The cheapest option is usually garbage. It would help to have a vague idea what you are actually trying to do and your budget. DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am in fact an asshole. ! More on reddit.com

I recently started a podcast. During my research, I found that it’s not as prohibitively expensive as one might think. I got a nice Zoom H4N recorder for a couple hundred bucks, a dynamic XLR mic by Behringer for about $60, a table stand and pop filter for about $20… My YouTube camera setup was way more expensive, but was luckily paid for by YouTube back in the day. These days though, you can shoot 4K on a phone, so the entry is not that expensive for that either. As for editing, I started with GarageBand, though there are online editors like Podcastle that I believe have those features for editing silence, ahs, ums, etc. Currently though, I use GarageBand since it came with my iPad. I’m also looking at an app called Ferrite which has a one time cost of $40. When I mentioned mics, I said Dynamic over condenser. There is a difference. Condenser mics are very sensitive, and will pick up every nuance in the room like the furnace, your dog, the fridge running, etc. They are great IF you have a acoustically controlled space. If you don’t, dynamic is the way to go. They are much better at just picking up what’s important, your voice. Get a foam wind screen and a pop filter so you can soften all your plosives while you talk. Since dynamic mics are good at not picking up every ambient noise, they’re also great if you decide to take your show on the road since you can’t control all the acoustics in any given location. As for cheap places to record, the best are places that are small and contained with the least resonance. If you’re doing a solo show, a closet is perfect and many people record there. You can also buy foam acoustic panels and hang them like pictures on your walls to dampen sounds, OR use moving blankets. Hope this helps you. Good luck and have fun! More on reddit.com

I've never bought anything from or even looked at Temu, so this is all based on secondhand accounts. You may spend half as much on Temu but it'll probably last half as long too. Consider saving up a little longer and you'll be able to afford equipment that will last so much longer. More on reddit.com

Piece it together. A lot of starter kits are overpriced for what they are and at least one or two items will be shit quality. Piecing it together also let's you think more about what stuff is best for your recording space and personal habits. A desk mounted mic arm is great, if you're well away from heavy traffic, minor earthquakes, and are already good at not bumping into your desk. If your desk is likely to shake, even just a little, then mounting a wiry aluminum arm on it is going to conduct that interference right into the mic. A sturdy stand with a heavy base might be better, but if you do that you might want a different pop filter attachment or other gear. But the straight fact is that unless you're doing this for work, the best option is to piece it together over time. Start with a mic and something that holds it up and figure out what you need, what you want, and if this is something you like doing before spending loads of money on it More on reddit.com