With videos and blogs listing off 20+ must-have products you might be starting to think you need to buy dozens of different new gadgets in order to record professional-looking videos. Figuring out what you really need from these lists feels like a gamble.
The truth is this doesn’t need to be difficult and you don’t need to go from zero to a hundred to level up the quality of your video content.
To help you get off on the right foot, the video team at VEED will provide you with an essential video equipment checklist in this guide.
Our team of seasoned creators and editors has not only grown our YouTube channel to more than 100K subscribers (with our second channel on its way to crossing that mark as well) but also grown multiple channels of their own. We understand the challenges of being a beginner and hope you use this list to avoid our mistakes and confidently invest in the essentials we’d recommend to ourselves if we were to start from scratch.
Jump to a specific section:
- The Essential Video Equipment Checklist (and What Our Team Recommends)
- What to Consider When Buying Your Video Gear
- Pro Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Video Creation Journey
Video Equipment Checklist Curated by Our Video Team
You’ve probably seen videos or read a bunch of different articles telling you to purchase a wide selection of gear that costs upwards of thousands of dollars. As a beginner, it’s tough to figure out where to start since every other creator recommends a different approach and product.
But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
The truth is that beginners, including some intermediate-level creators, don’t need a truckload of fancy equipment. Our video experts say these essentials are needed to create incredible videos:
- Lights
- Microphone
- Camera
- Tripod
- Memory Card
Let’s delve deeper into why these tools are vital to getting off on the right foot with your video creation journey.
1. Lights
No amount of planning or technique will result in a great video if your lighting isn’t great. When did you last watch a video shot in a dimly lit environment?
“Buying a proper light is the best way to make your content look pro, especially talking head videos.”
Salim Harinck, Video Editor at VEED
Aside from the fact good lighting makes a video look professional, it also allows you to set a mood for your video — think saturated and grey for a more serious subject and light and warm lighting for more upbeat content. You want to create an atmosphere that engages your audience and helps you tell your story.
Getting lighting right also helps you save time and money when editing your video. If you ensure you’ve used appropriate lighting, you won’t have to worry about fixing any discrepancies or brightness issues in the editing process. Make sure you’re happy with your set-up before you begin filming.
According to Tim Zaal, Video Content Creator at VEED, “Lighting is everything. You can have the most expensive camera, but without good lighting, the video won’t be any good. So, prioritize lighting.”
If you’re already armed with lighting equipment and wondering how best to use it, here are some tips:
- You’ll get the best results by placing your light source directly in front of you, mimicking sunlight. This is called single-point lighting. If your budget stretches to more than one light, you can use two-point lighting, placing your lights diagonally in front of you.
- Consider any reflective surfaces before filming. For example, if you wear glasses, make sure your glasses are UV-coated or anti-glare. If not, position your light higher than the glasses and move your camera further away.
- Shooting outdoors? Film in the morning or the late afternoon for softer lighting, and avoid harsh sunshine.
The Video Team at VEED Recommends These Lights
Low-End: Standard Ring Light with Tripod (From $50)
Medium Budget: Led Lighting - RALENO LED VL-S192K (From $179)
High-End: VL150II 165W Daylight-Balanced Flicker-Free Constant LED Light (From $469)
2. Microphone
Second to lighting is excellent audio. Investing in a good microphone can go a long way in making your videos sound professional and is vital to communicating your video’s message.
“Having a proper microphone makes the experience way better for your viewers, and it also ups the quality instantly,” says Salim.
Creators with crystal-clear audio tend to achieve greater engagement because viewers feel they are being spoken to directly and can relate to their subject.
Here are some tips for perfectly polished audio:
- Before you press record, find a quiet place with as little background noise as possible.
- Make sure you are recording your audio in a location that doesn’t have reflective acoustics. If time allows, do a quick test recording before the main event so you know what you’re working with.
- When recording, position your mouth four to six inches away from your mic so it doesn’t sound like you’re shouting through people’s screens.
- Remember, if you end up with grainy or imperfect audio, you can use VEED’s Clean Audio tool during editing to eliminate distracting background noises but don’t rely on it to make miracles happen. Planning sound recording is best practice and will save you any frustration in the long run.
The Video Team at VEED Recommends These Microphones
Low-End: Rode VideoMicro (From $74)
Medium Budget: Rode PodMic (From $141.89)
High-End: Rode VideoMic Pro+ (From $229)
3. Camera
Not to sound like Captain Obvious, but you need a camera to shoot your videos. However, buying a new camera (or at least a costly one) should be the least of your concerns if you’re just beginning your creator journey.
According to Salim, if you have a decent smartphone you bought in the last four years, a camera is the last thing you need to worry about. The rest of the team shares the same sentiment towards buying a new or an expensive camera right off the bat.
Whatever the reason for your video, you want it to stand out from the crowd. Every content creator should have high-quality visuals to accompany their message. You're good to go as long as your viewers understand what they can see.
Here are some more tips on ensuring you get the most out of your camera:
- Consider everything in your frame. Your surroundings and background inform your viewers of the type of person you are, so it’s best to keep your background clear of clutter and ‘professional.’
- Learn your angles. Pick one that makes you feel comfortable to avoid jeopardizing your relaxed camera presence. You want to feel confident when you’re shooting, whatever the camera type, so have a practice shoot and find out what works for you.
The Video Team at VEED Recommends These Camera
Low-End: iPhone 11 Pro (From $317)
Medium Budget: Canon G7 X Mark II (From $705.00)
High-End: Sony A7 (From $1,698.00)
4. Tripod
Shaky videos can negatively impact the experience for your viewers. If your visuals are wonky, your viewers won’t take you seriously, and you will risk looking unprepared and unprofessional. Buying a tripod will save you from multiple retakes and a lot of time in the long run.
A basic tripod will do the job, but try to stay above the $30 mark. Cheaper alternatives are lower quality and need to be replaced more frequently. You don’t need to break the bank, but it may be worth getting the $50 model rather than a $20 model you’ll need to replace every two months.
The Video Team at VEED Recommends These Tripods
Low-End: Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum Tripod (From $154.00)
Medium Budget: Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Zero Series Travel Tripod (From $289.95)
High-End: 3 Legged Thing Legends Jay Carbon Fibre Levelling Base Tripod System (From $591)
5. Memory Card
It's worth remembering that if you've bought a camera, you'll need a memory card before you can go out and shoot. Nothing is more annoying than being ready to shoot only to find out you don’t have enough storage space.
You’ll need a decent memory card to shoot longer videos with the maximum resolution settings. Otherwise, you’ll have to jeopardize your content and shoot shorter videos in a lower resolution.
A memory card with generous storage and a backup card (if your budget allows) is ideal.
The Video Team at VEED Recommends These Memory Cards
Low-End: Elite Class 10 U1 V10 SD Flash Memory Card (From $9)
Medium Budget: Transcend UHS-I U3 SD Memory Card (From $10)
High-End: SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card (From $44)
What to Consider When Buying Your Video Gear
Before you add every recommended product to your basket, it’s best to weigh up the following factors and be sure you’re making the most of your budget.
Purpose and Location
It's wise to plan where you'll record and why ahead of your shoot. Start with deciding on the purpose of your video.
"Consider what type of videos you'd like to create first. It helps you to narrow down what you truly need," says Tim.
Are you planning to shoot some short product reviews? You're better off filming these in your bedroom or home studio, where you can control the lighting. Or perhaps you're shooting a travel vlog, which will require a lot of outdoor shots. When recording outside, it's sensible to scout out your locations beforehand so you can determine the most suitable spots for recording.
You want your location to reinforce your message to your viewer. If you want a more personal feel for your video, you should record somewhere that relates to the subject of your video.
It's also important that your background doesn’t distract your viewers, so try to avoid crowded places if you can and ensure that sunlight is working to your advantage.
Balance
Maintaining a balance in your video production process is vital. If you use your budget on expensive equipment but haven’t planned your video's intention, location, or story, you’ll struggle to get much engagement.
"The most expensive equipment isn't always the best option. It also doesn't automatically improve your content."
Ryan Hall, YouTube Content Creator at VEED.
Carefully plan out your budget and decide how to use it best. If your cents don't stretch to a pro lighting setup, find a location where you can work around natural lighting. Tripod looking a little off? Go DIY with whatever you have around the house. Your main focus should be creating a video with a message you're proud of, using the tools you can afford.
Salim says that spending 90% of your budget on one type of equipment is never a good idea. A pro camera won’t do you any good if you decide to be thrifty with your lighting.
Reviews and Tutorials
The last thing you need is to spend a considerable amount of money on a piece of equipment only to find out it’s not quite what you were looking for. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, it’s always helpful to check out various online reviews and tutorial videos for peace of mind.
Tim says, “When purchasing video equipment, I always look at unboxing/tutorial videos and reviews before I buy anything. This is super helpful, and most of the time, it saves you money!”
According to Digital PR World, 91% of consumers regularly read online product reviews, which is a testament to how useful it is to research before buying. We all know the importance of ‘quality over quantity,’ so apply this thinking when writing your equipment shopping list.
If you’re looking for unbiased product reviews, Reddit is a reliable source for neutral recommendations from creators.
Pro Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Video Creation Journey
Beginning your journey as a creator can be intimidating without reassurance, especially when you’re a team of one. Your confidence will grow as you experiment with video-making and find your groove. Arm yourself with these tips on getting started, and you’ll be good to go.
Start Small Before Committing to Expensive Gear
When you're just starting out, it's important to remember not to go big right off the bat. Get comfortable with shooting content, and then slowly upgrade your gear.
Ryan says, "I started my channel with a $100 Panasonic G7 camera. It's very lightweight and even films in 4K. It's a great entry-level camera. Once I was comfortable with it, I upgraded to my first Sony A7 camera, which is much more pro and expensive. But at that point, I knew I could get the best out of it."
Everybody starts somewhere, and it's best to find your feet before you blow your budget. Remind yourself that you're not in a race to become the best creator, and nourish your creative process.
Don’t Overcomplicate Your Setup
When you're constantly feeling bombarded with products and tips on mastering your setup, it's easy to get ahead of yourself and, budget-allowing, accumulate equipment that you don’t even need
Ryan shares, "I am looking into buying a teleprompter to help film my scripted videos — but I've never used one before. So, I am buying a very affordable option from Amazon to see if I like using a teleprompter. I can then upgrade further down the line if I want to. You could also try borrowing gear from a friend to try it out."
You will know what equipment is necessary for your workflow once you get into the swing of things, but why not ask around your networks to see if any friends or colleagues have equipment you could borrow to test out? That way, you're not lumped with a pile of useless tools gathering dust.
Experimenting with new equipment is fine if you keep sight of your intent. Ultimately, having the shiniest tools in the game won't serve you if your content is lacking.
Take the Leap and Start Filming Today
The long and short of it is you’ll only reach your creative milestones if you take the leap and get going. The right equipment is essential, but don’t risk overthinking your process and hit that ‘Record’ button ASAP.
If you’re looking for more advice on getting started, read our blog post on creating talking head videos to nail the format from the get-go. Compile your essential gear and embark on your content creation journey today. We’ve got you every step of the way!
