5 Best Keyboard Stands: Support Your Keys
By Joshua Green
Choosing a keyboard stand may seem like a mundane task, but when you stack up all the variables against your preferences you’ll realize that getting the right stand will directly affect your playing, regardless of the situation or venue. It is an important choice to make! Beyond that, you’ve already spent so much time finding the right set of keys, of course you want to set them up in the best possible way, so you’ll be comfortable and able to play without even thinking (or worrying) about the stand. And when you’re relaxed and feeling good, you play better and probably (if you’re like me) enjoy yourself more. To make your choice you’ll need to consider a handful of variables.
Selecting the Best Keyboard Stand for You
First things first, take a measuring tape and get the dimensions of your keyboard - specifically your width and depth. Take note of any snaps or screw fixtures that might come built in to secure the keyboard to a stand as well. Some stands come equipped with straps to secure the instrument. Keep the measurements in mind as you start to look and compare models.
Is this stand for gigs or home use? How much and how far will you be carrying it? Consider the life of your keyboard, will this stand stay in your basement 24-7, will it be packed in the van, or will it be lugged in and out of venues constantly? How quick and easy is set up? How well does it transport & how compact will it be in storage? Is it durable?
And just from a standpoint of comfort, how much does the thing weigh? The less you need to move it, the beefier of a choice you can make. How much convenience do you require? Will you want a stand that you can customize over time? This depends on your goals.
What about your playing style? Do you play sitting or standing or both? Are you a heavy-handed player in need of a sturdy stand? The more kinetic your style the more you’ll want a secure stand with no wobble that grips the keyboard. Beyond your preferences and technique, you’ve got to find a stand that works for your body. How tall are you? How tall is the stand? Is it adjustable?
Getting into the specifics now, what keyboard do you play? If you’re not playing 88 weighted keys, you don’t necessarily need a monster stand. Take note of the weight capacity of the stand. Also, do you care what the stand looks like on an aesthetic level? Maybe you rock a vintage Hammond organ, and want a stand that looks the part as well as delivers the functionality. If the keyboard is a stay-at-home living room instrument, you might be looking for a stand that behaves more like furniture. In the end, you’ll want to find a stand that works well with your instrument.
The 5 stands reviewed here represent a broad variety of types to suit a variety of the performer needs.
The Top 5 Keyboard Stands
Stellar Labs Heavy Duty Keyboard Stand with Adjustable Width & Height
Very solid. Not fast for set up, not foldable, not a great travel stand. Easy to assemble, however. Supports a big keyboard. Very adjustable. Great value for money. Visual appeal is pretty professional. Holds up well under a heavy-handed player. Feet can fit under stand (unlike ‘X’ style.) Better for sitting, does not adjust super high.
SPECS:
- Adjustable width: 24.5 - 40”
- Adjustable height: 23 - 35.25”
- Weight: 18.8 lbs.
This stand lives up to its name. It is definitely heavy duty and has a pretty wide range of adjustability. Bear in mind that the feet do not adjust, so leveling it may take a shim, but this Z-frame stand is a great addition to the home studio or jam room. It supports a big keyboard and holds up well under a heavy handed player. The Z-frame is well suited to seated playing. While it is fairly easy to set up, this is not an ideal stand to take to gigs. It doesn't fold up - full assembly and disassembly requires an Allen wrench (provided), but you don't want to be fiddling with screws if you're dealing with a tight schedule or low light. And while the stand isn’t heavy, at just under 19 lbs, it isn't light either. In terms of shape and space, the top support bars are very deep (front to back) and will stick out past most keyboards: for some this may be aesthetic issue, for others no big deal, just bear it in mind. It should hold just about any set of keys, though. Stellar Labs put together a stand where form and function merge - the stand looks professional and will hold up to rowdy playing. In the end, this stand is solid, versatile, and very well priced. Best bang for your buck.
RockJam Xfinity Heavy-Duty Double X-Brace Keyboard Stand
Heavy duty double ‘X’ design. Adjusts with quick-release levers. Wide range of adjustment possible. Ships fully assembled. The secure straps attach (screw in) to the keyboard itself - these will be an acquired taste for some players. Very lightweight - yet really study for its size.
SPECS:
- Adjustable height 4 - 38”
- Weight: 8.4 lbs.
The RockJam stand is a classic X-frame stand. A heavy duty, double-X version, that is also super lightweight, inexpensive, and can be adjusted if not truly infinitely, certainly for a wide range of playing heights. Since the RockJam is an X-frame stand, it isn't ideal for seated playing - if you are taller, you'll have to do a little bit of finagling to get your legs set and comfortable under there. It's not a deal breaker but is worth noting. What it may lack in comfort, though, it makes up for in ease of use and portability. This is a great gigging stand. It folds down flat, weighs barely over 8 lbs and can be adjusted with quick release handles. What’s more, it arrives to you fully assembled. That adds up to great ease of use. The locking straps are a love it or leave it feature. If they fit your keyboard housing and screw in well, then bonus for you. But they may not fit your keyboard at all. And some players just won't dig them. For those that do, though, they add a solid and respectable safety feature to protect your instrument. Best inexpensive stand for gigs.
On Stage KS7150 Table Top Keyboard Stand
This is another solid adjustable keyboard stand. Listed as ideal for vintage keyboard. Adjustments can be made for height and for the platform width separately. Very open underneath - great for seated playing. Folds up neatly - like a card table. Not the most sturdy option - sags under weight in the middles & legs angle in like knees knocking together.
SPECS:
- Adjustable platform width: 29 - 43.5”
- Adjustable stand height: 26 - 43”
- Weight: 17.2 lbs.
The OnStage KS7150 is a good performer in a variety of aspects. It is a strong, pretty sturdy stand. The KS7150 can be built out with a second tier unit, and the hinged legs fold up under the platform into a compact, easy to transport package. The leg supports give plenty of room beneath the keys for playing sitting down, and the height adjustments go high enough to play standing up. This stand works well in either set-up. You will sacrifice some stability when the height is maxed out, but all in all, the OnStage stand is versatile and gives you options. This stand has the most classic look of the group reviewed here, and it is at home on stage or in the studio. If you are tall and play standing, you may find some irritating wobble, but for mid sized keyboards, this stand will provide. The price point is starting climb up into a more expensive tier on this model, but if you love that platform top and the sleek look in a portable stand, this will be your pick. Most stylish stand for gigs.
Yamaha L85 Keyboard Stand
This is a matching stand for the Yamaha P115 & P45 digital pianos. It will work with some other Yamaha models, but it not a very versatile option for keyboards outside of those dimensions. Made of wood, Great looking stand for home use/ permanent set & location. Can turn those keys into a piano!
SPECS:
- 52” wide x 26” high x 11” deep
- 26 lbs.
This stand is a beast. It is the heaviest, the widest, and the only stand here that is made from wood. The L85 is not a portable stand. It was designed specifically to the specs of the Yamaha P35, 45, 85, 95 and P105 digital pianos. Once those keys are mounted on this stand you have a piano. Yamaha also makes an optional 3 pedal unit that interfaces with this stand beautifully. This stand is ideal for the keyboard that is permanently set up in the living room or the jam room. Anywhere that you plan to leave it be. It is essentially furniture. That also means that there is no adjusting this stand. The height is fixed, and just about equal to that of a standard upright piano. If you've got some wee players in the house or you're particular about seat height, you might consider an adjustable bench. This is a good looking stand, however. This is a great choice for owners of keys from Yamaha P series digital pianos.
Quik Lok Z-726L Keyboard Stand
This stand is modular and can be expanded upon to build a workstation over time. ‘Z’ shape is sturdy along the lines of the ‘X’ silhouette but open underneath for seated playing. Made to accommodate a second, top-tier keyboard. Not necessarily the option if you plan to gig often, as the assembly is a bit cumbersome. Best for home studio use. Well liked by keyboardists.
SPECS:
- Width 44”
- Adjustable height positions (7) 26” 27.5” 29” 30” 31” 32” 33.5”
- Main tier depth 19.75”
- Weight: 22.2 lbs.
The Quik-Lok is a Z-frame, modular stand that is designed with customizability in mind. It can be built upon and expanded into a workstation at home or in a studio, or alternatively it can be stripped down and used as a stand for gigs. You'll need to carry a screwdriver for assembly/disassembly, but it isn't a complicated build. It's a bit weighty at 22 lbs and on the pricier side of the stands reviewed here. But those 22 lbs are rock solid and they deliver stability, even fully loaded. There are (7) different heights for vertical adjusting, and the stand can hold 250 lbs. Seriously. The Quik-Lok is a juggernaut. While it doesn't fold down flat, and it may not be your first choice to take traveling, you can stack more than just your keys on this unit. This stand wants to hold big keyboards and more. If you play a smaller keyboard, the Quik-Lok will likely be overkill - the sturdiness would be wasted and it could dwarf your instrument. It wants to hold a variety of gear - laptops, iPads, recording equipment, a synth, you name it! This stand is the tool for the professional with a big set-up or who plans to expand their workstation. Great long term tool for bigger keyboards and set-ups.
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