Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PC Accessories for Beginners
A first gaming setup needs a mouse, keyboard, headset and pad before anything else. These five cover them cheaply.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A new gaming PC often arrives without good peripherals. The basics are a mouse, a keyboard, a headset and a pad; lighting is optional.
We chose simple, low-cost items that need little setup and compared them from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best First Mouse
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse8,000 DPI with six programmable buttons.
Best for: New PC gamers
Check price for Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best First Keyboard
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical KeyboardHot-swap 60% board.
Best for: Trying mechanical switches
Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best First Headset
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core Gaming HeadsetSwivel-to-mute mic on a light 3.5mm headset.
Best for: Voice chat
Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best First Mouse Pad
SteelSeries QcK Medium Mouse PadCloth surface at the lowest price tier.
Best for: Consistent tracking
Check price for SteelSeries QcK Medium Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best First Lighting
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft16.4ft RGBIC with music sync.
Best for: Desk ambience
Check price for Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 DPI with six programmable buttons. | New PC gamers | Check price for Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swap 60% board. | Trying mechanical switches | Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Swivel-to-mute mic on a light 3.5mm headset. | Voice chat | Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Cloth surface at the lowest price tier. | Consistent tracking | Check price for SteelSeries QcK Medium Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 16.4ft RGBIC with music sync. | Desk ambience | Check price for Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best First Mouse1 of 5
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse
Logitech's G203 is a light wired mouse with an 8,000 DPI sensor and six programmable buttons.
Best for
- New PC gamers
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the QcK Medium cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the low-cost starting point for a gaming setup. Metal springs tension its main buttons for crisp clicks, and G HUB lets you remap all six buttons. The cable runs 2.1 metres.
Its RGB syncs with other LIGHTSYNC gear and can react to the screen. It is the only pick here with LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting; the Govee 16.4ft has RGBIC lighting instead. It also offers metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons and five DPI presets.
It plugs into a USB-A port. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the QcK Medium at the time of writing. When we checked, only the Stinger 2 Core and cheaper picks cost less, and the K617 cost more.
Key specs
- Type
- Wired mouse
- Connection
- USB-A, 2.1m cable
- Key spec
- 8,000 DPI, 6 buttons
- Lighting
- LIGHTSYNC RGB
Pros
- Metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons
- Five DPI presets
- Six programmable buttons in G HUB
- LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the QcK Medium at the time of writing
Best First Keyboard2 of 5
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard
Redragon's K617 is a 60% board with hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Trying mechanical switches
Skip if
- If budget leads, the QcK Medium was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It frees desk space for mouse movement. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.
Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. You get a hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin key spec here, which sets it apart from the QcK Medium and its a 320 x 270 x 2mm key spec. A 60% or 65% layout drops the number pad and some navigation keys; check you can live without them. At our last price check it topped the group, with the G203 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Type
- Wired 60% keyboard
- Connection
- USB
- Key spec
- Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin
- Lighting
- RGB, 20 presets
Pros
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Red linear switches rated for 50 million presses
- Macro software
- USB connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the QcK Medium at the time of writing
Best First Headset3 of 5
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core Gaming Headset
HyperX's Cloud Stinger 2 Core is a light 3.5mm headset with a swivel-to-mute mic and on-ear volume.
Best for
- Voice chat
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the QcK Medium, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It works with any device that has a headphone jack. Its swivel-to-mute mic flips up to mute, and audio controls sit on the headset. Soft ear cushions keep it light.
A 40mm drivers key spec is unique to it among these picks, while the QcK Medium uses a 320 x 270 x 2mm key spec. You also get a lightweight build. On a desktop with separate mic and headphone jacks, a single 3.5mm plug needs a splitter. It was priced above the Govee 16.4ft and below the G203 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Type
- Wired headset
- Connection
- 3.5mm
- Key spec
- 40mm drivers
- Lighting
- None
Pros
- Swivel-to-mute mic
- On-headset volume controls
- Lightweight build
- 40mm drivers key spec, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the QcK Medium at the time of writing
Best First Mouse Pad4 of 5
SteelSeries QcK Medium Mouse Pad
SteelSeries's QcK Medium is a 320 x 270mm cloth pad with a rubber base.
Best for
- Consistent tracking
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest upgrade here. Its cloth surface gives a consistent glide, and a non-slip rubber base keeps it in place. No other pick in this guide offers a 320 x 270 x 2mm key spec; compare the K617, which has a hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin key spec.
You also get the lowest price tier here. Measure the desk: an extended pad should fit under both keyboard and mouse without hanging over the edge. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Govee 16.4ft was the next step up.
Key specs
- Type
- Cloth mouse pad
- Connection
- None
- Key spec
- 320 x 270 x 2mm
- Lighting
- None
Pros
- Micro-woven cloth surface
- Non-slip rubber base
- The lowest price tier here
- 320 x 270 x 2mm key spec, the only one here
Best First Lighting5 of 5
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft
Govee's 16.4ft RGBIC strip shows several colors at once and syncs to music through a built-in mic.
Best for
- Desk ambience
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the QcK Medium, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is controlled by app over Bluetooth. A built-in mic drives 11 music modes, and the app shares DIY effects with the community. Clean the surface before sticking it down so the tape holds.
No other pick in this guide offers a 16.4ft RGBIC key spec; compare the K617, which has a hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin key spec. RGBIC lighting is unique to it among these picks, while the G203 uses LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting. You also get more than 64 scenes. Its price falls between the QcK Medium and the Stinger 2 Core, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Type
- LED strip
- Connection
- App, Bluetooth
- Key spec
- 16.4ft RGBIC
- Lighting
- RGBIC
Pros
- 11 music modes
- More than 64 scenes
- Built-in microphone for music sync
- 16.4ft RGBIC key spec, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the QcK Medium at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming PC Accessories for Beginners
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up five gear on type, connection, key spec and lighting, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the G203 to the Govee 16.4ft, state type, connection and key spec.
- Who each pick suits
- The G203 for 8,000 DPI with six programmable buttons; the K617 for hot-swap 60% board; the Stinger 2 Core for swivel-to-mute mic on a light 3.5mm headset.
- Price range
- From the QcK Medium to the K617, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in Gaming PC Accessories for Beginners
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The Stinger 2 Core: on-headset volume controls. The QcK Medium: a non-slip rubber base. The Govee 16.4ft: more than 64 scenes.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the QcK Medium through the K617 all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
New PC gamers: the G203. Trying mechanical switches: the K617. Voice chat: the Stinger 2 Core.
Headset or separate mic
A headset is the simplest way to get game audio and chat. A separate USB mic sounds clearer if you stream or take calls.
Keyboard size
A 60% or 65% board frees room for the mouse; a full-size one keeps the number pad. Hot-swap sockets let you change switches later.
How to Choose Gaming PC Accessories for Beginners
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New PC gamers | G203 | 8,000 DPI with six programmable buttons |
| Trying mechanical switches | K617 | Hot-swap 60% board |
| Voice chat | Stinger 2 Core | Swivel-to-mute mic on a light 3.5mm headset |
| Consistent tracking | QcK Medium | Cloth surface at the lowest price tier |
| Desk ambience | Govee 16.4ft | 16.4ft RGBIC with music sync |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The G203, the K617 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Gear | Type | Connection | Key spec | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G203 | Wired mouse | USB-A, 2.1m cable | 8,000 DPI, 6 buttons | LIGHTSYNC RGB |
| K617 | Wired 60% keyboard | USB | Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin | RGB, 20 presets |
| Stinger 2 Core | Wired headset | 3.5mm | 40mm drivers | None |
| QcK Medium | Cloth mouse pad | None | 320 x 270 x 2mm | None |
| Govee 16.4ft | LED strip | App, Bluetooth | 16.4ft RGBIC | RGBIC |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Stinger 2 Core the Best First Headset?
It carries the badge for swivel-to-mute mic on a light 3.5mm headset. It makes sense for voice chat.
Beyond the specs, what sets the G203 and the K617 apart?
The G203: metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The Stinger 2 Core: a swivel-to-mute mic.
Who should choose the G203?
The G203 carries our Best First Mouse label for 8,000 DPI with six programmable buttons. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits new PC gamers.
Should I pick the G203 or the Govee 16.4ft?
The G203 suits new PC gamers; the Govee 16.4ft suits desk ambience.
What else do the QcK Medium and the Govee 16.4ft offer?
The QcK Medium: the lowest price tier here. The Govee 16.4ft: a built-in microphone for music sync.
Bottom Line
Start with the G203 and the QcK Medium, then the K617 and Stinger 2 Core. The Govee strip is the optional finishing touch.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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