You need four things to get started: a camera (your phone is genuinely enough), decent lighting (a window or a ring light), clear audio (earphones with a mic, or a basic USB mic), and stable internet with at least 10 Mbps upload. You can start with what you already own.
Camera
A modern smartphone shoots sharp 1080p or better, making it a completely legitimate starting camera — prop it on a cheap tripod and you're set. A dedicated webcam like a Logitech C920s ($60–$80) is a natural first upgrade once you're earning consistently.
Lighting
Soft, front-facing, even light does more for your stream quality than any camera upgrade. A budget ring light runs $20–$40; a two-point softbox setup for a more professional look runs $60–$120. Facing a window in daylight works too, and costs nothing.
Audio
Not essential to start — earphones with a built-in mic held close to your mouth are fine at first. Audio matters more than most beginners expect, since viewers tolerate a soft picture far more easily than muffled sound. A basic USB condenser mic ($25–$40) is a cheap, high-impact upgrade.
Budget Tiers
- Free start: $0 — phone, window light, wired earphones.
- Solid setup: around $150 — dedicated webcam, ring light or softbox, budget USB mic.
- Professional rig: around $400 — 4K webcam, two-point lighting, premium mic.
Most models reinvest their first week or two of earnings into the next tier up — there's no need to spend anything before you've gone live even once.