The gaming industry saw explosive growth in 2020, with more than half of US residents turning to video games as a way to pass the time, socialize, and generally entertain themselves during the pandemic. If you’re new to the whole gaming thing, however, you might want to consider picking up a capable headset before jumping into competitive play. Thankfully, everything in HyperX’s headset lineup is consistently reliable, with the Cloud Alpha S being a solid choice for those looking for clean sound, comfort, and a subtle look that should mesh well with just about anything. Right now, the jet black model is on sale at Amazon for $90, nearly matching the best price we’ve seen on the wired headset. Read our review.
HyperX Cloud Alpha S
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S benefits from swappable ear pads, a minimalist design, and great sound, rendering it an easy choice for both PC and console gamers.
Like HyperX, Blue is a company that’s become synonymous with reliability. The Blue Yeti is a certifiable classic, though it’s not always the cheapest given how popular USB mics have become in the era of never-ending Zoom meetings and virtual meetups. The versatile mic is easy to set up and just as simple to use, and its three-capsule microphone can capture clear, warm sound that should be appeal to both amateur podcasters and anyone wanting a more professional setup. Normally $120, the Blue Yeti is available at Woot for $100, a decent percentage off even it’s not the lowest price we’ve seen.
Blue Yeti microphone
The Blue Yeti is a tried-and-true USB mic. The well-built device is incredibly easy to use and features onboard controls for simple operation, ensuring you can capture studio-quality sound in your bedroom or home office with ease.
If you’re in need of a no-frills mouse, the Logitech MX Master 2S is available at Lenovo for $50 with coupon code MXMASTER50 (discount applies at checkout). The last-gen device isn’t as capable as the upgraded MX Master 3 — there’s no magnetic scroll wheel or USB-C support — but the professional mouse remains a great budget buy at half the cost. Its main selling point is its comfortable ergonomic build. It’s also outfitted with a 4,000 DPI sensor and support for Logitech Flow, a feature that lets you quickly transition between multiple computers by simply moving your mouse cursor from one device to the next.
Logitech MX Master 2S
Logitech’s MX Master 2S proves sometimes less is more — at least when priced accordingly. The last-gen mouse boasts a comfortable ergonomic build, a 4,000 DPI sensor, and an adaptive scroll wheel.
Other deals of note
- The Xbox Series S is $290 at Costco (members only), the lowest price we’ve seen yet on Microsoft’s rare console. Read our review.
- A two-pack of Anker’s 20W Powerpoint III Nano Charger is $25 at Amazon, 14 percent off the usual list price.
- Amazon’s third-gen Echo Dot is on sale at Woot for $25, one of the better prices we’ve seen on the puck-like device outside of Prime Day.
- The red Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS) is still $319 at Amazon, one of the lowest prices we’ve seen on the celebrated smartwatch outside of Amazon Prime Day. Read our review.
- Apple’s AirPods Max are $478 at Amazon and $480 at Best Buy, their best-ever price. Read our review.
- The gold configuration of Jabra’s Elite 75t earbuds is $120 at Best Buy and $119 at Amazon, just slightly above their best-ever price. Read our review.
- A 6-foot Amazon Basics USB-to-Lighting cable is $7 at Woot, nearly 50 percent off.
- DJI’s Osmo Mobile 3 Gimbal is $80 at Amazon, matching the lowest price we’ve seen on the last-gen stabilizer. Read our review.