Hardware
Hardware Buying Guides for Gamers
Our buying guides explain which features matter in gaming hardware and suggest suitable models by use case. Specs come from the manufacturers.
All articles
-
Steam Deck Accessories: Screen Protector, Case and Grip Case (2026 Buying Guide)
What the Steam Deck OLED and LCD actually need: clear or matte screen glass, a case with room for the charger, a grip case with kickstand and the right 45 W charger.
-
ROG Xbox Ally Accessories: Case, Screen Protector, Grip Case and Charger (2026 Buying Guide)
What the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X actually need: a case that fits, clear or matte screen glass, a grip case with kickstand and the right 65 W charger.
-
PS5 Disc Drive Buying Guide 2026: Which Consoles It Fits, Setup and Pairing
The add-on disc drive for PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro: which models it fits, how to attach it, why it needs internet once and what the 2028 disc stop means.
-
PlayStation Portal Accessories: Case, Screen Protector, Charging Station and Headset (2026 Buying Guide)
What the PS Portal really needs: a case, a screen protector, the right charger and headphones that actually work without Bluetooth. Sony's specs plus five picks.
-
Desk Cable Management for Gaming: Cable Tray, Cable Sleeve and Velcro Ties (2026 Buying Guide)
Cable mess under your gaming desk? Cable trays with or without drilling, cable boxes, cable sleeves and velcro ties – what to check, plus six verified products.
-
Switch 2 Camera Buying Guide 2026: Official Camera, HORI, Trust or a Webcam?
Which camera to buy for Switch 2 GameChat and CameraPlay: Nintendo's requirements, which webcams work, how to test one and five picks on Amazon.de.
-
Open-Back Headphones for Gaming: Open Headset or Headphones with a Clip-On Mic? (2026 Buying Guide)
Open-back headphones for gaming: pros and cons, what impedance means, adding a mic, and six picks from beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and Antlion on Amazon.de.
-
Xbox Controller Buying Guide 2026: Standard, Elite Series 2 or a Pro Controller?
Which controller suits the Xbox Series X|S and PC? The standard pad, Elite Series 2 Core and licensed pro controllers compared – including the battery question.
-
PS5 Controller Buying Guide 2026: DualSense, Edge or a Pro Controller?
Which controller suits the PS5? DualSense, DualSense Edge and licensed pro pads from SCUF, Victrix and Nacon compared – including the features they leave out.
-
microSD Card for Steam Deck, ROG Xbox Ally & Legion Go: UHS-I, UHS-II or Express? (2026 Buying Guide)
Which microSD card fits which gaming handheld? Card slots per Valve, ASUS, Lenovo and MSI, A2 and V30 explained, plus five cards on Amazon.de.
-
Switch 2 Headset Buying Guide 2026: Bluetooth, USB-C or 3.5 mm?
Buying a Switch 2 headset: why Bluetooth mics don't work, USB-C wireless vs. 3.5 mm, GameChat settings, plus five models available on Amazon.de.
-
Xbox Headset Buying Guide 2026: Xbox Wireless, Dongle or Wired
Buying an Xbox headset: why Bluetooth doesn't work on Xbox, Xbox Wireless vs. dongle vs. 3.5 mm, Windows Sonic, plus six models on Amazon.de.
-
Ultrawide Monitor Buying Guide 2026: 21:9 vs 32:9, Curvature and Ports
Buying an ultrawide gaming monitor: 21:9 or 32:9, what 1000R and 1500R mean, DisplayPort vs HDMI, console limits and six models on Amazon.de.
-
PS5 Headset Buying Guide 2026: Wireless, Wired and 3D Audio
Buying a PS5 headset: why Bluetooth doesn't work, what Tempest 3D Audio needs, wireless vs. wired, plus six models on Amazon.de with maker specs.
-
Gaming Glasses Buying Guide: Blue-Light Filters, Clear vs Amber (2026)
Gaming glasses buying guide: blue-light filters, clear vs amber lenses and clip-ons. Five Amazon.de models — with an honest look at the evidence.
-
Laptop Stand Buying Guide: Height, Angle and Desk Setup (2026)
Laptop stands for ergonomics and airflow under the chassis: fixed vs. adjustable, foldable and vertical. Five Amazon.de models — clearly separate from cooling pads.
-
Mouse Skates Buying Guide: PTFE Feet, Dot Skates and When to Replace Them
Worn stock feet ruin consistent aim. PTFE mouse skates, dot skates, Corepad PRO and install tips – plus five replacement sets on amazon.de.
-
USB-C Charger for Switch 2 and Steam Deck: Watts, PD and TV Mode – Buying Guide 2026
Which USB-C charger does the Switch 2 need in TV mode, and which one the Steam Deck? Watts, PD profiles and cables explained, plus five chargers on amazon.de.
-
Meta Quest 3 and 3S Accessories: Head Strap, Battery, Link Cable and Grips – Buying Guide 2026
Which accessories are worth it for Quest 3 and 3S? Elite Strap, battery strap, Link cable for PC VR, controller grips and a case, plus five picks on amazon.de.
-
Best Monitor for PS5 and Xbox Series X: HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz and VRR – Buying Guide 2026
Gaming monitor for PS5 and Xbox: what HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz and VRR do, when 1440p is enough, plus five monitors from Sony, ASUS, Acer and AOC on Amazon.de.
-
Sim Racing Pedals: Load Cell, Hall Sensor and Console Compatibility – Buying Guide 2026
Sim racing pedals for PS5, Xbox and PC: load cell or Hall sensor, what the kg rating really means, and which Thrustmaster and Logitech pedals fit your wheel.
-
HDMI 2.1 Switch: PS5, Xbox and PC on One Monitor – Buying Guide 2026
Several consoles on one TV or monitor: what matters in an HDMI 2.1 switch (4K120, VRR, power, cables), plus five UGREEN and FeinTech models on Amazon.de.
-
Network Switch for Gaming: Gigabit or 2.5G? Buying Guide 2026
More LAN ports for PC, console and NAS: when a Gigabit switch is enough, when 2.5G makes sense, and five checked TP-Link and Zyxel models on Amazon.de.
-
Buying a Prebuilt Gaming PC: What Actually Matters
Prebuilt gaming PC guide: check the graphics card and VRAM first, then CPU, RAM, SSD, power supply and warranty. Checklist plus five PCs on amazon.de.
-
OLED Gaming Monitor Buying Guide 2026: QD-OLED vs WOLED, Burn-in and Warranty
Buying an OLED monitor for gaming: QD-OLED vs WOLED, burn-in protection, warranty, refresh rate and ports. Five models from MSI, Alienware, LG and AOC.
-
Keycaps Buying Guide: PBT, Doubleshot, ISO Layout and Profiles (2026)
New keycaps for your gaming keyboard: what PBT, doubleshot, Cherry profile and ISO mean, what fits and what doesn't. Four sets and a puller.
-
Gaming Tablet Buying Guide 2026: Display, Chip and Controller Support
Choosing a tablet for gaming: what refresh rate, chip, storage and controller support really mean. Five tablets from Samsung, Xiaomi and Apple, checked on Amazon.de.
-
KVM Switch for a Gaming PC and Laptop: 144 Hz, EDID and Gaming Mice – Buying Guide 2026
One monitor, one keyboard, two computers: what matters in a KVM switch for gaming, from HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 to EDID and mouse software. Five models.
-
Gaming Mini PC: What Radeon 780M, RAM and OCuLink Really Do – Buying Guide 2026
Can a mini PC handle gaming? Radeon 760M vs 780M, why two RAM sticks matter, OCuLink for external graphics cards, plus five models on amazon.de.
-
How to Clean Your PC: Compressed Air or Electric Air Duster? Buying Guide 2026
Get the dust out of your gaming PC and laptop: canned air vs. cordless duster, holding fans still, no vacuum inside, plus six verified tools on amazon.de.
-
Power Bank for Steam Deck, Switch 2 and Mobile Gaming: Watts, Capacity and Flight Rules – Buying Guide 2026
Which power bank charges a Steam Deck or Switch 2 while you play? Watts per port, mAh vs Wh, cables and airline rules, plus five models on amazon.de.
-
Surge Protector Power Strip for Your Gaming Setup – Buying Guide 2026
Which surge-protected power strip suits a gaming PC, console and monitor? Type 3 protection, discharge current, Main-Follow, wattage limits and five Amazon.de picks.
-
PC Bluetooth Adapter Buying Guide: Connect Controllers and Headphones Wirelessly (2026)
Choosing a Bluetooth dongle for your PC: version, range, controller features and headset audio, plus when an Xbox or audio dongle is the better pick. Five models.
-
Laptop Cooling Pad Buying Guide: Open Pads, Turbo Coolers and Fit (2026)
Does a laptop cooling pad help when gaming? Open mesh pads vs. sealed turbo coolers, vents, size and noise explained, plus five models available on Amazon.de.
-
UPS for a Gaming PC: Pure Sine Wave, Watts and Runtime – Buying Guide 2026
Which UPS keeps your gaming PC running in a power cut? Pure vs. stepped sine wave, active PFC, watts vs. VA and runtime, plus four models on Amazon.de.
-
Racing Cockpit and Wheel Stand Buying Guide: Stability, Nm and Space (2026)
Wheel stand, foldable racing seat or fixed sim rig: how much torque the frame must handle, which driver heights fit and how much space it takes, plus five models.
-
TV Backlight Buying Guide: Light Sync for Consoles, TVs and Monitors (2026)
Add an Ambilight-style glow to any screen: camera, HDMI sync box or PC software? What matters for 4K120, VRR and TV apps, plus five kits available on Amazon.de.
-
Audio Interface Buying Guide for Streaming: Connecting an XLR Mic the Right Way (2026)
Choosing an audio interface for streams, Discord and podcasts: gain, phantom power, loopback and monitoring explained, plus five interfaces in stock on Amazon.de.
-
Green Screen Buying Guide for Streaming: Roll-Up, Pop-Up or Pull-Down (2026)
Picking a green screen for Twitch, YouTube and video calls: design, size, distance, lighting and OBS chroma key settings, plus five models available on Amazon.de.
-
Chair Mat Buying Guide for Gaming Chairs: Hard Floor, Carpet and Materials (2026)
Which chair mat for your gaming chair: hard floor or carpet, polycarbonate, PET or PP, how to pick the right size, plus five mats available on Amazon.de.
-
HOTAS and Flight Stick Buying Guide for PC, Xbox and PS5 (2026)
Flight stick or HOTAS for Flight Simulator 2024, Star Citizen or DCS: platform, sensors, rudder, pedals and buttons explained, plus six models.
-
Gaming Projector Buying Guide: Input Lag, 120 Hz and Throw Distance (2026)
Gaming projectors for PS5, Xbox and PC: input lag, 4K@60 vs 1080p@240, throw distance and brightness explained, plus five projectors on Amazon.de.
-
Keyboard and Mouse Wrist Rest Buying Guide: Size, Material and Correct Use (2026)
Wrist rest buying guide: which length fits full-size, TKL and 60% keyboards, foam, gel or wood, how to use one properly, and five models on Amazon.de.
-
Mobile Controller Buying Guide: USB-C or Bluetooth for iPhone and Android (2026)
Phone controllers for Fortnite, cloud gaming and Remote Play: USB-C vs Bluetooth, iPhone compatibility, phone size and four verified models on Amazon.de.
-
Gaming Earbuds Buying Guide: Wired, 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth (2026)
Gaming earbuds for PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC and phone: which connection works on which platform, what to look for, and five models available now.
-
Gaming Soundbar Buying Guide: eARC, Dolby Atmos and 4K@120 on PS5 and Xbox (2026)
Which soundbar suits PS5, Xbox Series X and a gaming TV? eARC, Dolby Atmos, HDMI passthrough at 4K@120 and setup explained – with five models verified on Amazon.de.
-
Switch 2 Case and Screen Protector Buying Guide: What the Console Needs on the Go (2026)
Case, tempered glass or both? What Nintendo says about the Switch 2's screen film, what to look for in a case and a protector, and five products that fit.
-
Gaming TV Buying Guide: HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz and VRR for PS5, Xbox and PC (2026)
Which TV suits PS5, Xbox Series X and a gaming PC? HDMI 2.1, 4K@120, VRR, ALLM and input lag explained – with four TVs verified on Amazon.de.
-
Controller Charging Station Buying Guide: Charging DualSense and Xbox Controllers the Right Way (2026)
Charging station or battery kit? How to charge DualSense, DualSense Edge and Xbox controllers sensibly – key criteria, PS5 rest mode and five verified models.
-
Thermal Paste Buying Guide: Which Paste, How Much and When to Replace It (2026)
Thermal paste for CPU, GPU and laptops: what matters, why W/mK numbers say little, how to apply and clean it properly – with five verified pastes.
-
Streaming Light Buying Guide: Key Light, Ring Light or Monitor Light? (2026)
Key light, ring light or a small monitor-mounted light: how to pick the right lighting for streams and webcam calls – with setup tips and five verified models.
-
External Sound Card and USB DAC for Gaming: When It's Worth It – Buying Guide 2026
Need an external sound card or USB DAC for your headset? When the upgrade makes sense, what to check for jacks, impedance and consoles – plus five models.
-
Which VR Headset to Buy: Quest 3, Quest 3S, PS VR2 or Steam Frame? – Buying Guide 2026
Which VR headset fits you? Standalone, PS5 or PC VR, lenses, resolution, battery, play space and PC requirements – plus six checked products.
-
Cat 6A and Cat 8 Ethernet Cables: Categories, Shielding and Gaming – Buying Guide 2026
Cat 6A vs Cat 8 for PC and console: bandwidth, 100 m channels, S/FTP shielding, PoE and five verified patch cables from DIGITUS, CSL and UGREEN on Amazon.de.
-
Powerline Adapters for Gaming: Wired Internet Through Your Outlets – Buying Guide 2026
Powerline for PC and console: HomePlug AV2 vs. G.hn, real-world throughput, outlet tips and five verified kits from TP-Link, devolo and FRITZ! on Amazon.de.
-
Wi-Fi Adapter for a Gaming PC: PCIe Card or USB Dongle? Buying Guide 2026
PCIe Wi-Fi card or USB Wi-Fi adapter for your PC: Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7, antennas, USB 3.0, Windows requirements and five verified adapters on Amazon.de.
-
Headset Stand Buying Guide: Freestanding, Clamp, RGB and USB Hub (2026)
Headset stand buying guide: freestanding, clamp, RGB and USB hub — what matters, tips and five verified models on Amazon.de (2026).
-
Monitor Light Bar Buying Guide: ScreenBar, Clamp and Lighting (2026)
Monitor light bar vs desk lamp: clamp fit, color temperature, auto-dimming and backlight – with five verified BenQ and Quntis models on Amazon.de.
-
HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort Cables: Certification, Length and Gaming – Buying Guide 2026
Ultra High Speed HDMI and VESA DisplayPort: 48 Gbps, 4K@120, VRR and eARC — what matters, plus five verified cables on Amazon.de.
-
Microphone Boom Arm Buying Guide: Scissor, Low-Profile and Clamp (2026)
Load capacity, scissor vs low-profile, desk clamp, cable channels and thread adapters — what matters, plus five verified boom arms on Amazon.de.
-
Steam Deck Dock Buying Guide: Official Dock vs Third-Party Options (2026)
Steam Deck dock with HDMI, Ethernet and PD: Valve’s official specs and four verified docks on amazon.de for Deck, OLED and other handhelds.
-
USB-C Hub and Docking Station Buying Guide: Ports, PD and Displays (2026)
Hub or dock for a gaming laptop and Steam Deck? DisplayPort Alt Mode, Power Delivery, dual monitors and five verified USB-C models on amazon.de.
-
Fight Stick Buying Guide: Arcade Stick or Leverless for SF6 and Tekken 8 (2026)
Lever or leverless? Which fight stick fits PS5, Xbox and PC, what SOCD means, which tournament rules apply, plus six verified models on amazon.de.
-
Gaming Laptop Buying Guide: GPU, Wattage, Display and Cooling (2026)
RTX 5060, 5070 or 5070 Ti in a laptop? Why the wattage matters, which display fits and four verified gaming laptops on amazon.de.
-
Portable SSD Buying Guide: External Storage for PC, Consoles and Travel (2026)
Which portable SSD fits a PC, PS5, Xbox and Steam Deck? USB 3.2 Gen 2 vs Gen 2x2, capacity, ruggedness and five verified amazon.de models.
-
Xbox Series Storage Expansion Buying Guide: Expansion Card or USB Drive? (2026)
Which storage upgrade fits your Xbox Series X|S? Expansion card vs USB drive, what Microsoft supports, capacities, moving games and four drives that fit.
-
Portable Monitor Buying Guide: USB-C, Refresh Rate and Gaming (2026)
Which portable monitor fits laptop, console and travel? USB-C DP Alt Mode, 60–180 Hz, IPS panels and five checked models from Acer, ASUS, MSI and ARZOPA.
-
Gaming Router Buying Guide: Wi-Fi 7, Latency and Mesh (2026)
Which Wi-Fi router suits gaming? Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7, QoS, mesh, multi-gig ports and five verified models from TP-Link, ASUS, GL.iNet and FRITZ!.
-
Switch 2 Controller Buying Guide: Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2 or an Alternative? (2026)
Which controller suits the Switch 2? Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2, original Switch controllers and licensed alternatives explained, with five checked models.
-
Switch 2 microSD Express Card Buying Guide: Which Card Works? (2026)
The Switch 2 only takes microSD Express cards up to 2 TB. What fits on them, what doesn't, how to insert one, and five cards from SanDisk, Samsung and Lexar.
-
PS5 SSD Buying Guide: Which M.2 SSD Fits the PS5, Slim and Pro?
Sony's PS5 SSD requirements explained: PCIe 4.0, 5,500 MB/s, heatsink up to 11.25 mm, no SATA. Plus installation, the USB option and five drives that fit.
-
Stream Deck Buying Guide: Which Model Is Right for You? (2026)
Stream Deck Mini, Neo, MK.2, + or XL? Key count, dials, software, console support and the free alternative explained – with five models compared.
-
Gaming Desk Buying Guide: Size, Height and Sit-Stand Desks Explained
Gaming desk or standing desk? What size, desk height, weight capacity and legroom you need – with DGUV ergonomics values and five example models.
-
Racing Wheel Buying Guide: Gear, Belt or Direct Drive for PC, PS5 and Xbox
How to pick a racing wheel: drive types, torque in Nm, rotation, pedals, desk clamps and platform versions explained, plus six example wheels from entry level to direct drive.
-
Monitor Arm Buying Guide: VESA, Weight Capacity and Desk Clamps for Gamers
Choosing a monitor arm for gaming: VESA 75 or 100, weight range incl. minimum load, desk thickness, gas springs and ergonomics – with five example models.
-
PC Speakers Buying Guide: 2.0 vs 2.1, Connections and Placement
How to choose PC speakers for gaming: 2.0 or 2.1, USB, 3.5 mm, Bluetooth or optical, RMS power and proper desk placement – with five example sets.
-
Case Fan Buying Guide: 120 vs 140 mm, PWM and Airflow Explained
How to pick case fans: 120 vs 140 mm, PWM or 3-pin, airflow vs static pressure, bearings, ARGB and case pressure – with five example fans for gaming PCs.
-
PC Case Buying Guide: Airflow, Size and Compatibility for Gaming PCs
Mid-tower size, airflow, GPU length, cooler height, radiators and PSU length: how to pick the right PC case for your gaming build – with five example models.
-
CPU Cooler Buying Guide: Air Cooler or AIO, TDP and Height Explained
Air cooler or AIO liquid cooler, TDP ratings, cooler height, RAM clearance and AM5/LGA 1851: how to pick the right CPU cooler – with five example models.
-
Gaming Motherboard Buying Guide: Chipsets, Form Factors and M.2
AM5 or LGA 1851, B850 or X870, B860 or Z890, ATX or Micro-ATX: how to pick the right gaming motherboard for your build – with five example boards.
-
Gaming PSU Buying Guide: Wattage, 80 PLUS and ATX 3.1 Explained
How many watts, 80 PLUS Gold or Platinum, ATX 3.1 and 12V-2x6: how to pick the right power supply for your gaming PC – with five example PSUs.
-
Gaming CPU Buying Guide: Cores, Cache and AM5 vs LGA 1851
Cores vs gaming FPS, clocks and cache, AM5 vs LGA 1851, DDR5 and GPU bottlenecks: how to pick a gaming processor – with example CPUs and a cooler.
-
Graphics Card Buying Guide: Resolution, VRAM and DLSS/FSR
1080p, 1440p or 4K, VRAM, TGP, DLSS/FSR and PSU: how to pick a gaming GPU – with five example partner cards by use case.
-
Gaming RAM Buying Guide: DDR4 vs DDR5, Capacity and Dual-Channel
DDR4 or DDR5, 16/32/64 GB, speed/CL, EXPO/XMP and dual-channel: how to pick system memory for a gaming PC – with four example kits by use case.
-
Capture Card Buying Guide: What Really Matters – With Example Models
Passthrough, 4K60, USB vs PCIe, HDR and VRR: how to pick a capture card for streaming and recording – with five example models by use case.
-
SSD Buying Guide for Gamers: NVMe, PCIe 4/5 and Capacity
M.2 NVMe, PCIe 4.0 vs 5.0, 1–4 TB and cooling: how to pick an SSD for a gaming PC or console – with four example models by use case.
-
Gaming Microphone Buying Guide: What Really Matters – With Example Models
USB or XLR, condenser or dynamic, polar pattern and mute: how to find the right gaming mic – with five example models by use case.
-
Gaming Webcam Buying Guide: What Really Matters – With Example Models
Resolution, frame rate, sensor, autofocus and light: how to pick a gaming webcam for streaming – with five example models by use case.
-
Gaming Chair Buying Guide: Ergonomics, Lumbar Support and Upholstery
Lumbar support, 4D armrests, fabric or faux leather: how to choose a gaming chair – with five example models by use case.
-
Gaming Controller Buying Guide: Xbox, DualSense and Hall Effect
Xbox, DualSense or Hall effect pad: how to choose the right gaming controller for PC and console – with four example models by use case.
-
Gaming Monitor Buying Guide: Size, Hz and Panel
24 or 27 inch, 1080p or 1440p, 144–200 Hz, IPS and Adaptive Sync: how to choose the right gaming monitor – with five example models.
-
Gaming Mouse Pad Buying Guide: Size, Cloth and Control
Cloth or hard, medium or XXL, control or speed: how to choose the right gaming mouse pad – with six example models by use case.
-
Gaming Keyboard Buying Guide: Layout, Switches and Rapid Trigger
Full-size, TKL or 75%, mechanical or Hall Effect, wired or wireless: how to find the right gaming keyboard – with five example models.
-
Gaming Headset Buying Guide: What Really Matters – With Example Models
Wired or wireless, microphone, comfort and drivers: how to find the right gaming headset – with four example models by use case.
-
Gaming Mouse Buying Guide: What Really Matters – With Example Models
Shape, weight, sensor, DPI, polling rate, wired or wireless: how to find the right gaming mouse – with five example models by use case.
More on RankReady
-
iRacing Licenses Explained: Rookie to A, Safety Rating and iRating
iRacing in 2026: every license class from Rookie to Pro, Safety Rating, MPR, fast track promotion, demotions, incident points and iRating per the Sporting Code.
-
WoW PvP Ranks Explained: Rating from Combatant to Gladiator (Midnight Season 2)
WoW Midnight Season 2 PvP ranks: every rating step from Combatant I (1,000) to Elite (2,300), plus Gladiator, Legend, Strategist, ladders and rewards.
-
Destiny 2 Competitive Ranks Explained: Copper to Ascendant
Destiny 2 Competitive Divisions in 2026: every rank from Untested to Ascendant, placements, promotion and relegation, decay and Monument of Triumph status.
