In Phasmophobia, ghost-hunting equipment is critical for gathering evidence, capturing media, completing objectives, and ultimately, identifying the ghost. Your loadout always includes a handful of default starter equipment items, including a Flashlight, Video Camera, and Spirit Box, but as you earn XP and level your character up, item upgrades and new optional equipment become available for purchase from the lobby shop that can make ghosts easier to identify.
While Phasmophobia’s starter (main) items include essential tools for gathering evidence on the ghost, these optional pieces of equipment are very useful to have in your arsenal, as they can help you navigate the dark, escape a hunt, increase your Sanity level, identify unique ghost abilities, or even prevent a ghost hunt.
Just remember, depending on the difficulty level you’re playing on, you may lose some or even all of your loadout equipment if you die during a contract and, if you Prestige, your purchased equipment and upgrades reset, requiring you to start again.
Below, we break down all the equipment available in Phasmophobia, how to equip items to your loadout, and how to purchase item tier upgrades.
Starter equipment items and uses in Phasmophobia
Ghost hunters start with eight main equipment items, with more becoming available as you level up.
There are eight pieces of main equipment that, by default, are added to your loadout before each contract. One of each of these items is assigned to your loadout for free, with players able to change the tier level of the item in the equipment manager menu.
D.O.T.S. Projector
The D.O.T.S. Projector is required to gather D.O.T.S. Projector evidence.
Price: $65
What it does: Used to gather D.O.T.S. Projector evidence. Emits green laser/s that scan for physical ghost form.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Range: 5m
Spotlight: Narrow
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: Level 27
Range: 2.5m
Area light
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 49
Range: 7m
Spotlight: Wide
Placeable
Scanning
Electronic
Flashlight
A Flashlight won’t prevent Sanity drain, but will help you see.
Price: $30
What it does: Provides light to navigate the dark, but uses one hand slot.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Intensity: Low
Spotlight: Narrow
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 18
Intensity: Medium
Spotlight: Narrow
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 34
Intensity: High
Spotlight: Wide
Electronic
Spirit Box
Make sure you ask the right questions with the Spirit Box.
Price: $50
What it does: Used to gather Spirit Box evidence. Allows you to ask the ghost questions, and it may audibly respond.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Audio quality: Low
Response rate: Low
Range: 3m
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 23
Audio quality: Medium
Response rate: Medium
Range: 4m
Display screen
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 46
Audio quality: High
Response rate: High
Range: 5m
Electronic
UV Light
Keep an eye out for UV fingerprints and footprints.
Price: $35
What it does: Used to gather UV evidence. Shine on surfaces the ghost has interacted with to search for fingerprints or footprints.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
UV charge time: 5
Spotlight: Narrow
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 18
Duration: 60s
UV charge time: 10
Area light
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 46
UV charge time: 1.5
Spotlight: Wide
Electronic
EMF Reader
The EMF Reader can also help you locate the ghost.
Price: $45
What it does: Used to gather EMF Level 5 evidence. Can be used to gauge the EMF levels or ghost activity.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Accuracy: Low
Range: 1.7m
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 18
Accuracy: Medium
Range: 2m
Audio indicator
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 46
Accuracy: High
Range: 3.5m
Audio indicator
Display screen
Directional indicator
Distance indicator
Electronic
Ghost Writing Book
Ghosts aren’t the best at drawing.
Price: $40
What it does: Used to gather Ghost Writing Evidence. When placed, the ghost can scribble in the book.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Interaction rate: Low
Range: 3m
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 23
Interaction rate: Medium
Range: 4m
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 55
Interaction rate: High
Range: 5m
Thermometer
A 0-degree Celsius reading counts as Freezing Temperatures evidence.
Price: $30
What it does: Used to gather Freezing Temperatures evidence. Use to gauge temperatures of rooms in the investigation area.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Accuracy: Low
Sample speed: Low
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 27
Accuracy: Medium
Sample speed: Medium
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 65
Accuracy: High
Sample speed: High
Electronic
Video Camera
Video Cameras can capture Ghost Orbs.
Price: $50
What it does: Used to gather Ghost Orb evidence and video recordings (media). Can be held in hand, but also provides a live feed to the van, allowing you to monitor the investigation area from outside.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: N/A
Image quality: Low
Paranormal resistance: Low
Night vision
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 27
Image quality: Medium
Paranormal resistance: Medium
Night vision
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 49
Image quality: High
Paranormal resistance: High
Night vision
Electronic
Optional equipment items and uses in Phasmophobia
Optional equipment must be individually purchased and added to your loadout, with each tier requiring the player to reach a specific level to be unlocked.
Crucifix
Strategically place the Crucifix to prevent hunts.
Price: $30
What it does: Prevents the ghost from triggering a hunt within its radius.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 7
Range: 3m
Uses: 1
Placeable
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 34
Range: 4m
Uses: 2
Placeable
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 80
Range: 5m
Uses: 2
Prevents one cursed hunt
Placeable
Consumable
Head Gear
Head Gear abilities vary per tier.
Price: $60
What it does: It depends on the tier. Tier 1 is a video camera, Tier 2 a headlight, and Tier 3 night vision goggles.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 13
Image quality: Medium
Paranormal interference: Low
Head Slot
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 42
Intensity: Medium
Head Slot
Spotlight
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 80
Paranormal interference: High
Head Slot
Night vision
Electronic
Incense
Incense is useful when you need to escape the ghost.
Price: $15
What it does: Can be used to blind, slow, or halt the ghost or temporarily prevent a hunt.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 14
Range: 3m
Duration: 5s
Blinds ghost during hunt: 5s
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 37
Range: 5m
Duration: 6s
Blinds ghost during hunt: 5s
Slows ghost during hunt: 5s
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 80
Range: 5m
Duration: 7s
Blinds ghost during hunt: 5s
Halts ghost during hunt: 5s
Parabolic Microphone
The Parabolic Microphone can be required for complete optional objectives.
Price: $50
What it does: Listen for paranormal and distance sounds.
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 5
Range: 20m
Sensor shape: Wide
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 32
Range: 30m
Sensor shape: Wide
Display screen
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 70
Range: 30m
Sensor shape: Wide
Display screen
Distance indicator
Directional indicator
Electronic
Salt
The only ghost that can’t walk through Salt is a Wraith.
Price: $15
What it does: Can be stepped on by ghosts to leave footprint UV.
Max number in loadout: 3
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 8
Uses: 2
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 39
Uses: 3
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 65
Uses: 3
Slows ghost during hunts: 2s
Consumable
Sound Recorder
Sony has nothing on Bony technology.
Price: $30
What it does: Used to record sound recordings (media).
Max number in loadout: 2
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 4
Range: 3m
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 39
Range: 5m
Display screen
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 60
Range: 5m
Display screen
Distance indicator
Directional indicator
Electronic
Tripod
It’s almost always worth setting up a video camera in the ghost room.
Price: $25
What it does: Video cameras can be placed on this when there are no viable surfaces.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 9
Stability: Low
Placeable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 34
Stability: Medium
Placeable
Rotation control
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 60
Stability: High
Placeable
Rotation control
Firelight
Firelights can provide light while preventing Sanity drain.
Price: $15
What it does: Provides light that prevents Sanity loss and ghosts can blow out flame.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 12
Range: 2m
Duration: 5 mins
Sanity drain reduction: 33%
Placeable
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 27
Range: 2m
Duration: 10 mins
Sanity drain reduction: 50%
Placeable
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 75
Range: 2m
Sanity drain reduction: 66%
Placeable
Waterproof
Igniter
Igniters are critical when using the Firelight or Incense.
Price: $10
What it does: Used to light Firelights, Incense, and campfires.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 12
Duration: 10 mins
Uses: 10
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 37
Duration: 5 mins
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 52
Duration: 10 mins
Waterproof
Motion Sensor
Keep an ear out for the audible bleeps of the Motion Sensor.
Price: $100
What it does: Can detect ghost and player motion when light is passed through. Sends detection information to the van.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 3
Sensor shape: Line
Light indicator
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 42
Sensor shape: Line/Narrow
Light indicator
Audio indicator
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 70
Range: 1.5m
Sensor shape: Full
Scanning
Light indicator
Audio indicator
Placeable
Electronic
Photo Camera
Taking pictures with the Photo Camera is a great way to earn extra cash and XP.
Price: $40
What it does: Used for taking photographs (media).
Max number in loadout: 3
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 2
Time between photos: 3
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 23
Paranormal resistance: Medium
Time between photos: 2
Display screen
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 55
Paranormal resistance: High
Time between photos: 1
Display screen
Electronic
Sanity Medication
If you need a Sanity top up, take some Sanity Medication.
Price: $20
What it does: Restores player Sanity level.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 14
Sanity restoration speed: 20s
Consumable
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 39
Sanity restoration speed: 10s
Consumable
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 75
Sanity restoration speed: 10s
Sprint boost: 10s
Consumable
Sound Sensor
It’s generally agreed that Sound Sensors are less useful than other pieces of equipment.
Price: $80
What it does: Detects sounds in radius, sends readings to the van.
Max number in loadout: 4
Tier 1 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 10
Ranges: 5m, 10m
Sensor shape: Full
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 2 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 32
Ranges: 5m, 10m, 15m
Sensor shape: Full
Placeable
Electronic
Tier 3 unlock level and properties:
Unlock level: 52
Ranges: 5m, 10m, 15m
Sensor shape: Full/Wide/Sides
Placeable
Electronic
How to purchase new equipment in Phasmophobia
You can also sell items in the Shop, but you’ll only get back half their value.
To purchase new equipment in Phasmophobia, enter the game lobby by selecting ‘Singleplayer’ or ‘Multiplayer’ from the main menu screen. Next, go to the GH//OS.T.OS3 computer screen by pressing the arrow pointing right (while looking at the main lobby board) or by selecting the computer to the right of the board.
To buy new items, select the ‘Shop’ option from the menu. This takes you to the equipment shop menu, where you can buy or sell items. To select an item to buy, click on the tile icon for the item you want to purchase, and select the ‘Buy’ button under the item’s listing on the right side of the screen. You can also select ‘Sell’ if you want to sell equipment, but you’ll only get back half its purchase value. You can buy up to 999 of each item.
How to purchase equipment upgrades in Phasmophobia
Even if you unlock an upgrade, you need to purchase it from the Shop before you can use it.
Equipment upgrades require reaching a specific player level to unlock them. Once you’ve reached the required level, go to the ‘Shop’ menu, and you should see an arrow icon and a price on the upgrades you’ve unlocked but not yet purchased. To purchase the upgrade, click on the upgrade tile and select the ‘Upgrade’ button on the right of the screen. Equipment upgrades can get pricey, especially for Tier 3 items that require level 80 to unlock, like the Crucifix, so you may need to save up some cash before you can purchase them.
How to add equipment to your loadout in Phasmophobia
Make sure to highlight the correct tier of item you want to equip.
To add your new items to your team’s loadout, select the ‘Equipment Manager’ option from the computer screen to bring up your loadout. Select the tile (ensuring it’s the tier you want!) of the item you want to add to your loadout so it is highlighted yellow, and then select the plus icon to add one of that item to your truck’s equipment or the minus button to remove it.
You can see how many of each item you have available via the box icon under the item name, which will have a number next to it. This is how many of that item you have available but aren’t equipped. Note that the tier of all the items you personally add to the truck must be the same, so you can’t, for example, add two Tier 1 Flashlights and 2 Tier 3 ones. However, when playing with others, you can each add different tiered items to the truck loadout if you desire. Remember that the loadout is shared among all the players in the current lobby, rather than being individually assigned, so try to share the cost a bit — but utilize the higher-tier gear that higher-level players can bring with them (that you may not have unlocked yet).
If you find it painful to buy and manually add each piece of equipment, you can use the ‘Quick-Loadouts’ menu to create a set loadout for each game. However, we recommend this for wealthier, higher-level players, as this option automatically purchases any missing items (including consumables you may have used during a contract) and so can result in your funds quickly disappearing if you die a lot.
