Buying Guide

Gaming PC Accessories for Men: Five Useful Upgrades

The best gift is gear that fixes a real limit in a setup. These five each upgrade one part.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read5 products evaluated

Gear sold "for men" is usually just larger or darker. We picked on function instead: each item upgrades one part of a gaming desk.

We compared the specs from each listing.

Quick Picks

Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Best Keyboard Upgrade

    AULA WIN60 HE 60% Magnetic Keyboard

    Hall effect with 0.02mm rapid trigger.

    Best for: Competitive games

    Our take Check price for AULA WIN60 HE 60% Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

  2. Best Wired Mouse

    SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse

    8,500 DPI with a paracord-style cable.

    Best for: Everyday gaming

    Our take Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

  3. Best Cross-Platform Headset

    Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset

    PC, PlayStation and Xbox support.

    Best for: Console and PC

    Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)

  4. Best Desk Pad

    Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad

    930 x 400mm with a spill-proof coating.

    Best for: Full desk coverage

    Our take Check price for Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab)

  5. Best Shortcut Keys

    Elgato Stream Deck Mini

    Six LCD keys.

    Best for: Macros and streams

    Our take Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

AULA WIN60 HE 60% Magnetic Keyboard

Best Keyboard Upgrade1 of 5

AULA WIN60 HE 60% Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

AULA's WIN60 HE uses magnetic Hall effect switches with rapid trigger down to 0.02mm.

Best for

Competitive games

Skip if

If budget leads, the Recon 50 was cheaper at our last price check.

Why we like it

It is set up through a web tool. Rapid Trigger works at a 0.02mm step, and a web-based driver configures it from any device. Lighting shines through PBT keycaps.

No other pick in this guide offers RGB lighting; compare the Rival 3 Gen 2, which has 3-zone RGB lighting. A 60% or 65% layout drops the number pad and some navigation keys; check you can live without them. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing. It was priced above the MM350 PRO and below the Stream Deck Mini at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Type: Wired 60% keyboard
  • Connection: USB
  • Key spec: Hall effect, 0.02mm rapid trigger
  • Lighting: RGB

Pros

  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • Rapid trigger down to 0.02mm
  • Web-based configuration tool
  • RGB lighting, the only one here

Cons

  • Costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse

Best Wired Mouse2 of 5

SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

SteelSeries's Rival 3 Gen 2 pairs an 8,500 DPI TrueMove Core sensor with a paracord-style cable and three RGB zones.

Best for

Everyday gaming

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the Recon 50, which cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

Its switches are rated for 60 million clicks. Three-zone RGB lighting is included. Its TrueMove Core sensor tracks 1-to-1 without acceleration, which keeps aim consistent at any swipe speed.

No other pick in this guide offers 3-zone RGB lighting; compare the WIN60 HE, which has RGB lighting. You also get a 1.35ms click latency claim. It was priced above the Recon 50 and below the MM350 PRO at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Type: Wired mouse
  • Connection: USB, paracord cable
  • Key spec: 8,500 DPI TrueMove Core
  • Lighting: 3-zone RGB

Pros

  • Switches rated for 60 million clicks
  • 1.35ms click latency claim
  • Paracord-style cable
  • 3-zone RGB lighting, the only one here

Cons

  • Costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing
Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset

Best Cross-Platform Headset3 of 5

Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Turtle Beach's Recon 50 is a 3.5mm headset with a removable mic and in-line controls.

Best for

Console and PC

Skip if

Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.

Why we like it

It has PC, PlayStation and Xbox support. Its high-sensitivity mic detaches when you're watching films or listening to music, and the light frame suits long sessions. It works across PC and consoles over 3.5mm.

Its light build suits long sessions without pressure on the head. On a desktop with separate mic and headphone jacks, a single 3.5mm plug needs a splitter. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Rival 3 Gen 2 was closest.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Type: Wired headset
  • Connection: 3.5mm
  • Key spec: 40mm speakers, removable mic
  • Lighting: None

Pros

  • Removable mic
  • In-line volume and mute controls
  • PC, PlayStation and Xbox support
Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad

Best Desk Pad4 of 5

Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Corsair's MM350 PRO is a 930 x 400mm pad with a spill-proof coating and stitched edges.

Best for

Full desk coverage

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Recon 50 cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

Its 4mm rubber is the thickest here. Its 4mm-thick base cushions the wrist, and a spill-proof coating lets liquids slide off. The micro-weave surface gives a fast glide.

Measure the desk: an extended pad should fit under both keyboard and mouse without hanging over the edge. Worth noting too: stitched anti-fray edges. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Rival 3 Gen 2 and the pricier WIN60 HE, at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Type: Extended cloth mouse pad
  • Connection: None
  • Key spec: 930 x 400mm, 4mm
  • Lighting: None

Pros

  • Spill-proof coating
  • Stitched anti-fray edges
  • 4mm rubber
  • 930 x 400mm with a spill-proof coating

Cons

  • Costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing
Elgato Stream Deck Mini

Best Shortcut Keys5 of 5

Elgato Stream Deck Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Stream Deck Mini has six LCD keys for app and game shortcuts in a compact footprint.

Best for

Macros and streams

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Recon 50 cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

Six LCD keys trigger shortcuts, scenes or app actions with one press. It works with OBS, Zoom, Teams and Office apps through the free Stream Deck software. One key can run several actions in sequence with precise timing.

Each LCD key shows an icon, so you can see what it does before you press it. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the WIN60 HE.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Type: Stream controller
  • Connection: USB
  • Key spec: 6 LCD keys
  • Lighting: None

Pros

  • Six LCD keys
  • Compact footprint
  • App and game shortcuts
  • 6 LCD keys key spec, the only one here

Cons

  • Costs more than the Recon 50 at the time of writing

How We Chose

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Role in the setup
We chose one item per role so each guide covers a complete desk.
Listed specs
We recorded the key figure each listing states.
Price tier
We grouped picks by price at the time of writing.
Connection
We checked wired, wireless and platform support.

What to Look For

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. 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.

  2. Mouse shape before sensor

    Every current gaming sensor tracks well enough for most players. Weight, shape and size decide comfort, so pick those first.

  3. A proper mouse pad

    A cloth pad gives consistent tracking and glide. An extended pad covers the keyboard too and keeps the desk tidy.

  4. 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.

  5. Check platform support

    Most gear works on any PC, but software can be Windows-only, and some headsets target consoles as well.

  6. Upgrade in the right order

    The mouse, keyboard and headset are the parts you touch and hear all session. Replace whichever frustrates you most first; lighting and extras come later.

How to Choose

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Competitive gamesWIN60 HEHall effect with 0.02mm rapid trigger
Everyday gamingRival 3 Gen 28,500 DPI with a paracord-style cable
Console and PCRecon 50PC, PlayStation and Xbox support
Full desk coverageMM350 PRO930 x 400mm with a spill-proof coating
Macros and streamsStream Deck MiniSix LCD keys

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

GearTypeConnectionKey specLighting
WIN60 HEWired 60% keyboardUSBHall effect, 0.02mm rapid triggerRGB
Rival 3 Gen 2Wired mouseUSB, paracord cable8,500 DPI TrueMove Core3-zone RGB
Recon 50Wired headset3.5mm40mm speakers, removable micNone
MM350 PROExtended cloth mouse padNone930 x 400mm, 4mmNone
Stream Deck MiniStream controllerUSB6 LCD keysNone

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will PC gear work on consoles?

Wired headsets with 3.5mm plugs usually do. Mice and keyboards work only in games that support them.

What makes a good gift?

Items that do not depend on fit or taste, such as a mouse pad, a light or a mic, are the safest. A mouse depends on hand size.

Is wireless gear good enough for gaming?

Modern 2.4GHz gaming mice and keyboards are fine for competitive play. Bluetooth modes add delay and suit office use.

Do I need all gear from one brand?

No. Matching brands only helps if you want one app to control lighting. Mixing brands works fine.

Does RGB improve performance?

No. It is cosmetic; most gear lets you turn it off.

What should I buy first on a small budget?

A comfortable mouse and a cloth pad. They cost little and change the feel of every game.

Bottom Line

The WIN60 HE is the standout upgrade with rapid-trigger switches. The Rival 3 Gen 2 is a reliable mouse, the Recon 50 is a cross-platform headset, the MM350 PRO covers the desk, and the Stream Deck Mini adds shortcuts.