Quick-Access To the Best Microphone Stands👇

You always hear about the best microphone to optimize your sound, but something that is rarely discussed is the equipment needed to actually use that microphone.

After all, what is a microphone without a microphone stand?

Whether you are recording a vocal spot, an orchestra, a video, a podcast, or an at-home acoustic session, the placement of the mic makes a big difference to your sound.

If you are looking for the best microphone stands on the market, this is the post for you.

The Single Most Important Factor To Keep In Mind With Mic Stands

Well, unless you are planning on just laying your microphone on the floor in front of you while you play music in its general direction, you need something to hold it up.

You could always MacGyver it and duct tape your microphone to a chair, or a stick, or rubber band it to your desk. There are several DIY options.

But we know that as much as you trust your teddy bear with your mic, it just will not be steady or stable enough for even quality.

Mic stands don’t just keep your expensive equipment off of the floor. They allow you to aim the pickup to where you want it, and then maintain that position throughout your work period.

The best kinds of mic stands are the ones that you forget are even there because they don’t need adjustment or to be fiddled with in-between takes.

Hercules MS533B

The Hercules is our Top Pick because of its amazing performance, durability, and boom clamp for versatility!

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Think of it this way. A good chef can cook anywhere and with anything, but if you give them an electric mixer instead of them mixing something by hand, the final product is better combined, and is finished much faster.

Besides the obvious quality benefits that a mic stand can give you, let’s be honest, it also makes you look cool and professional.

Besides the obvious ego boost this gives you, it also lets your audience or fan base know that you are serious about what you are doing.

People are more willing to become invested in something that promises to be around for a long time and, as cheap as duct tape is, a broomstick just won’t cut it as a pro-level mic stand.

Types of Stands

What kind of mic stands will you need? It helps to understand what each category is used for.

• Tripod stands are the most common variety of microphone stand, and they are used for just about any purpose. From the studio to the stage, from the desktop to the floor, these stands are stable and come in any size and shape you will ever need.
• Boom Stands have a secondary arm that moves on the horizontal plain to allow for greater reach than your standard straight mic.
  • These are often used for vocals while playing an instrument, to reduce the possibility of bumping against the mic. They can also be used to record instrumentals, angling the mic stand itself for a better sound.
• Round base stands take up much less floor space than a tripod stand. This is great for smaller studio spaces, as well as live vocal performances. No singer wants to trip over a tripod leg in the middle of a song.
• Desktop stands/Low Profile stands are designed to be out of the way and used on either desks or floors. Generally utilized for podcasting, broadcasting, or PA announcing, they can also be set in front of bass drums or kick stands.

The 13 Best Microphone Stands On The Market

Best Tripod Boom: Hercules MS533B

Hercules MS533B

The Hercules is our Top Pick because of its amazing performance, durability, and boom clamp for versatility!

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Our top pick for best tripod boom is the Hercules MS533B. This lightweight and sturdy frame folds up perfectly for transport without sacrificing stability when in use.

You can adjust the boom length and angle at the same time, and attaching the microphone is as easy as pushing a lever. There is absolutely no sagging of the arm and it can hold anything you throw at it.

While not the lightest of the tripod boom stands out there, it is nearly impossible to accidentally tip over.

If you are a professional who needs ultimate support, something that is reliable and can stand up to repetitive use, well, that’s why this is our top overall boom stand.

Hercules MS533B Key Features:

• Height: 42.1″ – 94.5″
• Weight: 5.7 lbs
• Base radius: 13.4″
• Max Boom Length: 30.7″
• Folded size: 38″ x 3.7″ x 3.7″
• 2 in 1 Boom Clamp for Versatility

Runner Up Tripod: Hola! Music HPS-101TB

Hola! Music HPS 101TB

The Hola! Tripod stand has a boom arm that allows for complete control over mic placement and distance!

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This Hola! tripod mic stand features a telescopic boom and boom arm length that will more than meet your needs. The three clutches are larger than your average microphone stand to make for easy adjustments.

Speaking of which, you can change the height, length and angle of the boom arm, and the legs come with auto-locking, meaning that once you extend the legs on the tripod base, they settle into the housing and keep the stand stable.

The boom length is enough to make it usable for just about any setting. It can be used in a music recording studio or for voiceovers, with the boom arm keeping the stand out of the way in case you get excited while recording.

The telescopic boom arm conserves space so you can also use it in a smaller studio space without knocking into other equipment. Make your studio set up into the one you really want with this tripod mic stand.

Hola! Key Features:

• Height: 40 ” – 63″
• Boom Length: 4″ – 27″
• Weight: 5.6 lbs

Best Budget Tripod: AmazonBasics Tripod Boom Microphone Stand

AmazonBasics

This tripod mic is a great bang for your buck! It’s light, moveable, and totally versatile!

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Another top microphone stand is this tripod boom from AmazonBasics… but it is anything but basic. It is lighter than the previous two on our list, coming in at only 3.3 lbs, and folds up into a very small package.

It is versatile and can be folded down to be used as a straight microphone stand or a tripod boom stand.

The versatility of this mic stand is useful for both live vocal performances as well as instrumental pickup. If you are just starting out and don’t know exactly what equipment you will need in the long run, you couldn’t do much better than this.

As far as tripod stands go, the AmazonBasics covers all the bases, no pun intended. The universal adaptor can handle most major mic brands, negating the need to get an adaptor.

AmazonBasics’ mic stand has a reputation for being a good tripod mic stand to use if you need a quick and sturdy replacement, or an extra stand for background or secondary sound angles.

AmazonBasics Key Features:

• Compatible with 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch adapter
• Weight: 3.31 pounds;
• Dimensions: 22 x 19.3 x 86 inches

Best Round Base: Atlas Sound MS20E

Atlas Sound

If you are looking for a round base that looks cool, will definitely last, and is heavy-duty, look no further than the Atlas Sound MS20E!

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The Atlas Sound MS20E stand, made with cold-rolled steel, is heavy duty with a larger-than-average design.

This is also one of the heaviest mic stands on the market, weighing in at 14 lbs. In general, round base stands are designed for ultimate support and endurance, and this is a leader.

The Atlas Sound stand is oversized and is very difficult to knock over. Obviously there is no situation where one wants their microphone stands to fall over, but this heavy stand is perfect for use on stage where there is a lot of movement.

It is rugged and good at its job, which is why it is on this list of best microphone stands. It is on the pricier end of the range for mic stands, but the higher price point is also understandable. It could potentially last forever, and it protects your more expensive microphone.

No matter the travel or stage conditions, be it a rainy music festival or a rowdy club scene, this is one of the best microphone stands for the true professional.

Atlas Sound MS20E Key Features:

• Weight: 14lbs
• Base Diameter: 12″
• Height: 37″ – 60″

Runner Up Round Base: Neewer Compact Microphone Floor Stand with Mic Holder

Neewer Compact Mic Floor Stand

This Neewer Mic Floor stand is amazing for professional and fun gigs alike!

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Perfect for anyone, from karaoke enthusiasts to the up and coming music star, this round bottom straight microphone stand is stable and reliable. Not everyone needs the longevity or over-the-top ruggedness of the Atlas Sound MS20, and this is a great alternative.

The stand still packs in a lot of longevity, but for a fraction of the cost. The round base measures at 12 inches, to minimize shaking, and the arm can be extended from 39.9 to 70 inches.

This Neewer compact mic stand is best used for vocal recording, speeches, live performances, and karaoke. Need to speak or sing into a microphone without having to worry about it collapsing on you in front of your audience?

If you want to get a mic stand that will last, and that is secure as well as being lightweight, this is one of the best mic stands on the market.

Neewer Key Features:

• Height: 39.9″ – 70″
• Weight: 7.4 lbs
• Base diameter: 12″

Best Budget Round Base: Pyle Universal Mic Mount Compact Base Microphone Stand

Pyle Universal

If you don’t wanna shell out 50 bucks, you won’t have to with this easy to use mic stand! Light and compact and perfect for moving, look no further for your budget round base!

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At just over $20, the Pyle Compact Base mic stand is lightweight and compact. Use this on the go or in a home studio space. The base is smaller than the others on our list, so far, coming in at just under 10 inches.

Don’t let the smaller radius fool you, the Pyle doesn’t skimp on quality. The whole set up is sturdy and easy to adjust, assemble and transport. The base is filled and weighs just under 10 lbs for “microphone with stand” balance.

Set it up and leave it alone. It won’t move or sag, alleviating your worries about gradually changing mic placement during a recording session.

Overall if you need to get a mic stand that will last while transporting it between locations without breaking your back, or your bank, the Pyle Compact Base mic will do you no wrong.

Pyle Compact Base Key Features:

• Height: 33.6″ – 60″
• Weight: 10lb
• Base diameter: 9.8″

Best Desktop Boom: RODE PSA 1 Stand

RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm

This RODE PSA 1 desktop boom mic was designed with studio-quality in mind. It’s got complete 360 movement and is complete with desk attachments!

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On top of the list of best desktop boom stands is the RODE PSA 1. This professional studio boom arm was designed with broadcasting, podcasting and studio use in mind and comes with a desk insert and desk clamp attachments for versatile mounting.

With a 360 degree range of movement and the RODE legacy of music equipment quality, this boom stand won’t let you down.

Compatible with the RODE Broadcaster, Podcaster, Procaster and PSM1 microphones, it also can support heavier microphones with no sagging or need for adjustment.

It comes with a 5/8″ thread to 3/8″ adaptor so you can mount just about any microphone up to 2.4lbs and have the same experience. The arm does not mount flat to the surface but with the proper positioning it will clear your desktop monitor with ease.

The angle of the arm makes it easy to set up and forget while recording, eliminating bumping the mic stand and creating an artifact in your recording sound.

RODE PSA 1 Key Features:

• Horizontal Reach: 32.5″
• Vertical Reach: 33″
• 360 degree rotation
• For mics up to 2.4 lbs

Runner Up Desktop Boom: InnoGear Microphone Sturdy Swivel Stand With Suspension Mic Clip

InnoGear Mic

This InnoGear Mic stand is under 50 bucks and is reliable and stable, but with just a slightly more minimal reach.

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The InnoGear desktop boom stand is a steal at under $50. It is similar to the RODE PSA 1 in terms of appearance and stability, but does have a slightly smaller reach. The boom arm extends 28 inches vertically and 27 inches horizontally and can hold up to 3.5 lbs.

Generally desktop microphone stands are used for more spoken word productions, like podcasts, YouTube videos and radio broadcasts, all of which tend to use heavier mics.

This means that stability and the attachment to the desk are very important to your sound quality, and you don’t want to get hit in the face by a loose boom either!

Recently upgraded, the InnoGear mic stand can hold microphones up to 3.8lbs. It has a 5/8″ thread connector but with a 3/8″ adaptor you can use almost any of the current mics and condenser combinations on the market.

InnoGear Desktop Key Features:

• Vertical height: 27 inches
• Horizontal height: 28 inches
• For mics up to 3.8lbs

Best Budget Desktop Boom: Eastshining Upgraded Adjustable Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand with Shock Mount Mic Clip Holder

Eastshining Mic Stand

This Eastshining adjustable mic suspension boom stand is ready for anything your music, vocals, or content creation can throw at it. Priced at under $20 and ready to roll right out of the box, this is a great desktop budget option.

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Another on our list of desktop boom stands, this $20 eastshining microphone stand is spring-loaded and ready to record your music. The arms are lightweight and flexible and can hold up to a whopping 5.5 lbs without sagging.

One of the better value microphone stands on the market, it doesn’t sacrifice quality and function. The mic stand mounts to the desk with a table clamp, and has a 360-degree range of movement.

Whether you’re using it for radio broadcasting, overdubbing of an audio track, or recording a YouTube tell-all, you can use any mic that you desire.

The Eastshining microphone stand comes with a 5/8″ to 3/8″ adaptor and, with the aforementioned massive weight-bearing capabilities, it can support whatever condenser and mic combo you can throw at it.

Eastshining Key Features:

• Vertical height: 27.6″
• Horizontal height: 27.6″
• For microphones up to 5.5lbs

Best Studio Microphone Stand: Pyle Heavy Duty Microphone Stand

Pyle Heavy Duty Mic Stand

This mic stand with its telescopic boom arm provides stability for recording and live applications.

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With a telescopic boom arm, this tripod stand provides stability for any situation, be it a music performance or an in-studio recording session. Its durable and rugged construction is especially perfect for the studio, where any movement can ruin a take.

It can be used with or without the boom to get that perfect angle and sound to polish off your latest creation. Don’t settle for lesser mic stands when you know what you need to become successful.

The studio requires ultimate support to maintain sounds, and this is the king of tripod stands in terms of stability. You would think this should be a super expensive addition to your studio, but in fact this stand is under $30, making it affordable for anyone to upgrade their audio.

Pyle Heavy Duty Mic Stand Key Features:

• Height: 51.2” to 78.75”
• Boom Arm Length: 29.5”
• Weight: 6.5lbs

Best Desktop Stand: Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base

Gator

This Gator Desktop stand is designed for everything from vocal tracks to instrumental recording.

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Made to sit on the desktop for vocal tracks, or on the floor for bass drum recording, this Gator Frameworks mic stand is small but mighty. The stand is weighted to decrease movement and to counterbalance the microphone on-stand weight.

The size and design of this stand puts the microphone directly in front of the mouth without blocking your desktop monitor. Because it is not physically attached to your desk, it can also be put away for a more attractive look.

Desktop weighted base stands are an excellent alternative to mounted desktop stands when you don’t need something as large as the traditional swivel stands. It’s also helpful if you have a large desktop setup and the arm of the mounted stands hit your monitors.

Alternatively, if you aren’t ready to buy multiple different microphone stands, the mobility of the standing mics make it an easy transition between desk and floor, vocal to instrumental.

Gator Frameworks Key Features:

• Max Height: 23″
• Base dimension: 4.5″ x 8″
• Weight: 7lbs

Runner Up Desktop Stand: Eison Adjustable Tabletop/Desk Mic Stand

Eison Adjustable Mic Stand

The non-slip base on this desktop stand allows for optimal positioning for all kinds of mics.

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Eison offers this adjustable desktop mic stand with a non-slip base. It has an adjustable gooseneck tube that allows you to position the microphone to just the right angle to optimize your sound quality.

If you want to use a heavier mic, this stand can handle up to 3.3 lbs without tipping over or changing your positioning.

The benefit of gooseneck design mic stands is greater control over your angle… and thus, your sound while recording.

The durability and construction of this mic stand make it easy to transport without fear of breaking. With this mobility, you can not only record in your own home but use it to DJ or MC events as well.

Eison Key Features:

• Max Height: 19.9″
• Weight: 2lbs

Best Budget Desktop Stand: On-Stage DS7200B

On-Stage DS 7200B

This mic desktop stand is lightweight, mobile, and great for recording vocals and voiceover work.

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Made to be lightweight and mobile, as well as primarily for vocal recording, the DS7200B is perfect for the avid podcaster, for home studio recording, or for dictation.

The weighted base can handle most microphones and condensers, and it is easy to put together. It is a no-fuss stand that does exactly what the name implies. It holds a microphone in one position, nothing more, nothing less.

The low price and ease of use make this a superb stand for beginners, and the durable construction makes it a staple for the current producer or other professional.

DS7200B Key Features:

• Height: 9” to 13”
• Base Diameter: 6”
• Base Weight: 2 lbs.

What Are Microphone Stands?

What are microphone stands? Microphone stands are, generally, made of metal and are there to hold your microphone in the optimal position until you choose to change that position. They are used to aid you while recording sound for audio content or while filming a movie.

They may not be the pieces of equipment literally recording the sound, but they are vital for the quality of your final product.

Final Thoughts

What you want in your mic stands will obviously vary by what you plan to record, what microphone you plan to use, whether you will be indoors, outdoors, onstage or in a studio, and many other factors.

Now you have more than one example of what is out there on the market and will hopefully be able to make a decision that will beneficially impact your future as an artist.