Another year passes, and another roster of gaming gadgets passes the GamesRadar+ test bench. Between brand new graphics cards, the long-awaited Nintendo Switch successor, and more controller releases than we can physically store, it's been a big'un.
Nvidia's new generation of RTX 50-Series graphics cards kicked off the year, more gaming keyboards adopted highly adjustable magnetic switches, and gaming laptops took OLED displays and sprinted with them. That was all before the Nintendo Switch 2, and all its associated accessories, hit the shelves. It's been a busy year, so we're looking back at the tech that shone the brightest in the last 12 months.
Best gaming PC - Acer Predator Orion 7000
One thing I'm always a fan of is big-name gaming hardware brands that are willing to go back to the drawing board, listen to feedback, and improve on something they've made. The latest iteration of the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2025) is an example of why.
The Predator Orion series of gaming desktops has been something of a mainstay in the prebuilt PC market for years, and although its most powerful configurations are still prohibitively pricey, the 2025 model feels like a huge maturation.
Acer's new case and cooling components, which it first showed off at IFA 2024, have been implemented beautifully here, and they completely reshape the identity of the Predator Orion machines, historically some of the best gaming PCs on the market. The new case fans are shockingly silent, the new AIO keeps even the beefiest Intel CPUs cool, and the new aesthetic of the chassis makes it feel like a brand new generation of gaming PC.
If you don't opt for one of the priciest configurations, like the review sample we tested, you'll still benefit from new coolers and cases in the more affordable Orion 3000 or Orion 5000 models. You may not get exactly the same case or fan configuration, but you'll get newly designed rigs that put utility, low noise levels, and cooling front and centre.
Acer still has work to do in terms of making its PCs affordable - its most powerful configurations take some liberties with industry-standard "builder's fees" and the cost of parts used. But its latest generation of Orion desktop shows that sometimes, a sweeping change of design and a willingness to adapt things can result in a much better end product for consumers.
Runner up
CyberPowerPC Ultra XT3D
The real winner here is CyberPowerPC's custom builder that lets you create the PC of your dreams. Yes, the CyberPowerPC Ultra XT3D we tested was excellent, turning in impressive gaming scores thanks to the use of an RX 9070 XT GPU, but the reason this brand deserves praise in 2025 is for giving consumers a way to get the best of both worlds. Building, or buying pre-built? Why not have a bit of both?
Best gaming laptop - HP Omen Max 16
The HP Omen Max 16 shot to the top of my list of the best gaming laptops this year. It ranked well above others in its power class in benchmarks, with high-end specs contained in a slick chassis and an OLED display option.
If 2025 was the year of the RTX 50-Series, OLED displays, and slimmer waistlines, the HP Omen Max 16 welcomed it all with open arms. This is one of the more powerful 16-inch machines I tested this year, topping benchmark charts with some particularly fiery framerates and synthetic test scores.
It does all that while packing a serious lightshow in its pudding-style keyboard, and with the option to add an OLED panel up top. It's sleek, simple, and powerful, the ultimate backpackable rig with the power to take on anything you can throw at it for years to come.
I'm always pleased to see rear-mounted ports, and they're more difficult to find on smaller machines like this, as is the ethernet connection and full-sized keyboard. You're getting a lot more for your money here, with that RGB underglow effect it ticks every box.
Runner up
MSI Raider A18 HX
If we're talking about the year's biggest gaming laptop release from a sheer power perspective, we have to pay MSI its dues. The Raider A18 HX A9W stomped onto the battlefield and left its footprints all over the premium RTX 5090 shelves. With 300+ framerates popping up in benchmarks, this is the most powerful rig I've tested so far and it does it all with a gorgeous 4k Mini LED display.
Best gaming handheld - Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 was undoubtedly the biggest hardware event of 2025, and it thankfully lives up to its post-release hype.
I won't lie, I wasn't originally expecting the Nintendo Switch 2 to snatch the best gaming handheld crown in 2025. I was expecting a new portable PC to show up and set some new performance standards for an approachable price point, but since that scene seems preoccupied with premium parties, Ninty's console wins out thanks to its new 4K docking abilities, enhanced full HD handheld mode visuals, and all-new design.
The new-age high-spec handheld scene is still in its infancy, and this is something Nintendo absolutely takes advantage of with the Switch 2. While other companies are aiming to see how much power they can cram into a portable, this console instead sticks with its original format while using new tools like Nvidia DLSS to hit a 4K sweet spot. That's something the likes of the Steam Deck OLED and $1,000 ROG Xbox Ally X can only dream of achieving, and it boosts fps even higher using its 1080p 120Hz screen out of the dock.
Yes, I know that there are nuances to how the Switch 2 achieves higher frame rates that tie to out-of-reach graphical settings. But, when all is said and done, Nintendo's latest console is providing a better feeling handheld experience than the rest, all while keeping tricks like (new and improved) magnetic Joy-Con controllers.
Runner up
ROG Xbox Ally X
Hats off to the ROG Xbox Ally X, as while I have big issues with its $1,000 price tag, its Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset and Windows 11 optimizations are helping move the portable format forward. It also breaks away from the Steam Deck format with console controller-inspired grips, which make for a far more comfortable on-the-go gaming experience.
Best gaming monitor - Alienware AW2725Q
I spent a lot of time staring at 4K monitors, but the Alienware AW2725Q stood out from the crowd in 2025 thanks to its ultra-dense QD-OLED panel.
It's easy to assume all 4K monitors are created equal, but AW2725Q proves you can achieve sharper results depending on the model. This specific Alienware display packs 166 pixels per inch into its panel, making it the first 27-inch display to do so. The result? Well, I certainly couldn't single out any pixels, and the extra sharpness textures and text pop across virtually anything you're playing.
It's worth noting this is also a QD-OLED screen, so you're getting that level of vibrancy required to enter the best gaming monitor arena. It still has some caveats compared to traditional WOLED models, like a slight blue tinge to blacks and compromised results in certain lighting conditions, but the overall package makes up for that with superb contrast and speedy 240Hz capabilities.
The Alienware AW2725Q perhaps isn't the most cost-effective model, but if we're talking purely about taking the throne in 2025, it absolutely smashes its ambitions. It feels like only 4K screen that has used UHD capabilities to wow me in quite a while, even though it also pulls serious punches on the speed and vibrancy front.
Runner up
Dough Spectrum Black 32
There are quite a few OLED monitors like the Dough Spectrum Black 32 on the market today. However, the 32-inch display did firmly grab my attention with its glossy Gorilla Glass coating, as it helps transform the LG panel within into something that pops harder than its pre-existing counterparts. It's far from perfect, but there's a lot to appreciate here if you're a high-spec screen enthusiast.
Best graphics card - Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
I'm still not every happy with the price of graphics cards generally, but the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 does steal the crown this year as the green team's realistic flagship GPU.
By that, I mean that while it's still one of the most expensive best graphics card contenders out there at $1,000, it feels more approachable than the RTX 5090. That card has been all but claimed by the ravenous AI scene that's now coming for your RAM, so if we're focusing on top performance for a technically attainable price, the RTX 5080 does win out.
Love or hate AI upscaling tools, DLSS 4, and Multi-Frame Generation are what help the RTX 5080 ascend to the top. In compatible games, boosting fps to a sweet spot is arguably a non-issue in 2025, and you'll even find that it can ramp things up to match high refresh rate monitors without dialing back settings to their minimum. The tech is impressive to say the least, and while AMD's eventual equivalent RX 9000 card could eventually offer up higher specs with less generated frame shenanigans, that GPU has yet to emerge.
That is to say, until there are more high-spec options out there, the RTX 5080 is the best GPU you can grab that just about retains a normal price point. I say normal, but that's compared to the RTX 5090 that costs thousands, and you will still be at the mercy of custom model pricing.
Runner up
AMD Radeon RX 9070
I'll tell you what, if AMD uses the same approach as the Radeon RX 9070 when creating its eventual flagship GPU for this generation, it will absolutely win out. Not only does this card edge ahead of the RTX 5070 in terms of native frame rates, but it can also use Frame Generation at a driver level for much wider compatibility across your library. Not to mention its price is also fairly competitive, so it's all eyes on the red team as we enter 2026.
Best SSD for gaming - Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB
The Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB SSD is one of the fastest Gen 5 drives on the market today, and even though it came just shy of its boasted box speeds, it still managed to outdo the best SSDs for gaming and all other Gen 5 drives our team has tested.
Not many PC players have a setup that's capable of taking on Gen 5 Drives, so these new-fangled SSDs are still off-limits for the majority. However, the Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB SSD is a "feat of engineering" as stated by our team's Duncan Robertson when he reviewed it earlier this year, and is highly worth adding to your rig if you're still deadset on building the most futureproof PC gaming rig possible.
If you're after a super-fast drive specifically for your gaming needs, the 9100 Pro doesn't falter there either. Games like Hunt: Showdown 1896 were able to boot up in 22 seconds in testing, while Baldur's Gate 3 was running in just 16 seconds. These speeds were just mere seconds faster than other Gen 5 drives like the Crucial T700 Pro 2TB or the WD Blue SN500 4TB, but the blistering speeds are nonetheless an impressive sight to behold, and why it's claimed the spot for the best SSD for gaming of 2025.
Runner up
Lexar PLAY 2280 SE PS5 SSD
If we want to give a Gen 4 drive its due, then the Lexar Play 2280 SE PS5 SSD is more than deserving. The 4TB PS5 SSD remains exclusive to US Costco, but it brings ample amounts of value and fast speeds to the table. This $224.99 MSRP drive comes with its heatsink attached and a tiny screwdriver right in its box. PS5 formatting benchmarks offered up a 6,387 MB/s read speed. However, on PC, the CrystalDiskMark benchmarking tool gave it an average 7,105.6 max read speed, which is far faster than the advertised speeds.
Best gaming mouse - Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro
With its industry-leading sensor, super comfortable form factor, and sturdy battery life, the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is the gaming mouse of the hour.
This is Razer's latest competitive wireless pointer, and it takes everything the brand has learned to date and dials the volume up to 11. It's got that classically ergonomic DeathAdder curvature, with the esports prowess you'd expect from a high-end Viper. The brand's latest Focus sensor packs the highest DPI and IPS rates I've tested so far, but (more importantly) additional customization features that actually help far more in-game.
Things like dynamic sensitivity between the X and Y axis, incremental DPI shifts down to increments of one, and the rotation tool that helps cut out any natural curve to a pan movement all combine to make the DAV4 Pro the best gaming mouse I've had my hands on so far. It's pricey, but if you're looking for the final word in competitive rodents, it's the best on the market.
Runner up
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE
The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro might be the best mouse on the market, but if you prefer customization over speed, the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE isn't far behind. This is the return of the MMO giant, with the brand bringing its Stream Deck plugins to that famous 12-button side panel, all while keeping the same squat form factor and adjustability.
Best gaming keyboard - Asus ROG Falcata
The Asus ROG Falcata is devastatingly premium, but I can't lie and say it isn't the best gaming keyboard I've tested this year.
Debatably unnecessary split design or not, the Falcata brought us the best magnetic switch experience I've had in 2025, a year largely defined by the uprising of those adjustable clickers. This is a Hall effect keyboard, and so is naturally more customizable than mechanical options. Asus has pumped just about every feature you can imagine into that experience, though. This is the Hall effect experience with all the trimmings: four-step actuation, a super smooth feel (that avoids the mushy, woolly vibe of alternatives), a wireless connection (rare), and easy, streamlined software.
Outside of those clickers, this thing is an absolute unit. You can, of course, keep it pushed together in a conventional 75% form factor, but hyper-competitive FPS players also have the option to do away with the whole right side of the deck. Keeping things focused on WASD means plenty more mouse-slinging space.
It's a premium option, but if you're after a modern gaming keyboard that does it all, this is the year's biggest drop.
Runner up
Razer Joro
This might be the first GamesRadar+ Hardware Awards that doesn't feature a mechanical keyboard. Our runner-up, the Razer Joro uses the brand's scissor switches (also seen on the Razer Blade 16) in a tiny form factor. It's a Bluetooth gaming keyboard that prioritizes portability, but it feels fantastic, it's built like a brick, and it just looks gorgeous.
Best gaming headset - SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset is one of the cheaper entries to our best gaming headset list this year. Its value for money is undeniable, though, offering the most compelling overall package of the year.
SteelSeries' latest budget cups take a lot from one of my favorite headsets in the brand's busy catalog, the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless. The same lightweight 260g form factor, with its soft-to-the-touch fabric-coated cups are on full display, and the new pair felt just as comfortable on my noggin' as the 5 Wireless before it. In fact, it was even more of a delight thanks to some little quality of life features.
SteelSeries equipped the new 3 Wireless with a detachable ClearCast Gen 2.X detachable boom microphone and a new slimline dongle. The latter is super easy to slot into the USB-C port of my PS5 and brand-new Switch 2, so I could listen to the fantastic 40mm Neodymium drivers give justice to my favorite games of 2025.
Over the months that followed its release, it became apparent that the 3 Wireless would be our favorite cups to pair with Ninty's newest handheld. For its cheaper price tag, you're getting that premium SteelSeries audio, an app with over 300 EQ presets ready for the taking, and a fantastic battery life for sturdy on-the-go gaming. That's everything one could ask for, without inflating the price tag with features that won't make sense for casual players. Unless you're an esports professional (and most of us aren't), this is the top pick of the year.
Runner up
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
It's another new addition to an iconic headline line that's caught our team's attention this year, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro. The latest release received a full 5-star sweep, thanks to its enthralling sound, inclusion of ANC, simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio, and Windows-specific THX Spatial audio support. If you prefer a bassier response, these cups could even beat out the SteelSeries Artis Nova Pro Wireless for sheer audio quality as well.
Best gaming chair - LiberNovo Omni
The LiberNovo Omni has been one of the breakout hardware stories of the year. From a never-before-seen brand, to a viral Kickstarter product, to maybe the Herman Miller rival we've been waiting years for.
The LiberNovo Omni isn't just the best gaming chair of 2025; it's encroaching on the territory of the best gaming chairs ever made.
This brand has taken a new approach to desk chair design, including its clever dynamic backrest support system to counter what other product designers have missed: Humans don't just sit in one position all day. They shift, they fidget, they find new comfortable poses every 20 minutes or so. We've seen floating lumbar support in recent years, which does go some of the way to catering to this issue, but none have done it like the LiberNovo Omni.
Two things set the Omni apart from other chairs. Firstly, its cushioning is irresistibly plush. Secondly, the excellent alignment of this chair that allows you to recline while at a desk, and keep your posture support, screen alignment, and the overall ergonomics of the chair. Sitting and gaming at a desk doesn't have to feel like you're doing a second work shift, and the comfort of this chair in its reclined modes is unmatched.
Some gaming hardware can be overly hyped, but this isn't one of them.
Runner up
AndaSeat Novis
Something that was really nice to see this year was the arrival of more "budget" gaming chairs from existing brands. There's no escaping the fact that gaming seats are expensive places to sit, and so when AndaSeat launched its Novis chair that went toe-to-toe with Razer's Iskur V2X, it was good that shoppers had options at the lower end of the price scale. The AndaSeat Novis manages to cram some of the best features and best comfort this brand has produced into this price point though. Its design is something that looks every bit as premium as flagship offerings.
Best controller - Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
2025 has been an astounding year for controller releases, which has made choosing a winner for this award very difficult. Amidst the emergence of TMR controllers, Razer's Wolverine V3 design philosophy, excellent budget options, and hybrid competitors like the Azeron Keyzen, Nacon has redefined what a premium feel is with the Revolution X Unlimited.
I'm constantly testing controllers up and down the price spectrum, and when the same amazing features and functionality are available under $100 as they are at a $200 price point, it consistently leads me to ask why controllers are ever priced that high. Nacon's $200 Xbox and PC controller winning this award in 2025 is not an endorsement of that price point, but it is a nod to say that if a brand is thinking of charging this much, at least make it feel like it's worth every penny.
Nacon has always made premium-feeling Xbox controllers, but there's a different feel to the RXU even when you compare it to the Revolution 5 Pro that launched for PS5 not too long ago. Everything from the rubberized materials covering the grips to the thumbsticks, the weights you can add to the grips, and the luxurious face buttons - all of it feels heavenly, and worth the $200 you pay for it.
Sure, the on-board display is a bit gimmicky, and doesn't really set the RXU apart from other controllers like it maybe should, but the other features of this controller are great. I could give a whole separate award to the face buttons alone. They nail a common design theme for gamepads in 2025; How do you get the speedy actuation of microswitch buttons into something that has the comfortable feel of a membrane button? Nacon has the perfect answer.
It's been a highly competitive year for controllers, but Nacon's Revolution X Unlimited asks questions of budget and big-name brands about what being a "pro" controller in this day and age actually feels like.
Runner up
GameSir G7 Pro
In my mind, the GameSir G7 Pro is the all-round leader of the TMR controller pack. It actually does a lot of the same great things the Nacon RXU does, just at a more affordable price point that's under $100. GameSir is constantly asking the big brands why they need to charge as much for their pro controllers, and it says a lot that this is GameSir's priciest product, and it's still only $79.
Best retro console - Analogue 3D
The Analogue 3D takes on the daunting task of bringing the Nintendo 64 back in glorious 4K, and y'know what? It goes much further than that.
As an N64 apologist who has spent years trying to get Ninty's 3D console to look good on modern screens, the Analogue 3D is an absolute game-changer. Using the power of FPGA tech, it perfectly mimics Nintendo's original hardware so as to boast compatibility with every original cartridge, but beyond serving collectors and enthusiasts, I fully believe it sets a new bar for the best retro console remakes to come.
100% compatibility is one thing, but the Analogue 3D's biggest trick in my book, is its visual options and effects. While the original hardware has unsightly blur effects, anti-aliasing, and texture filtering baked in, this system lets you switch all of that off in addition to realistic CRT filters that give everything that '90s tube TV pop.
Yes, the 3D is darn expensive, but it is what I'd call the ultimate way to play Nintendo 64 games. You'll have original controller ports at your disposal if you want to keep things authentic, but it also hangs onto modern comforts like Bluetooth (largely for its excellent optional 8Bitdo N64 controller) and 3DOS for library tracking and other features. If this is what the future of retro console remakes looks like, I can't wait to see more comebacks in 2026.
Runner up
G'AIM'E Time Crisis Lightgun
The G'AIM'E Time Crisis Lightgun console only just misses out on my top spot this year, but it's still worth celebrating. While the fact it only boasts up to four games and has no way to acquire new outings is a bummer, it has single-handedly revived one of my favorite '90s arcade genres using authentic-feeling peripherals and a great port of Namco's clock-watching shoot-out.
Best racing wheel - Logitech G RS50
We waited, and waited. At times, it felt like we'd never get a true successor to the affordable Logitech G920 and G923, but we finally have. The Logitech G RS50 has arrived, and it harnesses the power of the G Pro, the modular design of the RS Wheel Hub, and the more affordable price of those legacy wheels.
2025 has been a strangely competitive year for the best racing wheels, and it's a testament to Logitech's prowess in this space that even with new competition from Nacon, Thrustmaster, Moza, Turtle Beach, and Fanatec, it's still gone straight to podium position with its new mid-ranger.
The RS50 may not have the bulking size of the G Pro wheel base, but its slightly more compact hub still gives you 8Nm of Direct Drive feedback, and combined with Logitech's own TRUEFORCE system, you get plenty of detailed force feedback for a $699/£599 bundle.
But what the RS50 is truly great for is bringing together this brand's sim racing ecosystem. It pulls together all of the best bits into a compatibility grid that (while confusing), does give loyal and new customers the best value for money. With an adapter, you can hook up pedals and gear shifters from previous Logitech products. You can also combine the RS50 with the still-new RS Wheel Hub to really hone in on the genre of racing you do. There are ways to configure your loadout to have compatibility with all three platforms across console and PC. Logitech still has it, folks.
Runner up
Nacon Revosim RS Pure Bundle
It's always great to see an existing brand venture out into new markets. It's even better when a fresh name arrives in a gaming hardware space that feels a little stagnant, then drops something that feels fresh and innovative. The Revosim RS Pure bundle that arrived from Nacon this year is exactly that. For its price, it delivers a premium and customizable racing experience, and one that feels like it's here to stay.
Best accessory - Belkin Charging Case
The Belkin Charging Case shot to the top of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories list the moment I had finished reviewing the highly convenient and ingenious accessory.
The best accessories for any device are ones that can improve upon any features that might be lacking, and this Belkin case does just that. The chunky 10,000mAh power bank that's nestled into the bottom of the case allows you to continually charge the Nintendo Switch 2 on the go, even when fully zipped up, which can dramatically improve upon the measly 2 – 6.5 hours of playtime provided by Nintendo.
Even without the accompanying power bank, this is a great case. It provides storage for up to 12 physical Switch and Switch 2 games via a protective fabric flap that rests upon the 7.9-inch display. Opposite this, you can find a fabric mesh pocket to store smaller accessories, and inside that, there's even a hidden pocket available, which is designed to store an Apple AirTag. If you don't mind its plain exterior, it's not just the best case I've reviewed all year, but my number-one recommended purchase I make for all new Switch 2 owners.
Runner up
Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card
This Switch 2 SD Card adds an extra 256GB worth of space, which doubles the handheld's storage, and looks good while bringing the storage boost with its official Super Mario 'M' design. It's not just its looks that have earned it my favorite accessory of the year runner-up spot, but it's down to the lightning-fast speeds it brought to the handheld, which allowed me to boot up Mario Kart World in just 22 seconds, and transfer the 7.3GB Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition in 1 minute 44 seconds.
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