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10 Cheap Accessories That Make Your Videos Look Expensive
Gear videos focus on cameras. On real shoots, it's often the small, inexpensive accessories that save the day and lift the image. These are the ones we carry to every client shoot at our studio. Each one has a before/after in the video.
The list at a glance
| # | Accessory | What it fixes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Lav windscreen / deadcat | Wind noise outdoors |
| 9 | Phone cage | Shaky footage, nowhere to mount a mic or light |
| 8 | Magic arm + super clamp | Mount a light or camera anywhere |
| 7 | 5-in-1 reflector | Dark shadow side without a second light |
| 6 | Black foam board | Flat faces in white rooms |
| 5 | Pocket RGB light | Flat, lifeless background |
| 4 | Variable ND filter | Choppy motion in bright light |
| 3 | Sandbags | Falling light stands |
| 2 | Gaffer tape | Messy cables, quick fixes |
| 1 | Teleprompter | Eyes drifting off-camera |
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10. Lav windscreen / deadcat
A furry cover breaks the wind before it reaches the mic capsule. Outdoors, it's the difference between unusable and clean audio. Essential if you use a wireless lav outside.
9. Phone cage
Turns a phone into a real rig: tripod mount, cold shoes for a mic and a small light, and a steadier grip.
8. Magic arm + super clamp
The most underrated item in our kit. Clamp a light to a shelf, a camera to a door frame, or a phone overhead for top-down product shots, with no big stand needed.
7. 5-in-1 reflector
Before buying a second light, bounce your key light into the shadow side. White for natural fill, silver for punch. Gold is usually too orange.
6. Black foam board (negative fill)
White walls bounce light everywhere and flatten faces. A black board on the shadow side removes light, adding contrast and shape. Almost free, very cinematic.
5. Pocket RGB light
Hide it behind a plant or on a shelf to add depth and a subtle accent to the background. Keep colours natural. If the colour is noticed before your face, turn it down.
4. Variable ND filter
In bright sun, cameras use very fast shutter speeds and motion looks choppy. An ND filter acts like sunglasses so you can keep the shutter around double your frame rate (1/50 at 25 fps, 1/60 at 30 fps) for natural motion blur. Clip-on versions exist for phones.
3. Sandbags
Not exciting, absolutely essential. A falling light is the most expensive mistake on this list. Every stand gets a sandbag.
2. Gaffer tape
Real gaffer tape (not duct tape) holds strong and peels off cleanly from floors, clothes and gear. For floor marks, cable management, hiding lav cables, emergency fixes.
1. Teleprompter
The biggest upgrade for coaches and educators. Your script sits on glass in front of the lens, so you read while keeping eye contact with your viewer. Fewer takes, more trust. Phone and tablet prompters are inexpensive, and many prompter apps are free.
Bonus: clean your lens ($0)
Pockets leave phone lenses greasy, which causes many "my video looks soft" problems. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth before every take. Lens cleaning kit
Where to start
- Filming yourself indoors: teleprompter, reflector, black foam board.
- Filming outdoors: windscreen, ND filter, phone cage.
- Building a home studio: sandbags, gaffer tape, magic arm.
FAQ
What accessories do I need to start a YouTube channel? A stable mount (phone cage + tripod), a reflector, and a teleprompter if you speak to camera.
Do I need an ND filter for a phone? For outdoor footage in bright light, yes, if you want natural-looking motion.
What's the difference between gaffer tape and duct tape? Gaffer tape is cloth-based, matte, and removes cleanly without residue.
Is a teleprompter worth it for short videos? Yes, if you script your content. It keeps eye contact and cuts filming time.
Next: put it all together in Cinematic Home Studio Under $500 (coming soon), or see the Gear page.