Verdict
The Shure MV88 USB-C is a capable mic for mobile content creators who want a simple way of levelling up their audio setup with the benefit of a clever app in a neat and tidy package. It’s easily portable and wonderfully versatile for a single mic package and provides clean and full-bodied audio, although quite expensive compared to more advanced wireless choices from other manufacturers.
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Very easy to use -
Crisp, full-bodied audio -
Motiv Audio app provides rich functionality
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Some may prefer wireless lav mics for more physical versatility -
Quite expensive
Key Features
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Simple USB-C connection
The MV88 USB-C connects to a phone or laptop via USB-C, needs no batteries, and just works plug and play, making it very easy to use -
Motiv Audio app support
The Motiv Audio app unlocks this mic’s versatility with multiple polar patterns, Auto Level gain and lots of other controls.
Introduction
Shure has expanded its venerable lineup of small, creator-focused mics early in 2026 with the new MV88 USB-C which takes “plug and play” to a whole new level.
This is versatile microphone is a surefire way of upgrading your phone’s audio with a simple USB-C connection, plus it has the powers of Shure’s Motiv Audio app and multiple polar patterns with very little setup and effort needed to get going.
For the £145 / $159 asking price, it is quite expensive, especially as you can get versatile wireless mics with USB-C receivers for a similar outlay, such as the Hollyland Lark M2 or DJI Mic 3.
I’ve been putting the MV88 USB-C through its paces to see if this nifty little mic can take the crown as one of the best microphones.
Design
- Very small for easy portability
- Mic is very adjustable with plastic mount
- Helpful hard case bundled
Owing to its dinky size, there isn’t much to the MV88 USB-C. It is a small condenser microphone with a spherical windshield attached to a plastic mount and frame with a USB-C port on the end.
There are no other ports or mounting options accessible with this mic – it just plugs in via USB-C to a phone, desktop PC, or even a laptop. You don’t get any on-board controls, either.
In spite of being predominantly plastic with a metal grille surrounding the capsule, this is a typically high-quality product as I’ve come to expect from Shure. It has some pleasant heft to it, although it is still easily light and small enough to be portable.
As with last year’s MoveMic 88+ model, the MV88 USB-C has L and R lettering to denote which side of the mic is left and right, for any of the directional-focused polar patterns you’re using, plus the unit can move on two axes for adjustment.
There is 90-degree adjustment on the plastic mount so it can be facing straight out of the bottom of your phone, or pointing in one direction, and the mic assembly itself can move on a horizontal axis, too.
For handy portability, Shure also bundles a hard case in the box that takes the mic and protects it when travelling. As you don’t need any other cables, it’s a small case and can easily be slung into a bag.
Features
- Plug and play with USB-C devices
- Extensive functionality with Motiv Audio mobile app
- Lots of polar pattern options
One of the key things with the MV88 USB-C is that it works plug and play with virtually any device that has a USB-C port. I had no issues using it with my Honor Magic V3 phone, and it was even recognised by my MacBook Pro immediately after plugging it in.
The old MV88 from years ago was Lightning only, and USB-C makes more sense in 2025 for versatility. As a reversible connector, you can also choose whether the mic faces towards the front or rear camera of a phone, giving you even more choice of placement.
There isn’t a battery contained inside the unit, as it’s powered by the USB-C port of the host device, meaning you also don’t have to think about charging this Shure mic up, as with other models in its range and competing lavalier and receiver options.
The MV88 USB-C’s main functionality is unlocked with the brand’s Motiv Audio mobile app, which springs into action as soon as you plug the mic in and have the app downloaded. After a quick firmware update and granting of permissions, you’re off to the races with some very extensive functionality.
Using Motiv Audio, you can control settings such as gain, enabling things such as a high-pass filter, real-time denoiser or compressor, plus choose different polar patterns. By default, it works in a mono cardioid fashion, making it ideal for voices or noise directly in front of it, and you can even choose the width of pickup. You can also record straight out of the app to your phone, choosing the file format and bitrate it’s saved in.
Other polar pattern options included mono cardioid, mono bidirectional (useful for two-person interviews) and raw mid-side (useful for field recordists who want sound in all directions) – these are identical to the ones found on the MoveMic 88+.
Shure also makes it very easy for folks who just want to hit record and not worry about fine-tuning settings with the Auto Level mode for gain that automatically adjusts it while you’re talking, plus the Real Time Denoiser can aid in removing any unwanted background noise, With a couple of flicks in the Motiv Audio app and a tap of the Record button, you’ll have quality audio without any of the fuss.
Audio Quality
- Full-bodied, clean pickup
- Excellent pickup with four polar patterns
- Plosive handling isn’t the best
Given that the MV88 USB-C is designed as a simple plug-and-play solution for fledgling creators, it makes sense to compare it against how your phone microphone sounds. Of course, this depends on the phone you have, but in virtually every case, I’d wager this Shure mic takes things up a gear.
Against the phone microphone on my Magic V3, this Shure mic provides more body, definition and a generally fuller sound by default in its stereo configuration with the Auto Level mode enabled. It’s a fuss-free method of getting much better audio than just speaking into your phone, which is worth its weight in gold if you’re starting out as a creator, or just want to take your audio up a notch.
Having the benefit of other polar patterns also increases the versatility of the MV88 USB-C. The mono bidirectional mode is handy for interviews, and this mic did a surprisingly good job of providing clean pickup of both participants. Any mobile-oriented field recordists should also be happy with the raw mid-side polar pattern, too. I found it to do a good job of picking up the noise of passing cars and ambient chat from passers-by on a walk.
I have a similar complaint with this MV88 iteration as I did with the MoveMic 88+ regarding plosive handling, though. Getting a little too close to the capsule or being a tad loud when speaking did lead to the typical unwanted ‘thud’ noise with P or B sounds, but you can, of course, fiddle with this in editing software such as Adobe Audition or Audacity if needed.
Should you buy it?
You want a simple, but powerful USB-C mic
The MV88 USB-C impresses with its simple user experience, being plug-and-play, and the versatility afforded by installing the Motiv Audio app where it really begins to shine.
You don’t want to be constantly attached to your phone
If you’re going to be making the kind of content where you want to move around or don’t want to be attached to your phone, a set of top-class wireless mics from Hollyland or DJI will serve you better at a similar price.
Final Thoughts
The Shure MV88 USB-C is a capable mic for mobile content creators who want a simple way of levelling up their audio setup with the benefit of a clever app in a neat and tidy package.
It’s easily portable and wonderfully versatile for a single mic package and provides clean and full-bodied audio, although quite expensive compared to more advanced wireless choices from other manufacturers.
The likes of the Hollyland Lark M2 and DJI Mic 3 are wireless lavalier mics that can work with a USB-C receiver that plugs into a phone via USB-C, providing the same core experience, but with the benefit of working from further away if you’re going to be making the kind of content where you don’t want be constantly attached to your phone.
With this in mind, for pure simplicity at this price, the MV88 USB-C is virtually unmatched, and it does so while providing the same excellent core experience Shure has been known for for many years. For more options, check out our list of the best microphones.
How We Test
During each microphone review, we conduct a series of recording tests that include sampling audio during ideal settings, with background noise applied and in an outdoor setting (where possible), to give you the best idea of how each device performs in real-world use.
- Tested both indoors and outdoors
FAQs
The Shure MV88 USB-C connects to mobile devices predominantly using its integrated USB-C connector and works plug-and-play.
Full Specs
| Shure MV88 USB-C Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £145 |
| USA RRP | $159 |
| Manufacturer | Shure |
| Size (Dimensions) | 25 x 33 x 67 MM |
| Weight | 40 G |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 07/01/2026 |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Sensitivity | -32 dB |
| Frequency response | 2020000 Hz |
| Polar patterns | Stereo, Mono Cardioid, Mono Bidirectional, Raw Mid-Side |
| Max SPL | 120 dB |
| Connection type | USB-C |
