Choosing a good boom arm for your microphone is essential if you want to have a professional audio quality. Microphone positioning is often overlooked when it comes to audio quality, even though it has an enormous impact. Every microphone has a distance sweet spot in which the audio quality is at its best. Ideally, you’d want to keep your microphone in that spot at all times, but this might not be realistic with a standard desk stand in your setup.
A boom arm allows you to put your mic at its sweet spot at all times, without being in the way of anything. You can even move around at your desk whilst keeping your mic at that sweet spot. Microphone arms will also eliminate vibrations from your desk and keep your workspace clean when you’re not using your mic.
Nowadays there are many different options when it comes to boom arms. Sensic has made this choice easy for you by offering 4 different mic arms that should suit different needs and budgets. Below we have broken down the Sensic SA-10, SA-20, SA-30 and SA-30 LP boom arms which are the best boom arms available in their respective categories.
Why not just get a cheap boom arm?
Before we get into our best boom arm recommendations, we have to discuss the many cheap boom arms that are out there. There are definitely cheaper boom arms available than our budget option (SA-10). However, you will have to make sure that those will actually be sufficient for you since they have major flaws that limit their usability. These cheaper boom arms can be considered when you’re just starting out, but they can be quite unreliable. We have listed some downsides below:
| Cons | Explanation |
|---|---|
 Notoriously weak table clamps | Often loosen over time, especially when you move the arm a lot. |
| Thin metal build | Bends and breaks easily, especially the lower part. |
| Significantly shorter arms | Limits your positioning options, not suitable for overhead mics. |
| Noisy springs | External springs that make a lot of noise when you touch them. |
Best Microphone Boom Arms
Best all-round microphone boom arm
Sensic SA-30 Boom Arm
Price (as of January 2024): €59,99
Compatibility: All microphones, shock mounts & DSLRs (1/4″, 3/8″ & 5/8″ screws included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth and quiet motion | Can be considered too bulky |
| Foldable design, can be put in any desired position | |
| Clean invisible cable management | |
| Very fine microphone adjustments with the ballhead adapter | |
| Can be placed behind monitors using the 15cm riser |
The Sensic SA-30 boom arm is the most recent addition to our assortment. This mic arm has been greatly improved and it has very unique features alongside its clean and modern design. In terms of flexibility and mic positioning options, it won’t get much better than the SA-30.
The arms are long and the joints have a very wide rotation angle, which allows you to put the arm in any desired position. The SA-30 also comes with an optional 15cm riser attachment, which is helpful when you want to mount the arm behind your monitors.
Best premium microphone boom arm
Sensic SA-20 Boom Arm
Price (as of January 2024): €59,99
Compatibility: All microphones, shock mounts & DSLRs (1/4″, 3/8″ & 5/8″ screws included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth and quiet motion | Only suitable for overhead mic positions |
| Modern and unobtrusive design | |
| Built-in cable management | |
| Adjustable spring tension | |
| Angle locks on every joint |
The Sensic SA-20 microphone arm has a very sleek and modern design, ideal for those looking to keep their setup nice and clean. The sleek design isn’t just for looks though, it also makes the arm less obtrusive. Compared to traditional boom arms, the SA-20 will not take nearly as much space on a stream or video call.
This boom arm is meant for overhead microphone positions, although it is possible to keep the microphone lower when mounted on a bigger desk. The arm has some premium features such as built-in cablemanagement, adjustable spring tension and the ability to lock the angle of every joint. As expected, the movement of this boom arm is also very smooth and quiet.
Best low profile microphone boom arm
Sensic SA-30 LP Boom Arm
Price (as of January 2024): €59,99
Compatibility: All microphones, shock mounts & DSLRs (1/4″, 3/8″ & 5/8″ screws included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can handle the weight of any mic. | Low profile might not be optimal for every setup. |
| Smooth and quiet movement | |
| Low profile design, can go under monitors. | |
| Also has vertical adjustments. |
Designed for those who prefer a streamlined setup, the Sensic SA-30 LP combines sleek design with functional versatility. Unlike most traditional arms, the LP is a low profile microphone stand, which can be more suitable for your setup. They are designed to more compact and less obtrusive, making them ideal for smaller spaces or minimalist setups. This design helps in maintaining a clean and uncluttered look, which can be particularly beneficial for Youtubers or Twitch streamers, where visual aesthetics are important.
Notable features include its built-in cable management system and a strong table clamp for stable mounting. It’s compatible with pretty much every microphone thanks to the 3 screw adapters. This arm allows complete movement control, including a full horizontal rotation and a vertical tilt of 90 degrees. A ballhead adapter is included for fine microphone adjustments.
Best budget microphone boom arm
Sensic SA-10 Boom Arm
Price (as of January 2024): €39,99
Compatibility: Nearly all microphones & shock mounts (3/8″ and 5/8″ screws included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very long reach, perfect for bigger desks | Cable ties instead of built-in cable management |
| Smooth and quiet movement | |
| Pop filter included | |
| Sturdy table clamp |
If you’re just looking for a quick and easy fix, the Sensic SA-10 would be a great entry level boom arm for you. This arm is extra long and it is suitable for both lower and overhead microphone positions. There isn’t much to adjust, but you don’t really need it for this arm either. You just put the microphone in the position you want without any hassle. A nice bonus is that every SA-10 boom arm comes with a pop filter as well.
What sets this arm apart from the many cheaper boom arms out there is especially the build quality. The SA-10 is made from metal that’s built to last. The table clamp is sturdy and reliable, you won’t have to worry about it breaking or loosening over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right boom arm for your microphone is crucial for achieving professional audio quality. The Sensic range offers a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. Each model provides unique features and benefits, although overall we would recommend the Sensic SA-30 as it is our most updated boom arm and is overall the most versatile and suitable for every setup. For those preferring a low profile boom arm for the minimalistic look, the SA-30 LP would be a great option. The SA-20 would be great if you want a more unique look, different from the more traditional scissor arm designs. Finally, the SA-10 would be a great budget option, also extra long and suitable for most setups.
Remember, investing in a quality boom arm can significantly enhance your audio experience, whether for streaming, recording, or professional use. Picking any of these would definitely improve your overall audio quality as well as greatly improve the comfort at your desk.