Going somewhere? Here are 10 lightweight portable podcasting accessories I think every podcaster should own.
In podcasting, we often talk about portable podcasting gear and portable studios, where you're essentially bringing your studio with you in a slightly smaller package. That's not what this article is about. Instead, I want to share accessories that all fit in a small bag so you can continue some of your podcasting workflow on the go, and also open up opportunities to record and publish other kinds of content, not just for your podcast.
(Some of these links are affiliate links. But I only recommend what I truly believe in, regardless of earnings.)
1. Smartphone
I'm surprised how many podcasters forget how much power their smartphone has for a podcasting workflow these days. You can record video, and you can record audio with the really good internal microphone, which is much better than Bluetooth mics or wired earbud mics.
If you turn the smartphone upside down and treat it like a handheld interview microphone, it produces surprisingly good audio. Those mics keep getting better with each generation, and so do the cameras. So instead of thinking, “What's the best laptop or portable studio gear I should get?” just remember your smartphone and learn how to use the apps and tools on it.
It's crazy how some podcasters will consider spending hundreds of dollars on portable gear but won't consider spending $5 to $10 on an app that does many of the same things. Please don't be one of those people. Your smartphone can be your central computing device, especially with the latest generations that all use USB-C. That opens up all kinds of possibilities, which leads us to number 2.
2. Wireless lav mic kit
Instead of bringing your portable handheld or studio microphones with XLR cables, adapters, converters, and a Zoom PodTrak P4 or Rodecaster Duo, bring your smartphone and a wireless lav mic kit.
Yes, the quality won't be as good as a portable studio microphone, but that's often okay, especially if your audience knows you're in a different environment. They'd rather hear good content from you with slightly different audio than nothing at all. And it's so much more exciting to record on-site when you have that energy going. That excitement can be killed by, “Oh, I need to connect the microphone, pull it out of the case, hook up the XLR cable, set up the mic stand… oh, I forgot the mic stand.” All that can be a joy kill.
The kit I specifically recommend is the Hollyland Lark M2S. I love it so much that when the company learned how often I was recommending it (even showing people pictures of it on my phone at conferences), they gave me a kit. I'm very thankful to them.
Here's why I love it:
- It's super tiny.
- It has no visible branding when worn.
- It's easy to wear correctly and still look good.
- It produces really good audio for its size.
- It's under $150 for a full kit with two wireless lav mics and a receiver.
- You can choose between receiver types, including a USB-C adapter that plugs directly into a smartphone or computer.
You can discreetly clip it onto someone's clothing, and you don't have to worry about pointing a microphone back and forth between two people. It picks up both of you very well. No running a wire through someone's jacket, and no big brick hanging off their clothing.
Beyond audio-only workflows, pair it with your smartphone for behind-the-scenes videos, visual tours, live streams, shorts, or even your regular videos. So much easier than hauling cables and adapters.
3. Phone stand with selfie stick
If you're using your phone for any of this (and I recommend you do), get a phone stand that can function like a tripod. Technically, these are monopods with little feet that stick out at the bottom to keep the phone upright, and because phones are so lightweight, it works great.
You can set it on the floor to get to eye level with yourself or someone you're interviewing. If it has a selfie mode where you hold it like a selfie stick, that's useful for walking-around videos, or even interviews where both of you are wearing your wireless lav mics. Then back at your hotel room or in a conference room, set the phone on a table or desk to record your videos there.
Yes, this is lower quality than your studio setup or a mirrorless camera. But audiences are often more interested in hearing from us than in getting pristine quality. Still aim for good audio and video, just know it doesn't have to be perfect every time.
4. Miniature lighting
In my studio, I've got multiple lights giving me nice complimentary lighting. But for portable use, I'm talking about something lightweight that can even clip onto your phone.
With the brightness of modern LEDs and how well these small panels spread light, they can make your videos look so much better, especially when you're recording somewhere you don't control the lighting. Even basic clip-on LED lighting prevents the ugly, cheap look that can easily creep in. And they're not expensive.
5. USB drive
Whether USB-A or USB-C, make sure you have an adapter so it can connect to either. There will be times when you have an opportunity to get files from someone, or want to bring some of your podcast assets with you, like your audio branding or artwork, to share at a conference or event.
Even if your phone can't do exactly what you need, you might be able to borrow someone's computer and use your USB drive to move files to or from it. Very versatile and valuable to have.
6. Backup batteries
These come in different forms. Think about backups for whatever kind of batteries your gear uses. I keep Eneloop AA and AAA batteries with a charger because I have multiple devices that use them: recorders, cameras, lights, even an older mouse.
Even more versatile these days, especially since so many things use USB-C, is a portable battery pack. Plug USB cables into it and charge your phone, wireless lav kit, lighting, and more.
Get a good one. Don't go for the cheapest. I've seen off-brand battery packs claim a certain milliamp-hour rating that they don't actually deliver, and they don't last as long as they say, both per charge and over the lifetime of the battery. Stick with a name brand, and get something big enough to power your devices but small enough to fit in your bag.
7. Wired headphones
Don't think of your phone's TRRS earbuds here. I mean actual headphones with a normal stereo TRS plug.
Here's how to tell the difference: look at the 3.5 mm plug. Two stripes means TRS (stereo output only), and that's the kind you want. Three stripes means TRRS, which is headphones plus a microphone, and some gear doesn't work well with that.
I remember going to a conference with video equipment to record, and I needed to check my audio because something got bumped. I plugged my Apple EarPods (the wired 3.5 mm kind) into my camera or wireless mic system, and I couldn't hear anything. The device just couldn't support TRRS headphones. I had to hunt down someone with plain TRS headphones I could borrow.
Get some wired headphones, even earbuds are fine. Just make sure they're stereo with no microphone and no controls. Small, lightweight, and they'll actually work when you need them.
8. Cables and adapters
Even with so much of this gear being wireless, you'll still need cables and adapters. Think charging cables. If most of your devices are USB-C but one is older USB, make sure you have the adapter to charge that from your battery pack.
You can get little kits with all the adapters inside, or a single cable that branches into multiple connectors like USB-micro, Lightning, and USB-C. They might not be as fast as dedicated cables, but they'll get the job done. Also think about any audio gear that needs to connect to each other, and pack cables for every reasonable scenario.
9. Printed promotional material
This is really important for growing your podcast. Bring something physical to give people that promotes your podcast, like business cards or postcards. A few things make these much nicer:
- Make them small enough to fit any pocket — back pocket, front pocket, jacket pocket.
- Get them cut with rounded corners if your printer offers it. They won't poke people, won't rip things, and they hold up better against fraying. It's a nice visual touch too.
- Leave at least one blank area where a pen or pencil can write. Test this yourself, because some glossy, full-color prints can't be written on with a pen or a pencil. If you want to jot a note for someone, or they want to write a reminder to follow up, and they can't, that's frustrating.
10. Ultra-fine-point permanent marker
This is something I wish I'd had more at conferences. I'm going to start bringing one to every event I attend.
Going back to number 9, when you have printed material that's difficult to write on, there are those embarrassing moments where you want to write something and realize, “Oh, I don't have a pen. Do you have a pen? Hey, can I borrow that pen?” At conferences, pens are everywhere, so they're easy to find. But it's easier to just bring your own.
Why an ultra-fine-point permanent marker instead of a regular pen? Because it writes like a pen, but it'll write on almost anything, even glossy surfaces, and it won't rub off. Regular pens often smear or rub off glossy prints. A permanent marker stays put.
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This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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