You don’t need much to make your gaming streams look and sound professional – you just need the right tools, and then let your great personality and on-screen skills take care of the rest. Here, we’ve gathered more than a dozen of the best streaming gadgets you can buy today, divided into five categories: microphones, headphones, cameras, lights, and accessories. You won’t need everything on this list, but there’s a good starting point for most budgets under each heading.
RØDE NT-USB+ Condenser Microphone
Rode’s NT USB+ is a plug-and-play microphone that delivers professional-quality audio capture, and at $169, it’s priced just right. The NT USB+ has a studio-grade condenser capsule and cardioid pickup pattern, which reduces background noise while keeping your speaking voice in focus.
The fact that it connects to your PC — or tablet, or smartphone — with a simple USB-C cable makes it much more appealing than an XLR mic, which requires a separate, expensive audio interface. Other USB microphones sold at streamers can cost hundreds of dollars, but the NT USB+ hits that sweet spot where accessibility, quality, and a reasonable price come together.
Rode also sells the PSA1, the go-to studio arm for many top podcasters and streamers. It costs $100, and combined with the NT USB+, it makes your whole desk feel more organized and professional.
Elgato Wave Neo
It’s hard to find a solid streaming microphone for under $100, but the Elgato Wave Neo has arrived to prove the market is yours. The Wave Neo is a cardioid mic that connects to your PC, laptop, or PlayStation console via USB, delivering great audio capture in an extremely easy-to-use package.
There’s also a pop filter (in gray or pink, your choice), an extra-long metal stand designed to reduce keyboard noise, and a small cord organizer so your setup stays neat. Elgato has been in the home broadcasting game for several years, and the Wave Neo is the newest device in its box of great streaming devices.
beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X open-back studio headphones
Give your ears the velour comfort they deserve. Beyerdynamic’s DT 900 Pro X are open-back, wired headphones that deliver rich, immersive sound from a bed of ultra-cushy velour earpads.
Spatial audio means you’ll be able to precisely identify enemies and obstacles in games, and the open-back design keeps things from feeling oppressive, even after hours of play.
The DT 900 Pro X has plenty of bass and a crisp midrange that means explosions and gunfire sound really good, and it comes with two detachable cables, one of which is almost 10 feet long. At $270, it’s the best blend of audio accuracy and long-lasting comfort you can buy for a few hundred bucks.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Bluetooth headphones are less cumbersome and more versatile than wired sets — and in the world of wire-free personal audio, it doesn’t get much more appealing than Sony’s WH-1000XM5. These are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market and are great for everyday use as well as long gaming sessions.
The WH-1000XM5 headphones are incredibly lightweight, with comfortable over-the-ear pads and up to 40 hours of battery life. They have a built-in microphone that works well for phone calls, but streamers should use an external mic for the best sound.