🎥 The Ultimate UGC Gear Guide: Essentials + Extras

✨ We all tell ourselves - gear doesn’t make the creator, but we can also all agree: the right gear makes a huge difference.

You can have the best ideas in the world, but if your video is shaky, dimly lit, or your audio sounds like you’re in a tunnel... even the best concept won’t land!

The truth? You don’t need to spend hundreds to create scroll-stopping content. You just need to know what’s essential - and what’s worth adding later when you’re ready to take your UGC game from “great” to “pro.”

Here’s the ultimate breakdown 👇👇👇

These are the must-haves every UGC creator should invest in - even if you’re just starting out.

📱 1. A phone with good camera quality (1080p & 60fps minimum)

This is your main tool. If you can shoot in 4K - amazing - but 1080p at 60fps is already perfect for UGC. The higher frame rate makes motion look smooth and crisp (perfect for product demos or quick transitions). Just make sure to always export your final video in settings that are the best for Social Media platforms (most likely 1080p at 60fps - hence it should be your minimal!)

🎞️ 2. A stable tripod

Shaky footage and recording with one hand while trying to open the box with another? Not cute. A sturdy tripod keeps your shots steady, helps you frame scenes perfectly, and lets you film hands-free. Opt for one with adjustable height and a phone mount that can rotate between horizontal and vertical.

🎤 3. An external microphone (your new must-have)

This one’s a game-changer. Great visuals mean so much less if your audio is poor - and with so many creators producing crisp, professional sound, it’s now essential to compete.

You don’t need a $200 mic - even a small plug-in or wireless mic can transform your sound instantly, especially if your built-in mic doesn’t meet the standards. Also, look out for background noise cancellation - another thing that can really boost your final outcome!

💻 4. A reliable video editing app

Editing is where the magic happens ✨ You can use CapCut, VN, InShot, or Adobe Premiere Rush - whichever fits your style and workflow.

Don’t be afraid of paid versions — that extra control over overlays, green-screen, text animations, auto captions, and export quality often pays off big time!

💡 5. Lighting (your best friend on gloomy days)

Natural light is amazing, but not always reliable, depending where you’re based. A single ring light or panel light can save your shoot. Even a small clip-on light for your phone can help in darker spaces.

☁️ 6. External storage or cloud space

You don’t want to delete your raw footage every time you film - especially if brands ask for reshoots or you could use your b-roll in multiple projects.

Use an external SSD or connect your phone to Google Drive, Dropbox, Playbook, or iCloud to back everything up.

🕯️ 7. Simple, versatile props

Candles, cosy blankets, flowers, mugs, trays - these add warmth and texture to your frame. You don’t need a whole set - just a few neutral props that work across multiple brands.

And if your home lacks clutter-free beautifully-lit corners, invest in small tile or wallpaper testers - stack them and use them around your house for those little up-close moments!

These aren’t essential, but they do make life easier (and your content smoother).

🎤 Additional microphones

Shotgun mics or dual wireless mics (great for vlogs or two-person shoots). These can take your sound to the next level if you do a lot of talking head or testimonial content.

📏 Extra tripods & mounts

Mini tripods for tabletop shots, flexible ones for creative angles, and overhead mounts for top-down POVs (perfect for unboxing or tutorials).

💡 More lighting options

Softboxes for diffused light, LED panels for coloured backdrops - they can completely change the atmosphere of your content.

🎥 Camera stabilisers (gimbals)

Perfect for smooth walking shots or when filming handheld. They make even casual movement look cinematic - again, definitely not an essential, but a little bird told us there are some great dupes out there on Temu!

🪞 Video transmitters / monitoring tools

These let you see yourself when filming with your phone’s back camera (so you get higher quality footage).

Don’t have one? Try screen mirroring on your laptop or placing a mirror behind the camera for framing reference.

🏠 More props & backgrounds

Neutral trays, books, vases, small mirrors - they make your visuals feel styled and consistent. Keep a small box of aesthetic props you can rotate depending on the brand or vibe!

🧠 Pro Tip: Build Over Time

You don’t need everything right away. Start with the essentials, master your craft, then upgrade intentionally.

A polished creator isn’t one with the most gear - it’s one who knows how to use what they’ve got effectively.

✨ Quick Creator Gear Checklist:

🎯 Gear doesn’t replace creativity - but it amplifies it. The smoother your process, the more energy you’ll have to focus on what really matters: the storytelling, emotion, and connection behind your content.

So go ahead — give your toolkit a little upgrade and watch how much easier (and more fun) content creation feels.

🎬 Join us on Instagram Live this week!

Wednesday, 5th November at 5PM UK time 🎥

💬 Want to dive deeper into creator gear setup and workflow hacks?
Join us live this Wednesday at 5PM (UK time) on Instagram, where we’ll be chatting all about essentials and extras when it comes to UGC equipment and answering any questions you might have!

Follow us on IG @useclip and hit that 🔔 so you don’t miss it!

SEE YOU THEN!

🚀 🛠 Ready to put your gear to work?… Log in to Clip, check out the latest briefs, and start applying today!

Happy Creating,

Team Clip