The Best Guitar Stand or Rack for Any Budget

Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’re an experienced musician, storing your guitars safely keeps your instruments longer. Using a good guitar stand is an excellent way of doing so. However, it can be tricky to determine which one is perfect for your guitar and your needs with different guitar stands. Considering that a guitar stand is responsible for the safety of your most beloved possession, this can be a little intimidating.

To help you find the perfect guitar stand, we’ve written a list of our five favorites. I’ll look at each stand according to the quality of its construction, versatility, portability, and price range. Whether you’re looking for an all-singing, all-dancing stand that will display your guitar collection in all of its glory, or you need a practical and sturdy stand that can accompany you on tour, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve also included a handy buyers ‘ guide to ensure that this purchase is as smooth and carefree as possible. This guide identifies the safety of particular stands, balancing aesthetics, practicality, and everything in between!

Check it all out below!

Best Guitar Stand or Rack (Quick Summary)

K&M Five Guitar Stand

We just had to kick things off with the K&M Five Guitar Stand. If you’re a keen musician struggling to find an appropriate place for your ever-increasing guitar collection, this stand is perfect.

If you’ve felt the burn of low-quality multi-guitar stands that don’t look as if they’d survive a heavy draft or a door slam before, this one will change your perspective. The K&M Guardian series is solid and stable enough to live through anything, making it suitable for heavier equipment.

This guitar stand uses a non-marring plastic material. In turn, this means that it is particularly scratch-resistant and should stay looking brand new for a very long time. Additionally, it means that it can handle transportation pretty well.

The best thing about this stand is its versatility. It can hold electric and acoustic guitars and has additional slots for picks. It also has protective bars that prevent the guitars from knocking together and causing unnecessary damage.

Upon checking out this stand, it felt incredibly stable. Guitars are expensive, and you want a stand that will keep them as safe as possible. We were also very pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to fold down and move around.

Pros

• Very stable – can keep multiple guitars safe.
• Non-marring plastic – it is very resistant to damage.
• Holds electric and acoustic guitars – makes for a very versatile guitar stand.
• Easy to fold – can be transported.

Cons

• Price – more expensive than others on this list.

Amazon Basics Guitar Folding A-Frame

If you’re looking for a simple, sturdy, and affordable guitar stand, look no further than the Amazon Basics Guitar Folding A-Frame Stand. It is an incredibly versatile stand and competes with some of the more expensive models on this list.

This guitar stand is universal, meaning it can hold acoustic or electric guitars of different sizes. Whether you want to store a tenor ukulele or a heavy metal bass guitar, this stand has got you covered.

Amazon made this stand using lightweight, durable metal. In turn, this stand is easy to transport, which is ideal for touring musicians or people who move around a lot. As a bonus, you don’t need to take it apart and reassemble it because it folds down to a small size.

The soft foam arms and backrest are sure not just to keep your guitar steady but will protect it from any unnecessary bumps or scratches. The non-slip rubber feet also assist with stability.

We love this guitar stand. It is incredibly affordable, wonderfully versatile, and has a simple, sleek look that will fit in any interior. We especially like how lightweight it is. It is so easy to transport and assemble!

Pros

• Universal – makes for a versatile guitar stand.
• Lightweight & durable metal construction – makes for a steady stand that is easy to transport.
• Soft foam arms and backrest – keep your guitar safe from bumps and scratches.
• Folds flat – ideal for transporting and keeping in small spaces.

Cons

• Basic – might be too basic for some.

Fender Mini Acoustic Guitar Stand

If you’re a musician who enjoys touring or playing open mic nights with your guitar, you need to take a look at the Fender Mini Acoustic Guitar Stand. It is of incredible quality and will help you keep your beloved instrument safe as you travel around.

When it comes to portability, this stand is unrivaled. It folds down so small that it will fit in most gig bags or cases. It is well-suited to musicians who benefit from maximum portability to any gig.

However, don’t let its compact nature fool you into thinking it is less stable than others. It is durable. Whether you have an acoustic or electric guitar, this stand is sure to keep it safe.

This guitar stand proves that great things come in small packages and don’t need to break the bank! Considering the brand name, you might assume that this guitar stand is one of the more expensive options, but it is the most budget-friendly option on this list!

The Fender Mini Acoustic Guitar Stand is great! It works with numerous sizes and guitar styles – holding them all perfectly! From small, hollow-bodied guitars to heavy, solid-bodied metal basses, this one can do it all!

Pros

• Folds to a small size – fits in most gig bags and cases.
• Strong and durable construction – makes for a very stable guitar stand.
• Fits most standard guitar shapes – means this is a versatile stand.
• Budget-friendly – this stand is very high quality considering the price.

Cons

• Basic – might be too basic for some musicians.

D’Addario Guitar Dock

If you find yourself in need of a super versatile and innovative way to store your guitar wherever you are, you should take a look at the D’Addario Guitar Dock. It is one of the most valuable pieces of equipments that every musician should have in their bag!

This guitar dock can attach to pretty much anything, including your desk or amp. It has a 360-degree rotation that allows you to mount your guitar at any angle. As such, if you find yourself putting your guitar down and picking it up again frequently, this stand is ideal.

This guitar dock is very lightweight, compact, and easily portable, thanks to its petite size. It should fit in pretty much any bag, making it an excellent option for people who take their guitar with them everywhere!

It is also easily adjustable. It has an ergonomic knob that makes this dock incredibly simple to use. You can also use it to store pretty much any guitar, and thanks to its steel frame with foam and rubber contact points, it is sure to keep your instrument safe!

However, it is worth noting that it is slightly more expensive than others on this list, but it is built to last!

Pros

• Can attach to anything – makes for a very versatile dock.
• 360-degree rotation – allows you to mount your guitar at any angle.
• Lightweight & compact – it can be easily transported.
• Steel frame with foam & rubber contact points – keeps your guitar very sturdy and safe.

Cons

• Price – less budget-friendly than others on this list.
• Casual – Not typically built for gig use.

Hercules Guitar Stand

Finally, we just had to include the Hercules Fold Neck Guitar Stand. If you’re looking for a solid piece of equipment from a brand with an outstanding reputation for a guitar kit, you need to take a look at this stand.

Hercules consistently produces top-quality stands that are well-built, sleek, and very versatile, and this model is no different! This stand can withstand a weight of up to 33 pounds, meaning that it is a very safe stand for nearly all types of guitars.

This stand is particularly great if you’re concerned about the safety of your guitar. Some people argue that upright stands can cause guitars visible damage. However, this stand has been created with these concerns in mind.

It features SFF rubber on all contact points, including the legs. In turn, this stand definitely won’t cause your guitar to scratch. The height can also be easily adjusted, and the Auto Grip system with a fold-down yoke makes it particularly easy to store compactly.

We love pretty much every product that Hercules produces, and this guitar stand is absolutely no exception. It is incredibly stable and will put all of your vertical guitar stand-related concerns at ease. However, it is a costly model.

Pros

• Withstand up to 33 pounds – makes it suitable for most guitars.
• SFF rubber on all contact points – your guitar will be safe from scratches.
• Auto Grip system & fold-down yoke – means this stand is easy to store.
• Sleek design – looks great in any interior.

Cons

• Price – this is one of the more expensive models on this list.

Buyers Guide

Guitar stands are essential pieces of equipment. They are responsible for ensuring the safe storage of your most beloved instruments, and it helps if they look fabulous too (who doesn’t love storing their guitars proudly for all visitors to see?).

However, because of their importance, purchasing a guitar stand can be a bit stressful. It would help if you were confident that the one you buy would suit your guitar and your own needs perfectly. Check it out below!

Types Of Stands

Before you purchase a guitar stand, it is necessary to understand the difference between the different types of stands. Check out the most common types of guitar stands below to figure out which one is most appropriate for your needs.

A-Frame

As the name entails, A-frame stands look like the letter A. They have two legs that meet above and hold a single guitar. They often have a foam or rubber material coating the contact points. This construction ensures that the stand doesn’t cause visual damage to your guitar, such as scratching.

As such, if you are keeping your one guitar in a busy room where there is a lot of movement (e.g., your music room), this stand type is likely best for you.

Tripod

These stands are also often called tubular stands. They have three tube-shaped legs and an extended vertical tube-shaped back support. This stand type tends to be less portable than others but supports heavier instruments.

However, if you’re a beginner looking for an affordable and straightforward stand that will hold your guitar well, a tripod stand might be ideal. These stands take up more space than others.

Wall-Hanging

If you’re looking for a space-saving option (or think that guitars look super cool on the wall), you should consider buying a wall-hanging stand. These mount onto the wall using screws and have two protruding arms that hold the beck of the guitar.

These stands are usually particularly cheap, making them ideal for musicians on a budget. However, you must check the maximum weight that a wall-hanging stand can withstand before purchasing to ensure a safe option for your guitar.

Multi-Guitar

Multi guitar stands are simply guitar stands that can hold multiple guitars simultaneously. They are a great option if you have numerous guitars. However, it is worth noting that the quality of construction and stability are paramount here.

Suppose you are looking for a multi guitar stand; consider purchasing one from a reputable brand. These might cost a little more, but it will be worth it to know that your guitars are safely stored.

Rack

Racks are technically a type of multi guitar stand. They allow you to store up to ten guitars together. They are usually easy to fold, assemble, and make for a great stand in music studios.

However, just as in the example above, guitar racks must be solid, stable, and well-constructed. In turn, these racks can be quite a pricey option, but they are worth it if you need to save space by storing all of your guitars together.

Display Case

Finally, although display cases technically aren’t a type of guitar stand, we thought they were worth mentioning. These cases can either be attached to a wall or stood upright. They tend to have a glass front and velvet back so that you can store your most prized possession in all its glory.

However, if you’re looking for a practical way to store your guitar, a display case likely isn’t for you. It can be a bit of a fuss to remove the guitar every time you play it. Display cases are a better option for those of you who have an extraordinary guitar that you don’t intend on playing very often (if at all).

Form Or Function

When we say form, we refer to how a guitar stand looks. As discussed above, if you’re looking for a stand or case that will show off your prized collection of guitars, you will likely want something that looks eye-catching and amazing.

We recommend purchasing a wall-hanging stand or even a display case if this is the case. These are certain to do your precious guitar collection justice and give them the stage they deserve.

However, if you use your guitars often or even need a stand that can accompany you on tour, you will need something more functional. We recommend traditional guitar stands or guitar docks in cases such as these.

These stand styles might not look the most impressive, but they sure can be instrumentally valuable. They tend to be sturdy, easy to assemble, and portable. If you have multiple guitars, you should try a rack-style stand.

Space

If floor space is limited or you don’t want to clutter your room with music equipment, you should try a wall-hanging stand. On the other hand, if you have a dedicated music room, why not fill it to the brim with instruments? We recommend using a guitar rack, tripod, or an A-frame stand if you have the extra space. These will provide additional stability.

Shape

While most guitar stands tend to be versatile enough to accommodate guitars of all shapes and sizes, some are particularly unique. For instance, Explorer-style guitars are notoriously difficult to balance in regular guitar stands. If you have an unusual-shaped guitar, we recommend doing your homework. After reading the manufacturer’s information, if it isn’t clear, we find that the reviews are always a good place to look!

Protection

The primary function of a guitar stand is protection. In addition to protecting it from being moved around, guitar stands should also ensure that your guitar has scratch protection.

Saying that, if you have an expensive guitar, you should keep an eye out for materials that can damage your instrument. Ensure that the stand has foam or rubber placed at all contact points to ensure minimal damage.

Size And Weight

It is always necessary to check whether a guitar stand can withstand the size and weight of your specific guitar. Many guitar stands may have a small height range that might not suit you if you have a more extended guitar. Generally speaking, if a guitar stand has a maximum height of over 40″, it should fit most guitars.

Price

Generally speaking, guitar stands should be reasonably inexpensive pieces of equipment. However, if you are looking for a stand that can hold multiple guitars at a time or want a premium stand to keep your expensive instrument safe, you will likely need to spend quite a bit more.

Material

Manufacturers make guitar stands using wood, plastic, or steel. Wood and plastic are excellent options that will make for a durable and long-lasting piece of kit.

Plastic stands can be an inexpensive option. However, plastic guitar stands aren’t as strong as others, and they aren’t necessarily as safe for your guitar as they can cause scratches. Likewise, if you opt for a metal stand, be sure to check that it comes with foam or rubber on the contact points to prevent damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Guitar Stands Bad For Your Guitar?

Unfortunately, some guitar stands can be bad for your guitar. However, whether a stand will be good or bad depends on the type of guitar you’re storing and the type of stand you are using to keep it.

A guitar stand can cause damage via the contact points. As such, it is vital to check that your preferred guitar stand has a soft material placed at these contact points to prevent scratching.

Apart from this threat of visual damage, guitar stands are a very safe way of storing your guitar, as long as it is appropriate for the specific weight and style of the guitar. Using a stand is safer than leaning your guitar against a wall or putting it on the floor.

Should Guitars Be Stored Flat?

Theoretically, there is no difference between storing a guitar upright or flat. As long as the case or stand supports the guitar correctly, either method is safe.

Are Guitar Stands Portable?

Not all guitar stands are easily portable. For instance, wall-hanging stands require nailing into the wall, and guitar racks tend to be quite bulky pieces of kit.

As such, if you need a portable guitar stand, it is necessary to purchase one that specifically states that it is easy to fold and lightweight. Guitar docks are a particularly mobile form of guitar stand.

Is A Cold Room Bad For Guitars?

This depends on the material that your guitar is made from. If your guitar is made from wood, you mustn’t let it freeze or experience considerable temperature changes. Storing your guitar at an average room temperature should keep it in perfect condition.

Is A Hot Room Bad For Guitars?

The perfect temperature for storing a guitar is between 70 and 75-degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures higher than this can cause cracking, trigger neck warping, and cause many problems for the strings.

Heat can weaken the glue that holds the guitar together and loosen the strings. This is why keeping your guitar out of direct sunlight is always necessary.