A great podcast setup has many different requirements. You need a microphone, a way to record your microphone, headphones, cables, and other accessories.
We’ve created this page with everything that we recommend for your podcast. 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 podcast.
Simply put, you cannot go wrong with any of the equipment in our 2023 Podcasting Buyer’s Guide!
Best Podcasting Microphone
Dynamic microphones are known to be the best for podcasting and broadcasting. Generally speaking, a dynamic microphone will better capture your voice with more warmth and less background noise than a condenser microphone.
Below are our three recommendations for dynamic microphones for your podcast.
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 Podcast Audio Recorder (Interface & Mixer)
You will need a way to connect your microphone to a recording device.
If you have a single microphone, the Elgato Wave XLR is an incredible device for connecting your microphone to your computer so you can record using software (GarageBand, Audio Recorder, etc.).
The Zoom Podtrack and RodeCaster Pro are purpose-built podcast recording platforms that will allow you to:
- Multi-Track Record (Record each input to its own track so you can re-mix later, if necessary)
- Mix-Minus (You can bring in a remote caller)
- Record to SD Card
- Record using software on your computer (GarageBand, Audio Recorder, etc.)
- Provide headphone output for each guest
- Save pre-recorded songs/sound effects and trigger them using the pads/buttons
Related: Best Podcast Mixers
Elgato Wave XLR
- Single Microphone Input
- Elegant Design
- Easy To Use
- 75 dB XLR Preamp!
Focusrite Vocaster Two
- 2 Microphone Inputs
- Phone Connectivity
- Camera Connectivity
- Two Mixes
- 4 Presets
Rodecaster Pro 2
- Complete Studio
- 4 Microphone Inputs
- 8 Sound Pads
- 8 Faders
- Multitrack Recording
- SD Card or Computer
Best Podcasting USB Microphone
Suppose you only need one microphone and don’t want to worry about connecting your microphone to an interface/mixer/recorder. In that case, a USB microphone is a perfect solution for your podcast. Below are three great options to choose from.
Shure MV7
- Solid Construction
- USB & XLR
- Built-In Pop Filter
Elgato Wave 3
- Advanced Software Mixing
- Simple Interface
- Built-In Pop Filter
BEACN Mic
- Professional Grade
- Full Software Suite
- Advanced Routing
- Advanced Sound Settings
- PC Only
Best Podcasting Mic Boom Arm
A boom arm helps isolate your microphone from desk noise, making it easier to get your microphone where it will be most comfortable for recording. Below are three great options for podcast boom arms.
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 Podcast Headphones & Studio Monitors
We use all three of these options for recording podcasts. 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 recording your podcast, 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
Great lighting in your podcast studio will help your video look more professional. These three options have a great reputation and will provide you with the light 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 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 podcast studio. 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
Best Podcast Audio Equipment FAQ
What is the best podcast microphone?
The best podcast microphone can vary depending on the specific needs and budget of the podcast creator. However, we recommend the Shure SM7B and the Electro-Voice RE20.
The Shure SM7B and Electro-Voice RE20 are dynamic microphones that are often considered to be the industry standard for podcasting and radio broadcasting. They both have a smooth, natural sound and are good at rejecting background noise.
What is the best podcast audio mixer?
In our experience, the Rode Rodecaster Pro II is the best audio mixer for podcast recording and broadcasting.
The Rodecaster Pro II has built-in voice processing, effects, and four microphone inputs with enough gain to power any microphone. You can multi-track record to an SD card or your computer. The Rodecaster Pro II is portable enough to bring to another location if necessary.
What is the best podcast audio interface?
In our experience, the Focusrite Vocaster Two is the best audio interface for podcast recording. It has two microphone inputs: Bluetooth connectivity and voice processing, and you can send audio directly to your camera or computer for recording.
Which microphone does Joe Rogan use?
Joe Rogan uses the Shure SM7B dynamic microphone, the most popular podcast microphone we see on famous podcasts. The Shure SM7B is often considered to be the industry standard for podcasting, and it is known for its smooth, natural sound while also rejecting background noise.
What are the basic things you need to start a podcast?
To start your podcast, you will need a microphone, XLR cable, and an audio mixer to record to your computer. There are many different options from many brands, but we recommend using the Shure SM7B with the Rode Rodecaster Pro II for your podcast.
What is the average cost to start a podcast?
The average cost of starting a podcast can vary wildly. On the low end, you can use a simple USB Mic that costs $50. From there, you can spend up to $2-3,000 on studio-grade microphones and audio mixers (4 x Shure SM7B, 1 x Rode Rodecaster Pro, Accessories, etc.).
Most people will start their podcasts with a budget of $200-300 and upgrade their microphone and mixer if they decide to they need higher-quality equipment at a later date.
Take a look at our Podcast Buyer’s Guide to learn more about your best options.
What headphones are best for podcasts?
The best podcast headphones will depend on your specific needs and budget. We highly recommend the three options below.
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: These headphones are known for their accurate sound reproduction and good isolation from outside noise, making them a great choice for monitoring recordings. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods, which is important for podcasting.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: These headphones are known for their wide frequency response and high level of detail, which makes them great for picking up subtle nuances in recordings. They are also very comfortable and ideal for long recording sessions.
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro: Similar to the DT990 Pro, they have a wide frequency response and a high level of detail, but these are closed-back headphones. They will offer better isolation from your environment and let you hear what is being recorded more clearly.
Ultimately, the best headphones for podcasting will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the podcast creator. It’s worth trying some headphones and seeing which pair sounds the best.
