Best budget gaming accessories of 2024

the Recon Spark It’s been one of my favorite headphones for years; In fact, it was my daily driver at the Engadget office. There are some good reasons for this: They provide powerful sound whether in cups or microphone, plus they are comfortable, powerful and gentle. It may not be wireless, but you can just plug it into almost any desktop or laptop and not have to worry about driver compatibility, software installation, or anything like that. It’s also a great choice for kids.

Although the Recon Spark may be my favorite work headphone, the one I use at home is wireless Logitech G733. It looks great, has tremendous battery life and just the right amount of shine, with brightly colored LED strips on the front and a customizable fabric headband. I use it to play Dungeons and Dragons With my friends on Discord, as well as recording the occasional podcast. They’ve been around for a few years, but that means you can get this headset for under $100 at some retailers. If it’s still too rich in your blood, check it G435.

If you’re looking for clear sound, SteelSeries has always delivered excellent clarity and volume, and the Arctis line does that at a reasonable price. the Nova 1 It’s a wired gaming headset where everything feels premium, thanks to its sturdy build (I’ve dropped it twice already), smooth matte finish and soft, comfortable earcups. It can block out low noises, but not things like the TV or a crying baby, making this headphone ideal for new parents. The adjustable microphone is built-in, so you don’t have to worry about losing it either.

Ever since video conferencing from home became popular during the pandemic, I’ve been extolling the virtues of using a headset in all of your business meetings. It blocks unwanted noise, makes your voice clear and loud, and is a good signal to others that you are on a call. The only problem is that gaming headsets don’t look exactly professional – but they are Vibe area It is a breath of fresh air. It brings all of Logitech’s expertise to deliver powerful gaming audio in a stylish wireless package that you won’t be embarrassed to wear in front of your boss.

When it comes to purchasing a keyboard, my first recommendation will always be “buy a Corsair.” Corsair keyboards provide an excellent typing experience and are very durable. Unfortunately, they’re not the best budget option because they’re fairly expensive, with the cheapest usually priced at $120. Fortunately, Corsair introduced the K60 RGB Pro a few years ago that I recommend Low profile version For those who are used to typing on laptop keyboards. No, it’s not like a membrane keyboard — it’s light years better, with mechanical switches and a durable build that will last for years (and hundreds, if not thousands, of game matches).

One of the hot new things in gaming seems to be 60 percent off keyboards, which cut off the number pad to make more space on your desk for a mouse or other accessories. Being smaller also means they tend to be cheaper as well, so players on a budget should take a look at decks like Bullion Origins 60. Besides being compact and affordable, it’s also solid as a rock. Placing the arrow keys in the bottom right corner should be less confusing for those switching from a full-sized suite, too.

Mechanical keyboards are great, but even the quietest ones can be too noisy for some environments. the Apex TKL It’s great at being unobtrusive: It’s 60 percent travel so it’s compact, and its keys offer great typing response while being very quiet. The Apex TKL is a little larger than many other keyboards that eschew the number pad, but that’s for good reason — you’ll appreciate the dedicated arrow keys and volume slider, the latter of which is a must-have for anyone who consumes a lot of media on their device.

Staying on budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality or appearance G305 It is a high-performance and stylish mouse. What’s also nice is how things are kept simple, with six programmable buttons and a sleek profile. Battery life is rated at 250 hours, though I swear based on my personal use that it’s much longer, and it only needs a single AAA battery so you can swap it out in seconds and get back to gaming. If you have a headset like the G435, you can get the G305 in matching purple, or just stick with the basic black model. If you want to save more money and don’t mind getting a wired mouse, also check out Speed ​​of light G203which we recommended in our best gaming mice buying guide.

Every gamer knows the pain of spilling something on their desk once or twice, whether it’s water, coffee, or soda. the Aerox 3 It may seem like it’s headed toward disaster thanks to all the loopholes in it. But it’s actually IP54 rated, which means it can take a good splash and keep working (although it can be a bit sticky if you don’t wipe it down). The perforations do more than just look cool, too – they make the mouse much lighter to handle (if that’s your thing), and they also prevent heat from building up in your palm.

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional but still affordable and wireless, then Competitor 3 It may be just right up your alley. It’s a basic black mouse with sleek contours and five programmable buttons. It comes with a wireless receiver to ensure a strong connection, but it also works via Bluetooth so you can easily convert it to a laptop or mobile device. This makes it great for the office as well as gaming, and an ultimate money saver.