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Gaming is a fantastic hobby. Although there used to be a stigma of gaming being a big time-waster, it’s seen as much more productive and valuable today. You can connect with people all over the world, and dedicated players in some games can even make money for their skills. But it’s even productive for those who do it in their free time, as it’s been shown to reduce stress.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or have aspirations of being a pro eSports player, the right equipment can greatly enhance your experience. There are various USB devices you can plug into your computer or console to improve your gaming skills. You can even get equipment for extra comfort. Here are some must-have pieces of equipment for your gaming setup.

A Great Gaming Chair

An excellent chair is the first step to improving your gaming experience. You’ll want maximum comfort without sacrificing your reflexes or dexterity. A regular office or desk chair isn’t ideal for the job. Instead, you should invest in a proper gaming chair.

Many companies design chairs specifically for gaming. Whether you like to sit close to the TV or at your computer desk, there’s a chair for you. It’s worth looking for opinions from video gaming chair experts before you make your purchase.

It’s a fantastic buy for gamers. You may even want extra chairs for multiplayer console gaming.

Keyboard And Mouse

Gaming mice often have special settings and features for users. Many contain extra buttons you can bind to commands in-game. They also have software to find your perfect sensitivity and other customization options.

On a budget? That doesn't matter as you can get a quality gaming mouse without breaking the bank, just have a look at these reviews to see for yourself.

A mechanical keyboard is ideal for gaming. It allows for the most precise input. Key feedback is excellent on mechanical keyboards, so they feel much better for gaming than a regular keyboard.

Although these are more practical buys for PC gamers, they can also help laptop gamers. You can even get keyboards and mice for Xbox and Playstation consoles if you prefer them to controllers.

High-Quality Headphones And Microphone

No matter what kind of gaming you do, you’ll want some high-quality sound gear. Noise-cancelling headphones can help you feel immersed in the game while you play. You’ll want excellent sound quality to enjoy in-game music. Headphones with directional sound can even improve your gameplay. For instance, you’ll be able to identify where enemies are coming from in first person shooters.

Those who enjoy social gaming should also get a high-quality microphone. You’ll want to communicate clearly with teammates and trash-talk enemies when you’re in the heat of an online battle.

Many people buy headphones and microphones separately for great individual quality. But there are many gaming headsets which combine the two. Sennheiser and HyperX are particularly popular brands for gaming sound gear.

The Best Gaming Systems

Of course, the main thing you’ll need for gaming is a great system. Playstation 4 is currently the most popular home console, but the Xbox One is a viable alternative. Some people also prefer the Wii U as a very different gaming experience, but I know my personal preference is the PS4.

You may also want to try handheld gaming with a 3DS, PS Vita, or even just your smartphone. Remember that new consoles aren’t the only option either - you could get retro with a Sega Genesis or Gameboy.

Computer gamers will want the best components. Your processor, RAM, and graphics card model make a huge difference to your games. Dedicated PC gamers might want to buy these separately and build a gaming rig from scratch. There are a lot of great resources out there about this, so don't feel intimidated. It's a way to invest in your computer over time rather than continually having to buy enitrely new setups.

I've been a lifelong gamer (both PC and consoles at different points). The more you invest in this hobby, the more you'll get out of it. Hopefully these tips can help get you brainstorming to take your gaming (however you do it) to the next level!

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