As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tested & trusted

The gear behind 500+ episodes

Every product on this page has been used in real podcast productions. No sponsored picks — just equipment that works.

Professional podcast studio with dynamic microphones

Microphones

The mic is the most important piece of your setup. Pick the right one and everything else gets easier.

Close-up of microphone and pop filter in recording studio
Industry Standard
Professional microphone with pop filter in soundproof studio

Shure SM7B

~$400

Dynamic Microphone

The broadcast standard used on virtually every major podcast. Rich, warm tone with excellent background noise rejection. The mic Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss, and 90% of top podcasts use.

Industry standard Excellent noise rejection Needs clean preamp
View on Amazon →
Best Value
Three condenser microphones arranged for sound capture

Audio-Technica AT2020

~$100

Condenser Microphone

The best starter podcast mic under $100. Clean, detailed audio with a wide frequency response. Great for quiet rooms. The XLR version is recommended over USB for upgrade flexibility.

Excellent for the price Wide frequency response More room noise than dynamic
View on Amazon →
Podcast Favorite
Microphone and pop filter in dimly lit recording studio

Rode PodMic

~$100

Dynamic Microphone

Purpose-built for podcasting. Internal pop filter, tight cardioid pattern, and rich broadcast tone. Connects via XLR — works great with the RodeCaster Pro or any interface with clean gain.

Built-in pop filter Tight cardioid pattern XLR only (no USB)
View on Amazon →
Beginner
Professional podcast studio microphones

Blue Yeti

~$130

USB Condenser Microphone

The easiest way to start a podcast — plug in and go. Multiple pickup patterns, built-in headphone monitoring, and no audio interface needed. Good for beginners, but you'll outgrow it.

Plug and play USB Multiple patterns Picks up room noise
View on Amazon →

Headphones

Closed-back headphones for monitoring during recording and editing. Accurate sound, zero bleed.

Professional headphones on music stand in studio
Studio Standard
Studio headphones in blue and red ambient lighting

Sony MDR-7506

~$100

Closed-Back Headphones

The studio standard for decades. Used in broadcast studios worldwide. Flat, accurate frequency response lets you hear exactly what your audio sounds like. Comfortable for long editing sessions.

Industry standard Flat, accurate response Non-detachable cable
View on Amazon →
Best All-Rounder
Professional headphones hanging on studio stand

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

~$150

Closed-Back Headphones

Slightly more detailed than the Sony MDR-7506 with better bass response. Detachable cables, swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring. A favorite among audio engineers and podcast editors.

Detachable cables Detailed sound Tighter clamp initially
View on Amazon →

Audio Interfaces

The bridge between your mic and computer. Converts analog to digital with clean, low-latency audio.

Audio mixing console with knobs and switches
Most Popular
Audio mixing console with colorful knobs and sliders

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

~$180

USB Audio Interface

The best-selling audio interface in the world. Clean preamps, low latency, and rock-solid drivers. Two XLR/line inputs for solo or interview recording. The 4th gen has improved preamps and air mode.

Rock-solid reliability Clean preamps Only 2 inputs
View on Amazon →
Podcast Focused
Modern recording studio with high-tech audio equipment

TC Helicon GoXLR Mini

~$250

Podcast Mixer / Interface

All-in-one podcast mixer with voice effects, sound pads, and a motorized fader. Built-in EQ, compression, and noise gate. USB audio interface + mixer in one unit. Great for live streaming.

Built-in effects Sound pads for music/SFX Software-dependent
View on Amazon →
All-In-One
Music production desk with laptop and turntable setup

RodeCaster Pro II

~$600

Podcast Production Console

The ultimate all-in-one podcast studio. Four mic preamps, built-in effects, multi-track recording, Bluetooth for phone guests, and sound pads. This is what we use at BadMic Studio.

4 mic preamps Bluetooth phone input Premium price
View on Amazon →

Essential Accessories

Complete your podcast setup with these must-haves.

Must-Have
Professional podcast boom arm setup

Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm

~$130

Boom Arm

The industry-standard boom arm for podcasting. Smooth, silent operation with internal springs and cable management. Supports mics from 94g to 1.2kg. Full 360° rotation for perfect mic placement.

Silent operation Internal cable management Premium price
View on Amazon →
Budget Pick
Microphone pop filter for clean audio

InnoGear Boom Arm

~$20

Budget Boom Arm

Best-selling budget boom arm on Amazon. Steel construction with 3.3lb capacity. Includes pop filter and thread adapters. Perfect for getting started without breaking the bank.

Great value Includes pop filter External cable routing
View on Amazon →
Sound Quality
Acoustic panels for sound treatment

Acoustic Panels (12 Pack)

~$35

Acoustic Treatment

Self-adhesive acoustic panels to tame room reflections and echo. 12"×12" polyester fiber with beveled edges. NRC 0.90 absorption. Easy DIY installation on any wall surface.

Self-adhesive NRC 0.90 absorption 12" coverage per panel
View on Amazon →

Starter Bundles

Everything you need to start a podcast — curated by budget.

Starter
~$150
  • Audio-Technica AT2020
  • Focusrite Scarlett Solo
  • Boom arm + pop filter
  • Any headphones you own
View mic on Amazon
Studio
~$800
  • Shure SM7B
  • RodeCaster Pro II
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
  • Full acoustic treatment kit
View mic on Amazon

Not sure what gear you need?

We help creators choose, configure, and optimize their podcast setup — for free.

Book a free consultation