Tried and tested: the best gaming accessories

Want to know the best accessories to boost your gaming? Our tech editor trialled them and here's her top picks.

WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive for Xbox (2TB)

A smart and portable way to boost your games library

$129, harveynorman.com.au

The WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive for Xbox is designed to boost storage in Xbox games consoles.

PROS

Simple Xbox upgrade

Available up to 5TB

Tough body for travel

CONS

Not solid state storage

No USB-C cable

For storing, not using games

This looks like it was made for gaming, arriving in a container-like form that is rugged and handsome. This hard drive plugs directly into the back of one of Microsoft’s new consoles, to boost the number of titles you can store locally. Its capacity ranges from one to five terabytes but because it’s a hard drive, not a solid-state drive, don’t try to play games directly from it. A solid buy.

4 stars

Razer Kishi

This gadget makes it feel like Xbox made a portable machine

$160, razer.com/au

PROS

Authentic controls

Pass-through charging

Very easy to connect

CONS

Won’t accommodate all phones

On the pricey side

Only works with one system

This smartphone gaming accessory will make you think the Xbox can travel. The ends of the Razer Kishi open up to fit around most standard shape Google and Apple phones, plugging into the charging port. No fiddling is required to play games from the Xbox cloud, and this model even comes with a 14-day Game Pass code. Two clickable joysticks, triggers and familiar buttons offer authentic gameplay.

4 stars

Backbone One

The ultimate mobile gaming accessory has landed

$180, playbackbone.com.au

PROS

Solid design with full controls

Suits games from many platforms

Very easy to set up

CONS

Only available for iPhone now

Requires subscription after a year

Optional iPhone 13 accessory to fit

From the moment you install it, it’s obvious the Backbone One was created by dedicated gamers. This mobile game controller snaps to both ends of an Apple iPhone, while a dedicated Backbone app delivers quick access to games from many sources including Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Remote Play and Apple Arcade. It also has the greatest number of controls, a shortcut for screen captures and a solid build. On the downside, after a year you’ll be asked to pay a $76 annual fee, and there’s no model for Android devices yet.

4.5 stars

Otterbox Mobile Gaming Clip

A cheap way to elevate your gameplay

$34, otterbox.com.au

PROS

Cheap way to get started

Holds phone tightly

Works with lots of phones

CONS

Must provide own controller

Can be tricky to set up

Too chunky for a phone stand

This is one of the cheapest ways to take your mobile gaming to the next level. The clip springs open at one end to hold a Google or Apple phone, while the clip on its other end levers open to hug an Xbox One or Series controller. When connected, you can play Apple Arcade or Xbox Games Pass games with buttons designed specifically for it.

4 stars

Logitech G733 Gaming Headset

A glowing, striking and comfortable headset for gamers

$300, logitechg.com

PROS

Super comfortable for long wear

Removable boom mic

Pulsing, programmable lights

CONS

Can’t connect to a phone

Requires USB stick and software

Plastic build

There’s no mistaking this headset for regular headphones, with its pulsating light strips. Available in four colours, including vivid lilac, the headset features large ear pads for long wear, and a removable boom microphone for chat. Buyers might be disappointed to learn they don’t have Bluetooth and can’t be used for phone calls after a game.

3.5 stars