Live streaming is the next big thing in the content space. Regardless of whether you’re a professional gamer or you play a few rounds of Counter-Strike as a stress-buster, streaming your gameplay can be a fun experience. Moreover, you can build an audience and even monetize your live streams if you wish to pursue a career in this field. And to be able to do that, we’ve listed some of the best live-streaming equipment you can buy.
From a high-definition webcam that can follow you around to a streaming control deck that can quickly switch between different screens, we’ve covered them all. After all, high-quality streams are of utmost importance to retain your audience. But, before we get to the products –
- Stream without blowing a hole in your pocket using streaming webcams on a budget.
- Add a USB mic for under $100 to your streaming setup.
- If you also plan on recording videos, consider a camera for YouTube videos for under $500.
1. Sensyne Ring Light With Tripod Stand
All you have to do is place the Sensyne ring light either on your desk or in front of your face. The tripod included in the box helps you do this without investing in a separate stand. Moreover, the height of the tripod is adjustable so you can use the light regardless of whether you’re standing or sitting when streaming.
There are three lighting modes along with corresponding brightness levels for each of them. The light is powered via a USB-A port so you can either use an adapter or a power brick to power it up. Sensyne also bundles in a Bluetooth remote with a light that can be paired to your phone to start or stop recording. This is helpful if you’re streaming via your phone. If you’re a beginner and don’t want to spend too much money on a large softbox, the Sensyne ring light for lice-streaming is a good starting point — even as per some reviews.
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2. Acer CB272 Ebmiprx 27″ FHD Monitor
There are thousands of monitors in the market you can buy for this purpose. But, the reason we recommend the Acer CB272 is the fact that it can be tilted to use as a vertical monitor. Generally, vertical monitors are the preferred option to view chats. This is because you can view more chats and messages at once without scrolling down.
Place it next to your primary monitor and all you have to do is glance over to your right or left to read chats. When your chat is turned off, you can swivel the monitor to its usual horizontal position and use it as a secondary monitor either for gaming itself or any other purpose of your choice. It supports a max refresh rate of 100Hz and covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut.
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3. Elgato HD60 X Capture Card
One of the Elgato HD60 X plugs into your console. The other end plugs into the computer. You can then use the feed from the capture card on OBS or any other streaming platform of your choice. Elgato is one of the most reliable brands making capture cards which is why we recommend getting the HD60 X even though there are cheaper options.
Another good reason to opt for the HD60 X is that it supports streaming at 1080p 60fps or 4K 30fps. It works on a plug-and-play basis with a built-in feature that can straightaway stream to YouTube. If you’re a console gamer, the Elgato HD60 X is a must-have.
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4. Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Let’s say you’re streaming a game and you suddenly want to switch to your face cam. When done manually, it requires quite a few clicks. The Elgato Stream Deck can do that with the click of a button. Similarly, let’s say you’re streaming and you want to switch between multiple windows. You can simply press a button and perform the task using the Stream Deck MK.2.
Other basic features like controlling headphone volume, muting/unmuting your mic, or quickly switching to your team mic are all present. If you’re a regular streamer, the Elgato Stream Deck can save you a lot of headace by making your life much easier. It’s a worthy investment for sure.
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5. Shure MV7 USB Microphone
If you want top-notch audio quality in your live streams, there’s no reason to look beyond the Shure MV7. It’s a renowned mic that several creators swear by thanks to its audio prowess. Whether it’s streamers, podcasters, or even singers, the Shure MV7 is well-known to be a versatile mic that can handle it all.
Along with superior audio quality, Shure also offers some handy touch controls on the mic that makes streaming easier. You can mute/unmute the mic or even control the gain directly from the mic which is useful when you’re busy gaming on your PC. However, the controls are slighlty finicky as per some users. If you can look past this and only want a mic with the best audio quality, the Shure MV7 is a fantastic option.
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6. Obsbot Tiny 2 Webcam
The Obsbot Tiny 2’s feature set makes it one of the best streaming cameras you can buy. Along with the superior hardware, features like gesture controls are invaluable to change parameters when streaming. Moreover, the AI tracking mode physically turns the camera towards you if you keep moving around when live-streaming physical games.
You can stream at 4K for the best quality and use gestures to zoom in and out of videos at will. Even when the lighting isn’t ideal, the Obsbot Tiny 2 ensures the frame is bright thanks to the large sensor. If you want one of the best webcams out there for streaming and for your video calls, the Obsbot Tiny 2 is the way to go.
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Keep Your Audience Engaged
Apart from your type of content, the quality of video and audio along with how you keep your audience engaged matter the most. Some of the best live-streaming gadgets mentioned above will help you achieve high production quality that can help you retain a large chunk of your viewers.
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Last updated on 12 March, 2024
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