Over the past few years, the rise in popularity of streaming various forms of content has come as no surprise. Along with that rise in popularity, are many individuals looking for quality audio equipment for their streaming needs. More specifically, a good quality boom arm to pair with their microphone of choice for streaming.
Therefore, we have carefully curated this list of the best boom arms for streaming. As well included a handy guide on what to look for in a quality boom arm. We have included options ranging from premium quality to good mid-range and budget alternatives. Which boom arm you choose for your streaming setup will depend on your budget and streaming needs.
What to look for when buying a boom arm for streaming
We should cover the basics of what to look for in a good boom arm, before moving on to the recommended boom arms for streaming. When looking to buy a quality streaming boom arm, there are some key factors you should consider mentioned below that will help to improve and enhance your audio quality.
Sturdy Clamps
A good mic stand should have a strong and stable clamp that connects it to your desk. This is because a disturbance such as you hitting your desk or moving your mic around can cause vibrations which may cause distortion in your audio when streaming. As a result, a boom arm with a strong clamp/base is ideal for preventing and minimizing those vibrations leading to better audio. There is also the added benefit of knowing that your microphone is firmly planted and won’t fall easily risking damage due to weak clamps.
Mobility and Flexibility
For ease of movement and flexibility in order to make smooth adjustments, the quality of joints a boom arm has is essential. More joints mean more maneuverability therefore, we recommend that the boom arm has at least 3 joints including its base which should have 360 degrees of rotation as well.
Spring System & Tension
The spring system and the tension are important because they determine how much microphone weight the boom arm can hold. You also wouldn’t want loud noises when adjusting your mic in the middle of your stream. Therefore, it’s important to have high-quality tensioned springs.
Reach
The reach is another important aspect of any good boom arm. Depending on what you are planning to use it for, a boom arm must have the reach to extend across your desk or workspace while also being able to compress it in a location where it is hidden out of the camera view as needed. A longer reach will also make it easier for you to find the right positioning of your mic as to your needs. Therefore, it is important to take into account the reach of a boom arm in proportions to your desk before buying one.
Durability & Build Quality
If you want your boom arm to be viable even after using it for quite some time, you need to make sure it’s made from quality materials and is overall durable. This is very important because most times it is better to go a bit over budget for equipment that is worth it and that you know will last long. Quality over cheap budget options any day of the week especially when it comes to boom arms.
Best Boom Arms for Streaming
RODE PSA1 Studio Microphone Boom Arm
Verdict
There is a reason that the RODE PSA1 is at the top of our list. It offers great features, comes with two different mounts, and is very flexible. But all this comes at a price.
Benefits
- 360-degree rotation
- Extra attachments can be added, like a shock mount
- Cable management
Drawbacks
- Is on the pricier side
Since the 1990s, RODE audio equipment has become a staple for a variety of industries. And no wonder, the RODE PSA1 Boom Arm also finds its place in both studio and home environments of many. It offers great versatility and can be very convenient in different situations including streaming.
Let’s start with the Velcro cable wraps which provide no tangling or dangling of any of the cables used on the microphone. Another great thing the PSA 1 provides is the two different mounting options.
One of them is a 55mm thick clamp and the other is a 70mm insert-style desk mount. Both offer great versatility for microphone placements which is beneficial when you are streaming and maybe want to change up your angles mid-stream. This makes it easy because the entire arm can be moved from one mount to the other, without requiring additional assembly again.
Next up is the great reach of this mic stand, it offers a horizontal reach of 820mm (32.5”), a vertical reach of 840mm (33”), and a full 360-degree rotation. The mount is also on a 2-axis-swivel, which allows for very accurate positioning and can also cover a wide variety of different positions.
This boom arm supports most microphones, up to a weight of 700g (1.5lbs), or up to 1.1kg (2.4lbs) when combined with a shock mount. It is also worth mentioning that the PSM1 shock mount is sold separately. All these features make the RODE PSA1 the best overall on our list.
Blue Compass Premium Tube-Style Broadcast Boom Arm
Verdict
The Blue Compass Premium mic stand is a great option for broadcast applications such as game streaming, podcasting, and more. It is a premium tube-style boom arm with smooth and quiet operation and a sophisticated look.
Benefits
- Hidden cable management
- Hand-tightened hinged for squeaky-free movements
- 360-degree rotation
Drawbacks
- Relatively expensive
The Blue Compass boom arm is made of extruded aluminum and comes with a C-clamp desk mount. It is easy to assemble and set up along with being compatible with all standard shock mounts.
It has a maximum horizontal reach of 32” and can hold a mic of up to 2.4lbs, along with the shock mount. Its tube-style design makes it a great boom arm for cable management considering they will all be fitted inside and hidden out of plain sight.
And thanks to the hand-tightened friction hinges, this boom arm is smooth to operate and very quiet. This is great if you move your microphone frequently while streaming.
Though is it on the pricier side when it comes to streaming boom arms, the Blue Compass is a premium option that has all the features you would want. Its studio-grade design undoubtedly makes it a great addition to your streaming setup.
TONOR Microphone Boom Arm with Pop Filter
Verdict
Made of highly durable steel and high-quality and super-tension strings, the TONOR boom arm also finds its place on our list. It comes with multiple features and attachments included and is a great piece of equipment for your streaming needs.
Benefits
- High-quality and super-tension springs
- Made of durable and high-grade steel rods
- Comes with a pop filter included
Drawbacks
- Cable management isn’t built-in, only external cable ties
The TONOR arms are a great solution when you are more on a budget and don’t want to spend more on some of the asking prices of any of the big names. Nevertheless, they offer great value and are quite reasonable when it comes to their asking price, which is what drives their success.
This specific boom arm is made from high-grade steel rods which are thick and durable. It has an upgraded desk clamp which allows for an opening of up to 60mm or 2.4” wide.
The T20’s arm design is mostly centered around the clamp and is very sturdy. It offers a horizontal and vertical reach of up to 700mm and provides full 360-degree rotation. Its high-quality spring system also increases the load capacity of the boom arm by 80% and makes no vibration noise during use.
The metal adapter is suitable for different kinds of shock mounts and microphones, but you should still check the compatibility if you already own a specific type of mic. It is also worth mentioning that inside the package there will be 4 cable ties and a pop filter include. Overall, a great streaming boom arm when you are on a budget.
InnoGear Microphone Boom Arm
Verdict
Made of sturdy and premium cast metal, and with internal springs, the InnoGear mic stand is adjustable and versatile. A great choice for podcasting, streaming, etc.
Benefits
- High-quality steel
- 360-degree rotation angle
Drawbacks
- Cable management isn’t built-in, only external cable ties
Thanks to the sturdy steel frame from which this boom arm is constructed and the fact that all the springs are placed internally makes it a very good budget option if you are looking for a boom arm for streaming.
This mic stand can support microphone sizes weighing up to 3.5lbs. Its arm is also very stable, was made to be space-saving, is foldable, and can be easily clipped or unclipped from your desk at any given moment. The clamp also has a sponge on the base to protect the surface of your desk as well.
As for flexibility and reach, it has 360-degree rotation and a maximum reach of 28” horizontally and 27” vertically. The 5/8” connector gives it universal compatibility with most of the top streaming microphones.
Neewer NW-35 Suspension Boom Scissor Arm
Verdict
A great option if you are on a tight budget and are only looking for the cheapest yet decent mic stand for starting your streaming career.
Benefits
- A cheaper model
- 360-degree rotation
- A pop filter will be included
Drawbacks
- Not the quietest spring system
The Neewer NW-35 is designed with home studio use in mind and is on the cheaper side in terms of both price and quality. But, as we mentioned, it is a great option if you are really on a tight budget because it does offer quite a lot of value.
It features solid steel construction that is fairly adjustable. This boom arm has a desk mounting clamp of up to 45mm or 1.7” and can be rotated at a 360-degree angle. It can also support microphones weighing up to 1.5kg or 3.3lbs. So keep that in mind as heavier mics may not be suitable for this budget mic stand.
Along with the double-layer pop filter, inside the box, you also get a standard black metal microphone shock mount that will be able to fit most standard-sized handheld microphones.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our list of the best boom arms for your everyday streaming purposes. We’ve covered the top choices for all budgets and included a handy guide on what to look for when you are on the market for a streaming boom arm. We hope to have been helpful on your journey to becoming one of the top contributors to the ever-growing population of online streamers.
