Looking for a better type of connector / socket.

Seems a lot of demo boards use a machine IC socket for dropping in small parts with thin leads. Although I'd like to use it for the same purpose I wonder if there are better sockets or headers for this purpose.

Any reccomendations?

Probably not?, they have the advantages of being small, cheap, and easily available.

There are very low profile versions of the sockets - These stick up above the board ~2mm, and the the majority of the socket is actually in the PCB.

I don't know who makes these particular ones though.