Alice Jovanée | The Verge The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts. 2025-01-24T21:48:43+00:00 https://www.theverge.com/authors/alice-newcome-beill/rss https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1 Alice Jovanée Jackie Thomas <![CDATA[The best gaming mice to buy right now]]> https://www.theverge.com/21252193/best-gaming-mouse 2025-01-24T16:48:43-05:00 2023-08-03T10:54:38-04:00

Finding the right gaming mouse among all the options can be a struggle. There is a dizzying array of mice available, from stripped-down, lightweight five-button mice for shooters to 17-button mice for MMOs. There are a lot of factors to consider: looks, grip style, comfort, sensor quality, wired versus wireless, button selection and arrangement, onboard settings storage, and RGB lighting (obviously), to name a few. These details can have a major impact on your gaming experience. On the other hand, sometimes mice have features that are overhyped and not worth the extra cost for most people.

Between the folks that contributed to this version of our gaming mouse guide, we’ve tested hundreds of gaming mice. As with keyboards, you can technically game with any mouse. But for any game where reaction time and accuracy are factors, there’s a bigger gap between gaming and non-gaming mice than there is between a good gaming keyboard and a good general-purpose mechanical keyboard.

Best wireless gaming mouse

Connection: USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz / Charging: USB-C, Qi (with wireless charging puck), magnetic Qi (with Mouse Dock Pro) Polling rate: 125Hz (Bluetooth), 1,000Hz (2.4GHz or wired), 4,000Hz (with Mouse Dock Pro) / Sensor and resolution: Focus Pro 30K / Weight: 112g / Inputs: 11 / RGB: Razer Chroma

The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is a wireless gaming mouse with an incredibly high-res sensor, a 1,000Hz wireless connection — which bumps up to 4,000Hz if you add the wireless charging dock — and 13 RGB lighting zones. It is virtually indistinguishable from the wired Basilisk V3, which we also like, with the same aggressive claw shape and 11 programmable inputs. Less obvious improvements include a ridiculous 30,000 DPI optical sensor and third-generation Razer optical switches.

The V3 Pro’s RGB lighting is more robust than the wired V3’s, and its chassis is more resistant to smudges and fingerprints. The hyperfast scroll wheel automatically switches to smooth scrolling based on how fast you spin the scroll wheel, instead of toggling when you push a button like Logitech’s implementation.

Most modern games recognize all of the Razer’s buttons and inputs, so you can remap them in game settings, but you’ll still want to download Razer’s Synapse software, which lets you program and assign macros as well as customize the lighting zones. The V3 Pro can store five profiles on its onboard storage, which is nice if you use multiple computers.

By default, the V3 Pro uses Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless dongle, which has a 1,000Hz polling rate (about the same as a wired mouse and much faster than Bluetooth). If you have a HyperSpeed keyboard like the BlackWidow V3 Mini we recommend in our gaming keyboard buying guide or a HyperSpeed headset, they can share a dongle. (It also supports Bluetooth and wired connections.)

The V3 Pro can charge via USB-C or with any Qi-compatible wireless charger if you add the charging puck. But you can also buy the Basilisk V3 Pro bundled with the Mouse Dock Pro. Apart from adding magnetic wireless charging, which just looks cool, the charging dock ups the V3’s polling rate to 4,000 Hz, which is faster than most wired gaming mice.

You can expect the Basilisk V3 Pro to last around 90 hours on a single charge if you put some power-saving measures in place, but even with the RGB lighting turned on and 4K polling rate enabled, the V3 Pro can last for well over 40 hours before you need to top it off.

You can get the Basilisk V3 Pro for $169.99, with the Qi charging puck for $179.99, or with the dock and the puck for $202. The dock is $69.99 on its own, so if you want it, you should get it bundled. It’s a tall price to pay for the whole package, but it nets features that you won’t find on other wireless gaming mice.

There’s also a new Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed, which is $69.99, a whole Benjamin cheaper. It runs on a single AA battery, has nine inputs instead of 11, and doesn’t have wireless charging — or even wired. It does have 1,000Hz HyperSpeed Wireless and Bluetooth, though.

Best wireless gaming mouse you never have to plug in

Connection: USB-C, 2.4GHz / Polling rate: 1,000Hz (2.4GHz or wired) / Charging: USB-C, wireless (with Powerplay mat) / Sensor and resolution: HERO 25K / Weight: 106g / Inputs: 13 / RGB: Logitech Lightsync

The closest competitor to the Basilisk V3 Pro is the Logitech G502 X series. The $160 G502 X Plus is very similar to the V3 Pro, with a claw-style shape, 1,000Hz polling rate, 13 inputs instead of 11, and slightly fewer lighting zones. (It doesn’t support Bluetooth, though that’s not a big omission in a gaming mouse; it’s mostly useful for using the same mouse on non-gaming devices.)

The biggest advantage the G502 X Plus has over the Basilisk is that it works with Logitech’s $120 Powerplay mousepad, which charges the mouse via magnetic induction as you use it. Of course, that does require spending another $120 on a mousepad you have to plug in, but the G502 X Plus can also charge via USB-C if you don’t feel like doing that. Logitech also has the G502 X Lightspeed, which drops the RGB lighting and lowers the price from $159.99 to $139.99. – Alice Newcome-Beill

Best wired gaming mouse

Connection: USB-A / Polling rate: 1,000Hz / Charging: N/A / Sensor and resolution: Razer Focus+ 26K / Weight: 101g (not counting cable) / Inputs: 11 / RGB: Razer Chroma

One thing about wired gaming mice: they never run out of battery! They’re also a lot less expensive! The wired Basilisk V3 has just about all the same features as the wireless one, including that great scroll wheel, for about $50 or $100 less than the wireless version. Its sensor is “only” 26K DPI instead of 30K, its optical switches are second gen instead of third, and it has 11 lighting zones instead of 13, but who’s counting?

Best cheap gaming mouse

Connection: USB-A to Micro USB / Polling rates: 125Hz to 1,000Hz / Charging: N/A / Sensor and resolution: SteelSeries TrueMove Pro 18K / Weight: 69g (not counting cable) / Inputs: Five / RGB: One zone

The SteelSeries Prime isn’t the most luxurious mouse SteelSeries makes. There’s no OLED display, fancy lighting zones, or extra buttons. Instead, you get a wired gaming mouse with five opto-mechanical buttons, one RGB lighting zone, and a sensitivity selection on the bottom for under $40. That’s it.

SteelSeries did cut some corners to bring the price down. The main thing is that it feels like it’s made from cheap plastic — you know, the kind you’d find on a mouse that came bundled with your desktop. It still feels solid enough, though, and its buttons are nicely tactile.

One thing that I was surprised to see as soon as I opened the Prime up, however, was the detachable cable. This is a wired mouse, but it uses a standard Micro USB cable. This is something I’d expect to see in mice twice the cost of the Steelseries Prime, and it means you don’t have to worry about the mouse experiencing an early death due to cable failure.

The Prime is right in the middle of SteelSeries’ Prime lineup; the Prime Plus is virtually identical but adds an OLED screen at the bottom that makes it easier to toggle through the on-device sensitivity profiles. It’s usually between $10 and $30 more than the regular Prime, but sometimes it’s actually cheaper. Depending on the price difference, it’s worth picking up if you feel like you’d use that feature. – Jackie Thomas

Best mouse for MMOs and MOBAs

Connection: USB-A / Polling rates: 125Hz to 1,000Hz / Charging: N/A / Sensor and resolution: Pixart PMW3391 18K / Weight: 122g (not counting cable) / Inputs: 17 / RGB: Four zones

For most people, a gaming mouse only really needs to be good at pointing and clicking on an enemy’s head. But for anyone who plays MMORPGs like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV, if you can add a bunch of buttons to your mouse, that’s free keybindings, baby. There are tons of mice out there with an entire keypad’s worth of thumb buttons — the Razer Naga pioneered the genre. I’ve tried all of them, and the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite is the best. It’s the one that feels best in my hand — partly because you can adjust the position of the number pad — which is important during long raids and dungeons.

The buttons on the side of the mouse are numbered one through 12 and have RGB LEDs illuminating them. By default, they emulate the number row at the top of your keyboard. And to be honest, in the years I’ve been using the Corsair Scimitar and mice like it, I’ve never once changed that default setting. This is because, in games like World of Warcraft, all of your abilities are bound to keys one through = on your keyboard, which makes the Scimitar RGB Elite a plug-and-play affair. 

Obviously then, the Scimitar RGB Elite is going to have a huge following among MMO devotees, but even in other games, the number pad on the side is useful because so many games bind weapons or abilities to the number row by default. I have eased off of MMOs over the last year or so, but I still use the Corsair RGB Elite as my daily driver — and have for almost 10 years.

There are a couple of downsides, though. There are two buttons right between the left and right mouse buttons. One of them switches between sensitivity settings. I cannot tell you how many times I have accidentally pressed one of these buttons in the middle of a raid and completely screwed up my performance for like 10 seconds while I figure out what the hell is going on. It’s something that’s easily fixed in Corsair’s iCue software, but it’s still annoying.

But if that’s the only bad thing I can say about a mouse that I’ve been using for years, it must be a good sign, right? – Jackie Thomas

Other good gaming mice

  • The $89 Lamzu Atlantis Mini is a great lightweight, no-frills gaming mouse with a high-precision sensor. It works in wireless mode (125Hz) or wired (1,000Hz) and is popular among the competitive shooter set. Unfortunately, it’s frequently out of stock in the US. It’s worth picking up if you can find it, though.
  • The Logitech G303 Shroud is a minimalist ambidextrous gaming mouse that works with Logitech’s 1,000Hz Lightspeed dongle. It’s good, especially if you prefer its shape to the more aggressive right-handed claw shapes of the Basilisk V3 or Logitech G502 series, but those two mice are a bit more feature-packed.
  • The Cooler Master MM720 wired gaming mouse is lightweight, at just 49g, and cheap — it’s often under $30. But its design is just a little bit more divisive than the SteelSeries Prime, which has the advantage of a replaceable cord.
  • The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a good, inexpensive wired gaming mouse, but it’s largely superseded by the Basilisk V3 for not much more money.

Updated on August 3rd 2023 with new selections and testing results.

]]> Alice Jovanée Nathan Edwards <![CDATA[The best mechanical keyboards for gaming]]> https://www.theverge.com/23034287/best-mechanical-gaming-keyboards 2023-04-12T10:00:00-04:00 2023-04-12T10:00:00-04:00

Technically, any keyboard you use for gaming is a gaming keyboard. But a keyboard built for gaming often has features mainstream boards can’t match, like ultra-fast polling rates, per-game macro profiles, dedicated media controls, and robust RGB lighting customization (and integration with other parts of your setup).

What I looked for:

Polling rate: How frequently the keyboard reports to the computer. Higher polling rate, lower input lag. A gaming keyboard’s polling rate should be 1000Hz (1ms input lag) or higher.

Software: Gaming keyboards come with software that lets you quickly customize macros and key bindings, often on a per-game basis. Usually also lets you control lighting on your keyboard and beyond or integrate with streaming or other software.

RGB Lighting: It has no impact on gaming performance — aside from letting you read the key legends in the dark — but it looks cool, and gamers demand it.

Hot-swap: Switches that can be removed with a simple pulling tool without desoldering. Ideal if you want to change a keyboard’s feel without replacing the whole thing.

Mechanical keyboards are ideal for gaming. Not only do they offer a better and more precise tactile experience than the more common butterfly or membrane-switch keyboards, but they also last longer. And they allow for a more personalized experience by providing a variety of switch options for different feels, a wealth of aesthetic customization options in the form of keycaps, and (often) detachable cables. Some gaming keyboards now have hot-swappable PCBs as well, allowing you to swap out switches at will.

Whether you want full-size or compact, wireless, analog, or modular, these are the best keyboards of the dozens I’ve tested.

If you are interested in a mechanical keyboard but don’t need gaming-specific features like easy macro programmability, ultra-high polling rates, or software that integrates with other programs, check out our guide to the best mechanical keyboards. Yes, you can game with those, too.

The best gaming keyboard for most

Layout: Tenkeyless or full-size / Connection: Wired USB-A / Keycaps: Shinethrough PBT / Switches: Razer Optical (linear or clicky) / Backlighting: RGB / Hot Swap: No

The Razer Huntsman v2 is a solid, accessible off-the-shelf gaming keyboard from a major brand. It’s available in both tenkeyless and full-size layouts, has a fairly subdued look for a gaming keyboard, and its ultrafast polling, optical switches, and Razer Synapse software set it apart from more conventional boards. It’s the one I’d recommend to most people buying their first gaming keyboard.

The Huntsman V2 is available with either clicky or linear optical switches, which use an interrupted beam of light to register keystrokes and provide a faster response than standard mechanical switches. The limited selection may discourage some DIY-hards, but considering that linear switches are the weapon of choice for most gamers, I don’t think it’s a glaring issue. My colleague Jon Porter, in his review of the Huntsman V2, found the linear switches’ built-in sound dampening gave them a mushy feel, but I didn’t mind them.

Most people won’t notice the difference between the Huntsman V2’s 8000Hz polling rate and the 1000Hz rate of most wired keyboards — we’re talking .125 milliseconds versus 1 millisecond — but at least it means your reaction time, not the connection speed, is your limiting factor. The V2’s other features are more noticeable: the PBT keycaps feel nicer and don’t shine as quickly as ABS and the sound-damping foam helps keep noise down a bit.

Top-down photo of a black full-sized keyboard with green backlighting

The Huntsman V2 comes in both tenkeyless and full-size layouts. Unless you really want a built-in number pad, the TKL should be your first choice since it lets you keep your mouse closer. The full-size version does have a volume knob and media controls above the number pad, but it doesn’t have a detachable USB cable.

Among the few keyboards with comparable layouts, features, and capabilities is the Corsair K100. It’s equipped with Corsair’s own optical switches but has a larger footprint, doesn’t have sound-dampening foam, and costs considerably more — though it does have dedicated macro keys and an auxiliary media dial.

The Huntsman V2 is going to fit the bill for most people who want a standard gaming keyboard. If you want a more customizable board, a number pad on the left, an analog keyboard, or something more moddable, though, there are plenty of more interesting options. — Alice Newcome-Beill

Read our review of the Razer Huntsman V2

The best premium gaming keyboard

Layout: TKL + Numpad (full-size) / Connectivity: Detachable USB-C / Keycaps: Shinethrough PBT / Switches: Cherry MX Red, Blue, Brown, Silver, Silent Red / Hot Swap: Yes (3-pin)

The Mountain Everest Max is technically a full-size gaming keyboard. I say technically because it’s modular.

The main chassis (available separately as the Everest Core) looks like a conventional tenkeyless board. The Max also includes a number pad that can be attached to either side and a multi-function media dock (both available separately) that can attach to either the top left or top right of the main chassis. This flexibility, its build quality, and other features make it a strong contender, especially for folks who prefer the number pad on the left — a rare option in gaming keyboards.

The number pad has four macro buttons at the top that can be customized with jpegs from your library (yes, like a Stream Deck). The media dock functions largely like the dedicated media controls that you’ll find on other full-size gaming keyboards, with buttons for controlling playback and a bezeled dial for controlling volume. However, the dial also has a small screen that can adjust the lighting on your keyboard, check system resource usage, or just show you the time. Overall, it’s a pretty cool piece of engineering that makes better use of the space usually reserved for rudimentary media functions.

The modular design is the Everest Max’s biggest differentiator, but it also has the best build quality of any off-the-shelf keyboard I’ve tested, and its RGB lighting can be synced with Razer’s Chrome software. It has hot-swap switch sockets, though they only support three-pin switches. (You can always cut the extra legs off of five-pin switches with a flush cutter, but who has the time?)

In addition to the media dock and number pad that come with the Max, Mountain now sells two more modules: a $109.99 DisplayPad with 12 Stream-Deck-like customizable buttons and a $59.99 MacroPad with 12 hot-swap MX-compatible macro keys. Either can be docked to the left or right side of the main chassis or used standalone.

If you’ll take advantage of its modularity, the Everest Max is worth every penny. It’s one of the very few ways to get a gaming keyboard with a southpaw number pad, for example, and the dock system lets you add a bunch of functionality to your desk without a bunch of wires. But the $250 price for the Everest Max is a high hurdle, and if you buy piecemeal, it’s even more expensive. — Alice Newcome-Beill

Read my full review of the Mountain Everest Max

Best analog gaming keyboard

Layout: 60 percent / Full-size / Connection: Detachable USB-C / Keycaps: Shinethrough PBT / Switches: Lekker Hall Effect analog / Backlighting: RGB / Hot-swap: Yes (Lekker switches only)

On the surface, the Wooting 60 HE doesn’t do much to grab your attention, but the secret is in the switches. While other keyboards are busy bragging about higher polling rates, Wooting’s Lekker switches offer a genuine advantage for the gamer willing to put in some work. Instead of registering keypresses by physically closing a circuit, they use a magnetic field to sense the position of a magnet inside the switch — the Hall effect.

Their biggest edge is the customizable actuation point, which lets you adjust how quickly your keyboard registers (and resets from) individual keystrokes. This feature also allows you to map different commands to the same key based on how much pressure you put on it and offers translation of true analog movement on your keyboard, similar to what you’d experience with a gamepad. Rapid reset — which stops the key input as soon as you let up on the pressure — can provide a tangible advantage over other gaming keyboards in twitchy first-person shooters like Apex Legends or Counterstrike. (Steelseries has been using its Omnipoint 2.0 Hall effect switches in its Apex lineup of keyboards for years now, but the Lekker switch can register a more granular set of inputs, allowing for up to four separate functions as opposed to the Omnipoint 2.0’s two.)

Photograph of 60-percent layout mechanical keyboard with purple backlighting and a yellow strap attached to the left side.

Aside from the switches, the Wooting 60 HE is a pretty standard 60 percent keyboard, with features like PBT keycaps, a detachable USB-C cable, and included sound-dampening foam. One nice touch: it’s compatible with most standard 60 percent keyboard cases: I popped the PCB and plate into a Tofu60 case with no problems. Wooting also makes a full-size keyboard, the Wooting Two HE, with the same switches.

For those who will take advantage of them, the Wooting 60 HE’s analog switches and customizability justify the above-average price. But unless you’re going to use both of these features, the 60 HE is a tough sell. If you’re looking for a keyboard to tear open and mod, there are other options on this list that don’t cost nearly as much. — Alice Newcome-Beill

Read our review of the full-size Wooting Two HE

Best 65 percent wireless gaming keyboard

Layout: 65 percent / Connectivity: Detachable USB-C, Bluetooth, HyperSpeed 2.4GHz (1000Hz) / Keycaps: Doubleshot ABS / Switches: Razer Linear Yellow, Clicky Green / Hot-swap: No

The BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed is Razer’s first 65 percent gaming keyboard. This layout makes for a good compromise for anyone that wants a keyboard with a smaller footprint that retains directional arrows and navigational keys.

Besides the layout, the biggest selling point for the BlackWidow V3 is its wireless connectivity. While wireless mechanical keyboards are increasingly common, Bluetooth’s relatively pokey 125Hz polling rate isn’t ideal for fast-paced gaming. The BlackWidow V3 can connect to up to three paired devices with Bluetooth, but for gaming, you’re much better off using the included HyperSpeed wireless dongle — its 1000Hz polling rate is as fast as most wired keyboards (though not the Huntsman V2 mentioned above, which is a faster-than-necessary 8000Hz). The dongle is also compatible with Razer’s HyperSpeed mice and headsets, so you can use a single dongle to connect multiple peripherals.

Battery life isn’t bad, either. I was able to keep the V3 running for around 17 hours with the RGB lighting on its highest setting, and Razer claims it can last for up to 200 hours with the backlighting off.

Just like other Razer keyboards, the Blackwidow V3 uses proprietary switches. They’re available in linear or clicky varieties and are virtually indistinguishable from the popular red and blue Cherry-style switches used in the majority of mechanical keyboards. The overall typing experience is quite good, although, at this price, it would’ve been nice to get some type of sound dampening for the chassis, or quieter stabilizers, to improve the acoustics. Also, just like Razer’s other keyboards, the PCB isn’t hot-swappable. — Alice Newcome-Beill

A great customizable keyboard you can game on

Layout: 75 percent (other options available) / Connectivity: Detachable USB-C / Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT / Switches: Keychron K Pro Red, Blue, Brown / Hot-swap: Yes (5-pin)

The Keychron V1 isn’t specifically a gaming keyboard, but — don’t make me tap the sign — it is if you game on it. It has a 1000Hz polling rate, hot-swap switches, great build quality and typing feel, fully customizable key mapping, and even RGB. The only thing separating it from gaming gaming keyboards is the software: It doesn’t have the easy macro programming, granular lighting control, or software integrations of Razer’s Synapse or Corsair’s iCue. On the other hand, it doesn’t have the bloat of Synapse or iCue, and it does still have macro programming and full keymap customization through VIA. It also has a volume knob.

The Keychron V1 on a desk.

The V1 is a 75 percent keyboard, which is a great all-around layout for gaming and typing, though Keychron has plenty of other layout options if you prefer. It’s available with clicky, linear, or tactile switches, and its hot-swap sockets make it trivial to swap for your switch of choice.

The V1 is a killer deal for what you get — it’s our top pick for mechanical keyboards for a reason — but if you want a heavier, fancier-feeling keyboard, the Keychron Q1 Pro has all the features of the V1, plus Bluetooth, gasket mounting for a bouncier type feel, and a milled-aluminum case. — Nathan Edwards

A cheap low-profile gaming keyboard

Layout: Tenkeyless (TKL) / Connection: Detachable USB-C / Keycaps: Shinethrough PBT / Switches: Outemu low-profile / Backlighting: RGB / Hot-swap: Yes (Outemu low-profile only)

The Tecware Phantom L is an inexpensive, low-profile tenkeyless gaming keyboard. A low-profile keyboard uses switches with a shorter stem and a more squat housing that results in less travel distance when pressing keys. If you’ve never used a low-profile keyboard for gaming, I’d suggest giving it a try, and at this price, there’s little reason not to. 

Just like many other gaming keyboards, the Phantom L is available with linear, tactile, or clicky switches. The PCB is technically hot-swappable, but Tecware says it’s only compatible with Outemu low-profile switches, and the stock switches are remarkably difficult to remove — I had to double-check that they weren’t soldered in. However, given that hot-swap PCBs are such a rarity in low-profile keyboards, I’m willing to give the Phantom L a pass, especially at under $50.

Top-down shot of a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with RGB shinethrough backlighting.

The Phantom L also features per-key RGB lighting that can be adjusted either via keyboard macros or by using the software available on the Tecware site. The software could certainly be better, but it does a passable job of letting you adjust the lighting and set up macros. Compared to something like Razer’s Synapse software or Corsair iCue, Tecware’s software is leaner in both its lighting and profile options, but it hits the basics.

If you’re looking for a gaming keyboard on the cheap, the Tecware Phantom L provides amazing value for its price. The low-profile form factor may not appeal to everyone, and modifying the switches may prove problematic down the line, but you’ll have a tough time finding another keyboard with the same set of features for less. — Alice Newcome-Beill

Key Terms Used in Gaming Keyboards

Switches — the component that registers each keypress. Available in many different varieties, which roughly break down into three categories:

  • Clicky switches make a big audible “click” sound when you press them. The most famous example is the “Cherry MX Blue” switch, so these are sometimes referred to as “Blue” switches. Often recommended as the best switch for typists but have the disadvantage of being the loudest switch type.
  • Tactile switches, also known as “Brown” switches, after “Cherry MX Brown.” These switches have a small bump you can feel as you press them. A nice halfway house.
  • Linear switches, aka “Red” switches, have no bump or click. They just feel completely smooth. Generally recommended as a gaming switch.

Other switch-related terms:

Hot-swappable switches can be removed with a simple pulling tool without desoldering. Ideal if you want to change a keyboard’s feel without replacing the whole thing.

Low-profile switches have a shorter stem and typically a shorter travel distance and are usually paired with low-profile keycaps to give the keyboard an overall slimmer silhouette. Often incompatible with standard MX-style keycaps.

Analog switches use magnetic Hall effect sensors as opposed to the mechanical actuation found in most switches. Analog switches allow you to set custom actuation points or assign different functions to a key based on how hard it’s pressed.

]]> Jay Peters Alice Jovanée Sheena Vasani <![CDATA[Here are some must-have accessories for your Nintendo Switch]]> https://www.theverge.com/22912942/best-nintendo-switch-controllers-cases-chargers-headsets-accessories 2023-04-06T12:37:38-04:00 2023-04-06T12:37:38-04:00
From controllers that make playing in handheld mode more comfortable to ones with customizable buttons, we found a variety of accessories that’ll make playing the Switch more fun. | Image: Will Joel

The Nintendo Switch is now the third-bestselling console of all time, having shipped more than 120 million units since it launched in 2017. If you’re one of the millions of people that own the hybrid system, odds are you already have everything you need. However, if you’re someone who recently picked up the console or you’re currently looking to purchase one, there are a handful of accessories that will make your gaming experience far more enjoyable (and convenient).

Whether you need a controller, a carrying case, or a pair of wireless headphones, we’ve rounded up the best accessories you can buy to supplement your experience gaming on the Nintendo Switch. Just note that while many of these accessories can be used with any Switch model — specifically the standard model, the portable-only Switch Lite, and the Switch OLED edition — there are some that won’t work with the Switch Lite.

Controllers

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Nintendo’s Switch Pro controller remains the best way to play games for your Nintendo Switch on the big screen. While the Joy-Cons for the Switch are perfectly fine, they can feel a bit crowded when they’re undocked from the console. The Pro controller alleviates this with a comfortable and relatively sturdy peripheral, one that is outfitted with motion controls, Nintendo’s HD rumble feature, and a more traditional D-pad. Read our review.

Power A Enhanced Wireless Controller

If you’re looking for a third-party alternative to Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is one of your best options. It may not share the same build quality as its first-party counterpart, but it’s less expensive and includes remappable back buttons. Another added benefit is the controller’s Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to pair it with PCs and mobile devices.

PowerA’s controller is also available in a wide variety of eye-catching colorways and designs. Some designs can vary in terms of their availability and price, but the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is a great, budget-conscious alternative to the Switch Pro Controller, especially if you plan to use it with other devices.

8BitDo Pro 2

The 8BitDo Pro 2 controller is currently one of the best pro-grade controllers you can buy for the Nintendo Switch. The controller’s design resembles that of the original Super Nintendo but offers extra triggers and hand grips. It also includes remappable buttons and back paddles, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity for PCs, Android, and iOS devices. The Pro 2 does omit a few features that the Switch Pro Controller has, however, namely HD rumble and Amiibo support, and the Pro 2 can’t power on the Switch remotely.

Additionally, the controller is rechargeable via USB-C and features a switch to quickly swap between different face button layouts. While its design is markedly different from Nintendo’s Pro Controller, the Pro 2 is less expensive and offers broader compatibility than its more expensive counterpart.

Hori Split Pad Pro and Split Pad Compact

Okay, just a couple of more controllers, we swear. The Hori Split Pad Pro is our top pick if you primarily play your Switch in handheld mode. They slide into the Switch just like Nintendo’s standard Joy-Con controllers, but they also accommodate larger hands better given their size. They provide more grip, too, and offer large buttons and triggers that are easier to reach than those on Nintendo’s proprietary controllers. However, Hori’s Joy-Con-like alternative doesn’t offer wireless support, rumble, or NFC for Amiibo.

Alternatively, you can buy the Hori Split Pad Compact, which is a smaller, lighter version of the Hori Split Pad Pro. It offers many of the same features but with some minor design tweaks, which allows the compact option to better accommodate smaller hands.

8BitDo USB Wireless Adapter 2

If you wish you could play games on your Switch using a PlayStation or Xbox controller, 8BitDo’s USB Wireless Adapter 2 will allow you to do so. The small adapter plugs into the dock on your Switch and wirelessly pairs with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo controllers, so you don’t have to fork out extra money on a new Switch controller. What’s more, it works with both old and new controllers, ranging from the latest Xbox and DualSense models to old PS3 controllers and 8BitDo’s entire retro-inspired lineup.

Cases and screen protectors

PowerA Protection Case with Kevlar

If you often carry your Nintendo Switch around while in transit, it might be wise to invest in a rugged case with a handle like PowerA’s Protection Case with Kevlar. This is the one we’d recommend for most people, namely because it’s a highly portable option that offers a good balance of affordability and protection. Its hardened plastic shell and reinforced corners should shield your case from drops without adding extra bulk, while the interior provides plenty of space for Joy-Con controllers. There’s even a zippered mesh pocket located underneath the lid to keep smaller accessories in place while you’re on the go, as well as two compartments with dividers for stowing cartridges.

Amfilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Speaking of protecting your Switch, a screen protector is also a good investment to make. Amfilm’s tempered glass screen protector will shield your console’s display and bezels, so you won’t need to worry about it getting scratched or damaged while in your bag. Amfilm’s kit also comes with an extra screen protector should you need one, along with a microfiber cleaning cloth. And did we mention it’s super cheap and often on sale for around $8?

Waterfield’s CitySlicker Case

A pricey Switch carrying case for the distinguished gamer, Waterfield’s CitySlicker Case is available in a wide variety of combinations that pair waxed canvas or ballistic nylon with different washes of full-grain leather, which make it look great and smell even better. The case is compact, too, but offers plenty of space for additional accessories and physical cartridges, as well as essentials like your wallet.

A set of strong magnets for keeping everything in place and a number of small touches round out the bag’s hallmarks. The case is treated to be water-resistant, for instance, and the interior uses a soft felt that helps prevent scratches. It also comes with an optional sling-on strap, though you’ll have to pay an extra $19 for that.

Chargers

Anker PowerCore Essential (20,000mAh)

There’s nothing more frustrating than being knee-deep in a game only for your console to run out of power when you’re nowhere near an outlet. That’s where a portable charger like Anker’s 20,000mAh PowerCore Essential comes in. The handy power bank holds enough juice to top off your Switch approximately twice over, and the USB-C port delivers power efficiently enough to allow you to continue playing while you charge. It can juice other devices, too, including your smartphone and tablet, and is lightweight enough that you can carry it while on the move.

PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch

It’s not just your console that’ll need to be recharged — your Joy-Con controllers will inevitably die as well. Joy-Cons charge when they’re attached to a docked Nintendo Switch, but they only charge one pair at a time. If you share your Switch with family or friends, you might want to pick up a Joy-Con charging dock so you can charge a set of extra controllers simultaneously. The PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch is a great option, one that can charge two pairs of Joy-Con controllers at the same time and is small enough that you shouldn’t have trouble carrying it while traveling.

Anker’s 521 Charger

If you want a secondary wall charger for your Nintendo Switch — or just something with a little more pop to it — you might want to check out Anker’s reliable 521 Charger. The 40-watt offering can power up your console quickly and features a second USB-C port. As a result, you’ll also be able to charge your phone, tablet, or another USB-C device in addition to your Switch, though you’ll need to supply your own cable in order to do so.

Headsets and earbuds

Logitech G435

While you can technically use any pair of 3.5mm or Bluetooth-compatible headphones with the Nintendo Switch, a good headset can make the experience much more comfortable. That’s why we’re highlighting the Logitech G435 Lightspeed — not just for its comfortable design but for its extensive connectivity options. The G435 can pair with your Switch via Bluetooth or using the included 2.4Ghz wireless dongle with the Switch dock.

It may not have the boom mic that’s so often associated with gaming headsets, but it still features a pair of mics built into the left earcup, which allow you to use the in-game chat or answer calls with your mobile device. The G435 is also available in an array of unconventional colorways if you’re looking to stand out, in addition to a standard black model. Read our review.

Logitech G333 wired earbuds 

You also have a few options if you prefer earbuds. Logitech’s gaming-focused G333 are a wired pair that offer good sound, come in a couple of fun colorways, and ship with three pairs of swappable ear tips for a secure fit. They also come with a useful 3.5mm to USB-C adapter, which you would usually buy separately. That means you can use them with devices that no longer have a headphone jack, including newer iPads and many Android devices. They’re also relatively affordable at $49.99, especially since they’re often on sale for less.

Jabra Elite 3 wireless earbuds

On the other hand, if you prefer a pair of wireless earbuds, Jabra’s Elite 3 are a fantastic budget-friendly option. They nail the fundamentals, offering an attractive combination of sound quality, reliability, and battery life. They’re comfortable, too, so you’ll be able to game for hours on end. The earbuds don’t offer newer bells and whistles like noise cancellation or wireless charging, but they carry their own perks, including an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance and the ability to work independently. Read our review.

Grips

Skull & Co. NeoGrip

Prefer playing your Switch in handheld mode? You can make your experience a little more comfortable with the help of Skull & Co.’s attachable NeoGrip. The accessory offers interchangeable grips that you can quickly swap out, allowing you to hold your Switch more easily. There’s also an open space on the back that allows you to slot your console in its dock with the NeoGrip attached or pop out the kickstand to play in tabletop mode.

The NeoGrip typically starts at $19.99 and comes with three pairs of grips. It’s also available in a white configuration that matches the Switch OLED model, as well as a black model with red and blue neon grips. Best of all, the grips support both the standard and OLED models.

Satisfye ZenGrip Pro

Satisfye’s ZenGrip Pro is another grip option for easier handheld play, but unlike the NeoGrip, it only offers one set of grip options. That said, Verge writer Jay Peters actually finds the ZenGrip Pro more comfortable than the NeoGrip, but depending on your needs, your feelings may vary.

One knock against the ZenGrip Pro is that you can’t place your Switch in the dock while it’s attached due to its design, meaning you won’t be able to charge your Switch in the dock or play a game on your TV while using the accessory. The ZenGrip Pro also blocks the kickstand, and while the grip has feet on the bottom that let it stand up on its own, you can’t adjust its angle.

The third-gen ZenGrip Pro retails for $29.99, and Satisfye says it’s compatible with both the standard and Switch OLED models.

MicroSD cards, games, and other Nintendo Switch accessories

Samsung Evo Select microSD card (512GB)

This 512GB model of the Samsung Evo Select microSD card represents a solid balance between capacity, price, and performance. Lexar does offer smaller and larger options depending on your budget, but in our experience, consolidating all of your games onto a single card is the way to go.

All models of the Nintendo Switch come equipped with built-in storage — 64GB for the OLED model and vanilla Switch, and 32GB for the Switch Lite — but this space can disappear quickly if you’re planning on primarily playing digital titles. The forthcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance, takes up a whole 18.2GB of space.

Nintendo Switch Online membership

While you don’t need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends, it’s necessary for accessing the online elements of many games, including Splatoon 3, Mario Kart Deluxe, and Monster Hunter Rise. These titles aren’t nearly as fun without the ability to compete against other players, nor can you engage in voice chat via Nintendo’s official app without a subscription.

A membership to Nintendo Switch Online nets you other perks as well, like cloud storage for your saved data, exclusive discounts in the Nintendo eShop, and access to a library of vintage NES and SNES titles. There are plans available at different price points, too, depending on if you’re applying the plan to a single user or sharing it with multiple accounts. An annual family plan typically runs $15 more than an individual membership — which costs $19.99 a year — but allows you to share the benefits with up to eight users.

If you’re a fan of Game Boy Advance games like Mario Kart Super Circuit, you might want to check out the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It offers the same benefits as the Nintendo Switch Online membership, but you can also play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 games. Memberships start at $49.99 a year and are available from Nintendo, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Genki Covert Dock for Nintendo Switch

Designed for anyone that likes to play their Switch hooked up to a larger screen, the Genki Covert Dock takes all the functions of the regular standard Switch dock and compresses them to the size of a regular AC adapter. The dock includes outputs for USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI hookups, allowing you to tether your Switch’s output to any available HDMI device and simultaneously hook up or charge peripherals. It even comes packaged with a variety of adapters that are perfectly suited to international travel.

The Covert Dock is remarkably simple to use, too: just plug it into an outlet, connect the USB-C output to your Switch and the HDMI output to your display, and you’re good to go. We get that the Switch is primarily a handheld device, but if you’re looking for an easier way to play your Switch on a bigger display without dragging around the dock, this product is the way to go. Read our review.

]]> Alice Jovanée Richard Lawler <![CDATA[The N64 controller for Switch is back in stock at the Nintendo store (update: sold out)]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/29/23548742/n64-controller-nintendo-switch-restock-deal-sale 2023-03-29T11:47:23-04:00 2023-03-29T11:47:23-04:00
You can finally play StarFox64 the way Nintendo intended. | Image: Nintendo

Update March 29th, 5:56PM ET: Nintendo’s N64 controller has sold out and is no longer available through the My Nintendo Store.

If you’re still on the hunt for Nintendo’s official N64 controller, you just might be able to pick up the legendary controller for the Nintendo Switch at the Nintendo eShop. This $49.99 controller allows you to experience N64 games the way they were meant to be played — with a big gray controller that has an awkwardly placed central analog stick.

This offer is exclusive to the Nintendo store and is only available to purchase if you’re a current Nintendo Switch Online subscriber. To see if it’s in stock and possibly complete your purchase, you may need to be logged in with your Nintendo account. (Note: you can only access the N64 games with the purchase of the Switch Online Expansion Pack.)

The restock for the N64 doesn’t follow the same rules for console restocks like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Just sign in to your Nintendo account, click “add to cart,” and cross your fingers. Stocks of this controller go remarkably fast, so don’t be surprised if you see them become unavailable in short order.

For the uninitiated, Nintendo Switch Online is necessary for accessing the online components of a number of titles, including Splatoon 3, Minecraft, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, just to name a few. As an added bonus, a membership includes access to classic NES and SNES titles, too. An annual subscription to this service only costs $19.99; however, to access Nintendo’s online library of N64 titles, you’ll have to subscribe to the Expansion Pack as well, which costs $49.99.

This rerelease of the N64 controller is mostly what you’ll remember from the original console, with some quality-of-life improvements. Wireless connectivity that’s rechargeable via USB-C and built-in rumble support help modernize this classic controller, but it retains the “classic” shape. While the overall form factor of the N64 controller remains divisive in a modern context, the popularity of this controller is proof that nostalgia will win every time.

]]> Brandon Widder Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[Here’s where you can buy a PS5]]> https://www.theverge.com/22323257/sony-playstation-5-ps5-in-stock-digital-disk-edition-where-buy 2023-02-27T15:55:03-05:00 2023-02-27T15:55:03-05:00
Sony’s once-elusive console is finally widely available — if you know where to look.

The great PlayStation 5 shortage is over — well, at least according to Sony. Thanks to the increased availability of Sony’s next-gen console, there are now multiple options for bringing home a PS5, none of which are an uphill battle. While availability is occasionally limited to bundles that come packaged with a game, specifically God of War Ragnarök, it’s nowhere near as difficult to find a standalone console as it once was. We’re keeping an eye out for where you can buy either the PS5 (with a disc drive) or the PS5 Digital Edition as well as any bundles.

Obviously, there’s no guarantee that inventory will remain available for long, but we’ll do our best to keep this article updated with the latest in-stock alerts and tell you where to look.

Where can I buy a PS5 right now?

If you’re looking to take a PS5 home today, Walmart, Sony, and Target all currently have the disc-based PlayStation 5 in stock, though the latter is only offering it via in-store pickup at select locations. If you’re looking for the $559.99 bundle that packages the disc-based version with a digital copy of God of War Ragnarök, it’s available at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and direct from Sony as well as in-store at select GameStop locations.

Where can I buy a PS5 right now?

Above, we’ve collected the PS5 landing pages for various retailers if you want to check the available stock for standalone consoles or bundles.

Most major retailers restock consoles and bundles both online and in physical stores on an intermittent basis, but availability can fluctuate based on your local store. It’s important to note that some retailers won’t ship your console, too, so make sure the store you select is within a reasonable distance if you’re planning to pick one up. You’ll also need a verified account with these retailers in order to check out.

Restocks can happen at any time. Note, however, that if you’re trying to get a standalone console through Amazon, you’ll need to sign up for an invitation first. Thankfully, you don’t need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber to do so.

Opting for a bundle that includes a game like God of War Ragnarök is a perfectly viable option for getting a console without having to pay a premium. Bundles are made available through the PlayStation Direct store and other retailers, with new bundles becoming available alongside the release of new PlayStation exclusives. Whether it’s due to their higher price or that they’re packaged with a game someone may not want, bundles tend to sell out less quickly than standalone consoles.

What accessories do I need to buy for the PS5?

The PlayStation 5 includes all the basic things you need to get started (minus games, of course). However, you might want to consider picking up a few additional accessories if you’re looking to get the most out of your new console.

First, there’s the controller. Every PS5 includes one DualSense Wireless Controller, but there are a few benefits to owning at least one additional controller, such as if you plan to play local co-op games with a friend or family member. Or, if you’re like us and want to keep playing your game but don’t want to be tethered to the charging cable, a second controller lets you continue playing while the other charges.

If you’re looking for a pro-grade controller for your PlayStation 5, we recommend you turn your attention to Sony’s modular DualSense Edge. At $199.99, it’s substantially more expensive than the standard DualSense; however, like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, the premium accessory features a wealth of customization options that make it a good fit for anyone who wants more control over how they game.

The DualSense Edge features a hardshell case and some added grip as well as four back paddles, swappable analog stick modules, and function keys that let you swap controls and adjust the volume on the fly. It offers worse battery life than the standard DualSense, sure, but that’s the price you pay for the ability to execute trigger patterns with ease. Read our review.

Sony’s official gaming headphones are a fantastic way to experience the spatial audio of the PlayStation 5. The Pulse 3D sports a clean, minimalist aesthetic and is still one of our favorite gaming headsets thanks to its comfortable fit and solid sound quality.

The PS5 HD Camera is a neat accessory for people interested in using their PS5 to livestream video games or broadcast their gameplay with friends. It includes dual 1080p lenses and allows you to remove the background of your camera’s feed and replace it with something else.

We recommend subscribing to PlayStation Plus if you have not already done so; outside of taking advantage of exclusive discounts and online multiplayer, PlayStation Plus provides a ton of additional incentives. Most notably, PS5 owners will have access to the PlayStation Plus Collection through May 8th, which is essentially a digital library of some of the most impactful titles to have ever been released on the PlayStation 4, including God of War, Persona 5, and The Last of Us Remastered. Best of all, once you’ve claimed the games, you can still access them after May 9th as long as you have a PlayStation Plus subscription.

PlayStation Plus has changed substantially since the service launched in 2010 and now offers tiered memberships with different pricing. An annual membership to PlayStation Plus Essential, the lowest tier, costs $59.99 and provides you with free games each month, exclusive discounts, cloud storage for saved games, and access to the PlayStation Plus Collection on the PS5. A year of PlayStation Plus Extra, on the other hand, will run you $99.99 and grants you all the Essential benefits in addition to even more free games by way of the PlayStation Game Catalog.

At the top of the heap, we have PlayStation Plus Premium, which costs $119.99 for an annual subscription. It offers all of the same benefits as lower tiers but provides access to the PlayStation Classics catalog in addition to the ability to stream games to your PC and mobile devices. Premium subscribers also get the perk of game trials for eligible titles, allowing for time-limited access to games for free.

The PS5 looks pretty sharp on its own, but if white isn’t your color, Dbrand and Sony both make custom covers for personalizing your console. Sony’s console covers are available in the same six shades as its DualSense controllers, and like Dbrand’s Darkplates, clip onto either side of your console. Dbrand’s alternatives aren’t available in as many colors as Sony’s apt-titled console covers but can be combined with Dbrand vinyl skins, which can be applied to the middle of your PS5 to create something a little more unique.

The PS5 comes with 825GB of storage out of the box but is compatible with a variety of M.2 SSDs if you need more space. There’s no shortage of M.2 SSDs on the market, but they can vary wildly in terms of their performance. Also, not all M.2 SSDs come packaged with a heatsink, which is necessary if you’re planning to use this drive with your PS5. Here are a couple of options we can recommend based on their performance and price point.

Update February 27th, 3:55PM ET: Article updated with new availability and pricing information as well as info regarding the newly released DualSense Edge.

]]> Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[Frontier’s bringing its 5-gig fiber network across the country]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/30/23578020/frontier-5-gig-fiber-internet-att-network-isp-google 2023-01-31T19:27:22-05:00 2023-01-31T19:27:22-05:00
Frontier joins AT&T as another 5-gig capable ISP available in the United States | Graphic by William Joel / The Verge

Frontier, an internet service provider (ISP) that services 25 US states, has just launched 5 Gig fiber internet service across its entire network. Frontier launched 2 Gig fiber internet service less than a year ago, and the 5 Gig plan is currently available in all of Frontier’s fiber-connected markets, with no phased rollouts.

Compared to the cable-bound internet that most of us are familiar with, Frontier’s 5 Gig internet is reported to have upload speeds that are up to 125 times faster and up to five times faster downloads, all delivered with less latency.

The new 5 Gig network is one of the fastest internet options currently available in the US, with other fiber-enabled ISPs like Verizon Fios and Google Fiber still capped at around 2Gbps. Right now, other 5 Gig networks currently available in the US include AT&T, which offers 2 Gig and 5 Gig plans, and Optimum. Altice communications senior vice president Janet Meahan notes Optimum has started rolling out 5 Gig service across its fiber footprint in Connecticut and Long Island, as well as parts of its fiber networks in the Bronx, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Westchester.

Google Fiber is also slated to add 5-gig and 8-gig plans to its lineup sometime this year, despite its numerous setbacks.

The 5 Gig plan offered by Frontier starts at $154.99 per month, with the fee including a router and installation. This is roughly $55 more than the 2 Gig plans offered by Frontier and other ISPs; however, costs, availability, and promotions can vary from state to state. Even with a monthly price exceeding $150, 5-gig internet connectivity can be invaluable for networks responsible for a large number of devices and is still less expensive than AT&T’s 5Gbps plan, which starts at $179.99.

5-gig connection speeds are good, but only as long as you have the hardware to support it. Most Wi-Fi 6E devices, like the Google Nest Wifi Pro, are capable of handling 5Gbps throughput, but anyone planning to subscribe to Frontier’s new plan will want to check their specific hardware beforehand to get the most out of their investment.

Correction January 31st, 7:30PM ET: An earlier version of this story said AT&T had the only other 5-Gig service, but in fact, Optimum is also offering 5-Gig fiber service in several areas. We regret the error.

]]> Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[Samsung’s artsy 65-inch Frame TV is $400 off at Best Buy]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23577733/samsung-frame-qled-tv-apple-watch-wearable-roku-deal-sale 2023-01-31T11:41:17-05:00 2023-01-31T11:41:17-05:00
The newest model of The Frame TV is on sale at Best Buy and Samsung. | Image: Samsung

Whether you’re gearing up for the Super Bowl or are just looking for a great QLED TV that doesn’t look like your average TV (we’ll explain), this deal on Samsung’s 65-inch model of 2022 Frame TV is worth checking out. Normally $1,999.99, Best Buy and Samsung have discounted the 65-inch Frame to $1,599.99, matching its lowest price ever. What makes Samsung’s Frame TV interesting is its matte, anti-reflective screen. Not only can it defeat glare — it can also make paintings displayed on it look realistic. It comes with an art mode that cycles between famous pieces when it detects motion in the room, turning this TV into a conversation starter.

In terms of specs, The Frame supports HDR 10 Plus, and it has a 120Hz refresh rate with HDMI 2.1 ports. It’s also worth sharing that this super-thin TV connects to sources via Samsung’s OneConnect breakout box, which makes it easier to manage your cables. While The Frame doesn’t stack up spec by spec to, say, the similarly priced LG C2 OLED, the Frame is a more eye-catching option.

The 41mm GPS configuration of the Apple Watch Series 8 is currently discounted to $349 at Walmart and Best Buy (normally $399). The Series 8 isn’t very different from the Apple Watch Series 7, but it still offers helpful new features like crash detection and menstrual tracking. While you’ll likely still need to top off the Series 8 every day to keep it charged (depending on your usage), the low-power mode should help to keep your wearable running for just a bit longer. Sure, $50 off isn’t a massive discount, but if you’re hungry for Apple’s latest and greatest wearable, you aren’t going to find a better price. Read our review.

The Roku Streambar is still matching its all-time low price of $99.99 at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon (normally $129.99). The Streambar is compact, wall-mountable 14-inch soundbar with the unique ability to pipe 4K content via Roku’s streaming platform. It can also provide audio when connected via optical audio, and it can be paired wirelessly with additional Roku subwoofers and speakers down the line for a more powerful sound.

A few more deals just for the gamers

  • The SteelSeries Arena 7 and Arena 9 gaming speaker setups are currently matching their lowest price ever at Amazon. The Arena 7 is on sale for $229.99 (normally $299.99), while the Arena 9 is available for $439.99 (normally $549.99). The Arena 7 is a 2.1 speaker setup that comes with a single subwoofer and a pair of RGB-enabled speakers. The larger Arena 9 comes with everything found in the Arena 7 but also comes with an additional pair of surround sound speakers, a center channel speaker, and a volume control dial.
  • The 4TB configuration of the WD Black P10 Game Drive has returned to its all-time low price of $99.74 at Amazon (normally $129.99). The P10 uses a USB-A interface with transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, which is sufficient for offloading Xbox or PlayStation titles. If you use it with PS5 or Xbox Series consoles, it’s great for cold storage, but you’ll need to move games back to each console’s respective SSD to play them.
  • If you’re looking for a faster storage solution for your PC or PlayStation 5, you can get the 2TB configuration of the Corsair MP600 M.2 SSD on sale at Amazon for $179.99 (normally $209.99). It comes with a heatsink preinstalled, and its PCIe 4.0 speeds are very fast in the PS5 and in PCs with compatible motherboards.
]]> Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[The Apple Watch Series 7 with LTE is down to just $329 today]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/28/23574116/apple-watch-series-7-amazon-fire-hd-8-plus-tablet-logitech-mx-keys-mini-keyboard-deal-sale 2023-01-28T11:06:05-05:00 2023-01-28T11:06:05-05:00
Frankly, you’re not losing out on much if you opt for Apple’s last-gen wearable. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

The Apple Watch remains the go-to smartwatch for iPhone users, but unless you absolutely need some of the new features found on the Apple Watch Series 8, the last-gen Series 7 remains an attractive wearable — that is, when you can find it. Thankfully, you can currently pick it up at Walmart in the 45mm, LTE-equipped configuration for $329, which is $200 less than its newer counterpart typically goes for.

In terms of specs, the Series 7 is a lot like the newer Series 8. It features better dust resistance and a larger display than its predecessor, along with all the fitness-tracking metrics you expect and compatibility with watchOS 9. What it doesn’t offer is things like menstrual tracking and crash detection, two features unique to the Series 8. But if you can live without them, the last-gen model is still plenty capable. Read our review.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus propped up in Show Mode

If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly tablet, Amazon’s latest Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus are currently discounted at a variety of retailers. The ad-supported Fire HD 8 with 32GB of storage is on sale for $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, while the 32GB Plus model with ads is down to just $99.99 (normally $119.99) at Amazon and Best Buy. The ad-free models of both tablets are also on sale at Amazon for $94.99 and $114.99, respectively.

Both the standard Fire HD 8 and the HD 8 Plus share many of the same specs, including an 8-inch IPS LCD display, USB-C support, and a relatively low-end processor, which makes it difficult to recommend these tablets for anything work-related. The HD 8 Plus, however, also features wireless charging and more RAM, allowing it to act as an Echo Show if you mount it on a charging dock and handle simultaneous apps slightly easier. That said, both are incredibly affordable and fit the bill if you’re looking to do little more than stream Prime Video and consume Amazon content. Read our Amazon Fire HD Plus review.

Need a new keyboard? Logitech’s comfortable MX Keys Mini is a sleek, wireless option that’s compatible with Windows and macOS. Its slim profile will be immediately familiar to those who have used Apple’s Magic Keyboard, and it’s equipped with scissor-type switches that provide just enough tactile feedback while avoiding the usual clicks and clacks often associated with other mechanical switches. The backlit peripheral can also last for up to 10 days on a single charge and recall up to three Bluetooth devices, or connect via 2.4GHz. Normally $99.99, you can currently pick it up at Dell in white for $69.99, which remains one of the best prices we’ve seen on the low-profile offering yet.

A few additional deals to kickstart your Saturday

]]> Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[The Razer Kishi V2 is now compatible with touchscreen-only games]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/23/23567901/razer-kishi-v2-update-mobile-gaming-controller-touchscreen-android 2023-01-23T15:17:11-05:00 2023-01-23T15:17:11-05:00
The latest firmware update for the Razer Kishi V2 makes the controller more versatile. | Image: Razer

Thanks to a recent firmware update to Razer’s Kishi V2 mobile gaming controller and the Razer Nexus app, the controller can now support games that were previously touchscreen-only on Android. There is currently no firm launch window for a similar rollout for iOS devices, but the Virtual Controller Mode is slated to come to Razer’s Edge tablet controller sometime in Q1 2023.

This new feature is accessible through Razer’s free Nexus app, which in addition to now letting you remap controller inputs to touchscreen controls, provides a centralized hub to launch games and stream them on Facebook Live or YouTube. Nexus may not be quite as capable as the Backbone app but is entirely free, whereas the Backbone Plus app requires an annual subscription fee of $39.99 to access all of its features.

While many popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, Apex Legends Mobile, and Vampire Survivors feature support for first-party controllers from Xbox, PlayStation, and even repurposed Stadia controllers, touchscreen-exclusive titles like Genshin Impact and Marvel Snap can now benefit from having their touchscreen inputs emulated via the Kishi V2.

The list of native mobile games that benefit from a controller is only getting longer, but arguably the best use of mobile controllers like the Kishi V2 and Backbone One is streaming games using services like Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce Now.

]]> Alice Jovanée <![CDATA[Humble Bundle’s Winter Sale kicks off today]]> https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/20/23564338/humble-bundle-winter-sale-pc-games-deal-sale 2023-01-20T16:15:48-05:00 2023-01-20T16:15:48-05:00
Humble Bundle’s Winter sale goes live today | Image: Humble Bundle

Here’s your PSA to remind you that the Humble Bundle Winter Sale has started, knocking up to 90 percent off a variety of titles until February 7th. The sale features discounts on a plethora of AAA and eccentric indie games, but we’ve put together a short list of highlights that we can personally vouch for. Buying a game off the Humble Bundle store allows you to donate a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choice once you’ve set up an account.

The majority of the games on sale are unlocked via your Steam account, but a handful may require an Epic Games Store or Ubisoft Connect account.

In addition to the aforementioned titles, you can find a number of Square Enix games on sale as well.

Tactics Ogre Reborn $42.49 (normally $49.99)

Nier Replicant $29.99 (normally $59.99)

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade $39.89 (normally $69.99)

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the Humble Bundle store, you might want to check out Steam’s Lunar New Year sale, which is marking down games from studios like Sega, Rockstar, and Electronic Arts, to name a few.

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