Buying Guide
The Best PC Gaming Gear Under $100
Each item here was listed under $100 at the time of writing, so any one fits a modest budget.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Good gaming gear does not need a large budget. Each item here was listed under $100 at the time of writing; prices change, so check before buying.
We compared the specs from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

Best Mouse Under $100
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse
53g with 8000Hz polling.
Best for: Performance on a budget
Our take Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best Alternative Mouse
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse
8,500 DPI with three RGB zones.
Best for: Different shape
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best Keyboard Under $100
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard
Hot-swap 60% layout.
Best for: Mechanical on a budget
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best Headset Under $100
Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset
Removable mic with in-line controls.
Best for: Cross-platform chat
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)

Best Pad Under $100
Razer Gigantus V2 Large Mouse Pad
3mm foam cloth pad.
Best for: Aiming room
Our take Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Large Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 53g with 8000Hz polling. | Performance on a budget | Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 8,500 DPI with three RGB zones. | Different shape | Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | Hot-swap 60% layout. | Mechanical on a budget | Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | Removable mic with in-line controls. | Cross-platform chat | Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 50 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 3mm foam cloth pad. | Aiming room | Check price for Razer Gigantus V2 Large Mouse Pad (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Mouse Under $1001 of 5
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX's Haste 2 wired keeps a solid shell at 53g and polls at up to 8000Hz.
Best for
- Performance on a budget
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigantus V2 L, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its switches are rated for 100 million clicks. It weighs 53g with a solid shell rather than holes, and the HyperX 26K sensor tracks up to 26,000 DPI. The wired cable keeps it simple.
Its paracord-style HyperFlex 2 cable reduces drag, and it polls at up to 8,000Hz, reporting every 0.125ms. It is the only pick here with RGB lighting; the Rival 3 Gen 2 has 3-zone RGB lighting instead. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Rival 3 Gen 2 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Wired mouse
- Connection: USB, paracord cable
- Key spec: 53g, 8000Hz polling
- Lighting: RGB
Pros
- Solid shell at 53g
- 8000Hz polling
- Switches rated for 100 million clicks
- RGB lighting, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing
Best Alternative 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
- Different shape
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Gigantus V2 L 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.
3-zone RGB lighting is unique to it among these picks, while the Haste 2 wired uses RGB lighting. It also comes with a 1.35ms click latency claim. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing. Its price falls between the K617 and the Haste 2 wired, based on our last check.
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 Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing
Best Keyboard Under $1003 of 5
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K617 is a 60% board with hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Mechanical on a budget
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Gigantus V2 L 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. A 60% or 65% layout drops the number pad and some navigation keys; check you can live without them. It also brings USB connection, the only one here. When we checked, only the Recon 50 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Rival 3 Gen 2 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing
Best Headset Under $1004 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
- Cross-platform chat
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigantus V2 L, which cost less when we checked.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Gigantus V2 L and the pricier K617, at the time of writing.
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
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigantus V2 L at the time of writing
Best Pad Under $1005 of 5
Razer Gigantus V2 Large Mouse Pad on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Gigantus V2 Large uses 3mm foam under a micro-weave cloth.
Best for
- Aiming room
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It gives room for low-sensitivity aiming. Its micro-weave surface is calibrated for all sensors and suits fast and controlled play. It comes in sizes from Medium to 3XL.
It comes in four sizes up to 3XL, so you can match it to your DPI and desk. It also offers 3mm high-density foam and an anti-slip base. 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 Recon 50 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Cloth mouse pad
- Connection: None
- Key spec: 3mm foam, Large
- Lighting: None
Pros
- 3mm high-density foam
- Micro-weave surface
- Anti-slip base
- 3mm foam cloth pad
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection
- We checked wired, wireless and platform support.
- 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.
What to Look for in a PC Gaming Gear Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Mouse shape before sensor
Every current gaming sensor tracks well enough for most players. Weight, shape and size decide comfort, so pick those first.
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.
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.
A proper mouse pad
A cloth pad gives consistent tracking and glide. An extended pad covers the keyboard too and keeps the desk tidy.
Check platform support
Most gear works on any PC, but software can be Windows-only, and some headsets target consoles as well.
How to Choose a PC Gaming Gear Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on a budget | Haste 2 wired | 53g with 8000Hz polling |
| Different shape | Rival 3 Gen 2 | 8,500 DPI with three RGB zones |
| Mechanical on a budget | K617 | Hot-swap 60% layout |
| Cross-platform chat | Recon 50 | Removable mic with in-line controls |
| Aiming room | Gigantus V2 L | 3mm foam cloth pad |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Gear | Type | Connection | Key spec | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haste 2 wired | Wired mouse | USB, paracord cable | 53g, 8000Hz polling | RGB |
| Rival 3 Gen 2 | Wired mouse | USB, paracord cable | 8,500 DPI TrueMove Core | 3-zone RGB |
| K617 | Wired 60% keyboard | USB | Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin | RGB, 20 presets |
| Recon 50 | Wired headset | 3.5mm | 40mm speakers, removable mic | None |
| Gigantus V2 L | Cloth mouse pad | None | 3mm foam, Large | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Does RGB improve performance?
No. It is cosmetic; most gear lets you turn it off.
Bottom Line
The Haste 2 wired is the best-value performance upgrade. The Rival 3 Gen 2 is the alternative mouse, the K617 is the keyboard, the Recon 50 covers audio, and the Gigantus V2 L finishes the desk.
