Best boom arms for USB mics
Updated 14 October 2026 · Prices seen 2024–2026 and they change often
A boom arm is often the cheapest audio upgrade you can make. It lets you put the mic a hand's width from your mouth instead of leaving it on the desk behind your keyboard, and that closer distance does more for your sound than a pricier mic would, especially with the dynamic mics in our USB mic guide. Getting the mic off the desk also stops it picking up every bump and key press through the stand.
This guide compares five arms from about $25 to $130. The first thing to decide is the style.
First decide: classic scissor arm or low-profile?
- Classic scissor arms (like the Neewer NW-35) rise up above the desk and reach over to the mic. They're cheap and flexible, but they sit in your camera shot and the cable usually runs outside the arm.
- Low-profile arms (Fifine BM88, IXTech Lizard Pro, Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP) run flat along the desk and come up from below, so they mostly stay out of your webcam frame and tuck under a monitor. Most hide the cable inside a channel. For a face-cam setup, this is usually the better choice.
- Studio arms (Rode PSA1+) are the classic broadcast look with long reach and internal, damped springs. They're the quietest and most solid option, but cost more.
Before you buy: three checks
- Weight rating. Add up your mic plus any shock mount and pop filter, and stay under the arm's rated load. Most USB mics are well under 1 kg. For example, a retailer comparison lists the Elgato Wave:3 at 255 g. Cheap arms can still sag with heavier XLR mics.
- Thread size. Mics mount on 5/8", 3/8" or 1/4" threads. Every arm here includes at least one adapter, but check yours. Neewer, for example, says the NW-35 won't fit mics with a 1/4" thread such as the Blue Yeti Nano.
- Your desk edge. Clamps need a flat, square edge in a certain thickness range (listed in the table). Rounded or overhanging edges and glass tops can be a problem.
Comparison table
| Arm | Style | Max load | Horizontal reach | Desk clamp | Approx. US price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neewer NW-35 | Classic scissor | 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) | Not stated in our sources | Up to 7 cm (2.75") | ~$20–25 |
| Fifine BM88 | Low-profile | 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) | 27.8" (~710 mm) | 0.8–2.4" (20–60 mm) | $57.99 list, seen at $39.99 |
| IXTech Lizard Pro | Low-profile + riser | 1.7–2 kg (sources differ) | 28" (~710 mm) | 0.4–2.2" | ~$70–85 |
| Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP | Low-profile | 2 kg (4.4 lb) | 29.1" (740 mm) | Up to 60 mm | ~$100 |
| Rode PSA1+ | Studio arm, damped springs | 0.094–1.2 kg (2.7 lb) | 37" (940 mm) | Up to 70 mm (or desk insert) | ~$129 |
*Prices are from manufacturer and retailer listings and deal posts (see sources). Some are snapshots of unknown date. Check the live price before you buy.
The picks
Cheapest that holds up: Neewer NW-35
The classic budget scissor arm. Neewer rates it for 1.5 kg, with a desk clamp that opens to 7 cm and a 3/8"-to-5/8" adapter in the box, for $24.99 on Neewer's US store. The Podcast Host, which says it bought a couple for its own studio years ago, calls it "a great option if you're looking to buy a boom arm that's cheap, but doesn't feel cheap".
Keep in mind: it's a traditional design that rises above the desk, so it will be in shot if you stream with a face-cam. The cable is held on with the included straps rather than hidden inside the arm. It won't fit 1/4"-thread mics without another adapter.
Best low-profile on a budget: Fifine BM88
A low-profile, all-metal arm that stays out of the camera frame and hides the cable in built-in channels. Fifine lists a 27.8" reach and a C-clamp for desks 0.8–2.4" thick, plus 1/4", 3/8" and 5/8" adapters. Retailer listings and the manual give a 1.5 kg load rating. Fifine also sells it bundled with the AmpliGame AM8, our budget mic pick. PC Builds On A Budget, which used it with the AM8, called it sturdy and easy to set up.
Keep in mind: the same review found the angle joints sometimes need re-tightening, and the clamp doesn't suit desks with rounded or overhanging edges. Fifine's regular price is $57.99, and a Slickdeals post caught it at $39.99 on Amazon. It's often on sale.
Low-profile with extra height: IXTech Lizard Pro
Another low-profile arm, with a 28" reach, 360° swivel, a sliding cable cover, a ball head and a padded clamp for desks 0.4–2.2" thick. Its standout extra is a detachable riser that adds 5.9", which helps if your monitor sits high or you want the mic to come up in front of a monitor rather than under it. The Podcast Host describes it as "a sleek, low-profile microphone boom arm capable of supporting a lot of weight".
Keep in mind: the load rating varies between listings (Newegg says 4.4 lb / 2 kg, and another listing says 1.7 kg), so assume the lower figure if your mic is heavy. It costs about $70–85, which is more than the BM88 for similar core features.
Best low-profile overall: Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
The low-profile arm most streamers will have seen on camera. Elgato rates it for 2 kg (the highest here), with a 740 mm reach, 360° rotation, a 90° up / 60° down elbow, a padded clamp that opens to 60 mm, two thread adapters and magnetic cable covers. Prosettings found it held up without creaking or sagging and liked how it keeps your view clear. Coolblue buyers praised how it fits under a monitor and hides the cable.
Keep in mind: one Coolblue buyer said the magnetic cable covers pop off too easily, and one Harvey Norman NZ buyer reported it starting to sag and creak after a few months, though that's a single report. B&H and Adorama list it at $99.99.
Best studio arm (if you can stretch): Rode PSA1+
Rode's updated broadcast arm has the longest reach here (940 mm horizontal, 860 mm vertical), with internal, damped springs and neoprene covers to cut mechanical noise, plus cable management for USB or XLR. Highground Gaming said the damped springs stop you (and the mic) hearing the springs creak, and called it a significant improvement over the original PSA1. The Podcast Host points to "rubber contact points on both the arm and the desk clamp" for better noise reduction.
Keep in mind: Rode rates it for 94 g to 1.2 kg, which is fine for USB mics but lower than the Elgato. Highground noted the neoprene sleeves attract dust. At about $129 it's, in The Podcast Host's words about the PSA1 line, "a chunky investment", so it's worth it mainly if you're sure you'll stick with it.
Quick recommendations
- Cheapest way to get the mic off the desk: Neewer NW-35.
- Face-cam streamer on a budget: Fifine BM88, especially on sale or bundled with an AM8.
- Monitor sits high, or you want the mic in front of it: IXTech Lizard Pro, for the riser.
- Heavier mic, or you want the polished low-profile look: Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP.
- Long reach and the quietest movement: Rode PSA1+.
Setting it up
- Clamp it on the side of your non-dominant hand (or the side away from your mouse) so the arm doesn't get in the way.
- Aim for about a hand's width from your mouth with a dynamic mic, slightly off to the side so you aren't breathing straight into it.
- Tighten the joints and tension after mounting the mic, not before. Most arms are tuned for a weight range, and an unloaded arm will spring up.
- Run the cable loosely. A tight cable pulls the mic out of position and can transmit bumps.
Sources
- Neewer NW-35 specs and price: Neewer; review: The Podcast Host (updated November 2024)
- Fifine BM88 specs and price: Fifine, MediaMarkt, manual (manuals.plus); review: PC Builds On A Budget; sale price: Slickdeals; bundle: Fifine
- IXTech Lizard Pro: The Podcast Host review, The Podcast Host roundup; specs and price: Newegg, Newegg.ca
- Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP specs: Huss Licht & Ton, Adorama; price: B&H; reviews: Prosettings, FunkyKit; owner reviews: Coolblue, Harvey Norman NZ
- Rode PSA1+ specs: Rode datasheet (PDF); reviews: Highground Gaming, The Podcast Host
- Elgato Wave:3 weight: Galaxus comparison