Last updated on December 9th, 2024 at 02:09 pm
Due to the rise in popularity of YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, content creation has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
If you are a content creator, having the right equipment can make all the difference in allowing you to produce professional, high-quality content.
In this guide, you will learn about the 8 best equipment every content creator should have so that you can turn your passions into a successful career.
Lighting
Lighting equipment is essential for content creators because it affects the overall look and feel of photos and videos. Having good lighting can eliminate the need for natural light, allowing you to create content no matter what time of day it is.
Best Ring Light – Lume Cube Ring Light Pro
- Edge-Lit LED Lighting
- Remote Control and Smart LCD Screen
- Internal Rechargeable Battery
Best Softbox Lighting Kit – Neewer Light Kit
- 700W Equivalent LED
- Aluminum Alloy Light Stand
- Adjustable Lamp Holder
Best Streaming Light – Logitech Litra Glow
- Balanced, Full Spectrum Lighting
- Adjustable Height, Tilt, and Rotation
- Portable Design
Best Strip Light – GE Cync Smart Light Strip
- Millions Of Vibrant Colors
- Hands-Free Voice Control
- Simple Setup
Tripod
Having a tripod is crucial for content creators who don’t have a photographer with them. A tripod helps stabilize your camera or phone so you can avoid blurry photos and shaky videos.
Best Tripod Overall – Vanguard VEO3+263AB
- Multi-Angle Central Column
- Three Adjustable Leg Angles
- Can Be Converted Into a Monopod
Best Heavy Duty Tripod – Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB
- 4 Individual Leg Positions
- Advanced Twist Lock Technology
- Extra Stability
Best Smartphone Tripod – Manfrotto Element MII
- Study, Compact Construction
- Supports Cameras and Smartphones Up To 8kg (17.6lbs)
- Stylish Design
Best Selfie Stick – TONEOF 66-Inch
- Automatic Pop Open
- 360° Dual-Axis Rotation
- Easy To Store
Microphone
Dedicated PC microphones are necessary for content creators, as it can help you attract more viewers and keep them. When choosing a PC microphone, make sure that it can record professional-quality audio, provide easy connectivity, and is well-built to handle long streaming and gaming sessions.
Best Overall PC Microphone – RØDE NT-USB+
- Pristine Sound Quality
- Powerful APHEX Audio Processing
- High-Resolution Analog-Digital Conversion
Best Streaming Microphone – Blue Yeti USB
- Broadcast-Quality Sound
- Onboard Audio Controls
- Unique Positionable Design
Best Talking Microphone – HyperX QuadCast S RGB
- Tap-To-Mute Sensor
- Anti-Vibration Shock Mount To Reduce Movement Noise
- Dynamic RGB Effects
Best Podcasting Microphone – Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
- Plug-and-play USB-C Operation
- Mute Button
- Built-In Headphone Jack
Portable Charger
If you want to avoid running out of battery while recording, it is essential to carry a power bank with you. Power banks allow you to extend your phone or camera’s battery life, so you don’t have to keep your device plugged into a wall socket.
Best Power Bank Overall – Anker 737
- 24,000mAh Capacity
- 140W Fast Charging
- Charges Three Devices At Once
Best Power Bank Overall – Jackery Explorer 1000
- 1070Wh Capacity
- Up To 100W Dual PD Charging
- Great For Gaming Laptops, Handheld PCs, And Tablets
Best Hybrid Portable Charger – Anker 733
- 65W Fast Charging Wall Charger
- 10,000 mAh Portable Charger
- Compatible With a Wide Range of Devices
Best Small Power Bank – Anker Nano
- 10,000mAh Capacity
- 30W Bi-Directional Charging
- Built-In USB-C Cable
Camera
When you use a good camera, you’ll be able to capture the most professional-quality videos and photos. Cameras provide superior image quality, better zoom capabilities, and more flexibility compared to phone cameras.
Best Mirrorless Camera – Nikon Z6III
- Stunning Video Recording Up To 6K/60p
- Advanced Autofocus Tracking
- Exhilarating Shutter Speeds Up To 1/16,000 sec
Best Vlog Camera – Sony Alpha ZV-E10
- Crisp, Detailed 4K Video
- 24MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
- Easy Background Blur Control
Best Action Camera – DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
- High-Quality 4K/120FPS Video
- Water Protection Up To 20 Meters
- HorizonSteady For Enhanced Subject Tracking
Best 360 Camera – Insta360 X4
- Immersive 360° Video in Stunning 8K
- Cold Resistant and Waterproof
- Easy Reframing with the Insta360 app
SD Cards
Recording videos can take up a lot of storage space, so it is crucial to have a high-capacity SD card. Content creators should always have a few extra SD cards ready so that when the SD card gets full, you can swap it out.
Best microSD Card – Samsung PRO Ultimate
- Read Speeds Up To 200MB/s
- Write Speeds Up To 130MB/s
Best Budget microSD Card – SanDisk Ultra
- Read Speeds Up To 150MB/s
- Class 10 Speed Class
Best SD Card – Lexar Professional 2000x
- Read Speeds Up To 300MB/s
- Write Speeds Up To 260MB/s
Best Budget SD Card – Samsung Pro Plus
- Read Speeds Up To 180MB/s
- Write Speeds Up To 130MB/s
External Drives
It is important for content creators to back up their files to an external drive so that they can avoid running out of storage space. If you’re not sure whether to get an external SSD or HDD, read the guide SSD vs. HDD: Which Is Better For External Storage?
Best External SSD Overall – SanDisk Extreme Pro
- Transfer Speeds Up To 2,000MB/s
- Rugged Durability
- IP65 Water and Dust Resistance
Best Budget External SSD – Crucial X9
- Transfer Speeds Up To 1050MB/s
- Compact, Rugged Design
- IP55 Water and Dust Resistance
Best Desktop External Hard Drive – WD My Book
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Speeds Up To 5 Gbps
- Massive Capacities Up To 24TB
- Includes Device Management Software
Best Portable External Hard Drive – WD My Passport Ultra
- USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible
- Innovative Design
- Includes Password Protection
Laptop
As a content creator, you need a laptop that can provide exceptional performance when live streaming and editing high-definition video footage. Not sure which laptop to choose? Read the guide Need A New Laptop? Laptop Buying Guide
Other Essential Equipment
These are some useful equipment that can help content creators enhance their production quality.
Best Capture Card – Elgato HD60 X
- Capture Gameplay Up To 4K/30FPS Quality
- HDR10 and VRR Passthrough
- Easy Plug & Play Setup
Best Gimbal For Cameras – DJI RS 4
- Native Vertical Shooting
- Advanced Stability
- Joystick Mode Switch for Zoom/Gimbal Control
Best Gimbal For Smartphones – DJI Osmo Mobile 6
- 3-Axis Stabilization
- ActiveTrack 6.0 For Enhanced Motion Tracking
- Portable and Foldable
Best Webcam – Elgato Facecam MK.2
- Professional-Grade Image Capture
- Capture Uncompressed Video Up To 1080p/60FPS
- HDR Support
Best Wireless Microphone System – DJI Mic 2
- Crystal-Clear Audio
- Intelligent Noise Cancelling
- Up to 18 Hours of Battery
Best Control Panel For Live Streaming – Elgato Stream Deck XL
- Supports OBS Studio, YouTube, Twitch, and Much More
- 32 Customizable LCD Keys
- Premium Build and Enhanced Tactile Control
