Cloudlifter CL-1 vs Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
A side-by-side look at Cloudlifter CL-1 and Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Cloudlifter CL-1
Up to 25 dB of transparent gain for passive dynamic and ribbon mics
See site
Check price on Amazon
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
Low-profile boom arm that stays out of your camera frame
See site
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Cloudlifter CL-1 | Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters running low-output dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, or any ribbon mic into an interface or recorder with weak preamps | Streamers and podcasters who are on camera and need the mic close without it dominating the shot |
Key features
Cloudlifter CL-1
- Up to +25 dB of gain for passive microphones
- Draws power from standard 48V phantom power
- Does not pass phantom voltage to the mic - ribbon-safe
- 3 kohm input impedance, Class A JFET circuit
- Rugged solid steel chassis with XLR in/out
- Handcrafted in Tucson, Arizona; limited lifetime warranty
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
- Low-profile design sits below shoulder line for clean on-camera setups
- 29.1" horizontal reach with 360-degree base and elbow rotation
- Maximum load: 4.4 lbs - handles virtually all podcast microphones
- Internal cable management channels with magnetic snap covers
- C-clamp fits desks up to 2.4" thick, no surface drilling needed
- Includes 1/4" to 3/8" and 1/4" to 5/8" thread adapters
Pros and cons
Cloudlifter CL-1
Pros
- Essential fix for low-output dynamics like the SM7B on underpowered preamps
- Ribbon-safe - blocks phantom power from reaching the capsule
- Transparent gain character with no audible coloration
Cons
- Requires 48V phantom power from the downstream device
- Single-channel only - two mics need two units
- Adds an extra XLR connection in the signal chain
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
Pros
- Genuinely low-profile - keeps the mic out of video frame without compromise
- Solid build quality with magnetic cable channel covers that stay closed
- Universal thread adapters work with virtually every podcast mic out of the box
Cons
- Low-profile geometry means limited overhead positioning - stays near desk level
- C-clamp can struggle on very thick or rounded desks near the thickness limit
The verdict
Choose Cloudlifter CL-1 if
Podcasters running low-output dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, or any ribbon mic into an interface or recorder with weak preamps.
The Cloudlifter CL-1 solves a specific problem cleanly: the Shure SM7B and similar broadcast dynamics need roughly 60 dB of clean gain to hit a healthy recording level, and many interfaces and portable recorders cannot deliver that without audible noise.…
Choose Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP if
Streamers and podcasters who are on camera and need the mic close without it dominating the shot.
The low-profile design is the entire point of this arm, and it delivers - with a mic in the on-axis sweet spot, the arm genuinely disappears below frame in a standard webcam or camera shot. Build quality is solid aluminum,…