Small string instruments are easy to knock over when they lean on a chair, and a proper stand gives them a fixed place. Violins, ukuleles, mandolins and banjos need smaller cradles than a full guitar, so a stand made for them is usually lighter and folds smaller.
The six stands below cover a hanging ukulele stand, folding tripods, a violin stand with a bow holder and a wood desktop holder. Details come from each Amazon.com listing page. We have not used these products ourselves, and the fit and protection claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Instrument fit | Check which sizes and models the listing names |
| Padding | Foam or rubber at contact points protects the finish |
| Folded size | Compact stands travel in a gig bag or case |
| Extras | A bow holder or adjustable height adds use |
Specs at a Glance
| Stand | Material | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules GS303B | Alloy steel | 1.9 lb | 10.7 x 9.8 x 3.55 in; folding; rubber pads |
| Hercules UKS100B | Stainless steel | 2.1 lb | Auto Grip yoke; height clutch; hanging style |
| Ingles SA20 | Not stated | 2.45 lb | 14.8 x 11.2 x 3.6 in; built-in bow holder |
| Rayzm Stand-5 | Metal | 1.3 kg | Adjustable; rotating bow hook; EVA padding |
| MUSO Mini | American black walnut | 9.76 oz | 6.7 x 2.8 x 1.5 in folded; desktop |
| AROMA AUS-02 | ABS plastic | 0.22 kg | A-frame; silicone padding; sliding base |
The 6 Best Instrument Stands
1. Hercules GS303B TravLite
A folding folk instrument stand in alloy steel, with rubber foam contact points and non-slip rubber pads. The listing gives a weight of 1.9 pounds and folded dimensions of 10.7 x 9.8 x 3.55 inches. It carries a lifetime warranty in the USA per the listing.
Suits: travel with a small instrument. Strengths: a folding frame and a stated warranty. Weaknesses: the bullets give few fit details. Skip it if you need a bow holder.
View Hercules Stands GS303B TravLite Folk Instrument Stand on Amazon
2. Hercules UKS100B Auto Grip
A hanging ukulele stand with an Auto Grip System yoke, an instant height adjustment clutch and rubber foam padding. It is listed in stainless steel and weighs 2.1 pounds, with a lifetime warranty in the USA.
Suits: ukuleles on a stage or at home. Strengths: a self-gripping yoke. Weaknesses: designed for ukuleles only. Skip it if you play violin or mandolin.
View Hercules Stands UKS100B Auto Grip Ukulele Stand on Amazon
3. Ingles Violin and Viola Stand
An adjustable stand for violins and violas that lets you keep a shoulder rest on the instrument. It has a built-in bow holder and a listed weight of 2.45 pounds. The listing says it suits home, school and gig use.
Suits: violin and viola players. Strengths: a bow holder and shoulder-rest friendly. Weaknesses: the heaviest here and no material listed. Skip it if you want a stand for a ukulele.
View Ingles Adjustable Violin and Viola Stand on Amazon
4. Rayzm Violin Stand with Bow Holder
A foldable metal tripod stand with a height-adjustable bow hook that rotates 360 degrees. The neck rest and body rest carry thick EVA padding, and the listing says a shoulder rest can stay on the violin. It also fits mandolins and soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles, but not baritone ukuleles. The color field says Brown while the finish says black powder, so check the photos.
Suits: a violinist who also plays ukulele. Strengths: a bow hook and padding. Weaknesses: a color and finish mismatch in the listing. Skip it if you own a baritone ukulele.
5. MUSO Mini Walnut Stand
A desktop holder in American black walnut with an oil-rubbed finish, soft non-slip padding and anti-slip feet. It is 6.7 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches folded and 9.76 ounces, with no assembly. The maker says it fits half to full-size violins, soprano to tenor ukuleles, mandolins, banjos and small guitars.
Suits: a desk or shelf. Strengths: a very small folded size. Weaknesses: a newer listing with few details on load limits. Skip it if you want a floor stand.
6. AROMA AUS-02
A small A-frame floor stand in textured ABS, with silicone padding at the support arms and feet and a sliding base that adjusts the fit. The maker says it holds ukuleles, mandolins and violins. It weighs 0.22 kg.
Suits: light travel. Strengths: a light plastic frame and silicone pads. Weaknesses: no bow holder. Skip it if you want a metal frame.
View AROMA Small Folding Floor Stand for Ukulele Mandolin Violin on Amazon
Setup Notes
- Place the stand on a flat floor or table before setting the instrument down.
- Check that padded arms touch the body and neck only where the maker intends.
- Fold the stand fully before packing it with an instrument.
- Keep the stand away from busy walkways.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a stand without confirming it names your instrument size.
- Forgetting a bow holder when you play violin.
- Ignoring a stand’s listed weight when packing a gig bag.
- Choosing a hanging stand when you need a floor model.
Instrument Stands FAQ
Which stands hold a violin with a shoulder rest?
The Ingles and Rayzm listings both say the shoulder rest can stay on the instrument.
Which is smallest when folded?
The MUSO Mini lists 6.7 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches folded.
The Short Version
For a folding folk stand, the Hercules GS303B. For a hanging ukulele stand, the Hercules UKS100B. For violin and viola, the Ingles. For a violin and ukulele combination, the Rayzm. For a desktop holder, the MUSO Mini. For light plastic, the AROMA AUS-02.
