Being one of the biggest manufacturers of student-friendly keyboards, it follows that Yamaha knows how to make stands for beginners. The PKBS1 is exactly that, a portable and easy to use keyboard stand meant for hobbyists and students.

Having a single bracing makes it lightweight and easy to carry. And given its basic design, it has lower load capacity, but it should be stable enough for most portable keyboards. Since it's from Yamaha, you can be sure of its overall quality and reliability.

Being easy to setup and fold is another important advantage that makes the PKBS1 beginner friendly. All you have to do is loosen the quick change knob and set the stand up to your preferred height. The circular locking mechanism, together with the quick change knob makes setup and height adjustments easy to do, while retaining good stability.

Note that this stand is not meant to support bigger and heavier keyboards, including those that feature weighted keys. Also, if you're a keyboardist who tends to hit hard on your keys, you may want to go for a more stable stand.

All in all, the Yamaha PKBS1 is a good lightweight stand for those who prioritize convenience and portability.

Specifications

• Load capacity: 130 lb
• Height: Adjustable from 25.63" to 38.75"
• Width: 11" to 31.5"
• Depth: Not Specified"
• Construction: Square and round steel tubing
• Weight: 13.75 lb

This is an X-style stand with double braces, which can be had at an entry-level price. Given its Basic label, it doesn't stray from conventional X-stand designs, but it does the job well enough to receive top marks and secure a spot in this guide.

The double braced frame is made from steel, which ups its overall stability and reliability. It's grounded better and is not as prone to tipping over like single braced stands. More importantly, it is sturdy enough to handle heavier instruments, including heavy 88-key digital pianos. It is secure enough for home use, and I've also seen this stand used in church setups.

In addition to steel, other parts of this stand are made from PVC, plastic and rubber. Rubber parts are used for the contact points, and while they do get the job done, they're not as durable, and can be damaged when handled poorly.

The locking mechanism is located right at the center, designed to be easy to setup, adjust and fold for storage. What's nice about this is that it is as easy to use as single braced stands, but with better load capacity and stability. The downside of its easy fold feature is that children can inadvertently loosen the locking mechanism, hence the caution from some parents.

Finally, this double braced x-style stand is affordable, and is backed by a 1 year warranty. If you're looking for a stand that's sturdy yet easy to use and affordable, then this is for you.

Specifications

• Load capacity overall: Not Specified
• Height: Adjustable from 27.5" to 38.2"
• Width: 13.5" to 16.5"
• Depth: Not Specified
• Construction: Steel Square Tubing
• Weight: 10.5 lbs

The Sequenz Standard M-SV comes with a distinct A-frame style form factor made from lightweight steel. The main rack is secured on two angled steel poles, and can be height adjusted to your preference. Being made from steel, this is a durable and reliable keyboard stand

This configuration results in improved stability and better resistance to tipping over. It also allows the stand to support heavy keyboards and synthesizers. Its A-style form factor also provides plenty of leg room for your knees, solving a common problem that users encounter when using X-style stands. The downside to its design is that it doesn't fold as quickly, but it's not that much harder to setup.

There's also enough room for multiple rack setups should you decide to get extra racks (available on Amazon.com). This makes this stand a good modular base for those who are planning to grow their keyboard setup.

This particular model is medium sized, meant for keyboards with 73- to 76-keys. Note: There is a larger version designed for 88-keys which you can get from Sweetwater.

Note that this stand comes with fixed width configuration, so there's no way to narrow it down for smaller keyboards. You can adjust the keyboard holders for smaller keyboards but the stand still has the same wide footprint.

It is relatively light at 18.7lbs., while still being stable enough for stage performance. It is also quite compact, ideal for small spaces like in home studios.

The Sequenz Standard-M-SV is a premium adjustable keyboard stand.

Specifications

• Load capacity: 77 lbs. per tier or 154 lbs. Total
• Height: Adjustable from 26" to 43"
• Width: 56.5"
• Depth: 19.5" (Keyboard Rack)
• Construction: Chrome-Plated Steel
• Weight: 18.7 lbs

K&M have a reputation for quality, and the Omega 18810 is one of their best rated offerings. This is a table style keyboard stand made from steel, so you get good stability. But it only has a single horizontal beam, supported by cross bars, so it is not as bulky and heavy as regular tables.

Another important feature is its adjustability, it can accommodate a large range of keyboard sizes from 25-key to 88-key. It can also be set to different heights, without the width changes of X-style stands. As such, it can be setup for more precise and comfortable positioning. It's table style design also means that you get ample room for your knees and legs.

The downside to its adjustability is that it takes a bit more effort to setup and breakdown. Thankfully, it can fit into hatchbacks and vans even fully setup, so there is a way to carry it around without having to break it down.

Note that this stand is convertible to 2 Tier with the addition of the K&M 18811 Stacker which is available from Sweetwater and Amazon.
K&M Stacker from Amazon.com.

Other nifty features include having 4 Velcro tapes to guide cables and engraved height scale.

The K&M Omega 18810 is priced a bit higher than many other stands, but it is worth the extra money, given its heavy duty build, stability, and adjustability.

Specifications

• Load capacity: 176 lb (80 Kg)
• Height: Adjustable from 23.6" to 40.1" (600 mm to 1,020 mm) via spring-loaded clamping knobs
• Width: Adjustable from 7" to 31.1" (180 mm to 790 mm)
• Depth: 13.6" (345 mm)
• Construction: Steel
• Weight: 20.9 lb (9.5 kg)

Z style stands are well regarded for balancing stability with portability, hence the reason for their wide spread use in gigging. The On-Stage KS7350 hits the sweet spot nicely with its sturdy profile and simple setup.

For a stable stand, it's not much harder to setup. Its Z style stand profile is well grounded, resistant to wobbling and hard to tip over. Load capacity is also quite good, so you can use it with heavier professional 88-key keyboards and digital pianos without any issue.

Also noteworthy is its adjustable center box, which lets you adjust height and width independently. It's viable for keyboards of different sizes, with precise height adjustments and leveling when setting up.

It is designed for 55 key keyboards and up, however many 49 key keyboards will also fit. Compare your keyboard width to the specification below before buying it for a smaller keyboard. Note that there is no way to adjust depth for big deep keyboards.

It is not as stable as table style stands, but the KS7350 breaks down into flat sections. This makes it easier to transport. Its z-profile design also provides good legroom.

On-Stage attachment parts are available, for adding more tiers, racks, side shelves and even monitor stands.

If you need a reliable single tier Z stand and will be transporting it to and from gigs, this is your best option. It can also be a good base platform for a modular home keyboard setup.

Specifications

• Load capacity: 375 lbs
• Height: adjustable from 24" to 38"
• Width: adjustable from 21" to 36"
• Depth: 16.75"
• Construction: ¾", 1", 2" welded tubing
• Weight: 17.35 lbs