Live streaming has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming. As streaming becomes more mainstream, aspiring streamers are looking to step up their production quality without breaking the bank. Having the right gear can make all the difference in engaging an audience. I talked to several successful streamers about their equipment recommendations for those getting started, as well as more advanced setups.
Basic Streaming Gear for Beginners
When you’re just getting started as a streamer, you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars into a high-end production studio. With some basic gear, you can start live streaming gameplay or other content in no time. Here is the essential equipment most streamers recommend when you’re starting.
Entry-Level Capture Card
One of the first things you’ll need when streaming from a console or standalone camera is a capture card. These devices allow you to transfer footage from one device into streaming software on your computer. Popular budget-friendly options include:
- Elgato Game Capture HD ($130)
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable ($135)
Both capture crisp 1080p 60fps footage without lag, work across various platforms, and come bundled with easy-to-use streaming software.
Decent Microphone
Built-in laptop mics sound tinny or pick up a lot of background noise. An inexpensive USB mic can make a huge difference in stream quality. The Blue Snowball ($50) and Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ ($100) are two affordable large-diaphragm condenser mics perfect for beginners. They provide clearer audio for both streaming and recordings compared to most headsets and built-in mics.
Basic Webcam
While some rely on a DSLR camera, using an external webcam is the easiest way to put your face on stream. The Logitech C920 ($80) has remained a go-to for streamers, given its balance of affordability, video quality, and handy features like background removal. Other good starter options are the Razer Kiyo ($100) with a built-in ring light or the Logitech StreamCam ($170), optimized specifically for streaming.
Comfortable Headset
You’ll want a headset not just for game audio but also for voice chat with teammates or viewers. Having a built-in mic allows for quick back-and-forth communication. Solid choices for streamers on a budget are the HyperX Cloud Stinger ($50), Corsair HS50 ($70), and Logitech G432 ($80). They deliver immersive in-game sound and decent mic quality.
Streaming Gear Upgrades for Intermediate Streamers
Once you get more serious about streaming and want to step up production value, you can start upgrading certain components of your setup. These pricier but high-quality options really take streams to the next level.
Higher-End GPU
While streaming puts more demand on your CPU, having a powerful graphics card makes a big difference, especially for gamers. Cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3080 ($800) or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT ($650) allow you to play demanding modern games while encoding 1080p or even 4K streams smoothly. The extra horsepower also enables the use of multiple cameras, adding overlays, and handling tasks like screen recording.
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
As an alternative to webcams, many streamers use an actual digital camera as their face camera, allowing for superior image quality and customization. Top choices like the Sony A6400 ($1,000), Canon EOS M50 Mark II ($700), and Panasonic Lumix G7 ($550) shoot sharp 1080p or 4K footage and have clean HDMI out to connect to a capture card. Using interchangeable lenses and manual settings gives your stream a much more professional look.
Dynamic USB Microphone
For studio-quality vocals on stream, XLR condenser mics have traditionally been the pick for pros but require an audio interface. USB mics have gotten impressively good, providing crisp sound for less money and complexity. The Razer Seiren Elite ($200), HyperX QuadCast S ($160), and Blue Yeti X ($170) are excellent dynamic USB mics with multiple polar patterns, built-in controls, and improved background noise reduction perfect for intermediate to advanced streamers.
Stream Deck Controller
Manually triggering overlays, switching scenes, and starting media like intro videos eat up precious stream time. The Elgato Stream Deck ($150) solves that by putting one-touch control of all major streaming functions right at your fingertips. The intuitive software and LCD keys speed up your workflow while adding production value that looks slick on stream. It’s a must-have for intermediate streamers looking to step up their game.
Green Screen Backdrops
Nothing screams “professional stream,” like framing up your camera shot with a green screen background. It isolates you from your environment, allowing you to layer custom virtual backgrounds or overlays behind you in scenes. Pro steamers recommend getting a dedicated green screen kit like Elgato’s collapsible Chroma Key setup ($160), along with proper lighting to illuminate the green fabric evenly.
High-End Streaming Gear Investments
Once streaming becomes a major source of income, top streamers funnel revenue back into their production setups. Investing thousands in cutting-edge gear might seem excessive for hobbyists, but it can pay dividends for serious full-time streamers in terms of stream growth and audience engagement.
Multi-Camera Setup
Setting up a two or three-camera stream makes your content more visually engaging with different angles and more flexibility in showing gear demos or gameplay. Most streamers needing multi-cam filming opt for a dedicated streaming PC with a capture card that can take in feeds from multiple sources. Using camera switchers and an Elgato Stream Deck helps easily transition between different shots. Popular webcams like the Logitech Brio offer stereo microphones that focus audio on whatever camera feed is live.
Professional Microphones
For studio-quality voiceovers and vocals, streamers doing this full-time eventually graduate to XLR condenser microphones hooked up through a digital audio interface. Top choices like the Shure SM7B ($400) dynamic mic or higher-end Neumann TLM 103 condenser ($1,000) provide the warm, refined sound of a radio host or singer when properly set up. Interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett ($200) then connect via XLR to your streaming PC.
High-End Gaming PC
While console players can absolutely grow huge streaming audiences, PC remains the preferred platform for maximum production control, plus games with more modding and multiplayer support. Once streaming income is steady, investing $2,000+ into a custom gaming PC with bleeding edge components like an RTX 3090 GPU ($1,500), a Ryzen 9 processor ($550), and at least 32GB fast RAM futureproofs your setup for years. This allows playing the latest games at high graphics settings while encoding buttery smooth 4K or 1080p60 streams.
That wraps up my guide to live-streaming gear! The most vital components are a capable gaming PC and console, webcam, microphone, capture card, and streaming software like OBS or XSplit. As your audience and income ramp up from streaming, you can invest back into your passion with upgrades like multi-cam filming, stream decks for scene control, green screens, and professional studio gear for incredibly polished production quality. Just get started with what you have, then allow your setup to grow over time organically!