Being a PC hardware enthusiast isn't easy in 2025. Everything is overpriced, stocks are nonexistent, and nothing seems appealing enough to invest in. Nvidia's RTX 50 series was all but a refresh of the 40 series, the latest Intel Arrow Lake series was a dud, and AMD's Zen 5 CPUs were just Zen 4 chips with new names (and higher prices). Upgrading to new PC components isn't going as well as manufacturers and consumers had hoped.

However, I suggest you take a break from the doom and gloom, delay your PC upgrades indefinitely, and consider investing in some worthy gaming devices and peripherals. Upgrading your PC setup instead of the core components might be overdue for you, plus switching to a different platform altogether can enhance your gaming experience in ways you never imagined.

8 Lightweight gaming mouse

Upgrade to a fast and light mouse

Unless you're competing at the highest level, a regular keyboard won't affect your gaming experience all that much. Your existing mouse, however, might be in dire need of an upgrade if it weighs a ton and has no respectable sensor to speak of. Many gamers still use a cheap or office mouse on their gaming PCs, and they might not notice what they're missing. Compared to those models, even a modern budget gaming mouse will seem futuristic.

A lightweight, high-performance wireless mouse can do wonders for your gaming experience, especially if you play a lot of FPS and action games. To understand it, you need to experience enhanced maneuverability, convenience, and accuracy. Some of the ultralight models can even make you forget you're controlling a mouse. You don't even need to spend too much on a high-quality wireless gaming mouse, since $30 gets you a fair number of reliable options. Moving past $60 can unlock some of the best-value gaming mice, even for the regular gamer.

7 Immersive PC controller

Change the way you play

As a PC gamer, you might swear by a keyboard and mouse, but some games demand to be played on a controller. The satisfaction of analog input in a racing sim, or the precision of a joystick in a fighting game isn't possible with a keyboard and mouse. Even your high-end keyboard and mouse will feel outmatched by a PC controller in certain game genres. And the laid-back convenience afforded by a controller might be something you're craving in your setup.

Modern PC controllers have tons of features that work together to enhance gaming immersion. Hall effect joysticks, rumble motors, remappable buttons, 1000Hz polling rates, and customizable faceplates are just a few of the features you'll find even on budget controllers. If you want something from one of the bigger brands without spending too much, then the Xbox wireless controller for under $50 is a great option.

6 Comfy, affordable gaming chair

Give your back some support

A chair might not be on your bingo card for the year, but think about it. You must sit for around 4 to 8 hours every day while playing or working on your PC. The long-term ill effects of an uncomfortable chair might already be apparent in your posture. If not, then you should seriously consider investing in a comfortable gaming chair for your setup. Not every gaming chair is a scam; you can still buy a decent model for around $200.

Opting for one of the established brands of gaming chairs can provide you with a warranty and durability. However, you can still find great chairs from local brands or retailers. If you don't want to do the research, however, and simply need an affordable gaming chair, then one of our best gaming chairs could be the right one for you. Ergonomics are important when you spend long hours on your PC, but don't feel compelled to shell out for fancy chairs that look like racing car seats.

5 High-quality gaming headset

Don't ignore your audio

As a gamer, audio is a huge part of the immersion, but many of us are still chugging around ancient gaming headsets with terrible mics and horrible sound quality. If you play with friends regularly, having a quality gaming headset is almost indispensable. No one likes to diagnose headphone problems right when the squad is about to jump into a few rounds of battle royale, horror, or MOBA action. It gets worse if your friends start ganging up on you, hurling insults and making you feel worse about your hardware.

The price and quality of gaming headsets can differ widely, especially if you include enthusiast headphones that aren't targeted towards gamers. However, you don't need to spend more than around $100 for a good pair of headphones with a balanced soundstage, a decent microphone, and a long-lasting battery. Popular brands like Razer, Logitech, Corsair, and HyperX offer plenty of models for every budget, making the choice easier.

4 Ultrawide gaming monitor

Make the most of your gaming PC

Of course, I had to include a gaming monitor in this list. The itch to upgrade your graphics card or CPU is ever-present, but one thing you should upgrade, if you haven't already, is your monitor. Even if it is relatively harder to grab decently priced GPUs right now, you can still maximize your existing hardware by pairing it with an immersive gaming monitor. And what could be more immersive than a curved ultrawide display?

You can get great 34-inch ultrawide monitors for under $300, and there isn't a lot you're missing out on. Sure, they won't be as impressive as curved OLED monitors that cost upwards of $600. Still, if you're currently using a 60Hz or even 144Hz entry-level monitor, they can offer a decent upgrade to your gaming experience. Until the GPU market stabilizes and prices return to normal, an ultrawide monitor can be a much better return on your $300 investment, especially if your current PC is still decently powerful.

3 Affordable VR headset

Leave your current reality behind

If you've grown a bit tired of PC gaming of late, owing to unoptimized titles, overpriced hardware, and a few innovative ideas, try VR gaming. For most gamers, using a VR headset for the first time can be game-changing (no pun intended). It can literally open a new world of experiencing games, offering you greater value for money compared to, say, buying a new graphics card. A new GPU might not change your perceived gaming experience much, but a VR headset surely will.

Some of the best VR titles single-handedly justify buying a VR headset, and you can even play your favorite titles in VR, if they support PCVR. The Meta Quest 3 is perhaps the best VR headset for most gamers, but if $500 sounds too much, you can consider a pre-owned Meta Quest 2 (finding a new one could be challenging in 2025). The modding community regularly brings VR support to titles that don't officially support it, and you can even play any Unreal Engine game in VR with the UEVR Injector mod.

2 Gaming handheld for portable PC gaming

Tired of sitting at your desk? Try a handheld

I might not see the point of a gaming handheld myself, but it's undeniably a popular choice among PC gamers today. The allure of taking your entire Steam library with you on the go, and playing your favorite AAA games without skipping a beat can be intoxicating. Often, you might not feel like sitting down at your desk and firing up a game; instead, you can lounge on your sofa and resume your game from a Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally X.

The Steam Deck (or the OLED version), ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and many other PC gaming handhelds have heralded a new age of gaming, creating an entirely separate market. While there might still be concerns about battery life and the core hardware (on some models), handhelds are evolving rapidly. AMD's custom mobile chips, newer and faster displays, and better battery efficiency are just a few of the ongoing innovations in this space.

1 PlayStation 5

Expand your gaming arsenal

If $400-$500 feels a bit like creeping into full-fledged console territory, then you can even consider buying a PlayStation 5. The original PS5 remains a compelling buy in 2025, despite the existence of the PS5 Pro. The suite of exclusives might not be as exclusive as before, but many upcoming games will enjoy timed exclusivity on consoles. Besides, the convenience, affordability, and predictable performance of a PS5 compared to a gaming PC still makes it worth your money.

For the price of a single GPU (if you can get one for around $500), you can get a complete, high-performance, 4K device that offers plug-and-play gaming. Today's GPUs rely on upscaling and frame generation as much as the PS5, so that's a moot point. And the snappy loading times on the PS5 can rival those on some of the most high-end gaming rigs. Put simply, you can genuinely consider putting your $500 into a PS5 if you're even remotely interested in giving console gaming a try.

In 2025, PC upgrades can wait; try something else

This year isn't the best for PC upgrades. It might be a downer, but you can always save more and delay your upgrades until next year (if they aren't urgent). If you're willing to make other upgrades to your setup besides PC components, or try out new gaming devices, then this list will give you plenty of ideas for spending your hard-earned money. For the same amount of money (or less, in most cases), you can get more value, and perhaps, an all-new gaming experience. And that is priceless.