Gaming isn’t only the province of the totally games-obsessed any more. It’s a mainstream hobby, with Aussies spending more than $4 billion annually on their gaming time and research suggesting more than 90% of Australian homes have a device on which games have been played. Whether you’re shopping for a gift for the gamer in your life, or looking to score an upgrade on your existing (or ageing) gaming technology, these products will help take your gaming to the next level.
Top Gaming Headsets and Speakers
If you haven’t screamed for joy at that perfect play in a way that your foes can hear, did you really make it? A good gaming headset is a must, whether you’re trash-talking enemies or coordinating an attack with your fellow teammates. It’s also vital if you’re streaming online through services such as Twitch to keep your commentary flowing through an onboard microphone and entice viewers to stay logged in and support your efforts. Hot Tip: Before you take to the digital battlefield, try positioning your headphone’s inbuilt microphone a few different ways to find the best placement for clear audio without clipping or sounding distant.
- Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset Black: Memory foam pads for comfort, voice filters for clarity (or fun adjustments in-game!)
- JBL Quantum 200 Gaming Headset Black: Highly affordable and optimised for Windows Spatial Sound, which gives you virtual three-dimensional audio as you play.
- Razer Kraken X Multi-Platform Gaming Headset Black: Compatible with PCs, Macs and consoles, it also has surround sound and a flexible microphone.
- Razer Nommo Chroma 2.0 Gaming Speakers: Powerful sound enhanced with Razer’s smart Chroma lighting which can synchronise lighting with games for great immersion.
- JBL Quantum Duo Gaming Speakers Black: Big, bold gaming speakers with both Bluetooth and 3.5mm wired connectivity.
- Logitech LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers G560: These speakers easily switch between four different sources as you need them to, and have RGB lighting as well as a subwoofer for meaty gaming sounds.
Best Mechanical Gaming Mouse and Gaming Keyboards
You can always game with the mouse and keyboard that came with your desktop or, in a pinch, the trackpad and keyboard on your laptop. But you’ll be operating with a significant handicap against folks using dedicated and hard-wearing mechanical keyboards and a gaming mouse with high scan rates and macro buttons.
- Laser Ultimate 4-in-1 RGB Gaming Bundle: A mouse, RGB-backlit keyboard and headset in one handy and low-cost bundle!
- Logitech G512 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Tactile Black: Solid GX Brown switches, RGB lighting and customisable Logitech software mean the gamer can tailor the G512 to their needs.
- Logitech Prodigy Gaming Keyboard G213: Tactile dome keys minimise the noise but with a performance similar to a mechanical keyboard and the spill-resistant surface means you don’t have to worry about knocking over a drink while gaming.
- Logitech G502 Gaming Mouse: 16K optical sensor, adjustable DPI for precision speed choices and weighting system make it an immensely customisable gaming mouse.
- Laser Deluxe 4-in-1 RGB Gaming Bundle: A great choice for gamers on a budget, giving you an RGB mechanical keyboard, headphones, mouse and mouse mat to start your gaming journey.
Great Gaming Laptops
No longer are Solitaire and MineSweeper the only games worth playing on a laptop. Combining your gaming passions with a more mobile device makes a lot of sense, whether it’s for portability or space-saving reasons. A dedicated gaming laptop can double as a work machine, with the added benefits of more graphics power and harder-wearing keyboards.
- ACER Nitro 5 Notebook 15.6" Laptop: An Intel Core i7 processor plus 16GB of RAM plus 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX1660Ti GPU equal seriously good gaming time.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15IMH05 Notebook 15.6": A more affordable gaming laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU and 8GB of RAM makes it good for the entry-level gamer.
New Gaming Chairs and Desks
Gaming chairs not only support you through those epic gaming sessions (although you should remember to take a break every once in a while!), they’re also a fun way to delineate your gaming life from your regular life, with most modern gaming chairs featuring slick and eye-catching designs that remind you that you’re here to game, not to shuffle spreadsheets. Complete your set up with a purpose-designed gaming desk. HOT TIP: Check the weight requirements for a given chair; trying to squeeze your frame into a chair that’s too small won’t lead to gaming joy.
- Typhoon Gaming Chair Pink (also available in black, white, blue and red): An affordable gaming chair with a gas lift and backrest tilt adjustment to keep you comfortable.
- Typhoon Pro Gaming Chair Red (also available in black, blue, neon green and neon blue): With a mesh back for breathability and adjustable arms and backrest, this is a comfy chair for long gaming sessions.
- Typhoon Prime Ergonomic Gaming Chair Grey (also available in blue): Keep on playing in style and comfort with a deluxe leather-look chair that features extra thick moulded foam, as well as armrests adjustable in four directions, for precision ergonomic support.
- Typhoon Pro 1200 Desk Red: This highly durable 1200mm wide desk includes holders for your headset and drink – handy for keeping it out of spills’ reach of your computer – and an eight year warranty.
- Typhoon Elite Gaming Desk 1500mm Black and Blue: With all the features of the Pro only offering more space for all that equipment, the Elite is a handy 1500mm wide. It also looks cool, featuring RGB LED backlighting with a remote control.
SEE ALSO: How to Choose the Best Gaming Chair
Best Gaming Technology for Your Twitch or YouTube Stream
Game streaming is attracting massive Australian audiences, so your greatest gaming achievements don’t have to remain a secret any longer. More than half of all Australian gamers regularly watch YouTube gaming streams, follow eSports teams and use streams to improve their own gameplay. You’re not guaranteed fame or sponsorships if you dive into the world of game streaming – but it all starts with getting the right gear.
- Blue Yeti 3-Capsule USB Microphone Black: Yeti’s Blue microphone has a solid stand and variety of capture patterns, so you can adjust your audio for perfect gaming presentations. It also has headphone connectivity, so you can keep on gaming while you chat.
- Audio-Technica Content Creator Pack: Set your streaming gear up right the first time with a microphone, headphones, boom arm and tripod to ensure the right audio in the right presentation style.
- Belkin 8 Outlet Powerboard with 2 USB Ports 2.4A: Dedicated streaming needs power for your PC, your monitors, your lighting, your webcam – it can get crowded quickly on a regular powerboard. Belkin’s eight-outlet option also includes USB ports, so you can quickly charge peripherals such as gaming mice and controllers.
- Jackson 4 Outlet 4 USB Surge Protected Powerboard: The last thing you want when you’re on the final level of your epic game stream is a power surge that knocks you offline and fries your gear. With individually switched sockets, this four-socket board keeps the power flowing.
