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Podcast Equipment: Everything You Need to Start a Podcast
A great podcast is mostly a great microphone in a quiet room. Beyond the mic, podcasters reach for a boom arm to hold it steady, and — once a second host joins — an interface or mixer to run more than one channel.
Plan the whole recording with our podcast setup guide, then pick the pieces: an audio interface for podcasting, a podcast mixer if you have multiple mics, and a microphone boom arm. Not sure where to start? The Creator Setup Builder maps your budget to a full kit.
Podcasting is one branch of our wider content creator equipment guide.
What to look for
Dynamic mics for untreated rooms
Most home podcasts are recorded in normal rooms — a dynamic mic rejects keyboard clatter and room echo far better than a condenser.
One channel per voice
Recording each host on their own channel makes editing painless. That means an interface or mixer with enough inputs.
Boom arm, not desk stand
A boom arm keeps the mic at mouth height and isolates it from desk bumps.
Featured picks
Shure MV7+
8.6 / 10
Podcasters in untreated rooms who want SM7B-style sound without a separate interface
$279
Read review
Blue Yeti
8.6 / 10
Beginner streamers who want one mic that handles voice + room interviews
$109
Read reviewExplore this category
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best microphone for podcasting?
For most home podcasters a dynamic USB or USB/XLR mic is ideal — it rejects background noise and needs little setup. Browse ranked options in our podcasting microphone guides.
Do I need a mixer to start a podcast?
No. A single USB mic is enough to launch. A mixer or multi-input interface only becomes necessary when you record two or more mics at once.
How do I record two people?
Give each person their own microphone and record each on a separate channel using a two-input interface or a podcast mixer. This keeps voices independent for editing.
USB or XLR for podcasting?
USB is perfect for solo shows and beginners. XLR with an interface or mixer is the better fit for multi-host recording and future expansion.
What else do I need besides a mic?
A boom arm to position the mic, headphones to monitor, and — for multiple hosts — an interface or mixer. Editing software is free to start.
How much does a podcast setup cost?
A solid solo setup is around $100–$250. A two-person setup with an interface and two mics typically runs $250–$500.