The humble microphone stand is often overlooked as a vital piece of equipment – that is, until you see your £1000 mic fall to the ground as you scramble in slow motion to stop it. Shortly after this, you’ll realise that having a standing mic is one of the best investments you can make for gigging on stage, the studio or even just streaming.
So, with that in mind, we’ve put together a guide to help you find the perfect one for your situation. We’ll be looking at the subtleties that separate different stands and share our favourites to buy from Amazon, eBay and Gear4music. Whether you've got a Rode, Blue Yeti or Shure mic, our selection includes heavy-duty, adjustable and desktop stands for everyone.
Quick List - Top Mic Stands
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Before we dive into the various mic stands available, it’s worth considering what you want it for. Is it for taking on tour with your band? Producing podcasts in a home studio? Each style will benefit different needs. Therefore, understanding your own is vital.
If you’ve already been searching online for microphone stands, chances are you’ll already be somewhat aware of the various options available. But what are they best for? Below, we highlight the most popular types and outline what you can expect from each one and what situations they’re best suited to.
There is also a type of tripod stand called a tripod boom. These differ because instead of having a single pole, there are two. Consequently, these allow you to angle the microphone in different directions, so they're good for both instruments as well as singing.
Lastly, there are round bases. These look just as the name suggests and are often the heaviest option. However, owing to their extra surface area and weight, they are also slightly sturdier, so if your band are known for stomping and causing a ruckus on stage, these can be a wise choice.
Overheads or 'boom' stands are the largest of all mic stands. Their draw is that they can reach heights and angles that others can’t, meaning you don’t have to worry about your expensive, heavy condenser mic when it’s hanging two metres high. These are often used in a studio setting for instruments like drums, although they can also be helpful when bigger bands play to larger crowds.
There are a couple of things to consider, though. Firstly, they’re the most expensive, so you’ll want to contemplate that. Secondly, even when you’ve committed to purchasing an overhead, it can be hard to find the ideal one due to its size and the size of the room or studio you’re working in.
If you’re looking for a microphone stand for radio, podcasts or bedroom recording, then you’ll need to pivot from the traditional options. One of the popular styles is a tabletop. These are essentially miniature versions of the other stands; however, you’ll sometimes find them with some unusual bases as they’re all made to attach to desks.
The tabletop microphone stand is on the rise as many people now engage with podcasting, live streaming and other forms of recording. This is because they’re more compact and better for home use. However, it also means that they’re not as strong or stable, so you might want to be careful what you place on them.
The last in our chosen range of styles is the adjustable arm microphone stand. This stand is another desk/bedroom recording type and has been popular for radio broadcasters since the dawn of time.
The design has two arm sections that can bend or swivel – and it’s this that allows for quick repositioning of the mic. So, if you need to quickly spin on your chair to record another instrument or do some live sound effects for your broadcast, then these are ideal.
Like tabletop mics, these also attach to desks, but they often have internal shock dispersion, meaning you don’t have to worry too much about any sounds from the desk getting picked up. They can be confusing when you’ve got many wires wrapped around and tangled up, but you can look for those with cable management systems to avoid this.
The next feature you want to consider is the height adjustment range, which will change depending on the style of the stand. A tabletop designed for talking into won't offer the same coverage as an overhead constructed to reach extreme lengths when recording large drum sets. So, set your expectations accordingly.
When it comes to regular, singing microphones, you can expect the range to be around 100-160 cm. For the larger overheads, it'll be 120-200 cm, and for smaller tabletops, 10-20 cm. The only time the range is different is when you have adjustable arms or tripod boom stands, and this is because the company may list the maximum length due to their two-arm construction.
Another consideration is the type of clutch. Now, you might be thinking, what is a clutch? Well, this is the part that connects the mic to the stand. The most popular option is a twist, where you will screw your mic on, ensuring that you’ve tightened it properly with your hand.
However, sometimes this can be difficult, for example, in a live setting with a singer who also plays the guitar. In that case, you might prefer a grip clutch, which grips the mic like a bulldog clip and is easier to use with one hand. While these are helpful, they are also less common, so you might need to look harder to find the perfect stand with this clutch.
Finally, if you’re planning on transporting the stand regularly, you’ll want to think about its weight. Stands designed for gigging usually weigh between 2 and 5 kg, so even the top end shouldn't add too much to the loading process – and finally, the singer will have to carry something. But, again, if you plan on owning multiple stands, this can quickly add up.
If you’re purchasing microphones for recording at the desk or in a bedroom, then as you’d expect, these are not only smaller but lighter as well. So light, in fact, that pretty much everyone will have no trouble manoeuvring them around their recording space.
Finally, overhead microphones. These can be heavy – think 10 kg plus. Thankfully, you often only need to get these into the studio, and then they don't need moving much once they’re in. You can, however, look for overheads with casters, which are even more straightforward when trying different positions.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | K&M 210/9 Microphone Stand | ![]() | Form and Function at a Decent Price | |
2 | Ultimate Support Microphone Stand|MC-125 | ![]() | An Investment but One That Pays for Itself | |
3 | Quiklok A114 Tabletop Mic Stand | ![]() | With a Cast Iron Base to Keep It in Place | |
4 | Gravity Round Base Microphone Stand |GMS231HB | ![]() | Get the Best of Both (Clutch) Worlds | |
5 | Gear4music Heavy Duty Studio Arm Mic Stand | ![]() | Professional-Grade Gear for Beginner Prices | |
6 | Hercules Tripod Boom Microphone Stand|MS531B | ![]() | Versatile and Ready for Any Recording Situation | |
7 | K&M Overhead Microphone Stand|21021 | ![]() | A Competitive Price for This Style of Stand | |
8 | Gear4music Small Table Top Microphone Tripod Stand | ![]() | Does Its One Job Very Well | |
9 | Ultimate Support JamStands Mic Stand|JS-MCRB100 | ![]() | Withstands Rigorous Gigging and Heavy-Handed Band Mates | |
10 | Neewer NW-35 Black | ![]() | Easily Attached to the Table |
Pretty quickly, we decided to opt for a tripod boom style microphone stand as our number one. For one, as we mentioned earlier, they're the most versatile of all options. This flexibility makes them an excellent choice for those just setting up their studio, as this will effortlessly perform many roles.
Moreover, this offering from K&M has a few centimetres more height range than others of this style. Add to that that it's one of the more affordable choices when considering its quality, and you know you're getting a mic stand that will function at the top end for a long time. There's no doubt you'll get your money's worth with this one.
Again, we know this stand is pricey. Still, once you've had to faff around moving your overheads in search of that perfect drum sound over and over and over again, the casters will soon become well worth the extra cost. This overhead also has more range than the other options.
Another feature we like is that it contains a counterweight. This feature safeguards the microphone on the other end and reduces the risk of any movement whilst recording. Plus, all the parts can be serviced, meaning, in principle, you should only ever need to fix bits instead of buying a new stand.
OK, the Quiklok A114 is quite expensive for what it is. But, look past that for just a moment and you'll see that it has some rather redeeming features. For example, not only can you adjust the height, but there's also a tilt function that allows for great flexibility when placing the mic.
Furthermore, the cast iron base is substantial, guaranteeing that your precious microphone won't be toppling over any time soon from the twist clutch. While it is purposefully designed for a tabletop, this sturdy stand also makes it a solid choice for placing as a kick drum mic stand, too.
This offering from Gravity has the best of both worlds when it comes to the clutch mechanism. You see, it is screwed on initially, but once securely fitted, there is a system that allows you to adjust the height with just one hand.
Moreover, everything else about the stand is just what you could want from a rounded base stand. It has a heavier, sturdier weight (4.4 kg) and plenty of height adjustment, ranging from 108 to 175 cm. Finally, it has a powder-coated finish, ensuring it keeps its smart looks for a bit longer.
While Gear4music is predominately a marketplace for other company's musical equipment, they also make some pretty nifty gear. Take this Heavy Duty Studio Arm Stand, for example. It has an expendable length of just shorter than a metre, as well as 360-degree swivelling for optimal positioning.
Additionally, it comes with the clamps required for attaching to a desk and the universally used 16 mm twist-style clutch thread for attaching whatever mic you desire. This is professional-grade gear for beginner prices.
The Hercules MS531B is a tripod boom-style stand similar in structure to K&M's overhead, except it has a little less height adjustability. This makes it a supremely versatile option that is great for recording practically anything from instrumentation to vocals and even podcasts if you have the space.
With this particular design, every aspect is easily altered, from the height to the mic holder, meaning that you can move the recording quickly and easily from one moment to the next. Plus, it's light enough to take to the stage if you ever wanted to.
This offering from K&M is ideal for those looking to record drums or work as a session drummer. The extendable height reaches just over 2 metres which will perfectly capture cymbals and ambient soundscapes. Furthermore, the steel construction and clutches are sturdy, so you can rest assured your mics will stay in place.
Not only this, but the design is easy to fold away, which means that if you've not quite got a studio with similar floorspace to Abbey Studios, they can be stored away when not in use. It's also worth mentioning these are competitively priced for overheads.
This stand was made for home recording and podcasting, and this is recognisable from its compact yet sturdy stature. The design is made from steel but has a classier chrome-like finish with ultra-sturdy, rubber feet mounts. Plus, the clutch will accept both condenser and dynamic microphones.
Of course, if you wanted a microphone stand that could adequately perform a few different functions in a home studio, then this would probably fall a little short. But if you're pretty sure that you only need something for the desk, it has your back.
Here, we have a classic round-base microphone stand from Ultimate Support. The accessory has a powder-coated painted finish, meaning that it will maintain its appearance and shouldn't get too beaten and bruised quickly, even if some of the group are heavy-handed with the equipment.
Sadly, the weight is not specified, which is not ideal when considering this type of stand. That aside, it's has a decent height adjustment range and is available for a relatively wallet-friendly price.
First up in our ranking, we have this adjustable arm microphone stand from Neewer. The stand is made from durable steel with a max. load of approximately 1 kg, which should be plenty for the average microphone. The table attachment is a simple vice-style mount, requiring you to tighten a screw until secure.
The design incorporates a shock mount, so you won't need to worry about accidentally knocking on your desk or side while you're recording. However, some of the components aren't known to be of the best quality, with some hardware, such as springs, wearing away faster than you'd want.
Choosing a mic stand might be a touch more complicated than you thought, but choosing the microphone itself is even trickier! Not to worry, all you have to do is click through to the articles below for more advice and recommendations.
No. 1: K&M|210/9 Microphone Stand
No. 2: Ultimate Support|Microphone Stand|MC-125
No. 3: Quiklok|A114 Tabletop Mic Stand
No. 4: Gravity|Round Base Microphone Stand |GMS231HB
No. 5: Gear4music|Heavy Duty Studio Arm Mic Stand
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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