Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP vs Rode PSA1+
A side-by-side look at Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP and Rode PSA1+ for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP
Low-profile boom arm that stays out of your camera frame
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Rode PSA1+
The broadcast boom arm standard, upgraded with spring damping
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP | Rode PSA1+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Streamers and podcasters who are on camera and need the mic close without it dominating the shot | Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic |
Key features
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
Rode PSA1+
- Supports microphones from 94 g to 1.2 kg weight range
- 37" horizontal reach and 34" vertical travel
- Spring damping for smooth, controlled arm movement
- Fully integrated internal cable management channel
- 360-degree rotation at base and elbow
- Mounts via C-clamp or threaded desk insert (both included)
Pros and cons
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
Rode PSA1+
Pros
- Spring damping makes repositioning smooth and precise - clear upgrade over PSA1
- Internal cable routing keeps the desk clean without aftermarket cable clips
- Weight range handles every major broadcast mic including heavy-hitters like SM7B
Cons
- Fixed desk installation - not designed to pack away or travel
- Full extension requires significant desk clearance around the mic position
The verdict
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,…
Choose Rode PSA1+ if
Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic.
The original PSA1 was already the default choice for serious desk studios, and the PSA1+ genuinely improves on it. The spring damping makes positioning feel deliberate rather than floppy, and the internal cable channel is a real quality-of-life improvement -…