Gaming comes in many forms, from casual mobile phone applications to hardcore FPS competitive play. PC gamers constantly strive for a better experience, even if you’re looking to relax with a less heart-pumping game. Companies consistently produce accessories, equipment, and gear that innovate how we interact with games. Getting your dream setup can be costly, but creating a serviceable station doesn’t always have to break the bank completely. If you’re interested in a few product recommendations for some essential gear for gamers, read below to find out more.
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Essential Gear for Gamers
Purchasing essential gear for gamers can be a chore if you don’t know where to look. Check out these recommendations for each piece of necessary equipment.
Headset
The headset is one of the most important components of gaming. Sound is just as important as visuals; the right headset sits comfortably on your head as you listen for crucial information like footsteps, opponent sounds, and distant action. Any serious gamer will tell you that if your headset is uncomfortable, has bad audio, or has poor mic quality, it destroys your gameplay experience.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Recommended)
Price: $350
We discussed the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro in our 8 Best Wireless Headphones For You article. Not only do the headphones look stunning, but the quality lives up to the price tag. These are wireless, which requires charging, but with the Infinity Power System, you can charge one unit while using the other as you communicate with teammates. It’s got active noise cancellation, a must for modern-day gaming.
The ANC technology cusps your ears and blankets them so that background noise doesn’t penetrate your experience, and you can focus on winning each game. Be careful you don’t get too immersed, though. You might miss dinner! Although this headset is expensive, if you have the funds for it or are extremely particular about audio quality, this is a great choice for gamers.
Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED (Budget)
Price: $132
If you’re on a budget and still want decent audio quality, then the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED is a good choice. These headphones are also wireless; you need to plug in the USB connector to start using them. This pair only weighs 236 grams, which is lightweight and can sit on your head without causing any irritation. Although the ear cushion quality isn’t very good, they’re soft and protect your cartilage from pain or fatigue. The flip-to-mute mic is super helpful – when you want to speak, keep the mic at mouth level, and flip it up when you want to mute yourself.
Mouse
Your computer’s mouse is an extension of your hand. Those on their machines all day feel extremely comfortable navigating their mouse, and some may even use the multiple side buttons, DPI controls, and switches to tailor their experience. The mouse is similar to a wizard’s wand – sometimes, the mouse just chooses you. Examine these two products to see if you’ve found your match.
Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum (Recommended)
Price: $150
Although the mouse is perhaps one of the most crucial parts of a gamer’s setup, many of us skimp out on it because we think it’s just meant to point and click. While technically accurate, a good mouse like the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum can allow you to tailor your DPI, set custom mouse binds, and more. With this, you get an adjustable DPI range of 200 – 12,000 and a wireless charge of up to 30 hours. Wireless mice allow you to use them without any limitations.
If you’re an individual who plays on a lower sensitivity and requires large swooping motions, then a wire could get in the way. The construction of the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum isn’t clunky at all, and none of the side buttons get in the way. Although it’s expensive, this is a mouse that you could use for years and years without a dip in functionality.
Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury (Budget)
Price: $60
Here we have yet another Logitech product. The Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury has a sleek look yet is packed with functionality due to its eight programmable buttons. According to the manufacturer, it’s the world’s fastest gaming mouse (although we have doubts) with the Fusion Engine technology and 1MS report rate. Unlike the recommended product above, this is a wired mouse. So if you prefer wireless mice, we recommend exploring other similarly priced budget products (although we can’t vouch for the latency and general quality). For $60, you’ll have a sturdy, high-quality mouse that doesn’t break the bank.
Keyboard
To be honest, gamers mostly only use the WASD keys and maybe the control, shift, and spacebar keys. Everything else would be for general use, like communicating with teammates. But the keyboard is one of the more underrated pieces of essential gear for gamers – if you’ve had a stuck key, you’ll know the pain. Check out some of these gaming keyboards for your setup.
Corsair K70 (Recommended)
Price: $158
Mechanical keyboards are the way to go if you’re a gamer. The clacking sound of the keys is satisfying and functional, as each bounces back quickly to create a smooth typing experience. One of the essential parts of having a keyboard is cleaning all the gunk underneath the keys. With the Corsair K70, it’s straightforward to do that – just use a little force to take the keys off. They’re also easy to put back in without a hitch. It has an RGB backlight and companion software to customize how your keyboard truly functions. $160 for a mechanical keyboard isn’t cheap, but if you take care of this, you’ll be sure to have it for years.
SteelSeries Apex 5 (Budget)
Price: $73
The SteelSeries Apex 5 might not have a construction that’s as high quality as the Corsair or other higher-end products, but it’s still a great choice if you’re on a bit of a budget. The keys might rub off after constant use, but most of us memorize where each key is anyway, so it’s not that big of a problem.
This keyboard also comes with a wrist support section so that you’re not grazing your joints along a jagged desk edge which can cause carpal tunnel or general irritation. There may be other mechanical keyboards for less than this, but you’re getting a good balance of affordability and functionality for $60 with the SteelSeries Apex 5.
Monitor
The monitor is the attention-grabber for a gamer’s setup. When they look at a station, the first thing many notice is how big the monitor is. A high-quality monitor is a piece of essential gear for gamers as it allows them to see more in better quality. They’re also usually the most expensive piece of equipment that isn’t the computer itself. Here are our recommendations.
Dell 34 Curved Gaming Monitor (Recommended)
Price: $450
Curved monitors aren’t particularly new, but they’ve recently made a huge surge in popularity, with many gamers opting for them. The Dell 34 Curved Gaming Monitor is as monstrous as it sounds – 34 inches of ultra HD imagery. Once you first get an enormous curved monitor like this, it can be hard to adjust, as there’s just so much going on compared to a little laptop screen or even a normal monitor.
However, with AMD FreeSync Premium Technology, you get crystal clear clarity on even the smallest details – something bigger monitors sometimes struggles with. Although it’s $450, which is pretty expensive, it pales compared to other behemoths that can be near $2000. If you consider that, then this is a bargain for its quality.
Sceptre 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor (Budget)
Price: $250
While the Sceptre 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor isn’t as wide as the recommendation above (although only 4 inches smaller), it’s a great alternative if you want to save a few hundred dollars. What’s cool about this monitor is that it has a Blue Light Shift to reduce your monitor’s blue light rays.
This saves your eyes from fatigue and irritation so you can play safely. This monitor also comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Technology, so you can get high-quality visuals and expect great clarity. For $250, this is a great monitor to choose compared to many on the market that would cost a mini fortune.
Chair
We’ve all heard the “gaming chair” trope. When you make a bad play, it’s always the chair’s fault. There is some truth to that, though. A good chair that can support a comfortable yet healthy posture allows you to perform to your maximum abilities without worrying about discomfort. Since we spend most of our time sitting down these days, having a great chair is a piece of equipment that’s essential gear for gamers.
Corsair T3 Rush (Recommended)
Price: $320
High-quality chairs don’t come cheap, unfortunately. The Corsair T3 Rush is pricey for a gaming chair, and it doesn’t have quite the same flashy appeal as some of the other designs on the market, but it’s extremely comfortable and functional. Those with leather gaming chairs might know how much your nether regions can smell after sitting down for ages.
The Corsair T3 Rush‘s breathable fabric doesn’t retain much heat, meaning you can stay cool, and there won’t be an unpleasant stench after sitting down for ages. The cushioning on the chair is great, too, and you can push the chair back to an almost horizontal position. We all need our rest after a bad game. For $320, some might find it hard to justify purchasing this chair, but we guarantee you won’t look elsewhere if you have this.
Oversteel ULTIMET (Budget)
Price: $167
The Oversteel ULTIMET is a more traditional gaming chair. It’s sleek black leather all over its original colorway, but you can choose from eight colors to fit your taste and room decor. It supports only 120kg of weight, so if you’re over that, we wouldn’t recommend you get this product, as it could break, especially if you want to lean the chair back.
That reason alone may deter many customers, but it is a well-constructed chair with premium leatherette and high-density foam for support. You can also recline the backrest to 180 degrees for a quick rest. If you don’t enjoy the smell after sitting on a leather seat all day, we recommend getting a seat cover. For $190, you get a high-quality chair that you can be sure to use for years to come.
Conclusion
The essential gear for gamers covers everything you need, whether you’re a more casual player or an experienced pro. You might benefit from reviewing our recommendations if you want to create your setup and explore some options. You can use this list as a foundation to explore products that fit your requirements better, too.
