5 gaming accessories I refuse to play without
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Home & Office Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET's expert staff finds the best discounts and price drops from reputable sellers on a regular basis. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close Home Home & Office Home Entertainment Gaming 5 gaming accessories I refuse to play without After years of gaming on PC, these are the five accessories I keep coming back to for their comfort, performance, and reliability. Written by Cesar Cadenas, Staff WriterStaff Writer July 21, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. PT HP Omen 27K HP Omen 27K View now View at Best Buy HyperX Cloud III Wired Headphones HyperX Cloud III Wired Headphones View now View at HP HyperX Alloy Origins HyperX Alloy Origins View now View at Amazon Xbox Series X controller Xbox Series X controller View now View at Best Buy Samsung T9 Portable SSD Samsung T9 Portable SSD View now View at Amazon Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Whenever I get into a conversation about gaming, it typically revolves around the same few topics. What's better: PC or console? Which games do I recommend? What rarely comes up is what accessories I recommend -- and I think that's a shame. The peripherals you pair with your computer or console can significantly impact your gaming experience. The right monitor will immerse you, the right headphones will let you play for hours without ear fatigue, and the right controller or keyboard will make every input impactful.Also: I tried a Windows handheld PC, and its docking system made it my ideal travel companionI've used dozens of gaming accessories over the years, and I've found myself returning to the same handful of products. They are the best in terms of performance and reliability. So, if you're looking to upgrade your setup (or shopping for the gamer in your life), here are the five accessories I recommend.5 gaming accessories you can't miss HP Omen 27K Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET Full stop, the HP Omen 27K is my favorite gaming monitor of all time. It is a 27-inch 4K IPS display that delivers a crisp, vibrant picture, making everything from sprawling RPGs to fast-paced shooters look fantastic. Colors are rich. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time ensure gameplay feels fast and responsive. Support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-SYNC eliminates screen tearing, no matter the graphics card. It has everything you could want in a display.Also: I underestimated what a 15-in-1 docking station could do for my PC - now I can't go backIn addition to being an excellent gaming monitor, it is equally capable as a work screen. The accurate color reproduction has made the Omen 27K my go-to partner for photo and video editing.At around $610, the Omen 27K isn't the cheapest monitor on the market. The good news is that it frequently goes on sale. I picked mine up a few years ago for around $350, and at that price, it's a steal. Show more View now at Best BuyView now at HP HyperX Cloud III Wired Headphones Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET My gaming sessions often stretch multiple hours, so wearing a comfortable pair of headphones is important. The HyperX Cloud III delivers on that front in spades, sporting memory foam ear cushions, a padded headband, and a lightweight aluminum frame. Comfort alone wouldn't be enough to make these my favorite headphones.Also: I tested Jabra Evolve3 75 vs. ThinkPad 8550 - and I'd buy this headset for the ANC aloneThey also sound great, thanks to the 53mm angled drivers that deliver crystal-clear audio and punchy bass. Support for DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio enhances immersion. You'll be able to pinpoint the in-game steps of other players coming up behind you in a competitive shooter or engulf you in the world of a survival horror title like Resident Evil 4. And the 10mm noise-canceling microphone ensures crisp audio quality in calls.HyperX sells several variations of the headset. The Cloud III Wireless model, for example, has the same comfortable design but cuts the cord and adds Bluetooth support. Then there's the Cloud Alpha, which ups the ante with better audio output courtesy of the Dual Chamber Drivers. Show more View now at HPView now at Target HyperX Alloy Origins Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET You may have noticed that several of my picks come from HP (HyperX is HP's gaming brand, if you didn't know), and that's no coincidence. The company has consistently impressed me with its gaming hardware, and that extends to the HyperX Alloy Origins.I've tested a variety of gaming keyboards, yet I always find myself returning to the Alloy Origins because it is one of the most well-balanced keyboards I've used. It's not as small as the Razr's BlackWidow V4 or Asus' ROG Strix Flare II. For a full-size keyboard, it's the perfect size for my hands. I'm able to type away without making any mistakes.Also: I tested MSI's latest gaming laptop, and it works just as hard as it playsSpeaking of which, typing feel is great. The aluminum chassis gives the Alloy Origins a premium feel and sturdy foundation for the keys. HyperX offers the Alloy Origins in two switch options: Red and Aqua. Red switches are exceptionally smooth, requiring only a light press to register an input. Aqua switches have a subtle bump, which helps with accuracy. Show more View now at AmazonView now at HyperX Xbox Series X controller Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET When it comes to gaming controllers, comfort is king, and the Xbox Series X controller is up there as one of the best. The flared handgrips conform well to the human hand, providing a comfortable ergonomic design. Something you'll instantly notice when you grab the controller for the first time is the textured finished on the rear grips, analog sticks, triggers, and bumpers. That texture ensures a more secure hold, helping prevent your hands from slipping off due to sweat during intense matches -- or after one too many slices of pizza.Also: Dell XPS 16 review: A sleek, high-end laptop perfect for creatives and professionalsInstead of a rechargeable battery, the controller uses two AA batteries when playing wirelessly. Whether that's a benefit or a drawback depends on personal preference. I would've preferred a rechargeable battery, but fortunately, it can also be powered through a USB-C cable. Another great aspect of the Xbox Series X controller is the wide range of colors. Beyond the standard Carbon Black, there are Robot White, Shock Blue, and special editions like Gold Shadow. Show more View now at Best BuyView now at Amazon Samsung T9 Portable SSD Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Rounding out the list is the Samsung T9 Portable SSD. Available in capacities up to 4TB, the T9 boasts transfer speeds of up to 2,000MB/s over the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standard. It can transfer large media files and back up your Steam collection in just a few seconds.Also: I tested Samsung's fastest portable SSD for work and travel, and it's changed how I transfer dataWhat sets the T9 apart from the SSDs is its durability. The rugged, rubberized exterior protects the drive from occasional bumps, drops, and scratches. It's tough enough to handle the rigors of travel. For peace of mind, the T9 supports AES 256-bit encryption, which keeps the files stored inside safe from unauthorized access. It also works with Samsung's Magician software. This is a management app that lets you monitor your drive's health in real time, install firmware updates, and optimize performance, among other things. Show more View now at AmazonView now at SamsungView now at Best Buy Honorable mentionsNot every great accessory made my top five. Below is my honorable mentions list. These are products that deserve their recognition, but for one reason or another, didn't make the top cut.Western Digital Portable SSD: Although not as robust as the Samsung T9, the WD Portable SSD is a reliable drive with equally fast read and write speeds.Razer Viper V4 Pro: A lightweight, high-performance wireless gaming mouse perfect for competitive gamers who want precise tracking and fast response times.PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller: Sony's controller is packed with great features, including adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and an ergonomic design. If it weren't so expensive, I would've recommended it over the Xbox gamepad.Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: This is a premium mechanical keyboard with a compact layout, deep customization options, and multiple performance modes.TP-Link Deco BE23: A Wi-Fi 7 mesh router that delivers fast, reliable connectivity with 3.6Gbps speeds, 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports for wired gaming connections, and broad coverage for houses with many devices.Featured reviews I walked 3,000 steps with my Apple Watch, Google Pixel, and Oura Ring - this tracker was most accurate After using the MacBook Neo for weeks, switching to the Air has been refreshingly sweet I bought an earwax camera for my toolkit and use it for everything but my ears LG G6 vs. Samsung S95H: I compared the best OLED TVs of 2026 and made a tough choice I walked 3,000 steps with my Apple Watch, Google Pixel, and Oura Ring - this tracker was most accurate After using the MacBook Neo for weeks, switching to the Air has been refreshingly sweet I bought an earwax camera for my toolkit and use it for everything but my ears LG G6 vs. Samsung S95H: I compared the best OLED TVs of 2026 and made a tough choice Editorial standards Show Comments Log In to Comment Community Guidelines Related 5 smart home gadgets I consider completely non-negotiable - and why Best wireless chargers of 2026: Expert tested These 5 gadgets will upgrade your Apple Watch - and I recommend them