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It’s time to upgrade your telemedicine hardware

high quality webcam sitting on a computer screen

You want to make affordable equipment choices that create great experiences for you and your patients as you improve your telemedicine skills. Here are suggestions based on our boots-on-the-ground experience and research—we did the groundwork so you don’t have to.

Remember: a laptop or a phone is often a good telemedicine solution, but a more permanent setup shows a lot of professionalism. Use this guide to level up your video communication!

Docking Station

If you’re connecting devices to a laptop, you might have limited ports for external equipment. Consider using a docking station that connects your laptop to a monitor, camera, and microphone.

USB C

USB C Hub HDMI Adapter,QGeeM 7 in 1 Type C Hub to HDMI 4k,3 USB 3.0 Ports,100W Power Delivery

USB 2.0

USB to HDMI Adapter, 5-in-1 USB hub

External Cameras

The camera is the most important part of your video experience. It’s how you present yourself to your patients. A device you attach to your monitor, or even a monitor with a built-in camera, improves how you interact with your patient, especially because it helps you simulate “eye contact.”

Most popular webcam

Logitech C920s Pro HD

Best high end webcam

Logitech Brio (4K)

Best affordable webcam

Logitech C310

Monitor with built-in webcam

ASUS BE24EQK 23.8” Business Monitor with Webcam

Budget monitor with webcam

KOORUI 24 Inch Monitor, Full HD 1080p IPS LED Computer Monitor

Microphones

Ensuring that your patients can hear you is essential to good communication. A lapel mic is often the most convenient way to be heard, but your setup might benefit from a microphone on your desk.

Lapel mic

Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone Omnidirectional Mic

Basic lapel mic

PoP voice Professional Lavalier Lapel Microphone Omnidirectional Condenser Mic

Desktop

High-end mic

Apogee Hype Mic – USB Microphone

Mid-level stand-alone mic

Yeti Nano premium USB microphone

Low-end stand-alone Mic

Blue Snowball iCE Plug ‘n Play USB Microphone

Speakers

If making yourself heard is essential, so is hearing your patients. Here are some options that connect to different kinds of hardware setups.

Desktop Speakers

Speakers with wires – USB

Amazon Basics USB Plug-n-Play Computer Speakers for PC or Laptop

Speakers with wires – jacks

Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers

Monitors with speakers

Budget monitor with speakers

Sceptre IPS 24-Inch Business Computer Monitor 1080p 75Hz with HDMI VGA Build-in Speakers

High-end monitor with speakers

SAMSUNG T550 Series 27-Inch FHD 1080p Computer Monitor, 75Hz, Curved, Built-in Speakers

Mic/Speaker combo

High-end speaker combo

Bose Micro Soundlink

Budget speaker/mic combo

USB Speakerphone Microphone, Conference Speaker Omnidirectional Computer Mic

Headsets

Headsets combine a mic with headphones. These are ideal if you’re working in a noisy space or where other people can hear you and your patient.

Bluetooth with mics

Apple iPhone Airpods

Jabra Elite 7 Pro

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Budget option

The EveryDay Earbuds+

Headsets with mic

Higher end headset w mic

BINNUNE Wireless Gaming Headset with Microphone for PC

Basic headset

Logitech H390 Wired Headset

Lighting

The key to good lighting is to have the light source in front of you, not behind. Also, strong light from the side (such as from a window) can overwhelm your camera and cause your image to appear very dark.

Higher End Lighting

Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit

Basic Ring light

Bekada LED Desk Light with Clamp

NOTE: Ring lights can be hard to use if you are wearing glasses—the reflection of the light in your glasses can be distracting.

Conclusion

This guide will help you make decisions about your telemedicine gear. You might want to buy more powerful equipment than you need so you can grow into it over time. Remember: computer hardware is always getting better and faster. Make a good choice now and you won’t be haunted by buyer’s remorse when you see better, faster, and cooler things next year.