KraftGeek Music Stand Review - Best Portable Stand 2025
KraftGeek Music Stand Review: A Game-Changer for Musicians in the Digital Age
As a professional oboist and traditional Celtic musician, I’ve used dozens of portable music stands over the years. Concerts and gigs have ranged from orchestra pits and concert halls to outdoor patios and windy concert band gigs. There are several issues traveling and gigging musicians face that the old fashion portable metal stands don’t solve. They are clunky, don’t hold the music in place, fall over easily, they don’t bend, they are heavy, and a mess to put together. Anyone who has struggled reading sheet music blowing in the wind, stands falling over, or issues with bad lighting, will find the KraftGeek music stand a game changer.
That’s why I was excited when KraftGeek sent me their Capsule portable music stand to try. This post is sponsored. I received a free stand in exchange for an honest review, but as always, all opinions are my own. Spoiler: I genuinely love this product, and after testing it in multiple settings, I’m thrilled to share why it’s now my go-to stand for both professional gigs and daily use in my home studio.
Initial Impressions: Lightweight, sturdy, highly portable, and surprisingly flexible
When the KraftGeek Capsule stand first arrived, I could tell immediately this wasn’t just another flimsy fold-up. It came in a sleek, well-designed custom case that made transport simple. No more awkward balancing acts trying to stuff several pieces of a metal stand into my gig bag or backpack.
Right out of the box, the stand felt light but not cheap. The build is solid, the setup is instant (no screws or puzzle-like assembly), and the whole thing just feels like it was designed by someone who actually gigs for a living. I was especially impressed by how compact it is when folded, yet it still extends tall enough for both seated and standing positions with ease.
There are easy to follow instructions that come with the stand. It took me about 10-15 minutes to figure out all the components. I do recommend looking through the full instructions for reach component (the accessories have a separate visual instruction sheet from the music stand itself).
Everything screwed in securely, unlike older stands where clip-on lights feel precarious at best. It was clear this was going to solve a lot of problems I’ve dealt with for years. I could already see this becoming my go-to setup at home, and on the road.
Where to Buy the KraftGeek Music Stand
🎉 Use code WOLF15 for 15% off your purchase
| 🛒 Vendor | What’s Included | Price (USD) | Shipping & Notes | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KraftGeek Official Site |
• Capsule Stand – $89.99 • Solo Gig Bundle – $116.99 • Concerto Combo – $149.99 (stand + bag + light + mount) |
From $89.99 | Free shipping on orders over $29 | Buy Now |
| Amazon (U.S.) | Varies by seller – usually includes stand and optional bundle accessories | ~$79.99–$92.99 | Prime eligible; fast shipping, price varies | Buy Now |
Table of Contents
The Struggles of Traditional Music Stands
Before discovering KraftGeek, I relied on the standard portable metal music stand. This is what most of us grew up using and still use in some cases. While it technically got the job done, it came with a long list of frustrations that made every gig just a little harder than it needed to be.
Even high-quality, non-portable metal music stands, such as the ones you might find in schools, rehearsal spaces, or symphony halls, come with their own set of limitations. They’re built to last and are sturdy, sure, but they do not move, adapt, or support today’s multi-device musicians.
If you've ever played a breezy outdoor wedding gig or tried squinting through a pit orchestra set in the dark, you probably know these struggles all too well.
My home studio using a traditional metal music stand before writing this KraftGeek music stand review.
How the KraftGeek Stand Solves Real-World Musician Problems – Your new go-to music stand for home and travel
Whether you’re rehearsing at home, teaching in a school setting, performing under stage lights, or battling wind in an outdoor gig, the KraftGeek Capsule is the one stand that truly does it all. It’s designed to replace every other music stand in your arsenal. It combines portability, flexibility, and pro-level smartphone and tablet features in one sleek package.
Here’s how it solves every major problem I’ve had with traditional stands and other portable music stands:
Lightweight, but sturdy – The stand is incredibly lightweight, which makes it easy to carry to gigs, rehearsals, or anywhere else. Yet it’s stable enough to handle sheet music, tablets, and breezy outdoor conditions.
Comes with its own custom case – No more juggling awkward metal parts or sharp edges. The stand packs neatly into a padded case with extra compartments for the extensions and light.
No assembly required – It folds down compactly without having to dismantle anything. Setup is fast and intuitive and you’re ready to play in minutes.
Rotates and adjusts with ease – You can angle the tray to suit your posture or lighting situation, which is huge for outdoor or pit settings where conditions change fast.
Designed for digital and analog – KraftGeek offers modular add-ons that let you securely attach a smartphone or tablet right in front of your sheet music. Perfect for hybrid setups. It is extremely flexible for a variety of needs.
Secure, screw-in accessories – The light and digital mount don’t clip—they screw in. That means no slipping, no wobbling, and no mid-performance disasters.
Use it your way – Whether you’re using traditional sheet music, an iPad, or just your phone for setlists and cues, the stand adapts. You can even compress the tray entirely and just use the device mount to turn the stand into a tablet or smartphone music stand (only).
For me, this stand isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a complete rethinking of what a music stand can and should be in this new digital age.
My new setup using the KraftGeek music stand, iPad attachment, and light.
Quick Comparison of Traditional Music Stands to the KraftGeek Portable Music Stand
Here’s a comparison table highlighting the differences between the KraftGeek Capsule, a Standard Black Metal Stand(like Manhasset), and a Portable Metal Stand (fold-up style like Hamilton or On-Stage):
| Feature / Stand Type | KraftGeek Capsule | Standard Black Metal Stand | Portable Metal Stand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~2.56 lb (lightweight + stable) | Heavy (6–8 lb) | Light, but often flimsy |
| Portability | Compact fold-down + custom carrying case | Not portable | Foldable, but awkward to carry (no case) |
| Setup Time | Instant – no assembly | No setup, but large and bulky | Requires unfolding multiple sections |
| Adjustability | Full rotation + multiple height/angle options | Limited tilt and height adjustments | Basic height + tray angle options |
| Device Compatibility | Screw-in mounts for smartphone/tablet | None | None |
| Lighting Options | LumiLight screws in securely (USB-C or AA powered) | Clip-on only; often unstable | Clip-on only; difficult to mount |
| Sheet Music Security | Tray with anti-slip strip + transparent clips | Solid tray but no wind support | Music blows away easily; requires makeshift clips |
| Multi-Use Flexibility | Works for seated, standing, tabletop use | Standing only | Standing only |
| Accessory Tray/Cradle Support | Compatible with standard trays and English horn supports | Fully compatible | Often too thin or unstable |
| Price Range | $89.99–$149.99 (depending on accessories) | ~$60–$90 | ~$25–$45 |
| Best For | Professionals, tech users, outdoor/indoor versatility | Schools, studios, concert halls | Students, light home use, low-budget gigs |
What You Get with the KraftGeek Music Stand
If you’re new to the KraftGeek portable music stand, here’s a breakdown of the key specs and features that make this stand a standout:
Weight:
Lightweight but durable—just 2.56 lb (Capsule model), making it easy to carry without sacrificing stability.Height Range:
Adjustable from 29" to 66", so it works for both seated and standing positions.No Assembly Required:
The stand pops open and folds down easily—no screws, no loose pieces, no tools needed.LumiLight Accessory:
A powerful 16-LED light that attaches via a screw mount for extra stability.
Powered by 3 AA batteries or USB-C, depending on your setup.Tablet/Smartphone Mount:
Holds devices up to 13″ wide, including larger iPads—perfect for digital sheet music, setlists, or apps.Custom Travel Case:
Comes with a designated padded carrying bag that includes compartments for each accessory. It keeps everything protected and organized while traveling.
Uses for More Than Just Sheet Music
What really sets the KraftGeek music stand apart is its versatility, especially for musicians, teachers, and content creators who rely on multiple tools during practice, rehearsal, or performance.
Here are some alternate ways I’ve used (or could easily use) the stand and accessories beyond the typical sheet music setup:
Hold a smartphone for metronome use – Whether you're using a metronome app or a compact physical metronome, the smartphone mount can securely hold it in view while keeping it off your music stand tray.
Stream practice tracks or videos – Easily position a phone or tablet to stream YouTube recordings, reference demo tracks, or run a backing track app, all without cluttering your sheet music space.
Use it as a seated or tabletop stand – The stand collapses short enough to sit on the floor or a table, making it ideal for teaching setups, home practice, small reed making desks and setups, or recording sessions where a lower profile is better.
Mount just what you need – Sometimes I skip the music tray altogether and use just the phone or tablet mount when I only need digital tools. It's compact, so it takes up less space in my home studio then the traditional music stand used to, and I can easily adjust the stand to accommodate sheet music, depending on my practice session that day.
Holds an tablet up to 13” wide.
Non-traditional uses for apps and lyrics.
A Note for Double Reed Players and Woodwind Doublers
If you're a double reed player (oboist or bassoonist) or woodwind doubler, you know how important it is for your stand to do more than just hold music. The KraftGeek stand delivers on that front, too.
Fits a standard accessory tray – The base is compatible with most clip-on or slide-on trays, so you can keep reeds, knives, water, pencils, and tools right where you need them during rehearsals and concerts.
Supports English horn cradles and attachments – The base tube is thick and sturdy enough to accommodate screw-on attachments like English horn supports, which often don’t work with traditional lightweight metal stands.
Solid but not bulky – While slightly thinner than a traditional fixed stand, the KraftGeek base is still strong enough to handle the accessories and add-ons we rely on without wobbling or tipping.
For anyone who’s had to improvise reed setups or wrestle with portable music stands, this stand is a refreshing upgrade that just works.
A K & M music accessory tray attached to the KraftGeek portable music stand
Final Thoughts
After years of dealing with stands that were either too heavy, too flimsy, or simply not built for the way modern musicians use technology, the KraftGeek Capsule feels like the stand I’ve been waiting for. It’s thoughtful, versatile, lightweight, and durable and it solves the real problems we face on the job, whether you’re performing indoors, outdoors, on paper, or with tech.
If you're ready to upgrade your setup, I can genuinely recommend this stand for anyone who performs, teaches, practices, or creates with music regularly.
🎉 Use code WOLF15 for 15% off your purchase at kraftgeek.com. It’s a small investment that’s made a big difference in my daily setup and I think it’ll do the same for you!
