A great live streaming setup has many different requirements. You need a microphone, an interface to connect your microphone to your computer, headphones, cables, and other accessories.
We’ve created this page with everything that we recommend for your home live streaming setup. You’ll find 3 options in each category. Everything you see is known to be “best in class” and “industry standard” and has a reputation for lasting a long time and providing maximum value for your stream.
Simply put, you cannot go wrong with any of the equipment in our 2021 Live Streaming Buyer’s Guide!
Best Live Streaming Dynamic Microphone
Dynamic microphones are known to be the best for live streaming and broadcasting. A dynamic microphone will do a better job of capturing your voice with more warmth and less background noise compared to a condenser microphone.
Below are our three recommendations for dynamic microphones for your live stream.
Shure MV7X
- Legendary Shure Sound
- Built-In Pop Filter
- Minimizes Room Pickup
Shure SM7B
- Warm Tone
- Shielded From Electromagnetic Hum
- Comfortable Ergonomics
Electro-Voice RE20
- Broadcast Quality
- Warmth & Clarity
- Reduced Proximity Effect
- Industry Standard
Best Condenser Microphone For Streaming
If you’re in a purpose-built studio, a condenser microphone will do a better job of capturing more detail from your voice while live streaming. The downside to using a condenser microphone is that it will also capture more fan noise, background noise, keyboard clicking, and other distracting noise compared to a dynamic microphone.
NEAT Worker Bee
- Unique Look
- High Quality
- Great Value
Audio Technica AT2035
- Studio Grade
- Smooth & Detailed
- Compact Design
Rode NT1
- Ultra Low Self Noise
- Internal Shockmounting
- Detailed & Accurate
Best Audio Interface for Live Streaming
You will need a way to connect your microphone to your computer.
All of the options below will give you:
- Great XLR Microphone Preamp (75 dB of gain, no inline preamp required)
- 48v Phantom Power for Condenser Microphones
- Mute Buttons
- Ability to create a custom mix for your headphones and online stream
Elgato Wave XLR
- Single Microphone Input
- Elegant Design
- Easy To Use
- PC & Mac Compatability
TC Helicon GoXLR Mini
- Great XLR Preamp
- Compression
- Noise Gate
- Equalization
- PC Only
TC Helicon GoXLR
- Same as GoXLR Mini
- Motorized Faders
- DeEsser
- Sound Pads & FX
- LED Scribble Strip
- PC Only
Best Live Streaming USB Microphone
If you only need one microphone and don’t want to worry about connecting your microphone to an audio interface/mixer, then a USB microphone is the perfect solution for your stream. Below are the 3 best USB Microphones For Live Streaming.
Blue Yeti
- Flexible Pickup Patterns
- Time Tested Design
- Great Value
Shure MV7
- Solid Construction
- USB and XLR
- Built-In Pop Filter
Elgato Wave 3
- Easy To Use
- Simple Interface
- Advanced Software Mixing (Same as Wave XLR)
Best Mic Boom Arm
A boom arm is helpful for isolating your microphone from desk noise and it makes it easier to get your microphone where it will be most comfortable for recording. When live streaming, this allows you to position your microphone without interfering with your keyboard or view of the monitor. Below are three great options for microphone boom arms.
If you’re unsure which to get, buy the Rode PSA1+
Gator Frameworks 3000
- Tube Style Boom Arm
- Integrated XLR Cable
- Excellent Clamps
- Easy To Adjust
Elgato Mic Arm LP
- Low Profile
- Fits Under Monitor
- Lots of Adjustability
- All Black Design
Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm
- Smooth, Silent Rotation
- 37″ Horizontal Reach
- 34″ Vertical Reach
- Top Cable Management
Best Headphones & Studio Monitors
We use all three of these options on a regular basis. Depending on your preference for closed-back or open-back headphones, you will want either the DT770 or DT990 pro headphones.
If you like having your headphones LOUD while streaming your live stream, we recommend the DT770 pro headphones. The closed-back will prevent your microphone from hearing the sound in your headphones.
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
- Extremely Comfortable
- Light Weight
- Closed Back
- Enhanced Low-End
Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro
- Extremely Comfortable
- Light Weight
- Open Back
- Articulate & Accurate
Yamaha HS5 Monitor
- 2-Way Reference Speaker
- TRS & XLR Inputs
- Professional Grade
Best Studio Lighting
Having great lighting for your live stream is important for building trust with your audience and establishing your brand. These three options have a great reputation will provide you with the light that you need for your studio.
Elgato Light String
- 2M Long
- Up to 2000 Lumens
- WI-FI Controlled
- 30 Watts
Elgato Key Light Air
- Up to 1400 Lumens
- 2900-7000 Color Temp
- 92% CRI
- 25 Watts
Elgato Key Light
- Up to 2800 Lumens
- 2900-7000 Color Temp
- 92% CRI
- 45 Watts
Best Audio Cables
Great cables are critical to making your life easy while recording. It can be very frustrating to troubleshoot buzzing, bad connections, and background noise. These cables are on the “high end” of available cables, but we believe that the extra cost is worth it due to longevity and reliability.
Canare XLR Cable
- Braided Copper Shield
- Very Flexible
- Star Quad Design
- Polyethylene Insulation
- Neutrik Connectors
- Color Options
Canare TRS Cable
- Braided Copper Shield
- Very Flexible
- Star Quad Design
- Polyethylene Insulation
- Neutrik Connectors
- Color Options
Hosa 1/8″ To Dual 1/4″
- Connect Phone/Laptop To Audio Mixer
- Connect Computer To Studio Monitors
- Long Lasting
Home Studio Accessories
Here are some additional items to consider for your live stream rig. These are items that we use on a regular basis and we’ve included them for the sake of making this page complete.
Shure 3″ Extension Tube
- Improves Mic Mounting
- Used With Boom Arm
Mackie HM-4 Amp
- Headphone Amp
- Headphone Splitter
- Affordable
- Easy To Use
Gator Monitor Stand
- For Studio Monitors
- Rugged Design
- Lots of Adjustability
Elgato CamLink 4k
- Capture HDMI Video
- Great For Streaming
Colored Gaff Tape
- Use for labeling
- Mark locations
3″ Black Gaff Tape
- Safely Tape Cable
- Cover Logos
- Make Things Black
Cloudlifter CL-1
- Works with dynamic mic
- Provides 25dB of gain
- Requires phantom power
Radial PRO D2
- Stereo DI Box
- Rugged Design
Radial PRO AV2
- Lots of inputs
- Rugged Design
