Gaming Setup for Beginners (2026): Our Console Kit and PC Gaming Kit

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Digital Edition)

The console with the biggest library of great games

CPU / GPU:

AMD Zen 2 8-core / RDNA 2 (10.3 TFLOPS)

Memory:

16GB GDDR6

Storage:

1TB SSD

Disc drive:

None on the Digital Edition (can be added later)

Backward compatibility:

Most PS4 games

Price:

$599.99 list (standard model with disc drive $649.99)

The PS5 is the console we recommend to most people in our consoles guide, and it's the best place for a beginner to start. Its library is the strongest of any system right now, from blockbuster exclusives to a steady stream of indie gems, and it plays most PS4 games too, so there are years of great (and often cheap) games waiting. The DualSense controller's haptics and adaptive triggers make games feel more physical, and the 1TB SSD keeps load times to a few seconds.

We chose the Digital Edition to keep the kit affordable: you buy games from the PlayStation Store and they download straight to the console. If you'd rather buy discs, borrow from friends or resell games, the standard model with a 4K Blu-ray drive costs $50 more, which is cheaper than adding the drive later. Sony's 2026 price increase makes the PS5 expensive this late in its life, so watch for holiday bundles.

Save money: the Xbox Series S ($499.99 list) is the cheapest current-gen home console and pairs well with Game Pass, while the Nintendo Switch 2 ($499.99 list) is the best pick for families and for playing on the go.

See our full guide to the best gaming consoles.

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TCL QM6K

A budget Mini-LED TV with real gaming features

Panel:

QD-Mini LED, 4K

Sizes:

50" to 98"

Refresh rate:

144Hz

Gaming:

2x HDMI 2.1, VRR (FreeSync Premium, G-Sync), ALLM, Dolby Vision gaming

Price:

around $600 list for 65" (we've seen it near $420 on sale); smaller sizes cost less

Not every cheap TV is good for games. Many budget sets are limited to 60Hz and lack HDMI 2.1, which means the PS5 can't run at its smoothest. The TCL QM6K is the budget TV we'd pair with a new console: it supports 4K at up to 144Hz, variable refresh rate to eliminate tearing, an auto low latency mode that switches to game mode for you, and Dolby Vision gaming. Input lag is low enough that shooters and racing games feel responsive.

Its Mini-LED backlight gives you strong contrast, solid blacks and vibrant colors for the money, and blooming around bright objects is well controlled. It's not as bright as pricier TVs, and the built-in sound is average, so a soundbar is a good later upgrade.

Upgrade pick: if you want OLED, the Samsung S90F, our best TV for gaming, delivers far better contrast and motion, though at more than twice the price. Already have a TV? Check that it has an HDMI 2.1 port before you buy a new one.

See our full guide to the best TVs.

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Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

Because gaming is more fun with a friend on the couch

Platforms:

PS5, PC (Bluetooth or USB-C)

Features:

Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, touchpad, motion

Battery:

Around 6–8 hours (rechargeable, USB-C)

Weight:

280g (9.9oz)

Price:

$74.99 list (often less on sale)

The PS5 comes with one controller, and the first thing most new owners discover is that co-op and couch games need a second one. Sony's own DualSense is still the pad we recommend to almost every PS5 owner: it's comfortable, well made, and it's the only controller that supports all of the PS5's haptic and adaptive trigger effects. A second pad also means you can keep one charging while you play with the other, which helps with the DualSense's biggest weakness, its short battery life.

Upgrade pick: the Scuf Omega ($219.99) is the most customizable PS5 controller we know of, with far better battery life, but it's overkill for a beginner.

See our full guide to the best gaming accessories.

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SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless

Comfortable wireless sound for PS5, PC and Switch 2

Connectivity:

2.4GHz (USB-C dongle) and Bluetooth

Platforms:

PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck, mobile (Xbox needs the 3X model)

Mic:

Detachable ClearCast Gen 2.X

Battery:

Up to 30h (2.4GHz), 40h (Bluetooth)

Price:

around $100

A headset lets you hear footsteps, chat with friends online and play late at night without waking the house. The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is the headset we recommend for most players: it sounds clear enough to pick out every footstep, it's light and comfortable for long sessions, and its slim 2.4GHz dongle plugs straight into the PS5 for a lag-free wireless connection. Bluetooth means it also works with your phone.

It's a little quiet out of the box, so spend a minute with the EQ in the SteelSeries app, and there's no noise cancelling. If you pick Xbox instead of PS5, buy the Arctis Nova 3X version.

Save money: the wired HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 (under $50), our PC-kit pick below, plugs into the DualSense's headphone jack and works with every console.

See our full guide to the best gaming accessories.

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Alienware AW2726DM

OLED gaming for around $350

Size:

26.7"

Panel:

QD-OLED, 2560 x 1440

Refresh:

240Hz, 0.03ms response

Sync:

AMD FreeSync Premium

Ports:

2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort

Price:

around $350

The monitor is the biggest upgrade you can make to PC gaming, and the AW2726DM is our best gaming monitor pick because it brings OLED to a beginner-friendly price. You get inky blacks, colors that pop and near-instant pixel response, so motion stays crystal clear in fast shooters, while the 1440p resolution is a sweet spot that mid-range graphics cards can actually drive at high frame rates. At 240Hz, it's also a monitor you won't outgrow quickly.

To hit this price, Alienware used a slightly older QD-OLED panel. It's on the dim side, especially in HDR, connectivity is basic, and the default picture mode benefits from a little tweaking.

Save money: the Alienware AW2525HM (just under $250) is a 25" 1080p screen at 320Hz with great color accuracy, ideal for competitive shooters and older or entry-level PCs.

See our full guide to the best monitors.

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Redragon K596 Vishnu

A wireless mechanical gaming keyboard for well under $100

Layout:

Tenkeyless

Connection:

2.4GHz wireless or USB-C cable

Switches:

Outemu Red (linear)

Extras:

RGB, 10 programmable G keys, volume wheel, media keys, wrist rest

Weight:

3.64 lb

Price:

around $70

Wireless gaming keyboards from the big brands often cost $150 or more. The Redragon K596 Vishnu packs 2.4GHz wireless, smooth linear switches, RGB lighting, dedicated macro and media keys, a metal volume roller and even a wrist rest into a tenkeyless board for around $70. The compact layout leaves more room for big mouse swipes, and it feels solid and comfortable for both gaming and typing.

There are quirks: the plastic shell looks a bit cheap, the second bank of macro keys is cramped, it's heavier than rival wireless boards, and its side light bars drain the battery quickly. Turn those off (or plug in the cable) for long sessions.

Upgrade pick: the Keychron V1 8K (around $74) from our gifts under $100 guide is a wired board with hot-swappable switches and an 8,000Hz polling rate, great if you want a premium feel for work and play.

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Redragon M916 Pro

A featherweight wireless gaming mouse for under $30

Connection:

Wireless

Polling rate:

Up to 4,000Hz

Buttons:

6

Extras:

Angle snapping, ripple control, adjustable debounce

Size:

4.6 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches

Price:

around $24–$30

Gaming mice are where budget brands have improved the most, and the Redragon M916 Pro is proof. It's extremely light, which makes fast flicks feel effortless, and its 4,000Hz polling rate, a spec you used to find only on $150 mice, keeps tracking responsive. In shooters, response and accuracy feel spot on, and the software gives tinkerers plenty to adjust.

The trade-offs are cheap-feeling plastic and a plain design, and its small size suits small-to-medium hands best. For a first gaming mouse, though, it's hard to argue with the price.

Upgrade pick: the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is our favorite gaming mouse overall if you get serious about competitive play, though it costs around six times as much.

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HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

A no-nonsense headset that just works, for under $50

Platforms:

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch

Connectivity:

Wired (3.5mm)

Drivers:

50mm

Weight:

9.7oz

Price:

under $50

On a PC you're sitting at a desk anyway, so a wired headset makes a lot of sense: there's nothing to charge and nothing to pair. The Cloud Stinger 2 is our budget headset pick. It sounds perfectly good for the money, fits comfortably for long sessions, and plugs into your PC, your controller or your phone with a standard 3.5mm jack. The money you save here can go toward a better monitor.

The all-plastic build doesn't feel as durable as pricier headsets, and the mic is a little quiet, which matters if you spend a lot of time in party chat.

Upgrade pick: the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless (around $100), our console-kit pick, adds 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth and works with PC too.

See our full guide to the best gaming accessories, or our guide to the best headphones.

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Xbox Wireless Controller

The default gamepad for PC games

Platforms:

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS

Connectivity:

Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C

Battery:

AA batteries (rechargeable pack sold separately)

Extras:

Share button, 3.5mm audio jack

Price:

$64.99 list in black or white ($69.99 for other colors)

Racing games, platformers, action-adventures and sports games all play better with a controller, even on PC. The Xbox Wireless Controller is the one most PC games treat as the default, so button prompts and controls just work. It's rugged and comfortable, connects over Bluetooth or USB-C, and also works with phones and tablets for cloud gaming.

It still runs on AA batteries out of the box, so consider the official rechargeable kit, and for a lag-free wireless connection on PC you'll need Microsoft's separate Xbox Wireless Adapter.

Save money: the wired GameSir G7 SE ($44.99 list) adds drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and back buttons for less, as long as you don't mind a cable.

See our full guide to the best gaming accessories.

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Samsung 990 Pro

The fastest way to add space to a PS5 or a gaming PC, when you need it

Type:

M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen 4.0 x4

Capacities:

Up to 4TB

Read/write:

See manufacturer specifications

Heatsink:

Available with or without

Warranty:

5 years

Price:

around $390 for 2TB at recent sale prices (listed as high as $640)

Modern games are huge, and both the PS5's 1TB drive and many gaming PCs fill up fast. The Samsung 990 Pro is the internal SSD we recommend: it maxes out PCIe 4.0 speeds, has excellent endurance and a five-year warranty, and the heatsink version slots straight into the PS5's expansion bay. On a PC, the bare drive is all you need.

Here's the honest advice for beginners: you don't need it on day one. SSD prices have climbed sharply in 2026, so start with the storage you have, uninstall games you've finished, and add a drive when you run out, ideally during a sale. If you buy the bare drive for a PS5, you'll also need a compatible heatsink.

Save money: the Nextorage NEM-PA Series is our budget PS5 SSD pick, and the older Samsung 980 Pro with heatsink is great value when discounted.

See our full guide to the best gaming accessories.

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