If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our site, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Computer games are a fun way to de-stress after a long day, connect with friends online, and appreciate a fast-paced interactive art form. However, to get the most out of the experience, you'll want to buy some of the best gaming accessories. You can play games with the mouse and keyboard you use for work, but, for most games, it won't be enough for quality gaming sessions. Additionally, gaming accessories allow you to customize certain features, especially lighting, to add some atmosphere and fun to the experience.
At a glance: The best PC gaming accessories
The world of tech accessories is big, but we've done the work for you by finding some essential accessories you'll want to create a great PC gaming setup. From keyboards and mice to the right WiFi routers to use, we've got you covered.
The best PC gaming accessories to buy now
To make this list of the best gaming accessories, we looked at expert reviews and gaming forums on platforms like Reddit to see which accessories and specific products gamers like the most. Then, after testing products, we came up with the picks below — all of which are available from reputable retailers and have an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
A gaming headset
If you're going to play online multiplayer games with friends, a good headset is an essential accessory. For a balance of features, sound quality and affordability, it's hard to beat SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. One of its best features is simultaneous 2.4GHz audio for gaming and Bluetooth 5.0 for other audio sources. This means you can listen to music or take a call while still hearing game audio on the same earpiece. Build quality is also excellent, ensuring hours of wear without discomfort.
A comfortable gaming chair
Another must-have for gamers is a comfortable chair. Some prefer a high-end office chair (like this venerable Aeron from Herman Miller), but you can often get more bang for your buck with a nice gaming-specific chair. This Corsair TC100 is a favorite, offering ergonomic lumbar and neck support, cool, soft fabric, and plenty of adjustability. The seat is deep enough that most people will be able to put their leg up or even sit cross-legged, and we also like the low-key look (some gaming chairs can be a bit loud).
Gaming keyboard
Another critical tool you'll want on your gaming desktop is a good keyboard. We recommend the wired connection as this will usually provide better feedback at a much lower cost. Great gaming keyboards, like this one K55 from Corsair, also feature quiet, smooth operation. Another big plus with the K55 is that it's dust and water resistant, so you won't have to worry about keeping drinks off the keyboard.
A game screen
Even with a high-performance computer, you won't be able to get the most out of your system without a good display. We recommend this Alienware AW2723DF. The display's colors and refresh rates are excellent, especially considering the relatively affordable price of the display. The only downside is that it's 1440p (not 4k), but we prefer the speed and low price over the resolution for gaming.
An ergonomic mouse
The Razer Basilisk V3 it's mentioned as one of the best gaming mice in almost every compilation you'll come across, especially in discussions of low- to mid-priced options. It's extremely lightweight — a benefit of wired wireless — and has excellent sensor performance and click latency. You also get 11 programmable buttons, including a handy multi-function trigger. All of this comes in at under $50.
A game controller
Most gamers prefer a mouse-keyboard setup for faster-paced titles like shooters and MMOs, but a traditional controller is sometimes better for some games, like adventure or story games. If you don't have one, get this Xbox controller. Although the PS5 has overtaken the Xbox X/S in terms of popularity, most gamers agree that Microsoft did a better job with the controller.
Adjustable Lighting
One way to make your entire gaming setup a better place to hang out is with customizable lighting. It can also be very cheap. get these colorful RGBIC LED light strips from Govee for just $14.99 each. The strip is segmented so you can make the ensemble monochromatic or more and connects to your phone for easy customization.
Fast WiFi Router
Playing PC games online requires a strong Internet connection, and even a momentary drop in speed can give your competition an edge. Ideally, you should have your computer directly connected to your WiFi router via Ethernet, but this may not be possible depending on your situation. If you need to rely on WiFi, we recommend buying a better router and extender, such as the one from Eero. It's easy to set up and provides ultra-fast, reliable connectivity to multiple devices simultaneously.
Blue Light Glasses
Another popular gaming accessory is blue light glasses. Blue light from computer screens can be bad for your sleep and eye health, so many gamers will wear blue light glasses to reduce exposure during long sessions. You'll want a pair with small arms to fit under a headset, so we recommend these from Sojos. They are super affordable at just $17 and have a very high rating on Amazon.
How we picked the best gaming accessories
There are many ways to upgrade your gaming setup. To make this list, we narrowed things down to some of the most essential accessories. After understanding these must-haves, we thoroughly researched the options for each category by reading expert reviews, perusing forums, and testing the products ourselves. Next, we made sure our favorites were all available from trusted online retailers and received high praise from real customers.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/electronics/best-gaming-accessories-981557/