Last Updated
August 29, 2023
Best Podcast Equipment for Beginners & Pros on a $100 Budget
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Are you on a tight budget, looking for podcast equipment that’ll still give you studio quality?
Well, luckily with podcasting equipment, more expensive doesn’t always mean better. You can create professional content with just a few affordable basics. At the very least you should start with a microphone, headphones, and recording software. If you can afford to invest more, it’s worth getting a few extra items like a pop filter or stand.
We’ll help you get a bang for your buck! This guide covers the best podcast equipment under $100. You’ll be recording studio-quality podcasts, for a fraction of the price, in no time.
What podcast equipment do you need for a good podcast?
When it comes to basic podcast equipment for beginners we recommend starting with a suitable budget based on what you’re able to spend. Podcast equipment can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to. Fortunately, you can get good-quality equipment at an affordable price without compromising the quality of your podcast.
Keep in mind that to complete your podcast set up you’ll need the following basics:
- Microphone(s)
- Headphone(s)
- Camera (if recording video)
- Recording & Editing Software
Extra podcast equipment that you could also consider include:
- Microphone Stand
- A Mixer
- An Audio Interface
- Pop filter
- Extra lighting
- A shock mount
When choosing what you need think about how many hosts and speakers you have as well as what kind of environment you’ll be recording in. Once you’ve made your list you can get shopping for affordable podcast equipment.
To help you out watch the video below and read on for some of the best podcast equipment in 2023, all for a budget of under $100 per item.
Best Podcast Microphones for under $100
Price: $99
Why podcasters love the Audio-Technica Consumer ATR2100x:
Designed with content creators and podcasters in mind, the Audio-Technica Consumer ATR2100x ticks all the boxes. It’s versatile, durable, easy to use, and records great-sounding audio. Plus, with its USB output, you don’t need a mixer to start recording with the ATR2100x.
Specifications:
- Type: Dynamic Handheld Microphone
- Output: USB & XLR for added versatility
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, which reduces background noise
- Frequency Response: 50 - 15,000 Hz
Other features:
- Hardwearing Metal for long-lasting durability
- Headphone jack with integrated level control so you can monitor your audio directly
- Low latency
Rode PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Podcast and Broadcast Microphone
Price: $99
Why podcasters love the Rode PodMic:
The Rode PodMic is compact and perfect for podcasting. It was built to capture speech during broadcasting and podcasting, and you can tell. Its integrated pop-filter and shock mount preserve the integrity of your audio.
Specifications:
- Type: Dynamic
- Output: XLR
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, for reduced background noise
- Frequency Response: 50 - 13,000 Hz
Other features:
- Internal Pop Filter and dual-layer mesh reduces popping and protects your audio
- Internal Shockmount to minimize vibrations
- Quality metal construction with ceramic finish.
Best Podcasting Headphones for under $100
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Price: $99.85
Why podcasters love the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones:
The Sennheiser HD 280 provide accurate audio representation with great comfort levels for lengthy recording and editing sessions. Plus, according to Forbes, podcasting legend Joe Rogan swears by the Sennheiser HD280 Pro.
Specifications:
- Type: Closed-back, dynamic, circumaural headphones
- Frequency response: 8 - 25,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 113dB
- Impedance: 64 Ohms
- Connector: 3.5 mm stereo jack
Other features:
- Lightweight and portable thanks to their collapsible design
- Excellent comfort with soft earpads
- Durable and Robust
- Good sound isolation
Audio-Technica ATH M40x
Price: $99
Why podcasters love the Audio-Technica ATH M40x headphones:
Affordable headphones with accurate audio monitoring, excellent sound quality, and good comfortability. The ATH-M40x is a good rival to the ATH-M50x for a lower price.
Specifications:
- Type: Closed-back, dynamic, circumaural headphones
- Frequency response: 15 - 24,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 98dB
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
- Connector: 3.5 mm stereo jack
Other features:
- Collapsible design for better portability and compact storage
- Swiveling ear cups for one-ear audio monitoring
- Effective sound isolation thanks to the circumaural design
Best Podcasting Mixers for under $100
Behringer Xenyx 1202FX
Price: $77
Why podcasters love the Behringer Xenyx 1202FX:
The Behringer Xenyx 1202FX is a robust all-rounder that gets the job done. It offers all the functionality that a podcaster needs for a decent price. Best for podcasters who need numerous input channels.
Specifications:
- 8 input channels: 4 Mic inputs with integrated preamps and 4 Stereo Inputs
- Internal 24-bit multi-effects processor
- 1 Post Fader Aux path
- Headphone Output
- External Power Supply
Mackie 402-VLZ4
Price: $88
Why podcasters love the Mackie 402-VLZ4:
This compact mixer packs a punch. The Mackie 402-VLZ4 is portable, affordable, yet still offers full features with 4 channels.
Specifications:
- 4 Channel Mixer: 2 mono microphone/line inputs
- 1 stereo line input
- 2 Onyx mic preamps
- 2-band EQ
Choosing your mixer can feel overwhelming, follow our guide to choosing the best podcast mixer for your setup.
Best Microphone Arms for under $100
Rode PSA1 Studio Arm
Price: $91.40
Why the Rode PSA1 Studio Arm:
Perfect for podcasters, the Rode PSA1 Studio Arm is ultra-flexible to adapt to all recording environments and get the perfect mic positioning every time.
Features:
- 360-degree rotation for optimum mic positioning
- Velcro cable wrap to neatly tie cables and keep them out the way
- Desk clamp ranging up to 55 mm thickness
- Supports all microphones up to 1.1kg in weight
The Best Camera for your video podcast for under $100
Logitech HD Pro C920S
Price: $69.99
Why the Logitech HD Pro is perfect for video podcasters:
The Logitech HD Pro delivers crystal clear HD quality for a great price, what’s not to love?
Specifications:
- Max Resolution: 1080p/30fps
- Mount: Universal Mount which fits laptops, desktops, and tripods
- Field of view: 78 degrees
- Focus: Autofocus
- Connection: USB to your device
- Power: 1 A battery required
Other features:
- Privacy shutter for when you don’t want to be on camera
- Light-correction which adapts to your recording environment
- In-built microphones for podcasters who don’t have their own
Best Podcast Recording Software for under $100
Riverside
Price: Free plan, paid plans starting from $15/month
Why podcasters love Riverside:
Riverside records you and your (remote) participants in up to 4K studio-quality podcast every time. It’s sleek, easy to use, and ideal for podcasters of all levels. You can start recording on Riverside for free, but we suggest trying one of the paid plans to make the best of our features. Paid plans only start at $15/month, which we’d say its a steal.
Features:
- Studio-quality recordings with up to 4K video and 48kHz audio resolution
- Local recording so all files record on your device instead of relying on faulty internet connection
- Separate audio and video tracks for all participants to give you more editing flexibility
- Browser-based so that you don’t need to waste storage downloading any apps
- Media board for adding easy sound effects live
- Text-based video editor for quick customizations, removing unwanted sections or repurposing your podcast into shareable clips
- Mobile app so you can record on the go with any Android or iOS device. (You can even turn your phone into a secondary camera!)
- Progressive upload to minimize upload times and risk of data loss
- Producer & Audience modes that are automatically excluded from the recording
Start experiencing all these benefits and much more! Record studio-quality podcasts on Riverside.
Final Thoughts
$100 can go a long way in getting you the best equipment for your podcast. As we’ve seen, investing in your podcasting setup for the long-term doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. You can record a studio-quality podcast with a small budget and reap substantial rewards.
Now we’ve seen just how many options are out there, it’s time to get your bargain podcasting starter kit together and start recording. Start by trying Riverside.fm for yourself today for free - you won’t look back.
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