Bets phone vlogging setup

Best Phone Vlogging Setup [2022]

Vlogger wannabe? This beginner guide explains the best phone vlogging setup that you can simply replicate. To begin a vlogging career, you must have more than just a desire to…

Vlogger wannabe? This beginner guide explains the best phone vlogging setup that you can simply replicate.


To begin a vlogging career, you must have more than just a desire to do so. As we all know, video resolution and quality are improving. We seldom see blurry and wobbly videos on YouTube today, despite the fact that they were prevalent just a few years ago.

People who earn a livelihood as vloggers understand the significance of providing high-quality material to keep their audience entertained. It is not just about the substance, but also about how it is presented. In this scenario, adequate equipment is really essential.

If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ll go through some of the most fundamental necessities to acquire. Because these products will be used regularly, it is a good idea to invest a little more in them.

Best Mobile Vlogging (Videography/Filmmaking) Setup

A. Smartphone

A powerful Smartphone goes a long way towards helping you produce quality content. There are a few things to take into account in choosing a vlogging Smartphone. The most essential part is definitely the camera since it determines how well it performs in any vlogging scenario. It’s all about multi-camera setups these days.

Companies have been leaning hard into camera tech development in recent years, which results in extraordinary rear cameras. It’s worth noting that when a Smartphone has a triple or a quad-cam setup, each one serves a different purpose.

The standard additional gear is the wide-angle lens, while the rest could be a combination of the telephoto, ultra-wide-angle, depth sensor, and macro lenses.

Another important consideration is video resolution. If you want very detailed videos, look for one that’s able to capture 4k footage. Autofocus, aperture, and image stabilization are other factors that also contribute to camera quality.

Product recommendation:

Huawei P40 Pro 5G

B. Microphone

Using a Smartphone for vlogging requires special attention, especially with regard to audio. That’s because the mic will only record the area closest to it. Without a dedicated mic, chances are the video will have bad audio where the volume keeps changing due to moving the Smartphone in different directions.

That won’t be an issue when there’s a mic clipped onto the neck of your shirt. On top of that, external microphones are designed to capture sound across a wide range of frequencies. If the built-in microphone lacks the oomph, consider buying an external one. Besides a clip-on model, you can also pair your Smartphone with a condenser mic or another that suits your recording needs.

Keep in mind that these devices vary in polar pattern. Some pick up sound from one side only, while others pick up sound evenly from all sides. Take time to learn about the differences before buying.

Product recommendation:

PoP voice 196” Single Head Lavalier Lapel Microphone

C. Lenses

Attachable lenses are optional accessories that can boost the capability of your Smartphone camera. Not all phones have the luxury of packing multiple cameras on the back. If yours has one only, standalone lenses can maximize your photography experience.

They come in two ways of installation. The first one is clipping right onto the Smartphone. And the second one is being part of a case. The former offers greater flexibility as it can be positioned precisely over the camera.

For your information, a lens works by altering the default focal length as well as viewing angle, which in turn, increases the possibility to fit a larger scene in the frame. The primary camera on a Smartphone is usually the wide-angle type, which is supported by digital zoom to bring distant subjects closer.

But this kind of magnification also lowers image quality. In order to maintain precise detail in landscape photography, an external Tele lens is necessary. There’s more to discover than just telephoto lenses, such as fisheye, ultra-wide-angle, and macro lenses.

Product recommendation:

Apexel 11 in 1 Phone Camera Lens Kit

D. Tripod

A tripod is another must-have for anyone pursuing a career as a vlogger because it takes the role of a shooter. They come in several types. There are mini tripods, which are smaller than the regular ones. In case you want to shoot far away without the agony of carrying bulky baggage, consider this instead of a bigger counterpart.

For the record, tripods for Smartphones are slightly different from those made for cameras. As we know, these devices have different builds, which affect the shape of the holder. Other than that, both types can be on par in sturdiness. It really comes down to the build quality. If the whole thing is made of a high-grade alloy, then it should be robust to hold a Smartphone of any size.

Also, consider one with a remote shooter. A tripod is supposed to be used when there’s nobody around to help trigger the shutter button. A Bluetooth remote can save the day because it activates the function wirelessly.

Product recommendation:

Acuvar 50″ Smartphone/Camera Tripod

E. Selfie stick

Simply put, a selfie stick is an extension pole designed to increase the range of shots. Using the arm to take a selfie is easy, but what if your friends want to be in the frame as well?

If you want to take a photograph of many people, the Smartphone needs to be held further, which is impossible without a special tool like this one. Selfie sticks come in different lengths. However, longer isn’t necessarily better as it could raise the weight and make it less practical. Besides length, another key feature to look for in a selfie stick is a Bluetooth remote.

The control ranges vary from product to product, but the longer the radius the better. Other than that, a gimbal stabilizer would also be a nice complementary element. It helps record smooth footage with no apparent blur.

Product recommendation:

BlitzWolf Extendable Aluminum Selfie Stick with Wireless Remote

F. Lighting

Vlogging at night has its own drawbacks. The lack of light makes it hard to capture good footage. Yes, the Smartphone comes with a flash, but it’s probably not bright enough to light up the surroundings. You’d need an external source of illumination to get rid of unwanted shadows and dark areas. Even a simple ring light will do that. It can either be clipped onto the Smartphone or supported by a dedicated stand.

The latter is typically bigger and projects a greater amount of light. If you record in a live setting, a standing light would be terrific. Another benefit of using it is that it doesn’t drain your phone’s battery, which is not the case with a built-in flash. Selfie lights come in various models and temperature ranges. Some offer extra features like a microphone and shock mount to reduce vibration noise.

For clearer audio, sometimes a fluffy foam cover is also included. Wind noise is a persistent problem in outdoor videography. It takes a special tool to eliminate or lower its intensity.

Product recommendation:

Movo Smartphone Video Kit V1 Vlogging Kit with Shotgun Microphone

G. Storage

When the internal storage almost runs out, you can count on the external storage to store more data. It comes in the form of a tiny card often called the MicroSD card. Your device only provides a slot to slide it in. As for the card, you need to buy it separately. If there’s an option to expand the memory, you can take advantage of that to keep video files.

By way of information, there are several terms you need to know with regard to SD card classification. Size-wise, they’re classified into full-size SD (the largest), Mini SD, and MicroSD (the smallest). In terms of capacity, they’re divided into SDHC and SDXC, which differ in how much data they can handle.

SDXC MicroSD cards are way superior with an ability to accommodate up to 2TB, while SDHC variants can only support 32GB at most. It’s better to read the manual or browse through the internet to find out what cards are appropriate for your device because compatibility is a major concern.

Product recommendation:

256GB Micro SD Card with Adapter High Speed Card Class 10 Memory Card

H. Video app/software

A video usually goes through the editing process before it’s published on hosting sites like Youtube. Raw footage you take with the Smartphone has a lot of imperfections that need to be corrected. A piece of software can help you with that.

There are many designed for various platforms. If you prefer to sit on your laptop while editing, then look for a Windows or Mac-based program.

But if you don’t mind doing it right on the Smartphone, install one on your mobile device. Video editing comes with heaps of features, but make sure to choose one that suits your editing skills. For novice users who are just starting out, at least the basic tools should be included. An intuitive user interface is also helpful for quick navigation through the menus.

Product recommendations:

  • Filmora9 (Windows, Mac): It boasts tons of useful features, including automatic enhance, drop shadow, and more. The selection of effects is also outstanding. You can apply any of the 300 effects provided. And there’s more to see, like mask elements and filters which will push your creativity to new boundaries.
  • iMovie (Mac, iOS): if you’ve got an iPhone and want do everything from shooting to editing on the same device, iMovie is a good pick. It’s suitable for beginners who are yet to know how to use more complex tools. It’s easy to make a quality video with this app. Besides, it has essential features, like transitions, music, visual effects, voice overs, etc. Granted, it’s not as sophisticated as premium software, but it’s expected given the free price tag.
  • Adobe Premiere Rush (Android, iOS): This app now caters to Android users when it used to run on iOS devices only. One of the highlights is it can record high-res videos. It also handles up to 4 videos and 3 audio files on the timeline. When it comes to customization, there’s a lot to do, like adding captions and enhancing colors. While the basic version is free, you can upgrade to unlock more features.

Good Smartphone Vlogging Setup FAQs

Can I start vlogging with my phone?

Absolutely, there are two primary elements to make a video, namely a camera and a video editor.

Any modern Smartphone has both, so technically, you can indeed vlog with a Smartphone. As long as the camera is good, the outcome should be satisfying as well.

For editing, you can install an app from the Play Store or App Store depending on the type of phone you have.

How to start vlogging with an iPhone?

First, acquire the tools needed to produce professional-grade videos. We have them covered in this article.

You can buy a selfie stick and or a tripod, a light, an external microphone, lenses, and a MicroSD card to save video files. Right after that, mount the Smartphone on the selfie stick or tripod.

Fire up the camera app and then start recording. You can record individual clips in different locations. To put them together, all you need is editing software. And we’ve also listed out some here.

What is the best app for vlogging?

Besides the aforementioned ones, you can also consider inShot, Quik, and Magisto. All these apps are loaded with features to turn clips into stunning movies.

Don’t hesitate to invest in paid apps as they provide access to advanced features. For the free ones, premium features are available through in-app purchases.

How do I setup my phone for vlogging?

Here’s a tutorial that can assist you with setting up your phone before using it to record videos.

Best Phone Vlogging Setup Conclusion

Being a Youtuber is all the rage these days. It’s seen as easy money as you can earn much for doing the bare minimum.

It’s not completely true, though. Making a quality video is not easy as it seems. It takes effort to shoot clips and mesh them together into an eye-catching movie. And of course, you can’t do all that with average tools.

High-profile vloggers invest top dollars in the equipment they use to record videos, which makes sense because that’s their job. They have to do their best to keep viewers happy. Some also employ staff to do all the behind-the-camera work. There’s no need to start on a high note, just saying.

If you have a limited budget to buy expensive equipment, consider buying them one by one. Or those in the mid-range category can be good alternatives, too.

We’ve mentioned some basic supplies for the best phone vlogging setup. They include a Smartphone, an external light, a dedicated microphone, a tripod, a selfie stick, external memory, and software for editing.

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