Streaming, using your PC for production, and podcasting can be a very, very complicated process. Or very, very simple. It depends on the equipment you choose.
Have no fear! As if I were the world's most nerdy superhero, I'm here to show you what equipment to buy to make your streaming dream come true.
We have curated the best Black Friday PC Gaming deals right here
Black Friday sales are well underway. Now is the time to equip your PC to capture your beautiful visage, dulcet tone, and sweet gaming chops.
Let's take a look at some of my top Black Friday streaming deals.
Quick Links
- $50 @ Amazon
- $119 @ Amazon
- $249 @ Amazon
- $45 @ Newegg
- $95 @ Amazon
- $120 @ Amazon
- $91 @ Amazon
- $80 @ Amazon
- Microphone & stream mixer kit: SteelSeries Alias Pro | $250 @ Amazon
1. A great microphone
You'll need a good microphone to capture sound. Even if you only plan to stream a recording of your gameplay, with a voiceover, (and many content creators and streamers do well with this), it's important to have pristine audio.
I've put three amazing microphones together, from budget to studio-level. This will ensure that your audio is the best it can be.
Black Friday budget microphone deal
Price check: Newegg $59.99
" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">The Razer Seiren V3 Mini is the best option for those on a budget. Don't be put off by its small size or discount price. --this desk mic captures excellent sound quality, looks great and takes up very minimal space on your desktop, leaving you plenty of room for the most important shot. You, then.
Black Friday mid-range microphone deal
The QuadCast is essentially the same as the HyperX Quadcast. It's just got some flashy RGB effects which will look great on your next stream. It's true that you're paying more for the lighting but it looks amazing in action.
Price check: Newegg $118.99
" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">This QuadCast is an excellent choice for any streamer. It's a crisp-yet warm audio capturing device, with an integrated "pop-filter" that removes any concerns about plosives. It also has a dazzling RGB display that looks great when viewed on camera.
Black Friday high-end microphone deal
You've come to the right place if you want the best USB Podcast microphone. This mic was so good that we bought two. Our reviewIt immediately went into a completely new category in our best microphone guide.It's one of best mics available right now, but it does require a separate boom stand or arm. It would make a great streaming companion too.
Price Check: Shutter $249
" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">This is my favorite vocal recording microphone and our top pick as the best microphone for podcasting. This means it's great for streaming, but you'll need to purchase a boom arm to get it close to your face. I'm a fan of Tonor arms.
It's an audio recording machine that is easy to use. Install the Shure Motive Mix Software, plug it in and it will capture the best sound you can get outside of a professional recording studio setup.
2. A webcam that delivers high-quality images
If you want to capture your roguish looks on camera, then you will need a camera that is able to do so with minimal fuss.
Even though webcams are expensive, you can still find budget models that will do the job. This is especially true if you're planning to shrink yourself to a small portion of the video to show gameplay footage.
If you plan to take a lot of pictures of yourself, or maybe unboxing videos, you'll want something more high-end. I've found some great deals on webcams that are perfect for each price range.
Black Friday webcam deals
You may need a webcam that is good for the price. In this case, you will want a Logitech C920. We chose the S model because it is on sale and it is just as good as the others. You'll see this model in the webcam position on most monitors.
Price check: Amazon $49.99 for C920x model" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
If you are just starting out and plan to use your webcam only for a picture in picture spot on a game stream, any Logitech C920 model will be fine. We recommend the Streamplify Cam for streamers as our top budget pick, but it is currently hard to come by in the US. This Logitech wins for its price/performance combination.
This version comes with a privacy shield that can be flipped down. It's easy to lose track of the fact that you are still in real life, so having a backup is always a good idea.
Black Friday deals on mid-range webcams
You may have noticed many streamers sitting in dark rooms with neon lights to make it look glow-y. This is a good look (and we've got some lights below that would work), but you'll also need a camera with better low-light capture than most.
Enter the Razer Kiyo Pro. In our review, we found that it was the best webcam we've tested for low-light situations. It's currently available at Amazon for less than half its MSRP. It's not the easiest to use, but it is a cam that can handle challenging lighting conditions better than any other.
Black Friday deals on high-end webcams
Facecam MK.2 offers a superb HDR image and can record uncompressed video in 1080p at 60 fps or 720p at 120 fps. It is a streamer's best friend. The software is also fantastic, which is a nice change.
Price check: Elgato $119.99" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
We recommend the Elgato Facecam MK.2, and I'll just leave it at that. Buy it now while it's discounted. Nah, just kidding, you need more, don't you? It records 1080p video at 60 fps. This means that you get an image quality that is superior to any other cam in this price range.
In our review, we found that it has an excellent HDR feature. This is a real boon. It's also small and discrete, but still performs better than larger models. The software is outstanding and makes it so much easier to set up. At this price? It's a pretty simple decision, if I may say so.
3. Lights, Camera, Action
You've sorted out the audio, and your new cam will be on its way to you - now you just have to work on lighting.
Yep, it's important. If you rely solely on the bright screen light or a desk lamp in the back, you may still look amateurish. And that's not what we're going for. We want your recording space and you to look the best. Here are a few recommendations that will help you achieve this.
Black Friday key light deal
This Neewer set is almost a buy one get one free deal. This 2-pack comes with a 46% off and is the cheapest price for these lights since CamelCamelCamel began keeping records. Not only are the lights included, but also the stands, batteries, power plugs and even the carry case. The only downside is that the lighting temperature is limited, but it's still enough for video, streaming or product photography." data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
Key lights are the best way to make sure you look your best on camera. There are many different ways you can utilize them. This double-bubble kit is the perfect way to start.
You can use this package for anything you can imagine in the world of video production. It includes lights, stands and power plugs. You won't regret investing in them.
Black Friday wall light deals
$119.99 Save $40 on Amazon's $79.99 priceThis is the non Eva version of the wall light that we sell. Hope Corrigan reviewedIt is a spectacular experience. It may not be. You can also read more about it here.It's not as flashy as Eva, and only has 3 bars instead of 6, but it is also much cheaper, especially after this incredible discount." data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
You want the streamer glow, then? I can't say that I blame you. This wall light set is the perfect way to achieve this look.
It was so impressive that we included it as the top recommendation for wall lights in our guide to the best desk lighting. This is a high compliment indeed. With $40 off, you can save some money and use it to purchase some of the streaming equipment above.
4. Wildcard audio and stream control setup
Even with the discount, it's still a costly proposition, but SteelSeries' Stream Mixer package, in conjunction with the Stream Mixer, makes for a smooth stream experience. The mic is good, and as we discovered in Our reviewIt's a bit like a star package in general.
SteelSeries $249.99
" data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">It can be difficult to control all your inputs, outputs and streaming audio on the fly. The SteelSeries Alias Pro Kit makes it easy.
You get a microphone that is up to par with the best models we've seen, as well as a Stream mixer that lets you assign custom controls and acts as a powerful Preamp.
SteelSeries Sonar software (all ess sound at once) is very good at simplifying complex audio controls into a single slider. Its drag-and-drop functionality makes juggling your various configurations much easier than they would otherwise be.
Its built-in Sonar AI noise cancelling plugin is also very effective at removing background sound. You'll still need to buy a webcam, some lights and the price is still high even with the discount.
This setup will keep you calm -- so you can focus on the subtle art form of performance, rather than getting lost in the settings menus.
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