Virtual reality headsets and gaming are all the rage now. This new level of gaming requires a headset or machine to transport you into a whole new virtual world. What if we could ditch the headset and cords? The conceptual PSR from Andy Suh does just that. Virtual reality gaming without clunky headsets, cables, or motion sickness? Sign us up.

If you want to take your gaming to immersive levels, if you’re a pro-gamer or just need a way to wind down at the end of a long day, boy oh boy, did Andy Suh imagine the console for you.

Project Your Reality

The PlayStation PSR utilizes a triple projection system with three 4K HDR projectors rather than a gaming headset, which allows you to become a part of the game truly. How does it accomplish this? The PSR projects your virtual world onto the walls and space around you. This feature allows you to interact in your games like never before. The projectors are adjustable via an axis, so you can move the device to work for your space. Without a headset on, you’re also more likely to avoid motion sickness and other concerns present with regular virtual reality.

It’s not just for virtual reality, though. You can switch to a single projector mode to play this PlayStation like other gaming consoles on your home projector screen. The console also provides TV connectivity if you don’t have a projector screen.

New but Nostalgic

The console does an excellent job of capturing the feel of the other PlayStation consoles. It uses geometric shapes throughout the design, which arc back to prior PlayStation models. However, the controllers come complete with a brand-new design. They are magnetic, which allows them to connect to play like a standard controller while they share a battery charge. When separated, these ergonomic controllers nestle into your palms with ease. When it’s time for them to charge, snap them together and attach them to the ChargeStation Pro for wireless, lightning-fast charging.

Look but don’t Touch

While this console is strictly conceptual at this point, if it ever were put into production, it could be a revelation for the gaming industry and change how we play games and interact with our spaces. Will PlayStation ever bring it to life? Only time will tell.

I’ll bet you a buck you’re reading this while sitting down. Maybe you’re lucky enough to be slumped on the couch right now, feet up, and comfy. But for those of you unfortunate enough to be perusing this site from your desk chair, take a moment to evaluate the seat you are currently occupying. There’s a good chance you’ve got some hotspots on your back or below, and let’s not get started with those armrests. Do you actually choose to spend part of your life in that thing? Perhaps you need one of those ergonomic PC gaming chairs, pronto! But what to buy?

Luckily Herman Miller has your back … and your bum … and your arms, with their new-and-improved Embody Gaming Chair. For $1,495 MSRP, you might be wondering if you’re getting a new computer with this state-of-the-art piece of formidable furniture. But, no. Just a chair. However, Herman Miller is known to make some of the best sitting equipment on the market, so let’s dig into the details and see if this thing is worth the pretty penny it demands.

Focus

Let’s do a quick meditation. Focus on your back for a moment. Does it feel like every vertebra is both in contact with your seat and adequately supported? Now imagine a chair that provides that support, corrects your posture, and naturally helps align your spine in a neutral position.

Next, move your focus down towards your sit bones. Does the decades-old foam in your seat even have anything left to give? Can it resist your gravity whatsoever? The Embody features additional padding to ensure you can sit upright for hours, and they’ve also integrated cooling foam to keep you chilled while under pressure.

What about the adjustability of your current seat? Aside from the herky-jerky elevator knob you accidentally hit about once a week, are there any other options for adjustable comfort? Herman Miller wants you to be able to customize your seat. So, the Embody has not only an adjustable backrest to keep your spine aligned, but adjustable armrests to ensure you can slide in and out of your desk environment with ease.

Don’t Take Our Word For It

So, is this the chair for you? Dont’s take it from us, take it from Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg — revered and longest-standing member of the TSM League of Legends esports team:

Herman Miller and Logitech spent months asking us, as players, what we needed most in a chair, and what resulted was the Embody. Ensuring that the chair we use is comfortable, offers proper support, and helps us play at optimal performance is critical to our success. We only use the best products when we play, and the Embody is no exception. 

And what about a warranty? This thing is expensive, so you’re going to want to be confident it will last. John Campbell, Herman Miller’s Business Lead of Gaming, can allay your warranty concerns:

The Embody is designed to last up to 12 years, with 24-hour usage during that time. … So when you buy the Embody Gaming Chair, what you’re buying is the confidence that this chair is an investment. If anything were to go wrong with it, it’s covered at 100%.

Bottom Line

The reality is that gaming chairs are often built for function and not so much for style. And not everyone has a dedicated gaming lair where their consoles, LED-backlit PC towers, and E3 swag live. The Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair blends into the modern apartment or home and looks like an executive chair, with some serious functionality. It’s a win-win.

Purchase

Fans of the PlayStation rejoice! We’ve finally got our sights on the next-generation console; let’s kick things off by saying that the design of the PS5 does not disappoint. Sleek, streamlined, and with a definite nod towards a fully digital future where physical media is no longer required as the Digital Edition console doesn’t even accept discs. It’s the kind of next-gen console you’d expect the innovators at PlayStation to unveil and as far as we’re concerned, it looks set to live up to all the hype.

PS5: The Key Facts You Need to Know About

Before we delve in for all the juicy details, let’s do a quick review of the major talking points. Sony’s tagline for the PS5 is “play has no limits,” and with lightning-fast load times ultra-high-speed SSD and even deeper visual immersion than ever before, the new console indeed seems limitless. Adaptive triggers, 3D Audio, and haptic feedback are more features that significantly enhance the gameplay experience.

Due to release later this year, the PlayStation 5 is set to replace the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro, and before you ask, “what can I play on it,” and the answer is almost everything. In addition to new games like Spider-Man, Demon’s Soul, and Resident Evil 8, the newest PlayStation will be backward compatible.  You should be able to play all your PS4 games. However, earlier generations are yet to be confirmed.

Some Surprises in Store

There’s not just one but two new consoles coming your way for Holiday Season 2020. A standard edition, featuring a 4k Blu-Ray disc player plus a super slim and sexy disc-free Digital Edition for all you forward thinkers. And the new consoles show off futuristic aesthetics; iconic curvy black and white plastic with blue highlights that are light years ahead of previous “black box” iterations. It grabbed our attention from the get-go and deepens anticipation of the official lanch.

Pricing and Specification

Sony has yet to officially reveal the price point, but the word on the street is that pricing will be competitive and based on “lifetime value.” As with any upgrade, it’s not expected to be less expensive than current versions.

But we already know it’s going to feature breathtaking sensory immersion with incredible graphics and 8k output to provide stunning, jaw-dropping gameplay experiences. All this awesomeness is fueled by a lightning-quick CPU, GPU, and SSD all with integrated I/O.

The Dual Sense wireless controllers incorporate a built-in microphone into the iconic and futuristic design,  to help elevate gaming capabilities to a whole new level. We have it on good authority that the dev team really paid attention to the end-user experience. The new gamepad design is a fresh departure from the recognizable black color scheme. The white is clean with that pop of blue coming through. The new overall visual design may be divisive, but we’re going on record to say we love it!

Sony will no doubt trickle more details over the coming months, and continue with teases until the release date, so keep checking back as we reveal everything you need to know about the PlayStation5.

Learn More

From high-end headsets packed with features to budget headsets with questionable build quality, there are numerous gaming headsets on the market. Some of them are designed specifically for PC gaming while others are much more versatile and can be used for different gaming platforms – including mobile devices.

If you are shopping for the best gaming headsets currently out, this product guide is for you. In this guide, you’ll find the best wired and wireless gaming headsets on the market, with a couple of products coming from two companies – Sennheiser and Audeze – that are better known for their audiophile and professional headphones.

The Best Gaming Headset

Best Wireless Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is one of the best and most versatile gaming headsets currently out on the market. It’s a wireless gaming headset featuring multiple connection options, a dual-battery system, and an excellent mic. Its sound quality and build quality are both great while its desktop app offers a good amount of customization options. It’s one of the most expensive gaming headsets, though, with SteelSeries normally listing it for $350.

A closed-back headset, the Arctis Pro Wireless has a more discreet look compared to other gaming headsets, some of which include fancy RGB lighting and other cosmetics. It has large, spacious ear cups with a retractable boom mic on the left and an easily accessible battery slot on the right and features a sturdy metal headband. It’s comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and stays securely on the head without being uncomfortably tight. Its overall build quality is great, with its removable ear cup backplates, which are magnetic, allowing for easy replacement and customization.

Like other wireless gaming headsets, the Arctis Pro Wireless has on-cup controls. On the left ear cup, you’ll find a multi-function dial and a mic mute switch. On the other side, you’ll find a multi-function Bluetooth button and a separate power button – the former has a concave surface while the latter has a convex surface, which makes them easy to identify. The on-cup controls are user-friendly and don’t feel too cramped on both ear cups, allowing for easy adjustments while in the middle of a game.

Featuring multiple connection options – including optical and USB – the included wireless transmitter is well-designed and just as easy to use as the on-cup controls. It has a small OLED screen and serves as a charging dock for the two rechargeable batteries, making it possible to charge one battery while the other is still in use. You can also use the wireless transmitter to adjust the general volume, balance the game and chat volumes, and modify the sound using the onboard equalizer.

The Arctis Pro Wireless has great audio reproduction and is suitable for different kinds of games, including first-person shooters, RPGs, and racing games. Using the SteelSeries desktop app, you can modify the sound profile depending on the game you are currently playing. You can customize the sound to make explosions more spectacular in action-packed games or enhance speech clarity in story-driven games.

Flexible but non-removable, the boom mic of the Arctis Pro Wireless is one of the best mics out there, not only for gaming but also for phone calls. During team-based online multiplayer matches, it will allow you to relay crucial information to your teammates in a clear and effective manner, even if you are gaming in a crowded or noisy environment. But on the other hand, the headset itself will not do a very good job of blocking out ambient noise despite its closed-back design. Its overall noise isolation performance is subpar, but its sound leakage is low, which is beneficial in some situations.

With its multiple connectivity options, you can use the Arctis Pro Wireless with any gaming platform currently out, although some features are not available for some devices. If you prefer wireless connectivity, you can connect using either Bluetooth or the wireless transmitter for lower latency; the former connection option is uncommon for wireless gaming headsets. In wireless mode, the headset lasts up to 10 hours, giving you 20 hours of continuous use with the two batteries.

Since the Arctis Pro Wireless has a dual-battery system in which you can charge one battery in the wireless transmitter while the other is still in use, you’ll never run out of battery even during gaming marathons. If you forget to charge the other battery and the headset runs out of power in the middle of a game, you can simply switch to a regular wired connection using the provided audio cable.

Overall, the Arctis Pro Wireless is the best wireless headset for gaming, offering a host of features that can enhance your gaming experience. It’s a well-built gaming headset with great sound quality, excellent mic performance, user-friendly on-cup controls, and a comfortable fit. While it’s best used for gaming on PC and PS4, you can also use it for other gaming platforms. If you can spend $300-350 on a gaming headset, you should definitely consider this SteelSeries product.

Purchase

Best Under $100: HyperX Cloud II

One of the most popular gaming headsets, the HyperX Cloud II is a much more affordable product than the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless and can be bought for less than $100. It’s an excellent gaming headset that offers multi-platform compatibility with its regular wired connection. While it’s not as customizable as some products, it’s a solid all-rounder suitable for different kinds of games and is one of the few gaming headsets that gets it right in most areas.

The Cloud II is an over-ear headset with sealed backplates, which is a very common design for gaming headsets. Like the SteelSeries headset, it has a more casual design and can be mistaken for a regular pair of headphones when the boom mic is detached. Its overall build quality is good and feels sturdy. It has a sturdy aluminum frame and large ear cups with memory foam pads and synthetic leather sleeves. HyperX also includes an extra pair of earpads with velour covers, which feel more luxurious.

Although its clamp is on the tighter side and its closed-back ear cups are not very breathable, the Cloud II is comfortable to wear. It stays securely on the head and will not easily slide off when you are turning your head. You can use it for gaming marathons, but you’ll need to take a break from time to time since the ear cups can get uncomfortably warm after a few hours of continuous use.

Unlike some wired gaming headsets, the Cloud II has a non-detachable audio cable, which connects to the left ear cup and ends with a 3.5 mm analog plug. Also included in the box is another cable that ends with a USB plug and includes a small, in-line control hub. With the in-line control hub, you can adjust the audio and mic volumes separately and enable the virtual surround sound feature.

A travel pouch and an airplane adapter are also included in the box. Both accessories are useful if you plan to use the Cloud II as your all-around headphones for gaming, travel, commute, and casual everyday use. As mentioned, the headset has a more casual design despite the bold HyperX logo on the ear cups and looks like regular headphones without the mic. However, it’s not the easiest to carry for everyday use due to its bulky design and non-foldable ear cups.

The Cloud II is a good-sounding gaming headset that is suitable for action-packed games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom, and Just Cause 4 because of its emphasized bass. It has a great boom mic that works well even in a very noisy environment, and it can easily interface with PC and consoles using either the default analog cable or the digital USB cable. And since it’s a wired headset with no battery-powered active features, you don’t need to worry about running out of power in the middle of an intense game.

With its closed-back design, the Cloud II provides passive noise isolation, allowing you to play games at home with reduced background noise. It’s decent at blocking out ambient chatter and the sound of air conditioning units. It has a low sound leakage as well, allowing you to increase the game volume without worrying about disturbing people around you, especially while playing action-packed games with lots of explosions.

If you are limited to a $100 budget, the Cloud II is the best gaming headset that you can get. It offers excellent value for the money and will last a long time due to its durable build quality. It has good sound quality, a great mic, easily replaceable earpads, and an analog wired connection for universal compatibility, with the option to use a digital USB connection. It’s recommended for both casual and hardcore gamers.

Our guide to the best PC gaming speakers offers more quality audio devices for gamers. Check them out.

Purchase

Best Open-back Gaming Headset: Astro Gaming A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR (2019)

Selling for around $250, the 2019 Astro Gaming A40 TR with the MixAmp Pro TR is the best option if you prefer open-back headphones for a wider soundstage. It’s one of the best wired gaming headsets on the market, with its very comfortable fit, good customization options, and great mic being some of its most notable aspects. Astro Gaming offers separate PS4 and Xbox One models for this headset, both of which are compatible with PC. While you can get the headset as a standalone unit, we highly recommend also getting the MixAmp Pro TR, which opens up more customization options.

The 2019 A40 TR is an over-ear headset with a detachable audio cable and a boom mic that can be positioned on either side. Compared to the SteelSeries and HyperX headsets, it certainly looks more like a typical gaming headset and will easily stand out. It has large, well-padded ear cups that can rotate to a flat position, allowing it to take less space when stored and making for a less cumbersome setup when the headset is resting around your neck.

Lightweight and decently breathable, the 2019 A40 TR is comfortable to wear for long hours, which makes them ideal for extended grinding or farming in games. While its clamp is a bit loose, it has no major stability issues. It has good weight distribution, which makes up for its bulky design, but on the other hand, it’s not as breathable as typical open-back headphones.

Composed of multiple connection ports and control switches and knobs, the included MixAmp Pro TR is an excellent auxiliary component for the 2019 A40 TR. It has separate knobs for adjusting the general volume and for balancing the game and chat volumes, along with buttons for enabling or disabling the virtual surround sound and for cycling through the EQ presets. Additionally, it has a switch at the back for toggling between PC and console modes.

The 2019 A40 TR is a good-sounding headset suitable for different kinds of games, from competitive first-person shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch to story-driven games with an excellent soundtrack like Undertale and Persona 5. It has a much wider soundstage compared to the SteelSeries and HyperX headsets due to its open-back design. Its mic performance is great as well, which is beneficial when playing online multiplayer games. You can modify some aspects of the headset using the Astro Command Center desktop software.

Since the 2019 A40 TR is an open-back headset, its sound isolation performance is mediocre. Its noise isolation is poor, which means it’s not going to block out ambient noise effectively, while its sound leakage is high even at moderate volume. Its poor noise isolation is beneficial if you actually prefer to be more aware of your surroundings while gaming. But if you prefer a more immersive and more private gaming experience, then you are better off with a closed-back headset instead.

Like the HyperX Cloud II, the 2019 A40 TR offers both analog and digital wired connection options, with the headset capable of functioning even without the MixAmp Pro TR. For a more straightforward setup, simply use the regular audio cable that ends with a 3.5 mm analog plug. But if you want more controls, connect the headset to the MixAmp Pro TR and use the USB cable for digital audio.

All in all, the 2019 A40 TR is one of the best wired gaming headsets currently out and easily stands out as the best open-back headset for gaming. Its build quality, sound quality, customization options, and boom mic are good. It has analog and digital wired connectivity options for easy compatibility with different gaming platforms, including mobile devices. If you think the headset’s open design will be an issue in some situations, you can purchase the optional A40 TR Mod Kit to easily convert it into closed-back as needed.

Purchase

Best for Xbox One: SteelSeries Arctis 9X

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X is a wireless gaming headset designed specifically for gaming on Xbox One, featuring the ability to connect directly to Xbox One consoles with no need for wireless adapters. It’s more affordable than the Arctis Pro Wireless and will offer better value for the money if you mainly game on Microsoft’s home console. You can also use it for gaming on PC and mobile devices, with its Bluetooth technology allowing for easy connectivity with both platforms.

Like all other headsets in the Arctis lineup, the Arctis 9X has a more casual look, featuring a black color scheme with minimal cosmetics outside of the minor green accents on the headband. It’s over-ear headphones featuring large, closed-back ear cups that are coated with a more breathable fabric. It has a sturdy metal headband and includes a retractable mic and on-cup controls. While it can’t fold into a more compact format for better portability, its ear cups can swivel into a flat position.

Although its bulky design and tight clamp might suggest otherwise, the Arctis 9X is comfortable to use for long gaming sessions. It has well-padded ear cups that can accommodate most ear sizes, but its limited headband adjustment mechanism might be a problem if you have a large head. The ear cups don’t feel too warm after a couple of hours of continuous use, with the soft earpads countering the headset’s tight fit.

Compared to the other top picks in this guide to the best gaming headsets, the Arctis 9X comes with much fewer accessories. Apart from the manual, the only other item included in the box is a USB cable, which is used for charging the headset and for connecting to the SteelSeries desktop app. Sadly, you can’t use the USB cable for digital audio when gaming on PC.

The Arctis 9X has one of the most complete on-cup control schemes among wireless gaming headsets, allowing you to easily make adjustments while in the middle of a game. It has separate dials for adjusting the general volume and for balancing the game and chat volumes and includes a dedicated mic mute switch. Furthermore, it has a couple of multi-function buttons in the form of the Bluetooth and power buttons – the former can be used for call and music management while the latter can be used for cycling through the EQ presets.

Regarding sound quality and mic performance, the Arctis 9X is great. It’s especially suitable for games like Battlefield V and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, boasting a powerful bass that allows for more spectacular action sequences. It has a decent soundstage for a closed-back headset as well, which is beneficial in some games. On the other hand, its great mic performance is useful for online multiplayer games where team communication is important. As with the Arctis Pro Wireless, you can tinker with some aspects of the headset using the SteelSeries desktop app.

With its Xbox One direct wireless connection, the Arctis 9X allows you to easily connect to an Xbox One console with no need for adapters, USB dongles, or cables. You connect it in the same way that you connect an Xbox One wireless controller. You can also connect the headset to any Bluetooth device, such as smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, you can’t switch to a regular wired connection once the headset battery is fully depleted – at least not out of the box. If you want to be able to switch to wired mode anytime, you’ll need to purchase a separate analog audio cable.

The Arctis 9X has an excellent battery life, capable of running for more than 20 hours per charge, with some hands-on reviewers measuring close to 30 hours of total battery life. That’s more than good enough even for gaming marathons. Of course, the actual battery life will vary depending on your usage, as not everyone has the same preferences when it comes to gaming.

Although it’s not as versatile as some wireless headsets, the Arctis 9X is a great headset for gaming. Its build quality and audio reproduction are great while its on-cup controls are good. It has low latency and connects easily with Xbox One consoles. If you like many of what the Arctis Pro Wireless brings to the table – like good app support and a comfortable and secure fit – but you mainly play games on an Xbox One, check out this product instead.

Purchase

Best Budget Gaming Headset: Logitech G433

There are plenty of budget gaming headsets on the market, but the one that offers the best value for the money is the Logitech G433. It’s a wired headset with good audio reproduction, great mic performance, and decent build quality. It comes with a bunch of accessories, including two audio cables intended for different purposes, and can be used for gaming on PC, home consoles, and mobile devices. While it’s normally listed for more than $70, you can get it for just around $50 during a sale.

The G433 is an over-ear headset with closed-back ear cups and a removable mic and audio cable. It has a casual design that makes for a more low-profile look and will not easily stand out like typical gaming headsets, with Logitech offering three color options: black, blue, and red. Its build quality is decent, though its mostly plastic construction might suggest otherwise. It has a metal-reinforced headband and durable ear cups with soft padding.

While its closed-back design limits breathability, the G433 is comfortable to wear. It’s lightweight and well-padded and has large ear cups that can easily accommodate larger ears. The headband is flexible and doesn’t creak alarmingly when being adjusted unlike with some cheap headsets with an all-plastic construction. On the other hand, the headset has a tight clamp, especially out of the box, which can be fatiguing on the head after several hours of continuous use.

Compared to many other gaming headsets in the same price range, the G433 has more accessories included in the box. In addition to the detachable mic, it comes with an extra pair of earpads, two audio cables, a soft carry pouch, a USB adapter, and a Y splitter for PC. For comparison, the similarly priced Corsair HS60 – also one of the best budget gaming headsets on the market – only includes a USB adapter and a detachable mic.

The two audio cables are intended for different usages, with each of them featuring a small in-line remote with different controls. The standard audio cable is designed for gaming on PC and consoles and has an in-line remote with a volume dial and a mic mute switch. Featuring an in-line mic, the other audio cable is designed for mobile devices and has a remote for call and music management, but no volume control. Both audio cables end with a regular 3.5 mm analog plug, with the included USB adapter allowing you to switch to digital audio on a gaming PC and PS4.

Compatible with all gaming platforms that support either analog or digital wired connection, the G433 is a good-sounding headset suitable for different kinds of games. You can use it for story-driven single-player games with lots of dialogue and for action-packed, explosions-heavy multiplayer games. It has a great mic for voice chat during team-based online multiplayer games. Its closed-back ear cups provide passive noise isolation and will reduce an adequate amount of ambient noise like the sound of chatter and air conditioning units, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience.

You can tinker with some aspects of the G433 using the Logitech desktop software, which has a simple interface, but only when the headset is connected using the USB adapter on PC. The software allows you to enable the virtual surround sound feature and change the mic settings. You also get a graphic equalizer for modifying the sound profile, which is useful if you don’t like the default sound or prefer to use a different sound profile for different kinds of games.

Overall, the G433 is an excellent headset for gaming, whether you own a PC or a console. Its build quality is decent while its sound quality is good for a gaming headset. It has a good desktop app for customization and includes plenty of useful accessories. It’s also a decent headset for casual everyday use, which adds to its value, but it’s not recommended for listening to music in very noisy places due to its subpar noise isolation performance.

More Options

The following products are also great options if you are shopping for the best gaming headsets, with half of them selling for around $100 or less.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

If you are limited to a $50 budget but can’t wait for the Logitech G433 to drop to that price range, check out the HyperX Cloud Stinger. It normally sells for $50, with the price sometimes dropping to around $40 during a sale. It’s a wired over-ear headset featuring closed-back ear cups with memory foam padding. Its build quality is decent for a budget headset, and it’s comfortable to wear despite its relatively tight fit and less breathable design.

The Stinger is an all-around headset suitable for gaming on PC, consoles, and mobile devices, with its analog audio cable allowing for universal compatibility. It has a great boom mic, which is especially beneficial when playing online multiplayer games. Unfortunately, the mic, like the audio cable, is non-detachable. But on the bright side, you can easily mute it by swiveling it upward, which makes it easy to enable and disable in the middle of a game.

Our guide to the top studio headphones offers more top-quality audio devices. Check them out.

Corsair HS60

The Corsair HS60 is a good alternative to the similarly priced Logitech G433 if you want a budget-friendly gaming headset with a more premium build quality. It’s one of the best-built gaming headsets under $100, featuring a sturdy metal frame and durable ear cups. While its backplate design might suggest otherwise, it’s a closed-back headset. It has a limited but still useful on-cup control scheme composed of a volume wheel and a mic mute switch.

Suitable for both single-player and online multiplayer games, the HS60 has a non-detachable audio cable that ends with a regular 3.5 mm analog plug. Like the G433, it also includes a USB adapter for digital audio. With the USB adapter and the Corsair desktop app, you can modify some aspects of the headset – including the sound profile – but only on PC. If you mainly play games on consoles, check out the more affordable Corsair HS50 instead. The HS50 is basically the same headset, but it doesn’t include a USB adapter.

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SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a versatile gaming headset that can connect with different gaming platforms, either wirelessly or through a regular wired connection. It’s over-ear headphones under $200 featuring an on-cup control scheme with a volume wheel and mic switch. It has closed-back ear cups with thick padding and a detachable mic. While not as premium as the Arctis Pro Wireless and the Arctis 9X, its build quality is decent, with its metal-reinforced headband making for a sturdier frame.

Capable of running up to around 20 hours per charge, the Arctis 1 Wireless includes a compact USB-C wireless transmitter for easy wireless connectivity with both Nintendo Switch consoles and Android smartphones. The USB-C wireless transmitter allows for much lower latency while gaming and makes for a more hassle-free pairing process. Also included in the box is a USB-A adapter for the dongle for wireless connectivity with PC and PS4, along with the charging cable and a regular analog audio cable for wired connectivity.

Purchase

Sennheiser Game One

A wired over-ear headset, the Sennheiser Game One is an open-back gaming headset with good sound quality, convenient on-cup controls, and a durable braided cable. It has spacious ear cups, which can easily accommodate larger ears, and a well-padded headband. Like many other gaming headsets, its on-cup control scheme is limited to volume control and mic mute, with the latter activated by simply swiveling the boom mic upward. Unlike the audio cable, the mic is non-detachable, which makes for a less casual look when using the headset in a non-gaming setting.

The Game One is a good-sounding headset with a spacious soundstage due to its open design, which unfortunately also translates to poor noise isolation and high sound leakage. It’s best used for gaming in a quiet environment. It has a great mic for voice chat during online multiplayer games and can connect with any gaming platform that supports a regular analog connection. It’s comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions due to its breathable open-back design, lightweight frame, and soft earpads.

Our selection of the top headphones for travel and commute offers more amazing options you may like. Check them out.

Purchase

Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum

Featuring a customizable lighting system, the Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum are over-ear gaming headphones under $500 that uses a USB dongle for low-latency wireless connectivity. It also includes a regular analog audio cable for wired connectivity. It’s a bulky closed-back headset with a good mic for voice chat and excellent app support. With the Logitech desktop software, you get a lot of customization options, including the option to modify the sound profile using a graphic equalizer.

The G933 Artemis Spectrum can connect with different gaming platforms – including smartphones and handheld consoles – either wirelessly or using the analog audio cable. Its build quality is good, but it’s mostly made of plastic. While the layout is confusing at first, its on-cup control scheme is good, with the buttons providing good feedback; among the on-cup controls are three buttons that you can customize on the Logitech software. The G933 Artemis Spectrum can run up to 12 hours per charge in wireless mode with the lighting disabled and up to eight hours with the default lighting enabled.

Purchase

Astro Gaming A50 (2019)

If you like the design and performance of the 2019 Astro Gaming A40 TR but prefer a wireless gaming headset, check out the 2019 A50 instead. It’s an over-ear headset featuring closed-back ear cups and a boom mic that automatically mutes when flipped upward. It comes with a base station that serves as a wireless transmitter and charging dock, with multiple connection options at the rear, including USB and optical. Unlike the 2019 A40 TR, it has an on-cup control scheme composed of a volume wheel and individual buttons for activating the surround sound, balancing the game and chat volumes, and cycling through the EQ presets.

The 2019 A50 has good sound quality and great mic performance, with the option to modify the sound profile using the Astro Command Center desktop app. It allows for a low-latency wireless connection through its wireless transmitter and can run up to around 15 hours per charge. But unfortunately, it can only be used in wireless mode, as it doesn’t include an audio cable for switching to wired mode when the battery is dead. This makes them less versatile than the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, which can be bought for a similar price during a sale.

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Purchase

Audeze Mobius

Selling for around $400, the Audeze Mobius is unique among the best gaming headsets listed in this product guide. At first glance, it looks like a regular wireless gaming headset with an over-ear design, closed-back ear cups, and a detachable boom mic. But unlike all the other headsets above, it has planar magnetic drivers, a technology normally associated with high-fidelity headphones. In addition, it has an impressive virtual surround sound with integrated head tracking for a more immersive gaming experience.

Featuring contoured memory foam earpads coated with synthetic leather, the Mobius is comfortable to wear despite its bulky design and tight fit. While its mostly plastic construction is disappointing for the price, its build quality is good. It has an on-cup control scheme with a mic mute switch, separate controls for the audio and mic volumes, and a dedicated 3D button. Unlike the other wireless gaming headsets in this guide, it lacks a separate wireless transmitter for a low-latency wireless connection and can only connect wirelessly through Bluetooth.

The Mobius is best used in wired mode when gaming on PC and consoles, with Audeze including multiple cables in the box for both analog and digital audio. It sounds good and can last up to around 10 hours per charge, though the actual battery life depends on your usage and the features enabled. Its boom mic is also great for online multiplayer games. You can customize some aspects of the headset using the Audeze desktop app, which has a user-friendly interface and includes plenty of options for the surround sound feature.

Don’t forget to also check out our list of the top semi-open headphones on the market.

Purchase

Our Previous Picks –

If you’re looking for the best gaming headset for PC gaming or console gaming, this is the headset guide for you. We’ve put together a list of the best gaming headsets and we highly encourage you to bookmark this page as this guide is really long.

If you’re quickly looking for the best gaming headset for PC gaming or console gaming then our overall Top Recommendation for you is the HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset. After over a week of research the HyperX was chosen as our Top Pick among the many other headsets we’ve listed. You can take a look at our detailed review of the HyperX Cloud II Headset in the section not too far below.

We’ve also detailed a large amount of really good gaming headsets that are guaranteed to fit every gamer’s needs. Our list of gaming headphones gives you plenty of options to choose from and you can find these headsets all throughout this guide.

From cheap gaming headsets to the more expensive premium models, they are all listed throughout this page!

So if you find this gaming headset guide useful, please share it with others so we can keep making guides like these in the near future.

Help with finding the Best Gaming Headset

Although graphics and gameplay have evolved considerably in the past few decades, sound has experienced its share of growth as well. Not that there was anything wrong with yesterday’s catchy chiptune soundtracks, but today’s technology allows sound to create gripping atmospheres for our virtual worlds like never before.

A very important purchase for gaming

It’s no surprise, then that a good gaming headset has become an important purchase for most gamers. Especially in this day and age where the best type of gaming televisions and various electronic devices can all play their own sounds in the same living room. Headsets can help you hear everything clearly, no matter how noisy your surroundings.

For the online gamer, headphones for gaming aren’t a convenience but a must-have. They are the only way you can listen to your teammates in competitive modes to stay organized, warn others of enemy attacks, etc. Or, if you simply want to chat with friends while venturing through a multiplayer game, headsets are perfect; otherwise, you’re stuck with typing to each other.

The Best Gaming Headset Guide we could put together

With so many choices now available, how do you decide which is the best headset for gaming to purchase? From speaker size and memory foam earcups to detachable mics and more, there are now a number of features to look for before making your decision.

That is why we’ve made a guide for the top gaming headsets that goes over the important factors to consider when deciding on the right headset for you.

To make your search even easier, we even have a few of the best gaming headsets we recommend under each category—just in case that feature is the most important to you!

Best Gaming Headset – Our Top Pick

HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset – PC, Mac, PS4 and Xbox One

Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Headset

Below are some of the factors you should consider when buying a gaming headset. We briefly touch on some of them in this section. The more important factors will have their own sections that cover each subject in more depth.

Gaming headset durability

Even if a cheaper gaming headset offers excellent audio quality, chances are it’s made of less-durable material and thus has a shorter lifespan. If you expect to have a gaming headset for many years to come, make sure it’s made with top quality materials.

More importantly, carefully look at customer reviews on Amazon and other sites which mention headsets that suffered from low sound quality or comfort after a certain time of use. It goes without saying that the higher-priced headsets tend to be the most durable and long-lasting ones on the market.

Wireless or wired gaming headphones?

Wireless headsets are great for gamers that prefer not to have cords twisting and hanging all over them. Believe it or not, getting distracted by tangled headset wires can spell the difference between surviving a confrontation or getting killed.

Needless to say, you don’t have to worry about this with a wireless headset, but they often tend to cost more.

Note that most wireless headsets require a USB port to charge and that the average headset offers 10 hours of gameplay when fully charged.

Although usually more expensive, some headsets have Bluetooth technology and boast a range of several dozen feet, which means you can keep chatting and listening when you exit the room or raid the fridge.

Programmable buttons

Just like a gaming mouse, there are headsets that come with buttons you can set specific controls to. For gaming headsets, this includes setting a button to adjust game sound, voice chat volume, and other features.

Keep in mind that not too many headsets come with programmable buttons yet, which is fine because even the most hardcore gamers can go without them. But if you’re really interested, check out Logitech’s G930 gaming headset, which made a few appearances in our categories.

Why Amazon reviews of a gaming headset matters

Trust in your fellow gamers. There are just way too many types of gaming headphones out on the market for websites and blogs to cover and review.

That’s the great thing about Amazon reviews. Whenever you find a headset you may want to buy, go through the reviews of real people, not just website critics and see what they say.

As a matter of fact, you don’t even need to take our word for it when it comes to headsets we talk about in this guide. We’re just here to point you in the right direction. Click on through to Amazon and check out both the positive and negative reviews.  That way you can make your own decision on whether the headset is right for you.

If you find a headset you like that has numerous positive reviews, you’ll feel more confident in your purchase. If you happen upon a negative review that specifically points out a con or flaw you just can’t get past, at least you now know before you bought it and found out later.

We’re here to help and inform you and so are the reviewers on Amazon.

The importance of having a comfortable gaming headset

While there are plenty of scientifically proven benefits to gaming, there are a few things that can make your gaming sessions quite miserable.

In a previous article we spoke about how sitting for long periods of gaming can be bad for your health. That’s why we recommended a list of the most comfortable chairs for gaming.

You shouldn’t sacrifice comfort especially if you game for long periods of time.

And just like having a comfortable gaming chair, you should also own a comfortable gaming headset. If you’re going to have something attached to your head for several hours a day, it may as well feel comfortable and not cause you headaches and neck pain.

Headset headbands and adjustment

Sound quality is important, but there’s a reason comfort is the first thing you should consider when choosing the right headset for your gaming needs. By that, we mean who cares how nice they sound if wearing them hurts after an hour or two?

Obviously, the best way to make sure a headset feels good on your head is to actually wear it yourself, most likely at a store. But if this isn’t an option because you want to buy online, pay attention to the headband sizing and make sure it’s adjustable.

Whether your head is small, average size, or George Lopez status, an adjustable band will usually allow for a comfortable fit.

Earcup cushion comfort

Cushioned ear cups are also a must-have, especially if you’re the kind of person who gets irritated easily when wearing headsets of any kind. Most headsets today come with foam cushions or replaceable cushion pads so your melon doesn’t feel like it’s having the juice squeezed out of it when you wear them.

Headset weight

The size of a headset can also play a role in comfort, specifically, the weight of the headset. It makes sense that headaches and neck fatigue are more likely when you’re forced to wear a heavier object for one to several hours at a time. This one may not be as big of a deal as adjustable bands or cushioned cups, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

Best PC Gaming Headset – Most comfortable for gamers

Sennheiser GAME ONE PC Gaming Headset – PC, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One

For the gamer who pulls all-nighters or who simply wants a headset that provides maximum comfort, below are a few other good choices:

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset for PC/Mac/Mobile

Razer Tiamat Over Ear 7.1 Surround Sound Headset

HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset

Best Cheap PC Gaming Headsets To Buy

We wanted to include this section because there are a lot of PC gamers out there who are probably looking for cheap gaming headsets. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money on PC gaming headsets to be able to enjoy the benefits of good video game audio.

Below you’ll find 3 of the top PC gaming headsets at very affordable prices. We’ll briefly layout the info for the headsets we’ve listed below so you can get a better understanding of them.

And the great thing is if you don’t find any of the 3 we’ve listed below appealing, there are a bazillion more gaming headsets in this guide to choose from!

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

SADES SA-708 Stereo Gaming Headphone Headset

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

Why great sound quality is needed in a Gaming Headset

The ability to clearly hear enemy footsteps behind you, emotion-heightening music or the voices of other players has become essential for the modern gamer. That is why for many of you reading this guide, finding a good gaming headset which produces the best audio possible is #1 on your list of priorities.

Of course, there’s plenty that goes into what makes a headset sound good, but it also depends on what you want. Some gamers prefer 7.1 channel surround sound while others go with stereo game sound. Which one is better mostly depends on the types of games you plan to play.

What is Surround Sound?

Surround sound headsets mean there are several speakers in the cups, allowing you to more easily recognize where a noise is coming from. So if you’re playing a shooter game and an enemy tosses a grenade a few feet to your left, you’ll know it’s to your left via the sound coming from that direction. Thus, surround sound is preferred for online multiplayer gamers.

Why use Stereo Sound?

So why even consider stereo sound? Unfortunately, a surround sound headset can experience a slight distortion in sound quality since it’s being produced through several speakers. So if you want to near-flawless sound, stereo might be the way to go.

Article Explanation – Surround Sound vs. Stereo Sound

Video Explanation – Stereo vs Surround Sound Headsets

40mm and 50mm speaker sizes

You’ll also notice that gaming headset speakers generally come in two sizes: 40mm and 50mm. Headsets with 50mm speakers are bigger and thus known for offering better bass, although the size and shape of a headset also plays a role.

In other words, a 40mm speaker headset can often produce just as good a quality of sound as a 50mm headset; it all depends on the design and material quality.

Open design versus Closed design

Lastly, an open versus closed design can also play a part in sound quality, especially if hearing the slightest detail is important to you.

With an open design, you may miss an in-game sound due to a noise coming from your surroundings, but these are less likely to make your ears hot and sweaty. On the other hand, closed gaming headsets make sure nothing disturbs your audio experience, but they can be less effective at keeping your ears cool.

Taking all these factors into mind, below are some of the more popular gaming headsets that are specifically known for their high audio quality:

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX22 Amplified Gaming Headset

SteelSeries Siberia v3 Gaming Headset

ROCCAT KAVE XTD 5.1 Gaming Headset

About headset microphone quality

Whether you’re playing a cooperative MMO like Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, a competitive shooter like Halo 5: Guardians or any online multiplayer game, being able to communicate vocally with other players is not just a convenience but oftentimes a necessity. There’s no faster way of exchanging vital game information or just having a conversation, and for that you need a headset with a mic.

Noise cancelling microphones

Naturally you’ll want a mic that delivers crystal clear reception so friends and teammates can hear you loud and clear.

Truth is: you don’t want to be that one player who no one can understand and eventually gets muted for sounding like you’re gargling nails. Or worse, you don’t want to own a terrible headset that causes everyone to hear a loud, piercing sound whenever you speak.

Typically, you want a headset that offers noise cancelling features to lower the chance of other players hearing static when you talk. This also makes it less likely for noises going on around you to go through the mic, which can prove annoying to other players.

We’ve all played with that one kid whose mom we can hear yelling in the background.

Adjustable and detachable microphones

An adjustable or detachable mic might also be of interest if you prefer not having it in front of your mouth all the time, such as when you’re playing by yourself. This is mostly a convenience factor, but it can make all the difference if your video game time is split evenly between playing solo and with others.

Below are a couple great gaming headsets that are purchased mainly for their high microphone quality and/or features:

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

Creative Sound Blaster EVO Entertainment Headset

Affordable Gaming Headsets

For some, price isn’t a limiting factor, and they’re willing to spend hundreds of dollars for the most advanced and feature-heavy gaming headsets. As in any market, the better products do tend to cost more to manufacture and thus come with a bigger price tag.

The great news is that there are plenty of good headsets for gaming out there today that won’t put a dent in your wallet, but still offer amazing sound quality and convenient features. In short, you don’t have to spend more than $100 to have a great audio experience with your games.

Best Cheap Gaming Headsets – Best for budget gamers

HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

SADES SA-708 Stereo Gaming Headphone Headset

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX22 Amplified Gaming Headset

Gaming headsets for multiple platforms

In an ideal world, every headset on the market would be compatible with every electronic device we own. Sadly, that’s not the case, so choosing the right headset can depend entirely on which video game platform it supports.

The good news?

Many headsets that don’t necessarily advertise being compatible with certain consoles actually are.

The bad news?

Many gaming headsets only work for one or two platforms and not the others. For example, there are a good number of wireless headsets designed for PC and PS4 that are useless on Xbox one when it comes to chat functionality.

Best Gaming Headset for Console Gaming

LucidSound LS30 Wireless Universal Gaming Headset – Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, and PS3

To help make your search for a widely-compatible headset a bit better, here are a couple of headsets that support at least two or more platforms, be it PC, MAC, or video game consoles from the two latest generations:

HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX22 Amplified Gaming Headset

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

Sennheiser PC 310 Gaming Headset

Turtle Beach Ear Force XP300 Wireless Gaming Headset

Best PS4 Gaming Headset – For PlayStation Gamers

PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset – PS4, PC, Mac, and Xbox One

Top gaming headsets for Xbox one and PS4 gamers

In this section, we’ll briefly cover some of the inexpensive gaming headsets you can buy for the Xbox one and PS4. We know there are still a lot of you out there who own these legacy consoles so we wanted to make sure that we had a section just for you all.

Below are a list of Turtle Beach headsets that we’ve found to work quite well with the Xbox one and PS4. They have a proven track record and some really great reviews.

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX22

Turtle Beach Ear Force XP400 Dolby Surround Sound

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX51 Gaming Headset

If you are a serious gamer who spends hours-on-end playing, you need an ultra-comfortable gaming chair. Sitting for hours with bad posture is not only horrible on your health but also your gaming performance.

Check out our list of the 15 best gaming chairs under $100 – your gaming companions, and your back, will thank you for it.

Homall High Back Gaming Chair

Racing chairs are some of the best gaming chairs since they are comfortable and enhance your posture for increased performance. This model by Homall is an excellent option at an even better price. It is covered in high-quality PU leather that doesn’t wear out quickly. It is also padded with foam that is incredibly comfortable without being too thick.

The chair is adjustable from 90 to 180 degrees while keeping your back straight for comfort. It can support up to 300 pounds and any height without being uncomfortable. It is height adjustable with durable wheels that won’t break under pressure.

The chair comes with removable lumbar and neck support, and it is comfortable enough without them if they get in your way. Unfortunately, the armrests are not adjustable. They may be a bit uncomfortable for some people. The assembly instructions are clear and easy enough to follow, so you shouldn’t have any issues putting the chair together. This chair is a great option if you want to transition from a basic office chair model.

Vitesse Gaming Chair

One great feature about the Vitesse gaming seat is the back support. It has a broad and deep bucket-style back that makes it more comfortable and less straining to your spine. It also has removable lumbar and neck cushions if you need that extra support. The full seat makes it easy to balance, so this chair is nice and stable. It has a 360-degree swivel with high-quality casters that are quiet and don’t scratch the floor.

It has a recliner control with a well-located controller that adjusts the incline between 90 and 180 degrees. The controller has a lock, so your settings remain between uses. It can also rock, but this feature may seem a bit unsteady to some users. Height adjustment is easy, and it can go as low as one-and-a-half feet if you prefer a low setting. The PU leather material is firm yet soft to the touch.

The arms on this chair are not adjustable or removable. However, they are at a comfortable height for medium to tall gamers. This chair can support up to 300 pounds.

SEATZONE Bucket Gaming Chair

This model looks much like an office chair but works very well as a gaming model. It has a bucket-style ergonomic top to facilitate comfort. It is shaped like the spinal cord to provide adequate support with help from the padding, which is firm but soft.

Just like most gaming seats, it has an option of rocking or engaging the lock mode, and thanks to a large cylinder, it is incredibly steady. The SGR approved cylinder is also responsible for the fact that it accommodates up to 350 pounds.

While the arms are not fully adjustable, you can move them up and down to your preference, which is better than most chairs offer. The height adjustment doesn’t allow it to rise higher than 49 inches, so if you have a high gaming desk, this could be an issue.

The casters are made from nylon, making them quiet and smooth on the floor. Assembling the chair is easy and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

BestOffice PC Gaming Chair

This office chair that doubles up as a gaming seat is an excellent option if you are on a tight budget. The design is like a basic office chair but with an ergonomic construction for comfort when you are gaming. It also has a rocking feature. The chair, however, only reclines up to 30 degrees at its furthest, so don’t expect anything extreme.

The back doesn’t have as many unique features as many chairs on this list, but it is well-padded and comfortable to sit in for long hours. The PU leather is soft and well woven, so it is durable.

The height is adjustable and is about 17.5 inches at the lowest setting, so it is suitable for low desks. The wheels are not as smooth, but they don’t damage the floors and may need replacing over time. It has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. Assembling it is quite easy and should take around 15 minutes.

JUMMICO High Back Gaming Chair

This is a very comfortable chair for the price, thanks to the ergonomic and deep bucket-design. It has thick, comfortable padding covered in soft, high-quality PU leather. The deep bucket enhances comfort and eases pressure on the back. The seat is generally bigger than most on this list, so it is an excellent fit for people looking for a more spacious gaming chair.

The chair comes with adjustable and removable lumbar and neck supports, and it is still comfortable enough without them. It has a recliner feature between 90 and 155 degrees with a lock for stability. The swivel turns 360 degrees. The armrests are padded for comfort, but they are not adjustable, and so may be uncomfortable for taller people.

You can adjust the height between 19.5 and 24.5 inches. The chair is stable enough, even when reclined. It can accommodate up to 300 pounds and any height since it is adjustable. Assembly is pretty straightforward and should take about 20 minutes. However, be careful to ensure that the screws are correctly tightened; otherwise, it may not hold up well.

For more affordable options like this, check out our selection of the best PC gaming chairs under $200.

Furmax Leather Gaming Chair

The Furmax gaming chair is another option if you are on a tight budget since it costs less than $60. It has a high back with an ergonomic design that greatly compensates for lack of neck and lumbar support. The racing design with high-quality padding is excellent for added comfort. The armrests are also padded and covered in PU leather for comfort, although they are not adjustable.

The seat has a waterfall design making it better for sitting for long hours; it is sturdier and lasts longer. The swivel turns at 360 degrees for ease of movement and is backed with strong and smooth wheels that are surprisingly quiet. It has a rocking feature, but it can only go down 30 degrees, and it has a lock to maintain the settings.

While the height is adjustable, there isn’t much to work with since it can adjust from 14.5 inches to 17.5 inches. It is, however, very steady and doesn’t squeak as long as you stay under the 280-pound weight limit.

Homall Ergonomic Computer Chair

This gaming chair by Homall has an ergonomic design that works well for long gaming hours without straining your back. It has a Racerback design that has extra thick padding to enhance comfort and durability. The armrests are padded and adjustable up or down, which is excellent since they are not very comfortable at their default position.

It has a more prominent and thicker cushion that may feel a bit stiff for the first couple of weeks, but it is comfortable. The rocking mode allows you to change from 90 to 180 degrees. The air spring cylinder works well when adjusting the height between 17 and 20.75 inches. The chair can only support up to 280 pounds, but it comes with neck and lumbar pillows.

Assembling it is quite easy and should only take a couple of minutes. The chair also comes with the Homall lifetime-exchange warranty that gets you money back or an exchange within 30 days. Homall also offers replacement parts for free within the first six months of purchase.

Our guide on the top big and tall gaming chairs features more comfortable options like this. Don’t miss them.

Merax Ergonomic Gaming Chair

If you are looking for a lightweight yet good quality chair on a budget, then this might be it. It is a high Racerback-design chair with thick comfortable padding perfect for anyone. It is a swivel chair with a recliner locking system that goes down to about 120 degrees while remaining stable.

The bottom is well-padded for maximum comfort but also has a great design to make it comfortable to sit on for extended periods. The arms are at a comfortable height and are padded for durability, but they are not adjustable. It has a high-quality air riser that is durable and locks in quite well. The height adjusts by about 3.5 inches. It is a lightweight chair, so it can only support up to 225 pounds.

Essentials Racing Style Leather Gaming Chair

This chair by OFM is a pretty basic one but is excellent when you are on a budget and looking for a high-quality option. It has an ergonomic design and a comfortable sitting area, so it is great for gaming for long periods. It features flip armrests that are padded for extra comfort. The flip-up design is a nice touch on this model.

The back is well-padded and covered in soft leather and mesh for breathability. It has a locking recline feature and 360-degree swivel. The height is adjustable from 17 to 20.75 inches, but this chair is probably best for medium-height people. This model doesn’t come with a neck rest; the soft padded headrest, however, is a great option and works well for most people.

The downside is that this chair might be a bit stiff for the first couple of uses. It is, however, durable and comfortable after that, and assembling the chair is quite easy, taking just about 15 minutes. It has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.

Sit comfortably and enjoy gaming with these top-rated gaming couches from our list, as well.

Devoko High-Back Computer Chair

Hovering right around the $100 mark, this is an excellent gaming chair. It is a great-looking model with a curved, high back that is excellent even for tall users. It features a soft, adjustable, and removable neck and lumbar support pillows. The seat has a bucket design that is comfortable for sitting up to ten hours, perfect for those Saturday gaming sessions. It has a swivel feature up to 360 degrees, which is supported by five smooth wheels that hardly produce any sound.

One of the best features of the chair is the three-setting locking recliner. It reclines between 90 and 180 degrees for different comfort levels while remaining incredibly stable and sturdy. The armrests, while nicely padded, are not adjustable. They are ergonomic, though, so they’re quite comfortable. The chair design allows you to opt-out of installing the rests, so if they’re uncomfortable or you need more room, you can remove them.

It has a high-quality air height adjuster between 16.1 and 20 inches. It is essential that you follow the instructions for the best results and so as not to break any of the parts. However, it has a 30-day free exchange and returns policy with free parts within the first six months if anything does go wrong.

GTPOFFICE Gaming Chair

This is one of the best chairs that you can get for its price. It has an impressively ergonomic design with extra help from the adjustable neck and lumbar support. The frame is metallic and strong, so you can count on it to last you years with minimal issues. Its armrests are padded, and although they are not adjustable, the height is quite comfortable for most people.

One of the must-have features in a gaming chair is a locking recliner, and this model doesn’t disappoint. It has a 90-170 degrees locking recliner that is suitable both when gaming and resting. It remains quite sturdy in any position. It has a 360-degree swivel supported by a five-point base and smooth and quiet casters that don’t scratch your floors.

Due to its sturdy frame, it can hold up to 330 pounds, and since the height is adjustable between 40.06 and 49.2 inches, it is great for any size person. It comes with easy assembly instructions, so you can be sitting in it within seconds.

Our comprehensive guide on best-selling budget gaming monitors under $200 offers some top-quality products for gamers. Check them out.

BestOffice Mesh Computer Chair

This chair looks like a basic office model but works a lot better than some chairs made for gaming due to its numerous features. It has a mesh design that is quite comfortable and breathable with an ergonomic design. While it doesn’t come with a neck rest, the headrest is adjustable, so you can fix it to a height that is most comfortable for you.

If you are interested in a chair with adjustable arms at a great price, then this fits into that box. The arms are adjustable, and they recline as you adjust the chair to make it more comfortable. It is also one of the only two chairs on this list with a footrest. It goes under the seat, so you can choose to use it or not. The chair reclines up to 130 degrees, so it has two settings, which is what you would need when gaming.

It uses a commercial air lift to adjust the height. It has 360 degrees swivel with high-quality wheels that may not be as quiet, but it is bearable and doesn’t scratch the floors. Since it is quite lightweight, it can only support up to 250 pounds.

Polar Aurora Gaming Chair

This chair has a nice Racerback design that is synonymous with most gaming chairs. The frame is metallic, reliable, and durable, so it is a good quality chair for just a fraction of the price. It has an ergonomic design and a neck and lumbar support for comfort. These cushions are quite fluffy and soft.

It has lock recline up to 160 degrees with three main settings. It is quite sturdy when you lean back, so it is unlikely that it will ever tip. The armrests are well-padded and soft but are not adjustable, so it may be uncomfortable for some users. The casters have 360-degree swivel movement and are smooth, so they are almost completely quiet and don’t scratch floors.

The height is adjustable to your preferred height between 17.3 and 21.3 inches, which isn’t too high, so it is not best for high desks. Thanks to the sturdy frame and base, it can comfortably hold up to 300 pounds (recommended), but it may accommodate a bit more.

BestOffice Ergonomic Office Chair

This chair offers a bit more than many of the chairs on the list. For starters, it has a robust metallic frame. The high Racerback padded design is essential for comfort, allowing you to focus on gaming for hours. It comes with lumbar and neck support that is adjustable and removable.

The seat has a thick cushion for enhanced comfort and durability. It also features a footrest that comfortably slides under the seat. Just like any other excellent gaming chair, it has a locking reclining feature that goes down to 155 degrees and sits securely. The height is adjustable thanks to the commercial air lift to accommodate higher desks or taller users.

The wheels are smooth and quiet. They feature 360-degree swivel movement and are adequately supported by the five-point base. While this is a beautifully constructed chair, it can only support up to 250 pounds comfortably.

This is the second of the two chairs on this list with a footrest.

Giantex Racing Style Chair

If you are looking for a decent gaming chair to replace your regular office chair, this may satisfy that need. It has a beautiful high Racerback bucket design that enhances comfort, making this an excellent chair for long hours.

It can recline slightly to 30 degrees. The air spring cylinder works well to adjust the height between 17 and 21 inches. The wheels are smooth and don’t make a lot of noise, and they swivel 360 degrees to help in moving around with ease.

The armrests are ergonomic as well but aren’t adjustable, but you can choose to leave them off during assembly. This chair is quite lightweight and can hold only up to 264 pounds. It is a comfortable and breathable chair that will suit you well during your next gaming session.

Gaming on PC doesn’t have to be expensive. You can build a decent gaming PC from scratch with just a $500 budget, especially if you have no problem with used products. But building a gaming PC is not for everyone. There are a lot of aspects to consider, from the chassis and the power supply to the CPU and the graphics card. For beginners, building a gaming PC is a daunting task, especially for those who are not very familiar with PC terminologies.

If you want a budget gaming PC but don’t want to build one from scratch, check out pre-built gaming PCs under $500. There are several good options on the market, including ones that come with a dedicated graphics card. In this product guide, you’ll find the best gaming PCs under $500, most of which feature an AMD processor and an HDD for storage. While some of the products included here normally sell for over $500, their prices frequently drop to under $500.

Many of the products listed also include a keyboard and mouse, which is good news for those who are really on a tight budget. Unfortunately, none of the PCs included here come with a monitor, although the promotional images of some of the products might suggest otherwise. You’ll need to separately buy a monitor if you don’t have one. The good news is that there are also a lot of budget gaming monitors on the market, though most of them feature a TN panel, which generally has inferior picture quality.

Although TVs are a more natural fit for gaming consoles, computer monitors are also recommended displays for console gaming. They have better input lag, which is beneficial in fast-paced competitive games, and are more suitable for those with limited room space. They are also great if you prefer an all-in-one display for both work and console gaming.

However, with so many options to choose from, shopping for the best console gaming monitors for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch can be a real nightmare. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it certainly doesn’t help that many monitors appear to be nearly identical based on their technical specifications. We’re here to make things easier for you. In this guide, you’ll find the top 10 console gaming monitors on the market, including budget-friendly 1080p monitors and 4K monitors.

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Shopping for the best cheap gaming monitors is not an easy task. There are simply too many options on the market, from cheap FreeSync monitors to budget VA monitors. We’ll make things a lot easier for you with this guide.

In this guide, we have compiled the top budget monitors on the market. But the guide is structured differently. Instead of including products that fall under a certain price range, we included monitors that are the best budget options in their respective categories. Most of the products listed here sell for just around $250 or less.

Best Budget FreeSync Monitor: ViewSonic XG2402

Often considered the best 1080p TN (Twisted Nematic) monitor currently out, the ViewSonic XG2402 is an excellent gaming display, featuring an extremely fast response time, a very low input lag, a 144 Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync support – all of which are beneficial for serious gaming. You can get this monitor for just around $200-250, with the price sometimes dipping below $200 during a sale.

A 24-inch display, the XG2402 has a well-built chassis with a stylish design, similar to other monitors under the gaming-focused ViewSonic XG series. While they are not ultra-thin, the bezels look good and are not distracting. The monitor includes built-in speakers, but they are not good, which isn’t really a big deal since monitor speakers are terrible in general. The default stand is fully adjustable, which is notable considering many budget monitors have poor ergonomics.

This ViewSonic unit is a versatile gaming monitor that works great for both PC and console gaming, featuring dual HDMI input ports for connectivity with current-gen consoles. It has an extremely fast response time, which is great for fast-paced games. The 144 Hz refresh rate translates to increased smoothness while the very low input lag is beneficial in competitive gaming.

And with the FreeSync feature enabled, the monitor refresh rate dynamically adapts to the graphics card output, eliminating screen tearing. In addition, FreeSync is supported over both DisplayPort and HDMI, which is great if you want to use adaptive sync technology on Xbox One. Regardless of the input port used, the FreeSync range is 48-144 Hz.

Unfortunately, the XG2402 is not comparable to IPS (In-Plane Switching) and VA (Vertical Alignment) monitors regarding overall picture quality, with mediocre contrast and poor viewing angles. This isn’t surprising considering TN panels are not exactly known for their picture quality. While it has better picture quality than most other 1080p TN monitors, especially concerning out-of-box color accuracy, the XG2402 is not an ideal monitor if you mostly play single-player games with pretty visuals – such as Final Fantasy XV and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

Overall, the XG2402 is an excellent gaming monitor. It’s our recommended product if you want the best budget FreeSync monitor that offers great value for the money. If you care about response times, refresh rates, and input lag than overall picture quality, this gaming monitor is for you.

Best Budget G-Sync Monitor: Dell S2417DG

G-Sync monitors offer a more premium gaming experience than FreeSync monitors, with consistently low input lag and wide effective ranges. But they are significantly more expensive because they require proprietary hardware from Nvidia, with many G-Sync monitors selling for well over $500. If you want a relatively affordable unit, check out the Dell S2417DG.

A 24-inch TN monitor with a QHD resolution and a 144 Hz standard refresh rate, this Dell monitor normally sells for around $400. But it regularly goes on sale, with the price dropping to around $300-350. It’s got a simple design similar to that of most Dell office monitors, featuring a minimalist chassis with thin bezels and a plain back panel with down-facing input ports. Like the ViewSonic XG2402, it includes a fully adjustable stand and a USB hub.

For video input, this Dell gaming monitor has one DisplayPort and one HDMI port, with the G-Sync feature limited to the former input. This is line with other G-Sync monitors, which are less versatile than FreeSync monitors regarding connectivity options. And unlike with FreeSync monitors, the S2417DG only allows for variable refresh rates when connected to an Nvidia graphics cards, which is another limitation of G-Sync monitors.

Featuring an extremely fast response time and a great input lag, this monitor is a fantastic monitor for pure gaming. It’s great for first-person shooters, racing games, sports games, and real-time strategy games, among others. The 144 Hz refresh rate can be easily overclocked to 165 Hz, which is great if you want everything to be as smooth as possible.

Like FreeSync, G-Sync dynamically adapts the monitor refresh rate to the graphics card output, which eliminates screen tearing when the frame rate is erratic. You can’t take advantage of G-Sync if you game on consoles, though, as the technology is not compatible with gaming consoles.

The S2417DG is not a recommended monitor if you mostly play triple-A games with gorgeous graphics and want a more immersive gaming experience. While the QHD native resolution translates to more detailed images, the TN panel and the screen size are limiting factors – the former means the picture quality is not comparable to IPS and VA monitors. The small screen size makes it easier to view the entire screen, though, which can be advantageous in competitive gaming.

Best Cheap G-Sync Compatible Monitor: AOC G2590FX

As mentioned, G-Sync monitors are more expensive, which is bad news for those who own an Nvidia graphics card and can’t afford to spend more than $300 on a monitor. The good news is that there are now “G-Sync Compatible” monitors on the market.

Announced at CES 2019, G-Sync Compatible monitors are simply FreeSync monitors that allow for variable refresh rates when connected to GeForce GTX 10-Series, GeForce RTX 20-Series, and newer Nvidia graphics cards. Since they don’t require proprietary hardware from Nvidia, they are cheaper than G-Sync monitors. Of the official G-Sync Compatible monitors currently out, the AOC G2590FX is the best budget option.

Featuring a 144 Hz refresh rate, the G2590FX is a 25-inch TN monitor with a 1080p resolution and a regular 16:9 aspect ratio. You can get it for less than $200, which is a common price range for TN monitors with similar specifications. It has very thin bezels at three sides, which is great if you want to build a multi-monitor setup, and includes multiple input options – including DisplayPort and HDMI.

This AOC monitor offers excellent gaming performance, with a fast response time and a low input lag whether or not the adaptive sync feature is enabled. It supports FreeSync over both DisplayPort and HDMI when connected to an AMD graphics card. However, if you connect it to a compatible Nvidia graphics card, the adaptive sync feature will be limited to DisplayPort.

On the bright side, setting up the adaptive sync feature is seamless since the G2590FX is an official G-Sync Compatible monitor, with the feature automatically turning on once connected to a compatible Nvidia graphics card using a DisplayPort cable, assuming the required driver is also installed. On the not-so-bright side, this gaming monitor has mediocre picture quality, with poor contrast and narrow viewing angles, which isn’t surprising considering it has a TN panel.

Best Cheap 4K Gaming Monitor: LG 24UD58-B

4K monitors, which feature a 3840×2160 resolution, are recommended options if you want more detailed images when playing games with pretty graphics. Whether you game on PC or consoles, they are more suitable for games such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. If you want a budget 4K monitor, check out the LG 24UD58-B, which sells for less than $300.

An IPS monitor, the 24UD58-B is a 24-inch display with a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is a common refresh rate among 4K monitors. It has a plain design that won’t win style points, with fairly thick bezels at all sides and a non-height-adjustable stand with limited ergonomics. There are no internal speakers on this monitor, but there is an audio out port for headphones.

For video input, this LG 4K monitor has two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, all of which can support a 4K resolution at the max refresh rate. Since the HDMI ports are HDMI 2.0, the monitor is fully compatible with PS4 Pro and Xbox One X consoles. However, the FreeSync feature is limited to DisplayPort, which means you can’t use adaptive sync if you game on Xbox One consoles.

The 24UD58-B is a recommended monitor if you have a very small desk or prefer a display that’s comfortable to use when sitting less than three feet from the screen. Since it has an IPS panel, it offers better overall picture quality than TN monitors, with wide viewing angles, good out-of-box color accuracy, and decent brightness. It’s not as good as VA monitors regarding contrast ratio, though, and its small screen doesn’t make for a very immersive gaming experience.

While not as good as TN gaming monitors, the 24UD58-B offers good gaming performance. It has a good response time for an IPS panel and a very low input lag. It’s great for regular gaming, especially if you mostly play story-driven and slow-paced games. But for fast-paced competitive games such as Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, there are better options.

Best Cheap IPS Gaming Monitor: Dell P2417H

If you care about overall picture quality than response times, consider IPS monitors. They offer better color reproduction and viewing angles than TN monitors. They are more suitable for regular gaming than competitive gaming. There are a lot of cheap IPS monitors on the market, many of which are simply designed for office work and general use. But there are also those that also work well when used for gaming, with the Dell P2417H being the best example.

Selling for just around $150-170, the P2417H is a 24-inch 1080p monitor with a common 60 Hz refresh rate. While it’s obviously designed for professional use, it’s also a good display for regular gaming, whether you game on PC or consoles. It has a well-built chassis with the same minimalist aesthetic as other Dell office monitors. It has a fully adjustable stand with integrated cable management and offers good connectivity options.

For input, it has one DisplayPort, one VGA port, and one HDMI port, with the latter connection option allowing for compatibility with consoles. Considering the 1080p resolution, the HDMI 1.4 port is good enough for console gaming. In addition, the monitor has a USB hub for charging your controllers, which is convenient.

The P2417H has good picture quality for a budget IPS monitor, with good out-of-box color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and decent contrast for an IPS panel. While not in the same league as gaming monitors, it has a solid gaming performance as well, featuring a good response time and a very low input lag. On the flip side, the limited 60 Hz refresh rate will disappoint hardcore gamers, not to mention the monitor has no variable refresh rates technology.

Overall, the P2417H is a great budget IPS monitor, not only for regular gaming but also for office work and productivity. If you want an all-around budget monitor for both productivity and entertainment, check out this Dell product.

Best Budget VA Gaming Monitor: Acer ED273

VA monitors are considered the middle ground between IPS and TN monitors. They have better picture quality than TN monitors, with better color reproduction and significantly higher contrast. But they are not as good as IPS monitors concerning viewing angles.

If you want the best budget VA gaming monitor, go for the Acer ED273, a 27-inch 1080p monitor with a 144 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support. Like the AOC G2590FX, it’s an officially certified G-Sync Compatible monitor, which means it was tested by Nvidia. You can get it for around $200-250, which puts it in the same price range as the ViewSonic XG2402.

The ED273 is a curved monitor with a curve radius of 1800R, which translates to a sharper or more pronounced curvature. Unfortunately, the screen’s sharp curve doesn’t really increase immersion, considering the screen size and aspect ratio. The monitor has an all-black chassis with a small joystick for menu control at the back.

Composed of one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and one DVI port, the input ports are down-facing on the back panel. The default stand comes with a crescent base similar to LG monitors. Sadly, the stand has limited adjustability, only offering a tilt option. If you want to be able to easily adjust the screen for more comfortable viewing angles, you’ll need to get a third-party monitor arm or stand.

This Acer gaming monitor is great for different kinds of games, including action RPGs and survival horror games, with its superior contrast ratio being especially beneficial for the latter. While not as fast as TN monitors, it has a good response time for a VA panel, which is great if you love to play fast-paced games. The high native refresh rate leads to increased smoothness in gaming while the low input lag is great regardless of what games you play.

Since the ED273 is an official G-Sync Compatible monitor, setting up the adaptive sync feature when connected to a compatible Nvidia graphics card is a seamless process. There is no need to manually enable variable refresh rates on both the monitor and the Nvidia Control Panel. Once connected using a DisplayPort cable, the adaptive sync feature is automatically enabled. It’s a good alternative to the AOC G2590FX if you want a cheap G-Sync Compatible monitor but put more stock in overall picture quality than response times.

Best Budget 32-inch Monitor for Gaming: AOC Q3279VWFD8

If you want a more immersive gaming experience, consider larger 32-inch monitors. They are great for triple-A games with pretty graphics, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Final Fantasy XV. However, most cheap 32-inch monitors come with a 1080p resolution, which translates to a low pixel density.

An IPS monitor, the AOC Q3279VWFD8 is the best budget monitor if you want a larger screen for gaming. It’s a 32-inch display with 2560×1440 (QHD) resolution, giving it better pixel density than 1080p monitors with the same screen size. While not as good as 4K resolution, the 1440p resolution translates to more detailed images.

The Q3279VWFD8 sells for less than $250, which makes it one of the most affordable 32-inch QHD monitors on the market. It has a plain design, featuring a thin chassis with fairly thick bezels and multiple input options, including HDMI for connectivity with gaming consoles. The build quality is good for a budget monitor despite the mostly plastic construction.

Although it doesn’t look like a gaming monitor, this AOC product is a good PC or console gaming monitor. It has a good response time for an IPS panel and a low input lag, which is great for fast-paced first-person shooters. It also supports FreeSync over both DisplayPort and HDMI, with the same 48-75 Hz range.

Regarding the overall picture quality, the Q3279VWFD8 is good. It has good color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and fairly decent contrast for an IPS panel. The large screen makes for an immersive gaming experience. You can also use this monitor for productivity, which makes it a good all-around monitor, with its large screen and QHD resolution allowing for easy multitasking.

Best Budget Ultrawide Gaming Monitor: LG 29WK600-W

Ultrawide monitors have become more and more popular in recent years. They offer a wider aspect ratio and are especially great for racing games and first-person shooters, with their wider screen format making for a more immersive experience.

If you want a budget ultrawide monitor for gaming, check out the LG 29WK600-W, which usually sells for around $250 or less. It’s much better than the cheaper LG 25UM58-P since it offers a wider screen, which adds more immersion. The 29WK600-W is a 29-inch IPS monitor with a 2560×1080 resolution and a 60 Hz native refresh rate – and unlike most ultrawide monitors on the market, it has a flat screen.

Similar to most other LG monitors, this budget ultrawide monitor has a simple design, with narrow bezels at three sides and a plain back panel with outward-facing input ports. The connection ports include one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, and one audio out. The monitor has built-in speakers, which are surprisingly decent for monitor speakers.

The default stand has a crescent base, which is a common setup for LG monitors. It has limited ergonomics, with forward/backward tilt as the only adjustment option. If you want to switch to a third-party stand for more screen adjustment options, there is an easily accessible VESA mounting interface at the back.

The 29WK600-W is a solid monitor for regular gaming, offering a good response time for an IPS panel and FreeSync support. With FreeSync enabled, the monitor refresh rate dynamically adapts to the GPU output for minimal screen tearing when the frame rate is erratic. The FreeSync range is not that wide, though. The input lag is good enough for regular gaming, but if you are into high-level competitive gaming, there are monitors with better input lag.

Since it has an IPS panel, this LG monitor has better overall picture quality than TN monitors, with good color accuracy and wide viewing angles, but it has a subpar contrast ratio. While it supports HDR content, the HDR performance is not that great, which can also be said about most HDR monitors on the market. If you want a monitor with good HDR performance, you’ll need to increase your budget to bank-breaking levels.

Best Cheap Esports Monitor for Consoles: BenQ Zowie RL2455S

If you are into competitive gaming on PC, the ViewSonic XG2402 is our recommended product. But if you want something designed specifically for competitive gaming on consoles, check out the BenQ Zowie RL2455S instead. You can get it for just around $150, which makes it cheaper than the ViewSonic unit.

The RL2455S is a 24-inch TN monitor with a 1080p resolution and a 60 Hz native refresh rate, which is more than good enough for console gaming. It has an uninteresting chassis design with thick bezels all around and comes with a non-height-adjustable stand. It has dual HDMI ports, which is great if you own two gaming consoles.

Although the monitor has built-in speakers, the sound quality is not good, which can also be said for most other monitor speakers. For gaming, we recommend using headphones or external speakers for a much better audio experience; the monitor has an audio out port for headphones. You can always use low priced soundbars as well.

This BenQ console gaming monitor is excellent for fast-paced competitive games, boasting an extremely fast response time and a very low input lag. It’s great for games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Overwatch, and Street Fighter 5, among others. Its 24-inch screen also allows you to easily see the entire screen, which can be advantageous in competitive games.

Unfortunately, the RL2455S is only suitable for fast-paced competitive gaming on consoles. It has a subpar picture quality, which makes it unsuitable for single-player games where picture quality is more important than response times. If you mostly play fast-paced games or Esports games and put more stock in response times and input lag than picture quality, this monitor is for you. If you have a more balanced gaming diet and care about picture quality, then consider other options.

Best Cheap 240 Hz Monitor: Acer XF250Q

If a 144 Hz refresh rate is still not enough for you, check out the Acer XF250Q, a TN monitor with an extreme 240 Hz refresh rate. It’s much more affordable than other 240 Hz gaming monitors. You can get it for less than $250. For comparison, the Acer Predator XB252Q and the Asus ROG Swift PG258Q – two of the best 240 Hz monitors on the market – both sell for around $500.

The XF250Q is a 25-inch 1080p monitor with FreeSync support. Like the AOC G2590FX and the Acer ED273, it’s an official G-Sync Compatible monitor, which means it allows for variable refresh rates when connected to certain Nvidia graphics cards.

Regarding design, this budget gaming monitor is not much of a head-turner. It has a plain design similar to other budget Acer monitors. But it does have a fully adjustable stand, which makes it easier to adjust the screen position for a more comfortable setup, especially considering the viewing angle issues of TN panels. For input, the monitor has two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, with one of the HDMI ports being HDMI 2.0.

The XF250Q also includes a pair of built-in speakers. But as with most monitor speakers, the sound quality is not good, especially regarding the bass response. Gaming headsets and external speakers will make for a much better audio experience.

Featuring a very fast response time and a low input lag, the XF250Q is excellent for fast-paced and competitive games, with the 240 Hz refresh rate translating to significantly increased smoothness in games. However, this monitor is not for everyone. If you mostly play fast-paced competitive games, own a powerful computer that can consistently push out 200+ frames per second, and can actually tell the difference between 144 Hz and 240 Hz, then this monitor is for you.

If none of those apply to you, then you might not fully appreciate the benefits of this monitor. For casual or regular gaming, there are much better options than this budget TN monitor, which has an inferior overall picture quality compared to IPS and VA monitors.

Tech-Spec: The computer nerds in us all were THRILLED to learn about the new Alienware Area-51M Gaming Laptop.

While you might update your personal computer every few years (depending on the quality and lifespan), most modern laptops and PCs don’t come ready-made to support the latest gaming technology, let alone fit anything much else on them.

The huge appeal of the Area-51m gaming laptop lies in the customization options; the internal specs of the laptop itself are designed to be upgraded and accessible by the user themselves, creating a level of autonomy not many modern brands provide today.

Baseline specs include Intel Core i7-8700 processor, RTX 2070 GPU, 1TB hard drive, 8GB of DDR4 memory, and a 1080p 60Hz screen – of which larger versions of all are available.

This is the true beauty of the device – everything, save for the display, can be upgraded individually, including space for up to 64GB of RAM. All of this as well as an option to swap the hard drive, graphics card, CPU and GPU. It even comes with easy-to-follow instructions on HOW to do this for yourself!

What are the cons, you ask?

As with any pros as favourable as these, the Area-51m device also comes with baggage. The baggage is of the hefty price-tag kind, with the baseline price starting at $2,549. It’s also fairly heavy as portable devices go, but it’s definitely still a breath of fresh air to consider a laptop which actually encourages technical autonomy and reduces the need to visit and pay for upgrade work at the tech store in the coming years…