Budget-Friendly Streaming Gear to Kickstart Your Live Streaming Journey
In Malaysia, we are no strangers to live streamers. Love them or hate them, every social media and e-commerce platform has a livestreaming feature for users to reach a broader audience. In fact, Shopee reports that over one million Malaysians have registered to stream on Shopee Live since its inception in 2019, resulting in a 25% earnings boost for over 80,000 sellers.
Whether you’re looking to sell a product, engage with a community, or simply put your persona out there – live streaming proves to be an effective and engaging method. But it can also be daunting – particularly if you’re just starting and don’t know where to begin!
There’s no need to worry. Actually, you don’t even need atas equipment to get started. Even if you’re on a budget, you can get decent live streaming gear to launch your live streaming journey. Here are some budget streaming gear options you can consider in Malaysia.
What do you need for live streaming?
What do you need? Not a lot, truth be told. As long as you have a phone, you’re good to go. But if you’re taking incremental steps to get better, you might want to consider a few things. The three fundamental tools for streaming are a video source, an audio source, and lighting.
You can have add-ons like tripods, decos, audio mixers and all that, but these might exceed your budget and aren’t entirely necessary for those just starting out. For now, we’ll just look at the fundamentals and recommend some budget options that are easy to get.
Webcams
Live streaming right from your smartphone is completely fine, especially if you’re streaming on mainstream social media and e-commerce platforms. Many sellers stream with just their phones and still get decent picture quality.
Your favourite pro streamers might be using more atas equipment, like DSLRs, but that’s not necessary for starters. However, if you’re streaming with a PC or laptop, you do have the opportunity to make it look more professional with an external webcam. These are especially useful for Twitch streamers who rely heavily on their PCs for content.
Affordable webcams can range from just RM70 to RM250, depending on the brand. Here are some models you can consider.
HIKVISION 2MP Web Camera DS-U02
- Key Features
- 2MP CMOS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- Built-in microphone
UGREEN 2K HD Webcam
- Key Features
- 2K, 30FPS
- Auto Light Correction
- Dual-mic
Logitech Brio 100
- Key Features
- Full HD 1080p resolution
- Auto-Light Balance
- Built-in mic
Razer Kiyo Web Cam
- Key Features
- Built-in Ring Light
- 1080p at 30FPS
- Auto low-light correction
Microphones
While your phone and PC likely have their own built-in mics, we recommend using a dedicated external microphone for better sound clarity and more engaging content. You can opt for a wireless microphone like the DJI Mic Mini, or a wired microphone like those commonly used on podcasts.
For wired options, there’s a choice between USB and XLR connectivity, but XLR microphones are typically more professional and significantly more expensive. Our recommendation for novice streamers is to go for wireless or USB microphones. Here are some inexpensive options:
BOYA V10 V2.0
- Key Features
- Noise cancellation
- 9 hours usage time
- 100m transmission distance
Ulanzi A100
- Key Features
- Noise Reduction
- 5 hours usage time
MAONO DGM20
- Key Features
- One tap noise reduction
- Anti-spray screen
- RGB lights
Headsets
Headsets aren’t completely necessary if you already have a microphone. Many live streamers, especially those on TikTok and Instagram, don’t often use headsets. However, if you’re streaming on platforms like Twitch and your content is mostly PC-bound (for example, gamers), headsets can be useful for monitoring audio and interacting with fans.
Just keep in mind that if you already have a mic, you don’t need a headset with a built-in microphone. Here are a few affordable bestsellers on Shopee and Lazada:
Baseus D02 Pro
- Key Features
- 40 hours music time
- 10m communication distance
- Noise reduction
Lenovo TH30 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth
- Key Features
- 10-15m transmission distance
- 11 hours playback
- Bluetooth 5.4
Edifier K800 USB Headphones
- Key Features
- Built-in microphone
- Smart volume control
- Foam earmuffs for comfort
Lighting tools
Lights are particularly useful in elevating your live stream quality. Relying on external factors like weather can be a real dampener, especially when the video turns out dim. You don’t need an extravagant setup—a simple portable light ring will do.
Light softboxes, if you know your way around them, can illuminate your setup more effectively and offer greater flexibility. But they can be a little cumbersome to work with.
You’ll find plenty of inexpensive ring lights and softboxes on Shopee and Lazada. Some come with their own separate stands, while others might include MagSafe mounts that you can easily attach to your phone—it all depends on your streaming setup and vision.
Livestreaming is a great way to put yourself out there—whether for fun or as a marketing strategy. The best part is, it doesn’t need to cost much. A basic setup is all you need to get started, and we hope this guide has been helpful on your livestreaming journey.
As you gain more experience, you can always upgrade your gear and experiment with different setups to match your style and content. Whether you’re streaming games, hosting live tutorials, or just chatting with your audience, consistency and authenticity will go a long way. Don’t be afraid to try new things and have fun with the process!
Read more of our articles below!
