Best Podcasting Gear – Under $500

If you are a podcaster or want to do live streaming on a limited budget, this might be an option for you. The ikan HomeStream Desktop USB Microphone is a simple plug-and-play solution with a USB Type-A cable and a USB Type-C adapter. You can use the microphone with any computer and with most iOS/Android mobile devices. It comes with a Height-Adjustable Desktop Microphone Stand and has onboard gain control.

If you're a podcaster looking for high-quality sound for your personal production, the PodMic by RØDE could be an interesting option. It is a cost-effective XLR microphone that is already tuned for speech and broadcast. As PodMic is an XLR microphone with no USB connection, you will always need an additional audio interface. It comes with an internal pop filter and integrated shock mounts to reduce vibration. A big advantage of the RØDE PodMic is its compatibility with the RØDECaster Pro podcast production studio. You can also use the PSA1 broadcast arm to get the microphone into the perfect position. 

B&H offers an interesting starter kit for one-person podcasters. It comes with the RØDE PodMic microphone, a two-section arm, an XLR cable, a BAR-1 14" riser with mounting screws, and Senal SMH-1000 professional studio monitor headphones with a coiled cable, a straight cable, and a 1/4" gold-plated adapter. This cost-effective kit includes everything you need to get started.

B&H is offering a one-person podcasting kit, the RØDE PodMic, which is a dynamic podcasting microphone optimized for the spoken word. It is an XLR microphone so you can use it with the Audient EVO 4 Desktop 2x2 Interface with two XLR-1/4" combo mic/line inputs to get your microphone connected to your computer. The set also includes headphones, a telescoping table stand, an XLR cable, and more. So basically everything you need to start your own podcast. 

If you are planning a podcast where you want to chat with other people and you will need more microphones, the RODE NT-USB Mini might be the perfect solution for you. It is a cost-effective and easy-to-use USB microphone that works with any computer or tablet that has a USB connector. It comes with a built-in pop filter and has an isolated table stand. It has an integrated volume control with a 3,5mm jack for headphones. The RODE NT-USB Mini is fully compatible with the RODE Connect software and you can simultaneously use up to four NT-USB Mini mics for your podcast.

The Sennheiser Profile USB Condenser Microphone has a metal housing and comes with an adjustable desktop stand with easily accessible controls all in the front. It's an easy-to-use USB-C microphone that can be connected directly to your computer without the need for an extra audio interface. It features a mute button and gain control with LED rings, an onboard mix control, and it comes with a 3,5mm headphone jack out with level control.

This set comes with the Sennheiser Profile USB condenser microphone and a 3-point locking boom arm with integrated cable guides. The Sennheiser USB microphone has a metal housing and easily accessible controls all in front. It features a mute button and a gain control with LED rings, an onboard mix control, and it comes with a 3,5mm headphone jack out with level control. It's an easy-to-use USB-C microphone that can be connected directly to your computer without the need for an extra audio interface. 

The RØDE NT1 is an iconic microphone for any recording no matter if it is music or spoken word for podcasting and streaming. It has an analog XLR and a digital USB-C connector, so you can use it with any preamp audio interface, or directly with your computer operating on phantom or USB bus power. It features a 192 kHz / 32-Bit Float analog to digital converter, a cardioid pattern that reduces ambient noise, and a 1" gold-sputtered diaphragm. The RØDE NT1 is now available in the 5th generation, and it is one of the best and most versatile microphones you can get.

The small PodMic USB offers an analog XLR and digital USB-C connectivity-like the bigger RØDE NT1 Microphone but in a smaller size. It is designed for podcasting and streaming, and features an internal pop filter, an internal high-gain revolution preamp, APHEX voice processing, and a zero-latency monitoring function with a volume knob. it is compatible with the RODE Podcast Connect Software Suite and also fully supports smartphones and tablets.

If you are running your podcast on a tight budget, this might be the perfect solution for your new headphones. The foldable black TH-02 Studio Headphones from TASCAM deliver studio-quality audio at an unbeatable price. They feature a closed-back design with 32 Ohm impedance, a collapsible folding mechanism with a padded headband and ear pads, and come with 1/4“ adapter.

The black Audio-Technica ATH-M20x monitor headphones are outfitted with 40mm dynamic drivers and an over-ear, closed-back design. They deliver a solid bass response with a wide bandwidth (15 Hz to 20 kHz) while isolating you from any outside sounds. They come with 15° swiveling ear-cups, a single-sided attached cable, a 3.5mm TRS plug, and an additional 1/4" snap-on adapter.

If you're looking for a reliable solution to enjoy decent sound and effectively control the audio of your podcast, these Sony headphones could be a great choice at a fair price. Due to its low impedance and closed-ear design, the foldable Sony MDR-7506 headphones are designed to cut down background noise while still providing enough volume in the studio. They feature a closed design with swiveling ear-cups and they come with a single-sided coiled cable in a soft case.

If you don’t want to use a computer for your podcast and prefer the flexibility of portable devices, this might be an interesting option for you. The Roland GO:LIVECAST is designed to create podcasts directly from your smartphone or tablet. It’s a live-streaming production studio with a compact desktop interface and a streaming app. It lets you control integrated multiple sound sources and camera devices, and trigger additional media files. It features an easy-to-use plug-and-play setup with a built-in microphone with reverb. It has a combined XLR-1/4“ microphone or line in connector with phantom power, a 3.5mm stereo line, and 3.5mm headphone jack, and it comes with lightning cables for Apple devices and USB cables.

If you are looking for an audio solution for solo live-streaming on mobile devices or laptops, the Mackie MCaster Studio might be an option for you. It’s a very compact streaming mixer with good sound quality that connects to your smartphone's headphone jack to send and receive audio. It features Bluetooth for sending and receiving audio wirelessly and a USB connector for Mac and Windows computers. It has a small color display on top with several knobs to control the audio levels, and it comes with USB, 3.5mm TRS, and TRRS cables.

The Streamer X from RØDE is an all-in-one streaming solution with a professional audio interface and a video capture card that is fully compatible with all of RØDE's streaming software solutions. The Streamer X also features HDMI I/O that supports up to 4K 30 fps and 2K 60 fps streaming, and up to 2K 120 fps and 4K 60 fps. It comes with a Combo XLR-1/4“ input, dedicated headphone and headset jacks, and a revolution preamp and APHEX audio processing. It has two USB-C connections on board for a dual PC setup and also four customizable SMART pads. Like any other product from RØDE, it is fully compatible with all RODE streaming software solutions like CONNECT.

The RØDECaster Duo from RØDE is a compact all-in-one audio production solution that delivers all the same features of the RØDECaster Pro II but is smaller and more portable. It features two mic/line/instrument preamps, 4 faders, and a vibrant color touchscreen. It allows multitrack recording to microSD or USB devices and comes with 6 programmable pads for audio and FX & MIDI applications. It has a built-in series IV wireless receiver, a quad-core audio engine, APHEX processing, and comes with two headphone outputs, a stereo line out, and dual USB ports with integrated Bluetooth.

If you are planning to produce a podcast with more than 2 people, then this could be the perfect device for you. With 4 combo XLR-1/4" mic/line inputs, the TASCAM Mixcast 4 allows you to mix and record a podcast with up to four people. It has 8 faders to control all your audio levels and an onboard, 8 pads and 8 banks for sound FX, 4 headphone outputs for the host and your guests, and also has a USB multitrack recording feature. You can even do mix-minus for live phone call interviews. It includes the software, USB cable, and all adapters.

The RØDECaster Pro is a compact all-in-one studio that offers all the professional tools you need for podcasting together with up to four people. It features 4 XLR microphone inputs, 8 faders to control all your audio levels, and it allows you to do onboard and USB multitrack recording. If you want to do a phone call live interview you have a mix-minus option available, and the RØDECaster Pro has a APHEX Processor on board. You have 4 headphone outputs for the host and your guests, and 8 programmable pads for instant sound FX. The RØDECaster Pro is fully compatible with all the RØDE streaming software solutions.