As more and more people start launching their very own podcasts from home, the demand for recording equipment that can provide excellent performance in a smaller space has grown.
But, while smaller home studios need small equipment, a reduced size doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality!
This is where the tabletop microphone desk stand shines through as one of the most essential additions to your arsenal of podcasting gear.
With a tabletop desk stand, the days of having to hold your microphone in your hand or, even worse, balance it on a makeshift stand are long gone.
They’re compact size and travel-friendly design also makes them a fantastic choice for any podcaster that takes their show out on the road.
But, with so many to choose from, how are you supposed to know which stand is the best for you?
Don’t panic! We’ve done the hard work for you. Below, you’ll find our list of the very best tabletop microphone desk stands available.
We’ve also put together a super useful buying that contains all the necessary information you need to find the perfect desk stand for your recording needs.
In a hurry? Let’s kick things off by taking a look at our top pick.
Table of Contents
Ammon Foldable Tripod Microphone Desk Stand
Perfect for smaller home studios and for any podcast that likes to take their show on the road, the Ammon Foldable Tripod Microphone Desk Stand is both compact and durable. It’s small size also makes it perfect for storing away neatly when it’s not in use.
The tripod design makes this desk stand naturally strong, and this is further enhanced by the iron construction. Each of its three legs is capped with rubber feet too. This doesn’t only make it more difficult to accidentally knock over but also helps to keep your desk protected against scratches.
It features a 5/8-inch male to 3/8-inch female metal threaded screw so is compatible with a wide range of microphone clips. There is an integrated clutch as well, and this locks the stand firmly in place to make it even more stable.
This tripod microphone desk stand is very reasonably priced too, so it would make a great choice for anybody with a smaller budget. Don’t let this low price fool you, though. It is highly durable, versatile, and capable of doing everything a higher prices desk stand can.
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Pros:
- The compact, foldable design makes it perfect for transporting and storing easily
- Constructed from iron for extreme durability
- Features rubber feet for extra stability and tabletop-protection against scratches
- Has a 5/8-inch male to 3/8-inch female metal threaded screw that is compatible with most microphone clips
- Also features an adjustable clutch that locks the stand securely in place
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a microphone clip
Gator Frameworks Weighted Base Microphone Stand
One of the many things that makes this Microphone Stand from Gator Frameworks stand out from the crowd is its weighted base. This provides it with improved balance and stability, and makes accidentally knocking it over virtually impossible.
It is also height adjustable up to 23-inches. This gives you the ability to position it at the most comfortable height for your needs. You can then securely lock it at this height by simply twisting the ergonomic clutch.
The ergonomic design of this clutch provides you with a better grip on the microphone too, so if you do find yourself needing to move it during your recording, there is a reduced risk of dropping it.
This desktop stand comes with a two-piece threaded adapter that fits both US and Euro microphone clips, giving you loads of versatility over which microphone you pair with it.
It also includes a 16-inch section boom, so you’ll be able to position the base at a fair distance from your keyboard and still be able to reach the microphone easily.
You also won’t need to worry about cables getting in the way of your workspace either thanks to the integrated cable management system.
This comprises a series of clips placed all on the stand and the boom arm that you can secure your cables to and keep everything neat and tidy.
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Pros:
- Features a weighted base for increased balance and stability
- The height is adjustable up to 23-inches and can be locked in place using the ergonomic twist-grip
- Includes a two-piece threaded adapter that fits both US and Euro microphone clips
- It also includes a 16-inch section boom arm.
- An integrated cable management system allows you to keep your microphone cables off your desk neatly.
Cons:
- Sits at the higher end of the price scale for tabletop microphone stands
InnoGear Desktop Microphone Stand
Featuring an upgraded metal base and 4 non-slip cottons, the InnoGear Desktop Microphone Stand gives you amazing stability without leaving any damaging marks on your desk. You’ll also be able to move the stand during a recording session without it creating any noise.
This is a heavy-duty tabletop microphone stand that is constructed from iron for ultimate durability. This also gives it a total weight of 1.85lbs, so it’s tough to knock over accidentally.
There’s no need to worry about threading microphone clips to this stand, either. Instead, the integrated clip allows you to place your microphone into it in a snap-in style. Once your mic is in place, you can adjust the height up to 15-4 inches using the integrated clutch.
It does, however, come with a 5/8-inch male to 3/8-inch female metal threaded screw adapter. So, if you do prefer using a studio-style microphone, you’ll still get strong, stable support.
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Pros:
- Features an upgraded iron base that provides improved stability and balance
- Also features 4 non-slip cottons that add to stability and help protect your tabletop against scratches and marks
- These non-slip cottons also eliminate any risk of noise that might come from moving the mic stand during a recording
- Allows you to choose between a snap-in style and a 5/8-inch male to 3/8-inch female metal threaded screw for microphone support
- Is height adjustable up to 15.4-inches
Cons:
- Although its size makes it great for traveling, the 1.85lb weight could be a little heavy for some people to take on the road.
Pyle Desktop Microphone Stand
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still gives you fantastic performance, you can’t go wrong with the Pyle Desktop Microphone Stand. Firstly, it has a sturdy, steel alloy base that is highly durable while providing your microphone with balance and stability.
It also weighs in at 2.2lbs, so there’s no chance of your microphone tipping it over.
The adjustable gooseneck measures in at 8.2-inches high, and gives you the ability to angle the microphone at the perfect position. It doesn’t make any noise while you adjust position either, so you won’t need to pause the recording to get comfortable.
It has a snap-in style microphone clip so there’s no need to fiddle with threading your mic to the stand either. Simply place your chosen microphone in the holder and you’re good to go! This mounting style also gives you more versatility over the choice of microphone you can pair it with.
As well as being an inexpensive desktop microphone stand, it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. This gives you a little more confidence in its quality and means that, in the unlikely event of something going wrong, you’ll get your money back without any fuss.
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Pros:
- Has a steel alloy base and a 2.2lb weight for increased balance and stability
- The 8.2-inch gooseneck allows you to angle the microphone stand in the perfect position.
- Doesn’t create any noise, so ideal for adjusting while recording
- Features a snap-in style universal microphone clip that makes attaching your mic quick and easy
- Is budget-friendly and comes with a 30-day, no fuss, money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t give you the ability to adjust the height of the microphone stand
Neewer Tripod Desktop Microphone Stand
The Neewer Tripod Desktop Microphone Stand is ideal for anybody with a minimal amount of space, or somebody who travels between locations. This is because it’s small, compact, and can be folded down for storage.
It has a tripod design that makes it naturally stable, and its strength is further enhanced by its durable metal construction. Each of its three legs is capped with a rubber foot as well. This helps keep it firmly in place while recording and prevents any scratches on your tabletop.
You’ll be able to pair it with a variety of microphone clips too, thanks to the 5/8-inch and 3/8-inch thread mounts. It’s also height adjustable from 3.1-inches to 4.9-inches. This allows you to position it at the most comfortable angle possible.
This desktop microphone stand is available in two colors, so you’ll be able to match it perfectly to your studio set up and existing recording equipment. It’s also fairly inexpensive, so it would make a great choice for anybody with a limited budget.
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Pros:
- Is small, compact, and foldable, making it ideal for transporting and storing easily
- The tripod design and metal construction make it strong and durable.
- Has rubber feet that add to stability and help to protect your tabletop
- Can be paired with a variety of microphones using the 5/8-inch and to 3/8-inch adapters
- Available in two colors and is a great choice for anybody working with a limited budget.
Cons:
- Although it includes 5/8-inch and 3/8-inch adapters, it doesn’t come with any microphone clips.
Best Tabletop Microphone Desk Stands Buyer’s Guide
When you’re working with a smaller recording space, a tabletop desk stand can be an absolute Godsend. Not only will it take up hardly any space, but it will also ensure that your microphone is held securely which, in turn, will help you produce high-quality audio.
It might seem like buying a desk stand is a simple enough thing to do. However, there are some hidden elements that you need to consider before you make your purchase!
Below, we’ve outlined some points to bear in mind when you’re shopping for a tabletop microphone stand. Each of these will help guide you towards the best choice for your individual needs.
Microphone Compatibility
The first thing you’ll want to make sure of is that the microphone desk stand you’re thinking about purchasing is compatible with your microphone. To do this, take a look at the clips, thread adapters, and mounting-style it uses.
It’s important to note that most tabletop stands don’t include microphone clips with them. The majority tend to offer adapters (usually 5/8-inch and to 3/8-inch) that allow you to secure your existing microphone clips to the stand. This is ideal for a range of microphones including studio-style mics.
Other desk stands use a snap-in style to mount the microphone. This is the easiest way to attach your mic and, as the name suggests, you simply snap it into the stand’s built-in microphone clip.
While this is easier, it does limit the style of microphone you can use with the stand and it is really only suitable for handheld mics.
Design
There are a couple of designs to choose from when you’re looking for a tabletop microphone desk stand too. Let’s start by taking a look at the most popular – the tripod desk stand.
This design of a tripod is naturally strong as it creates an equal distribution of weight across each of the legs. This isn’t the only reason for their popularity, though. They are easy to set up, take up hardly any space on your work surface, and can even be collapsed down.
This makes them easier to store away compactly when they’re not in use, and also makes it much more travel-friendly. So, if your podcast format sees you spending a lot of time recording in different locations, a tripod desk stand could be the best choice for you.
Another reason for the popularity of tripod desk stands is that they offer a little more stability through the inclusion of rubber feet. This also helps to protect your work surface from getting scratched or marked when you move the stand.
The other design available is a freestanding desk stand. These are like a shrunken down version of the large microphone stands you’d normally see at a gig. These are generally a little less stable than tripod stands, however, there are some things to look out for if you’d prefer this style.
A freestanding desk stand with a weighted base is always a good option to go for. This will be less easy to accidentally knock over when you’re gesticulating. It will also counterbalance the weight of your microphone, so there’s less chance of it tipping over when in use.
Height Adjustments
One of the things you need to be certain of when podcasting is that you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your recording session. Sitting at an awkward angle will translate through your voice, into the microphone and leave your audience feeling uncomfortable too.
To prevent this from happening, and to make sure you’re kept comfortable, look for a desk stand that allows you to adjust the height. You should also be able to lock it in place once it’s at your ideal height, otherwise, you’ll find yourself facing the frustration of having to pause and readjust frequently.
Some desk stands feature a gooseneck design too, and this will allow you to adjust the angle of your microphone to a more comfortable position. This is also ideal if you’re really limited on space and would prefer to keep the stand out of the way as much as possible.
Price
Like all recording equipment, the price of a tabletop microphone desk stand can vary between brands. With this in mind, we’d always recommend setting yourself a budget before you begin shopping and trying to stick to it as closely as you can.
It’s worth taking a look at any moneyback guarantees and warranties that your potential desk stand comes with too. This will give you some peace of mind that you’ll be covered if anything were to go wrong. It also gives you a little more bang for your buck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Tabletop Microphone Desk Stand?
As the name suggests, a tabletop microphone desk stand is a microphone stand that sits neatly on your desk or tabletop. They are ideal for anybody recording in a smaller space and are also perfect for taking on the road and recording in different locations.
