Streaming gear: Best ring light, microphone and webcam

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting to explore the world of streaming, and whether you’re more of a game player or more of an entertainer, you’ll likely want to use a microphone, webcam, and/or lights for your streams. You don’t need top-of-the-line supplies to find success in streaming, though. These are the top microphones, webcams and lighting options available for both budget-minded streamers as well as high-end users.

Microphones

A good microphone may be the most important piece of equipment for streaming — after all, your viewers are tuning in to hear what you have to say. While you won’t need to spend thousands on a microphone to achieve good sound quality, we recommend you use a cardioid condenser microphone. You can hear your voice and it will not pick up background noise.

Inexpensive: MaONO USB Condenser Micphone

If you’re looking for reliability and quality without breaking the bank, the MAONO AU-A04 USB Condenser microphone kit is a great choice, especially for beginners. This microphone kit costs less than $50 and includes a USB plug-and-play cardioid condenser microphone as well as a shock stand, a clamp mount for a scissor, foam windsock covers, and a 2-layer pop filter. On top of coming with all of the accessories you’ll need in one kit, the microphone is impressive and provides professional sound without the professional price tag.

Expensive: HyperX QuadCast-Condenser Microphone

If you’re willing to spend about $100 more, the HyperX QuadCast is very popular among streamers. The QuadCast provides high-quality sound and a tap-to-mute button. It also has a gain control adjustmenter. While it doesn’t come with all the accessories that the MAONO microphone kit includes, the QuadCast includes an anti-vibration shock mount that keeps the microphone stable without taking up too much precious desk space. The QuadCast is a great microphone for streamers due to its LED light. It comes in red for base QuadCast but can be adjusted for quadCastS. This allows for four different polar patterns which can allow them to pick up different sounds depending on what you need. QuadCast can be a very useful tool for streamers.

Cameras

Although streamers may not choose to stream video of themselves, they should strive for resolutions of 1080p or higher to achieve clear pictures. Many modern webcams have the ability to stream.

Image by NexiGo

Inexpensive: NexiGo N930AF

The NexiGo N930AF is less than $55 and offers a 30-fps refresh rate, as well as a wide 65-degree view. Its AutoFocus function ensures that your stream won’t look blurry, and its special low light feature automatically brightens the picture if needed. Although some note the camera’s weak audio capture, this shouldn’t be an issue for streamers with a separate microphone. The camera also comes with a privacy lens for when it’s not in use. Some users complain about overexposure due to the low-light feature. NexiGo has a firmware update that fixes the issue. Overall, the N930AF appears to be an excellent option for streaming without investing a large amount.

Expensive: Razer Kiyo Pro

Razer, a well-known name in streaming and gaming, is popular among avid gamers. For $130 the Kiyo Pro offers 1080p 60fps Video and an adaptive light sensor. The wide-angle lens has three different field of vision options. Razer is well-known for producing high-quality products. The Kiyo Pro is no different. If you are an experienced streamer looking to maximize your streaming experience, then this webcam should be a good choice.

Lighting

Finally, if you’re going to be streaming with a camera, you’re going to want to have the best possible lighting to get the best picture quality from your webcam. You have many choices for ring lights. They come in a variety of sizes and price options. For streaming, a good option is one between 10-18 inches, depending on how much space you have and what kind of look you’re going for.

Image from UBeesize

Inexpensive: UBeesize 12” ring light

At just under $37, the UBeesize 12” ring light isn’t the most inexpensive ring light for streaming, but it definitely provides one of the best values. It’s small enough to be portable if needed, and comes with a cell phone holder and remote control for streams away from home — or selfies, of course. The light comes in five colors and has ten brightness levels. The tripod stand can be adjusted up to 67”, so the light can be placed on a desktop or on the ground, depending on your needs.

Expensive: Elitehood 18” LED ring light

At about $83, the Elitehood 18” LED ring light is a bit pricier than some of its alternatives, and with lighting your stream, bigger doesn’t always mean better. However, if you’re looking for the most professional look, this one is worth the extra cost. This light comes equipped with all the additional functions of the UBeesize, including a phone holder or tripod stand. However, instead of only offering five color temperature and 10 brightness settings it has knobs which can be used to set the brightness and color exactly to your desired settings. The Elitehood is an excellent choice for streamers who want the highest quality production.

As any successful streamer will tell you, having all of the priciest equipment won’t make you a great streamer. While it can help improve your production quality, the most important part of the stream is what you bring to the table — your creativity, demeanor, and personality. You can build a community of people who love to watch your streams, even if they are not the most expensive.