The best boom arms for your microphone when vlogging, podcasting or filmmaking

Blue Microphone, one of the best boom arms
(Image credit: Blue Microphones)

The best boom arm is increasingly essential for a range of creative people working in audio and video. Whether you're making YouTube videos or commercials, streaming on Twitch, or recording podcasts, boom arms improve the quality of sound you get from the best microphones. So using one really will give you the edge over the competition.

Boom arms are also useful outside of the home studio. They're also used to support mics on stage, and a different type of boom arm can support and position lighting for studio photography and filmmaking. (If you’re looking for the latter, skip ahead to the best boom arms for studio lighting.)

Below, you'll find the best boom arms today, for all these uses and more. And we give you the information you need to choose the right one for you.

Best boom arms for microphones

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Editor's Choice

(Image credit: Rode)

1. Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm

The best boom arm overall

Specifications

Reach: 84cm (33 inches)
Weight: 1.74kg (3.8 lbs)
Maximum load: 1.1kg (2.4lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Well constructed 
+
360-degree movement 
+
Good value

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest

Our pick as the best boom arm overall is the RØDE PSA-1. Known throughout the broadcast industry as a go-to, it’s also commonly used by podcasters, voice-over artists, and streamers too. 

This two-section, spring-loaded broadcast microphone arm rotates 360 degrees and features a maximum reach of 32in (820mm) horizontally and 33in (840mm) vertically. That allows you to position and re-position your mic both flexibly and quietly, keeping on-air noise at a minimum. 

It comes with both a desk clamp and desk insert mounting attachments, a 3/8 to 5/8-inch microphone thread adaptor, and cable wraps for a tidy installation. Compatible with most microphones weighing between 700g (1.5lb) and 1.1kg (2.4lbs), this is one well-designed, robust and reliable boom arm.

Product shot of the Neewer NW-35, one of the best boom arms

(Image credit: Neewer)

2. Neewer NW-35 Microphone Boom Arm Kit

The best cheap boom arm

Specifications

Reach: 70cm (27.6 inches)
Weight: 769g (1.7lbs)
Maximum load: 1.5kg (3.3lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap 
+
360 degree rotation 
+
Pop filter included

Reasons to avoid

-
Springs not the quietest

On a tight budget? The NW-35 Boom Arm is very cheap and designed with home studio use in mind. This steel-constructed boom arm can be mounted on desks up to 1.7 inches (4.5cm) thick with the supplied C-clamp and supports microphones weighing up to 3.3lb (1.5kg), including the Blue Yeti and Blue Snowball. 

It can be fully rotated throughout 360°, with a 270°-pivotable spigot for adjusting the angle of your microphone. You also get a snap-on mic clip, which fits microphones of 35mm in diameter, and a double-layer pop filter with a bendable goose-neck, making this a real bargain. A good option for YouTubers, podcasters, musicians, voice actors, and video gamers who are just starting out, and have limited funds.

Recommended

(Image credit: Samson)

3. Samson MBA38 38in Microphone Boom Arm for Podcasting and Streaming

The best boom arm at a mid-range price

Specifications

Reach: 96.5cm (38 inches)
Weight: 1.81kg (4 lbs)
Maximum load: 2.3kg (5lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Supports 5kg 
+
Generous reach 
+
Reasonable price

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest

Nestled in between our first and second choices in terms of budget, the Samson MBA38 is the best boom arm in the mid-price range available today. Designed for radio, podcasting, broadcast, and streaming, its internal springs and durable steel body are very robust, as well as being easy to adjust quietly. 

You can quickly fix this boom arm to your desk with the C-clamp mount, or use the flange mount for a more permanent installation. It provides a generous 38 inches of horizontal/vertical arm reach and will support microphones up to an impressive 2.3kg (5kg), making it the best boom arm for heavy mics, too. 

(Image credit: On-Stage)

4. On-Stage MBS5000 Broadcast/Webcast Microphone Boom Arm with XLR Cable

The best boom arm for small spaces

Specifications

Reach: 49.5cm (19.5 inches)
Weight: 1.72kg (38.8lbs)
Maximum load: 1.6kg (3.5lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Compact 
+
Well constructed 
+
Reasonably priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited reach

Short of space, and need something a little more compact for your home studio setup? Then we recommend the On-Stage MBS5000. This professional articulating mic boom is nicely robust, thanks to its square-tubing construction, and comes with a 10-ft XLR cable pre-installed inside for a clean and professional look. 

Again, you get two mounting options, in the form of a C-Style clamp, which grasps surfaces up to two inches thick, and a screw-in flange mount for permanent desktop or overhead installations.

(Image credit: On-Stage)

5. On-Stage MBS7500 Professional Studio Microphone Boom Arm

The best boom arm for on-screen looks

Specifications

Reach: 50.8cm (20 inches)
Weight: 1.72kg (3.8lbs)
Maximum load : 1.6kg (3.5lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek looks 
+
Quiet 
+
Quality materials

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

If your boom arm is appearing on the screen, you want it to look like the business. And here's on that definitely does.

The MBS750 has a polished and super-streamlined look, with a total lack of protruding parts or springs, and hollow arms allowing you to run your cable through the middle. And it offers a high level of flexibility, thanks to the three-axis points, and very quiet operation indeed.

 In short, if you want to impress your YouTube or Twitch audience with the professionalism of your desk set-up, not to mention keep everything nice and tidy for your own sanity, this is the one to choose.

(Image credit: Blue Microphones)

6. Blue Microphones 989-000899 Compass Premium Tube-Style Broadcast Boom Arm

The best boom arm for mid-weight mics

Specifications

Reach: 81cm (32 inches)
Weight: 1.35kg (3lbs)
Maximum load: 1.1kg (2.4lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Streamlined design 
+
360-degree rotation 
+
Sturdy

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

This boom arm came in at $99 at the time of writing, so it’s certainly not a budget option. But its enclosed aluminum construction is well designed and sturdy, and its internal springs offer very smooth and quiet operation.

The 989-000899 also boasts hidden-channel cable management, friction hinges with full 360-degree rotation, and support for mics weighing up to 1.1 kg (2.4 lb), including the popular Yeti and Blackout Spark SL.

(Image credit: K&M)

7. K&M 252 Microphone Stand

The best boom arm for stage use

Specifications

Reach: 2.1m (7 feet)
Weight: 3.7kg (8.1lbs)
Maximum load: 7kg (15.4lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Quality construction 
+
Collapses for travel 
+
Rubber feet

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

Looking for a boom arm to support your microphone while on stage? The K&M 252 microphone stand offers exactly that, extending to a maximum height of 2.1m (7 feet), including the 80cm boom arm.

Made from steel and benefiting from noise-reducing rubber feet, it also collapses easily into a small length for traveling. Overall, this is good quality mic stand that may be a little expensive but does offer excellent value. 

Best boom arms for studio lighting

(Image credit: Manfrotto)

8. Manfrotto 420B Combi Boom Stand

Best boom arm for lighting for studio photographers

Specifications

Reach: 3.9m (12 feet 8 inches)
Weight: 2.7kg (6lbs)
Maximum load: 9kg (19.84lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Works as stand and boom
+
Solid and sturdy 
+
Includes counterweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Can take a while to ship

Boom arms aren’t just for microphones: studio photographers also use them to support their lighting rigs and position them in a variety of places and at angles quickly and easily. Here's our top pick for this purpose. 

Manfrotto 420B Combi Boom Stand works as a regular vertical stand and can also be converted with just a flick of a lever. There's a sandbag counterweight, along with a double-braced leg, to keep everything stable. It fits with universal-size screws and comes with a reversible spigot.

Product shot of the On-Stage boom arm, one of the best boom arms

(Image credit: On-Stage)

9. Manfrotto SuperBoom

The best boom arm for lighting for filmmakers

Specifications

Reach: 2.7m (8 foot 8 inches)
Weight: 10.8 kg (23.8lbs)
Maximum load: 5kg (11lbs)

Reasons to buy

+
Long reach 
+
Supports 5kg 
+
180 degree movement

Reasons to avoid

-
Stand not included

Just like studio photographers, filmmakers need a boom arm to support their lighting rigs, and we recommend the Manfrotto 8.8' Super Boom. It’s not cheap, but with a huge reach of 2.7m and support for loads up to 5kg, it’s very robust and does the job well.

It features coaxial geared controls at the end of the boom, which permits movement a full 180° and extends to 2.7m (8 feet 8 inches). Note that while it comes complete with a pivoting clamp, a counterweight, and cable clips, the stand is not included.

Read more:

Best microphones for vlogging and filmmaking
Best budget microphones
Best camera for streaming
Best camera for vlogging
Best PTZ camera
Best ring lights
Best LED light panels
Best headphones for editing
Best headsets

Tom May

Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.