Those last minute Back to School shoppers are getting their money's worth this week, with Best Buy launching its own sale to join countless others in their student discounts. Things can still get pretty pricey, though, so PC gamers will want to make sure their investments can handle both work and play.
Take it from someone whose only gaming came from an old Nintendo DSI for a year of college (and we were years past the device's actual era, before anyone Uncs me), that's easier said than done. Being smart with your budget means prioritizing gadgets that can fit both worlds seamlessly, so I've picked one of the best gaming laptops, the best gaming earbuds, and one of my favorite gaming mice to prioritize in this balancing act.
That means a gaming laptop that doesn't sag your backpack, a set of earbuds that can handle ranked matches just as well as your playlists, and a rodent that uses its buttons for far more than your inventory.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Gaming laptops come with their own drawbacks when used for school. Their chunkier chassis', shorter battery lives, and loud designs can be a bit much for library sessions, but if you want to keep your hours up while studying they're a far better investment than a desktop PC. That versatility to travel, and the extra computing power you're playing with from a productivity standpoint, make them ideal two-in-one devices for work and play.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the more expensive options on the market, but it does nail the compact form factor particularly well. The slimline chassis won't bulk out a bag any more than a regular mid-range laptop, and it still packs a sturdy keyboard worthy of all-day typing. Its battery life lets it down, coming in at about four hours for study. If you prioritize performance and don't mind carrying a spare charger with you, though, this is always my first recommendation.
Side note: If your priorities do swing the other way, the Asus TUF A14's AMD Ryzen AI CPU is far more focused on power efficiency and can still put up a good fight in games. It's also slightly cheaper, coming in at around $1,500 on Best Buy's good days.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds aren't just the best in-ears for gaming, they can also carry your playlists pretty well as well. It's tough to find low-latency 2.4GHz earbuds with an easy Bluetooth connection, this much attention to the lower ranges, and handy onboard controls for playback and calls. Many gaming-focused earbuds aim for speed and speed alone, making them a little awkward in everyday use. Here, you're getting everything you need in one set.
There are a few small twinges in the plan. The fit relies on a sturdy twist to ensure the buds stay in place, and should they wiggle out just a little you'll find annoying repeated pauses. After a couple of years' use, I eventually switched off the ear detection feature to avoid these cut-outs.
Still, for an all-round set of buds that will replace both your EDC and gaming headset, there's nothing else quite like these on the market.
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE
Sure, you can use a trackpad for gameplay, if you're a sociopath. The rest of us will need a separate rodent for gameplay. Thankfully, the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE will help you out with your inventory and macros, while also adding to your control roster for every day study.
That's because the 12-button side panel often seen in MMO-flavored gaming mice is also fully customizable with Stream Deck functions. That means all your usual key combinations can be easily matched up on the side, but the panel can also be used as a launcher or per-program macro deck. It's a gaming mouse first and foremost, but in the last few years I've had far more fun using it as a productivity device.
- See all Back to School Sales at Best Buy
I've tested over 60 gaming laptops to find you the best option for college, but we're also rounding up the best gaming handhelds and the best gaming tablets for more lightweight tech.
