What to Look For in Ghost Hunting

Whether you're heading into your first ghost hunt or you're an experienced hunter, it’s important to know what to look for during a paranormal investigation. Paranormal activity isn’t what television or movies show with full bodied visible ghosts and items flying off of shelves.Often, it's the subtle shifts in environment-temperature drops, static spikes, unusual EMF readings-that signal something beyond the veil is near.

We’ve spent years testing tools in the field and working with our investigators. Here’s a guide to th signs of possible paranormal activity-and the best gear to help you detect them.

Unexplained electromagnetic field (EMF) fluctuations are one of the most common indicators of a potential haunting. Spirits are thought to manipulate energy, which can show up as unusual spikes.

What to look for:

• Sudden spikes in EMF levels without a natural cause (no electrical panels, appliances, or wiring nearby)

• EMF readings that coincide with personal experiences (goosebumps, pressure, or unease)

Recommended gear:

• K2 EMF Meter : Simple, reliable, and widely trusted.

• REM Pod : Detects energy changes with an audible alert and visual display-great for hands-off monitoring.

One of the classic signs of spirit activity is a sudden cold spot. Spirits are believed to draw energy from the environment, causing noticeable temperature shifts.

What to look for:

• Cold spots in otherwise stable environments

• Dramatic drops in temperature in specific areas or rooms

Recommended gear:

• Mel Meter with Temperature : Measures both EMF and ambient temperature in one compact device.

• Temperature Gun: To measure the tempurature of a specific area and compare it to the surroundings- to help detect cold spots.

Static electricity often goes overlooked, but it's a key environmental change during many encounters. Spirits are thought to create or manipulate static energy.

What to look for:

• Hair standing on end

• Buzzing or tingling sensations

• Devices that trigger from static energy, even when untouched

Recommended gear:

• PRS (Paranormal Rem Static) : Designed to light up and alert you to static fields. Also works as a REM device.

• NEM Master : Monitors electrostatic anomalies in an easy to carry pocket sized device..

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) are unexplained voices or sounds captured on audio recordings-one of the most sought-after pieces of paranormal evidence.

What to listen for:

• Whispers, cries, or words not heard at the time of recording

• Responses to direct questions during a session

Recommended gear:

• SB7 Spirit Box : Rapidly scans radio frequencies, allowing spirits to manipulate white noise to speak.

• A quality digital recorder like the   our Digital Voice Recorder to capture clear, raw audio.

• A Portal to help enhance the EVP.

Apparent movement in an empty room-shadows, footsteps, or touched objects-can be a strong sign. Spirits may disturb physical space in subtle or overt ways.

What to look for:

• Objects moving without explanation

• Alarms triggered with no one nearby

• Unexplained shadows and movement from the corner of your eye

Recommended gear:

• SHADOW Master: Alerts you to shadows that you may otherwise miss.

• Para4ce PMB: plays spooky music when movement is detected.

Of course, there's always the chance of catching something on camera. Misty forms, orbs, or figures are frequently reported-and video gear can document what the eye can’t.

What to look for:

• Light anomalies or shadows with no source

• Apparitions in mirrors or camera playback

Recommended gear:

• Full Spectrum Cameras : Capture infrared and ultraviolet light not visible to the human eye.

• Kinect SLS camera: Captures stick figure type anomalies.

Ghost hunting is as much about observation as it is about technology. Trust your instincts-but back up your experiences with tools designed to detect environmental changes. When used properly, equipment like EMF meters, static detectors, and motion sensors can validate what you see and feel, offering a layered investigation that’s both credible and compelling.