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Each gaming setup is as unique as the person playing with it, but there are a few items every avid gamer needs in order to optimize their experience. Although all of these items may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, your future self—and your body—will thank you. Here are five things to add to your setup or consider upgrading.
A comfortable headset
To have the best audio quality, grab a headset that fits your needs. For the best experience, a lightweight headset with plush ear pads is the way to go. If you’re looking for a wireless headset with a great battery life, we highly recommend the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. These headphones have up to a 300-hour battery life, and their band has thick padding so it’s comfortable to wear and block out noise. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless have a shorter battery life but still get the job done. And regardless of which headset you choose, you can also attach a few adornments to your headphones like a halo crown or cat ears.
Gaming chair
Long playing sessions mean spending long periods of time in a gaming chair, so that chair should be supportive and comfortable for long-term use. The most ergonomic gaming chairs will have 4D armrests, meaning that they can pivot inward to support your arms when you’re typing or holding a controller. A popular option is the Secretlab Omega, which is made with memory foam and has 4D armrests that can turn in any direction. Another option is the Razer Enki Gaming Chair, which has a built-in lumbar arch to support the lower back, adjustable recline up to 152 degrees, 4D armrests, and a memory foam head cushion.
Mechanical keyboard
In case you didn’t know, there’s an entire corner of TikTok dedicated to mechanical keyboards with RGB lights for late-night gaming sessions. Regardless of which keyboard you choose, buy a keyboard wrist rest pad made of memory foam to reduce wrist fatigue. Not only are these pretty affordable and pair with most keyboards, but you can also get a memory foam pad for your mouse.
Though a full keyboard will also come with a number pad, a compact option will take up less space on your desk. A popular compact keyboard is the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless, a 60% keyboard which offers the ability to change the sensitivity of keys so it’s ideal for both button smashers and light tappers alike. It also offers two levels of elevation so you can make it the most comfortable for you.
For a more affordable option, opt for the Corsair K70 RGB TKL, which is geared toward gaming with its smaller size and low latency. It has one incline setting and full RGB backlight, though you can enable tournament mode to stick to a single static color so you can play distraction-free. And if you do want a full-size keyboard with a number pad, check out the Corsair K100 RGB.
Sound bar
Next on our list is a sound bar, which will give your PC’s built-in speaker a run for its money. The Sound BlasterX Katana Multi-Channel Surround Gaming and Entertainment Soundbar is small enough to fit under your screen or monitor, and it has RGB lighting. Another option is the RAZER Leviathan, which is a sound bar and subwoofer for optimal surround sound while gaming or listening to music.
Blue-light blocking glasses
If you spend a lot of time gaming or on screens, it’s worth picking up a pair of blue light glasses to reduce eye strain and headaches. Most blue light frames will get the job done, and some options include these simple black frames from Blue Cut and these clear frames from CNLO. If you wear glasses already, you can get prescription lenses with blue light frames to reduce eye strain during any screen time you may have.
