A gaming laptop showing an abstract background.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Gear and Peripherals for PC Gaming

  • We've updated this list with new picks for gaming laptops and keyboards.

PC gaming is an expensive hobby, but our recommendations will give you a great experience where it matters most. We’ve spent dozens of hours testing laptops, mice, and headsets made specifically for gaming. And once you have the basics dialed in, there’s a whole world of optional accessories that can make gaming even more immersive and enjoyable.

Essentials

Gaming laptop

2 picks, $950–$1400

Our gaming laptop picks offer good performance and portability for the price. We’ve also included a prebuilt gaming desktop we like for people who want something faster and more upgradable without the hassle of building a PC.

The best budget gaming laptop

This laptop has the newest generation of hardware and performs better than some of the most expensive models we’ve tested.

The best budget gaming laptop
Gigabyte Aorus 16X (9KG-43USC54SH)

This laptop has the newest generation of hardware and performs better than some of the most expensive models we’ve tested.

The most affordable option

This Acer model offers great performance for a great price, but its graphics card may not provide enough VRAM to play new games for as long as our other picks.

The most affordable option
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-41-R2Y3)

This Acer model offers great performance for a great price, but its graphics card may not provide enough VRAM to play new games for as long as our other picks.

Gaming mouse

2 picks, $49–$160

You can game with any mouse, but our gaming mouse picks include more precise sensors and multiple buttons that are useful even when you aren’t gaming. And they're designed to stay comfortable during hours-long gaming sessions.

The best gaming mouse

The Razer Basilisk V3 is comfortable for most hand sizes and grip styles, and it offers plenty of buttons, excellent build quality, and customizable RGB and underglow lighting.

The best gaming mouse
Razer Basilisk V3
Read the review
The Best Gaming Mouse

The Razer Basilisk V3 is comfortable for most hand sizes and grip styles, and it offers plenty of buttons, excellent build quality, and customizable RGB and underglow lighting.

The best wireless option

The Basilisk V3 Pro is the best wireless gaming mouse thanks to its comfortable shape, well-placed buttons, optical switches, and decent battery life.

The best wireless option
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Read the review
The Best Gaming Mouse

The Basilisk V3 Pro is the best wireless gaming mouse thanks to its comfortable shape, well-placed buttons, optical switches, and decent battery life.

Gaming headsets

2 picks, $40–$132

Gaming headsets give you good sound and enhanced bass, making your games sound great without bothering everyone else in the house. They also include volume controls plus integrated microphones for those times when you want to politely congratulate yo

The best gaming headset

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough for most people to wear for hours on end without complaint.

The best gaming headset
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough for most people to wear for hours on end without complaint.

The best wireless option

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless is a great choice if you prefer a wireless option.

The best wireless option
HyperX Cloud III Wireless

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless is a great choice if you prefer a wireless option.

Nice-to-haves

Keyboards

2 picks, $48–$200

Every keyboard can play games, but we’ve found the best wired and wireless options for those who want extra gaming features.

The best gaming keyboard

This wired keyboard has smooth, quiet keys, hot-swappable switches, and a comfortable, compact layout. It’s also easy to customize with or without software.

The best gaming keyboard
Razer BlackWidow V4 75%

This wired keyboard has smooth, quiet keys, hot-swappable switches, and a comfortable, compact layout. It’s also easy to customize with or without software.

The best wireless option

This wireless keyboard can connect via Bluetooth or USB-A dongle, and it offers lengthy battery life. Logitech’s companion software is also the most user-friendly among our picks.

The best wireless option
Logitech G Pro X TKL

This wireless keyboard can connect via Bluetooth or USB-A dongle, and it offers lengthy battery life. Logitech’s companion software is also the most user-friendly among our picks.

Monitors

4 picks, $320–$1400

Any monitor can display games, but gaming monitors can make your games look better and feel more responsive by supporting high refresh rates and adaptive sync.

The best ultrawide monitor for gaming

If you game, but also need to keep your day job, the ProArt PA348CGV is a great compromise. It’s the perfect monitor to let your tabs roam free during the day, and then run Baldur’s Gate 3 at 120 Hz after hours.

The best ultrawide monitor for gaming
Asus ProArt PA348CGV

If you game, but also need to keep your day job, the ProArt PA348CGV is a great compromise. It’s the perfect monitor to let your tabs roam free during the day, and then run Baldur’s Gate 3 at 120 Hz after hours.

The best 4K monitor

The HP Omen 27k has a sharp 4K display that looks great at 144 Hz. It has HDMI 2.1, so the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can hit their full 120 Hz refresh rate capabilities, and you can also hook up a laptop via USB-C.

The best 4K monitor
HP Omen 27k
Read the review
The Best 4K Monitors

The HP Omen 27k has a sharp 4K display that looks great at 144 Hz. It has HDMI 2.1, so the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can hit their full 120 Hz refresh rate capabilities, and you can also hook up a laptop via USB-C.

The best gaming TV

This OLED TV provides low input lag and the most comprehensive set of gaming features, as well as excellent overall picture quality.

The best gaming TV
LG C3

This OLED TV provides low input lag and the most comprehensive set of gaming features, as well as excellent overall picture quality.

A more affordable gaming TV

This LCD/LED TV lacks the higher-end performance tech you get in our other picks, but it still renders a pleasing image and supports the alternative timing modes that gamers desire.

A more affordable gaming TV
TCL Q6

This LCD/LED TV lacks the higher-end performance tech you get in our other picks, but it still renders a pleasing image and supports the alternative timing modes that gamers desire.

Webcam

2 picks, $60–$130

If you want to video-chat with your friends as you play, or stream your sessions for public consumption on Twitch or YouTube, a good webcam can be a handy addition to your setup.

The best all-around webcam

This webcam offers subject tracking and other features that are typically found only in more expensive models. The image quality is excellent, as is the included software.

The best all-around webcam
Logitech Brio 505
Read the review
The Best Webcams

This webcam offers subject tracking and other features that are typically found only in more expensive models. The image quality is excellent, as is the included software.

Best budget-friendly webcam

If you need a webcam but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this model is a great option. It's small and solidly built, and it delivered respectable footage without any fuss.

Best budget-friendly webcam
Anker PowerConf C200 2K
Read the review
The Best Webcams

If you need a webcam but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this model is a great option. It's small and solidly built, and it delivered respectable footage without any fuss.

PC gaming controller

2 picks, $17–$55

A mouse-and-keyboard setup works best for shooters, real-time strategy games, and MOBA games, but many platformers and indie games still work best with a gamepad. It turns out, the best gamepads for your PC are the ones that come with consoles.

The best PC gaming controller

Microsoft’s controller is comfortable to hold, and it benefits from built-in Windows support—simply plug it in, and it works with just about any game that supports a controller.

The best PC gaming controller
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller

Microsoft’s controller is comfortable to hold, and it benefits from built-in Windows support—simply plug it in, and it works with just about any game that supports a controller.

For retro games

If you like playing old games and want a more authentic experience, this is the best of the many SNES-style controller replicas.

For retro games
Retroflag Classic USB Gaming Controller

If you like playing old games and want a more authentic experience, this is the best of the many SNES-style controller replicas.

USB microphone

1 pick

A headset is more convenient, but if you want a higher-quality microphone for chatting or streaming, or if you already have nice headphones you like, a USB microphone may be a useful addition to your setup.

The best mic for your desk

This under-$100 USB microphone scored among the best in all our tests for voice, gaming, and music, and it’s packed with features.

The best mic for your desk
Monoprice Dark Matter Sentry Streaming Microphone

This under-$100 USB microphone scored among the best in all our tests for voice, gaming, and music, and it’s packed with features.

Chairs

2 picks, $425–$1415

A good chair is the most important part of your gaming setup that doesn’t connect to your computer. We have chair recommendations for your desk and your floor, to fit a variety of budget needs.

The best chair for your desk

This is one of the most adjustable chairs available—anyone can make the Gesture comfortable, regardless of their height or size. And it’s built to last.

The best chair for your desk
Steelcase Gesture
Read the review
The Best Office Chairs

This is one of the most adjustable chairs available—anyone can make the Gesture comfortable, regardless of their height or size. And it’s built to last.

The best inexpensive office chair

One of the most comfortable chairs under $500 we tested, and highly adjustable.

The best inexpensive office chair
HON Ignition 2.0
Read the review
The Best Office Chairs

One of the most comfortable chairs under $500 we tested, and highly adjustable.

Computer speakers

1 pick, $219

If you don’t have to use headphones, or just don’t want to, get good speakers to make your games sound more immersive.

The best computer speakers

The DM-50D-BT system has two sound modes that make it good for music listening and audio production. It features built-in Bluetooth and signal-sensing inputs to connect a smart speaker.

The best computer speakers
Pioneer DJ DM-50D-BT

The DM-50D-BT system has two sound modes that make it good for music listening and audio production. It features built-in Bluetooth and signal-sensing inputs to connect a smart speaker.

Adjustable-height desk

3 picks, $99–$815

It’s always nice to stretch your legs, and a sit/stand desk and an anti-fatigue mat will help you do that without quitting your game.

The best adjustable standing desk

Offering the best combination of stability, operation, features, and design options, Uplift’s standing desk is notable for a lack of major flaws.

The best adjustable standing desk
Uplift V2 Standing Desk

Offering the best combination of stability, operation, features, and design options, Uplift’s standing desk is notable for a lack of major flaws.

A less expensive option

For those who want a cheaper alternative, the Jarvis standing desk has a wide range of adjustable heights, though it’s slightly less stable than other desks we’ve tested.

A less expensive option
Herman Miller Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk

For those who want a cheaper alternative, the Jarvis standing desk has a wide range of adjustable heights, though it’s slightly less stable than other desks we’ve tested.

The best mat for your bored feet

The Topo gives your feet varied terrain, encouraging movement and making standing less tedious. It’s also the easiest mat to move when you’re switching positions.

The best mat for your bored feet
Ergodriven Topo

The Topo gives your feet varied terrain, encouraging movement and making standing less tedious. It’s also the easiest mat to move when you’re switching positions.

Water bottle

2 picks, $26–$35

It’s a good idea to stay hydrated even when you aren’t gaming. A capped bottle is less likely to destroy your keyboard (or laptop) than a cup if it tips over. Whether you fill it with water or Mountain Dew Game Fuel is up to you.

The best insulated water bottle

The Hydro Flask is an insulated steel bottle that’s easy to add ice to, pleasant to sip from, and simple to carry. And it was completely leakproof in our tests.

The best insulated water bottle
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth (21 ounces)

The Hydro Flask is an insulated steel bottle that’s easy to add ice to, pleasant to sip from, and simple to carry. And it was completely leakproof in our tests.

The best flip-cap bottle

Easier to use than a sports cap, the spout on this bottle is easy to drink from, and the flip lid stays secure and out of your face. The bottle’s wide mouth lets you easily add ice and supplements, too.

The best flip-cap bottle
Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle with Spout Lid (22 ounces)

Easier to use than a sports cap, the spout on this bottle is easy to drink from, and the flip lid stays secure and out of your face. The bottle’s wide mouth lets you easily add ice and supplements, too.

Edit