Mic Stand roundup
Mic Stand: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The market for mic stands runs from cheap plastic to touring-grade metal — here's what actually separates a reliable stand from a frustrating one.
Buying a mic stand should be straightforward, but the market runs from £10 clip-on desktop mounts to £200 professional floor stands — and the wrong choice can make every session slightly more annoying than it needs to be. This guide focuses on what actually matters when you’re choosing, and what to skip.
Decide on the Type First
The most important decision is type, not brand or price:
- Boom mic stand — the most versatile and recommended for most buyers. The horizontal arm lets you position the mic precisely without the base being in the way. Covers vocals, instruments, and acoustic sessions.
- Straight stand — simpler and often more stable at the same price point. Good for choir use, fixed vocal positions, and situations where you don’t need reach. Limited by the fact that the mic must be directly above the base.
- Desktop/scissor arm — for seated use only: podcasting, voiceover, gaming, home office recordings. Not suitable for standing vocalists or live work.
- Short/floor stand — for kick drums, bass cabs, and miking at floor level. A niche purchase that most buyers do not need as a first stand.
The Non-Negotiables: What Must Be Metal
Build quality divides mic stands more than any other factor. Two things must be metal, not plastic, if the stand is to last:
- Locking collar threads — this is the single most important quality indicator. Plastic-threaded collars strip within months of regular use, leaving you with a stand that either won’t grip or won’t release. Metal threads last years. Look for phrases like “die-cast zinc collar” or “metal locking nut” in the specification.
- Boom arm coupling — the joint where the boom arm connects to the main shaft. Again, metal threads here survive repeated adjustments; plastic does not.
Everything else can be a cost trade-off. The finish, cable clips, and counterweight style matter less than these two points.
Height Range
Check the minimum and maximum height of any mic stand you’re considering. Most full-size floor stands extend from roughly 95 cm to 160–180 cm. For a standing vocalist of average height, you want at least 160 cm reach; taller singers or overhead positions need more. Some budget stands max out at 145 cm, which is genuinely too short for many applications. This specification is easy to overlook and surprisingly commonly disappointing.
Base Type: Round vs Tripod
| Base Type | Advantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Round (disc/weighted) | More stable, resistant to being kicked, no trip hazard | Live performance, studios with active movement around mics |
| Tripod | Folds flat, lighter, easier to store and transport | Home studios, session work, location recording |
Most buyers default to tripod bases because they store and transport easily. If you record live or in a space with a lot of movement around the stand, a weighted round base is worth the extra bulk.
Boom Arm Length and Counterweight
Boom arm length matters most when you need to reach across a wide instrument (a grand piano, a drum kit, a wide guitar amp) or position a mic well clear of the stand base. Longer arms give more reach but require a heavier counterweight to balance, and put more mechanical stress on the collar joint. For typical vocal and instrument use, a 70–90 cm arm is more than adequate.
Check whether a counterweight is included. Most stands ship with one, but some budget options do not. A boom arm without a counterweight will droop under the mic’s weight — which is both annoying and potentially damaging to the mic clip.
Budget Guidance
- Under £25 — usable for casual home use if you accept plastic collars and limited height. Treat as temporary.
- £25–£60 — the sweet spot for most buyers. Brands like K&M, Hercules, and On-Stage offer metal-collared boom stands in this range that last for years.
- £60–£120 — professional-grade stands with heavier bases, longer arms, and robust build for touring or intensive studio use.
- Over £120 — specialist or heavy-duty stands; justified for broadcast, film sound, or very high-weight microphone setups.
What to Skip
- Brand-name mic clips bundled with a stand — the clip that comes in the box is usually the cheapest component. Buy a proper clip or shock mount separately if you care about the fit.
- Stands with integrated cables — these look tidy but make the stand very hard to repair if the cable fails, and limit your XLR options.
- Sets of five budget stands — the economics look appealing, but five unreliable stands are worse than two good ones.
For a wider look at the available options and recommendations by use case, take a look at the best mic stands for the money. If this is your first mic stand and you’re not sure where to start, the beginner’s guide covers the basics without assuming any prior knowledge.
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