Need to unplug from the world for a bit? Here’s everything you’ll need to start game streaming for under $500 this Black Friday
Bad vibes got you down? Build community while you game with these Black Friday deals
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The world is always a stress-filled place, and things have become even more hectic lately. Throw in the chaos of the holiday season and finding the perfect holiday gift in the mix and you have a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Thankfully, there are plenty ofBlack Friday dealsto take advantage of right now, especially if you want to log off real life for a bit and start streaming your favorite games. To help you get started, this guide will show you everything you need for under $500 total so you don’t have to break the bank.
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With options like theRazer Kiyo streaming webcam for $44.95 at Amazon, theHyperX SoloCast USB microphone for $50.99 at Best Buy, theInnoGear MU078 microphone arm for $22.99 at Amazon, theElgato Stream Deck MK.2 selling for $130.44 at Amazon(whichwe reviewedand loved), and theHyperX Cloud II Wireless for just $84.99 at HP.comwill get you streaming in no time (total price: $334.36, minus taxes and shipping).
There are a lot of ways to get equipped if you’ve been wanting to get into Twitch, Kick, or YouTube streaming. And why wouldn’t you want to share the hobby of gaming that you love and build the community that you need when the world can be full of stress and angst? Fortunately, this is the perfect time to pick up all the equipment to get started, including some of thebest webcams,best streaming microphones, and more.
Today’s best streaming equipment deals
Below, you’ll find great deals on the five essential pieces of equipment you’ll need to get started with game streaming (other than having agood gaming PC).
Webcams
Still sitting atop out list of best webcams, the Logitech C920 will get you crisp 1080p@30fps video at an affordable price. It’s not the very best quality out there, but even for its retail price, you can’t find many better. The fact that it’s even cheaper at Walmart for Black Friday just makes it that much of a better value.
The Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam is currently over half off right now, bringing the price down to this high quality and already affordable webcam down tounder $45. It comes with its own ring light and has choices between 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fps.
For those who want to go all in on a webcam can’t go wrong with the Insta360. It’s easily one of the best webcams you can buy, with AI head tracking to keep you in frame, up to 4K video at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and automatic privacy mode when shutoff. It’s not cheap, but right now it’s40% off at Amazon, so its a great time to buy it if you want to make the investment.
Microphones
The Fifine A6NEO is a great option for those on a budget, especially with this deal, as it features an included pop-filter, pivot mount for boom arm attachment, and a gain control knob on the bottom to make on the fly adjustments. The audio quality isn’t as good as more expensive mics, but for beginners, you can’t go wrong—even more so now that it’s20% off.
In ourHyperX SoloCast review, we found that while it was light on features and the sound quality wasn’t spectacular, it was an exceptional value for its price. Now, it’s an even better value thanks to this Black Friday Best Buy deal that’llsave you 15%.
This mic from the well-known Blue Yeti line isover 30% off right now, and comes in both black and midnight blue for the same price. It’s compatible with both PC and Mac, features four Polar Patterns, has studio quality sound, and a Plug and Play-Blackout.
Boom arms
Plenty of beginning streamers don’t realize the need for boom arms until they content with a mic that constantly falls or can’t be adjusted well. But this Sunmon QuadCast is very basic, but it’s an affordable and versitale option if you just want to test the streaming waters, matching most mic types as it can convert from 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch thread. You can’t ask for more forjust $19.99.
This InnoGear microphone stand features a lot of compatibility with 3/8" and 5/8" mic threads, but also includes a lot of extras like a pop filter and a windscreen for your mic at a great price. Normally a great value for the price, it’s even better with this23% discount.
In you’re looking for a more low-profile boom arm for your mic, this InnoGear arm is 360-degree-rotatable, is compatible with many of the most popular microphones, and features mic clips for 3/8" to 5/8" mic threads. While normally rather pricey, it’s price got a34% cutfor Black Friday, making it a great, premium-feeling option.
Stream controllers
Stream controllers are one of the most essential tools you can get for streaming, as it puts all of your most-needed programmable commands right at your fingertips. Stream controllers can be expensive, but the AmpliGame Stream Controller has 15 programmable buttons for a very accessible price with this27% discounton Amazon.
Elgato Stream Decks tend to be expensive, but the Stream Deck Neo offers a more affordable entry point for many users. With 8 customizable keys, you won’t have as much control as its larger siblings, but for first time users, this is a great option, especially with this15% discountfor Black Friday.
OurElgato Stream Deck MK.2 reviewdetails what makes this stream controller so good. Between its excellent design, great stream integration, and the fact that it doubles as sound board, it’s a catch even without the sale that cuts out13% offthe original price.
Headphones
Razer’s Kraken V3 line of gaming headsets are among the best, and the Kraken V3 X is already Razer’s more affordable model of the three. It doesn’t have the 50mm drivers or detachable mics of its more expensive siblings, but its 40mm drivers and 7.1 Surround Sound still gives you plenty of immersive sound. Now 36% off at Amazon, it’s a great option for those who are looking for a cheaper headset without sacrificing too much on quality.
In ourHyperX Cloud II Wireless review, we had a couple of bones to pick with the headset, like its lack of 3.5mm connection and lack of Xbox console support. But we absolutely loved its positional audio quality, solid build, and long battery life, and for game streaming, you really can’t miss for a wireless headset at this43% discounted price.
These headphones are not only wireless but high-quality noise cancelling, perfect for gaming and streaming without distractions. They have up to 24 hours of battery life before charging and come in several colors for the same price. And now are a true deal thanks to itsover 40% price cut.
The five most essential kit you’ll need to start streaming (other than a PC)
In order to start streaming, you’ll need some basic equipment, mainly five items: a microphone for streaming, a webcam, a boomarmto hold the mic, a stream deck for app controls, recording, and other functions, and a pair of headphones.
What to know about starting to stream your gaming
Of course, you can always purchase more specialty equipment the more invested you become in streaming. Good examples include sound dampening to keep outside audio out of your livestream feed, a pop filter that controls excess noises while speaking, monitor isolation pads to reduce vibrations, and so on. But the five pieces of kit listed above are the essentials you’ll need to get started.
Video game streaming has been a popular hobby for quite some time now, being able to play your favorite games and indulge in a treasured hobby or make a living off something you truly love to do. Websites like Twitch andYouTubemake it even easier to share that passion and build a community around like-minded people.
With inflation, politics, and general bad vibes all around, the comfort, support, and solidarity one can find in a community is absolutely vital. Thankfully, it’s never been easier or more affordable to get a hold of the equipment you need to start your streaming hobby or career for real and tune out all the noise for a little while when you need to.
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Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.
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