With thousands of new titles and dozens of new studios cropping up every year, the options and opportunities for hobby gaming have never been more numerous.
Try out the latest triple-A (AAA) titles when your schedule permits, or drop into the latest indie to experiment.
But first, let’s look at some specs to bear in mind when you shop HyperX gear for casual and light PC gamers.
Important specs for gamers to remember
No two gaming routines are exactly the same. Some of us have tons of time for light gaming with a variety of titles, while others have a tight schedule that makes each gaming session important. Fortunately, regardless of how you game, there are still a few useful concerns that any casual gamer should have in mind while they shop.
- Comfort - Whether gaming is a big part of your day or a small, but important niche, it’s important to shop for accessories you can imagine using for a while. That can range from a comfortable fit, at least when it comes to headphones, to height adjustability options for different keyboard users or the needs of a particular game.
- Functionality - Of course, it’s also critical to ask yourself if a new accessory or tool is adding to your experience. If you play games with original sound and audio design, headphones are a big help. On the other hand, complex games with lots of inputs or fast-paced gameplay may benefit from a gaming keyboard or mouse.
- Communication - Devoted to multiplayer titles and playing games with your friends? In that case, you’ll also want to make sure your accessories make communication easy. For headphones, that means accessible controls and seamless interface design. With keyboards and mice, it means having easy access to your top-priority inputs.
Each factor contributes to immersion: comfort helps block out distractions, the right functionality means fewer hiccups and missteps; while communication allows you to coordinate and play effectively with a team. Even if you aren’t focused on multiplayer games, the right mic can also facilitate hands-free calls and improve your experience with online meetings.
HyperX accessories for casual and light PC gamers
You can find tons of great hardware from the
HP Gaming Store, but in this article we’ll focus specifically on a range of HyperX accessories for light PC gamers. These products provide a variety of price points and different feature combos, so you can easily compare and choose based on your top priorities.
HyperX Cloud Stinger wired gaming headset
Designed for simplicity and comfort, the
HyperX Cloud Stinger wired gaming headset is affordable and packs on features without adding weight or unnecessary complexity. Enjoy built-in audio controls for speedier adjustments and an extra lightweight build, weighing in at only 275 grams so it won’t hold you back during longer sessions.
Ready for a break? Rotate the memory foam ear cups 90 degrees when you need to take a breather, or swivel the noise-canceling mic just to step back for a second. With 2 years of DTS® Headphone:X® Spatial Audio and 50 mm directional drivers for excellent bass quality, the HyperX Cloud Stinger makes for a strong addition to any gamer’s kit.
Key highlights:
- DTS:X Headphone Spatial Audio
- 50 mm directional drivers
- Rotating memory-foam ear cups
- Extra lightweight build
HyperX CloudX wired gaming headset
Sporting a more retro look, the
HyperX CloudX wired gaming headset offers a great variety of ergonomic features when it comes to comfort and user controls. It also goes a step farther with additional upgrades, like 53 mm directional drivers for even better bass clarity and a detachable noise-canceling mic to support other uses (listening to music, streaming video, etc.).
Memory foam ear cushions and a premium leatherette headband also contribute to overall usability and comfort, for everything from a long gaming session to a long movie. The HyperX CloudX also boasts official testing and approval by Microsoft, making it an obvious choice for both PC and Xbox gamers in particular.
Key highlights:
- Officially tested and approved by Microsoft
- 53 mm directional drivers
- Memory foam and premium leatherette
- Detachable noise-canceling microphone
HyperX Cloud Earbuds
Need something more compact and travel friendly?
HyperX Cloud Earbuds are designed to be unobtrusive for gamers on the go, with a 90-degree angled connector that makes it perfect for handheld gaming systems like the Nintendo Switch. The angled design helps prevent tangles, while the included travel case makes them easy for storage and travel.
Each earbud can also be customized with your choice of three replaceable ear tips. Otherwise, HyperX Cloud Earbuds feature many of the same features as a standard gaming headset. Enjoy in-line controls for easy adjustments and a noise-canceling mic for audio clarity, and add some flare to your system with a red cord and black components for style and ease of use.
Key highlights:
- 90-degree angled connector
- Includes three swappable ear tip options
- Integrated noise-canceling mic
- Great for routines that include mobile gaming
HyperX Alloy Origins Core mechanical gaming keyboard
Shifting gears from audio to fine-tuned gaming inputs, the
HyperX Alloy Origins Core mechanical gaming keyboard offers an ultra-compact tenkeyless design that weighs only 1.98 lbs. That’s a big help when cutting out the clutter and cramp of more confined gaming spaces, or for gamers that want to improve their gameplay experience on a variety of systems.
Thanks to a robust body construction using aircraft-grade aluminum and a convenient detachable cable, it’s well-prepared for both the riggers of travel and long-term use. Upgrade your gameplay with built-in anti-ghosting and N-key rollover, customizable LED backlighting and effects, as well as three adjustable angles for maximum comfort.
Key highlights:
- Compact tenkeyless design
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body construction
- Customizable LED backlighting plus effects
- 100% anti-ghosting with N-key rollover
HyperX Alloy Origins 60 mechanical gaming keyboard
For an even lighter build and more compact dimensions, the
HyperX Alloy Origins 60 mechanical gaming keyboard weighs in at just 1.72 lbs. The 60% form factor and tenkeyless design make it ultra-portable and even easier to fit in tight gaming spaces, leaving more room for your mousepad and complex input gestures.
Despite its extra compact weight and dimensions, the Hyperx Alloy Origins 60 is still a top-shelf gaming keyboard with double-shot PBT keycaps for better traction and deeper multifunctionality. It’s also easy to make it feel like your own, with customizable RGB backlighting, three adjustable angles, and an included keycap puller to help tailor your configuration.
Key highlights:
- Ultra-compact and portable design
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body construction
- Double-shot PBT keycaps and mechanical switches
- Extensive options to customize
HyperX Pulsefire Haste wired gaming mouse
With a distinctive hex-shell design to minimize weight and resistance, the
HyperX Pulsefire Haste wired gaming mouse is comfortable and extremely lightweight: weighing in at only 59 grams. That’s a big difference compared to bulkier office inputs and gaming mice that load up on extra components to expand functionality.
TTC Golden micro switches offer a more satisfying click while dust-proof construction reduces the need for maintenance and the risk of interfering with data transmission. Rated for 60 million clicks, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste also includes a HyperFlex USB cable to minimize resistance and PTFE skates - so you’ll never get hung up on your mousepad again.
Key highlights:
- Lightweight hex shell design
- HyperFlex USB cable to reduce tension
- TTC Golden micro dust-proof switches
- PTFE skates for smooth movement
HyperX Pulsefire Surge wired gaming mouse
Though less lightweight, the
HyperX Pulsefire Surge wired gaming mouse offers a more familiar feel and expanded input customization - and it still only weighs 131 grams. It also provides extreme accuracy thanks to the Pixart PMW3389 sensor, with maximum DPI settings of up to 16,000, so nothing is lost between you and your favorite games.
The HyperX Pulsefire Surge also offers an extra visual flare, with its own customizable light right so you can deploy your own 360-degree RGB effects. Want to create your own inputs? Easily reprogram its six customizable buttons using HyperX NGENUITY software, plus save up to three different profiles so you can shift gears easily from game to game, or user to user.
Key highlights:
- 360-degree RGB effects via light ring
- Pixart PMW3389 sensor
- Omron switches
- Extensive options to customize
For most gamers, adding the right keyboard, headset, or mouse means adding depth and immersion to their gaming experience. Better audio and inputs mean a closer connection to each title you play, easy communication means a more social experience and new features can help unlock different styles of play for old and new favorites.
It can also be helpful to think of how your routine may evolve. Sometimes you may want a particular product to use with a particular game, but accessory shopping is also about prep. What will next year’s games look like and how will you want to play? Though they aren’t always easy to answer, they are always worth asking.
About the Author
Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Dwight is a music, gaming, and technology writer based out of West Virginia.
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