What Should You Buy During Amazon’s Big Spring Sale If You’ve Always Dreamed of Starting a Podcast?
Over the years, I’ve created quite a few podcasts, both professionally and just for fun, and I’ve watched them become cheaper and easier to produce. So if you’ve always wanted to start a podcast, now’s the time. Amazon’s spring sale offers a huge selection of podcasting gear, so you can get at least a decent sound system for under $150—but if you’re willing to spend a little more, more advanced gear is also on sale. Here’s a guide to what you’ll need, depending on your budget.
Comprehensive Podcast Solutions
Recording a podcast is virtually effortless with one of the all-in-one solutions below. These kits include an audio device and microphone (or microphones) ready to connect to your computer or phone, so you can get started right away.
The cheapest option
The ALSO GO Upgraded Podcast Equipment Bundle for two includes an audio mixer, a pair of microphones, and headphones for monitoring. To get started, you only need a computer or phone, and it’s currently on sale for $49.29. It allows you to create decent podcasts that are better than your phone’s built-in microphone, and it includes sound effects activated at the touch of a button and a voice-altering feature. If you’re just starting out, it’s a great starter kit, but such inexpensive equipment has its drawbacks. If you’re ready to take things to the next level, read on.
A mid-range podcasting package
The MAONO AU-AM200-S1 Mixer Kit : This is a significant upgrade in quality over the previous option, yet still under $100 during the Amazon sale. The price has been reduced from $128.53 to $94.98. Unlike ultra-budget mixers, this mixer features a two-level noise-cancelling chip for noise reduction and is also Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to stream music or a guest’s voice without cables.
A more advanced version of podcasting
SquarockTek Podcast Bundle for Two : If you’re looking for professional sound right out of the box, this high-quality option is on sale for $254.99 (originally $299.99) and includes hybrid XLR/USB condenser microphones. There’s even a guitar port.
Additional microphones for podcasting
All-in-one kits include microphones, but if you’re looking to add another co-host, try the Logitech G Yeti Orb . This streamer-friendly USB-C microphone is an easy-to-use option for $49.99, 30% off the retail price of $70.
Headphones for monitoring
No matter how good your microphones are, it means nothing if you can’t hear your mix, so you need monitoring headphones. These wired, over-ear headphones from OneOdio are the perfect solution. On sale for $27.99, they’re more than loud enough to hear even when the sound level is off the charts, and they come with a cable that plugs into both the 3.5mm jack on your laptop and the 6.35mm jack on your mixer.
Microphones for mobile podcasts
If you plan to take your performances on the road, you’ll need microphones. These DJI Mic Mini lavalier microphones are wireless, have a 300m transmission range, and built-in noise cancellation. They connect directly to your phone and are on sale for $45. But if you want to save even more, consider the Mini Mic Pro ; two of these microphones cost $18.28, a 39% discount on the original price.
A laptop capable of processing audio and video.
Your PC (or Mac) is probably fine for basic podcast production, so I’m not including it in the price comparison, but just in case, this discounted computer will easily handle all your podcasting needs.
Acer Aspire 14 AI Laptop : Available for $899.98, a 34% reduction from its original price of $1,359. This PC comes with 32GB of RAM, plenty for audio and video editing. The processor is powerful enough to handle real-time noise reduction, so your living room can sound like a studio. It comes with a USB hub with HDMI, USB-A, USB-C ports, an SD card slot, and Ethernet, so you can connect anything you want. Weighing just 3.09 pounds, you can record remote scenes without any hassle.
Other podcasting gear you’ll need but might not think about.
Acoustic treatment
The classic solution to the “wow, the living room echoes terribly” problem is to hang up a bunch of blankets and record audio in a closet, but you might be able to get by with a less DIY solution like this $33.99 microphone stand with a sound-dampening baffle .
USB hub
You’ll need more ports. Something like this Powered USB Hub 3.0, which is currently on sale for $22.09. Power is key to ensure a steady flow of power and prevent your laptop’s battery from draining.
Backup storage
It might be overkill, but if you’re recording on the go, the audio files can be quite large, so you’ll want to make sure you can store them off your phone. Here’s a terabyte external drive for $127.49.
Cables and cable management
You’ll need cables. If you’re using a 3.5mm jack (like the ALSO GO or MAONO kits), you might want to replace the included cables with gold-plated ones to prevent corrosion. These 3.5mm cables cost just over $5 . Don’t forget about cable management, either. These Velcro cable ties are probably the best buy at $13.59.
Bottom Line: How Much Does It Cost to Launch Your Own Podcast?
You could record a (very amateur-sounding) podcast on your phone for free, but we’re not animals, so here’s a detailed cost breakdown for three levels of podcasting.
We Are Not Animals Starter Kit: ~$145.
This is the bare minimum for a setup that doesn’t sound like you’re recording audio inside a trash can.
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Bundle: Also an upgraded ALSO GO podcasting set for two ($49.29)
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Includes: OneOdio wired over-ear headphones ($27.99), mic stand with sound-isolating shield ($33.99), powered USB hub ($22.09), and Velcro cable ties ($13.59).
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Total: $146.95
A mid-range option ideal for guests: ~$193.
This is the best option. You get a much better mixer and a cleaner signal for under $200.
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Kit: MAONO AU-AM200-S1 ($94.98)
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The kit includes: headphones, hub, soundproofing screen and the Velcro fasteners listed above.
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Total: $192.64
Almost ready for use in radio equipment consumer segment: ~350 US dollars
This kit is designed for content creators who need the most versatile setup. It includes a SquarockTek set of high-quality XLR/USB hybrid microphones, as well as proprietary monitoring headsets.
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SquarockTek 2-Person Podcast Kit ( $254.99)
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The rest: headphones, hub, sound-proofing screen and Velcro straps.
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Total: $324.66 (even if you add a 1TB backup drive for $127, it’s still significantly less than $500).