11 Must-Have Gaming Accessories For PC And Laptop Gamers In 2024

Whether you are a gamer who focuses on online multiplayer titles and needs to communicate with your teammates or a player who enjoys campaign modes, a good gaming headset is an essential piece of kit. They can dramatically change the gaming experience, improving not only the sound quality you hear but also helping to get rid of annoying distractions and become more immersed in the fictional world. A gaming headset can also be incredibly useful for those playing in communal spaces, as it means the noise from your PC or laptop doesn't have to disturb anyone else.

When it comes to choosing the right headset, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer number of choices on offer. There are dozens of brands and hundreds of models to choose from, ranging from open- and closed-back headsets to wired and wireless models. There are a few impressive manufacturers to stick with, including Audeze. The company produces what is arguably the best wireless gaming headset on the market in the form of the Audeze Maxwell.

Although it might be pricey compared to some alternatives, with a price of $299, the Audeze Maxwell offers a host of great features. These include up to 80 hours of battery life, excellent sound quality, and AI noise filtering to ensure the microphone only picks up your voice. It is a little bulky and isn't the easiest headset to travel with, but the headset is super comfortable to wear even for extended periods.

There's a major debate in the world of gaming about whether PC players are best off using a keyboard and mouse or a more traditional controller. The two input methods each have their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as their own disciples who prefer to solely use their favorite method. While the keyboard/mouse combination is a great choice for fast-paced first-person shooters and strategy games, a gamepad can work well in driving games, platformers, and action-adventure games.

The right controller will also make gaming more comfortable and ensure your hands don't become fatigued over long gaming sessions, while also offering a portable input solution that gives you more freedom to move around. There's a huge number of controllers on the market, with almost every major gaming brand offering their own models. PC players also have the option of going for one of the gamepads from the big home consoles from Microsoft and Sony, and they could do a lot worse than opting for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.

Based on the standard Xbox controller, the Elite Series 2 version is among the best controllers currently available. Practically everything on the controller can be customized, with users able to alter everything from the back paddles to the tension of the triggers and thumbsticks. The Elite Series 2 also supports button mapping, and almost every part can be swapped out and replaced so that it perfectly suits your needs.

Over the last few years, blue light has become a major issue. Studies show that blue light can have a detrimental effect on eye health and also disrupt your ability to get a good night's sleep. While blue light is naturally emitted from the sun, people today are exposed to blue light more than ever before, with devices such as smartphones, televisions, and monitors blasting blue light directly into your eyes. That's why prescription glasses can now come with blue light protection and why many devices have built-in blue light filters.

For those who are planning on gaming on a PC or laptop for a long time, a pair of Gunnar glasses is definitely worth the purchase. Designed specifically with gamers in mind, these amber-tinted glasses aim to block out blue light as much as possible without compromising the look or quality of the screen. After a memorable appearance on "Shark Tank," the company has gone from strength to strength and now offers a wide variety of glasses, some of which have dual functions and can even operate as sunglasses outside.

The main advantage of using these products is that they should help to reduce eye strain, allowing you to stay focused and play for longer without needing to rest your eyes. Gunnar has already collaborated with big gaming brands such as Activision and Ubisoft, with more tie-ins expected in the future, so you should be able to find a pair that suits your style and needs.

The era of the standard hard drive (HDD) is not over yet, but the solid-state drive (SSD) is becoming more and more important. As games use higher quality assets and larger in-game worlds, it becomes more and more important for faster data transfer. SSDs allow this, reducing load times and making games run more smoothly. They also have benefits when it comes to installing and transferring titles, which can now be over 100 GB. The increased read and write speeds dramatically reduce the time it takes to do this. With so many SSDs from dozens of brands, getting an SSD that will do the job you want can seem daunting, although there are some clear stand-outs.

Samsung has established itself as one of the leading brands in the SSD market, using its vast experience from the wide array of electronic devices it produces to create high-quality SSDs. It really is difficult to go wrong with any Samsung SSD, but the EVO series is particularly well thought of thanks to excellent reliability and three-year warranties. This series goes up to a capacity of 4 TB and has impressive read and write speeds that make data transfer and load times super quick.

It doesn't matter whether you are playing on a laptop using a controller or on a desktop PC with a keyboard and mouse, a desk will undoubtedly be an essential component. After all, you need something to rest the hardware on and to provide a playing surface for your other accessories and peripherals. While there are many standard desks that will do the job perfectly well, those looking to step up their game need look no further than the Secretlab MAGNUS Pro.

The Secretlab MAGNUS Pro is a sit-to-stand desk, essentially allowing users to choose how they want to position themselves when gaming. Our review of the desk found that it was both durable and stylish, with preset adjustments that make changing the desk from sitting mode to standing mode a simple process. You also get built-in cable storage to keep all of your wires and cables neat and tidy, as well as an integrated power supply so you don't have to worry about everything being able to reach a power outlet.

Coming in a variety of color schemes, some themed around hit gaming franchises, the desk can support up to 260 pounds. That means the Secretlab MAGNUS Pro can easily hold all of your equipment.

Getting the right mouse and keyboard for your gaming sessions is important but without the right equipment to go with them, they won't be as effective as they could be. That's where the Corsair MM700 RGB extended mouse pad comes in. Mouse mats, for the most part, are something of an afterthought for many computer users. Yet, a high-quality mouse pad can prove just how valuable it is, especially when used with other expensive products.

The main feature here is the sheer size of the Corsair MM700. With dimensions of 930mm x 400mm, it is a mouse pad that allows plenty of room for gamers, allowing players to go through an extreme range of motion effortlessly. The textile woven surface is also smooth and comfortable, making it ideal for extended use, and its 4mm thickness ensures it isn't too bulky. Meanwhile, this model comes with an RGB light strip around its perimeter, allowing it to easily fit into gaming setups that make generous use of RGB lighting and features a USB-C connection so you can plug your mouse directly into the pad rather than your PC or laptop.