adult content or expletives, you can let Spotify know by toggling the 18+ only and Explicit content sliders, respectively. There’s also a slider to let Spotify know if your show contains promotional material like adverts, sponsorship, or endorsements.

One very cool feature of Spotify for Creators is that you can add a poll to your podcast episodes. This appears under the show’s description in Spotify and is handy for understanding your audience’s tastes and preferences. Similarly, you can enable comments on your episodes to let your fans engage with each other. Otherwise, there are sections for adding season and episode numbers, cover art, and content type. The last dictates whether the uploaded episode will appear as full-length, trailer, or bonus content.

What is Spotify for Podcasters and Spotify for Creators?

The Spotify for Creators app makes it easy to monetize your podcasts.

Spotify for Podcasters launched in 2018 and has seen many changes since then. For example, the app was originally limited to only supporting Spotify analytics and could not host or distribute podcasts. However, in 2023, Spotify for Podcasters merged with Anchor to deliver a dashboard for creating, managing, and monitoring shows. This merger also introduced Q&A and poll functionality for all podcasts, whether hosted on Spotify for Podcasters or not.

However, in its drive to promote more video content, Spotify rebranded Spotify for Podcasters to Spotify for Creators in November 2024. While many primary functions remain the same, Spotify updated the platform to include monetization for video podcasts. Likewise, creators can add custom thumbnails, short-form clips, and chapters to their videos. Spotify also improved the analytics dashboard in the Spotify for Creators web and mobile apps. This gives podcasters the tools to track follower growth, streaming numbers, and conversion rates. There are also many more ways to customize your show’s presence on Spotify, and eligible video podcasters can offer their content specifically to Spotify Premium subscribers. Rather than being paid by ad revenue, these podcasters get paid based on engagement.

How do I remove a podcast from Spotify?

Removing your show from the listening platforms Spotify has distributed to can take several days.

There are a few different ways to remove a podcast from Spotify. For example, if your show is hosted with Spotify, you must delete your account to remove your show entirely. This will delete your podcast and all associated data from Spotify apps and services. Likewise, your show and its episodes will be removed from all podcast listening platforms. You can follow these steps to remove a podcast hosted with Spotify:

1. Log in to your Spotify for Creators account
2. Open the Settings menu from the left-side panel
3. Navigate to the bottom of the page and select Delete podcast
4. Confirm by selecting Delete podcast

It is worth noting that this can take up to 10 business days to finalize, and Spotify will email you when your podcast has been fully deleted. You will then lose access to your Spotify for Creators account and must sign up again if ever you want to upload another podcast or show. If you uploaded your show through Spotify for Creators and want Spotify to take it down, you can send your RSS feed and podcast link to customer support.

Moving your show to another host

You must contact your aggregator directly if your show is hosted with a third party. However, those wanting to move their show from Spotify for Creators to another host should redirect their RSS feed before deleting their account. This can be done by doing the following:

1. Sign up with your new host
2. Import your podcast episodes to your new host
3. Redirect your Spotify for Creators RSS feed to your new feed

If desired, you can complete a 301 redirect to ensure that your listeners on Spotify and other platforms continue to receive new episodes after you’ve moved:

1. Log in to your Spotify for Creators account
2. On the web app, select Settings
3. On the mobile app, tap the three lines in the top-right corner
4. Find Redirect your podcast
5. Paste your new RSS feed into the box
6. Select Redirect

You cannot redirect your feed from the Spotify for Creators mobile app. Similarly, you must navigate to the Monetize tab in Spotify for Creators to disable monetization from Subscriptions.

How do I record a high-quality podcast for Spotify?

The Blue Yeti Nano is a great microphone for podcasting alone or with others, using the cardioid or omnidirectional polar patterns.

Before you do anything, consider how best to treat your recording environment. While you do not need a professional recording studio, ensuring your space is noise- and echo-free is worth it. This saves time in post-production by eliminating impossible-to-kill sounds, preventing you from spending hours editing out interstitial noise. You can do this by picking the quietest room in your house and laying rugs, carpets, and curtains over the walls and windows. You should also close any air gaps and record away from windows, doors, fans, and appliances. Those with extra cash can treat their room with bass traps, acoustic foam tiles, and diffusers.

Next, you’ll want to purchase a microphone suitable for your needs. While there is a dizzying amount of choice, the most important considerations are your budget, required polar pattern, and connectivity. For example, if you live in a noisy environment, you should consider purchasing a dynamic microphone. Cardioid microphones like the Rode NT1 () are also a good option, as they reject sounds directly behind the microphone. If your recording environment is well-treated, you could choose a condenser microphone and receive better-quality audio. Likewise, an omnidirectional microphone like the Blue Yeti X () captures multiple voices well. This supports USB connectivity, which is handy if you don’t own an audio interface. However, XLR microphones tend to record in better quality and are more versatile for recording multiple people.

A decent microphone and well-treated room go a long way to achieving high-quality audio.

Positioning your microphone 3-8 inches away at a 45-degree angle towards your mouth can help achieve a more pleasing result. If you have the budget, you should consider purchasing a microphone arm to keep your mic in place. This will deliver a more consistent voice recording than holding your mic by hand. You could also invest in a pop filter to dampen harsh “P” and “B” sounds. All microphones are different, so learning when to lean in for intimacy and draw back for emphasis can take patience and practice.

The final considerations revolve around recording software and editing. There are many digital audio workstations (DAWs) to choose from. Free software like Audacity is fine enough for simple recordings, but is less suitable if you need to layer effects on top of the original file. On the other hand, industry leaders like Reaper, Pro Tools, and Audition have built-in de-noising, compressors, de-essers, EQ filters, and crossfade tools. Used correctly, these can vastly enhance the quality of your voice recordings and give your podcasts a more professional sound. You can read our full guide on how to edit your voice here.

FAQs about uploading podcasts to Spotify

The JBL Charge 6 and Soundcore Boom 2 are two popular options. 

Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or relaxing in a college dorm, a Bluetooth speaker is an easy way to upgrade your sound. You don’t need to invest in a high-end stereo or home theater system to enjoy great audio. Bluetooth speakers offer quality and convenience at a reasonable price, both at home and on the go. This article breaks down the most important features to look for when shopping for the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs.

What type of Bluetooth speaker do you want?

There are all kinds of Bluetooth speakers out there, each designed with different uses in mind. Let’s look at the most popular use cases for Bluetooth speakers and help you figure out which type best fits your needs.

Start here: Ultimate Bluetooth speaker buying guide

Adventurers should get a durable Bluetooth speaker

Fortunately, the ULT Field 1 is available in colors other than white.

You’ll want a durable Bluetooth speaker if your summer plans include hiking, camping, or long bike rides. Look for a speaker with an IP rating for water resistance—it’s a must for outdoor use. If you tend to drop things, choose a speaker with some level of drop protection like the JBL Flip 7 or Sony ULT Field 1, even if it’s just rated for one meter.

You might like: Best Bluetooth speakers under $100

Portability matters if you want to keep a speaker with you wherever you go. No one wants to carry around something as bulky as the Brane X all day. Fortunately, brands like UE and JBL offer excellent portable options, along with plenty of choices from smaller brands online. The UE WonderBoom 4 and JBL Clip 5 both feature integrated carrying systems, making them especially convenient for travel.

Host a get-together with party speakers

The Soundcore Rave 3s offers built-in AI vocal removal and two microphones for the ultimate karaoke party.

Music can make any gathering better, whether you’re hosting the party or just showing up with the tunes. You’ll find plenty of options when it comes to party speakers, with a wide range of sizes and prices. Most party speakers use multiple driver units for bigger sound. While some models are portable, they’re generally less travel-friendly than adventure speakers.

Anyone who intends to use a speaker outside should seek out a product with an IP rating. Even if it’s not actively raining, moisture buildup can corrode the electrical components of your favorite speaker. Some IP-rated devices also offer dust resistance, which is important for campfires or backyard gatherings.

Other features you want to look out for include the ability to sync multiple speakers together. This is more important for small speakers, as it increases both the potential loudness and sound dispersion. If you keep something like the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 around, you don’t have to worry about volume levels, as this vertical monster gets plenty loud. You could even go all out on the party vibes with the Soundcore Rave 3s, which come with two wireless microphones and an AI vocal removal feature that strips the vocals from your favorite tunes for the ultimate karaoke experience.

The ULT Field 5 includes a customizable light show.

Those who prefer smaller gatherings and want the music to remain in the background should consider something like the UE HYPERBOOM or the Sony ULT Field 5. You can carry either of these speakers from one part of the house to another with little issue, though they’re still pretty clunky relative to your daily Bluetooth speaker options.

Don’t have any special uses? Get a jack-of-all-trades Bluetooth speaker

If you don’t intend to use your speaker in extreme conditions or to entertain guests, we recommend a versatile speaker and a budget of around $100-150 USD. This is the sweet spot for portable Bluetooth speakers, and you can get plenty of bang for your buck, especially if you feel comfortable buying a used or renewed product.

One of the most successful Bluetooth speaker lines is the JBL Flip, with the current flagship being the JBL Flip 7. This cylindrical speaker fits into nearly any cupholder or backpack holster and features everything you could want for daily listening. It has an IP68 build, solid battery life, audio over USB-C, and is a great all-arounder. JBL includes both a carabiner and a loop attachment, so you can easily clip it onto a hiking bag or nearby tree branch when out in the wild.

If your budget is a bit more flexible, check out the JBL Charge 6, which is a step up from the Flip 7. It shares the same durable build and IP68 rating, along with a travel-friendly design, but delivers more power with 45W of output versus the Flip 7’s 35W. The Charge 6 also gives you access to a 7-band EQ, so you can fine-tune the sound to match your preferences.

Smart speakers can be Bluetooth speakers too

Both the Nest Audio (left) and Amazon Echo (4th Gen) (right) support Bluetooth streaming.

Last but not least, we have smart speakers. Although most smart speakers rely on Wi-Fi for their wireless connections, a handful of them also support Bluetooth connectivity. If you already own plenty of Google hardware, get the Google Nest Audio. It’s a great speaker that sounds good and has some cool software tricks to adjust the frequency response and volume output in real time.

If your home is full of Amazon products, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is more your speed. This supports Bluetooth streaming and has a headphone jack for analog playback, something the Nest Audio lacks. The two smart speakers are very similar in our comparison, so the hardware you already own should dictate which is best for you.

Related: What makes a great smart speaker?

We can’t forget Apple fanboys: Apple discontinued the bulbous HomePod and replaced it with the Apple HomePod mini, a smaller, more feature-packed smart speaker. You can use its intercom feature to cast an audio message out to other HomePod mini speakers in your house, and even to other Apple devices. It supports AirPlay 2 multi-room audio, and you can stream directly from all of your favorite music services like Apple Music, Spotify, and more.

Bluetooth speaker guide: What features should you look out for?

A carrying attachment is a popular feature with more portable speakers.

Aside from planning how you intend to use a Bluetooth speaker, you should consider certain features. Let’s run through some frequently overlooked but useful features to consider when you’re shopping around.

A speaker is only as good as its battery life

The JBL Xtreme 4 offers swappable battery packs.

If you can’t keep your Bluetooth speaker powered, it quickly turns into a pricey paperweight. Battery life is especially important if you’re planning all-day pool parties or outdoor adventures, while it might matter less if you only use your speaker between classes.

Another handy feature to look for is device charging. Smaller speakers like the JBL Clip series skip this feature, but with the JBL Charge 6 or Xtreme 4, you can top up your smartphone on the go. Just remember, charging your phone from your speaker will drain its battery faster, so you’ll get less playtime overall.

Not all Bluetooth speakers have microphones for phone calls

The SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) makes a great beach speaker for when it’s you and a few friends.

When people think of taking hands-free phone calls, they probably think of their favorite Bluetooth headphones or the speakerphone button on their smartphones. However, a few Bluetooth speakers, like the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and Sony ULT Field 3, include microphones so you can take calls. The sound quality won’t be nearly as good as a dedicated headset, and we certainly don’t recommend using a Bluetooth speaker for conference calls, but it will do in a pinch.

Do Bluetooth codecs matter when you pick out a Bluetooth speaker?

The Soundcore Boom 2 is SBC only.

Bluetooth codecs are among the many specifications you find for wireless products. Put simply, they let your source device communicate and transfer audio to and from a headset.

It’s hard to find (affordable) Bluetooth speakers with high-quality Bluetooth codec support—most only support the default SBC option, because manufacturers don’t market them for critical listening. Instead, this kind of speaker is for casual use, so lag-free premium audio takes a backseat to portability and ease of use.

Related: Understanding Bluetooth codecs

Still, if you have an Android smartphone and want the best audio quality, look for something with aptX support. Better yet, assuming your phone has a headphone jack, look for a speaker with a 3.5mm input for wired listening. That way, you can plug in your smartphone for lossless playback. iPhone owners should get a speaker that supports the AAC Bluetooth codec for consistent, high-quality audio. You’ll more easily find a Bluetooth speaker that supports AAC than aptX.

Does your Bluetooth speaker come with a mobile app?

Just like headphones, wireless speakers often come with companion apps to augment the experience. Most apps include the ability to wirelessly daisy-chain speakers together, find your speaker, and, more importantly, EQ options to let you fine-tune the sound of your speaker. Additionally, these apps provide access to firmware updates. This extends the longevity of your product and can even add important features down the line.

What’s your budget?

Which Bluetooth speaker are you going for?

The quickest way to narrow down your options is to set a budget. Sure, spending more money often gets you more features, but there’s a point of diminishing returns here. Also, we don’t want you to pay for features you won’t use, so it’s important to consider your needs and finances when making a decision. Most people won’t want to spend more than $50-100 USD, and that’s perfectly fine. You can get quite a few good Bluetooth speakers on a tight budget. However, if you’re willing to stretch your wallet a bit, you’ll get better sound quality and battery life.

What is frequency response?

We’ve already covered plenty in this Bluetooth speakers guide, but there’s still a bit more to learn. To get the best speaker for your needs it’s important to understand what frequency response is, and what kind of sound profile you prefer. Remember, a single-unit Bluetooth speaker has limitations and will never sound as good as a multi-unit home setup. You can learn even more about the technical ins and outs of speakers from our in-depth article here.

Ideally, a loudspeaker should produce an output between 20Hz-20kHz, which makes sense since that’s also the range of human hearing. The auditory platonic ideal is a neutral, or flat, response, which means there’s no deviation in loudness from one frequency to another. This is virtually impossible to achieve, particularly in an imperfect environment. Plus, very few casual listeners actually seek out this kind of sound profile; instead, many of us prefer something with a bit more bass and treble.

If you demand accurate audio quality, you will have difficulty finding it from a single speaker unit, rather than something with a dedicated subwoofer. Standalone speakers struggle to reproduce loud, accurate bass notes due to physical constraints, but there are some hardware tricks to getting around this. Many companies use passive radiators, which rely on the active driver to produce enough power to move the passive ones and create that familiar oomph in the lows.

The large size of the Ambeo Soundbar means you need a large area for setup.

If a speaker amplifies upper-bass and low-midrange notes too much, you may find it hard to identify instrumental detail in some of your favorite songs. This phenomenon is called spectral (aka auditory) masking, which is when a loud sound makes it difficult to hear a relatively quiet sound. We all experience spectral masking—think of the last time you tried to converse with a friend on the train platform. You probably had to pause when the train pulled in because you couldn’t hear what the other person was saying. That is spectral masking.

This article should act as a fine springboard for you to pick out an appropriate Bluetooth speaker for your lifestyle. There’s plenty more you can read to learn about sound quality or audio myths, but for now, get out and go enjoy your music.

The ULT Field 5 includes a customizable light show.

These days, wireless Bluetooth speakers are everywhere, from high-end stores to the supermarket, and they run the gamut in price. The sheer quantity and options out there are dizzying. They come in all kinds of colors, some have lights, and certainly, many don’t look like traditional speakers. So here’s the lowdown on what you really need to look for when choosing a Bluetooth speaker, and some tricks to get the most out of it.

Why is the frequency response important for speakers?

Before we tackle Bluetooth speakers, we need to talk about something integral to all speakers (and headphones): frequency response. How much accurate audio reproduction matters depends on where you plan to use your Bluetooth speaker. For example, when you host an outdoor party, you won’t achieve an ideal sound, but probably just want to cut through environmental noise anyway. If you’re at home with your speaker, you can be a bit more picky about the subtle nuances.

The midrange and treble output is consistent with the Sonos Roam, though there’s not much sub-bass volume.

While a speaker’s frequency response chart gives you an idea of how a speaker will sound before you hear it, know that the full audio bandwidth runs 20Hz-20kHz. Generally, bass frequencies land between 20Hz and 300Hz. Mids are 300Hz-4kHz, and treble is 4kHz and higher.

The importance of EQ

Knowing the frequency range of a particular sound will help determine how to adjust your EQ to your taste.

If you’re looking for a versatile Bluetooth speaker that works for music and movies in your home, prioritize one that lets you adjust EQ. Some speakers sound great for music, but not for dialogue. Go ahead and play with EQ settings to bring clarity to muffled speech, or extra oomph to music by raising the bass. Because the frequency responses for clear dialogue don’t always play well with folks who also like bass-heavy music (at 20Hz-300Hz), having the ability to adjust for different uses is important.

Microsoft’s mobile and desktop apps all let you equalize the sound.

Bass tends to be weak on small woofers; unfortunately, these are also the frequencies that seemingly disappear in outdoor spaces. Look for speakers with apps (or buttons) that let you change EQ for different environments. If your speaker lacks EQ settings altogether, or any accompanying app, check if your device has its own, check your streaming service EQ settings, or try a third party app.

For example, navigating through the Settings menu and then Sounds & Vibration menu on my Huawei P30 smartphone reveals a Dolby Atmos setting with limited EQ adjustment. Many smartphones, TVs, tablets, and computers have a degree of EQ control built in.

IP ratings are the difference between making a splash and ruining the party

The Boom 2 is outdoor-ready with its IPX7 protection rating.

Ingress Protection! Feel free to forget that “ingress” means to enter, as in water. An Ingress Protection (IP) rating is a standard for determining a product’s level of environmental resistance. You might’ve seen IPX8, for instance. The X is because that rating has no dust resistance, while the 8 means the object will survive and work after being submerged for 30 minutes in up to a meter and a half of water. IP6X, as another example, is dust-resistant but has no water protection.

It’s superfluous if you just want a soundbar for your living room, like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, but if you plan to take your speaker outdoors or into the shower, you will want an appropriate IP rating. IPX7 and IPX8 are waterproof, meaning you can feel safe having them near (or frankly, in) a pool or the shower. Remember, no electronic is truly waterproof: with enough time or depth, the product will fail. The term is really just a shorthand for a degree of resistance. Dustproofing is less common, but important if you’re in a workshop with tons of sawdust. These days, more and more Bluetooth speakers have a dustproof rating of IP6X (plus waterproofing), because wireless speakers let us listen to audio in places that were once inconvenient or virtually impossible with wires.

Does a bigger battery make a difference in a Bluetooth speaker?

The EarFun UBOOM X features a shoulder strap similar to the JBL Xtreme 4.

Bigger is pretty much always better when it comes to batteries. It’s an engineering challenge for manufacturers to create a super portable speaker that sounds good, has loads of connectivity options, is waterproof, and has a long-lasting battery. You can have some of these things, but are unlikely to find them all. Gone are the days of D-cell batteries for your block party — mercifully, we can recharge our lithium batteries. With that said, not all Bluetooth speakers are wireless. Many are made just to be used around the home, plugged into an outlet.

Using the measurement of milliampere/hour (mAh), you can get a sense of the battery capacity, but it does not always translate linearly to predictable battery life. Some speakers are simply more efficient than others. Other speakers have a higher output and require more power. For instance, the UE HYPERBOOM can give an impressive 24 hours of constant playback at 50% volume, sufficient for all your dance-a-thon needs, but it’s also really large and can fit that big battery. The JBL Clip 5 has a comparatively short battery life of 12 hours, but the speaker is tiny and houses a little battery, making it a more portable option.

It wouldn’t be a Clip without its signature built-in carabiner.

Battery life ranges from about 8 hours to upwards of 25 hours on a single charge. Your battery life will be influenced by how loud the volume is cranked, and some peripherals are optimized to pair using less energy with specific devices. Apple has this with its own and Beats products, and Samsung has this with its own branded accessories.

Part of this efficiency is influenced by which codec you choose to use (more on this below). The tradeoff is worse quality audio, but you can’t hear the difference in some environments. Quantifying that difference in battery drainage is difficult because various devices play nicer than others.

Quick charge is your best friend for Bluetooth

The ULT Field 5 offers an impressive bass response with ULT 2 engaged.

You can offset a lower battery life with quick charging. Not all speakers have this feature, but it’s beneficial because it can revive a dead battery for a suitable period, in half an hour or less. You can also plug in a battery pack (maybe even a solar one) if you’re away from an outlet, but that’s another battery. However, without some help, it can begin to feel like an illusion of wirelessness. The freedom of Bluetooth is always temporary — speakers and their batteries will always need plugging in at some point, so cutting down how often that is or how long it takes is key.

Make sure you turn off your speaker when you’re not using it. It always takes power to keep your speaker on and connected via Bluetooth to your device. Helpfully, some speakers have automatic sleep settings when left idle for a time, but failing that, just turn it off. There’s nothing more annoying than turning on a speaker and finding it dead because you left it on with nothing playing.

What kind of Bluetooth speaker should you get?

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) offers a built-in mic, but the Flip 7 doesn’t.

For decades, we’ve all been accustomed to stereo sound as a minimum. We often demand more from our home theaters. Despite that, we’re often content with enduring mono sound from many wireless speakers—it can be nice to just throw it in your backpack for camping.

Bluetooth speakers come in a range of tiers, but they rarely cover every use case. If you’re focused on a speaker for home use (excluding the shower), you probably don’t need an IP rating. In that case, you might want to look for surround sound and something with Dolby Atmos or similar cinematic features to emphasize an immersive experience. Taking that same speaker outdoors (if it’s wireless) means you’ll lose out on the surround experience, and without an IP rating, you risk getting caught in rainfall and ruining the speaker anyhow.

It’s officially a party once BassUP is engaged.

While a boombox-style speaker can offer stereo, it is a pretty narrow version of stereo, which could be why so many manufacturers have opted to make mono speakers for the outdoors. Mono speakers use less power by virtue of having only one woofer and tweeter, so it’s an easy way to prolong battery life, too. If you want surround or stereo, you’ll have to buy a second speaker (and pay attention to compatibility) and space it apart, which immediately ups your budget. Meanwhile, some manufacturers have come up with innovative ways to make surround sound, like on the Bose SoundLink Revolve II.

Is a Wi-Fi speaker the same as a Bluetooth speaker?

Some Wi-Fi speakers are also Bluetooth speakers, but not all Bluetooth speakers are Wi-Fi speakers. A Wi-Fi speaker connects to your internet network and communicates to other devices and services through the internet, and it’s usually not without a power outlet. A Bluetooth speaker connects to other devices via Bluetooth, not the internet, and it’s frequently completely wireless (when charged). Your device may be getting its audio from the internet (say, streaming music or video), but that doesn’t mean the speaker itself is connected to the internet.

Think of Bluetooth as an invisible cable connecting different devices directly. Wi-Fi speakers are more like a part of a smart home web, which interlinks devices, your router, and the greater internet at large; it makes sense that, like your computer, you want it constantly connected to Wi-Fi and, therefore, always plugged into an outlet.

The Sonos Roam 2 features an IP67 protection rating.

Smart assistants are the latest and greatest thing, and generally speaking, if you want to jump on that, you want a Wi-Fi speaker, and maybe one with Bluetooth capability. While some of us want to keep Alexa out of the home, others prefer the convenience of turning on and off lights with just our voices, or making a phone call hands-free. These are a must if you want your speaker to integrate seamlessly into your smart home. Just ensure the one you pick is compatible with your preferred service and has an internal microphone. Remember, they aren’t necessarily the same as a straight-up Bluetooth speaker.

Many Bluetooth speakers have apps

Some Bose Bluetooth speakers use Party Mode, but that will get expensive quickly.

Like most tech these days, your Bluetooth speaker probably has an accompanying app. Downloading the manufacturer’s app means updating firmware for the best performance, as speakers don’t always ship with the latest version. While many speakers look quite sparse, they hide much of their capabilities in apps, such as EQ adjustments and linking other Bluetooth speakers (JBL calls it “PartyBoost“) to create surround sound. Often, these apps are the only place to tweak your preferences regarding which codec you want to use or reset any functions.

If your speaker has a companion app, keep it up to date to get the best performance. Updates can get annoying, but if you notice any performance issues, that’s often the best place to start.

It’s best to pair multiple identical speakers for predictable results

Use the app to connect 2 JBL Charge 6 into stereo mode

To get surround sound, you have to make sure your speakers play nicely with each other. This means checking things like Bluetooth versions and app compatibility, and generally staying with the same model. Pairing different models from different companies is more complicated, though it’s possible.

Even attempting connections between model upgrades in the same line can result in disappointment. For instance, JBL does not have compatible pairing capability between the seemingly similar Flip 6, and Flip 7. Companies like Sonos and Bose have more extensive integration for pairing different speakers, but that’s because they assume you’re going to be building a home theatre. JBL assumes you’re blasting music by the pool, so maybe you’re not prioritizing surround sound. In any case, check before you buy.

Other features you should consider in a Bluetooth speaker

The Sony ULT Field 5 offers an AUX in.

Don’t forget about auxiliary inputs! You may feel tricked that an article on wireless speakers says get one you can plug your device into, but it’s pretty useful. If you’re using a soundbar, Bluetooth is useful, but a hardwired signal guarantees no latency with video. Plus, you get better audio quality with a hardwired connection to your smartphone.

Not all Bluetooth codecs are created equal

If you insist on using your new wireless speaker wirelessly, know that not all Bluetooth codecs are created equal. While we await the almost universal implementation of LE Audio and LC3, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing a Bluetooth speaker. For now, Apple devices transmit audio using the lossy AAC codec, which is totally acceptable if you’re using an Apple device, but it can occasionally result in latency with Android. Meanwhile, Android users can optimize their audio experience and look for aptX, aptX HD, as well as aptX Adaptive and aptX LL (good for video syncing), as well as LDAC. SBC is the lowest common denominator, and it works everywhere, but it won’t give the best quality audio.

A selection of some optional Bluetooth codecs that many devices have.

When picking up a Bluetooth speaker, pay attention to what version it is. The newest Bluetooth is 5.4. With each iteration of Bluetooth comes a bevy of new features. This includes multipoint connection, more stable connections, and greater stability over physical distances between connected devices. With that said, there are certainly excellent wireless speakers with slightly older versions of Bluetooth, and sometimes you can snag a good deal. As always, check reviews!

You don’t need to do everything from your phone

The UE Wonderboom 4’s volume buttons are easy to find.

Don’t underestimate the utility of tactile buttons. Sure, you can use your phone to turn down the music, but if you’re reaching from the poolside, you want to avoid getting water on it. Having buttons on the speaker makes a difference. The immediacy of hitting “skip” or “pause” is convenient. On a home Bluetooth speaker, remote controls are still handy.

With that said, if you’re having a problem with the speaker, the first thing to do is try turning it off and then on again.

Frequently asked questions

What are Spotify podcasts?

Spotify is making a huge push into podcasts.

Spotify is best known as one of the most popular global music streaming services. However, on May 20, 2015, the company expanded its offerings beyond music by adding podcasts and video clips to the platform. Available on Windows, Android, iOS, and more, fans can discover, stream, download, and enjoy over 6 million podcast titles. Notably, the interface is revered for its seamless integration with many devices.

Who are Spotify podcasts for?

The adjustable yoke makes it easy to place the SM7B in tight corners.

Spotify has a dedicated app that works on desktop, mobile, and tablet across most major operating systems. These include Android 7.0+, iOS 15+, macOS X 11.0+, Windows 10 (64-bit), and Windows 11+. The app is also available in some cars, TVs, gaming consoles, and smart watches, although this differs from one device to the next. Smart home devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Nest also benefit, as do digital media players like Roku. However, it is always worth checking with the manufacturer for compatibility information.

Those without the app can stream their favorite podcasts from Spotify’s Desktop Web Player. This is currently supported in the Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari browsers. While not an officially supported platform, you can also install Spotify on your Linux device. The experience will likely differ from Spotify Desktop on Windows and Mac. However, you can download and install Spotify on the Ubuntu Software Center, from the command line with snap, or as a Debian package.

How can you find good shows on Spotify?

Spotify updates its Top Podcasts chart daily.

Spotify offers a head-spinning selection of shows and has recently shifted away from exclusivity deals with major podcasters. For example, Spotify announced that Alex Cooper’s popular $60 million Call Her Daddy show would be available on all platforms six months before the end of the deal term. While exclusivity helped Spotify get ahead of rivals like Apple in the past, the company seems eager to leverage competition from advertising demand (aka, streaming volume).

Fans can use Spotify’s Search tab to browse shows based on popularity, current events, or genre. There are also podcasts tailor-made for children, although strangely, these are not available on the company’s dedicated Spotify Kids app. Selecting the Podcasts tab on the app’s Home page offers personalized recommendations based on your listening history. You can also tap the Podcasts tab on the Search page to select shows by category. These are broken down into sections like Podcast Charts, New Releases, Video, Comedy, and more.

It is worth noting that Spotify’s search functionality takes some getting used to. This is especially true, given the company recently replaced term matching with Semantic Search. For example, you cannot browse for shows by words uttered in specific episodes. Instead, you need to know the podcast and episode title or keywords in the description to avoid scrolling through an entire catalog. Mercifully, you can filter downloaded or unplayed podcast episodes and sort them by newest or oldest to find your next stream. You can also mark episodes as “finished” or “not finished” to refine your results or tap “More like this” to discover similar podcasts.

How do you stream Spotify podcasts offline?

Spotify boasts over 6 million podcasts.

You can download podcasts for offline play with Spotify Free and Spotify Premium. The process on the Spotify app and Desktop Web Player is the same and is pretty simple:

1. While online, navigate to the podcast episode you want to download.
2. Tap the hollow downward arrow icon.
3. Wait for the icon to turn solid green.

By default, Spotify uses WiFi to save mobile data usage. However, you can follow these steps if you need to download your podcasts with mobile data:

1. Open the Spotify app and select the Home tab.
2. Tap your profile picture at the top.
3. Select Settings and privacy from the menu.
4. Navigate to Data-saving and offline.
5. Under Downloads and streaming, switch Downloads over cellular to on.

You can manage your downloaded content in a few ways. For example, you can view your saved podcasts by selecting the Library tab in the Spotify app and tapping the “Podcasts and courses” or “Downloaded” filters. Episodes are saved to your device in the “Your Episodes” folder. You can also download future episodes by navigating to your chosen podcast, tapping the cog icon, and enabling Auto-download episodes. Downloaded episodes can be removed by selecting the podcast and tapping Remove download.

How much do Spotify podcasts cost?

Spotify has four podcast charts.

Most Spotify podcasts are free, no matter which subscription tier you use. This includes Spotify Free, where you can listen to unlimited episodes of unlimited shows and download podcasts for offline listening at no extra charge. However, you will still receive adverts that you would otherwise avoid with a paid-for Spotify subscription.

That said, some podcast creators charge designated subscriptions to access their shows. These are independent from Spotify premium subscriptions, allowing fans to support their favorite podcasters by purchasing exclusive content. Some often-included perks are ad-free listening, bonus content, early episode access, and archived shows. Spotify highlights these subscription-only podcasts with a padlock icon. If desired, you can sign up by doing the following:

1. Navigate to the podcast show page.
2. Find the subscribe link in the show description.
3. Enter your details and tap Subscribe.

You can then unlock and listen to the podcast by tapping Activate on Spotify or copying the private RSS link and pasting it into a third-party podcast app. Payments automatically renew at the end of the subscription period unless you cancel before the renewal date. If you decide to cancel, check your emails for Spotify’s monthly cancellation link. Content you’ve already paid for will remain available until your next renewal date.

What are some alternatives to Spotify podcasts?

Apple Podcasts is the default for many, but it isn’t as feature-rich as popular alternatives.

Many compelling alternatives to Spotify have come and gone over the years. For example, the once-popular Google Podcasts was discontinued on April 2, 2024, in a drive to consolidate its audio offerings within YouTube Music. However, while fans can stream their favorite podcasts from the app or via RSS feeds, many complain of YouTube Music’s unintuitive interface and lack of high-end features.

Pocket Casts is a long-time favorite among iOS and Android users and combines a simple UI with a comprehensive list of podcasts. While fans previously needed a Pocket Casts Plus subscription to stream from the web or desktop app, the company made this free on March 11, 2025. Creating a free account allows you to synchronize playback progress across devices, manage podcast queues, and save subscriptions and preferences. Conversely, opting for the paid subscription unlocks 20GB of cloud storage, Up Next Shuffle, Preselect chapters, bookmarked episodes, folders to organize your podcasts, and more.

Pocket Casts remains one of the best free podcast streaming apps on the market.

iPhone owners who use Apple Music as their default streaming service will enjoy Apple Podcasts. This app delivers a comprehensive library of streamable and downloadable content and works seamlessly with AirPlay to cast podcasts to an Apple TV. Unfortunately, there’s no built-in silence trimming feature. Similarly, some of Apple’s discovery features are cluttered, and the app is known for promoting shows that collect ad revenue.

Podcast Addict remains one of the most popular free podcast apps for Android and iOS. It contains an enormous library of podcasts, audiobooks, live-streaming radio, and more. The app also supports YouTube and Twitch channels and features variable playback speed, skip silence options, and Chromecast and SONOS support. The UI is a little outdated. However, it has many playlists, playback, and organization features. It is worth noting that the free version of the app contains advertising. To avoid this, you can pay for a subscription that unlocks additional features, including real-time updates, a playlist widget, and a custom opening screen.

Frequently asked questions about Spotify podcasts

Your Spotify app is outdated

Bugs arise every now and then, and app updates usually come with fixes to counter them, alongside performance improvements and new features. You can update your app by following these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on the Profile icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Manage apps and device.
4. Tap on Updates available to see your apps requiring updates.
5. You can tap the Update button beside Spotify(if an update is available) or Update All to download all the available updates.

You have a weak internet connection

A poor internet connection will cause frequent pauses while streaming on Spotify. Follow these tips to rule out a connection issue:

• Ensure you are connected to the correct network.
• Check the strength of your internet connection and see if you can move around to get a better signal.
• If you are connected to a Wi-Fi router, try restarting it.

Sometimes, you may have to wait until you get a better signal.

Someone else is using your Spotify account

You can log into several devices via your account, but Spotify does not allow you to play simultaneously on multiple devices with the same account. This is usually why Spotify keeps pausing; whenever someone logs into your account on another device and starts playing music, your music stops.

You can fix this by logging your account out of all connected devices and changing your password. To log out of your Spotify on all devices:

1. Log into the Spotify Account page.

2. Scroll down and click on Sign out everywhere in the Security and privacy section.

3. Click on the Sign out Everywhere button to confirm.

To change your password:

1. Log into the Spotify Account page.
2. Scroll down and click on Change password under Security and Privacy.

3. Click the Set new password button after inputting your current password, then your desired password twice.

Your autoplay feature is disabled

Spotify’s autoplay features enable nonstop listening, which will play something similar when what you’re listening to ends. For example, if you’re listening to an album or playlist, similar music will continue after the initial queue ends. Switch on your autoplay using these steps:

1. Go to Settings on your app.
2. Scroll down to Autoplay similar content under Playback and ensure it is on (the switch beside it will be green if it’s on).

Bluetooth interference or hardware issues

You may be outside the connection range if using a Bluetooth device. Follow these tips to fix this issue:

• Ensure you are close to your Bluetooth source device.
• Pair your hardware with another device and listen to something else to see if the problem still occurs.
• Remove other wireless headphones paired with your device.

Your app’s cache is corrupted

Your Spotify app’s cache may be corrupted, causing the app to fail. You can fix this by clearing the app’s cache. To clear the Spotify cache on your Android device:

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Search for and select Spotify from the list.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache at the bottom right of the screen.

If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the Spotify app. Also, try restarting your device. If the issue persists, try reaching out to Spotify Support.