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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Hall effect with 0.02mm rapid trigger. | Competitive games | Check price for AULA WIN60 HE 60% Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 8,500 DPI with a paracord-style cable. | Everyday gaming | Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | PC, PlayStation and Xbox support. | Console and PC | Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 930 x 400mm with a spill-proof coating. | Full desk coverage | Check price for Corsair MM350 PRO Extended XL Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | Six LCD keys. | Macros and streams | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Mouse shape before sensor
Every current gaming sensor tracks well enough for most players. Weight, shape and size decide comfort, so pick those first.
A proper mouse pad
A cloth pad gives consistent tracking and glide. An extended pad covers the keyboard too and keeps the desk tidy.
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.
Check platform support
Most gear works on any PC, but software can be Windows-only, and some headsets target consoles as well.
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
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive games | WIN60 HE | Hall effect with 0.02mm rapid trigger |
| Everyday gaming | Rival 3 Gen 2 | 8,500 DPI with a paracord-style cable |
| Console and PC | Recon 50 | PC, PlayStation and Xbox support |
| Full desk coverage | MM350 PRO | 930 x 400mm with a spill-proof coating |
| Macros and streams | Stream Deck Mini | Six LCD keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Gear | Type | Connection | Key spec | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN60 HE | Wired 60% keyboard | USB | Hall effect, 0.02mm rapid trigger | RGB |
| Rival 3 Gen 2 | Wired mouse | USB, paracord cable | 8,500 DPI TrueMove Core | 3-zone RGB |
| Recon 50 | Wired headset | 3.5mm | 40mm speakers, removable mic | None |
| MM350 PRO | Extended cloth mouse pad | None | 930 x 400mm, 4mm | None |
| Stream Deck Mini | Stream controller | USB | 6 LCD keys | None |
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.
