If playing games is something you do to relax, shouldn’t it leave you feeling relaxed? Not only are comfortable accessories an investment in your free time, but they could also be an investment in your health (yes, really).
Spend a bit of money on the right things and stop putting up with back pain, wrist pain, hand cramps, and other avoidable ailments.
7A Good Chair
If you’re a PC gamer, you probably spend most of your time playing games at a desk. While this sort of setup is arguably better for focus than being reclined on the sofa, controller in hand, it can be hell on your back. While you can follow a fewbasic rules to improve posture, it’s a lot easier to stick to good practices with a good chair.
While there aresome differences between office chairs and gaming chairs, the lines have blurred in recent years. That’s why our roundup ofthe best office chairsincludes gaming options, and some are even ditching theircheaper gaming-focused chairs for higher spec office chairslike theSteelcase Series 1.
Steelcase Series 1
The Steelcase Series 1 is an affordable office chair with ergonomic features. It has weight-activated controls and is available in a variety of colors.
However you slice it, investing in a chair that supports good posture, offers lumbar support, and prevents you from falling into traps that can cause long-term problems is important. Consider how much it could cost to fix these issues after they’ve developed, and it quickly becomes evident thata few hundred dollars for a quality chair isn’t a bad deal.
It’s fair that not everyone can spring for expensive office chairs. Fortunately, the second-hand market can really come through. Keeping an eye out for office clearance sales or used chairs from reputable manufacturers like Herman Miller or Steelcase is a great way to save some money (in addition to waiting for the usual Black Friday sales).
6An Ergonomic Keyboard
An uncomfortable keyboard can lead to all sorts of problems, including the sort ofshoulder pain that is more commonly associated poorly optimized mouse setup. Wrist pain is another common complaint, while a keyboard that’s the wrong size can leave you feeling strained or cramped (depending on your preferences).
The mechanical keyboard space has exploded over the last decade, with hundreds (if not thousands) of gaming keyboards to choose from. These are commonly customizable, allowing you tochoose the right switches, keycaps, and even chassis for the perfect setup.
While so much choice is nice, sometimes ergonomics can go out of the window. Mechanical keyboards are often focused on aesthetics, satisfying typing sounds, and pretty lights. Thankfully, there areplenty of ergonomic keyboardsto choose from.
Though these are often aimed at typing, there are ergonomic options aimed at gaming. One such example is theDygma Raise, amechanical tented keyboard that allows you to spread your wrists shoulder width apart. Ther/ErgoMechKeyboardssubreddit is full of similar examples of split keyboards, including many DIY projects.
Dygma Raise 2
This split keyboard has optional tenting that allows for maximum ergonomics and productivity.
5A Wrist-Rest
Even if an ergonomic keyboard isn’t right for you, finding the right mechanical keyboard for your tastes can go a long way toward improving the time you spend at your desk. With so manygreat compact tenkeyless mechanical keyboardsto choose from, there’s something out there for everyone.
One easy and cheap add-on that you can use to improve the comfort of any mechanical keyboard is a wrist rest. Experts say that your wrists should “float” above the desk and not bend at all when you’re typing or using a mouse. This reduces your risk of developing neck, back, and shoulder pain by forcing you into better posture.
Many of us aren’t built for this, andthat’s where a wrist rest can come in. Though any kind of resting while using a keyboard or a mouse is said to increase your risk of carpal tunnel and other such conditions, a wrist rest can certainly reduce the strain that you put on your wrists and keep them in a more neutral position.
Wrist rests come in all manner of shapes and sizes. Some mechanical keyboards come with them, while other manufacturers offer them as bolt-on purchases at checkout. The benefit of getting an “official” wrist rest is that it will match the size and look of your keyboard exactly.
But you can shop around and pick up something cheap or better suited to your preference. Fabric-coveredgel memory foam sets—which include both keyboard and mouse wrist rests—are inexpensive and comfortable. If you’re feeling particularly crafty and are looking for a project, you could even fashion your own out of wood, sand it down, and finish it to match your desk setup.
Fabric Gel Memory Foam Keyboard Wrist Rest Set
An inexpensive set of wrist rests will help alleviate some of the strain that you put on your wrists when you forget about posture.
4A Comfortable Mouse
Gaming mice come in all manner of shapes and sizes, though most of them put particular emphasis on polling rate (measured in Hz) and sensitivity (measured in dots-per-inch or DPI). These mice are focused on giving you the edge in competitive, fast-paced multiplayer shooters. Picking one of thebest gaming micegoes a long way to ensuring comfort, but there are other aspects you might want to look into.
Notably,ultralight mice are a category unto their own. As the name suggests, these mice are focused on being as light as possible to facilitate rapid movement. Not only do they glide across a mouse pad faster than any other, they also require far less effort to move. This can make them less fatiguing to use over longer gaming sessions.
Some people even prefer using their ultralight gaming mice for work. How-To Geek writer Goran Damjanovicditched his Logitech MX Master 3S workhorse mouse for an ultralight alternativeand to get better accuracy, precision, ergonomics, and smooth gliding PTFE feet.
If you don’t need a mouse for fast action games and you perhaps prefer to spend your evenings playing real-time strategy games likeStarCraftorAnno, city-builders likeCities: Skylines, or4X games likeCivthen you might prefer anergonomic mouselike theLogitech MX Verticalinstead which reduces wrist strain by forcing you into a more neutral position.
Logitech MX Vertical
What will work best as an ergonomic mouse will depend on your needs, but the Logitech MX Vertical will do the best if you’re looking for a handshake-position wireless mouse that doesn’t have trouble keeping up with you throughout the workday.
3A Controller That You Enjoy Using
While you’re able to’t beat the precision of a keyboard and mouse for shooters or the versatility of proper cursor control in strategy titles, some games just feel better to play with a controller. This is whyevery PC gamer should have a controller, particularly given how well-supported controllers are on the platform at this stage.
Platformers, racers, arcade games, puzzlers, and many third-person action games are just some of the examples. While you might not want to use a controller full-time, combining a controller with your existing setup can be rewarding. You can do things like aiming and shooting with a mouse and then pick up a controller for driving and flying in games likeCyberpunk 2077orGrand Theft Auto.
Picking the right controller is half of the battle. If you have larger hands, something likethe Xbox Core wireless controller is a solid pick. But there are plenty of competitively-priced options from third parties like 8BitDo to sink your teeth into. The8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controllermight just be the best of the bunch, considering its inclusion of Tunneling Magnetoresistance sticks that are resilient to drift and a tactile D-pad.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller
PC and Android gaming controller with TMR joysticks, a tactile D-pad, tactile bumpers, trigger locks, and mappable L4/R4 bumpers and back paddles. It also includes a gyroscope for motion controls.
Using a controller can have a range of benefits for comfort. It can give your wrists a rest from hovering over the keyboard and gripping a mouse. It can help your posture by encouraging you to hold yourself in a more relaxed position. you’re able to even play games on your sofa if your PC is close enough or you’re happy tostream your games over the local network.
2Grips for Handhelds
I fell in love with the Nintendo Switch when it first came out, but it quickly became apparent that I wouldn’t be able to get a ton of use out of it in handheld mode. This is because the Joy-Cons are too small for my hands, with undersized thumbsticks and a cramped button layout.
I’m concerned thatNintendo is making the same mistake again with the Switch 2, but the slightly larger Joy-Cons and thumbsticks might help somewhat. Even so, last time around I ended up investing in a set oflarger third-party Joy-Con alternatives from Hori, so I’m anticipating a similar remedy may be required this time around.
This is the only way I got throughThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and it was a game-changer. Gaming handhelds are more popular than ever, so it’s not just the Switch 2 that’s vying for your attention. While PCs like the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally are chunkier and arguably more ergonomic, they’re still not perfect.
That’s where options like theSatisfye ZenGrip,dbrand Killswitch, andJSAUX Transparent Shellcome in. On top of providing additional protection, these slip-ons give you a bit more to grab onto when using your handheld in portable mode. dbrand and Satisfye have already pledged to create Switch 2 grips.
Satisfye ZenGrip Pro 3
Make your existing Joy-Cons more comfortable by slapping the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro 3 on your Switch. This latest version is compatible with both the original Switch and revised OLED model.
JSAUX ModCase for Steam Deck
The JSAUD ModCase for Steam Deck offers 360-degree protection for your handheld and features an adjustable kickstand and accessory band for convenient gameplay anytime and anywhere.
dBrand Switch 2 Killswitch
For $3, you can reserve the dBrand Switch 2 Killswitch which comes with a travel cover, OEM dock adapter, game card holder, stick grips, and skin screen protectors—everything you need for maximum protection and performance.
1A Gaming Pillow
Yes, it’sone of the weirdest gaming accessories out there, but gaming pillows are a real thing, and they come in two varieties.
First, there’s something like theValari Gaming Pillowwhich sits between you and your controller while you play games on the sofa. The idea here is to support your elbows and hold your arms in a comfortable position, which can help reduce wrist strain and prevent your hands from feeling numb.
Valari Gaming Pillow
Add a touch of comfort to your gaming sessions with the Valari gaming pillow which supports your elbows and takes the strain off your wrists during long sessions.
Then there’s the weird but wonderfulMechanism Handheld Gaming Pillowwhich attaches to a handheld like the Switch, Steam Deck, or ROG Ally and prevents you from having to physically support your console. These perform a similar job to the Valari, reducing the strain and preventing tingling extremities. They’re great for playing in bed.
The good news is that not all of these changes are necessarily expensive. You can score cheap ultralight gaming mice, any keyboard can benefit from a cheap wrist rest, andcheaper third-party game controllers no longer suck. Happy gaming!
