So, whether youre a total beginner or a seasoned full-time streamer, youll love this useful list.
What essentials do I need for streaming?
Microphone
A crisp sounding microphone is extremely important for a streamer.
The input connections may also vary.
Condenser mics often come with a USB connection, whereas most dynamic mics usually come with an XLR input.
Your choice of mic should depend on how serious you want to get with your setup.
With that said, the most popular podcasters and top-tier broadcasters will be seen using a dynamic mic.
TheShure MV7USB Podcast Microphone is a cheaper alternative.
Pop filter
Pop filters are the black shields/ windscreens you see in front of microphones.
They simply block any fast-moving air that is resulting from breathing.
When set up correctly, they should help to alleviate any unwanted noises from your stream.
When you finally have one setup, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many problems they can solve.
Overall, they create a more comfortable streaming experience.
Foot Pedal
Its hard to imagine being a streamer or content creator without any foot pedal controls.
Definitely a must-have streaming essential.
This upgrade turns your setup into a one-person production studio and integrates into your workflow effortlessly.
Voice Mixer
A voice mixer can transform your voice using different vocal effects.
For steaming games, theres no need to go overkill.
A small compact mixer that works for straightforward applications with minimal inputs is all that you really need.
Click herefor a list of GoXLR alternatives.
Without an audio controller, trying to wrangle all these different signals becomes almost impossible.
This is especially useful if you wish to neatly organize multiple variations of the same command.
Stream Decks can also save unique key configurations as dedicated profiles for the different games and apps you use.
It does this via an HDMI connection.
Many streamers use capture cards in a second PC to help with the heavy CPU-intensive task of encoding video.
Click herefor more information on how to use a capture card.
Click herefor the best Budget Capture Cards in 2025.
Webcam
A reliable HD webcam is another streaming essential for the list.
It is possible to stream without a camera but we dont recommend this.
Your audience will remember you from what you look like.
The majority of streamers use theLogitech C922x Prothat shoots at a max resolution of 1080p at 30fps.
This is beyond adequate for 95% of people who are just looking to stream games.
The next step up is aBrio.
Thanks to the improved 4K sensor, it produces even crisper image quality.
In contrast, bad lighting can ruin your overall gaming experience.
When using a camera/ webcam you will need to keep your room well lit at all times.
This is required so enough light can reach the camera-sensor, creating a sharp video image.
Green screens also require a perfect spread of natural lighting to function properly.
If you have a green screen then you will have to light it up independently.
Use big, soft natural light sources, and a minimum of two lights to illuminate the backdrop.
Click herefor a guide on the best Lighting for Streaming.
Click herefor the best Elgato Key light alternatives.
Green Screen
An un-tidy background is definitely something to avoid when youre streaming live.
Green screens can be an effective solution to conceal any clutter in your workspace.
You might also want to own one for creating special effects on your videos similar to Dr DisRespect.
Green screens do have their pros and cons.
Click herefor the best Green Screens for Streaming.
Besides taking the stress of your main gaming PC, this approach can benefit the steamer in several ways.
If your game freezes or crashes and you have to restart, your stream wont be affected.
Second Monitor
In addition to a second PC, a second monitor can really help a lot.
responding to chat, controlling the stream, etc.
Click herefor the 6 best Monitors/ Second Monitors!
Most of the newer products provide high-speed transmissions of up to 5Gbps.
They are small in size making them portable and easy to carry.
All in all, theyre a very useful essential that assists in high-quality data streaming from external sources.
Click herefor the best Elgato Cam Link alternatives.
It goes without saying that an $800 camera can outperform a webcam in virtually every way.
A mirrorless is far better suited for 8-10 hours a day of continuous operation in virtually every condition.
When things start to get more serious, its definitely a streaming essential worth investing in.
Lens
Another big pro of using a mirrorless camera is the ability to mount a large selection of lenses.
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is often touted as one of thebest lenses for streamingfor those exact reasons.
Camera/ Lighting Mounting System
Another streaming essential youll want to invest in is the Elgato Master Mount L system.
Elgato is famous for overbuilding their components and this space-saving mounting system is no exception.
Your productivity and creativity will skyrocket, and the quality of your streaming productions will jump up, too.
Video Switcher
A video switcher allows you to flick between multiple cameras during a live stream.
Video switchers are commonly used in video production, however, the same principles apply to Twitch streaming.
As a result, this reduces the need for multiple monitors.
With theATEM Mini ProBlackmagic listed below, you wont need an Elgato Cam Link either.
This makes it excellent for streaming multi-camera shoots on a budget.
Think about all those cheesy memes and iconic phrases from popular sitcoms.
As much as critics hate them, at the right moment they can be used to great effect.
Soundboardsarent just great for humorous clips but they also work well to automate other midi sounds as well.
For example, background audio or transition audio in between segues.
Proper posture reduces muscle strains and tension, which will in-turn increase your energy levels.
Ergonomic chairs often have a high tapered backrest and lumbar pillows to support your posture.
This helps by removing the pressure from your neck while also keeping the spine in alignment.
The thick padding absorbs the weight of your body.
A quality chair will cushion your body and provide relaxation at all times to maintain the right blood flow.
Click herefor the 15 best Chairs for Streaming in 2025!
Its often recommended to have standing-in-between periods to help improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tension.
A good desk will be completely stable to ensure the mouse movement is accurate.
Click herefor the 15 best Large Desks for Streaming!
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is another streaming essential that can be used to maximize your gaming performance.
It will allow you to focus on your game for the entire night without bothering anyone in the household.
There is a phenomenon called auditory masking which means that loud sounds can mask weaker sounds.
There are several ways to soundproof your room, however, its not the easiest thing to do.
Cables
Cable management involves organizing and relocating the cables from the setups hardware.
Gaming hardware comes with countless amounts of cables that can easily get tangled.
Besides being generally annoying, this can make moving or changing your setup a near impossible job.
Good cable management increases safety and reduces maintenance time.
There is no need to invest a lot of money to achieve this.
These accessories will provide a neat and tidy gaming space that you might show off to your friends.
Other qualities may also include detachable cords with wireless capabilities, allowing you the freedom to move around seamlessly.
However, they do typically share some common traits that make them far superior to the standard mouse.
These include having better sensors, a high-polling rate, and adjustable DPI (sensitivity).
In addition to this, assignable buttons can be a real game changer.
The ergonomic design and build quality of a mouse are also important factors.
Dont forget a thick, large mousepad to compliment your mouse.
Different pads will give you different gliding speeds.
The right one for you might be subjective, but theres no going wrong with this one.
Mechanical Keyboard
A good mechanical keyboard is a staple of nearly every PC gaming setup.
Most of which use patented Cherry MX switches (e.g.
Click herefor the 15 best 65% Mechanical Keyboards!
Unlike regular routers, gaming routers integrate many useful features, including Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities.
QoS prioritizes traffic for specific groups of traffic (e.g.
work from home, learning, gaming, etc.)
or for individual connected devices that are a part of these groups.
Thats ideal for users who are living in congested areas and wish to improve their performance.
Its also common for gaming routers to have much more RAM and a better processor than regular routers.
When bandwidth is spread across multiple connections, this helps to decrease latency and provide more of a buffer.
Click herefor the best routers for the PS5!
Gaming Laptop
A gaming laptop is a portable alternative to a desktop PC system.
You pay a premium for mobility while getting a slightly lower performance (with the same hardware).
Despite this, the latest laptops are still more than powerful enough for gaming and streaming simultaneously.
For most people, streaming on a laptop isnt very practical.
They have smaller screens, integrated keyboards, fewer ports, etc.
However, with extra peripherals and accessories, there are ways to resolve this.
Just be sure to have everything set up properly before you go live.
Besides gaming, a laptop is a streaming essential for those who regularly like to travel.
Equipped with 14 to 17 displays, they have more screen real estate than other portable devices.
Overall, their versatility and portability make them so special.
Internet
Signing up for a high-speed internet connection is another crucial essential for streaming.
This is because your image quality will depend on your upload speed the data packets you send out.
Not only will a fast connection benefit your viewers, but it will also benefit your game-play.
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