When gaming, the right gear is essential. It should be reliable and offer good ergonomics, which will keep you playing for longer periods of time without feeling tired or strained.
A great monitor is also essential, especially one with a high resolution that will show the finer details of your game. It should also have a fast response rate to avoid screen tearing and lag.
SteelSeries QcK pad
The SteelSeries QcK is a super thick mouse pad that’s made of high quality cloth material for a smooth and precise gliding experience. It also features a non-slip rubber base that keeps the mouse pad from sliding on any desk surface.
Like all other SteelSeries mouse pads, the Qck mass comes with a variety of Engine Apps to fully customize the look and feel. For example, PrismSync syncs up all your SteelSeries gear with the same lighting colors, Discord allows you to set custom notifications for new messages or mute status, Audio Visualizer will have your lights dancing to your music and Game Sense supports a handful of major titles for special in-game effects.
One weird quirk is that this mousepad has a defined smell when unwrapped. It’s a little off-putting, but it goes away after a day or so of use. Overall though, the Qck mass is a solid choice for those who want tons of real estate to move their mouse around.
DAYBETTER LED strip
This color-changing LED strip comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box, including a control box and power adapter. Its 24-button remote can be used to change modes and adjust brightness. The instructions are surprisingly clear, making it easy to set up the lights in minutes.
With this light strip, you can sync it to music and create different lighting modes, such as party mode, calm mode, or creative DIY effects. It’s also possible to set a timer for your lights to turn on and off.
The DAYBETTER LED strip is a great way to add some flair to your gaming setup. The lights are long-lasting and come with a 24-button remote, making them easy to use. They can be used in many different areas, such as kitchens, bedrooms, TV backlighting, and more. This product is backed by a 1-year warranty. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to use voice commands to control your lights.
Xbox Core wireless controller
Microsoft’s flagship Xbox controller gets a few tweaks for hardcore gamers. The Elite Series 2 Core is a souped-up gamepad that features adjustable thumbsticks and trigger locks. It also offers a built-in rechargeable battery and a zip-up case that supports passthrough charging.
This controller is designed to work with the Xbox X and S, but it’s compatible with other devices that use Bluetooth. Just long-press the pair button next to the USB-C port to connect to a new device and double-tap that same button to move back to your Xbox.
The only downside is that it still uses a micro USB connector (gross). Otherwise, this is a premium controller worth investing in. It’s a little pricey, but it offers the precision and responsiveness needed to elevate your gaming experience. It’s a gamepad that you should consider no matter what your favorite games are. It even looks pretty good, too.
Logitech Backbone One controller
When the Backbone One controller launched for iPhones in 2020, it made quite a splash as one of the few MFi gamepads designed to snap on either side of a phone and connect via Lightning port. It also came with a free trial of Backbone+, a subscription service that integrates gaming apps and streaming services into what feels like a single app.
The controller itself is excellent — it’s the best I’ve tested on a mobile device (with the exception of a more rounded, grabable Razer Kishi V2). The sticks are smaller than those on an Xbox Wireless or DualSense controller but still feel solid and accurate. And the d-pad is responsive and sensitive enough to handle precision turns in racing games or managing angled jumps in FPS.
The biggest drawbacks are that you’ll need to pay for Backbone+ and that the orange Backbone button does nothing but open the Backbone app, not a specific game. Otherwise, this is a great way to turn your smartphone into a mobile gaming console.gaming gear