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 three 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 equipment in our 2023 Live Streaming Buyer’s Guide!
Best Live Streaming XLR Microphone
XLR Microphones give you improved quality, flexibility, and scalability compared to USB Microphones.
Below are our three recommendations for XLR microphones for your live stream.
Rode NT1
- Ultra Low Self Noise
- Internal Shockmounting
- Detailed & Accurate
Shure SM7B
- Warm Tone
- Shielded From Electromagnetic Hum
- Comfortable Ergonomics
Electro-Voice RE20
- Broadcast Quality
- Warmth & Clarity
- Reduced Proximity Effect
- Industry Standard
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 the following:
- 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 Audio Mixer for Live Streaming
These audio mixers are standalone software controllers that will work with any audio interface or USB microphone to get you more control over your live stream.
BEACN Mix
- 5″ Screen
- 4 Knobs
- Drag & Drop UI
- PC Only
BEACN Mix Create
- 5″ Screen
- 4 Knobs
- Submixes
- Paging Buttons
- Routing Table
- PC Only
Elgato Stream Deck+
- 8 Buttons
- Touchscreen
- 4 Knobs
- Very powerful software & customization
- Submixes
- Routing
- PC & MAC
Best Live Streaming USB Microphone
Suppose you only need one microphone and don’t want to worry about connecting your microphone to an audio interface/mixer. In that case, a USB microphone is a perfect solution for your stream. Below are the three best USB Microphones For Live Streaming.
Shure MV7
- Solid Construction
- USB and XLR
- Built-In Pop Filter
- Legendary Shure Quality
Elgato Wave 3
- Easy To Use
- Simple Interface
- Advanced Software Mixing (Same as Wave XLR)
BEACN Mic
- Dynamic Microphone
- LED Color
- Advanced Software
- Advanced EQ
- Advanced Routing
- PC Only
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+
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 regularly. 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 Livestream rig. These are items that we use regularly, 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
Elgato Sound Panels
- Eliminate Room Sound
- Reduce Echo In Room
- Reduce Background Noise
- Improve Audio Quality
