If I was to start streaming today this is what I would grab to get started – without draining your wallet
Chances are you already have the basics, hell if you have a smart phone you can just start mobile streaming. But if you have aspirations of doing bigger and better streams, like I do, you’re going to want to grab a PC and add a few things to get that machine up to speed
I created this Amazon list of tech – that won’t break the bank and will improve your stream quality.
Give them something listen to – Audio
First and foremost you should focus on sound – live stream viewers can be extremely forgiving about video quality, and depending on your content you may find a large percentage of your viewer base just has you on in the background as sound only.
The first upgrade you make needs to be a nice microphone and this Samson Q2U USB+XLR is a great mic that will grow with you. For a beginner streamer its plug in play as a USB mic, but if you decide to expand your audio set up to include a mixer like the Zoom H-6 your Q2U can make the upgrade and plugin via XLR
I grabbed a Q2U a few years back and still use it to this day on my live streams and podcasts. You can hear it here
Video
Again unless you just don’t have a camera you can make do with whatever you have on hand. You’re built in cam is fine, you can use a connection like VDO to bring your phone camera in to your system. But if you’re really to get a dedicated camera for your shttps://amzn.to/3TlZs8Wtreaming desk, the default is the Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam, Full HD 1080p/30fps and while its ten year old tech it is still a good camera for price. There have however been a lot of improvements in Webcam tech and if you want to spend a little bit more check out my Top Ten Webcams list here
But here’s the thing—if you want AI-powered tracking and buttery-smooth 100FPS, the OBSBOT Tiny SE is wildly underrated. It’ll follow your every move like a loyal cameraperson, and at $99, it’s cheaper than hiring one.
Lighting: Don’t Stream in the Dark
Let’s be real—no one wants to watch a shadowy figure mumbling into a mic. Lighting is the secret sauce that makes your stream look pro, and the SmallRig RM120 RGB Light is a game-changer. Adjust from moody purple to crisp daylight, and it’s portable enough to toss in a bag.
Budget tight? The Neewer 9” LED Panel is 39.99 (downfrom49.99!) and gives you studio-quality dimming. Or go big with the Emart Umbrella Kit—$52.99 for two softbox lights that’ll make your setup look like a Netflix interview.
Stability: No More Wobbly Cams
Shaky footage screams “amateur hour.” The CAMBOFOTO Tripod holds your DSLR, phone, or even a ring light steady—all for 33.79 (originally 33.79). For desk setups, the MOUNTDOG Webcam Stand lets you angle your cam like a sniper.
Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Cable Chaos? The FYY Electronic Organizer is $7.85 (20% off!) and fits every cord, charger, and dongle. Life-changing.
- iPhone Storage Nightmare? The ADAM iKlips 128GB Drive plugs straight into your Lightning port—no iCloud fees, just space.
- Multi-Computer Madness? The Hearvo KVM Switch lets you control two PCs with one keyboard/mouse. Perfect for streaming+ gaming rigs.
Storage: Because 4K Footage Eats Space Alive
The Seagate 5TB Portable Drive is 119.99(save119.99(save10!) and holds approximately 8,000 hours of your face. Prefer smaller? The WD 2TB Elements is $79.99 and fits in your pocket.
For the Gamers: Capture Cards & Console Magic
Console streamers, this one’s your secret weapon: the UGREEN 1080P Capture Card. For 19.99 (down from 23.99!), this little brick lets you pipe your Nintendo Switch, PS5, or Xbox straight into OBS without melting your CPU. No more pixelated Fortnite streams or audio lag—just plug, play, and pretend you’re a tech wizard. Bonus points if you “forget” to mention how cheap it was when your chat asks about your crisp gameplay.
Pro tip: Pair this with the Seagate 5TB Portable Drive to hoard your 4K clips. Because nothing says “serious streamer” like having 8,000 hours of footage on standby.
BONUS
I’m really tight with the purse strings, and it was only by the grace of god and a generous viewer on my wishlist that I got a Stream Deck https://amzn.to/3FhvNu0 but if my Stream Deck exploded tomorrow, I’d order a replacement before the smoke cleared. It’s not just for streaming—I use it for everything. It has become one of the most used devices in my set up, and again that’s not just for streaming. I use it for photoshop, editing, even just browsing the web. and once you go macro buttons, you never go back.. bro. I rhymed so it must be true, and it is.
If your drooling at the mouth about getting some fancy lights like the El Gato key lights, that you can turn on/off from your
stream deck – I’ve got you and it won’t break the bank. Pair that Stream Deck with a Kasa Smart Plug 2-Pack 35, and suddenly you’re the puppet master of your entire setup. Why drop $300 on a pair of Elgato Key Lights when you can slap these $22.49 plugs onto your existing lamps or ring lights? Map a button to flip your lighting on/off mid-stream, schedule them to warm up before you go live, or even randomize them with “Away Mode” to fake a lived-in vibe for your viewers! Did I just save you $275 dollars? I sure did!
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