You don’t need the best equipment to make YouTube videos, but it can help tremendously if you have the resources.
The best equipment for your needs is divided between beginner and advanced levels depending on cost and the output quality you expect. This equipment comprises cameras, stabilizers, lighting, audio equipment, computer hardware, memory cards, and video software.
In this article, we examine each individually and provide the best options for beginners and advanced YouTubers.
Let’s get started.
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1. Cameras
The most vital gear in your kit is a camera and the appropriate lenses. Of course, you don’t have to buy the most costly camera. In many circumstances, you only need a camera capable of recording in good resolution (1080p).
We’ve divided the top cameras on the market into categories based on where you are in your YouTube journey.
Camcorders
A camcorder is an excellent choice if you’re starting with YouTube. They are simple to set up, user-friendly, small, and reasonably priced.
These are great for videos that don’t require much post-production, such as live broadcasts, filming videos from your workstation, or generating vlogs on the move.
Sony HDRCX405 Camcorder
The Sony HDRCX405 Camcorder is an excellent example if you want a low-cost full-HD camera with image stabilization to prevent trembling and blurring when filming handheld.
In addition, it can record high-quality 1080p videos at 60 frames per second and has a Carl Zeiss zoom lens with 27x true optical zoom for lossless magnification and overall video quality.
Uploading movies will also be a breeze because this camera records in MP4 format, allowing you to publish them to the web easily.
Action Or Mirrorless Cameras
If you’ve been making YouTube content for a long time or enjoy generating videos with post-production effects, you should consider upgrading to a mirrorless or action camera.
These cameras allow you to enter parameters or use manual presets to create effects while filming.
Most YouTubers use mirrorless cameras to generate their material since they can create high-resolution videos from scratch.
These cameras have excellent resolution and will take your films to the next level regarding clarity and color intensity.
Sony ZV-E10
With mirrorless cameras in mind, the Sony ZV-E10 is one of the best mirrorless cameras for producing YouTube videos. One positive argument is that it is appropriate for new and seasoned YouTube content creators.
It can record 4K video at up to 30p, has excellent autofocus and interchangeable lenses, and can easily be connected to a computer via USB for live streaming; no additional hardware/software is required.
It’s also reasonably priced.
GoPro Hero 11
Regarding action cameras, GoPro is perhaps the most excellent and trusted action camera company, and we highly recommend the GoPro Hero 11 Black.
If you’re unfamiliar with this camera, it can shoot 5.3K video at 60fps, has built-in voice control and touchscreen display, and is waterproof (up to 10m/33ft).
It even has an image stabilization system and performs better in low-light situations than its predecessors, so you’ll have a higher chance of recording high-quality clips every time.
2. External Stabilizers
Everyone likes clear images, and many cameras have built-in stabilizers; however, using an external stabilizer assures smoother movement and better recordings.
Every application will necessitate a different set of stabilizers, and your decision will be determined by where you are shooting your content and how much movement you require.
To make it easier to choose external stabilizers, I’ve separated them by use case so you can easily pick the ideal one for the type of video you want to capture.
Still-Frame Material
Consider interviews, over-the-desk, and training videos, which all contain a static frame in which the subject interacts with the viewers. These short videos are simple and do not require high-end video stabilizers.
If you intend to capture these videos, here are some great tripods that will do the job without costing an arm and a leg.
Manfrotto Element Traveller Small Aluminum Tripod
Manfrotto’s lightweight aluminum tripod is compatible with Sony, Nikon, and Canon cameras and can support up to 8.8 lb (4 kg) of weight.
A 360-degree handle includes a 3-way pan that allows you to shoot basic movement images – from top to bottom, right to left, and portrait tilt.
In addition, it is a three-fold tripod that can be extended to over 56 inches, making it ideal for tabletop, long, and expansive views.
Edurax 66-Inch Tripod
If you frequently swap between your phone and camera, the Edurax 66-inch portable tripod is an excellent choice. It includes a universal phone mount and a travel pouch.
As a result, it is lightweight and suitable for all cameras. It also includes a pan head, allowing you to shoot vertically, horizontally, or with a tilt.
Image Mobility Stabilizers
Want to create videos with intricate motions, such as a suspenseful chase scenario or a long shot? You’ll need a gimbal or Steadicam to obtain seamless camera movement and transitions.
You may begin with simple gimbals capable of smooth pan, tilt, and follow shots.
Furthermore, you’ll need upgraded gimbals with more modes and grip motions for more sophisticated shots, or you may invest in a vest or Steadicam.
Flycam 5000
The Flycam 5000 is a compact stabilizer that works well for gliding shots. In the video, you can perform swift action moves and follow them without tremors.
It also has an attached handle grip that works as a free-moving gimbal, allowing for free side-to-side and up-and-down movement.
It also includes 16 weight discs to help balance the stabilizer systems for clean, balanced shots.
3. Lighting
A solid lighting setup is one of the most critical pieces of YouTube equipment to take your videos to the next level.
The lighting may be customized based on the content you’re doing.
Lighting setups vary depending on whether you’re shooting inside or outdoors, what you’re shooting (moving or static subject), and the type of lighting you want (dramatic, even, or cinematic).
Most of the lighting setups discussed below fall into numerous categories, so to keep things easy, we’ll speak about the setup and then tag the lights based on where they may be used.
Ring Lights
Ring lights are a popular YouTube accessory for vloggers. They’re portable, easy to use, and beneficial lights.
The best ring lights highlight the face, decreasing shadows, and minimizing imperfections.
Arkon LED rechargeable ring light
The Arkon LED rechargeable selfie ring light is a low-cost, high-quality product that hooks onto the screen of your smartphone or camera and is ideal for vlogging and live streaming.
Neewer 18-Inch ring light
If you need a more significant ring light for a more extensive setup, consider this Neewer 18″ ring light. It includes an in-built dimmer for controlling the intensity of the 240 LED lights in its frame.
In addition, it has a hot shoe for mounting to your camera or a light stand. It also has a cold-shoe attachment, allowing you to quickly set up a tiny camera or smartphone in the light.
Softbox Lighting
Softbox lights are professional video setups similar to those seen on television. These often include high-intensity lights, such as CFL or LED bulbs, and a softbox to disperse the light.
Furthermore, a softbox on either side of the subject is required for equal-toned illumination to eliminate shadows.
Emart Upgraded Softbox Lighting Kit
The Emart Upgraded Softbox Lighting Kit includes 2x 135W E27 5500K Bulbs.
Alternatively, you can design your kit by selecting innovative and high-quality continuous lights and softboxes from Godox.
4. Audio And Microphones
The sound in the video contributes to half of the experience. The depth and quality of the sound play an essential part in immersing your audience in the situation.
When the audio is poor, you immediately skip the content.
Your camera’s or smartphone’s built-in sound systems do not record high-quality audio.
Therefore, investing in sound equipment like microphones, headphones, and sound cards is critical to provide your audience with the most pleasing sound experience possible. That said, this is what you need to know.
Microphones
A microphone is one of the first purchases you should make to improve your audio game on YouTube.
USB mics have gone from unheard of to becoming popular among YouTubers.
These microphones’ simplicity of use, sound quality, variety, and affordability have earned them their place in the market.
Blue Snowball USB Mic
USB microphones are the ideal YouTube equipment for creating live streaming and screen-sharing lesson videos.
The Blue Snowball USB Mic is a multipurpose microphone ideal for live streaming and attaches quickly to your PC or Mac.
It has an adjustable stand, is unidirectional (therefore cancels out ambient noise), and the cardioid condenser capsule provides crystal clear audio output.
Audio-Technica Condenser USB Microphone
The Audio-Technica Condenser USB Microphone does not require a pre-amp and features a built-in headphone connector with volume control for self-monitoring.
It also has a mix control to blend your microphone sounds with pre-recorded audio.
In addition, the Audio-Technica, like many high-quality condenser microphones, offers an extended frequency response that makes it suitable for capturing vocals for podcasting and home recording.
Rode Go 2 Wireless Lapel Mic
Lapel microphones are very popular among YouTubers. These little microphones clip onto your shirt and link directly to your phone or camera.
These lapel mics are ideal for creating films from your workstation, doing interviews, and vlogging.
With that in mind, the Rode Go 2 wireless lapel mic is one of the finest in its class and is frequently used by the top YouTubers.
Rode VideoMicPro Shotgun Mic
high-directionality microphones or Shotgun microphones are YouTubers’ most popular audio options.
These mics are simple to attach to your camera and ideal for vlogging and interviews, whether indoors or outside. When it is closest to the topic, it produces the finest quality.
The Rode VideoMicPro Shotgun Mic is one of the best shotgun microphones available today. Rode’s shotgun mic comes with a Rycote Lyre shock mounting mechanism that isolates the recorded audio from outside influences.
5. Computer Hardware
The next critical piece of equipment is the system to edit your YouTube videos.
Therefore, you’ll need to ensure that you’re covered whether you want something portable like a laptop or you’d like to build a computer piece by piece.
I’ve given the minimal system requirements for a seamless editing experience on your system and suggested improvements based on the type of videos you’ll be editing.
If you want something portable, I’ve reviewed the best options in my guide to the top laptops for YouTubers.
When looking for a PC (or building one), though, you should focus on the following critical specifications:
Processor Power
A perfect place to commence if you need to edit simple movies with no external effects is the Intel i7-6700K.
However, the industry standard for HD video editing is to use more powerful processors, such as the i9-10920X processors, to handle larger files.
You would want to upgrade your PC (not laptop) with a more powerful CPU and improve your editing experience, especially if you’re working with 4K video and heavy editing tools like After Effects.
Multi-Drive Hardware
One of the most significant facets of video editing is speed and lag-free operation. A multi-drive process is required for this. While this may not impact HD video editing, it makes a significant difference in 4K video editing and keeps your files organized.
In terms of your system, a multi-drive workflow is a storage solution that dedicates particular files to distinct drives to boost your system’s speed while keeping it organized.
SSD and NVME hard drives are precious since you can move files around much faster and need separate hard drives (multi-drives) to manage your files.
That said, the following are some of the best multi-drive workflow solutions.
1TB Samsung 980 Pro NVME
If you can afford to spend every penny on a storage drive, the Samsung 980 Pro may be your best SSD. This is one of the fastest SSDs ever tested, making it excellent for future-proofing your system, especially with the 1TB storage.
And while it isn’t the cheapest SSD on the market, it achieves that performance without significantly increasing the price over its competitors.
In addition, this SSD will help you navigate and manage your HD ad 4K content 100 times faster than standard PC hard drives.
Samsung 860 Pro Sata 3 SSD 4TB
People may not be wild about SATA 3, but the Samsung 860 Pro illustrates that the old interface still has enough life.
With storage volumes of up to 4TB and transfer speeds approaching the theoretical limit of the SATA 3 interface – not to mention top-tier reliability and security – the Samsung 860 Pro is one of the finest SSDs for anyone still using SATA 3.
The more created YouTube content you edit, the more hard drive space you need.
As a result, purchasing a bigger hard disk to manage most of your material may be necessary for the long term.
Computer RAM
While RAM has little effect on video editing, operating auxiliary applications such as After Effects, Cinema 4D, and similar software is critical.
Because RAM stores your working files while you work on projects, having a large amount of RAM can help motion graphics editing and make it easier to integrate these files into your video production.
As a result, you must have at least 16GB of RAM, but if you can go higher, that’s even better, but you don’t need more than 32 gigabytes of RAM.
Graphics Cards
As a visual developer, one of the most crucial factors to consider when purchasing a PC is the graphics card (also known as a video card).
Previously, the processor handled most of the hard lifting in video editing. Still, graphic cards now handle most of the load, making editing quicker and smoother on Premiere Pro and After Effects.
In addition, Graphics cards improve video editing performance by speeding up editing and rendering. The Nvidia GTX 1660 Super is the most acceptable and affordable graphics card for video editing.
However, a more powerful graphics card like the RTX 3060Ti is better suited for more rigorous video editing that your PC can not handle independently.
6. Memory Cards
The memory card is one of the most underappreciated pieces of YouTube equipment. While it is vitally required for video recording, few people understand how to choose the most acceptable memory cards.
Most cameras today, however, utilize SD cards or micro SD cards (SDHC and SDXC), with the significant difference being the file systems providing greater memory capacity. The memory capacity of your card is determined by what you intend to photograph.
For example, select a memory capacity of at least 128GB if you intend to shoot for lengthy periods.
However, if you know you’ll be taking pauses between shoots or won’t be shooting continuously, you may choose a 64GB memory capacity.
Finally, as a filmmaker, the speed rating is one of the most crucial factors when selecting a memory card. It is on the right-hand side of the card.
The card has a minimum constant write speed of 2, 4, 6, and 10 megabytes if you observe the letter C with digits 2, 4, 6, and 10 wrapped within it.
It is significant because if your continuous speed falls below the video bitrate, you will see lost frames in your video.
7. Video Software
After you’ve acquired all the necessary hardware to meet the minimum video editing requirements, you’ll need to discover appropriate video editing software for post-production.
Although YouTube provides its video editor, having your program gives you more power to customize your content to your preference.
Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Sony Vegas are the best video editing software.
Of all the options, I prefer Adobe’s offering as it isn’t limited and is one of the most widely adopted platforms. You can find thousands of tutorials online to accomplish whatever you wish.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing product from Adobe, the market leader in creative design software.
Premiere has all the effects, color tools, collaboration, and output choices any professional could want. Unlike other tools, it operates on macOS and Windows, so you are not limited to one desktop platform.
Premiere Pro is only accessible by subscription, so the initial cost is minimal but builds up over time.
Premiere Pro is designed for professional video editors, as the name implies. Nonetheless, it is used and enjoyed by many devoted amateurs.
In addition, it’s beneficial for those who need to interact with others and teams who utilize Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of products.