When working with any type of audio production, you shouldn’t have to compromise to get the perfect sound. Whether you are singing in a band, shooting a short film or simply using a microphone to FaceTime with someone, quality is key. Though you might think finding your ideal sound is just about purchasing the right microphone, it is more nuanced than that. By having a microphone stand that gives you complete control over your microphone position, you will be able to make sure that you are always getting the sound that you want.
Best Microphone Stands on the Market
Having a microphone stand is also essential for those who are often involved with a variety of different projects, allowing you to adjust your setup quickly and efficiently. With a microphone stand in your arsenal, you’ll never have to worry again about finding the right setup once you get to a venue or borrowing equipment for shoots.
However, the amount of variety of microphone stands can be intimidating regardless of your experience level. This is why we’ve created a guide to purchasing microphone stands, giving you a detailed buyer’s guide alongside reviews of five of the market’s most notable products.
Best Choice  | RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm
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Also great  | Hercules MS533B Hideaway Boom Stand
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For bass drums and desktop recording  | Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base Microphone Stand
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Best Noise Reflection Reduction  | AxcessAbles SF-101KIT Recording Studio Microphone Isolation Shield w/Stand
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Round, heavy die-cast base  | K & M One-Hand Mic Stand - Stackable Round Base
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1. Rode PSA1 – Best Desktop Microphone Stand
The Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm is a truly premium item. If you want a budget product that is more affordable, this is not the product for you.
Design and Materials
The first thing you’ll notice about the Rode PSA1 is that it is very durable. The metal that the product is made of is very elegant and unlikely to be scratched easily. On top of this, the nuts and bolts are also secure enough that they won’t fall out, but not to the point where they aren’t flexible in the event that you need to adjust something.
It can hold up to 4.4lbs and comes with a two-axis swivel mount that allows you to be incredibly precise with your positioning. Because the design has an incredible 360 degrees of rotation, you can adjust the position of your microphone with a level of nuance that is not available in any other product on the market.
If you are somebody who is looking for something to use as a general microphone stand for performances, this is probably not the product for you. Because this microphone stand is mainly designed to function as a boom stand, it might have too many angles to be useful during a performance.
Incredibly Reliable
For those who are constantly looking for the best boom microphone stand out there, you can’t find many products more reliable than the Rode PSA1. It is able to hold up to 4.4lbs, allowing you to break out even the most expensive microphones you have without worrying about any accidents occurring.
✚ Flexible design
✚ Easy-to-adjust
✚ Two-axis swivel
✚ Holds up to 4.4lbs
✚ 360 degrees of rotation
2. Hercules MS533B – Best Microphone Boom Stand
If you are somebody who is looking for a microphone stand that is just as effective for video shoots as it is performance situations, you can’t do much better than the Hercules MS533B. Though it is technically listed as a boom stand, it’s important to note that this product functions more like a performance-oriented microphone stand. There is a boom portion, though, that is detachable and functions quite well, but it is more of an add-on to the product.
Truly Versatile
When setting up for a recording session, it’s easy to set up the Hercules MS533B with any instrument in the ensemble. With a height between 42.1 and 94.5 inches, you’ll be able to reach any type of height required to get the perfect sound. If you need to get up close and personal to a particular instrument, though, this is also easy. This makes the Hercules MS533B just as reliable for recording drums as it is guitars.
If you decide to switch recording methods during a session, you can easily adjust the stand to get the perfect positioning that you deserve. There is also a two-in-one boom clamp feature that allows you to adjust the boom length and the angle at the same time. The joints of this device are pretty fluid, but might get stuck a bit during your first few times using the product. However, once you get used to it, there isn’t a more versatile microphone stand available on the market.
No Learning Curve
One of the most impressive features of this product is that there is barely a learning curve associated with it. All of the knobs are unique and don’t require much effort to turn, making it easy to start using the microphone stand for the first time. Something that makes this product unique as well is that the legs that the stand uses are incredibly flexible and come with rubber ends that allow you to have a concrete foundation on any surface!
✚ Two-in-one boom clamp feature
✚ Works as a performance microphone stand and a boom
✚ Rubber ends on legs
✚ Height between 42.1 and 94.5 inches
✖ Boom arm is not as durable as other products on the market
3. Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0822 – Best Microphone Stand for Streaming
Those looking for a simple and affordable product to use on their desk at home might really enjoy the Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0822.
The Price (and Size) Are Right
When compared to other products currently available on the market, it’s clear that there are few as affordable and compact as this product. The boom arm itself can reach about 27 inches but can also fit neatly on your desk. If you are somebody who is looking for a product that you can use for casual video calls, you will likely be impressed with the convenience of this product. It can be easily adjusted without getting in the way of your computer setup and is very lightweight for effective transportation.
This microphone stand is also one of the most budget-friendly products on this list and our pick for those looking to get a good deal. The stand is also made from heavy-duty steel with a black powder coat finish, allowing it to not become easily damaged. However, it should be noted that the finish can be sensitive to scratches, but this does not affect the durability of the material itself.
Ideal for Bedroom Pop Musicians
If you’re somebody who prefers to record your albums in your bedroom, it’s likely that you’ve cycled through a variety of products while trying to find the right one. Having many different instruments in a confined space can feel like a difficult balance to maintain, but it doesn’t have to be. This product is made specifically to record bass drums, guitar amps, and vocals, so you can get a full sound without having to leave your bedroom. If you’re a musician who wants flexibility without needing a full studio, this might be a good start. However, those looking for something to use for both recording and performing might be better off with another product.
Something unique about this product is that it has 2.5lbs of counterweight so you can cycle through a variety of microphones without having to adjust the product too much. This is useful for those who just need one stand to record a lot of instruments.
✚ Boom arm reaches up to 27″
✚ Affordable price
✚ Compact design
✚ Durable materials
✖ Black powder coat is prone to scratches
4. AxcessAbles SF-101KIT – Best Studio Microphone Stand
If you are somebody who is looking for a microphone stand to make professional recordings with, you definitely need to look into the AxcessAbles SF-101KIT. This product is definitely on the expensive end of microphone stands, but might be worth it for those wanting to make high-fidelity songs.
Helpful Built-In Features
Something that makes this product stand out from the others in our list is the fact that there is a 10LB Heavy-Duty Vocal Booth attached to the microphone stand. This makes it easier to block out the sound of the room, allowing you to focus only on the voice and add desired effects later. If you are someone who doesn’t need to record vocals in a studio setting, though, this can be quite cumbersome and make your recordings sound dry. There is also an optional pop filter for those who don’t want the voice to distort during certain words!
An Effective, but Not Portable Design
One of the downsides to this product is that the tripod that the stand is comprised of is quite flimsy when compared to other foundations on the market. However, if you are someone just looking to throw a microphone stand into your studio, then you don’t have to worry about this product being damaged. If you plan on carrying it around frequently and transporting it from place-to-place, though, you might want to look for another stand.
That being said, the design of this product has a good reach and is easily adjustable on-the-fly. Because of the effective design, you can get a variety of different angles that all utilize the professional vocal booth aspect of this stand. Despite having many different features, the design itself is surprisingly easy to use.
✚ Pop filter included
✚ 10LB Heavy-Duty Vocal Booth included
✖ Tripod portion can be flimsy
5. K&M One-Hand Microphone Stand – Best Performance Product
Those looking to find a product specifically for performance may appreciate the simplicity of this K&M One-Hand Microphone Stand. The price might be prohibitive for some, but it is an effective product for vocalists.
Intuitive Simplicity
As the name suggests, this one-hand microphone stand is very easy to hold and carry, making it especially suitable for performances. That can also be a downside of the product, though—if you need to play guitar or another instrument that requires more nuanced angles, this is likely not the product for you. However, those looking for simplicity will probably appreciate adjusting the height, something that can be done with the “soft-touch” one-hand clutch.
Durable Design
This product is incredibly durable, offering you a weighted foundation that does not feel remotely flimsy. The stand itself also doesn’t scratch easily, making it suitable for some hardcore punk performances.
✚ Perfect for vocalists
✚ Adjustable height with “soft-touch” one-hand clutch
✖ Only effective for vocal performance
Best Microphone Stands – Buyer’s Guide
The type of microphone stand that is right for you largely depends on what you are planning to use it for. For example, if you are somebody who only needs a stand to perform music with, then you will want something that has both great height and a long reach. This is so you can not only get creative when you’re on stage and move around but also not have to stay in an uncomfortable position if you are playing an instrument that takes up space (i.e. drums).
If you are looking for a stand to use for performance, though, it’s important that you find something that has either a weighted foundation or legs. This is to ensure that you are able to have a nice grip on the product and that it does not fall over or out of reach while you are performing.
On the other hand, if you want to get a microphone stand specifically for recording, then you might appreciate a boom arm more than a generic microphone stand. This is because boom arms are made specifically for getting certain angles, allowing you to adjust multiple joints in order to adjust your microphone’s position a perfect amount. Many boom arms are also made to have a large range of motion, allowing you to craft the specific tone you want with a great deal of nuance.
Those looking to record audio for a film should also look into boom arms, as they are perfect for getting both the sound of a room during a shoot. Many boom arms are also quite portable, allowing your sound engineer to hold the boom stand above the shot to efficiently get dialogue from the actors.
What are microphone stands made up of?
This might seem like an obvious question to some, but microphone stands do much more than simply hold up a microphone. Microphone stands are typically comprised of four different parts: a base, an arm, joints, and a clip. These parts and how they are used will vary greatly depending on which product you are looking at, so it is important to take note of which parts of a microphone stand are most important for you to keep in mind.
Which microphone should I buy for my stand?
The microphone that you want to use for your stand will depend on your personal preference. All of the microphone stands on our list are equipped to deal with a variety of microphones, so you shouldn’t worry about not finding something to fit the microphone that you prefer. However, something important to note when looking for a microphone stand is that you should make sure it has a strong enough foundation to hold the microphone that you plan to use it with. Certain stands are only built to carry a certain amount of weight, so you must first ensure that the microphone you are using will not be too heavy for the stand you purchase.
Which microphone stand is best for studio recording?
You can’t necessarily go wrong with any of the microphones on our top 5 list, but the AxcessAbles SF-101KIT is your best bet for making professional recordings. This product also comes with a 10LB Heavy-Duty Vocal Booth and a pop filter so no voice is unnecessarily distorted during the recording process.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are no products currently on the market that are quite like the Rode PSA1. Not only is this microphone incredibly durable, but it also has a great amount of versatility that makes it very useful for any type of recording situation. For example, its ability to rotate 360 degrees makes it very easy to adjust, while the two-axis swivel also makes each motion incredibly smooth.
If it’s important for you to have a microphone stand that gives you a true range of motion, this could be a great place to start. Of course, the Rode PSA1 is one of the more luxurious items on our list, but sometimes it can be worth spending a little bit more money to get something that you know you will truly rely on in the years to come.
Regardless of what you think of our reviews, the most important factor in choosing a microphone stand is whether or not you’re comfortable using it. This is why we recommend that you familiarize yourself with all of the products on our list, but choose the one that is most suitable for your projects.
We hope that this buyer’s guide and top five list was helpful so that the next time you’re in the market for a microphone stand, you know just where to begin!
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[…] but now what? You may or may not have received or purchased a stand to go with it. Having a decent microphone stand with your new audio setup is the most important part of the experience. Not only does it make […]