Office setup

    The gear I actually use.

    Everything on this page is in my office right now. If you buy through one of these Amazon links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Top 3 · Starter bundles · Everything

    My top 3 — start here

    If you only buy three things from this page, make it these.

    Chad's Elgato Stream Deck +
    ⚡ Office MVP

    The hub of my office. One press toggles lights, fans, scenes, and apps. The dials are perfect for volume and brightness without opening software.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon
    Chad's Elgato Prompter
    🎯 Best YouTube Upgrade

    Cut my filming time in half. I can look dead into the lens while reading bullet points — or drag a Zoom window onto it to make real eye contact on calls.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon
    💰 Best Budget Pick

    Budget-friendly softbox-style umbrella lights for fill and background separation. Great starter kit if you want even lighting without spending a lot.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Starter bundles

    Want a specific result? Here's the exact combo I use for it.

    Look pro on Zoom & YouTube

    Plug-and-play camera, flattering light, and clean audio. The fastest upgrade for calls and videos.

    Camera & Video

    Chad's Sony Alpha a5000 Mirrorless Camera

    The camera I use for talking-head videos. Compact, solid 1080p output, and the flip-up screen lets me frame myself without guessing.

    Comes with the 16-50mm OSS kit lens.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon Sold out? See the newer Sony ZV-E10
    Chad's Elgato Facecam MK.2 Webcam

    A dedicated webcam when I don't want to set up the mirrorless. Sharp image, great auto exposure, and Elgato's Camera Hub software keeps the settings consistent.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon
    Chad's Elgato Prompter
    🎯 Best YouTube Upgrade

    Cut my filming time in half. I can look dead into the lens while reading bullet points — or drag a Zoom window onto it to make real eye contact on calls.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Which camera should you buy?

    Want creamy background blur for YouTube? Grab the Sony + Cam Link. Want zero-hassle plug-and-play for Zoom and Loom? Grab the Facecam MK.2.

    Lighting

    My main key light. Bright, dimmable, color-tunable, and controlled from the computer or Stream Deck so I don't have to reach behind it.

    2800 lumens; runs warm enough to look natural on skin.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Budget-friendly softbox-style umbrella lights for fill and background separation. Great starter kit if you want even lighting without spending a lot.

    400W 5500K, 2-pack. Not smart — I control these with a smart plug if I want automation.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Studio Control

    Chad's Elgato Stream Deck +
    ⚡ Office MVP

    The hub of my office. One press toggles lights, fans, scenes, and apps. The dials are perfect for volume and brightness without opening software.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon 🎬 See how I set mine up with Home Assistant

    Audio

    Chad's Elgato Wave:3 Mic

    The microphone I use for voiceovers and screen recordings. Clean sound, built-in pop filter, and a mute button I can hit without looking.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon
    Chad's DJI Mic Mini

    Wireless lav mic for when I step away from the desk. Tiny, reliable, and great for tighter shots where the Wave:3 would be in the frame.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Smart Home

    Inexpensive smart bulbs that work with HomeKit, Alexa, Google, and Matter. I use them in ceiling fixtures and lamps around the office.

    A19 E26, 6-pack.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Color-tunable Wi-Fi smart bulbs with app and voice control. Easy to schedule, group, and automate with Alexa or Google routines.

    A19 E26, multicolor.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Reliable smart plugs for fans, lamps, and anything else I want to turn on from the Stream Deck or a voice command.

    15A, HomeKit compatible, 4-pack.

    Check Today's Price on Amazon

    Affiliate disclosure

    I'm part of the Amazon Associates program. If you click a link and make a purchase, I earn a commission — it helps keep the site and channel going, and it doesn't cost you anything extra. I only recommend gear I personally own and use.

    Want to see the setup in action?

    I walk through the whole office — lights, Stream Deck, smart home — on the channel. Subscribe and catch the next behind-the-scenes video.

    Live

    650

    650 subscribers350 to 1,000

    Help a Chad out.

    That number is real, and it moves one person at a time. If this page saved you time, one subscribe genuinely makes my day.