The best microphone stand? Yes, there’s such a thing… thankfully, so don’t be fooled into thinking that mic stands are all the same – some extravagant studio accessory designed to simply make mic a companies a quick buck. They’re not! In fact, to even think such a thing would be a major insult.
And that’s because minor as they may at first appear, mic stands are actually just as important as that shiny new condenser microphone you recently bought, or any length of braided XLR cable. Take the mic stand out of your studio setup and you’ll soon see what we mean.
Your mic stand is everything! It’s what keeps your precious mic in place and out of harms way. It’s also the climbing frame for your XLR cable and even something solid on which to mount your pop filter. Put it this way, without a studio mic stand, what are you left with? Merely a pile of wires, an expensive (and delicate) microphone that’s laid on the floor and a pop filter desperately in need of a mounting point.
Really then, a microphone stand is a whole lot more than just a metal pole that’s made in China. It’s a metal pole that’s made in China for good reason. It’s another pair of hands. One that’s designed to make your life recording vocals (or instruments) a whole lot easier. So with that in mind then, what is the best microphone stand in 2022? Are cheap microphones stands worth it? Read on to find out.
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The best mic stands @ a glance…
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8 of the best microphone stands you can buy in 2022…
As much as you can say that all microphone stands do the same job (which they kinda do), that’s not to say that they’re all the same. And that’s because mic stands themselves aren’t just manufactured to be a mic stand and that’s that.
The vast majority are manufactured with a certain purpose in mind, be that to be portable, the ideal fit for a studio or just to hold a mic in a certain way. So really, when it comes to looking for the best microphone stand, you really need to understand what your needs are first. In other words, what do you require the mic stand to do?
If you’re a touring musician, then portability will likely be high on your agenda, as well as something that’s rugged enough to be flung in the back of a tour van + live to tell the tale. Producers, if you’re kitting out a studio, then you’re most likely after a studio mic stand that’s a good fit for your vocal booth. And for any radio DJ’s, a microphone boom stand is probably the way to go
Exactly why the mic stands listed below aren’t all of one type – there is no ‘one size fits all’ mic stand. They’re a real mix of what we thing are the best shapes, sizes and fitments for 21st Century musicians, producers and DJs. So without further ado, here’s our guide to the best microphone stand of 2022…
1: Hercules MS533B Hideaway microphone stand
As you’d expect from a brand called Hercules, this mic stand puts up a strong fight. So strong in fact that we’d be tempted to say that it’s the best microphone stand out there in terms of user-friendliness. And that’s because, thanks to just a few EZ adjustments, it saves you so much time – this stand is no gimmick!
Use this stand for 5 minutes and you’ll see that something called the EZ clutch, is what’s going to save most of your time. Essentially, this is a lever that lets you adjust the height of the stand with a simple click and release… with the Herc, you can kiss goodbye to screwing and tightening! And the good news is, the EZ theme continues. Want to fit a mic, but need an adapter? No problem. The Hercules comes with an EZ adapter too, which much as you’d expect, allows you to adapt your stand using a simple clamp – no screwing involved!
More clever EZ tech comes into play when adjusting the boom too. The Hercules also boasts a 2 in 1 clamp, which allows you to adjust the angle of the boom + the length at the same time! However, what we think is the raddest feature is the boom itself, which by some engineering wizardry manages to slide directly inside the mic stand – great for travel – hence the name, Hideaway. Really then, the Herc is a strong contender for the title of the best microphone stand in 2021!
Why the Herc could be the best microphone stand…
2: On-Stage MS7201B mic stand
Not a fan of complex goosenecks or adjusting boom clamps? If that’s the case, then this upright studio microphone stand may be your best bet. It’s simple, straight to the point and most importantly, very sturdy. But then again, weighing in at a whopping 4kg you’d expect it to be. Although, don’t be tricked into thinking that all this weight is a sign of bad engineering – there’s a good reason for it.
You’ll find the majority lies in the base, so actually the weight is what works to keep the stand upright. In fact, in testing we found this stand to be actually quite hard to knock over, even with a mic attached. So rest assured your beloved (and rather expensive) microphone should be safe. Perhaps the reason it’s one of the most popular mic stands ever produced? The only place we wouldn’t advise using a studio microphone stand like this is outside, as it’s flat base is specifically designed for use on level ground only.
What’s more, unlike virtually all other stands out there, you have the option to switch up the colour scheme – basically ditch the plain black and go custom. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could opt for chrome or a retro white colour. Something that we’d strongly advise you consider, as in many respects it transforms the stand from a practical piece of equipment into a musical piece of furniture. A classy addition to any studio if you ask us!
Why could this be the best microphone stand out there?
3: Tiger MCA7-BK professional boom stand
Tiger are renowned across the music industry for the quality of their accessories, and thankfully this mic stand is no exception. The metal construction feels solid and at over 2kg in weight, rest assured that it’s rugged enough to deal with most mics, as well as the odd knock here and there.
What’s more, unlike a lot of other microphone stands out there, the Tiger is two-tier height adjustable, which basically means it can get tall… very tall. Fully extended it’ll hit over 230cm and shrink down to 112cm! All of which makes it ideal for everything from recording music and performance, to use in schools, the theatre or even at conferences. And speaking of the construction, we’re particular fans of the boom, that we found to be extremely sturdy, even with a shock mount and weighty condenser mic on the end.
Down below the rubber feet also work really well to keep the stand upright, however with them being new, we had to rub ours down slightly with a bit of fine grit sandpaper to break through their new ‘sheen’. Otherwise on a laminate floor, the stand would slowly slip. The again, it’s much the same with tyres or shoes. They need bedding in before they can work at their best. And despite this slight hiccup, we’d still say that the Tiger is up there with some of the best microphone stands you can buy today.
Here’s why the Tiger could be the best microphone boom stand…
4: König & Meyer 27105 microphone stand
When searching for the best microphone stand, you have to pay attention to anything designed byKönig & Meyer. Why? Because the company has been producing music kit for over 65 years, so as you can imagine, their microphone stands are often worth shouting about! And the 27105 is no exception.
Comprised of 2mm thick Swiss steel, this microphone arm is certainly dependable. In fact according to K&M those who buy this mic stand can look forward to a “lifetime of dependable use”. In other words, this is a mic stand that shouldn’t let you down. And you can sense that with the way it’s built.
To keep the boom angle from dropping, the stand is built using precision rubber washers. Far more reliable than those which rely on metal-on-metal. Also the base itself is reinforced too. On the surface, it may look like plastic, but according to the company it’s reinforced with fibreglass! So as you’d imagine then, this mic stand has a good weight to it. Overall it clocks in at 2.32kg and is definitely one you shouldn’t cross off in a hurry.
Here’s why this could be the best mic stand…
5: Liugast adjustable gooseneck microphone stand
If you’re one who’s always on the hunt for the next ‘big’ thing, or just not a fan of boom arms, then we’d say this gooseneck microphone stand will really tickle your fancy. Thanks to it’s innovative construction, this is a mic stand that screams “flexibility!” As not only is it’s gooseneck adjustable by 360 degrees, but also the absence of a boom makes it the perfect fit for tight spaces, be that a vocal booth, the front of a meeting room or the far corner of your bedroom.
Gooseneck aside, the actual stand is feels well-built and is made of what feels like a decent quality metal. It’s light too, clocking in at less than 1.5kg, which makes it idea for use ‘on the go’. In testing the gooseneck proved to be strong too, taking the weight of a mid-weight mic with ease, although attaching a pop filter, while possible, was a bit of a challenge.
Really then, you could say that with its innovative design that this gooseneck stand has in many respects, set the benchmark for creative mic stands. It takes the traditional formula and mixies it up a little bit. Something music nerds like us, can’t help but admire. But, could this make it the best microphone stand out there? Potentially.
What’s so special about this gooseneck mic stand?
6: Tlingt heavy duty mic stand
If heavy duty’s what you’re after then this mic stand from Tlingt may be your best bet. Made of heavy duty steel, opposed to lightweight aluminium, this stand is designed to do two things: not fall over and hold heavy mics. So as you’d expect, the net weight clocks in at over 3kg! But then again, if you’re all about durability and rugged build quality, weight shouldn’t be so much of an issue – if anything, a plus point.
Another reason to opt for the Tlingt would be its all-metal clutch, which not only makes life adjusting the stand a breeze, but is also another sign of that all-important build quality – something we really could sense in testing. However, we feel that the real stand-out feature of this mic stand is the boom itself. Reason?
Unlike the majority of mic stands at this price-point, the Tlingt comes with a counterweight to enable it maximise its mic holding abilities. In other words it can hold very heavy mics! Any mic/ pop filter combo upto 1.9kg should be just fine with this stand. Brownie points for those with a bulky condenser mic, or if you just want assurance that your mic stand is safe.
Reasons to buy this heavy duty mic stand…
7: Hapilife microphone stand
For those after a strong and sturdy microphone stand, which doesn’t turn limp as soon as beefy mic is involved, this tripod stand by Hapilife is ideal. The stand itself can confidently hold up to 2.5kg, thanks to the all-metal body and rigid tripod design. Not only that though – it’s multifunctional too.
Any ‘on the go’ musician will be pleased to know that the Hapilife comes with a detachable boom and folds down into a reasonably compact size. Good enough for touring! What’s more, the detachable boom means you’re essentially getting a straight studio mic stand and a boom stand all in one package. Talk about versatile.
And on the subject of versatility, shooting videos outside with this Hapilife mic stand is also a walk in the park. Being a tripod, opposed to a flat bottom stand, means it can be adjusted to suit pretty much any environment – it doesn’t need a level studio floor to remain stable. And even if you do venture into the studio, it’s not like those polished floors should be an issue.
We found the rubber feet of the Hapilife to work really well at stabilising the stand. So much so that we could get it to pull of angles that you perhaps wouldn’t expect from a budget mic stand. Good to know, as the last thing you want is a mic stand that unexpectedly does the splits while holding your favourite mic. That’s could be one expensive fall! However, we must stress that with this being a budget stand, it perhaps isn’t suited for ‘heavy’ use – use it flat out everyday and you’re probably best investing your money elsewhere. However, for the occasional gig or video shoot, you’ll be hard pushed to find better value.
What we like about this adjustable microphone stand…
8: Inno Gear mic stand set
So while this full-on mic kit is more of a mic boom than a stand, it’s still worth bearing in mind, as Inno Gear are known for their quality but budget-friendly takes on more pricy pro kit. Not often is it you get a mic stand that comes with so many accessories, as well as boasts this many features. The sheer weight that the boom can handle is what really stands out to us.
The boom can handle a pretty decent 1.5kg, which when compared to other mics stands that have floor supports and a far bulkier construction is quite impressive. Saying that, you’d imagine it’d put a lot of stress on the spring system and various clamps. Which (we’ll be honest) it does, but because of the company’s recent upgrade to the stand, it’s now more than equipped to cope.
And there’s no need to worry about the stand’s desk clamp ripping your tabletop to shreds. The heavy duty clamp comes with a soft pad to protect your table top. Although that’s only the start when it comes to accessories. Aside form a desk clamp, the Inno comes with a shock mount and pop filter too, which according to IG support the majority of popular mics, including the Rode NT1-A, NW-800, AT2035 and so on. So while it may be on the more budget side, for any beginner it’s a great condenser mic stand. One that were pleasantly surprised by!
* Prefer a mic boom over a stand? Be sure to check out our rundown of the Best Microphone Boom Arms.
Why is Inno Gear’s desk boom mic stand worth it?
Here’s one of the best portable mic stands…
Probably one of the largest selling features of a mic stand is just how portable it is. Can the legs of the tripod fold in? Does the stand fold inside itself? And can it be disassembled? All, questions that if answered with a “yes”, tend to very easily sway which mic stand we choose. But then again, can you blame us – fully erected a mic stand is pretty bulky! So being able to condense it down for portability, or just easy storage, can come as a major plus. So with that in mind, here’s the best portable mic stand we tested…
9: Air Turn goStand
Portable mic stands don’t get much better than the goStand. Mainly because it’s so darn small. This plucky little mic stand can condense itself from 147cm down to just 47cm, all in matter of seconds! If you ask us, that has to be some sort of a record. We’ve never seen a microphone stand that can retract as much as this!
In fact, when full retracted it’s so small that it’ll easily fit inside a backpack or just the front pocket of your instrument bag. And while that’s the Air Turn’s main party piece, there’s also more to this ‘compactness’ than you’d think. Even inside the legs give birth to extra bit of metal that comes out of the end to give the stand a more sturdy stance!
As for the build quality, the stand feel solid. The steel tubing does have a high quality feel, as do the feet and most of the brackets. The only part of this stand that we’d be at all worried about would be the adjustment knobs, which considering the price of the goStand, feel a tad flimsy. And on the subject of price, the goStand also comes with the option of a boom too. Although by ‘the option’ we mean it’s an added extra – one that comes at a cost. But even so, for this level of ‘compactness’ and the amount of engineering that’s gone into it, the goStand really does deliver.
Reasons we’d buy the Air Turn goStand…
Which mic stand is best in 2022? Our editor’s choice…
While portability is obviously high on the agenda, when it comes to which is the best microphone stand you can buy in 2022, for us there’s a clear winner. And yet, this winner isn’t the most portable. Neither does it comes in various colour waves or take up none of your floor space. But yet as a mic stand, we think it’s the best of the bunch.
Reason being, that it hasn’t tried to reinvent the typical mic stand. Nor has it just copied the usual formula. Instead it’s taken that formula and tweaked it, improving upon a lot of the bug bears that we had with microphone stands in the past. All of which has given birth to what we think is a more or less perfect balance of practicality and portability. The mic stand that not only does the job, but saves you a deal of time in the process.
Yep, that’s right. Ask us and we’d say the best microphone stand you can buy is the…
Hercules MS533B Hideaway (Best Microphone Stand)
Enjoy what you’ve read and eager for more? Be sure to dive into our latest gossip around Music Studio Kit as well as Production & DAWs. We also recently published na article on the Best Microphone Reflection Filters, which may also be up your street!
Or just keep reading to learn even more about the best microphone stands in 2022…
