The main microphone I use at my studio is a Shure SM7B, approximately $400.

It’s a high-quality microphone which captures excellent voice tones while also blocking extraneous noises like traffic, air conditioners, and so forth.

Because it’s not a handheld mic, it requires some sort of support. Mine is connected to my desk via a $100 Rode PSA swivel mount. (This allows me to speak into the mic without accidentally nudging it or the cord while I talk.)

When I have guests in studio, or when I’m on the road, I use handheld Shure SM58 microphones. These are comparable in quality to the other microphone in terms of quality and filtering extraneous noise, but considerably cheaper at $100 per mic.

The quality is not much different, either, so I’d highly recommend them for anyone who wants good quality mics within a more reasonable budget.

I use both this and the above SM7b interchangeably, depending on my circumstances, and listeners don’t seem to notice.

Regardless of what sort of microphone you use, you’ll need to connect it to your computer or recording device via XLR cables. (USB microphones like Snowballs use USB cords that go directly into the computer, but I advise against using these devices if you’re remotely serious about podcasting.)

Because I use handheld mics when travelling, I prefer 3-foot XLR cords, as they’re more manageable. But your circumstances will inform you of the needed length.

An audio interface allows the microphone to interact with your computer. I use a $119 Focusrite Scarlett in my home studio. I do so in conjunction with a $150 Cloudlifter, which helps raise the volume on vocals while minimizing extraneous sound.

You plug your XLR cables into the Cloudlifter, then run another XLR cable from that to the Focusrite, which converts the information into a USB cord that can then plugs into a USB port on your computer.

Alternately, you can use an H6 Zoom Recorder to interface between your microphones and computer. These are more expensive, about $360, so I wouldn’t get one unless you plan to record on the road.

When I travel I take three or four handheld mics with me, then plug them into my H6, which then plugs into the USB port on my laptop. Alternately, H6 Zooms can work as handheld field reporting microphones via a component that latches in on the top (this is typically what journalists use when talking to people on the street or in a press gaggle.)

If you’re going to have a sedentary studio, I wouldn’t bother with getting an H6. But if you travel much, they’re extremely useful given their portability.

You’ll want to have a windsleeve (foam that goes over a microphone) or a pop filter, or both. This blocks some of the air from hitting the mic as you talk, which will mitigate plosives.

I always use a windsleeve; I tend to only use a pop filter if I’m reading a monologue—I don’t like having it in front of my face when I’m interviewing someone remotely, and knowing how to properly angle a mic will largely solve for this. If you’re new, however, or if you plan to do a podcast by yourself, a pop filter is a good idea.

If you plan to interview guests remotely, you’ll want a webcam. In my experience, even if you’re only recording audio, interviews greatly benefit from guest and host being able to see each other smile, laugh, and so forth—I always record podcasts with video if I can.

I use a $200 Logitech Brio, which is of moderate quality and automatically adjusts light and focus. Were I a professional YouTuber, or working in a video medium, I would upgrade to something better. But for podcasting purposes, it’s great.

If you want something cheaper which is still better than an internal laptop camera, the Nexigo is only $70, and perfectly fine for video calls and basic YouTube recording.