6 Best Low Profile Microphone Arms in 2023

Whether you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, content creator, or just someone who wants to take their audio quality to the next level for online meetings, there’s no better way than to get a quality microphone. Many of these come in the form of studio-style microphones rather than headsets or earbuds. However, one issue with them is getting them exactly where you need them at your desk. That’s where a low-profile microphone arm comes in.

What is a low profile microphone arm?

A low profile microphone arm is a piece of hardware that you have on your desk that holds your microphone in place. They work with many different kinds of microphones, regardless of how they attach to stands (body holder device, screw-in, etc.).

What styles of low profile microphone arms are there?

There are two main styles of low profile microphone arms out there. The first is also the most common. This type attaches to the side of your desk and has multiple pivot points that allow you to pull and position the microphone wherever you need it. The second type is a small stand. You attach your microphone to this and then set it on your desk in front of you. This style is more common for beginners or those whose desks are too big to clamp onto with the more popular style.

What features are important on a low profile microphone arm?

There are many important features to pay attention to when choosing a low profile microphone arm. The first is design. This basically means which style are you choosing and how it functions. The second is durability, as you’ll want it to be made out of strong materials. The third is compatibility. This refers to compatibility on your desk as well as with whatever microphone you go with. Finally, look for cool additional features like cable management systems and more that may set one apart from the others in your decision-making process.

Do I need to use a low profile microphone arm?

No, you don’t need one. However, it’s really difficult to operate without one, especially when your microphone doesn’t come with its own stand. Once you give these things a chance, you’ll see just how essential they are to any setup where high-quality audio is important to you.

Best Overall: Elgato Wave Premium Low Profile Mic Arm

Key Features:

• Desk Clamp Style
• Premium Construction
• Versatile Microphone Compatibility

The best overall low profile microphone arm is the Elgato Wave. This is a desk clamp style that can easily attach to the side of your desk. One thing to note is that the clamp is expandable up to 2.4 inches, so if your desk is wider than that, it won’t fit. Best of all, it’s available in black or white, so it can more easily blend into your setup.

The entire mic arm is constructed from metal for maximum durability. It has a total weight of 3.8 pounds, so it’s extremely sturdy. As for reach, it can extend a total of 29.1 inches. This gives you plenty of flexibility for placement of the mic arm while still getting the mic near you. Additionally, the vertical arm can rotate horizontally 360 degrees and vertically 90 degrees.

As for microphone compatibility, you can expect it to work on a few different sizes. Right out of the box, you can attach a 1/4, 3/8, or 5/8 inch screw-on mic with a weight capacity of 4.4 pounds as well.

The nicest extra feature of the Elgato Wave is the cable covers. You can run your audio cables inside the mic arm to keep them out of the way. Then, you can cover those channels with magnetic covers to give everything an extremely clean look.

Pros:

• Compatible with four mic sizes out of the box
• Magnetic cable covers
• Reaches up to 29.1 inches

Cons:

• Only fits on desks that are 2.4 inches wide

Best Runner-Up: THRONMAX Twist S6 Low Profile Microphone Boom Arm

Key Features:

• Desk Clamp Style
• All Metal Construction
• Works With Two Mic Sizes

Another great option as a runner-up choice is the THRONMAX Twist S6 Low Profile Microphone Boom Arm. This mic arm is a desk clamp-style device that has a great professional look. While it’s unclear how thick the desk clamp is, you can also replace the clamp with a screw into the bottom of your desk as well, which gives you some mounting versatility.

As for durability, this mic arm won’t have any issues. It’s made from an all-metal body with premium suspension springs to reduce sag. The arm itself is 3.65 pounds and has a maximum reach of 11.9 inches. Additionally, the vertical arm can swivel 360 degrees and pivot 90 degrees vertically, just like the Elgato.

Out of the box, the compatibility of this mic arm is a bit limited. You can attach screw-on microphones that are either 3/8 or 5/8 inches. Luckily, those are two of the most common sizes, so you likely won’t run into any issues. The microphone must also be less than 4.4 pounds in order to work.

Just like the Elgato, the THRONMAX has magnetic cable management covers. You can easily route your cables through the arm and cover them so your setup stays looking great. Overall, this is a solid runner-up choice if you want to go this route.

Pros:

• All metal construction
• Clamp-on or screw-in attachment methods
• Magnetic cable covers

Cons:

• Only two sizes compatible out of the box

Best Alternative: ULANZI LS26 Low Profile Mic Arm

Key Features:

• Desk Clamp Style
• Aluminum Body
• Compatible With 4 Mic Sizes Right Away

If you’re looking for a good alternative option to go with, we’d say the ULANZI LS26 Low Profile Mic Arm is the way to go. This is a desk clamp style arm that can be put on desks up to 1.9 inches thick via the C-shaped clip on the bottom. This clip also has a mesh anti-slip mat to help keep it from sliding off your desk if it gets loosened over time.

The body of the mic arm is made from aluminum, so it’s going to be sturdy and lightweight at the same time. Overall, it only weighs 2.16 pounds. It can reach a maximum of 18.9 inches when fully extended and can pivot 360 degrees horizontally at all pivot points. The elbow between the two main arms is also able to rotate vertically 180 degrees.

As for compatibility, you can expect this arm to work with three different-sized screw-in microphones straight out of the box. These sizes include 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 5/8 inch. Additionally, there’s an included studio mic clip to hold that type as well. As for weight, it can hold up to 2.2 pounds of microphone.

Overall, there are a lot of features in this alternative choice to like. The ULANZI has a sturdy construction, an anti-slip clamp for your desk, and plenty of versatility to hold most microphones out there. All in all, an excellent pick for those looking for a high quality low profile mic arm.

Pros:

• Anti-slip desk clamp
• Holds four kinds of microphones out of the box
• Aluminum body

Cons:

• Cables aren’t easily organized on it

Best On-Desk: Stage Rocker Adjustable Low-Profile Microphone Stand

Key Features:

• On Desk Style
• Metal Body
• One Microphone Size Compatible

If you want to stray away from the clamp style and instead go for an on-deck microphone arm, we’d recommend the Stage Rocker Adjustable Low-Profile Microphone Stand. This arm has a solid base that it sits on and can be placed anywhere on your desk that you want it.

The entire body of this microphone stand is made of metal, so it shouldn’t have any durability issues. With the sturdy base, it weighs 4.35 pounds, so it won’t easily be knocked over. Additionally, it can extend to a maximum length of 8.3 inches with its telescoping design. The arm can also swivel 180 degrees with its T-handle adjustment mechanism. Finally, it can also have its height adjusted from 16.54 to 20.87 inches.

This mic arm is fairly lacking on the microphone compatibility side right out of the box. The only style that will fit right away is a screw-on 5/8 inch microphone. You can also attach a clip to this stand; however, that’s sold separately.

As far as on-desk models go, this is the best mic arm. It has a solid base, can be customized to reach pretty much anywhere you need it, and is compatible with arguably the most popular screw-on microphone size.

Pros:

• Tons of customization for height and reach
• Easy to set up and put on your desk
• All metal body

Cons:

• Only works with one size of microphone

Best High End: IXTECH Low Profile Mic Arm Desk Mount

Key Features:

• Desk Clamp Style
• Stainless Steel Body
• Two Microphone Sizes Compatible

For those who always want high-end products, the IXTECH Low Profile Mic Arm Desk Mount is the best choice. It’s a desk clamp-style arm that can fit on any desk up to 2.1 inches thick. To attach, simply clamp on the C-clamp and tighten until it’s not going anywhere.

This is an extremely durable microphone arm, as it’s made completely from stainless steel. The device itself weighs 3.74 pounds. It’s also fully adjustable to a maximum length of 27.8 inches. As for rotation, it can go vertically 90 degrees and horizontally 360 degrees on pivot points. This is similar to other options we’ve covered and helps improve its ability to work in your setup.

As for microphone compatibility, it’s in the middle of the road of what we’ve covered so far. It can attach to 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch screw-on mics straight out of the box with its included adapter screw. Additionally, microphones can be a maximum of 4.4 pounds and still work on it.

Similar to the Elgato and the THRONMAX, the IXTECH mic arm comes with easy cable management features. You can keep your cables inside the arm itself and then cover them with included covers. This makes it look like the high-end option it is.

Pros:

• Works on desks up to 2.1 inches thick with its C-clamp.
• Durable stainless steel construction
• Cable management is easy

Cons:

• Highest cost on the list

Best Budget: InnoGear Low Profile Mic Arm

Key Features:

• Desk Clamp Style
• Alloy Steel Construction
• Works With Three Kinds Of Microphones

If you want to try out a microphone arm without breaking the bank, then the best budget choice is the InnoGear Low Profile Mic Arm. This arm clamps onto your desk with its padded C-clamp. This clamp works on desks up to 2.75 inches thick, which is one of the better sizes we’ve covered in this article.

While it may be a budget choice, it’s still durable. This arm is made out of an alloy steel material to keep it working for a long time. As for reach, it can extend to a maximum of 25.2 inches. Each pivot point can rotate 360 degrees. However, no point is able to rotate vertically, so the height is going to be stationary.

When it comes to compatibility with microphones, this is a relatively robust option. For screw-on mics, it can work with either 3/8-inch or 5/8-inch models. It also comes with a microphone clip to use with the dynamic-style microphones that some people prefer. Each microphone can be a maximum of 3.3 pounds before this mic arm starts to have issues holding them in place.

Honestly, for a budget mic arm, this is a really solid item. It’s durable and versatile and can be a great way to get started in your setup with a new microphone setup. The only area we’d really like to see some improvement is in the ability to adjust the height with vertical rotation.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Support for three kinds of microphones out of the box
• Works on desks up to 2.75 inches thick

Cons:

• No vertical rotation abilities