XLR Cable Types Explained
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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XLR cable types differ by connector, conductor count and length. The common type is a 3-pin XLR male-to-female cable for microphones, and the cables here run 6 feet or 25 feet. A quad conductor cable adds extra noise rejection, and a longer cable suits a stage while a shorter cable suits a studio desk.
Start with the 3-pin male-to-female cable
The standard XLR cable for a microphone has a 3-pin male connector at the mic end and a 3-pin female connector at the mixer end. The Cable Matters, AuxLink and Mogami cables here are male-to-female cables with 3-pin connectors, and they plug into a microphone and a mixer, preamp or interface. Check the connector gender and the pin count before you buy, since a male-to-male or female-to-female cable fits a different jack.
Compare the conductor and the gauge
Conductor count and wire gauge decide how the cable is built. The Mogami cable uses a quad conductor design with Neglex Quad wire, with up to 30dB better noise rejection than twisted pair cables. The Cable Matters cable uses 21 AWG oxygen-free copper conductors, and the Monoprice cable uses 16AWG wire with gold plated connectors. Compare the gauge and the conductor count before you choose.
Check shielding and connectors
Shielding keeps noise out of the signal, and the connector build decides how long the cable lasts. The Cable Matters, AuxLink and Monoprice cables have copper braided shielding, and the Mogami cable has a bare copper shield with 100% coverage. The AuxLink and Monoprice cables have gold-plated connectors, and the Cable Matters cables have heavy-duty metal connectors with molded strain relief. Check the shield and the connectors before you buy.
Pick the right length and pack
Length decides how far the cable reaches, and pack size decides how many cables you get. The Cable Matters, Monoprice and Mogami cables here are 6 feet long, and the AuxLink cables are 25 feet long. The Cable Matters pack holds 2 cables, and the AuxLink pack holds 6 cables in different colors. Measure the distance from the microphone to the mixer first, then match the length and the pack to that distance.
What you need
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR
A 2-pack of 6-foot XLR male-to-female cables with 21 AWG oxygen-free copper conductors and copper braided shielding.
- Cables in pack: 2
- Oxygen-free copper
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
AuxLink XLR Cables
A 6-pack of 25-foot XLR male-to-female cables with gold-plated 3-pin connectors and copper braided shielding.
- Cables in pack: 6
- Oxygen-free copper
- Shielded
- Length: 25 ft
Monoprice XLR Male to XLR Female Cable
A 6-foot XLR male-to-female cable with 16AWG wire, gold plated connectors and a braided shield, with a lifetime warranty.
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
- Lifetime warranty stated
Mogami Gold Studio 06 XLR to XLR
A 6-foot XLR male-to-female quad conductor cable with gold contacts, a bare copper shield and a lifetime warranty.
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
- Lifetime warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best XLR Cable, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What XLR cable type do microphones use?
Microphones use a 3-pin XLR male-to-female cable. The Cable Matters, AuxLink and Mogami cables here are male-to-female cables with 3-pin connectors.
What does quad conductor mean in an XLR cable?
A quad conductor cable uses extra conductors, and the Mogami cable uses Neglex Quad wire with up to 30dB better noise rejection than twisted pair cables.
How long should an XLR cable be?
Match the length to the distance from the microphone to the mixer. The cables here are 6 feet or 25 feet long, so measure first and pick the length that reaches without slack.
Ranked XLR cables lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.