Best Budget Podcast Bundles: Squarock COMMANDER Complete Review 2025

If you’re getting ready to launch a new podcast, you may be considering one of Squarock’s podcast equipment bundles. These affordable kits contain (almost) everything you need to record, mix, and publish a podcast.

There are 10 different podcast bundles you can get from Squarock, although we’re only focusing on the two most popular here: the COMMANDER M1 bundle for two and the COMMANDER M100 bundle for two. Each of these comes with a podcast mixer/interface, microphone(s), cables, and unique bells and whistles, all aimed to remove friction as you continue to improve and grow your podcast.

We’ll compare and contrast both bundles below so you can determine which option is right for you. We’ll also compare three different alternatives in case Squarock’s options don’t meet your needs. For a broader view of the landscape, our guide to podcast equipment bundles covers options across every price point and use case.

Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundles at a glance

Squarock’s podcast equipment bundles vary by microphone type, headphone configuration, included software, and price. The table below breaks down every bundle side by side so you can compare at a glance.

Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundle features

Squarock offers two main podcast equipment bundles, the COMMANDER M1 and COMMANDER M100, each including a mixer, microphone, and earphones, with the M1 for solo hosts and the M100 designed for two-person shows.

Squarock is a newer podcast equipment company that’s been offering podcast bundles since 2020. They are widely known for their COMMANDER M1 Kickstarter campaign, and today offer kits with professional-grade equipment.

The COMMANDER M1 and COMMANDER M100 are some of Squarock’s most popular mixer bundles. They also come with plenty of equipment to make your show a reality.

Here’s what you can expect from each one.

COMMANDER M1 bundle

Some people see the COMMANDER M1 as a budget alternative to the RØDE podcast bundle (more on this later). It includes everything you need to get your show up and running, including a microphone, M1 mixer, and a pair of earphones.

Here are some features of the COMMANDER M1:

• 48-volt phantom power
• 4 microphone-in inputs
• Modes for noise reduction, auto-tune, music only, loopback, side chain, and more
• 8 customizable sound pad buttons (and 4 additional buttons with 8 preset sound effects)
• 4 adjustable knobs for treble, mids, base, and pitch
• Bluetooth connection for music playback

COMMANDER M1 bundle pros

• This bundle comes with extra accessories like shock mounts and foam covers.
• It costs much less than most of its competitors, which proves you don’t need a large budget to get started with podcasting.
• The bundle is a fan favorite for customers. As of the time of writing, it’s maintained a five-star rating.

COMMANDER M1 bundle cons

• You only get earphones — not headphones — with this bundle. You may need to purchase higher-quality podcast headphones. 
• The COMMANDER M1 bundle does not support USB microphones. This may be frustrating if you’re hoping to use USB mics you already own.
• You don’t get any editing software with your purchase of the COMMANDER M1.
• You sometimes need adapter cables to connect your phone to the COMMANDER M1, such as a Lightning or Type-C to 3.5mm. But this podcast bundle doesn’t come with these — you need to purchase all adapters separately.

COMMANDER M100 bundle

The COMMANDER M100 offers everything you need to start a two-person show. In return for a lower price point, you get a slightly different podcast interface.

Here are some features of the COMMANDER M100 compared with the COMMANDER M1:

• 4,000 mAh battery capacity (vs 5,000 mAh battery capacity)
• LED light indicator (vs an LED screen)
• ABS knobs (vs aluminum knobs)GAME mode (vs no GAME mode)
• 32GB Sound effect memory (vs 64MB)

COMMANDER M100 bundle pros

• You get a lot for a little with the COMMANDER M100 bundle. It’s one of the most affordable podcast equipment bundles of its kind on the market.
• The mixer itself is designed for streaming, which means you can pre-record shows or broadcast them live via streaming services.
• The addition of hook and loop tape (aka Velcro) makes it easy to secure your recording equipment.

COMMANDER M100 bundle cons

• You don’t get editing software with your purchase of the COMMANDER M100.
• Squarock doesn’t go into detail about their condenser mic specifications. If you need specific features from your podcast microphones, these may not be what you’re looking for.
• Squarock doesn’t provide detailed information about the specs or functionality of the M100. However, this may not be a limitation if you’re not looking for specific capabilities or limitations.

Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundle hardware

Both Squarock equipment bundles include a mixer, earphones, cables, and two microphones. The M1 bundle pairs with condenser mics. The M100 uses dynamic mics. Neither bundle includes podcast editing software.

This is what you get with the COMMANDER M1 bundle:

• Your M1 mixer
• STU1 condenser microphone (x2)
• Microphone suspension boom (x2)
• Scissor arms (x2)
• Microphone shock mounts (x2)
• Microphone head cover foams (x2)
• 3.5 mm wired earphones (x2)
• 2 XLR cables, USB data cables, and 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cables
• Six hook and loop tape sets (Velcro)
• Your user manual

And this is what you get with the COMMANDER M100 bundle: 

• Your M100 mixer
• Dynamic microphones (x2)
• Microphone suspension boom (x2)
• Scissor arms (x2)
• Microphone shock mounts (x2)
• Microphone head cover foam (x2)
• 3.5 mm wired earphones (x2)
• Two XLR cables, USB data cables, and 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cables
• Six hook and loop tape sets (Velcro)
• An instruction manual

You should know neither bundle comes with podcast editing software. If you don’t already own a DAW, you need to download or purchase software separately.

Should you buy the COMMANDER M1 bundle or the COMMANDER M100 bundle?

Choose the COMMANDER M1 if you want studio-quality sound and more SFX memory. Choose the COMMANDER M100 if you’re on a budget or need live-streaming compatibility.

First, you should consider each bundle’s differences:

Since the COMMANDER M1 was built for higher-quality sound, it’s best suited for podcasters who want to emulate a professional studio environment. It also comes with double the SFX memory and a more durable outer shell. 

The COMMANDER M100 is best for podcasters on a budget. It’s also compatible with live streaming platforms so you can pre-record or broadcast your show in real-time.

How to use Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundles

Squarock podcast equipment bundles include instruction manuals and take only minutes to set up. The step-by-step process is intuitive, covering microphone assembly and basic configuration before you start recording.

Here’s how to set up your Squarock podcast equipment bundle:

1. Unbox your items and set up your microphone. Depending on your recording environment or podcast bundle, this may include screwing in the stabilizer, attaching a boom, and securing the pop filter.
2. Connect your mixer to your recording device. Squarock supports Windows, Mac, Linux, and even the PS5. You also don’t need to download drivers to support your editing software (ranging from Adobe Podcast Enhance to Audacity or Adobe Audition).
3. Connect your earphones to the monitor.
4. Connect your microphone(s). Keep in mind the COMMANDER M1 does not support dynamic microphones.
5. If you want to play music in the background, you can connect your phone with the 3.5mm cable. Just keep in mind you may need to purchase an adapter, which doesn’t come with these podcast bundles.
6. Turn on the interface and adjust your audio accordingly. 
7. You’re all set. You can now record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast.

Here’s a visual guide to setting up the COMMANDER M1:

The same general steps apply to the COMMANDER M100 bundle.

Other Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundles

Curious about the other bundles Squarock has to offer?

Here are three options you may want to investigate:

• Podcast Equipment Bundle SR-AP503: Comes with an audio interface/mixer, one microphone, one XLR-3.5MM cable, one suspension boom scissor arm, one wired earphones, two USB type C cables, two 3.5mm TRRS audio cables, and a user manual for $109.99 USD.
• Podcast Equipment Kit SR-AP502S(II): Comes with your audio interface/mixer, one microphone, one XLR-3.5MM cable, one foam hood, one set of wired earphones, one charging cable, two 3.5mm TRRS audio cables, and a user manual for $89.99 USD.
• Podcast Equipment Bundle for 2: Comes with your audio interface, two sets of wired earphones, two foam hoods, two dynamic microphones, one XLR-3.5MM cable, two USB type C cables, two 3.5mm TRRS audio cables, and a user manual for $229.99 USD.

Alternatives to Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundles

Focusrite, Maono, and RØDE all offer podcast equipment bundles as alternatives to Squarock. Focusrite includes recording software and headphones. Maono matches Squarock’s pricing. And RØDE suits podcasters with larger budgets.

Squarock’s cost-effective equipment can get your podcast off the ground. But its value-centric bundles may not offer staying power, especially as your show starts to grow.

Focusrite Podcast Bundle

The Vocaster Two and the Scarlett 2i2 are Focusrite’s closest alternatives to Squarock’s bundles. But instead of adding mic accessories and extra hook and loop tape, each purchase comes with limited access to podcast recording software and closed-back headphones for easier editing workflows.

Keep in mind you get what you pay for — Focusrite bundles are much more expensive than Squarock. They do, however, come with a three-year warranty, which means you don’t have to worry about the cost of mechanical failure.

We wrote a full guide to Focusrite bundles here.

Maono Podcast Bundle

Maono is similar to Squarock in several ways: it offers dozens of equipment bundles at comparative prices. Two of its most popular bundles — the Maonocaster E2 and the Maonocaster Lite — come with earphones, pop filters, and cable accessories. 

Another similarity to Squarock’s bundles is that Maonocaster bundles don’t include editing software. If you’re not already working with a podcast DAW, you need to purchase a paid platform or use podcast AI tools instead.

You can learn more in our guide to Maono podcast bundles.

RØDE Podcast Bundle

The PodMic 2-Person Podcast Kit is one of RØDE’s most popular podcast equipment bundles. Each box comes with a Rodecaster Pro II, dynamic microphones, and NTH-100 headphones, as well as accessories like desk boom arms and XLR cables.

Because the PodMic 2 is a top-of-the-line bundle, it’s also at the top of most people’s budgets. This is a five-figure purchase at the very least, although in return you receive high-quality, long-lasting equipment.

Read more about the RØDE Podcast Bundle here.

Related Articles:

• Ultimate Guide to Podcast Equipment
• The Best Podcast Equipment Kits for Every Podcaster
• Top Podcast Recording Accessories for Beginners and Pros
• How to Set Up a Professional Podcast Studio
• Portable Podcast Setup: The Essential Gear List
• Best Laptops for Podcasting: Top Picks for Creators
• Podcast Headphones

The Bottom Line on Squarock Podcast Equipment Bundles

Squarock podcast equipment bundles deliver solid value and easy setup for beginners. Professional support takes your production quality and presence further.

But if you’re looking for an easier way to streamline podcast production, there’s not much Squarock’s bundles can do. You need the help of professionals if you want to stand out from the crowd.

At The Podcast Consultant, we make it easy to produce quality podcasts through whatever equipment you use. We can help with audio and video production — and if you’re adding cameras to your studio, our guide to podcast cameras is a good starting point, podcast audits, and even social media collateral to help you find the right audience.

Is your business podcast a good fit for our services? You can book a discovery call to find out. Once we chat about your needs and goals, we can confirm if we are a good fit and discuss the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Squarock COMMANDER M1 and COMMANDER M100 bundles?

The main differences come down to microphone type, build quality, and price. The M1 uses condenser microphones, has an aluminum build, 64GB of SFX memory, and costs $299.99, while the M100 uses dynamic microphones, has a plastic ABS build, 32GB of SFX memory, and costs $189.99. The M100 also adds a GAME mode and a second OTG/PC port that the M1 lacks.

Do the Squarock podcast bundles come with editing software?

Neither the COMMANDER M1 nor the COMMANDER M100 bundle includes podcast editing software. You’ll need to download or purchase a DAW separately, free options like Audacity work fine, or you can use paid tools like Adobe Audition.

Are the Squarock COMMANDER bundles good for beginners?

Yes, both bundles are designed to make getting started as simple as possible. Setup is straightforward and takes only a few minutes, and each kit includes everything a first-time podcaster needs to launch: a mixer, microphones, boom arms, shock mounts, and cables. The low price point also means you’re not risking a large investment while you’re still learning.

Can I use USB microphones with the Squarock COMMANDER M1?

The COMMANDER M1 is built for XLR microphones only. If you already own USB mics, a different bundle or interface will suit your setup better.

Do the Squarock bundles work for two-person podcasts?

Both the COMMANDER M1 and COMMANDER M100 bundles are specifically designed as two-person setups. Each kit includes two microphones, two boom arms, two shock mounts, and two pairs of earphones, so both hosts are fully equipped right out of the box.

What headphones or earphones come with the Squarock podcast equipment bundles?

Both bundles include two pairs of basic 3.5mm wired earphones. If you want a more comfortable or accurate monitoring experience, you’ll likely want to invest in a dedicated pair of podcast headphones separately.

Can I use the Squarock COMMANDER M100 for live streaming?

Yes, the COMMANDER M100 mixer is designed with streaming in mind, so you can broadcast live through streaming platforms or pre-record your episodes. Its GAME mode is an added perk that makes it a flexible option for podcasters who also stream.

What are the best alternatives to Squarock podcast bundles?

Three solid alternatives are Focusrite, Maono, and RØDE. Focusrite bundles cost more but include closed-back headphones, recording software access, and a three-year warranty. Maono is similarly priced to Squarock with comparable accessories. RØDE’s PodMic 2-Person Kit is a premium option with top-tier components, but it comes with a much higher price tag.

Do I need to download any drivers to use the Squarock mixers?

No driver downloads are required to use the Squarock COMMANDER mixers. They’re compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and even the PS5, making them easy to plug in and start using right away.