The Best Live Streaming Equipment in 2022

Starting as a live streamer can seem a bit crazy when you look at the expensive gear many YouTubers and streamers on other platforms are using. The camera alone can cost well over $2,000 and not mention the high-end editing PC you’ll need to edit and render videos.

However, having the best live streaming equipment doesn’t guarantee subscribers and an audience. It’s about the content you create and how well you engage with your audience. You can deal with the expensive equipment later once you start generating income or enjoy items you get from sponsors.

Best Live Streaming Equipment

With work from home and intermittent lockdowns around the globe, video content creation is booming. Nearly every day, you come across new content creators who don’t necessarily have expensive live streaming gear but instead make do with their smartphones and editing applications on the smartphone.

Now, let’s get into the best live streaming equipment and the items you’ll need for live streaming to kick start your hobby or even a career in online content creation.

1. PC or a Laptop

While many websites and forums would have you believe that just about any decent PC or laptop would do the work, that’s not entirely true. Editing and rendering videos take a lot of time, and if your PC or laptop isn’t powered with a beefy CPU or GPU, you could sit on rendering for hours.

There’s no single answer to the technical requirements needed for running heavy software. Still, it’s advised that you go with the latest CPU, preferably an Intel i7 CPU, a decent GPU, such as GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, at least 16GB of RAM, a decent storage option, preferably a solid-state hard drive (SSD) coupled with a hard disk drive (HDD) and a dozen USB ports. Okay, maybe not a dozen but you get the idea.

Desktops can be configured to have many built-in USB ports needed for connecting your camera/audio gear or any other item. However, they lack the portability a laptop provides.

2. Video Camera

This is an essential part of your live streaming gear. Being an important part doesn’t mean that it has to be a perfect or over-the-top video camera where you end up spending a lot of money.

If you’re new to live to stream and only starting with your hobby, the easiest and most cost-effective video camera is to use standard USB webcams, preferably one with a 1080p camera. Although they are inexpensive and lightweight, the video quality is only good if lighting conditions are ideal. Webcams also lack manual controls and don’t offer many options.

Logitech C922 Pro is a versatile webcam that’s considered to be the best budget video camera. It offers 1080p recording and 720p live streaming. However, it’s understood that most new creators would go overboard.

Several options significantly improve image quality for those who are not on a budget and crystal clear the live streaming experience. Such cameras use an HDMI port to connect instead of a USB, offer tons of manual controls, and range from $800 to $5,000.

Panasonic HC-VX981K ($800) and Sony Alpha a7 III ($2,000) are great live streaming cameras that offer tons of manual controls.

3. Audio Equipment

A video is incomplete without audio. Audio dates back way before video came into existence. The audio quality is an essential component and often the most overlooked function of the live streaming gear.

Audio or microphone equipment is crucial for a smooth live streaming experience. There are two types of microphones, namely the Dynamic Microphone and the Condenser Microphone.

If your live streaming involves a stationary setup where not a lot is going on in the background, a condenser microphone with a tabletop stand is the right audio equipment for you. This is because condenser microphones don’t pick up a lot of background noise.

On the other hand, dynamic microphones or lapel microphones are another great options, especially if your stream doesn’t involve a stationary setup. These microphones are small clip-on devices that you can put on your shirt. Most live Streaming TV broadcasters use these microphones as they are small and convenient due to the wireless option.

However, lapel microphones tend to pick up the background noise. Most live-streaming microphones come with a USB option, meaning they can easily be configured via a USB port on a PC or laptop, and you can access additional settings via the software.

The best budget microphone is HyperX SoloCast ($60), portable in design, and has a frequency response from 20 to 20,000Hz. The all-around best hybrid USB/XLR microphone on the pricey side is the Shure MV7 Podcast microphone ($242). It has excellent vocal clarity and an integrated touch panel for mic controls. Both are great, but the choice is all yours.

4. Audio Mixer

An audio mixer enables live streamers to use multiple microphones and additional audio sources during a live stream. An excellent audio mixer offers the ability to adjust the volume of each microphone so that one audio doesn’t compromise the other.

When considering an audio mixer, you should consider the physical size of the mixer to see if it comfortably fits on the setup table. You should also view the input and outputs, automation and connectivity, and the user interface.

Here’s a list of the best audio mixers you might want to consider:

Whichever audio mixer you choose, just make sure it connects to the PC or a laptop via USB.

5. Editing and encoding software

There are a couple of software and applications you’ll need to download on your device. Without the right software, there’s no benefit of having high-end or budget live streaming equipment.

Software encoders enable live streamers to broadcast more than one camera angle with multiple screens and transitions. Additionally, it offers the option to add custom channel logos and filters, and effects on the live video.

There are dozens of video streaming, video editing, and video switching software options available on the web. Some of them are free while most good ones are paid. Of course, the paid software comes packed with plenty of options, but they’re not cheap. Most free software are free trials that only last for a couple of days.

The following software is well-regarded and advised by live streaming and industry experts:

Whichever software you end up choosing, make sure that you’ve done your thorough research and gone through its user reviews.

6. Internet

There is no live stream without an internet connection. Having the internet isn’t enough. You need a robust high-speed internet connection that offers bandwidth with no caps. Live streams consume a lot of bandwidth, and the last thing you want is to run out of bandwidth during a stream.

Opt for a reliable internet connection in your area that has a solid reputation. Also, use a wired connection and avoid Wi-Fi as data packets aren’t consistent with a Wi-Fi connection.

7. Streaming Platforms

Live streaming equipment is incomplete without a streaming platform. Choosing the right broadcasting platform is a personal choice. There are several streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Vimeo, websites and others.

The Best Mobile Live Streaming Equipment

Mobile live streaming is a little different from a studio set up as it doesn’t restrict the streamer to their studio. For mobile live streaming, all you need is a smartphone with a high-quality camera and little gear to improve the video and audio quality of the live stream.

Here are a few items you should invest in for mobile live streaming:

• A smartphone gimbal such as DJI Osmo 3 or DJI OM 4
• A tripod, preferably an octopus tripod for stability
• A tiny microphone that can be attached to the phone
• Portable lighting gear

Mobile live streaming is convenient for many live streamers and is an excellent way to start your hobby in live streaming.

Video Streaming Accessories

Video streaming accessories are essential for a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience. These accessories are as follows:

• Tripod
• Microphone
• Multiple cables to connect audio and video sources
• Light stands and LED rings for improved lighting and video quality

Summing it up

Live streaming equipment is a personal choice. With so many options available these days, it comes down to your budget. We hope this guide kick starts your passion for live streaming.