5 cool gaming gadgets for under $100

Whether it’s the urban dystopian setting of Cyberpunk 2077 or the vast wilderness of Red Dead Redemption 2, the video game experience has come a long way. No matter which platform you choose, whether it’s PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, there are titles in every genre. There are also tons of fun gadgets that are essential to your PC gaming setup.

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While advances in technology are pushing the price ceiling higher for the latest gadgets, there’s still a wealth of exciting gaming accessories on the market that won’t break the bank. From fully customizable gaming mice to affordable webcams for live streaming, here are five accessories under $100 that can add immense value to your gaming setup.

We made our selections based not only on practicality, but also on positive consumer reviews and the opinions of experts in the field of PC gaming peripherals and accessories. A detailed explanation of the methodology is provided near the end of the book.

Regardless of how powerful your gaming PC is or how fast your monitor updates per second, choosing good peripherals can make a big difference in your gameplay. A rugged gaming mouse offers reliability, comfort, and performance. The Logitech G502 Hero brings all of that to 11.

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I purchased a Logitech G502 Hero in 2021 and have since spent thousands of hours using the gaming mouse in a variety of titles. I’ve been impressed not only with how well it has handled wear and tear over the past three years, but also how accustomed I’ve become to using some of its unique features.

The frictionless scroll wheel is ruining me to the point where I instinctively look for the toggle switch when using other mice. Very useful when scrolling through long documents or web pages. Logitech G Hub software allows you to fully adjust the 11 programmable buttons on the mouse and customize the DPI range that the dedicated buttons can cycle through. This makes movement-based games like Counter Strike 2 and Fortnite more enjoyable.

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The G502 Hero is available for less than $50, but there are other versions of this mouse that you may be interested in. The G502 Lightspeed Wireless is more than twice the price, but doesn’t require a wired connection.

While aiming with a gaming mouse may feel great, there’s no denying that certain games feel more comfortable when played with a controller. After all, nothing beats the comfort of gaming on the couch. The Xbox Wireless Controller has achieved this status simply because it is extremely convenient to use with a wide range of products. Not only is it compatible with Xbox consoles, but you can also connect your Xbox controller to your Windows computer or smartphone. A comprehensive review by Windows Central praised the Xbox Wireless Controller’s iconic design and tactile buttons, giving it 4.5/5 stars.

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In particular, the new share button on the controller makes it super easy to capture screenshots and videos of your games so you can share them later with your friends. The ability to remap the Xbox controller buttons is also useful. Bluetooth makes it easy to connect your controller to any device, and if the battery gets low, you can always use the included USB-C cable for a wired connection.

Although it doesn’t offer nearly the same level of feedback as the PS5’s DualSense controller, which uses dynamic rumble and adaptive triggers, the $59 Xbox Wireless Controller is a must-have for any PC or console gamer.

Speakers are useful, but they’re notoriously bad for getting a sense of spatial awareness in any game. The Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless Headphones are a great first purchase for $79 and come with all the essentials you need. It uses a USB-A dongle, making it compatible with a wide range of products including Windows PCs, Macs, and PlayStation consoles.

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The headset is primarily made of plastic and is relatively compact in a market saturated with large, bulky gaming headphones. That said, the G435’s small stature is clearly marketed towards younger gamers and teens, as highlighted in the same review from Tom’s Guide. The headphones come in three color schemes, two of which are quite unique.

Like other Logitech peripherals, this headset utilizes Lightspeed Wireless technology, benefiting from end-to-end wireless connectivity for extremely low latency. This is essential for competitive gaming. If you want to pair these headphones to your phone, you can switch back to Bluetooth connectivity and enjoy up to 18 hours of nominal battery life.

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To make the headset more portable, you’ll notice that the usual microphone arm is gone in favor of dual beamforming microphones. At only 165 grams, the Logitech G435 offers a good balance of sound quality, features, and comfort.

There are several things to keep in mind when choosing the right mechanical keyboard for gaming, including keyboard layout, switch types, and customization options for those who live an RGB lifestyle. Because mechanical keyboards use individual switches, they can provide a dramatically better tactile feel than membrane keyboards.

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There are many great mechanical keyboard brands out there, and Keychron is one of them. The Keychron K2 version 2 is a tenkeyless keyboard with a total of 84 RGB keys that connects completely wirelessly via Bluetooth. Since it’s built on an aluminum frame, it has quite a bit of weight, which is actually a good thing. Because it gives the keyboard a solid feel when the competition gets tough.

There are three switch options to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics. I chose the Gateron G Pro Brown switches. This provides tactile feedback rather than unpleasant noises. Perfect for playing games or typing long essays all night long. A set of replacement keycaps to switch between Windows or Mac layouts is also included in the box.

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I’ve been using the Keychron K2v2 for the better part of a year, and I’m thoroughly impressed with how good it is, especially for a keyboard that costs just under $100.

A cheap and effective way to breathe new life into your gaming setup is to illuminate it with RGB lights. Available in a variety of brands, Govee RGBIC LED lights cost just $20 each and feature plenty of customization options to fit any setup.

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You can buy two of these RGB strips and stick them on your monitor, behind your desk, or inside your PC cabinet. With the Govee app for Android and iOS, you can easily control your LED lights and customize them to your heart’s content. You can choose static colors or get completely creative and use one of several scene modes. Personally, I chose a slightly more gentle gradient to add some personality to my setup.

You can connect the USB-A end of your RGB controller to any available port. It’s worth checking if your monitor or TV has a service port that you can use to minimize the need for cable management. The Striplight also has a music sync mode, but to be honest, it feels too slow for me to enjoy it. Luckily, other modes offer rich color presets and animations, including fire, sunset, and ocean themes, and some of them even play ambient sounds through your connected smartphone. .

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Investing in the right peripherals for your gaming setup is a time-consuming process, and while the gadgets featured here offer great value, this list is not meant to be definitive. Some people may prefer an ambidextrous gaming mouse to the Logitech G502’s contoured design, while others may want a keyboard with a full layout.

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Before finalizing your purchase, we recommend checking customer feedback on the product page and possibly comprehensive reviews conducted by reliable sources. The selections on this list were chosen based on my own experience as a gamer or the recommendations of professional reviewers from publications such as SoundGuys and Windows Central.

Each of these gadgets is also included in the manufacturer’s lineup of similar products. For example, people who don’t need as many buttons on their mouse can opt for the more affordable Logitech G402 gaming mouse, or save a few bucks and get the easily portable G435 headset You can also.