Budget vs Premium Gaming Gear: Where Should You Spend (or Save)?
Budget vs. Premium Gaming Gear Guide | SteelSeries
Find out where to splurge and where to save on gaming gear. Compare budget vs premium mice, keyboards, headsets, and more.
Every gamer has faced it—staring at that shiny, feature-packed piece of gear and wondering, “Do I really need this or will my budget setup survive for another year?”
From high-DPI gaming mice to those ultra-tall monitors that do that curving thing, the options (and price tags) are limitless.
The truth is, not every premium upgrade is worth the splurge. But some can genuinely improve your gameplay, comfort, and even your win rate. Let’s break down where spending big makes sense, where budget options hold their own, and how to build a setup that’s perfect for your playstyle and your wallet.
How to Decide Where to Spend Your Gaming Budget
Before you go off on a spending spree (or talk yourself into making that $10 Amazon mouse work for another year), it’s worth determining where your money will have the most impact on your gaming experience.
Here are some things to think about:
Know Your Playstyle
Do you grind in competitive FPS? Or are you more of a cozy gamer, living life through your Sims, and just want smooth visuals and relaxing tunes? Competitive players will likely get more value from investing in premium mice, keyboards, and monitors to get input precision and high refresh rates. But casual gamers are better off with some comfort upgrades like a quality chair or headset.
Consider Your Gaming Hours
If you’re logging 20+ hours a week (okay, Ninja), premium gear’s durability and comfort features will pay for themselves over time. If you’re only hopping on occasionally, you can get away with a budget setup that still feels great.
What’s Your Weakest Link?
There’s simply no point in buying a $400 mechanical keyboard if your GPU isn’t even pushing 60 frames per second. Identify the weakest link in your setup—whether that’s your monitor, mouse, graphics card, or even your chair—and upgrade that first.
Think Long-Term, Not Just “Next Game”
It’s easy to justify a gear purchase because of a single game release you’re pretty excited about (“I need this headset so I’m ready for that battle royale”), but the best spending decisions consider how gear performs across years of play and many different games.
Tip: If you’re ever torn, put your budget into gear that directly impacts your in-game performance and your comfort—these are things you’ll notice every single play session.
Key Categories: Budget vs Premium Gear Breakdown
Not all gear upgrades make sense for every kind of gamer. Some may be game-changers but others may not be worth the spend to you.
What's great is that SteelSeries has a wide range of options, from budget to premium. We'll provide suggestions for both types of gear, but feel free to browse our store for more options!
Gaming Mouse
Your mouse is your in-game aim, so it’s worth getting right.
Budget:
4,000+ DPI sensor
Comfortable shape for your grip
Wired for low cost + low latency
Switches rated for ~20M clicks
Recommendations: Get the Rival 3 Gen 2 Wireless (or Wired for even less). Both are fan-favorites that feature Gen 2 upgrades and super-responsive, ultra-fast performance.
Premium:
Close to 20,000+ DPI with flawless tracking
Lag-free wireless (2.4GHz for gaming, Bluetooth switch)
Adjustable weights & extra buttons
Switches rated for 60M+ clicks
Recommendations: Go for Aerox 3 Wireless, or for Aerox 5 Wireless (more side buttons, longer battery), or even Aerox 9 Wireless if you want MMO-style 12 buttons on the side.
Gaming Keyboard
Your keyboard is your command center — but how much do you really need?
Budget:
Membrane or entry-level mechanical
Basic anti-ghosting
Minimal or single-zone RGB
Recommendations: Get the Apex 3 TKL Aqua (or Lavender, many colors available).
Premium:
Mechanical or optical switches
Per-key RGB + custom macros
Hot-swappable switches & premium build
Recommendations: Get the Apex Pro Gen 3, Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, or Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Gaming Headset
Hearing is half the game — especially when footsteps mean victory or defeat.
Budget:
Gets the job done! Does not mean low-quality audio
Mic is still good
Can still be wireless
Recommendations: Our range of Arctis Nova headsets is wide, but your best bet for really good quality on a budget are Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and Arctis Nova 3P Wireless. Both are superb choices and pack plenty of features.
Premium:
Surround sound & noise cancellation
High-clarity mic
Wireless (or even Dual Wireless) with long battery life
Multi-platform capabilities
Recommendations: Go all out with Arctis Nova Elite. Alternatively, get the Arctis Nova Pro (it’s wired, but there is an Wireless option with ANC if that’s important to you).
Gaming Monitor
Your monitor can make or break how smooth and responsive your games feel.
Budget:
60–75Hz refresh rate
1080p resolution
Basic color accuracy
A budget option will do just fine in slower-paced or story-driven games.
Premium:
144–360Hz refresh rate
1440p or 4K resolution
Low response time + G-Sync/FreeSync
For your competitive shooters where every millisecond counts, premium is the way to go.
Gaming Chair
Okay, a gaming chair may not be the flashiest upgrade to your gaming setup, but I promise a good gaming chair can save you from a sore bum and a backache.
Budget:
Basic ergonomic support
Limited adjustments
Durable enough for short sessions
A basic chair is great if you’re only gaming for a few hours a week.
Premium:
Full lumbar + neck support
Highly adjustable armrests/tilt
Premium materials for long-term comfort
A premium chair is worth it for marathon gamers, streamers, or anyone who’s spending extended hours at their desk (hello work-from-homers).
Budget-Friendly Ways to Upgrade Without Going Premium
Not ready to drop hundreds on new gear? You can still level up your setup without maxing out your credit card.
Take a look at the full range of products offered — decide on what kind of features you need and go from there. SteelSeries offers plenty even at the entry-level ranges.
Wait for sales — Black Friday, summer sales, and big game launches often bring steep discounts (hint, hint, we have deals all the time!).
Upgrade your weakest link — focus on the one component holding your setup back the most.
Even small, smart upgrades can give you a noticeable boost in comfort, speed, or style.
Where Premium is Actually Worth It
Sometimes, spending more really does translate to better gameplay and long-term value. Consider going premium if:
You play competitively — milliseconds matter in FPS, MOBAs, and esports, making high-end mice, keyboards, and monitors worth it.
You game for hours daily — premium chairs and headsets prevent fatigue and keep you comfortable over long sessions (also great if you work or do school from home).
You want gear that lasts years — durable switches, sturdy frames, and quality materials outlive cheaper alternatives.
Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Think of it as investing in gear that improves both your performance and your experience every single time you play.
Make Your Gaming Dollars Count
Whether you’re rocking a budget-friendly rig or a top-tier battle station, the best setup is the one that fits your playstyle, comfort needs, and gaming goals. Splurge where performance or comfort will give you the biggest boost, and save where it won’t hold you back.
Remember: even budget gear can feel premium when it’s chosen wisely — and premium gear is worth it when it earns its keep every session.
Ready to upgrade? Check out SteelSeries’ lineup of gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets to find the perfect gear for your budget and your grind.
Wordsmith at SteelSeries. Enthusiastic about Dota 2 and fighting games. A cat dad.
