Introduction: The Best Beginner Streaming Equipment
Are you looking to start streaming on Twitch or YouTube but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will be discussing the best beginner streaming equipment for Twitch in 2022. We’ll cover everything from budget cameras to budget monitors, so you can stream with the best of them without breaking the bank!
Please note, if you’re looking to build a streaming system, check out our best budget PC builds of 2022. Each build is the best bang for your buck when it comes to running games and streams at those 60fps framerates we know and love!
You don’t need every single piece of beginner streaming equipment in this blog to get started, but this is a great place to return to flesh out your setup. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more about all the best beginner streaming equipment you can get your hands on to kickstart your streaming journey!
In This Blog:
The Best Budget Cameras
Cameras are a dime a dozen these days, but not all of them are created equal. When it comes to streaming, you’ll want a camera that is capable of at least 720p resolution at 60 frames per second. This will ensure that your viewers can see you in all your glory, and won’t miss a beat!
Logitech C922
There are a few cameras out there that fit this bill, but our personal favorites for beginner streamers is the Logitech C922. Being able to run 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps, it’s an affordable camera that doesn’t sacrifice quality, and will have you looking like a pro in no time!
Logitech C920S
If you’re looking for something with a little more pizzazz, the Logitech C920S is also a great option. It comes with some nifty features like facial tracking, privacy shroud and auto-focus, which will keep you in focus even if you’re moving around a lot!
No matter which camera you choose, make sure it’s one that you’re comfortable with. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in front of it!
Affordable Condenser Microphones
The next piece of equipment you’ll need is a microphone. Now, you could just use the built-in microphone on your camera, but trust us when we say that it’s worth it to invest in a dedicated microphone. Not only will it sound better, but it will also pick up your voice more clearly. This is especially important if you’re planning on doing commentary over your gameplay and speaking to chat. Microphones are an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to beginner streaming equipment.
Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+
For a beginner-friendly microphone, we recommend the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+. It’s affordable, easy to use and will give you clear audio that your viewers will love. The USB+ version allows immediate plug-and-play, meaning you won’t have to invest in an audio interface to power the microphone.
Rode NT-USB
For something with a little more depth, the Rode NT-USB is a great option. It comes with a pop filter and shock mount, which will help to reduce any unwanted noise in your audio and will mean you won’t have to purchase those accessories separately.
The most important thing when choosing any microphone is to ensure you’re getting a condenser-style mic. As this will help a long way in giving you that radio presenter sound. This is why both mics we’ve chosen are condenser mics.
Microphone accessories we recommend:
Console Capture Card
If you’re looking to stream on PS5 or the Xbox Series X | S – Then you’re going to need a capture card. Capture cards are devices that allow you to record or stream your gameplay from a gaming console. This is the only way to stream next-gen console gameplay, as they do not have built-in streaming capabilities.
Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+
There are a few different capture cards on the market, but our personal budget favorite is the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+. It’s easy to use and comes with everything you need to get started, including a USB cable and an HDMI cable.
Elgato has a reputation in the streaming community for making quality and reliable products which you can rely on to work for hours on end.
Lighting On A Budget
One way to make your stream go from looking low-budget to sleek and professional is to get yourself some good lights. Lighting is incredibly important, makes you look good, and can set the mood or tone of your stream. (Especially if you go for some RGB lights!)
Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable USB LED
The best budget light panels we recommend are the Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable USB LED Video Lights. They’re bright, adjustable, and can be powered by any USB slot. They also come with colored gels, so you can change the color and intensity of the light.
Phillips Hue Play Light Bars
For something a little more fun, the Philips Hue Play light bars are also a great option. These sync up with your gaming console and change color based on what’s happening on screen. They’re a little more expensive, but they’re definitely worth it if you want to take your stream to the next level!
Hue Play Starter Kit link
We also recommend having some fun with LED lighting strips to add a splash of color to your background. But whatever lights you end up choosing, they will improve the production quality of your stream by a huge amount!
Mechanical Keyboards
The next piece of equipment you’ll need is a good keyboard if you don’t have one already. This is an important one because you’ll be doing a lot of typing! Whether you’re chatting with your viewers, writing up your stream’s description or putting the keys through the ringer during an FPS, a good keyboard will make your life a lot easier. If you’re looking for more budget recommendations, check out our Top Ten Gaming Keyboards 2022 guide.
RK Royal Kludge RK61
For a beginner-friendly keyboard, we recommend the RK Royal Kludge RK61 from our Best Budget Gaming PC Builds of 2022 Blog. It’s affordable and easy to use, and will make typing a breeze.
HK GAMING GK61
If you’re looking for something with a little more style, the HK Gaming GK61 is also a great option that was featured in our Best Budget Gaming PC Builds of 2022 Blog.
A good mechanical keyboard, and one with some hotkeys, will go a long way to making your life that bit easier whilst streaming. One thing to note is to not get super loud switches, as they may come through on your microphone and be annoying to your audience.
Gaming Monitors
The next piece of equipment you’ll need is a monitor. This is important because you’ll want to be able to see what’s going on in your game, and you don’t want to miss a beat! We’ve chosen two monitors from our top five favorite budget monitors of 2022.
Acer Nitro QG241Y Pbmiipx
For a beginner-friendly monitor, we recommend the Acer Nitro QG241Y Pbmiipx, as seen in our Top Five 144Hz Monitors blog. This monitor has amazing value, which is why it’s been chosen for the best beginner streaming monitor.
ViewSonic Elite XG270Q 27
If you’re looking for something a little more premium, the ViewSonic Elite XG270Q 27 is also a great option. It was another top pick in our Top Five 144Hz Monitors blog.
We recommend having a second monitor at a minimum, simply to display chat, have your streaming software on and allow you real estate to search and perform tasks on a screen not seen by your audience. Naturally, this second monitor can simply be a cheap 60Hz monitor, such as the BenQ GW2283. As a second monitor we feel is essential for streaming, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Stream Decks
The next piece of equipment, which isn’t necessary, but can make streaming a whole lot easier, is a stream deck. It could be potentially arguable about this being beginner streaming equipment, as it falls more into amateur. However, if you’re looking to have your game stepped up immediately, this is important because it will help you to control your stream and make sure everything is running smoothly – from transitions, to sound cues and animations on screen.
Elgato Stream Deck Mini
For a beginner-friendly stream deck, we recommend the Elgato Stream Deck Mini. It’s affordable, easy to use, and will help you to keep your stream running smoothly.
Elgato Stream Deck XL
If you’re looking for something with a little more versatility, the Elgato Stream Deck XL is also a great option. It comes with 32 customizable buttons, so you can really make your setup your own. Plus, it’s easy to use, so you won’t have to worry about anything going wrong.
No matter which stream deck you decide to go with, it will make even the most tedious of tasks simple with just a little bit of prep. This is exactly why we feel it’s worth the investment.
Streaming Software
Nowadays there are tons of options when it comes to streaming software. Many of the programs now include preset templates which you can easily customize to get your stream up and running in no time.
OBS Studio
The streaming software we recommend to get started is OBS Studio. It’s free to download and use, and it’s relatively simple to set up. There are dozens of tutorials on YouTube for how to use OBS Studio, and the open-source nature of OBS Studio has both drawbacks and benefits.
XSplit
If you’re looking for something with a little more power, XSplit is a great option. It comes with tons of features, is very customizable, and has a reputation for being incredibly stable. However, it does cost money to use, so if you’re on a tighter budget then we recommend saving the cash and putting it into some better hardware.
At the end of the day, software is all down to preference. Each program will provide the same service (give or take), so it’s just a matter of finding which one you like to interact with best.
Conclusion – Best Beginner Streaming Equipment
So there you have it, the best beginner streaming equipment for Twitch in 2022! With this setup, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful streamer. But do note that you don’t need every bit of kit in this blog to start! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start streaming!
Do you have any questions about Streaming Equipment? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out our other budget gaming guides – such as the best wireless mice of 2022!
Happy Streaming!
-The Esports Maps Team.
