If you’ve been fascinated by the paranormal, you might have considered participating in a paranormal investigation. Exploring haunted locations and attempting to communicate with entities from beyond can be an exciting and thrilling experience. However, it may be challenging for beginners to know where to start.
Whether you’ve seen ghost hunting shows or not, knowing what ghost-hunting equipment to bring and how to use it correctly for a successful investigation is essential.
This article provides basic knowledge about ghost-hunting tools that can assist your research. By better understanding the available equipment, you’ll be able to select the most valuable tools for your investigation.
With that in mind, let’s look at the different ghost hunting equipment that can help you conduct your paranormal investigation – all tried and tested by the GhostMag team!
What Equipment is Needed for Ghost Hunting?
While there are many expensive pieces of equipment available on the market, such as the SLS camera often used on ‘Ghost Adventures’ and ‘Help! My House Is Haunted’, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started.
You can find lots of affordable ghost-hunting equipment online and in stores, which can record evidence of supernatural goings on!
That said when selecting ghost-hunting tools, quality matters. Choosing devices that provide accurate readings, durability, and ease of use is critical to ensure the validity of the data you collect.
The exact equipment you need for a ghost hunt will depend on the type of investigation you’re doing. However, there are several staple pieces of equipment every ghost hunter should own!
Generally speaking, you’ll need items to detect and measure environmental changes (such as temperature and electromagnetic fields), audio recorders to capture EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), and cameras to capture visual evidence.
You’ll also need a few items to help you communicate with spirits, such as a foldable table for table-tipping sessions, dowsing rods, and cat balls that illuminate when touched by spirits.
While these tools can be helpful, there is no guarantee that you’ll experience paranormal activity. The equipment’s primary purpose is to detect any unusual events that might occur, such as EVPs or temperature changes, which can be valuable evidence to support your investigation’s conclusions.
Best Ghost Hunting Equipment
Spirit Box
A spirit box is a radio that scans through the AM/FM frequencies, creating a sort of white noise that allows entities to communicate back. Using a spirit box with the estes method is one-way many paranormal investigation teams have experienced eerie success.
To successfully use this method of research, you need at least two participants, and you will also need blindfolds and noise-canceling headphones.
One person puts on the blindfold and the noise-canceling headphones hooked up to the spirit box. The second person asks the spirits questions.
Anytime an EVP or a word emerges from the spirit box, the person listening will say it out loud to their partner. More times than not, the answers will surprise you.
We recently tried out the Spirit Box SB7T and were impressed with its user-friendly design and performance. The updated version has eliminated the need to stop scanning for volume adjustments, making it more convenient to use during EVP sessions.
The multi-function display is a standout feature, showing temperature changes in 0.1F or C, scanning speed, and band frequency all in one place. Additionally, the screen emits a night vision-friendly red light, perfect for conducting investigations in the dark.
Medium Chris Fleming, who was involved in the development of the P-SB7 with Gary Galka told GhostMag it is important to record all spirit box sessions as sometimes spirit voices can be missed in real time during an investigation.
Fleming said in our interview: “What we’ve learned with the P-SB7 is you have to record the sessions. There can be things you’re missing. You bring it to the audio program, you take out the white noise, you amplify, and there are all these other voices in there that you miss that are extraordinary.”
He also recommended the use of the ANC-Mini adaptor, which makes playback much clearer, adding: “Whether you use the APF processor or the ANC device (adjustable noise control) it eliminates some of the noise and the playback is much cleaner.”
The inventor of the Spirit Box, Gary Galka, has been working on a new model of the Spirit Box, which will be released in the USA in August 2023.
The PSB7-PRO Spirit Box model will push the boundaries of Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) and initial field testing suggests that spirit responses are much clearer with the new device.
28 Days Haunted star Nick Simons told GhostMag: “The responses I’ve been collecting with the PSB7-PRO have been more clear than the old P-SB7 model”
The PSB7-PRO will also introduce a number of industry firsts, including “precision” user adjustable AM/FM sweep speeds, adjustable AM/FM frequency steps with proprietary frequency overlap (blending) software and REM field sensors.
More: Read our interview with Gary Galka and find out more about the PSB7-PRO
Your Phone
A recording device, flashlight, and camera all rolled into one; your phone can be an excellent tool to record electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), catch photos of orbs, and use different apps to detect if there is paranormal activity.
When using your phone near other electronic devices, airplane mode is always suitable to eliminate any possible interference.
There has also been a significant increase in paranormal investigators using ghost-hunting apps, which claim to detect paranormal activity. These apps are readily available on Apple and Android devices and have been championed by paranormal experts such as ‘Help My House is Haunted’ star Barri Ghai.
Camera
Night Vision / Infrared Camera
The Actinow 2.7K Ultra HD Vlogging Camera is affordable for beginners to capture ghost-hunting adventures.
From our experience, the camera is a lightweight, portable option for those just starting to explore the world of ghost hunting. With its 2.7K UHD video resolution, even the minutest details can be recorded with clarity, making it perfect for ghost hunters looking to document their investigations.
Another critical feature that we found helpful during our ghost-hunting escapades was the IR night vision. The camcorder performs well in low-light conditions, making it ideal for recording paranormal activity that tends to occur during the night. It even comes with an external microphone, which helps capture clearer audio, although the quality could be improved.
The camera’s battery life is one aspect that could be better, though. With a full charge, it lasts about 90-150 minutes, which might be restrictive for some users and require additional batteries as battery drain at haunted locations is a common phenomenon.
Thermal Imaging Camera
We recently tried out the NOYAFA Industrial Thermal Imaging Device (NF-521) and found it a practical and versatile tool on a ghost hunt. The device offers multiple thermal imaging modes, including infrared mode, infrared edge detection mode, and dual light fusion mode, which we found helpful in detecting temperature variations in different environments.
One of the features we appreciated was the intelligent temperature measurement. The device displays different color responses according to various environmental measures, making it easy for us to identify potential ghostly manifestations. Plus, the 16 GB memory card allowed us to capture and store valuable data without worrying about running out of storage space.
However, the NOYAFA NF-521 does have its drawbacks. The device cannot provide the sharpest images with a lower resolution of 32 x 32, but it is decent enough for the price. The camera also feels cheap in the hand and lacks a solid, durable feel.
- Multiple thermal imaging modes: infrared…
- Intelligent temperature measurement: Infrared…
- Shooting function: when not enter any setting…
- Easier to read: greater detail and accuracy with…
Dowsing Rods
Dowsing rods are a divination tool used to locate and communicate with spirits. They are usually made of copper and consist of two L-shaped rods that cross when a spirit is present.
Spirits are said to be able to use dowsing rods to direct investigators to a specific location or to provide answers to questions. They’re easy to use, lightweight, and affordable, so they are handy on a ghost hunt!
Cat Balls
Cat balls are another type of divination tool used to communicate with spirits. They are usually made of glass, plastic, or crystal and contain a ball that may light up or roll when a spirit is present.
In past investigations, spirits have made the balls glow upon command or in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response to our questions. They are a great and affordable tool that allows you to receive seemingly intelligent answers from the spirit realm.
Having tried the Sratte Ghost Hunting Cat Ball Activated Toy, we found that the pack of six LED light cat balls is a perfect budget addition to your kit.
We were impressed by the quality of the product. The durable material is perfect for use in even the most rugged paranormal location. The built-in battery lasts about 24 hours, allowing for extended use during ghost hunting.
It is important to remember that cat balls are highly sensitive and can be activated by minor movements or sounds, which may concern serious ghost hunters.
GhostMag contributor Stephen Hack, who commented: “I have learnt that while having ghost hunting gadgets like REM pods or K2 meters or trigger objects such as flashing cat balls, can be a handy piece of kit to have, they’re not always the most reliable so these days mine get used less and less.”
K2 / KII Meter
There are lots of EMF meters on the market, and they are a staple piece of equipment for ghost hunters and paranormal researchers. The most popular model, by some distance, is the K2 meter or KII meter.
The K2 is an electromagnetic field (EMF) detector used to measure environmental changes. It’s a handheld, lightweight device that emits a low-frequency EMF and has a digital display that is said to change color when a spirit is present. Five small LED lights flash to indicate different magnetic field levels – from regular to extreme.
Whilst the K2 meter is hypersensitive to low frequencies (ULF) and was not devised for the paranormal, if a spirit in a haunted location is willing to communicate, it may be capable of illuminating the LED lights to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to your questions.
We recently took the Kydely EMF Meter with us during a ghost-hunting expedition, and we found it quite handy for our purpose. As we walked around the Ancient Ram Inn, the EMF meter detected the electromagnetic frequencies effectively, allowing us to pinpoint potential spots with paranormal activity.
The gadget features five distinct LED lights with varying colors, each representing a different range of EMF levels in milligauss. This clear display allowed us to quickly detect the intensity of EMFs surrounding us, which is particularly useful in dark environments. Furthermore, the device operates on a single 9V battery, making it convenient for on-the-go investigations.
However, we were slightly disappointed that the battery was not included in the package, so make sure to have one ready before heading out.
While the Kydely EMF Meter proved to be a reliable instrument, we noticed that some users experienced sensitivity issues or had trouble with the first green light. Nonetheless, these minor drawbacks did not impact our paranormal investigation significantly.
- The range of EMF meters used for ghost hunting…
- Easy-to-read multi-segment LED display. The…
- The Ghost Hunting Detector operates on a single…
- Measuring a variety of EMFs from 50 Hz to 20,000…
- EMF levels are measured to prevent potentially…
REM Pod
A REM pod is another piece of ghost-hunting equipment designed by Gary Galka. It detects changes in ambient temperature, enabling paranormal investigators to record data and any associated activity in their records for later review.
When we used the DAS REM-POD, we were immediately impressed with how it alerts us to changes in the surrounding energy field. It proved to be exceptionally responsive, providing real-time feedback on paranormal activity through its LED lights and audible tones.
Adjusting the REM sensitivity was a breeze, too, with four different ranges to choose from. This feature allowed us to customize our ghost-hunting experience, ensuring we are always equipped to detect even the subtlest of energy fluctuations.
One aspect we found particularly convenient was the Ambient Temperature Deviation Detection (ATDD) function. This feature alerted us to any temperature changes within a 5-degree Fahrenheit range – a valuable addition when investigating paranormal occurrences.
However, we found that the REM-POD’s size was bulkier than other ghost-hunting devices on the market. While it wasn’t a deal-breaker for us, it’s something to consider if portability is a priority for your paranormal investigations.
Additionally, the device’s sensitivity to EM fields may generate false alarms caused by external interference. We recommend turning off any electronic devices in the vicinity before starting your investigation to reduce the chances of these false alerts.
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Foldable Table
Believe it or not, some of the most exciting ghostly activity the Ghost Mag team has experienced has been using a small foldable camping table for table-tipping experiments.
The experiment involves a small group of people lightly resting their fingers on the table’s edge. If a spirit is present, a vibrating sensation is often felt, and the table can move violently or even levitate if it is a powerful entity!
Ouija Board
Sometimes Ouija boards get a bad rap. With many myths about leaving portals open, these board games or forms of divination are often touted as something not to be trifled with. However, they can be an immense help in communicating with ghosts because, with the help of the board, you can discern more than simple “yes” or “no” answers.
If you plan to use an Ouija Board during a paranormal investigation, you may be interested in reading our guide on using an Ouija Board safely.
Tarot Cards
Voice Recorder
A voice recorder is used to capture EVPs (electronic voice phenomena). They can pick up on sounds and voices that may not have been heard in the thrust of an investigation (direct voice phenomena).
One of the most common audio recorders used on paranormal investigations is the Philips VoiceTracer. This is a tried and tested best-seller that has been proven to record EVPs worldwide.
Medium Chris Fleming told GhostMag: “The key thing is to find a recorder you like. I’ve used multiple recorders. Mostly Sony, but also a Phillips VoiceTracer. Some recorders didn’t work for me, so I didn’t use them. So find a recorder, learn how to use it and practice with it many times”.
Our team has used the Voicetracer for several years. Its high-fidelity microphones deliver clear, crisp stereo recordings, and the 8 GB built-in memory allows ample recording time on a ghost hunt. The powerful Li-Ion rechargeable battery also ensures extended operation without constant recharging, a great advantage during paranormal investigations.
The audio quality does decline when trying to pick up sounds from a distance, but it is still one of the best around for paranormal investigations.
- 2 high-fidelity microphones
- Stereo recording in MP3 and Pcm format
- 8 GB Built-in memory and memory card slot
- Powerful Li-Ion rechargeable battery
- Large, easy-to-read 2″ Color display
Using the PHILIPS DVT2110 Voicetracer Digital, we recorded a ghostly voice in the Galleries of Justice in Nottingham! Listen to the clip below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Read More: You can read our in-depth review of the VoiceTracer and other audio recorders in our article about the best EVP recorders to capture Electronic Voice Phenomena.
Audio Recorders are inexpensive, but the voice recorder built into most modern mobile phones is also suitable. On recent investigations at the incredibly active former RAF control tower at Coleby Grange near Lincoln, we believe we have captured spirits responding to our questions on an iPhone.
Check out the following EVP GhostMag editor Matt captured below. In the clip below, you can hear a male voice whisper ‘No’ to our question (at around 9 seconds)!
Benefits of Using Affordable Ghost Hunting Equipment
One of the biggest advantages of using affordable ghost-hunting equipment is that it’s more accessible. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started, and we believe, after many hours of paranormal investigation, that affordable equipment produces the best results.
Whilst it may be all the rage to have an SLS Camera, a spirit box, or an ITC tool like the Ovilus in your kit bag, sometimes the most affordable ghost hunting equipment is often more reliable.
Remember that there is no concrete evidence that any of these devices, which can be very expensive, are actually communicating with spirit.
Barri Ghai, tech expert on HELP! My House is Haunted explains on its website: “The devices available today are plentiful, and many do the same jobs,” so be sure to shop around and read reviews before making any expensive purchases.
Where to Buy Best Ghost Hunting Equipment?
If you’re looking for ghost-hunting equipment, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of options available. Given the huge surge in the popularity of ghost hunting in recent years, major sites like Amazon and eBay now offer a wide selection of ghost-hunting equipment at discounted prices.
There are also specialized retailers, such as GhostStop in the United States and Spirit Shack in the United Kingdom, that offer a wide range of equipment specifically designed for ghost hunting.
These heavyweights in the world of the paranormal even supply equipment to many of the paranormal investigators you may have seen on Television, including; Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and Kindred Spirits.
Whilst they stock some of the high ticket items such as SLS Cameras and Spirit Boxes, they also provide some affordable equipment that can really help on your search for spooks.
How to Assemble Your Ghost Hunting Kit
Once you’ve purchased all the necessary ghost-hunting equipment, you’ll need to assemble your ghost-hunting kit. Start by finding a sturdy bag or box that can hold all your equipment, and make sure it’s large enough to fit all the items you’ll need.
You’ll want to make sure that everything is easily accessible and that there’s enough room for everything.
You may also want to include some extras, such as flashlights and spare batteries, as ghosts have been known to drain batteries and interfere with electrical equipment.
Tips for Using Your Ghost Hunting Gear
Now that you have your kit full of ghost-hunting gear assembled, it’s time to start using it! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your ghost-hunting gear:
- Test your equipment in a safe, controlled environment before using it in the field.
- Always be respectful of the environment and any spirits that may be present.
- Keep an open mind and be patient.
- Take notes and document any evidence you find.
- Keep your ghost-hunting group small to avoid any potential disturbances.
- Take some spare batteries! Ghosts have been known to drain batteries, so it is important to carry spares for your torches and cameras!
Can you ghost hunt on a budget?
Ghost hunting on a budget is possible with the right equipment! With a few simple pieces of affordable ghost-hunting equipment, you can begin your journey without breaking the bank. There are plenty of places online and in stores where you can buy affordable ghost-hunting equipment, so do some research and find the right gear for you.
Finally, make sure to assemble your ghost hunting kit and follow our handy Ghost Hunting tips for the a smooth investigation.
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