All 21 Equipment Items and Their Upgrade Tiers in Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia is a ghost hunting game where you and your team investigate haunted places to work out which ghost is there. Each job, which the game calls a contract, is done with a set of tools called equipment, from an EMF Reader and a Spirit Box to a Crucifix and Incense. Some tools help you gather clues about the ghost, while others keep you safe when it turns on the team. Knowing what each one is for, and how to buy and carry it, makes every contract easier to plan for.

Equipment Group

Main Equipment

8 items

D.O.T.S. Projector

A laser projector for spotting the ghost’s D.O.T.S. evidence.

Purpose: Projects green laser dots that reveal the ghost’s D.O.T.S. evidence.
Price per Item: $65
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: A handheld electronic laser pen projects a narrow field up to 5 m and can also be placed.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 27
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: A placeable electronic projector casts area light over a 2.5 m range.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 49
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: A placeable electronic projector covers a wide 7 m area and scans automatically.

EMF Reader

A meter that tracks ghost interactions and can confirm EMF Level 5.

Purpose: Tracks electromagnetic readings left by ghost interactions and can reveal EMF Level 5 evidence.
Price per Item: $45
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The low-accuracy analog meter detects readings within 1.7 m and signals with its needle and clicks.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 18
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The meter has medium accuracy and a 2 m range, with an audio indicator.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 46
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $4,500
Tier III Features: The reader has high accuracy and a 3.5 m range, and adds a display, direction and distance indicators; it tracks up to three readings.

Flashlight

A handheld light for seeing through dark areas.

Purpose: Lights the investigation area so hunters can see in the dark.
Price per Item: $30
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The electronic flashlight has low intensity and a narrow spotlight.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 18
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic flashlight has medium intensity and a narrow spotlight.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 34
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The electronic flashlight has high intensity and a wider spotlight.

Ghost Writing Book

A notebook the ghost can write in for evidence.

Purpose: Gives a ghost a surface to write or draw on for Ghost Writing evidence.
Price per Item: $40
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The book has a 3 m interaction range and a low ghost interaction rate.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 23
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The book has a 4 m interaction range and a medium ghost interaction rate.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 55
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The book has a 5 m interaction range and a high ghost interaction rate.

Spirit Box

A radio that can capture spoken responses from the ghost.

Purpose: Lets hunters ask questions and listen for a ghost response as Spirit Box evidence.
Price per Item: $50
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The electronic box has a 3 m range with low audio quality and response rate.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 23
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic box has a 4 m range, medium audio quality and response rate, and adds a display screen.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 46
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The electronic box has a 5 m range with high audio quality and response rate.

Thermometer

A temperature reader for checking cold rooms and Freezing Temperatures.

Purpose: Measures room temperature to help find Freezing Temperatures evidence and the ghost’s room.
Price per Item: $30
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The passive thermometer has low accuracy and slow sample speed; it is not electronic.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 27
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The thermometer has medium accuracy and sample speed and becomes electronic.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 65
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The electronic thermometer has high accuracy and faster sample speed.

UV Light

A UV light for finding fingerprints and footprints.

Purpose: Reveals ultraviolet fingerprints and footprints left by the ghost.
Price per Item: $35
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The electronic flashlight has a narrow spotlight and charges UV prints in 5 seconds.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 18
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The glowstick provides area light for 60 seconds and charges UV prints in 10 seconds; it is not electronic and can be shaken to restore light.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 46
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $2,000
Tier III Features: The electronic UV flashlight has a wide spotlight and charges UV prints in 1.5 seconds.

Video Camera

A camera for watching rooms from the van and checking for Ghost Orbs.

Purpose: Streams the investigation area to the van, where hunters can look for Ghost Orbs and record video media.
Price per Item: $50
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Start
Tier I Features: The electronic camera has low image quality, low resistance to paranormal interference and night vision; faded screen text marks duplicate evidence.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 27
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic camera has medium image quality and interference resistance with night vision; faded screen text marks duplicate evidence.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 49
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The electronic camera has high image quality and interference resistance with night vision; faded screen text marks duplicate evidence.

Equipment Group

Optional Equipment

13 items

Crucifix

A protective item that can stop a ghost from starting a hunt.

Purpose: Stops a ghost from starting a hunt when the crucifix is within its range.
Price per Item: $30
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 7
Tier I Features: The placeable crucifix has a 3 m range and one use before it is consumed.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 34
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $4,000
Tier II Features: The placeable crucifix has a 4 m range and two uses before it is consumed.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 80
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $20,000
Tier III Features: The placeable crucifix has a 5 m range, two uses and can stop one cursed hunt; it is consumed when used.

Firelight

A light that slows passive sanity loss while its flame is nearby.

Purpose: Provides light and reduces passive sanity drain nearby; a ghost can blow out its flame.
Price per Item: $15
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 12
Tier I Features: The firelight covers 2 m, burns for 5 minutes and reduces passive sanity drain by 33%; it can be placed and is consumed after use.
Tier II Unlock Level: -
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The firelight covers 2 m, burns for 10 minutes and reduces passive sanity drain by 50%; it can be placed and is consumed after use.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 75
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $10,000
Tier III Features: The firelight covers 2 m, lasts for the contract, reduces passive sanity drain by 66% and is waterproof; it can be placed and reused.

Head Gear

A head-mounted camera, light or night-vision viewer, depending on tier.

Purpose: Uses the head slot to provide a video feed, a flashlight or night vision depending on the tier.
Price per Item: $60
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 13
Tier I Features: The electronic head camera provides a video feed with medium image quality and low paranormal interference.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 42
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $10,000
Tier II Features: The electronic headlamp provides medium-intensity light without using a hand slot.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 80
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $10,000
Tier III Features: The electronic head gear provides night vision but has high paranormal interference.

Igniter

A matchbox or lighter for igniting fire-based equipment.

Purpose: Lights Incense, Firelights, candles and campfires.
Price per Item: $10
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 12
Tier I Features: The matchbox provides ten matches, each burning for 10 seconds, and is consumed after use.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 37
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $500
Tier II Features: The gas lighter burns for up to 5 minutes and is consumed after use.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 52
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $750
Tier III Features: The waterproof lighter burns for up to 10 minutes and is reusable.

Incense

Burning incense buys time before a hunt and can disrupt a ghost during one.

Purpose: Temporarily prevents regular hunts when used near the ghost and can disorient it during a hunt.
Price per Item: $15
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 14
Tier I Features: The bundle burns for 5 seconds, affects a ghost within 3 m and blinds it for 5 seconds during a hunt; it is consumed after use.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 37
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,500
Tier II Features: The bundle burns for 6 seconds, affects a ghost within 4 m, blinds it for 5 seconds and slows it for 5 seconds during a hunt; it is consumed after use.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 80
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $15,000
Tier III Features: The burner lasts for 7 seconds, affects a ghost within 5 m, blinds it for 5 seconds and halts it for 5 seconds during a hunt; it is reusable.

Motion Sensor

A placeable sensor that reports movement to the van.

Purpose: Detects movement from the ghost or players and reports when its beam is crossed.
Price per Item: $100
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 3
Tier I Features: The placeable electronic sensor detects a line and uses a light indicator.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 42
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $2,500
Tier II Features: The placeable electronic sensor detects a line or narrow area and adds an audio indicator.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 70
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $8,000
Tier III Features: The placeable electronic sensor scans a full 1.5 m area and uses light and audio indicators.

Parabolic Microphone

A directional microphone for listening for distant ghost activity.

Purpose: Picks up distant or paranormal sounds to help locate activity and complete objectives.
Price per Item: $50
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 5
Tier I Features: The electronic microphone detects sounds within a wide 20 m range.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 32
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic microphone has a wide 30 m range and adds a display screen.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 70
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier III Features: The electronic microphone has a wide 30 m range and adds distance and direction indicators to its display.

Photo Camera

A camera for documenting ghost activity and other contract subjects.

Purpose: Takes photos of ghost activity and other subjects for investigation rewards and objectives.
Price per Item: $40
Max in Loadout: 3
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 2
Tier I Features: The camera takes photos every 3 seconds; its light changes red to green for evidence photos and glows yellow for duplicate evidence.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 23
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic camera takes photos every 2 seconds, adds a display and medium paranormal-interference resistance, highlights evidence photos and fades text for duplicates.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 55
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier III Features: The electronic camera takes photos every second, adds a display and high paranormal-interference resistance, highlights evidence photos and fades text for duplicates.

Salt

A powder trail that can reveal where the ghost has walked.

Purpose: Leaves piles the ghost can step in, producing footprints that can be checked with UV light.
Price per Item: $15
Max in Loadout: 3
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 8
Tier I Features: Each pile has two uses before it is consumed.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 39
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $2,500
Tier II Features: Each pile has three uses before it is consumed.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 65
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier III Features: Each pile has three uses and slows the ghost for 2 seconds during a hunt; it is consumed after use.

Sanity Medication

A consumable dose that restores sanity over time.

Purpose: Restores sanity, with the amount restored depending on the contract’s difficulty settings.
Price per Item: $20
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 14
Tier I Features: The medication restores sanity over 20 seconds and is consumed after use.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 39
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $2,000
Tier II Features: The medication restores sanity over 10 seconds and is consumed after use.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 75
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier III Features: The medication restores sanity over 10 seconds, adds a 10 second sprint boost and is consumed after use.

Sound Recorder

A handheld recorder for collecting ghost sounds as media.

Purpose: Records ghost sounds as media that can be reviewed in the Journal.
Price per Item: $30
Max in Loadout: 2
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 4
Tier I Features: The electronic recorder captures sounds within 3 m; dimmer volume indicators mark duplicate recordings.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 39
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The electronic recorder has a 5 m range and a display with a sound indicator; faded sound waves mark duplicates.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 60
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier III Features: The electronic recorder has a 5 m range and adds distance and direction indicators; faded sound waves mark duplicates.

Sound Sensor

A placed microphone that sends nearby sounds to the van.

Purpose: Detects sounds in a monitored area and sends them to the van’s sound monitor.
Price per Item: $80
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 10
Tier I Features: The placeable electronic sensor monitors a full area at 5 m or 10 m settings.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 32
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier II Features: The placeable electronic sensor monitors a full area at 5 m, 10 m or 15 m settings.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 52
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $1,500
Tier III Features: The placeable electronic sensor monitors a full, wide or side-facing area at 5 m, 10 m or 15 m settings.

Tripod

A camera stand for positioning a Video Camera in a room.

Purpose: Holds a Video Camera where hunters want a steady remote view of a room.
Price per Item: $25
Max in Loadout: 4
Tier I Unlock Level: Level 9
Tier I Features: The tripod can be placed, but has low stability.
Tier II Unlock Level: Level 34
Tier II Upgrade Cost: $5,000
Tier II Features: The tripod has medium stability and adds camera rotation control.
Tier III Unlock Level: Level 60
Tier III Upgrade Cost: $3,000
Tier III Features: The tripod has high stability and camera rotation control.

Equipment That Helps You Find Evidence

Every ghost leaves clues, which the game calls evidence. Your team needs several different pieces of evidence before you can name the ghost, and no single tool can find all of them. That's why each tool is built to pick up a different kind of sign. The EMF Reader picks up electrical activity, the Thermometer tracks sudden drops in temperature, and the UV Light reveals fingerprints and footprints.

Most of the starter tools are evidence tools, so you can start looking for clues on your first job. A few items are about watching and listening instead. Sound Sensors are placed microphones whose audio you check from the van, and Motion Sensors flash when something moves in front of them. The Parabolic Microphone lets you hear sounds from farther away through headphones, and Photo Cameras take pictures of the evidence you find.

Equipment That Keeps You Safe During a Hunt

When a ghost starts a hunt, it goes after the team, and that's when protective gear matters most. Your sanity drops the longer you stay in the dark, so the tools in this group help you hold on to your sanity or keep a hunt from reaching you.

The Crucifix stops a ghost from starting a hunt near it, and its top tier can stop a cursed hunt. Incense can stop a ghost from starting a hunt, and it can blind one that's already happening. Salt is a bit of both: it leaves piles that show ghost footprints, and its top tier also slows a hunting ghost.

Firelights, which are candles or lanterns, cut down the sanity you lose while you stay close, and an Igniter lights them along with Incense. Sanity Medication restores your sanity over time.

Light matters too. Flashlights get brighter and wider as you upgrade them, and Head Gear puts a camera, a light or night vision goggles on your head, depending on the tier, so you can see without holding anything.

How to Buy Equipment and Upgrade Tiers

Every item comes in three tiers, and each higher tier does its job better. Upgrades improve things like range, accuracy and speed, so it's worth putting your money into the tools you rely on most.

Higher tiers unlock as your profile level rises, and each one has a one-time unlock cost that climbs quickly. Bringing an item on a contract costs the same at every tier, so the real expense is unlocking the upgrade in the first place. You earn the money for all of this by finishing contracts, including the optional objectives that pay extra.

The starter tools come with you from the start, and the first tier of most items costs nothing to unlock. That means you can play with basic gear while you build up money for upgrades.

How to Load and Carry Equipment on a Contract

You choose your gear in the lobby, at the computer where you buy and upgrade items. Whatever you pick is loaded into the van before the job, and once the contract starts, you take what you need from there.

You can only carry a few items at once. Some items also have a limit on how many you can bring to a single contract.

The Crucifix, Salt and Sanity Medication are used up at every tier, and so are the first two tiers of Firelight, Igniter and Incense. You have to buy those again afterward.

FAQ

What equipment do you start with in Phasmophobia?

You start with these tools: the D.O.T.S. Projector, EMF Reader, Flashlight, Ghost Writing Book, Spirit Box, Thermometer, UV Light and Video Camera. They cover the main evidence and the basic light, which makes them the core of any early job.

How many pieces of evidence do you need to identify a ghost?

On the standard difficulty you need three. Nightmare lowers that to two, so you have fewer clues to find before you can name the ghost.

Is there a limit on how many Video Cameras or Tripods I can bring?

Yes. Tripods and Video Cameras are capped at four each per contract, so four is the most you can bring of either.