What’s the Best Budget Setup for New Creators in 2025? (My Honest Take)
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 3:52 pm
When I first started making videos, I honestly thought I needed a full studio setup like those big creators. I’d spend hours watching gear reviews I didn’t even understand cameras, mics, lenses, lights. All are sounding fancy and expensive. But truth is, I started with my old Samsung phone and a desk lamp. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.
That’s what I want to talk about here. How you can start creating without breaking your bank in 2025. Gear helps, yeah, but it’s not everything. Let’s talk about what’s actually worth getting when you’re starting out.
1. Cameras – Don’t Stress It Too Much
If your phone shoots in 1080p or 4K, you’re already good. I made my first 10 videos using just my phone. The trick is to find good light and keep your camera steady. I used to stack books as a tripod (don’t laugh
).
But if you really want to buy a camera, I’d say go for something like the Sony ZV-E10. It’s simple, made for creators, and honestly doesn’t need much tweaking. I’ve seen creators shoot whole vlogs on it and it looks clean.
Question for you guys: anyone here still filming on their phone or are you already using a camera?
2. Audio Is Where the Magic Happens
Okay, this one’s big. I learned the hard way that people might forgive bad video, but they’ll leave fast if the sound sucks. My first mic was a cheap clip-on I got off eBay, and it worked better than I expected.
Now I use the Rode NT-USB Mini, which is like $100 now or so. Plug and play. No need for fancy mixers. If you’re just starting, you can even record with your phone’s voice memo and sync it later.
Quick poll: what mic are you using right now?
3. Lighting – Don’t Ignore This
Lighting changed everything for me. Like, everything. I used to film in my room at night with the ceiling bulb, and it always looked yellowish. Then one day, I tried filming by the window and boom, it was way better.
You don’t need a $200 light. My first “studio light” was a $35 ring light from Amazon. I still use it sometimes. If you want a bit more control, those small LED panels from Neewer are solid too.
How do you light your setup? Natural or artificial?
4. Little Things That Help a Lot
You’ll be surprised how much a stable tripod and clean background help. My tripod now is a UBeesize one. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn’t wobble. I also use CapCut for editing. It’s free, easy, and does most of what I need.
I see people stressing over editing software when honestly, if your story is good, no one cares what you edited on.
What do you guys edit with?
5. My Mistakes (So You Don’t Repeat Them)
Biggest mistake I made? Buying gear I didn’t even know how to use. I once bought a DSLR and just left it in the box for a month because it was too confusing. I also bought a ring light that broke in two weeks.
Start with what you have. Upgrade when it makes sense, not because someone on YouTube said you “need” it.
Ever bought something you regretted for your setup?
6. My $500 Starter Setup List
Here’s what I’d get if I had to start all over again:
Would you change anything on that list?
7. The Real Secret – Just Start
I know it sounds cliché, but the best “setup” is consistency. I’ve seen creators with full studios who never post. And I’ve seen people with just a phone build whole communities. It’s about showing up, not showing off.
So yeah, stop waiting for the perfect setup. Record that video. Upload that podcast. Your first few might suck, but that’s how everyone starts.
What’s stopping you from starting right now?
That’s what I want to talk about here. How you can start creating without breaking your bank in 2025. Gear helps, yeah, but it’s not everything. Let’s talk about what’s actually worth getting when you’re starting out.
1. Cameras – Don’t Stress It Too Much
If your phone shoots in 1080p or 4K, you’re already good. I made my first 10 videos using just my phone. The trick is to find good light and keep your camera steady. I used to stack books as a tripod (don’t laugh
).But if you really want to buy a camera, I’d say go for something like the Sony ZV-E10. It’s simple, made for creators, and honestly doesn’t need much tweaking. I’ve seen creators shoot whole vlogs on it and it looks clean.
Question for you guys: anyone here still filming on their phone or are you already using a camera?
2. Audio Is Where the Magic Happens
Okay, this one’s big. I learned the hard way that people might forgive bad video, but they’ll leave fast if the sound sucks. My first mic was a cheap clip-on I got off eBay, and it worked better than I expected.
Now I use the Rode NT-USB Mini, which is like $100 now or so. Plug and play. No need for fancy mixers. If you’re just starting, you can even record with your phone’s voice memo and sync it later.
Quick poll: what mic are you using right now?
3. Lighting – Don’t Ignore This
Lighting changed everything for me. Like, everything. I used to film in my room at night with the ceiling bulb, and it always looked yellowish. Then one day, I tried filming by the window and boom, it was way better.
You don’t need a $200 light. My first “studio light” was a $35 ring light from Amazon. I still use it sometimes. If you want a bit more control, those small LED panels from Neewer are solid too.
How do you light your setup? Natural or artificial?
4. Little Things That Help a Lot
You’ll be surprised how much a stable tripod and clean background help. My tripod now is a UBeesize one. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn’t wobble. I also use CapCut for editing. It’s free, easy, and does most of what I need.
I see people stressing over editing software when honestly, if your story is good, no one cares what you edited on.
What do you guys edit with?
5. My Mistakes (So You Don’t Repeat Them)
Biggest mistake I made? Buying gear I didn’t even know how to use. I once bought a DSLR and just left it in the box for a month because it was too confusing. I also bought a ring light that broke in two weeks.
Start with what you have. Upgrade when it makes sense, not because someone on YouTube said you “need” it.
Ever bought something you regretted for your setup?
6. My $500 Starter Setup List
Here’s what I’d get if I had to start all over again:
- A phone with a tripod
- Fifine K669B mic
- Cheap ring light or window light
- CapCut or VN app
- Headphones for monitoring
Would you change anything on that list?
7. The Real Secret – Just Start
I know it sounds cliché, but the best “setup” is consistency. I’ve seen creators with full studios who never post. And I’ve seen people with just a phone build whole communities. It’s about showing up, not showing off.
So yeah, stop waiting for the perfect setup. Record that video. Upload that podcast. Your first few might suck, but that’s how everyone starts.
What’s stopping you from starting right now?