INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter
When readers choose to buy Wirecutter independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work
In this day and age, either you have a side gig or you know someone who does
The type of work that done outside of your 9 to 5 is one thing that sets side hustles apart—the type of gear that used is what can help
you get better.
From vlogging to graphic design to music production, accessories and must-have equipment should come with features and
capabilities that enhance your projects
Here are a few of our favorite picks fit for upping your side gig skills.
Podcasting: Yeti USB Microphone
The Yeti by Blue, our top pick
for USB microphones, sits above the competition because it offers the best overall audio, build and included features
It a good option for podcasters because its balance of bass and frequency peaks help to make a wide range of voices sound clear and
It has a dial that can be set to four different pickup patterns, which comes in handy when conducting interviews with multiple people
Whether used for live or pre-recorded voice work, its zero-latency and mic-gain control features allow you to do most anything you want —
and well.
Of all the microphones we tested, the Blue Yeti makes it easiest to sound good on a podcast, live stream, video call, or most any
(Photo: Nick Guy)
Vlogging: Sony RX Mark IV Camera and GorillaPod 1K Kit Tripod
High-quality video is no longer something that only
In our guide for the best vlogging camera and gear, we recommend the Sony RX Mark IV as an also great pick—and the best vlogging
camera—for its small size, image stabilization and its ability to record in slow motion
YouTubers and social media video fanatics can easily create top-notch video content recorded at 4K resolution.
Use Wi-Fi and your smartphone
as a remote to capture the best selfies with the camera flip-up screen and facial recognition feature
Coupled with the flexible GorillaPod 1K Kit Tripod, the camera can be positioned to snap difficult shots.
The Sony RX Mark IV small size,
image stabilization and ability to record in slow motion make it our best pick for a vlogging camera
Photo: Michael Hession
Video and Photo Editing: Dell XPS 15 Laptop
The ports and connections on the Dell XPS 15 Laptop accommodate all
types of gear used for capturing and transferring video
In addition to having a huge 4K display, it has a powerful processor and graphics card
This means you&ll spend less time waiting around as large files load and render faster.
One reason that it our top pick for video and photo
editing laptops is because its keyboard is comfortable enough to use during long editing sessions
The XPS trackpad is responsive and its touchscreen is intuitive—two features which contribute to the ease of making precise edits.
The
Dell 4K display and powerful processor and graphics card make this laptop well-suited toward video editing.
Building Prototyping: CanaKit
Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit
It a lot easier to create hardware prototypes when you have a legitimate starting base
The Raspberry Pi 3, a mini Linux computer, can operate as a starting point and brain of a variety of gadgets
We recommend the CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit to get going on building anything from a gaming console to a smart-home speaker
The included Raspberry Pi 3 Model B computer has software and general input/output pins for running added lights, sensors, or switches
The kit is also packed with everything you need to begin a project including cables, a power supply, a microSD card, and a case for
convenience.
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
(Photo: Andrew Cunningham)
Music Production: Arturia MiniLab MkII MIDI Keyboard Controller
Listening to music is a favorite pastime for
many, creating it is possibly a curiosity for more
You don&t have to break the bank when buying gear that&ll help you take a stab at music production
The Arturia MiniLab MkII is our top pick for MIDI keyboard controllers for beginners and it perfect for making electronic music or playing
Its compact design is a plus and its pads offer the responsiveness you need, especially when paired with its included software
The MiniLab Mkll comes preconfigured but it functions can be customized through a separate app.
This set-up for beginners is perfect for
making electronic music or playing it live
Photo: Michael Hession
Digital Art: Wacom Intuos Draw
There are endless graphic design software options and it helpful to have a tool that
seamlessly pairs with them
The Wacom Intuos Draw, our top pick for drawing tablets for beginners, comes with its own software (Art Rage Lite), and it compatible with
Windows, macOS and top-rated art programs
Artists who are just starting out will find the tablet grid pattern useful.
It connects to other devices via USB and also comes with a
comfortable, customizable pen that can be used for drawing and painting
We like the tablet pressure sensitivity and the precision of its pen which will allow for easier detailing and add to the overall quality of
your creations.
The Wacom Intuos Draw is the top pick for drawing tablets for beginners
Photo: Michael Hession
This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter
Note from Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support
