Gaming gear for beginners: the cheap starter kit

The three things a starter kit actually needs

Start with a controller you trust — the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is our pick because Hall-effect sticks mean it won't develop drift and need replacing. Add the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 if you'll play or chat with friends online. And keep a cheap wired pad like the PowerA Wired Controller around for the second player — couch co-op is the best value in gaming and needs two controllers. That's the entire list.

What you can safely skip at the start

Ignore, for now: mechanical keyboards, a fancy mouse, capture cards, controller charging docks, and anything sold mainly on how it lights up. None of it makes the games better, and you can always add a piece later once you know how you actually play. The money is far better spent on the games themselves — start with our best games under $20, where a single purchase buys more enjoyment than any accessory.

Where spending more early actually pays off

Two small exceptions to the buy-cheap rule. If you already know you want to play on a PlayStation console, buy a pad that supports it from the start rather than one of the Switch/PC pads here. And if you have specific comfort or accessibility needs, that is the one place where paying for the right hardware up front is worth it — the correct tool matters more than the price. Everything else can start cheap.