Ghost Hunting Gear: What the Ghost Adventures Crew Actually Uses

Ghost Hunting Gear: What Equipment Does the Ghost Adventures Crew Actually Use?

EMF meters, spirit boxes, REM Pods, and questionable stick figures. We're breaking down the ghost hunting equipment used on Ghost Adventures, how it works, and what we'd actually bring on our own lockdown.

Every Ghost Adventures lockdown starts more or less the same way: Zak, Aaron, Billy, and Jay roll up to a haunted location with enough equipment to launch a small satellite.

There are flashing lights, mysterious beeping noises, cameras pointed at empty hallways, and at least one piece of technology that Zak will eventually describe as groundbreaking.

After hundreds of episodes, we've developed some opinions.

Some of the equipment is genuinely interesting. Some of it makes for great television. And some of it has us wondering whether the ghosts are communicating or someone forgot to turn off the Wi-Fi router.

So, what ghost hunting equipment does the Ghost Adventures crew actually use? How does it work? And, more importantly, which gadgets would we trust if we ever found ourselves locked inside a haunted building?

Let's investigate.

1. EMF Meters: The Ghost Hunting Staple

If you've watched even one episode of Ghost Adventures, you've probably seen an EMF meter.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) meter measures electromagnetic fields produced by electrical equipment, wiring, and other sources. Paranormal investigators use them based on the theory that spirits may emit or manipulate electromagnetic energy.

The important distinction? There's no scientific evidence that EMF readings can detect ghosts.

But that hasn't stopped the EMF meter from becoming one of the most recognizable pieces of ghost hunting equipment.

How Does an EMF Meter Work?

Different EMF meters measure different types of electromagnetic fields. Some display numerical readings, while others use colored lights to indicate changes in field strength.

The K-II EMF meter, with its familiar row of colored LEDs, is particularly recognizable from paranormal investigations.

Investigators often ask questions and watch for changes in the readings, interpreting certain spikes as possible responses.

The problem is that EMF meters can also respond to completely ordinary things, including electrical wiring, appliances, and nearby electronic devices.

Which brings us to our biggest issue with EMF evidence.

If the meter starts flashing next to an electrical panel, we're going to need everyone to calm down.

Our Verdict

We love a good EMF spike as much as anyone, especially when it happens at the perfect dramatic moment.

But context matters.

An unexplained reading in an otherwise controlled environment? Interesting.

A reading next to a fuse box? Billy, please.

Related gear: [Best EMF Meters for Ghost Hunting →]

2. Spirit Boxes: Are Ghosts Talking Through Radio Static?

Few pieces of ghost hunting equipment have delivered as many memorable moments on Ghost Adventures as the spirit box.

Also known as a ghost box, this device rapidly scans AM or FM radio frequencies, producing a stream of static, radio fragments, and occasional recognizable words.

Paranormal investigators believe spirits may manipulate these frequencies to communicate.

Skeptics point out that human brains are extremely good at finding familiar words and patterns in random sounds, a phenomenon called auditory pareidolia.

And after years of watching Ghost Adventures, we can confirm that sometimes a spirit box sounds like a ghost answering a direct question.

Other times, it sounds like someone trying to order a cheeseburger through a broken drive-thru speaker.

What Spirit Box Does Ghost Adventures Use?

The crew has used different radio-sweep devices and spirit box variations over the years, including devices from the P-SB7 family.

The basic concept is similar: rapidly scan radio frequencies and listen for responses.

Some investigators use headphones or noise-isolating setups to concentrate on the audio, while others record sessions to review later.

Do Spirit Boxes Actually Work?

Spirit boxes produce real audio, but whether any apparent response comes from a paranormal source remains unproven.

Radio interference, broadcast fragments, expectation, and auditory pareidolia can all influence what listeners hear.

That doesn't mean every session is boring.

There's something undeniably unsettling about hearing what sounds like your name coming through a wall of static when you're standing in a dark basement.

Our Verdict

We're most interested when a response is clear, specific, and relevant to the question being asked.

If Zak asks, "What is your name?" and something distinctly says "Mary," we're listening.

If the response is three seconds of static that someone interprets as "Get out of my house," we may need to hear that one again.

Preferably without subtitles telling us what we're supposed to hear.

Related gear: [Best Spirit Boxes for Ghost Hunting →]

3. REM Pods: The Ghost Hunting Gadget We'd Actually Buy

Of all the paranormal equipment featured on Ghost Adventures, the REM Pod might be our favorite.

It's relatively simple, it's recognizable, and when it starts lighting up in an empty room, it makes for excellent television.

A REM Pod creates a localized electromagnetic field around an antenna. When a nearby conductive object or other environmental influence changes that field, the device can trigger lights and audible alarms.

Unlike a standard EMF meter, which measures fields already present in the environment, a REM Pod generates a field and monitors changes around it.

How Does a REM Pod Work?

The device is typically battery-powered and uses an antenna to detect disturbances in its surrounding field.

Investigators may place it in a hallway, on a staircase, or near an area where paranormal activity has reportedly occurred.

They then ask questions or invite an alleged spirit to approach the device.

When the lights begin flashing, the crew often interprets the activity as possible interaction.

Of course, there are ordinary explanations worth ruling out first, including nearby objects, people, interference, and environmental conditions.

A REM Pod going off doesn't prove a ghost is present.

But does it make us immediately pay attention to the television?

Absolutely.

Our Verdict

This is probably the first piece of dedicated paranormal equipment we'd buy.

Not because we think it definitively detects ghosts, but because it's interactive, relatively easy to understand, and perfect for creating the kind of tension that makes a ghost hunt entertaining.

Also, if we're going to spend several hours sitting in a dark room, we'd appreciate something occasionally lighting up.

Related gear: [Best REM Pods for Ghost Hunting →]

4. Thermal Cameras: Finding Ghosts or Finding Drafts?

Thermal cameras are another regular feature of paranormal investigations.

These devices detect infrared radiation and translate temperature differences into images.

Warmer areas appear differently from cooler ones, allowing investigators to visualize temperature patterns that ordinary cameras can't capture.

On Ghost Adventures, thermal imaging is often used to investigate unusual heat signatures, apparent cold spots, or areas where someone reports feeling a sudden temperature change.

Can Thermal Cameras Detect Ghosts?

Thermal cameras measure surface temperatures and thermal radiation. They don't directly measure ghosts or even the temperature of empty air.

That distinction matters because paranormal television frequently associates unexplained cold spots with the presence of spirits.

In reality, unusual thermal patterns can result from drafts, insulation problems, reflective surfaces, moisture, and ordinary heat transfer.

A thermal camera can reveal something interesting about an environment without telling us what's causing it.

Our Verdict

Thermal cameras are useful technology, and we understand why investigators bring them along.

But a cold patch on a wall isn't automatically a Victorian woman who died in 1893.

Sometimes it's just bad insulation.

And considering the age of some of the buildings the GAC investigates, we'd probably check that first.

Related gear: [Best Thermal Cameras for Ghost Hunting →]

5. SLS Cameras: Why Is There a Stick Figure in the Corner?

If there's one piece of Ghost Adventures equipment that consistently makes us question both reality and technology, it's the SLS camera.

SLS stands for Structured Light Sensor.

These devices use depth-sensing technology and software that can identify human-like shapes and represent them as skeletal figures.

Some paranormal investigators use modified Kinect-style systems to search for apparent human forms that aren't visible to the naked eye.

Which is how we end up watching Zak stare at a tiny digital stick figure standing on a chair.

How Does an SLS Camera Work?

SLS systems analyze depth information and use body-tracking software to identify shapes that resemble people.

When the software recognizes a potential human form, it may display a skeletal outline.

The issue is that these systems weren't designed to detect spirits.

They were designed to recognize human bodies, and they can sometimes interpret furniture, clothing, shadows in depth data, or other objects as human-like figures.

That's why an SLS camera can occasionally map a coat rack as a person.

Our Verdict

We have a complicated relationship with the SLS camera.

On one hand, some of the figures captured on Ghost Adventures are genuinely creepy.

On the other hand, if the technology can mistake a chair for a person, we probably shouldn't immediately assume it has detected a deceased miner from 1887.

Still, we're absolutely watching when the stick figure starts moving.

We contain multitudes.

Related gear: [Best SLS Cameras for Ghost Hunting →]

6. Digital Voice Recorders: The Equipment Behind EVP Sessions

Sometimes the most interesting paranormal equipment isn't particularly flashy.

It's a digital voice recorder.

Electronic voice phenomena, or EVP, refers to sounds captured in audio recordings that investigators interpret as voices or communications from spirits.

These alleged voices often weren't noticed during the original recording session and are only discovered during playback.

And while we have plenty of questions about paranormal technology, EVP recordings are consistently among the pieces of evidence that give us the chills.

How Do Ghost Hunters Capture EVP?

Investigators typically place a digital recorder in a quiet location, ask questions, and leave pauses for possible responses.

Afterward, they review the audio for sounds that weren't heard during the session.

Some use external microphones, headphones, and audio software to examine recordings more closely.

Of course, audio recordings can also capture background conversations, distant noises, electronic interference, and sounds that become distorted during processing.

Auditory pareidolia can make ambiguous sounds resemble recognizable words, especially when someone suggests what the recording supposedly says.

What Makes a Good EVP Recorder?

If you're choosing a recorder for paranormal investigations, we'd focus on practical recording features rather than promises of supernatural detection.

Look for clear audio quality, adjustable microphone sensitivity, uncompressed recording formats such as WAV, and enough battery life for a lengthy investigation.

A reliable recorder can document what happened during an investigation, even if it can't tell you whether a ghost was responsible.

Our Verdict

If we could bring only one piece of equipment, a digital recorder would be a serious contender.

There's something particularly unsettling about reviewing audio from an empty room and hearing a sound you don't remember.

Would we immediately declare it a ghost?

No.

Would we listen to it 37 times and make everyone else listen too?

Absolutely.

Related gear: [Best Digital Voice Recorders for EVP Sessions →]

7. Night Vision Cameras: Because Apparently We Need to Investigate in the Dark

No Ghost Adventures lockdown would be complete without someone wandering through a dark hallway while a camera captures everything in that familiar green or gray night-vision glow.

Night vision cameras are among the most practical tools used during paranormal investigations.

Unlike equipment designed around theories of spirit communication, cameras serve a straightforward purpose: documenting what happens.

How Do Ghost Hunting Night Vision Cameras Work?

Many paranormal investigators use cameras equipped with infrared illumination, which allows them to record scenes in low-light or dark environments.

Other low-light camera systems amplify available light.

These technologies can help capture movement, document environmental conditions, and provide visual context for unusual sounds or events.

But they can also produce misleading footage.

Dust particles, insects, reflections, and objects close to an infrared light source can create strange shapes or bright floating spots.

Yes, we're talking about orbs.

Our Verdict

A good night vision camera is genuinely useful for an investigation.

But if a glowing ball floats across the screen, we're checking for dust before declaring that someone's great-grandmother has arrived.

Related gear: [Best Night Vision Cameras for Ghost Hunting →]

What Ghost Hunting Equipment Would We Actually Bring?

After years of watching Zak, Aaron, Billy, and Jay investigate haunted locations, we've put together our hypothetical Ghost Misadventures lockdown kit.

And no, we don't need an entire production truck.

Our Ghost Hunting Essentials

1. A REM Pod

For the flashing lights, unexplained alarms, and inevitable arguments over whether something actually touched it.

2. A Digital Voice Recorder

For documenting sounds, reviewing possible EVPs, and proving that someone really did say they weren't scared five minutes before screaming.

3. A Spirit Box

For the drama.

We're not pretending otherwise.

4. A Night Vision Camera

Because if something genuinely strange happens, we'd like footage that doesn't look like it was recorded on a potato.

5. A Flashlight

For the radical concept of being able to see where we're walking.

6. Snacks

Possibly the most important item on this list.

After hundreds of episodes, we're still concerned about the apparent lack of snacks during these investigations.

Someone needs to address this.

Related reading: Best Ghost Hunting Equipment for Beginners: Build Your First Kit →

Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Adventures Equipment

What equipment does the Ghost Adventures crew use?

The Ghost Adventures crew has used EMF meters, spirit boxes, REM Pods, thermal imaging cameras, SLS cameras, digital voice recorders, infrared cameras, and various experimental paranormal devices. The equipment changes across seasons and investigations.

What EMF meter does Ghost Adventures use?

The K-II EMF meter is one of the recognizable devices associated with Ghost Adventures. The crew has also used other electromagnetic field detection equipment during investigations.

What spirit box does Ghost Adventures use?

The crew has used different spirit box models over the years, including devices in the P-SB7 family. These devices rapidly scan radio frequencies in an attempt to capture alleged spirit communication.

What is a REM Pod used for in ghost hunting?

A REM Pod creates an electromagnetic field around its antenna and triggers lights or sounds when that field is disturbed. Paranormal investigators sometimes interpret these disturbances as possible spirit interactions, although there is no scientific evidence that REM Pods detect ghosts.

Can ghost hunting equipment actually detect ghosts?

There is currently no scientifically validated device capable of detecting ghosts. EMF meters, thermal cameras, audio recorders, and other investigation tools measure real physical phenomena, but those measurements do not establish a supernatural cause.

What is the best ghost hunting equipment for beginners?

For beginners, a flashlight, digital voice recorder, and camera are practical starting points. EMF meters and spirit boxes can be added for experimentation, but it's important to understand their limitations.

Final Verdict: Is Ghost Hunting Gear Worth It?

We love Ghost Adventures. We love the dramatic equipment reveals, the mysterious beeping, and the moment when Zak announces that something completely unprecedented has just happened for the fifth time that season.

But we also think it's worth understanding what these devices actually measure before declaring that a flashing light proves the existence of the afterlife.

Some paranormal equipment is useful for documenting investigations. Some is interesting to experiment with. And some exists primarily because watching people react to flashing lights in dark rooms makes excellent television.

Would we buy it anyway?

Probably.

Would we still question every single piece of evidence?

Absolutely.

That's kind of the whole point.

Have a favorite piece of ghost hunting gear or a Ghost Adventures moment where the technology actually convinced you? Send us a message through our contact page. We want to hear about it.

And if you're looking for more questionable evidence and strong opinions, listen to Ghost Misadventures, where two sisters revisit Ghost Adventures one episode at a time.