Best For Podcasters: YAMAHA MG06X 6-Input Compact Stereo Mixer with Effects

This is our pick for folks who have a podcasting side hustle—or want to do a live performance with a small group of musicians. The quality and features here are excellent. Yes, this mixer is more money than a bare bones option, but consider the additional value here: digital effects like reverb, XLR outputs to self-powered speakers, etc.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Perfect for podcasting when you have a couple of mics, and perhaps an input for musical sound effects.

• Compression for vocals.

• Special effects like reverb and echo.

• Quality construction means more reliability.

• Also great for mobile DJ or small live music performances.

• Larger input versions available. 

What Needs Work

• No recording capability. Of course, most audio mixers are not designed to have recording—there is a USB output on this mixer so you can send the mix to a computer. 

• No mute button.

• Special effects can only be added to two channels (in the 6-input model).

Best Simple Mixer: LZSIG Audio Mixer Compatible with Dynamic Microphones

If you don’t need any fancy features like those in the Yamaha above (that is, no need for reverb, EQ or other special effects), this could be a cost-effective solution: the LZSIG mixer. 

This no-frills mixer impressed us with its build quality and set up—you can mix up to four microphones or audio sources and then output them to a speaker.

So how would this be used in the real world? Say you have a little home music set up—guitar, keyboard and mic. By routing these through the mixer, you could then adjust the level of each source . . . turning down the mic, turning up the keyboard, etc. 

What We Liked

• Budget-friendly.

• Great for monitoring and sub-mixing.

• Good for DJs starting out.

• Controls are smooth to use.

What Needs Work

• Only works with 1/4″ inputs. That means if you have an XLR or USB microphone or other inputs that don’t output to 1/4″, you won’t find this mixer to be helpful.

Best For Karaoke: Mackie Mix8 8-Channel Compact Mixer

If you are looking for a mixer for karaoke, you may want to have multiple mics and then an input for the karaoke music. Hence a bigger mixer like this eight-channel one from Mackie would be our choice. This one came highly recommended by the karaoke enthusiasts among our readers.

What We Liked

• Easy to use.

• EQ band (3 channels) on all channels—that’s great for adding more depth to vocals.

• Great for karaoke or simple live band performances.

• 2 XLR inputs for microphones.

What Needs Work

• No USB output. Hence, this mixer isn’t as ideal for uses such as podcasting.

• No power switch.

• No echo or reverb.

Best for Live Music Performance: Depusheng DT12 Studio Audio Mixer

When it comes to live music, you may need more than just a six- or eight-input mixer—especially when you add in drum machines, multiple XLR mics and more. This mixer came recommended to us by several live musicians we interviewed for this article—good quality and easy-to-use features. Note the ability to add reverb or other special effects for each channel.

What We Liked

• Excellent sound quality.

• Special effects work on each channel.

• XLR inputs for each channel, or 1/4″ line in.

• Great for live music.

• 12 channels give you more space for more musical instruments.

What Needs Work

• Bluetooth range is limited.

• Instructions could be more complete.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!