Gaming gear is essential for enjoying video games of all styles. Gaming gear includes input devices, sound enhancements and branded merchandise for serious gamers. We have put together the top five pieces of gaming gear you need for your ongoing gaming journey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the benefits of a gaming chair?
Gaming chairs are a quintessential gaming accessory for gamers with hours to spare. Gaming chairs come at high price points but make up for this with advanced back support, ergonomic neck rests and adjustment controls for correct posture and foot placement.
Sitting for long periods can affect posture, putting pressure on many points along the hips, legs and spine. Adequate support helps reduce body pains associated with poor posture and keeps your spine and hip alignment in optimal form for future joint health.
A comfortable chair combined with ideal posture can help improve concentration for long periods of work or intense video gaming. Improved concentration improves player reaction time, accuracy, and problem-solving skills. Comfort aside, gaming chairs come in classy and modern looks to fit any taste.
Are digital editions of video games better than discs?
Physical edition video games are less popular as more producers opt for soft copies of their titles. Digital versions have many advantages. For video game production companies, it cuts release times in half and frees up resources used to produce discs. For gamers, digital editions make getting new releases more convenient.
Unlike physical discs, video games on a hard drive are not prone to dust or scratching, which can affect future performance. Gaming systems with a lens use more power and processing capacity to read discs. Over time, this increased energy consumption slows down consoles.
Older video game titles exist in disc format only. Some game developers have made their older titles available in download format, but lesser popular names have not. As a result, rare classics loved by a few never make it to digital format, making replacements challenging to find.
Buying Guide: Gaming gear should fit your gaming style and needs. We have broken down a few discussion points for consideration.
- Purpose: What do you need your gear to do? Consider your input device needs for PC gaming versus an Xbox or PlayStation console. PC gaming is enjoyable with a keyboard and mouse. However, many PC gamers prefer to swap those peripherals for a USB game controller device. Consider comfort, sound, and practicality. Gaming gear can enhance gaming tremendously with adequate back support through a great gaming chair or premium sound quality with Surround sound headsets.
- Durability: Many gamers enjoy snacking while shooting zombies or infiltrating enemy territory. Choose waterproof, shatterproof gaming gear. Durable gaming gear often comes at a high price but is worth the investment for years afterwards. Opt for hard plastics or washable fabrics that are easy to clean and de-stain as required. Faux leather finishes may last long if sourced from high-quality fabrics. However, inexpensive materials may flake quickly.
- Compatibility: Once you know your gear requirements, consider your setup needs. Many gaming accessories are compatible with many accessories and operating systems. Make sure your existing PC or gaming console appears on device lists. You may need additional hardware or software to access wireless capabilities or enhanced sound. Before looking for the best gear, know your sound card and video card brand name and specifications.
Corsair Gaming Gear
Best Overall
Extended Mouse Pad
This extended mouse pad features 4mm thick rubber, rounded corners and an RBG-lit border. It features an accessible light control button, two USB ports and USB-C connectivity with most computers. This mouse pad is over 900mm wide with sufficient room for a keyboard, gaming mouse and other gaming gear.
This mouse pad is suitably thick for lumpy or uneven countertops and syncs seamlessly with other Corsair gaming accessories. It gives enough room for mouse usage without running out of space or needing to re-centre.
Pros:
- This mouse provides a smooth, durable surface for gaming mice.
- It is ideal for gaming with a keyboard and mouse.
- Its woven black fabric stays rich and dark for generations.
Cons:
- It does not repel stains well and needs daily cleaning.
Havit Gaming Gear
For Headphones
PC-ready Headphone Stand
This Havit tabletop headphone stand is polycarbonate plastic and comes in black and white colour options. It has a non-slip base with coloured details and features a 3.5mm Surround Sound audio port. This sleek headphone stand is compatible with most gaming PCs and features a modern, understated design.
This headphone stand can power two external devices with dual USB 2.0 ports and measures 281MM tall. It comes with a 182.8CM power cable and accommodates heavyweight and lightweight gaming headphones.
Pros:
- Keeps gaming headphones in easy reach without hogging table space
- Decorative look and feel.
- Ideal for listening to music
Cons:
- The microphone options are difficult to adjust.
Logitech Gaming Gear
For Online Gaming
Wireless Gaming Headset
This headset is ideal for gaming and features a suspension headband, full ear coverage and a built-in Lithium Polymer battery. It comes with removable ear pads and an adjustable boom microphone. This headset suits wireless connectivity with PlayStation 5 consoles and gaming PCs with a wireless receiver.
This gaming headset’s suspension headband is soft, dual-layer memory foam and features a reversible design. This headset has on-ear volume controls and a digital noise reduction filter.
Pros:
- It minimizes background noises like pets, siblings or electronics.
- It features an elegant design with adjustable height for premium comfort.
- A great gift for serious gamers
Cons:
- The headband may permanently stretch
- Not suitable for pro gaming
VersionTECH Gaming Gear
Best Mouse
Six-button Gaming Mouse
This ergonomic, wired gaming mouse has a 7-tone LED backlight, a scroll wheel and two control buttons on its left flank. It has a built-in DPI switch and suits most video games and image manipulation software. This wired gaming mouse is compatible with most Chromebooks, Mac devices and Windows computers.
This gaming mouse features pulsating or static light display modes and an ornately patterned surface. It has a 128.9CM cable, boasts a usage lifespan of five million clicks and includes a sleep mode function triggered by a three-button combination.
Pros:
- Ideal for MMORPG gaming because of its sensitivity and hours of ergonomic comfort
- Suitable for large hands
- The braided cable is pet-proof and water-resistant.
Cons:
- The scroll wheel is very noisy
SteelSeries Gaming Gear
Waterproof
Gaming Gear Keyboard with a Wrist Rest
This SteelSeries 104-key gaming keyboard is IP32 water-resistant and features a magnetic wrist rest and independent multimedia controls. It is compatible with Sony PlayStation 4 gaming consoles and includes power cable adjustment with three cable routing options. It is ideal for beginner or advanced gamers and is water resistant to withstand spills from drinks or snacks without sustaining damage.
This whisper-quiet gaming keyboard uses tactile keys with a mechanical feel and adjustable backlighting with colour and brightness customization. It measures 15.1 x 44.5 x 4 cm.
Pros:
- It comes with hot keys for quick backlight control.
- Suitable for teen or adult PC gamers.
- High-response keys and high-profile design improve typing accuracy.
Cons:
- The keys may become discoloured.
