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The 25 Best Smart Devices for Live Streaming

Upgrade your streaming setup with the best cameras, mics, lighting, and smart gear—perfect for beginners to pros.

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Live streaming has evolved beyond computers and webcams. Today’s content creators rely on media streaming devices, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs to enhance, support, or stream live.

We all know about typical media streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast, but what about the smart devices you can use for live streaming? These are our top 25 picks for getting your stream out there.

Best Cameras for Live Streaming

The camera you use directly impacts the quality of your stream and whether it will appeal to other viewers. These are our top choices.

Sony ZV-1 II

Amazon

Sony ZV-1 II

A compact camera that features 4K video, a flip-out screen, advanced autofocus, and USB streaming in a lightweight, travel-friendly design, it’s a favorite. The image quality is top-notch, and it comes with a multidirectional microphone for streaming on the move.

See Pricing on Amazon

Best Microphones for Streamers

Elgato Wave Neo USB Condenser Microphone on Amazon.Elgato Wave Neo USB Condenser Microphone on Amazon.Amazon

Quality always matters; these microphones will make your voice heard loud and clear.

Blue Yeti

Amazon

Blue Yeti Microphone

A well-known plug-and-play with no extra software necessary, it has four pick-up patterns, so it’s flexible whether you’re streaming solo, doing interviews, or capturing ambient sound. The built-in LED meter helps monitor your levels on the fly.

See Pricing on Amazon

Best Lighting for Live Streaming

A photo of a in-home gym with Cync Reveal smart lights.GE Lighting's Cync Reveal smart lights.GE Lighting

Like photography, good lighting is a deal-breaker. These lights give you the right illumination in every circumstance.

Elgato Key Light

Amazon

Elgato Key Light

Ideal for streamers, the light mounts to your desk via a clamp and connects wirelessly to your PC or phone using Wi-Fi. You can control brightness (up to 2800 lumens) and color temperature (2900K – 7000K) for warm or cool lighting. It’s bright enough to replace a softbox.

See Pricing on Amazon

Top Capture Cards

Taking the video signal from your source device to a computer, these are our favorite capture cards.

Elgato HD60 X

Amazon

Elgato HD60 X

This external capture card lets you stream or record 1080p at 60fps while passing through up to 4K60 HDR10 to your monitor. It supports VRR and works with both PCs and consoles.

See Pricing on Amazon

Smart Accessories for Streamers

Everything is going smart these days, and your accessories can too.

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

Amazon

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 – Studio Controller

With 15 customizable buttons, you can assign actions like switching scenes, muting your mic, or sending messages in chat. It speeds up your workflow and helps avoid mistakes midstream. You can also create folders and multi-actions for advanced control.

Learn more about Elgato Stream Deck Lineup

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Headphones and Audio Monitors

a photo of a happy gamer with no lag time.

A gamer who solved his lag issues with excellent headphones and a monitor.

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Whether you’re streaming a podcast or playing Minecraft on a dedicated server, good input and output audio is key to live streaming success.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

GearBrain
audio-technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless Headphones unboxed

These studio-grade headphones, featuring crystal-clear sound and deep bass, are closed-back, which blocks out background noise and prevents microphone bleed. They’re comfortable for long sessions and trusted by audio pros.

Read our full review.

See Pricing on Amazon

Smartphones and Tablets: More Than Just Accessories

photo of new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 SmartphonesiPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingApple

Phones and tablets aren’t just used for watching streams. They increasingly act as mobile streaming studios and control panels, and their portability and app compatibility make them vital parts of your toolkit.

iPhone 15 Pro

Amazon

iPhone 15 Pro

This phone shoots 4K60 video with cinematic stabilization, making it a strong option as a streaming camera. Apps like Camo turn it into a webcam, and you can also use it as a second monitor or portable control deck.

See Pricing on Amazon

Extra Tools That Make a Difference

Use these tools to elevate your streaming once you have all the basics.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Mesh Wi-Fi 6E

GearBrain
Tp-Link Deco AEX5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E towers

Buffering ruins streams. This mesh system offers fast, stable Wi-Fi across your space, with support for 6GHz bandwidth. When used with Roku devices, it can significantly improve your streaming experience by providing faster speeds, reduced buffering, and more reliable connections throughout your home.

Read our full review.

See Pricing on Amazon




Final Thoughts

Tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and smart home ecosystems are reshaping what it means to be “streaming ready.” Devices like Roku have evolved into full-fledged smart home hubs, expanding our understanding of the role of streaming brands.

You don’t need all 25 of these products to get started, but choosing the right mix can elevate your setup and create a more professional, reliable stream. Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, investing in smart streaming tools pays off.

Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine, to see the other compatible products that work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant-enabled devices.


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