The Best PC Gaming Gear for Beginners

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. LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting is unique to it among these picks, while the FIFINE A6V uses RGB lighting. It also offers metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons and five DPI presets.

It plugs into a USB-A port. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Recon Spark was the next step up.

It is a simple first headset. Memory foam ear cushions and on-ear volume controls keep it comfortable and easy to adjust. It plugs into PC, consoles and phones over 3.5mm.

Its 40mm speakers cover game and chat audio at a budget price. You also get support for spatial audio technologies. On a desktop with separate mic and headphone jacks, a single 3.5mm plug needs a splitter. When we checked, only the G203 cost less, and the QcK XXL cost more.

It keeps arrow keys in a compact layout. A PPS plate and two layers of silicone dampening soften the sound, and Snap Tap resolves opposing keys. ABS doubleshot keycaps resist fading.

It is the only pick here with per-key Chroma RGB lighting; the G203 has LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting instead. It also offers Snap Tap and Dual-Keypress Priority and south-facing LEDs. A 60% or 65% layout drops the number pad and some navigation keys; check you can live without them.

It makes the most sense for learning mechanical boards, since it offers 65% hot-swap with dampening. At our last price check it topped the group, with the FIFINE A6V the nearest cheaper option.

It uses the same cloth and rubber base as the smaller QcK. Its XXL size covers a keyboard, mouse and monitor stand, and the high thread count is tuned for both optical and laser sensors. A non-slip rubber base keeps it planted.

It also offers micro-woven cloth. Measure the desk: an extended pad should fit under both keyboard and mouse without hanging over the edge. Worth noting too: XXL desk coverage key spec, the only one here. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the G203 at the time of writing.

It is a low-cost USB mic. Its RGB cycles through seven colours, and a shock mount with rubber bands absorbs keyboard taps. It works with PS4, PS5, Windows and Mac without extra software.

It won an iF Design Award and records at up to 192kHz. You get RGB lighting here, which sets it apart from the Reclusa X Mini and its per-key Chroma RGB lighting. It also comes with a gain knob and a mute button that turns the RGB off. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper QcK XXL and the pricier Reclusa X Mini, at the time of writing.