
Whether you've just built or invested in a PC, the right accessories can significantly elevate your desktop space and improve your experience in little ways―or even change the way you interact with your machine altogether. We've put together this guide to share some accessories that we love using in our setups and hope you will, too.
Keyboard & Mouse
Sure, any mouse or keyboard can get the job done for casual browsing, but we think it’s absolutely worthwhile investing in the right keyboard and mouse from the jump. It's like the desktop equivalent of buying a luxury mattress. This is usually most people's main method of interacting with their PC, and we think that alone means it’s worth investing in a good one. We've always been fans of Logitech's MX Master series for great ergonomics and sleek design. The MX Keys S is a sturdy, premium-feeling productivity keyboard that's built from a single metal plate, which lends to the feeling that it's solidly constructed. It is akin to typing on a MacBook keyboard. As for a mouse, Logitech's MX Master 3S is one of our favorites for the office and at home. It has great ergonomics that help alleviate wrist strain, a healthy number of mappable shortcut buttons, and Logitech's fantastic MagSpeed scroll wheel, too.
Headset
One of the most important elements of any home setup is a pair of headphones—or a gaming headset, if that's more up your alley. Our favorite headset is the Maxwell Wireless from Audeze, thanks to its planar magnetic drivers that create significantly better audio than others at this price. The boom mic is also detachable, but the headset still has an integrated mic, which is great if you want to use these as standard headphones, too. The type of drivers used in the Maxwell ditch the traditional design used in most headsets and they have better audio as a result, with less distortion and plenty of bass and tonal separation. If you play games on your PC and want a headset that's just as capable as the rest of your setup, these are absolutely a worthwhile investment.
Speakers
Despite their compact size, the Creative Labs Pebble Pro 2.0 sound much better than most built-in speaker systems on monitors and laptops. Thanks to Creative's re-engineered 2.25" drivers, these punch way above their weight. The speakers are plugged in via USB-C and you can connect to other sources via Bluetooth or a standard 3.5mm jack, making them versatile for other uses. Available for around $55, they're way more capable than their price tag might suggest. If you're looking for an inexpensive and unobtrusive set of speakers, we think the Pebble Pro 2.0 version is definitely the one to grab.
Microphone
Whether you're looking into streaming or just looking to purchase a microphone, we think HyperX's Quadcast S is an amazing choice that won't disappoint. The QuadCast S connects via USB-C and makes it easy to stream your audio to your PC. Thanks to the integrated elastic rope suspension, this mic is excellent at suppressing unwanted vibrations, such as desk rumble or accidental bumps. The RGB lighting is pretty stylish and can be customized to add a nice atmosphere to your setup; it also lets you know when your mic is active or muted. More important is how you’ll sound, and the Quadcast S doesn’t disappoint here either. It offers four pick-up patterns, so whether you’re streaming on Twitch or using this for podcast purposes, the Quadcast S has you covered.
Monitor Arm
Monitor arms are great because they free up lots of desk real estate, and one like Ergotron's LX Desk Mount Monitor Arm is a great choice. It supports displays up to 34" and has a generous 25-lb weight limit, so it will fit most displays in that size range. It's also got -5 to 70° of tilt adjustment and 360° of swivel and rotation adjustment.
Monitor Lightbar
If your desk space is limited, we think this ScreenBar Monitor Light Bar from BenQ is a great choice for adding a bit of ambience to your setup. It illuminates the desk space directly in front and under your monitor and auto adjusts to your surroundings. It offers great build quality and has a specially designed clip that lets it sit on top of most monitors without a problem.
Desk Pad
A desk pad can offer the perks of a large uninterrupted space for mouse movements, as well as protection for your desk. Satechi's Eco-Leather Deskmate is made from PU leather and is resistant to water. This one is a bit on the smaller side, with a 23 x 12.2" footprint, so it should fit most desk setups comfortably.
Is there an accessory you swear by that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the Comments section, below, if you've got any recommendations that you think are essential for getting the most from your PC!
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