Gear, by budget

Buy the mic before the light, the light before the camera body, and nothing "pro" until the cheap version is the thing holding you back.

Evergreen

Three shelves

Budget: a phone or the webcam you have, a clip-on or cheap USB mic, a window or a desk lamp, headphones you already own. Mid: a better USB or entry XLR mic, a light you can aim, a capture card if a console needs one, a Stream Deck only after your scenes are annoying to click. Pro: an interface, a treated corner of the room, a camera with clean HDMI, a second PC if the first one is actually out of headroom.

The peripherals guide has specific gear notes. Match the purchase to the next six months of videos, not to a setup photo. If you are not live, you may not need a capture card at all.

Frequently asked questions

What should I upgrade first if people say the video looks bad?

Ask whether they mean sound or picture. Fix sound first almost every time. Then light. The camera is third.