The 10 Best Microphone Boom Poles

Editor's Notes

July 13, 2020:

Boom poles have been used in the filmmaking industry for almost 100 years, but as more and more people have come to create their own videos for business, personal, and creative applications, the need for such devices has also greatly expanded. Regardless of what level of production you're involved in high-quality audio is key to creating enjoyable video, and boom poles are an excellent addition to your arsenal in this pursuit. The simplicity, versatility, and mobility granted by these tools offers several specific advantages compared to other popular options, so they're worth considering even if they're not going to be your primary recording apparatus. For instance, camera-mounted mics are convenient, but are limited by their inability to be any closer to the subject than your camera is. This can often require boosting the gain of your recorder to the point that unintended background sounds are captured, whereas a boom allows you to hold your mic just out of frame regardless of your camera's distance. This problem can also be solved by attaching lavalier microphones to your actors' clothes, but the amount of setup and complexity inherent to this option makes it impractical for many situations where a boom mic would serve just as well.

If you're a student filmmaker or amateur who is not interested in paying the price for a feature film worthy pole, the most reasonable options for your situation are the Airo by K-Tek ABP1, Rode Boompole Pro, and the LyxPro Portable. Selections in this range tend to lack at least a couple advanced features, such as a carbon fiber construction, metal locking collars, or an internally routed cable, but they are built well and will meet the needs of many hobbyists. All of these models are perfectly capable of vastly improving the quality of your production's audio. If you're looking to spend the least amount possible there's also selections like the Pyle PMKSB06 and AmazonBasics Monopod. The latter isn't even a boom pole technically, but it's extremely affordable and using a monopod in place of a proper pole has long been a trick of budding filmmakers with a shoestring budget.

On the other hand, those who find themselves constantly recording audio or who need to produce professional-quality results might find that a higher-end pole is worth the investment. Models such as the K-Tek KE79CCR and the Rode Boompole Pro offer more features and a generally superior level or reliability than most low-end options. However, even these significantly more expensive selections are still considered midrange in comparison to those used by multimillion-dollar film studios, and a few sacrifices are made. For instance, the Rode Boompole Pro features a high-quality carbon fiber construction, but still uses plastic locking collars. Similarly, the K-Tek KE79CCR is extremely well built and has features like a right angle cable exit, but the company has sacrificed a modern carbon fiber construction in favor of an aluminum build in order to make it more affordable. These poles should not be discounted since they are still capable of creating excellent results, but if expense is no issue for you or your company you'll want to look at higher-priced models like the K-Tek KEG150CCR or offerings from boutique suppliers. Something like the K-Tek KEG150CCR makes no sacrifices and provides users with all the bells and whistles, such as knurled aluminum extension locks, carbon fiber tube construction, a coiled internal cable, and a side-exit XLR adapter.

All of these options may require specific mic clips or adapters in order to fit your microphone, and additional accessories such as shock mounts, cable straps, and cotton gloves can help reduce handling noise and further improve the fidelity of your recordings.