9 Best Microphone Suspension Boom Arms (For All Budgets)

• We field-tested over ten different boom arms.
• Here are the five top picks from our research
• Options to suit the budget-conscious and those who want the best-in-class
• Weights of common microphones are listed at the bottom of the article for easy reference.

Sometimes called a ‘scissor arm stand’, desk-mountable suspension boom arms have notably risen in popularity, thanks to the rise of streaming and podcasting.

Unlike a traditional stand, boom arms can be stored easily, transported, and changed out for your needs. They are a fantastic option for both home studios and professional recording setups.

Considerations Before You Buy

1. Considerations Before You Buy
2. The Best Microphone Boom Arms
   1. 1. RODE PSA1 (Best Value)
   2. 2. RODE PSA1+ (Best Overall)
   3. 3. Samson MBA Series (Best Budget)
   4. 4. Heil Sound PL-2T (Longest Reach)
   5. 5. YELLOWTEC m!ka Arm (best Premium)
   6. 6. Elgato LP (best Looks)
3. Features
4. Review
5. FAQ
   1. What’s The Weight Of My Microphone?
   2. What Is The best Boom Arm For Shure SM7B/Shure MV7?
   3. What Is The Best Boom Arm For Elgato Wave 3?
   4. What Are The Benefits Of Suspension Boom Arms?
6. Before You Go…

Before selecting a microphone boom arm stand, consider the following:

• The arm’s reach
• The maximum weight capacity
• Whether its clamp system works with your desk setup. All of the arms in this list have desk C-clamps.

Tip! When checking whether the max weight of your microphone will be supported by any of these boom arm stands, remember to also add the weight of your shock mount (if you’re using one).

The Best Microphone Boom Arms

Boom Arm Model	Max Weight	Horizontal Arm Reach	Cable Management	Verdict
RODE PSA 1	2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)	32 inches (82 cm)	No	Best Value
RODE PSA 1+	2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)	37 inches (94.0 cm)	Yes	Best Overall
Samson MBA Series	5 lbs (2.27 kg)	Up to 38 inches (96.5 cm)	No	Best Budget
Heil Sound PL-2T	3.5 lbs (1.58 kg)	40 inches (101.6 cm)	No	Longest Reach
YELLOWTEC m!ka	4.4 lbs (2 kg)	31 inches (78.7 cm)	Yes	Best Premium
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP	2.2 lbs (1 kg)	29.5 inches (75 cm)	Yes	Most Compact

We sifted through a bunch of them and rounded up the very best picks currently available. Here’s a quick overview of the best boom arm mic stands:

1. RODE PSA 1
2. RODE PSA 1+
3. Samson MBA Series
4. Heil Sound PL-2T
5. YELLOWTEC m!ka
6. Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP

1. RODE PSA1 (Best Value)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg)
• Horizontal reach of 820mm and vertical reach of 840mm
• 360-degree rotation for easy positioning of your microphone
• Two-axis swivel mount for precise placement and stability

Review

RODE has a reputation for creating some of the most legendary microphones in the world. Unsurprisingly, their RODE PSA1 microphone arm also holds legendary status due to how often these are sold out.

For as long as we can remember, the RODE PSA1 has been the benchmark, middle-of-the-road boom mic arm stand that all others are measured against.

The RODE PSA1 contains few bells and whistles, but it gets the job done with a maximum microphone weight load of 2.4 lbs (1.1kg).

The RODE PSA1 has a 33-inch reach for your convenience, offering ample range. However, the real star of the show is the dual-axis swivel mount, which allows you to freely position the arm in whatever position you so desire.

The arm body has two spring-loaded sections that are both squeak-free and flexible — making it a perfect choice for broadcast radio studios or voice-over studios.

Unlike other cheap boom arms with only one table mounting clamp/mounting option, this model has two: the dual-axis swivel and the standard C-clamp mount. That gives you flexibility for your desk setup.

Check out our full review of the Rode PSA1 Boom Arm here.

Editor’s note: we recently reviewed the updated version of the PSA-1, the PSA-1+. Check out our review of the PSA 1+ here.

2. RODE PSA1+ (Best Overall)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 2.6 pounds (1.2 kg)
• Horizontal reach of 940mm, vertical reach of 860mm
• Integrated cable management system
• 360-degree rotation for easy positioning of your microphone

Review

You can think of the RODE PSA1+ as the RODE PSA1’s bigger, better-looking brother.

You’re paying almost double the price for various upgrades, and these features may or may not be dealbreakers to you.

The RODE PSA1+ gives you an extra 100g of maximum weight, which doesn’t sound like much on paper, but it can make a difference between your mic arm sagging or being firmly supported. This is especially true if you have an exceptionally heavy shock mount. The PSA1+’s weight capacity has a maximum load of 1.2kg (2.6 lbs), compared to the PSA1’s maximum load of 1.1kg (2.4 lbs).

The added weight capacity is largely due to the redesigned ‘parallelogram spring design’, which also affords you precise mic placement and super-smooth movement.

The design is also much sleeker, too. The arm is housed in a fabric sleeve, which is key to the next upgrade — cable management. This new design allows you to run a cable from inside the arm, and comes with a clip to keep it attached and out of sight.

3. Samson MBA Series (Best Budget)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 5 pounds (2.27 kg)
• Articulating design with a maximum arm reach of 32.5 inches (82.5 cm)
• Includes two desk mounting options (clamp and desk insert) for versatile placement options
• Cable management clips keep your cables neat and tidy
• Comes in varying arm lengths.

Review

There are a lot of lower-priced boom arms on the market, but they all pale in comparison to the value and quality that the Samson MBA series offers.

This boom will hold a massive 5 lbs (2.3kg) of maximum weight, making it ideal for those with heavier or larger, more expensive microphones. You can hang your pride and joy with peace of mind and watch it dangle in front of your face in all its shining glory.

The MBA series comes in four different arm lengths, ranging from 18″, 28″, 38″ and 48″.

The boom arm attaches to your desk quickly and easily with a standard C-clamp structure. It can also be permanently installed and fixed to a mountable surface with three bolts and a unique base (included in the package).

The internal spring system and all-metal body is sturdy, and also provides a silent and easy mechanical operation.

4. Heil Sound PL-2T (Longest Reach)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg)
• Articulating design with a maximum arm reach of 40 inches
• Includes various desk mounting options for versatile placement options

Kicking off the list is a suspension boom arm from a company that’s a little lesser-known but is a solid option for those wanting a boom suspension arm that is quality and won’t break the bank.

The Heil PL-2T Overhead Broadcast Boom has a sleek, black design that anchors to your desk. The arm itself holds microphones that weigh up to 2.5 pounds (1.13kg). The top and backplates can be removed to help you place the microphone cable inside the boom. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Unlike some of the other products on the list, Heil’s model employs out-of-sight internal springs. That means you don’t have to worry about springs on the outside of the case. That means no cable connectors to slow down your setup.

The stem of the boom arm is threaded with chrome and can be locked into place.

A small issue I had was that the little spinning tightener to lock the arm in place can be a little tricky to tighten down. With a little patience, though, I managed to lock it in place fine.

5. YELLOWTEC m!ka Arm (best Premium)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 4.4 pounds (2 kg)
• Articulating design with a maximum arm reach of 31 inches (78.7 cm)
• Includes two desk mounting options (clamp and desk insert) for versatile placement options
• Cable management system keeps your cables neat and tidy
• Comes in varying arm lengths.

Review

If you’re after a luxury and heavy-duty boom arm that looks and feels different than the rest, take a look at Yellowtec’s m!ka.

While on the smaller size, this mic boom arm is a solid addition to most studios, and comes with a few unique features not seen on other models.

For one, the suspension boom arm includes a red LED “on-air” signal that is not seen in any other arm on this list. Whether or not this impacts your ability to write better music, is beside the point. It is a nice touch though, especially for podcasters and those who require such a feature.

The sleek, white aluminum body has bright contrast to other models. In terms of cable management, this thing is pretty slick. Part of the hefty price tag is that it includes its own native XLR cable, which feels quality.

The ultra-small design is a big benefit to those with limited space, giving you more room to work. The sleek look and flashy features do come at a price, though.

However, with its smaller size factor, the Yellowtec m!ka does not extend as far as some of the other arms on this list. The reach sits at around 21 inches, with a maximum weight load of 1.98 pounds. That’s not insignificant, but it could limit you depending on the size of your desk/setup.

6. Elgato LP (best Looks)

Features

• Supports microphones weighing up to 2.2 pounds (1 kg)
• Horizontal reach of 29.5 inches (750 mm) with desk-hugging design
• Hidden internal cable management system with removable covers
• Padded clamp with two mounting options (C-clamp and grommet mount)
• Fully adjustable tension system with premium ball joints

Review

Elgato has firmly established itself as the go-to brand for streamers and content creators, and their Wave Mic Arm LP continues this tradition by solving a problem many producers face: where to position a mic without blocking your face or studio gear. They also know the value of a clean, modern looking desk setup, and the Elgato Wave caters directly to that ‘pro streamer’ aesthetic.

The “LP” stands for low-profile, and that’s exactly what sets this boom arm apart. Instead of towering over your workspace like traditional arms, the Wave Mic Arm LP extends horizontally with a sleek, desk-hugging design that keeps your microphone at mouth level without dominating your visual space.

With a 29.5-inch reach, the arm provides ample coverage for most studio setups while maintaining an impressively stable platform. The tension adjustment system deserves special mention—unlike cheaper arms that loosen over time, Elgato’s system maintains your exact preferred position without drooping or sudden movements during recording.

Cable management is where the Wave Mic Arm LP truly excels. The fully enclosed channels with removable covers let you completely hide XLR or USB cables inside the arm itself, creating a clean, professional studio aesthetic. This thoughtful design eliminates the cable clutter and zip-tie solutions required by other arms.

The premium ball joints offer precise microphone positioning with 360-degree rotation, allowing you to find the perfect angle for your recording setup. Whether you’re tracking vocals, recording podcasts, or streaming, the smooth, silent operation ensures no mechanical noise bleeds into your recordings.

While the 2.2 lb weight capacity is slightly lower than some competitors, it’s more than sufficient for most common streaming and studio microphones, including Elgato’s own Wave series, Blue Yeti, Shure SM7B (with cloudlifter), and other popular broadcast mics.

At around $100, the Wave Mic Arm LP sits in the mid-premium range, but the build quality, cable management, and space-saving design easily justify the investment for producers who value both aesthetics and functionality in their studio setup.

FAQ

What’s The Weight Of My Microphone?

We can’t list all microphones in existence, for obvious reasons. However, here’s a quick list of 10 popular microphones and their respective weights.

If yours isn’t listed, simply conduct a quick search online for its specs. Remember to also factor in the weight of your shock mount!

1. Shure SM7B – 1.68 lbs (0.765 kg)
2. Blue Yeti – 1.2 lbs (0.55kg)
3. Rode NT1-A – 0.87 lbs (0.395 kg)
4. Audio-Technica AT2020 – 0.76 lbs (0.345 kg)
5. AKG P220 – 1.17 lbs (0.53 kg)
6. Sennheiser e965 – 1.28 lbs (0.58 kg)
7. Electro-Voice RE20 – 2.36 lbs (1.07 kg)
8. Neumann TLM 102 – 0.99 lbs (0.45 kg)
9. Aston Origin – 1.21 lbs (0.55 kg)
10. Heil PR-40 – 1.39 lbs (0.63 kg)

What Is The best Boom Arm For Shure SM7B/Shure MV7?

For the Shure SM7B and MV7, we recommend using the Rode PSA1. It can support between 700 and 1.1kg of weight, which is right in the range of both the Shure SM7B and Shure MV7 microphones.

• Check out our post on the best mic stands for Shure SM7B.

What Is The Best Boom Arm For Elgato Wave 3?

We’d suggest using the Rode PSA1 for your Elgato Wave 3. As we’ve mentioned it is one of the more expensive options on the market, but it’s also a versatile choice that lets you position your mic quickly and easily.

What Are The Benefits Of Suspension Boom Arms?

1. Free Up Desk Space

Unlike traditional mic stands, which take up space, a suspension boom scissor arm stand is easily stored.

With a boom arm, music producers and engineers can easily save space to work (great if you only have a small space for your home studio setup). That means more breathing room for you in often cramped quarters.

Boom arms also help free up desk space. They take the stationary mic stands off your desk, freeing up your real estate for the things that really matter – like synthesizers and drum machines.

Additionally, high-quality mic boom arms can fold right into your desk when not in use, saving even more space.

2. Easy To Transport

Unlike a traditional mic stand, which can be difficult to pack down, boom arms are easy to dismantle and transport.

The best boom arms can clip and unclip from your desk, giving you maximum interchangeability. If you’re a music producer or sound engineer on the go, boom arms provide ease of ability to shift your studio on the go.

3. Great for Content Creators

That “pick up and go” feature of boom arms is also great for live podcasts and streaming.

With the way music marketing is going, content creation is becoming an asset to bands and producers alike. Many have turned to YouTube and Twitch to host live production/DJ streams and band vlogs.

Having a boom arm setup could be a core part of your setup if content creation is something you’re looking to explore.

Before You Go…

Having a great boom arm stand is one half of the puzzle to a great microphone setup. The other half is choosing a shock mount.