So you’ve just bought a brand new PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or gaming PC. What now? It’s easy to get wrapped up in accessories and bundle options when purchasing a new console or PC, particularly if you’re looking to upgrade your whole setup. To keep things simple, we’ve put together a list of the must-have additions to any gaming purchase.
TVs and monitors
There's little point in buying a 4K-ready console if you don't have a 4K TV to pair it with. 4K TVs cram more pixels into the same screen size as older Full HD TVs, resulting in a sharper picture. They aren’t nearly as expensive as they used to be either. For the best picture quality, look out for UHD Premium TVs, which support both 4K and HDR (high dynamic range) technologies.
If you’re on a budget, a mid-range television like the Samsung NU7470 is an excellent choice. For even better picture quality, check out Samsung’s QLED range or, better yet, an OLED TV from LG or Sony. The latter have unmatched black levels and super-vibrant colours for the most spectacular gaming experience around.
PC players should check out variable refresh rate monitors—G-Sync for Nvidia users and Freesync for AMD users. These sync the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the game, resulting in a super-smooth and responsive experience, particularly for PCs that can't quite push a solid 60 frames per second. Some monitors also sport refresh rates as high as 144Hz, which is ideal for players that require a lightning quick response.
Audio
Good audio is often overlooked, but it can make the difference between victory and defeat in games like games like Battlefield and Fortnite, as well as give you a more immersive experience. A gaming headset is a great place to start.
We recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth 600, which has fantastic bass response, plenty of high-end detail for picking out bullets and a clear headset mic for chatting to teammates online.
If you've got a little more cash to spend, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + Game Dac, which combines a premium headset with a dedicated USB DAC (Digital Audio Convertor), for superb sound quality. It's Hi-Res audio certificated too and offers virtual 7.1 surround sound for pinpoint positional accuracy.
If you have the option of making more noise, sound bars like the Samsung HW-MS650 offer expansive soundscapes without taking up much space.
For the ultimate experience, invest in a Dolby Atmos soundbar like the Samsung HW-N950. Its wireless rear speakers give you a true surround sound experience in games and movies alike, while special up-fi ring speakers mean sounds can come from above as well as from behind.
Peripherals
While console players don't have to put up with poor peripherals out of the box—both the PS4 and Xbox One controllers are excellent—there are alternatives. The Razer Raiju Tournament Edition wireless controller pairs excellent build quality with four customisable multi-function buttons you can assign commands to for professional play.
For Xbox players, the Xbox Elite wireless controller is a great choice. It also offers customisable buttons, along with Hair Trigger Locks that stop trigger movement after each shot has been fired.
When it comes to PC gaming, the choice of peripherals can be overwhelming. At great place to start is a new keyboard and mouse, particularly for those into fast-paced shooters and e-sports games.
The Razer BlackWidow Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a great choice. It has mechanical key switches that have great responsiveness and tactile feedback, along with customisable keys. A great mouse to pair it with is the Logitech G502 Hero optical gaming mouse with 16,000 DPI sensor for competition-level precision.
Finally, no matter what you play, it's well worth investing in a comfortable and ergonomic gaming chair—especially if you're into your marathon gaming sessions. We like the Noblechairs Icon, which pairs great ergonomic support and adjustability with understated looks.
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