15+ Essential Equipment for YouTube Videos [Starting YouTube Channel]

In this article, we cover the essential equipment for YouTube videos.

Equipment for starting a YouTube channel may run you anywhere from $100-$200 initially. It can go higher than that, but after a point there are only marginal differences.

We cover the essential equipment one by one.

Let’s take a look:

Essential Equipment for YouTube Videos & Starting a YouTube Channel

  • Camera
  • Microphone
  • Ring light
  • Studio lights
  • Tripod
  • Lens
  • Screen Recorder
  • Video Editing Software
  • Animation or Graphic Design Software
  • Hard drive
  • YouTube SEO tool
  • Laptop/Computer
  • Selfie Stick
  • Mobile Tripod
  • Apps to help support your channel

Camera

The camera is the foundation of your YouTube channel. It is the most important tool for starting a YouTube channel.

There are many cameras on the market, but not all of them are good for YouTube. You need a camera that Records in high definition (1080p or 4K), has autofocus, and can connect to an external microphone.

Some of the best cameras for YouTube are the Canon EOS Rebel T6i, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7, and the Sony Alpha a6000.

Microphone

A microphone is essential for starting a successful YouTube channel.

Your viewers need to be able to hear you clearly, otherwise they will click away.

The best microphones for YouTube are lavalier microphones. These are small microphones that you can clip to your shirt. They are affordable and produce great sound quality.

Some of the best lavalier microphones for YouTube are the Rode VideoMic GO, the Movo LV1, and the Audio-Technica ATR3350.

External Microphone

If you want your videos to sound professional, you need an external microphone. The built-in microphone on your camera or phone will not give you the best sound quality.

An external microphone will help to reduce background noise and make your voice sound clear.

The RODE VideoMic GO is a great option for YouTubers. It is very affordable and it produces great sound quality.

Ring light

A ring light is a type of lighting that helps to improve the look of your videos. They help avoid shadows on your face.

It gives your face a soft, even glow, making you look more professional. Ring lights are also very affordable, starting at around $30.

Some of the best ring lights for YouTube videos are the Neewer 18-inch LED Ring Light, the UBeesize 8-inch LED Ring Light, and the Anker LC130.

Studio Lights

If you are going to be doing any kind of indoor filming, you will need studio lights.

Indoor lighting can be very harsh, and it can cause your videos to look washed out. Studio lights will help to soften the light and make your videos look more professional.

Neewer is a popular brand for studio lights, and their Neewer ring light kit is a great option for YouTubers. It comes with two lights and a stand, and it is very affordable.

Tripod

A tripod is a must-have for any YouTube channel. It will help to keep your camera steady, resulting in smoother, moreprofessional-looking videos.

There are many different types of tripods, but the best type for YouTube videos is a tabletop tripod. These are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry with you. They start at around $15.

Some of the best tabletop tripods for YouTube videos are the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod, the Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom, and the AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod.

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Lens

The lens is an important piece of equipment for starting a successful YouTube channel. It helps to capture high-quality video.

There are many different types of lenses, but the best type for YouTube videos is a wide-angle lens. This type of lens will help you to include more in the frame, making your videos look more professional.

Some of the best wide-angle lenses for YouTube videos are the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens, the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens, and the Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS Ultra Wide Angle Lens.

Screen recorder

A screen recorder is a software program that allows you to record your screen activity.

This is useful for starting a YouTube channel because you can use it to create how-to videos, product reviews, and vlogs.

There are many different screen recorder programs available, but the best one for YouTube is the Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). It is free to use and easy to set up.

Video editing software

After you have recorded your video, you will need to edit it. This is where video editing software comes in.

Video editing software allows you to trim your videos, add titles and transitions, and do other post-production work.

There are many different video editing programs available, but the best one for YouTube is Adobe Premiere Pro CC. It is a bit pricey at $20/month, but it is worth it for the professional results you will get.

For Mac users, you have iMovie built into your computer.

Animation software

Many YouTubers won’t do any animation, but for those who do, animation software will be essential.

It’s also a great option for those who want to break up their videos to increase retention time or for those who want to do YouTube without showing their face.

Graphic design software

If you want to add graphics to your videos, you will need graphic design software. This will allow you to create professional-looking thumbnails and channel art.

Adobe Photoshop is the best graphic design software for YouTube. It is very versatile and can be used to create a wide variety of graphics.

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External hard drive

An external hard drive is a must-have for any YouTuber. This is because your videos will take up a lot of space on your computer’s internal hard drive.

An external hard drive will allow you to store all of your videos in one place, making them easy to find and access. It also helps to keep your computer’s internal hard drive from getting full.

The best external hard drives for YouTube videos are the WD My Passport 4TB Portable External Hard Drive and the Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop External Hard Drive.

Webcam

If you don’t have a camera, or if you want to start a vlog, you can use a webcam. A webcam is a small, digital camera that plugs into your computer’s USB port.

It is an affordable option for starting a YouTube channel, and it produces decent quality video.

Logitech is a well-known brand for webcam, and their C920 HD Pro Webcam is one of the best on the market. It produces 1080p video and has excellent reviews.

YouTube SEO tool

A YouTube SEO tool is helpful to understand what people are searching for.

If you create helpful informational content on your channel, you will get views from SEO and more people will subscribe.

A tool like Ahrefs can help you to understand what keywords people are searching for on YouTube.

Laptop/Computer

Your laptop or desktop computer will be used to upload your videos.

You might even do some screen recording from your computer to make your videos.

Internet connection

You need a good internet connection to upload your videos to YouTube.

A fast internet connection will also help you to do live streams and watch other people’s videos without buffering.

YouTube channel banner

Your YouTube channel banner is the first thing people see when they visit your channel.

You want to make sure that it is high quality and represents your brand well. You can use Photoshop or another graphic design program to create a professional-looking banner.

If you don’t have any design skills, you can hire someone on Fiverr to create a banner for you.

We’ve have a list of 1024 x 576 pixel banners.

Selfie Stick

Some channels won’t need a selfie stick. But if your channel involves doing anything out and about, you will need a selfie stick to help yourself film.

This is especially common for travel channels.

Mobile Tripod

If you are going to film with your phone, you need a mobile tripod. This will help to keep your phone steady and reduce camera shake.

It is also helpful if you want to do time-lapses or long-exposure photography with your phone.

Anker is a well-known brand for mobile accessories, and their Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the best mobile tripods on the market.

Apps to help support your channel

There are many apps that can help you to grow your YouTube channel.

TubeBuddy is an app that gives you data on your channel and helps you to optimize your videos for SEO.

VidIQ is another app that provides data on your channel and helps you to grow your views.

Hootsuite Insights is an app that allows you to track your social media metrics, including YouTube.

Buffer is an app that allows you to schedule your social media posts that can help you promote your YouTube videos.

As you can see, there is a lot of equipment that you will need to start a successful YouTube channel. But don’t let that scare you off! You don’t need to have all of this equipment right away. Start with the basics and gradually add to your collection as your channel grows.

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FAQs – Equipment for YouTube Videos

Do I need a tripod?

If you are going to use a DSLR camera, you will need a tripod. A tripod will help to keep your camera steady and prevent shaky footage.

It is also helpful if you want to do any time-lapses or slow-motion videos.

There are many different tripods available, but the Manfrotto Befree Live Aluminium Travel Tripod is a great option for YouTubers.

It is lightweight and easy to carry around, but it is still sturdy enough to hold your DSLR camera.

If you are going to use your phone to film, you might not need a tripod. Some newer phones have image stabilization built-in, which can help to reduce camera shake.

However, if you want to do any time-lapses or long-exposure photography with your phone, you will need a mobile tripod.

Anker is a well-known brand for mobile accessories, and their Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the best mobile tripods on the market.

Do I need a microphone?

It depends on what type of videos you are going to make. If you are just starting out, you might not need a microphone right away.

The built-in microphone on most phones and cameras is good enough for most YouTube videos.

However, if you are going to be doing a lot of vlogging or talking on your videos, you will need a microphone that can pick up your voice clearly.

There are many different types of microphones available, but the RODE VideoMic GO Lightweight On-Camera Microphone is a great option for YouTubers.

It is affordable and it gives you clear audio without picking up too much background noise.

Do I need lighting?

It depends on what type of videos you are going to make. If you are filming in well-lit areas, you might not need any extra lighting.

However, if you are filming indoors or in low-light conditions, you will need some lighting to help your videos look clear and professional.

There are many different types of lighting available, but the Neewer LED Video Light is a great option for YouTubers.

It is affordable and it gives off a natural white light that can help to improve the quality of your videos.

Do I need a camera?

It depends on what type of videos you are going to make. If you are just starting out, you might not need a separate camera right away.

You may be able to just film on your phone if you’re just trying out YouTube

The built-in camera on most phones is good enough for most YouTube videos.

However, if you are planning on doing any vlogging or talking on your videos, you will need a camera that can pick up your voice clearly.

There are many different types of cameras available, but the Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera Kit is a great option for YouTubers.

It is affordable and it gives you clear audio without picking up too much background noise.

Do I need an editing software?

Yes, you will need some kind of video editing software to edit your videos before you upload them to YouTube.

There are many different types of video editing software available, but Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a great option for YouTubers.

It is a professional-grade video editing software that can help you to create high-quality videos.

What other equipment do I need?

Here are some other pieces of equipment that you might need for your YouTube videos:

Camera stabilizer – If you are going to be doing a lot of vlogging or moving around while you film, a camera stabilizer can help to keep your footage smooth and steady.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is a great option for YouTubers.

External hard drive – You will need somewhere to store all of your video files, so an external hard drive is a necessity for any YouTuber.

The Western Digital My Passport 4TB Portable External Hard Drive is a great option for YouTubers.

Video editing software – As mentioned before, you will need some kind of video editing software to edit your videos before uploading them to YouTube.

Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a great option for YouTubers.

These are just a few of the essential pieces of equipment that you will need for your YouTube videos.

You might also need other things like props or costumes, depending on the type of videos you want to make.

How much does a YouTube channel cost? (How much to start a YouTube channel)

It will probably take at least $100, but it depends on what type of equipment you already have.

The simplest setups involve filming with your iPhone or smartphone, editing on your computer and uploading.

Of course, a YouTube channel can also be very expensive depending on the production budget and what you’re tying to do. MrBeast spends millions on his channel.

Conclusion – Equipment for YouTube Videos

Starting a YouTube channel can be a fun and rewarding experience. It allows you to be creative and connect with people from all over the world.

To start a successful channel, you will need to invest in some quality equipment. The good news is that most of this equipment is very affordable.

If you are serious about starting a YouTube channel, I recommend investing in a quality camera, microphone, tripod, and screen recorder. These items will help you to produce high-quality videos that look professional.

In addition to these items, you might also need other things like lighting, props, or costumes. Just remember to have fun and be creative!

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