Starting a podcast requires some investment in equipment. You don't need to spend thousands, but you will need to spend something, preferably suited to your budget. Many podcasters launch successfully with under $100 of gear. Here's what you actually need.
Microphones Matter
While perhaps the cheapest option, it may not be wise to try recording with your laptop's built-in microphone when you first start. It may pick up the laptop whine, keystrokes, and even room noise. The audio quality can be quite poor and tinny too, depending on the make of the laptop.
For audio that won't annoy listeners, get a dedicated microphone. There are many good options costing less than $100: A recommendation is to use a USB microphone as these connect directly to your computer via USB, so no technical expertise is needed. Depending on the brand and make, they can give very clear sound even for an amateur setup.
The Humble Pop Filter
Those explosive sounds when you say words with P's and B's? They're called plosives, and they're irritating to listeners. A simple pop filter (a screen that sits between you and the mic) solves this problem instantly.
You can grab one for under $10. This tiny investment dramatically improves your sound quality with zero technical knowledge required.
Recording Software That Costs Nothing
Two excellent free options dominate the podcasting world:
- Audacity: Works on any computer. Looks outdated but handles everything you need—recording, editing, and adding music or effects.
- GarageBand: Comes with Mac computers. More intuitive and nicer to look at than Audacity, with all the same essential functions.
GarageBand can give more precise editing control, but both work perfectly fine for beginners.
Cover Art That Gets Clicks
Podcast directories are crowded places. Your cover art needs to grab attention in a sea of tiny thumbnails.
If you're not design-inclined, find someone who is. Many designers create podcast covers for $25-50 on freelance sites. If that's not in your budget, use Canva to create something simple but professional.
Look at your category's top podcasts. What colors do they use? What imagery? Then consider how you might stand out.
Headphones: Your Secret Weapon
Recording without headphones is like cooking without tasting. You need to hear what you're creating.
Any decent headphones work for solo podcasting. Some people may start with regular earbuds before upgrading to closed-back studio headphones. The difference can be significant in being able to hear one’s own voice clearly. This helps adjust one’s speaking style and catch mistakes in real-time, not to mention your neighbour’s dog barking in the background.
If you plan to have in-person guests, keep a spare pair of over-ear headphones. Nobody wants to wear earbuds that have been in someone else's ears.
Just Get Started
Many first equipment setups may cost as little as $75 with people starting with just a USB mic and pop filter. Some of those shows grow to thousands of listeners spanning dozens of countries..
Too many would-be podcasters get stuck in research mode, comparing specs and reading reviews while never actually recording anything. Don't fall into that trap.
Buy what you can afford, learn to use it well, and focus on creating content worth listening to. Interesting conversations recorded on basic equipment will always outperform boring content with perfect audio quality.
The best podcasting equipment is whatever gets you to hit the record button.
Key Points
- You can start a podcast with less than $100 in equipment
- Built-in laptop/phone microphones produce poor audio quality
- Invest in a dedicated USB microphone that works directly on your computer.
- A $10 pop filter dramatically improves sound quality by reducing plosive sounds
- Free software e.g. Audacity or GarageBand, is sufficient for recording and editing
- Eye-catching cover art helps your podcast stand out in directories
- Headphones allow you to monitor sound quality during recording and improve editing
- Don't let equipment research prevent you from starting—good content matters more than perfect audio