If you want to enhance your podcasting setup, you may want to consider podcast starter kits. These allow you to upgrade your equipment and level upthe quality of your existing tools and hardware.
However, with so many podcast kits on the market, making a decision can be overwhelming.
That’s why we wrote this comprehensive guide to podcast starter kits — so you can compare and contrast the best podcast equipment for every podcaster.
This article explores three different types of podcast equipment kits: headphones, microphones, and accessories (such as cameras). It also suggests three options in each section depending on if you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced podcaster.
Let’s get started.
- Essential components of a podcast equipment kit
- The best podcast equipment kits: 9 options
- The bottom line on podcast equipment kits
Essential components of a podcast equipment kit
Podcast equipment kits can help you upgrade, enhance, and optimize your show. However, not every podcast starter kit is built alike — the best ones come with five essential components.
The podcast equipment kit you choose must offer:
- Quality: You want to purchase a well-designed product that will last several years. Some of the best podcast starter kits offer multi-year warranties to ensure your peace of mind.
- Accessibility: It shouldn’t be difficult to find the podcast starter kit you want. Look for kits that aren’t discontinued, hard to track down, or expensive to ship.
- Functionality: You should be able to use your podcast kit immediately. This means you shouldn’t have to worry about multi-day setup processes.
- Value: No matter what your budget is for a podcast equipment kit, you should know you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
- Compatibility. The best podcast equipment kits are compatible with third-party hardware (including mixers). They should also be compatible with multiple kinds of software and run with optimal performance.
The best podcast equipment kits: 9 options
What are the best podcast equipment kits on the market?
Let’s break down the best headphone, microphone, and accessory kits below:
Podcast headphones kit
A good pair of podcast headphones can help you monitor your audio. A great pair of podcast headphones can make recording and editing your podcast a breeze.
The following podcast equipment kits come with high-quality headphones so you can upgrade your existing podcast equipment. However, if you’re just looking for headphones without the accessories, learn more about the best podcast headphones here.
Beginner: Audio-Technica Content Creator Pack
- Price: $179 USD
- Available: Amazon
- Warranty: 4-year protection plan at $38.99 USD
The Audio-Technica Content Creator Pack comes with ATH-M20x headphones, which are widely considered some of the best closed-back headphones you can find. There’s also a headphone jack built into the microphone (the AT2020 USB+), which means you can connect your headphones directly to the mic.
The ATH-M20x headphones retail for $49 USD. You’ll save some money purchasing them in a bundle, although keep in mind they’re not Bluetooth enabled (which Audio-Technica also sells).
The Audio-Technica headphone kit comes with:
- 1 pair of ATH-M20x headphones
- 1 AT2020 USB+ microphone
- 1 microphone boom w/ integrated USB cable
- 1 stand mount
- 1 5/8″-27 to 3/8″-16 threaded adapter
- 1 mic pouch
Curious to learn more about Audio-Technica headphones? Check out our complete guide to podcast headphones here.
Intermediate: ZOOM PodTrak P4 podcast equipment kit
- Price: $389.95 USD
- Available: B&H
- Warranty: 1 year limited
If you need headphones and mics for multiple hosts and guests, the ZOOM PodTrak P4 bundle may offer what you want. This kit includes the PodTrak P4, a handheld digital recorder with four ZOOM ZHP-1 headphones so everyone on your show can monitor themselves. You’ll also get four microphones and tabletop stands, so you won’t need to crowd around a single microphone.
This is a great setup for in-person interviews with up to 4 people, but if you mostly record remotely, you may consider a more traditional podcast mixer.
The ZOOM PodTrak P4 headphone kit comes with:
- 4 ZOOM ZHP-1 headphones
- 1 PodTrak P4 mixer
- 4 ZDM-1 microphones
- 4 windscreens
- 4 ZOOM TPS-4 tabletop stands
- 4 XLR cables
We cover the ZOOM PodTrak P4 in a separate guide.
Advanced: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO podcast kit
- Price: $169.00 USD
- Available: Amazon
- Warranty: 2-year limited manufacturer warranty; 1-year extended warranty
For a podcast kit expressly for headphones, it’s hard to go wrong with the beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. This kit offers a quality pair of closed-back podcast headphones, plus everything necessary to maintain your equipment.
The cost of this kit may be higher than basic headphones, but keep in mind it comes with a multi-year warranty. You’ll also have a cleaning cloth to maintain the ear pads, as well as plenty of accessories to accommodate your existing equipment.
The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphone kit comes with:
- 1 beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones
- 1 3m straight stereo cable
- 1 drawstring bag
- 1 headphone extension cable (5 foot)
- 1 headphone splitter
- 1 6.35mm (1/4″) stereo jack plug
- 1 cleaning cloth
Want additional accessories for your DT 770 PRO headphones? Beyerdynamic also sells separate ear pads, hard cases, and carry cases.
Podcast microphone kit
The podcast microphone is the beating heart of any show. When choosing an equipment kit, you can get the right mic and convenient accessories to improve and simplify your current workflow or help start you out with the best equipment for your specific use case.
Already own decent podcast accessories? You may want to purchase a microphone by itself. Learn more about the best podcast microphones in our dedicated guide.
Beginner: MAONO AU-A04 podcast equipment kit
- Price: $47.84 USD
- Available: Amazon
- Warranty: 1 year
If you are new to podcasting, the MAONO AU-A04 podcast kit could be a good fit. Each purchase comes with podcast headphones, a microphone, an arm stand, and clamps and cables so you can customize your setup to your recording space.
You should know, however, that you may get what you pay for — user reviews say the headphones aren’t the best quality. And keep in mind the warranty is limited to 12 months, which is much less robust than the other kits on this list.
The MAONO AU-A04 microphone kit comes with:
- 1 condenser microphone
- 1 set of wired headphones
- 1 adjustable scissor arm stand
- 1 metal shock mount
- 1 pop filter
- 1 foam mic windscreen
- 1 table mounting clamp
- 1 USB-B to USB-A cable
- 1 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
We provide additional microphone options from MAONO at the bottom of this guide.
Intermediate: Samson Q2U podcast equipment kit
- Price: $99 USD
- Available: Amazon
- Warranty: 4-year protection plan at $17.99 USD
The Samson Q2U is one of the best microphones for podcasters on a budget. It also comes in an affordable kit that offers everything necessary to record quality audio.
The Samson Q2U sees far fewer returns than other microphone kits and boasts an average rating of 4.6/5 stars. However, this bundle doesn’t come with headphones as most other kits do—if you don’t already own a pair, you’ll need to purchase them separately.
The Samson Q2U microphone kit comes with:
- 1 handheld dynamic USB mic (black)
- 1 suspension/boom/scissor arm with 3/8 inch-16 threading (black)
- 1 pop filter
- 1 shock mount
For more information about the Samson Q2U microphone, read our detailed guide.
Advanced: Shure MV7+ podcast equipment kit
- Price: $299 USD
- Available: Best Buy
- Warranty: 2 years
The Shure MV7+ is a plug-and-play podcast microphone designed to work with your computer, tablet, or mixer. All you need is a podcast laptop (and podcast editing software) to start sharing your show with the world.
Keep in mind the Shure MV7+ bundle comes with a desktop stand, not a boom arm. It’s also somewhat more expensive compared to other podcast microphone kits, but with a two-year warranty, you can rest easy knowing it’s a quality purchase.
The Shure MV7+ microphone kit comes with:
- 1 hybrid output USB-C and XLR dynamic microphone
- 1 foam windscreen
- 1 3m USB-C to USB-C cable
- 1 adjustable desktop stand
If you’d like to explore a different Shure microphone (that doesn’t come in a podcast kit), you may want to consider the Shure MV7X starting at $179.99 USD.
Podcast accessories kit
If you already own headphones and microphones for podcasting, your next major purchase may be podcast accessories. These will vary widely depending on the needs of your show, but you’ll likely want to focus on:
- Podcast cameras
- Podcast lighting
- Podcast live streaming
Beginner: Blue Yeticaster podcast equipment kit
- Price: $559.97 USD
- Available: Logitech
- Warranty: 2-year limited
The Yeti line of microphones is one of the most popular Logitech products of all time. Today, the company offers an all-in-one bundle combining its Yeti Blue microphone with popular podcasting accessories.
Each purchase comes with a podcast clip camera, a streaming light, and a shock mount and boom arm. Just remember this doesn’t come cheap — you’ll pay nearly $600 USD to get each of these podcast accessories.
The Blue Yeticaster accessory kit comes with:
- 1 Yeticaster bundle (Yeti USB Microphone, Radius III, Compass)
- 1 Streamcam (HD Camera, USB-C cables)
- 1 Litra Glow (LED streaming light, cables)
If you’re curious to learn more about video-related podcast solutions, check out our guide to the best podcast cameras.
Intermediate: ZOOM Q2N-4K podcast equipment kit
- Price: $259 USD
- Available: Sweetwater
- Warranty: Free 2-year
The ZOOM Q2N-4K equipment kit can provide an immediate upgrade for podcasters relying on their smartphones to record. This 4K camera is lightweight, portable, and powerful, so you can record your show wherever it’s convenient.
The Q2N separately costs $199.99 USD, so purchasing it in a bundle offers a much better price. Just remember it doesn’t come with the basics — you’ll need to purchase headphones and microphones separately.
The Q2N accessory kit comes with:
- 1 Q2N 4K video recorder
- 1 Benro PocketPod mini tripod
- 1 AD-17 DC5V USB AC adapter
- 1 USB Type A to Micro USB B Cable
- 1 MicroSDXC card (64 GB)
If you’re curious about more video-related solutions, check out our guide to the best podcast cameras.
Advanced: RØDE RØDECaster podcast equipment kit
- Price: $1,839 USD
- Available: Sweetwater
- Warranty: Free 2-year
Live-streamed podcasts may require a lot of equipment, so professional podcasters frequently turn to the all-in-one RØDECaster streaming kit. You’ll get everything needed to record your show — including headphones, a microphone, and a mixer — as well as streaming-specific podcast accessories such as a green screen, accent light, and webcam.
You should know the RØDECaster streaming kit isn’t 100% exclusive, so you won’t get equipment solely from RØDE. Also, be aware of the above-average price point: you’ll only save $100 when purchasing everything in this bundle.
The RØDECaster streaming kit comes with:
- 1 RØDE RØDECaster Duo
- 1 Shure SM7dB microphone
- 1 Elgato streaming deck
- 1 Insta360 webcam
- 1 pair of Shure SRH440A headphones
- 1 Ikan HS-GS76 green screen (76 inches)
- 1 Shure by Gator SH-BROADCAST1 desktop boom stand
- 1 Ikan HS-LR6 streaming accent light
- 1 10-foot XLR mic cable
Curious to learn about other RØDE podcast equipment? We wrote a guide to the RØDECaster Pro 2 and the RØDE PodMic.
How to choose the right podcast equipment kit
The best podcast equipment kit for your needs is the one that best serves your use case.
Struggling to narrow down a short list of options?
Ask yourself:
- How much equipment do I need? You may need more if you’re doing most of the recording in-house.
- What is my overall budget? Some podcast equipment kits can get expensive fast.
- What tools or accessories will I need in the future? Do you plan to record video or livestream your podcast?
- Is there equipment I can live without? You may not need to purchase multiple tools for basic podcasting work.
- Where will I be recording my show? Depending on where you tend to record (in-person or virtual), you may need different equipment.
Once you’ve whittled your shortlist down, you can start the process of looking through reviews. Be sure to examine the pros and cons and look for any dealbreakers or red flags that give you pause.
You may also want to explore online video reviews that test podcast equipment kits and deliver a verdict. Plenty of unboxing videos and review channels on YouTube are dedicated to evaluating popular kits.
Alternatives to popular podcast equipment kits
If you’re not interested in purchasing podcast equipment kits, you may want to consider podcast equipment bundles. These are complete brand bundles rather than individually curated pieces that offer everything necessary to get started with podcasting.
Here are four options for your consideration:
Focusrite podcast equipment bundles: Best alternative with editing software
- Price: $299 USD
- Available: Focusrite
- Warranty: 3 years
Focusrite offers two different equipment bundles: the Scarlett 2i2 Studio, and the Vocaster Two Studio. Both of these bundles have the essentials to record a podcast, including an audio interface, podcast microphone, and closed-back headphones.
Unlike many of the podcast kits, Focusrite’s bundles offer a full three-year warranty. They also come with podcast editing software such as Ableton Live Lite and Acast Influencer. Just keep in mind these tools don’t last forever: there’s a limited period when you can utilize the software.
Here’s what you get in a Focusrite bundle:
- Microphone (type depends on bundle)
- Headphones (type depends on bundle)
- Software (type depends on bundle)
You can compare Scarlett 2i2 Studio and the Vocaster Two Studio in our comprehensive guide.
Maonocaster podcast equipment bundles: Best alternative for basic equipment
- Price: $79.99 – $169.99 USD
- Available: MAONO
- Warranty: 1 year
Maonocaster’s podcast equipment bundles are some of the most affordable on the market. For less than $200 USD, you’ll get everything you need to start recording your show.
But in exchange for MAONO’s below-average prices, you may need to contend with below-average quality. The wired earphones, for example, are likely not enough for most podcasters. You also won’t get any audio software with this bundle, which could be frustrating if you’re starting from scratch.
Here’s what you get in a Maonocaster bundle:
- 1 set of wired earphones
- 1 microphone (type depends on bundle)
- 1 mic tripod/stand
- 1 windscreen muff
- 1 charging cable
- 2 separate 2.5 mm TRRS audio cables
We cover Maonocaster podcast equipment bundles — including the Maonocaster Lite and the Maonocaster E2 — in their own separate guides.
Squarock podcast equipment bundles: Best alternative for tight budgets
- Price: $189.99 – $299.99 USD
- Available: Squarock
- Warranty: 3 years
Squarock equipment bundles began as a Kickstarter project. Today, the company sells cost-effective podcast bundles with basic equipment for one to two-person shows.
Squarock’s equipment is typically less expensive than other brands, but you won’t get quality headphones (or adapter cables) in most bundles.
Here’s what you get in a Squarock bundle:
- 2 microphones (dynamic or condenser depending on the bundle)
- 2 boom arms
- 2 scissor arms
- 2 shock mounts
- 1 podcast mixer
We take a deep dive into Squarock podcast equipment bundles in a separate review.
RØDE podcast equipment bundles: Best alternative for quality equipment
- Price: $911 – $2,347 USD
- Available: RØDE
- Warranty: 1 year
RØDE is one of the best-known audio companies creating equipment bundles for podcasters. Its three bundling options — Creator, Podcaster, and Ultimate Podcaster — offer enough equipment for one to four people.
Keep in mind a RØDE bundle isn’t cheap: the Creator bundle costs nearly $1,000 USD. You also won’t get any software with your purchase, although you can still use free editing tools such as GarageBand or Adobe Podcast AI.
Here’s what you get in a RØDE bundle:
- 1-4 microphones
- 1-4 close-backed headphones
- 1-4 PSA1+ professional studio arms
- 1-4 XLR-3 cables
To learn more, read our guide to the various podcast equipment bundles from RØDE.
The bottom line on podcast equipment kits
Podcast equipment kits can get you one step closer to recording your first-ever podcast episode. If you need a more holistic solution, you can also purchase podcast equipment bundles. It all boils down to your specific needs and preferences.
Once you have your equipment kit in place, it will be time to acquire post-production equipment.
Not sure what all this entails?
Get started with these helpful resources below: